BOOKS ‘N COZY SPOTS: Jaycee’s 2014 YEAR-END WRAP UP
BOOKS ‘N COZY SPOTS BOOK REVIEWS
2014 YEAR-END WRAP- UP
Jaycee ~
My Reading Year 2014, in Summary:
Reading for the purposes of providing a meaningful and cogent review is quite different from reading strictly for pleasure. It was an adjustment to say the least, and I find that I have had to allow myself the leeway of reading a book once for pleasure, as I always did, and then again for critique purposes. I get my cookie and then the author’s get theirs!
I can also say that reading as a reviewer has opened my eyes to genres and sub-genres that would never have pinged my radar in the past. And this is a good thing. Nothing like a push from an author/publisher, and a deadline from Princess (squishy hugs!) to make one open one’s mind to possibilities, and worlds previously unexplored. I believe the only harder working thing in my household than me this past year, is my coffee maker!
Thanks to Terry for recommending me to Princess. Thanks to Princess for inviting me on board. And many, many thanks to all the hard-writing authors and budding authors out there, for allowing me (and occasionally inviting me) to tag along on the journey your imaginations take. It is indeed a privilege, and a pleasure.
And now to the good stuff:
Overall Favourite Book Reviewed in 2014:
This is an almost impossible category. There are so many standouts for so many very different reasons. Ultimately, the biggest standout was FINDING PARKER by Scott Hildreth.
So far from the usual romance I read, yet beautiful at an almost visceral level. It was thoughtful and smart and…unexpected, and I think the latter is why it hits the top of my list in a year of really exceptional books.
Favourite Contemporary Romance for 2014:
I am an avowed Joey W. Hill fan. No one quite as consistently captures heart-and-soul depth of world and character the way Ms. Hill does. Genre notwithstanding, I don’t even need to look; my finger just simply “one-clicks”, even when said clicks are on the dreaded ‘serial’ offerings. My general rule of thumb for the serial is “Don’t!” For this one author I will make the exception, and so my favourite Contemporary Romance for the year was Ms. Hill’s four-part NAUGHTY BITS series.
I love this tale of one woman’s journey in to self-acceptance and self-discovery, and of the man patient enough to guide her discovery of her need for him and the life they could have together. While this is so well written it reads like a complete novel, even in parts, this serial is available in a compilation one-buy as of January 5, 2015. As a bonus, the link below will take you to Ms. Hill’s website for the buy link as well as a free sneak-peek at the content, for all you voyeurs…you’re welcome!
http://www.storywitch.com/book-nb-ls
Favourite Paranormal Romance for 2014:
I am addicted to D. B. Reynolds’ Vampires In America series, and this year’s rise of the Mexican Vampire-Lord-In-Waiting, VINCENT, hit all my vampire-romance-suspense buttons. “Vince” as I like to call him, just not to his face, will be an exceptional ally for Ms. Reynolds’s uber vamp, “Raphael”, and I am firmly along for the journey as alliances are made and firmed in preparation for the upcoming Armageddon.
This series contains unapologetically-vampire vamps; no one sparkles. At all. Ever. They do all contribute to a world that is as much about supernatural beings co-existing with humanity while they deal with inner customs and battles of superiority. It is as much about that world, and its intrigues, as it is about the romance. But its all there!
Favourite Book Hero of 2014:
Trenton Leos! THE Dominus. Fantasy Land. Period! And that folks, pretty much encompasses everything you need to know, however…
BECOMING HIS SLAVE by Talon PS is an epic book in size and in heart. This Hero is a man who would not compromise what was important to him or to his life, not even for the woman he loved. But he did show perfect patience in waiting for her to come to accept that her desires were the same. One must love a man with patience. Especially when he is THE Dominus. I mean, he does walk softly, but …
My review was not done for the BCS site, but was posted to Amazon/Goodreads and is linked here:
http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/831103609?book_show_action=true&page=1
Favourite Book H(h)eroine for 2014:
Hands-down, my favourite Heroine is right off the pages of TN Tarrant’s NIKKI’S SECRET. This was absolutely one of the most compelling stories I’ve ever read in its totality, but Nikki herself is a profile in courage and a profile in all that is defined as personal character. This is a beautifully written story of one transgendered woman and her partners, and the rich life they made for themselves; that they made happen for themselves.
Favourite Book Villain for 2014:
I don’t have one. I don’t think I read anything this year with any one villain I loved to hate. Well, except maybe “humanity”. There was a recurring theme in my reads, of the stupidity and narrow-mindedness of mankind, but no specific book villain.
