Another year has come and gone, so it's time for my "Best Of" list for 2013. Here are my favorite books that I read in 2013 (not all books were released in 2013 - I just happened to read them in 2013) as well as an international giveaway.
I'd love to hear what your favorite books were this year!
This was a very hard decision for me since I love all Urban Fantasy books. I particularly enjoy books about the Fae. The Sharpest Blade is the last in the Shadow Reader trilogy by Sandy Williams. It has non-stop action, a kick ass heroine, a smart and sexy hero and a wonderful plot. It makes me sad that this is the end of this awesome series.
Honorable Mention: Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews, Ever After by Kim Harrison, Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs, Requiem for the Dead by Kelly Meding, Red Hill by Jamie McGuire
I don't necessarily like Historical Fiction, but when paired with the paranormal, this genre is fast becoming one of my favorites. Kristen Callihan amazes me again and again with this series. This book that takes place in London and follows the story of Poppy and Winston. Winterblaze is based on a great story, and includes some smoking hot scenes.
Honorable Mention: The Dark Prince by S.L. Jennings, My Soul to Take by Madeline Sheehan, Savor by Kate Evangelista, Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost
Convicted by Aleatha Romig is an impressively written series ender about an uber-controlling man and the love, er prisoner, of his life. This book was fantastic - many secrets were revealed and the character growth was off-the-charts. I love the dark world of Tony and Claire and can't wait for Tony's PoVs due this year.
Honorable Mention: Arsen by Mia Asher, Thief by Tarryn Fisher, Night Owl by M. Pierce and Unattainable by Madeline Sheehan
Talk about a way to end a series! This book was amazing from start to finish. I have a thing for dark books with messed up characters and this series had it all. I didn't write a review for this book, mainly because I read it so quickly, but if I had reviewed it, I would have given it 5+ stars. The story consistency is spot on. The characters are wonderfully fucked up. And the ending - the ending is absolutely perfect.
Honorable Mention: The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz, Origin by Jennifer Armentrout
Ok. I suck as a reviewer. This is yet another book I read this year that I didn't review. However, this book gets 5 stars from me. Colleen Hoover is a masterful writer of New Adult romance books. This story of Sky and Dean is mesmerizing and full of heart. It is a beautiful, beautiful story.
Honorable Mention: Relentless by Cassia Leo, Savor by Kate Evangelista, Good and Better by S. Walden, True Love Story by Willow Aster, Vain by Fisher Amelie
Was this even a competition? Stacia Kane is a brilliant urban fantasy author that released this novella in August. It follows Terrible's point of view and just gives you more of him to love. This novella fits in perfectly with Kane's Downside Ghosts series and left me begging for the next novel in this edgy story.
Honorable Mention: Beautiful Wedding by Jamie McGuire, Nikolai by S.L. Jennings
Loved this dark, smutty book to pieces! From a male PoV, no less. There were some amazing scenes in this book, including an encounter in a car that I'm still fanning myself over.
Honorable Mention: This Man Confessed by Jodi Ellen Malpas, Working It by Kendall Ryan, The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz, Real Ugly by C.M. Stunich, Entwined With You by Sylvia Day
Okay - so maybe this category should be listed as a series that made me into a whiny, bitchy cry baby. Those who read my Goodreads rants will understand why I chose this series for this category. Karina Halle is an amazing author. She is incredibly prolific and produces an extremely high quality product. This is a profoundly dark contemporary romance that left me throwing my Kindle across the room. It's full of tattoo shops and drug dealers, cops and Mexican cartels. It's the journey of a wounded young lady from a con artist into something so much more. I <3 Javier forever!!!!
Willow Aster
Willow Aster published two amazing books this year, True Love Story and In the Fields. Here's the thing - these books are drastically different. This is no one hit wonder, writing the same series and characters. Both of these books involve young people, but that is where the similarities end. Aster writes beautifully and with confidence. She'll make you throw her book across the room, and she'll make you weep like a baby. I expect many, many great things from this very talented new author.
Honorable Mention: M. Pierce - Night Owl, Mia Asher - Arsen
Madeline Sheehan
To be fair, My Soul to Take was published in 2012, but I wanted to include it here just to show the number of books this Head Biker Babe is putting out. Madeline Sheehan is one of the most prolific authors of the last two years, turning out book after book of excellence. Many of you are familiar with her Undeniable series, but fewer of you have read her Holy Trinity series. Both of these series are excellent and I highly recommend them both if you are a fan of very dark subject matter and characters.
Honorable Mention: Cassia Leo (Pieces of You, Relentless, Bring Me Home), Jamie McGuire (Walking Disaster, Beautiful Wedding, Red Hill), Abbi Glines (Never Too Far, Forever Too Far, Twisted Perfection, Simple Perfection)
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