I can agree with Charles M Schulz: “I love Mankind. Its people I can’t stand…”
Favourite Book Cover of 2014:
My personal winner in this category involves a series of books, and while I did review on Amazon and Goodreads, they were not reviewed under the auspices of BCS. But because I am in complete and total lust of the series AND its covers, I have to mark my “X” for Joanna Wylde’s REAPERS series covers. I mean, seriously…
Looking Ahead to 2015 – Books and Authors I’m going to follow closely and/or Highly Recommend:
Books:
-I’m definitely looking forward to the continuing saga of The Dominion of Brothers, in the form of “TAKING OVER TROFIM”. Due end January 2015, By Talon PS www.Talon-ps.com
-There is never enough Joey W. Hill in ANY year, though I know one can only write so fast…but I am also waiting for her next book in The Nature of Desire series, as yet untitled I believe, but it is Leland and Celeste’s story. Those who follow Joey’s Vignettes know Celeste had an AH-Mazing lesson handed to her by Ben, and Leland will be just the man to fit the permanence bill.
In addition, Joey will do another four-part Naughty Bits serial, involving some of Madison’s clients from Naughty Bits store. They will be released in consecutive months, in similar fashion to the original series. Bonus?: another glimpse of Logan, ‘cuz…yah…
Authors:
-In addition to Joey W. Hill www.storywitch.com , Talon PS and Princess SO www.Talon-ps.com …
-I will read anything, and I do mean anything by Annabel Joseph. www.annabeljoseph.com I am particularly partial to her books “Molly’s Lips” and “Burn For You”. A pair of intense, emotional life stories that should both be read together. They are BDSM themed, but the romance/relationship takes centre stage; a detail that is crucial to me.
The final book in her “Properly Spanked” series (historical, DD/Hoh themed) is due out early 2015 as well.
-Another auto-buy author is Cherise Sinclair www.cherisesinclair.com The Shadowlands Series (Contemporary-Erotic-BDSM/romance) makes me warm and fuzzy and its one of those, “I-feel-miserable-today-I-need-a-good-book-to-curl-up-with” series of re-reads. BDSM themed, but again, the heart of the stories is romance/relationship based.
Her Wild Hunt Legacy Series (paranormal/shifter/ménage) is next due a book early in 2015, followed by “Master of Freedom” from the Masters of the Mountain Series (Contemporary-Erotic-BDSM/romance) on April 14, 2015. Mid year, about end July I believe, another Shadowlands book is due as well.
-Joanna Wylde and her Reapers MC Series, has me hot on the trail of GOOD biker stories. And Ms. Wylde has totally got GOOD, and good-to-be-bad-boys, locked down! This is a gritty, earthy, erotic romance series, and the reads are quite visceral. Need. More. Bikers. Check it out at www.joannwylde.net
-On the M/M side of romance I am all about SJD Peterson these days, and I started with her Guards of Folsom Series. (M/M / BDSM /erotic romance) “Bound” is the final book and it’s due out in 2015. So much more to check out as well at, http://sjdpeterson.blogspot.ca/
-More M/M romance ‘lurves’ include author Kari Gregg. Try out The Unauthorized Guide to the Field Hunt and I, Omega. (M/M / paranormal) Ms. Gregg provides a unique approach to some great worlds and lots of heart. Lots of seriously hawt nookie, too.
-Kendall McKenna has penned, or is still penning, a wonderful (M/M / paranormal /Military) series called The Tameness of the Wolf. I adore good shifter tales, and this is a really new and interesting take on the whole werewolf mythos, placed in a contemporary military setting. Very world-rich and very character-rich, I can’t recommend it enough to those who love shifters. www.kendallmckenna.com
-Author Scott Hildreth caught my attention in the past year with his Un Series of Fighter Erotic Romances. Fighter stories are not necessarily a go-to for me, and still aren’t a given, but in the hands of a really amazing writer like Mr. Hildreth, that becomes merely the setting, and the heart of the story is in the straightforward, relatively angst-free telling of the amazing relationships.
I included his truly compelling book Finding Parker, as one of my favourites of the year. I couldn’t find a website, but have attached the link to his Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/ScottDHildreth
-Candace Blevins. Her Safeword Series (Erotic Romance/heavily BDSM themed), specifically the “Matte” books, opened my eyes, pushed my limits, and made me think like few other books did this past year. These tales are hard-core lifestyle, but without being a how-to, nor preaching to anyone, she has created a venue for understanding via some really exceptional relationship stories. Highly recommend for the open-minded reader who requires a superb storyline. www.candaceblevins.com
– http://www.badboyscanbefun.com/ Welcome to Riley Murphy! I started with the Trust In Me series (Erotic romance/BDSM/Humour) and I’m working my way through her backlist. I will also be waiting for any new offerings because, while its true I love a good storyteller, I really appreciate a storyteller who can make me laugh from the gut—right after they’ve made me cry from the same.
-Other recommendations before I go ring in the New Year and raise a few too many glasses of good cheer?
Cristin Harber pens excellent erotic/romantic/suspense . Try the Titan Series www.cristinharber.com
Coreene Callahan owns one of my very favourite Dragon/shifter/erotic romance series called Dragonfury . www.coreenecallahan.com
Suzanne Wright and her Phoenix Pack Series (Erotic Romance/werewolf/humour) and Deep In Your Veins Series (Erotic romance/vampire) are fun reads.
http://www.suzannewright.co.uk/
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE, AND GOOD READING!
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