5 star reads of 2015

This year has been a great reading year, I have not had 40+ 5 star reads for a long time. A lot of my favourite series came to an end and this brought very mixed feelings. Hesitance and reticence to read as I just did not want to say goodbye to the characters that I have come to know and love. So out of 370+ books I had 43 5 star reads. I have picked my top 3 and they are all very different but that is what I love about reading, books are so diverse and we love them all for very different reasons and the emotions and feelings that they evoke. 

I just want to take time to thank all the authors that so tirelessly pour their blood, sweat and tears for months at a time onto those pages, only for us to devour them in a few hours. I appreciate each and every one of you.

So...my favourite book of 2015 was...

 Razorblade Kisses by RL Griffin

My review can be found here: http://www.theromancecover.com/2014/12/rl-griffin-interview-giveaway-review-of.html

This book has stayed with me for a very long time, it is a tough read but there was something about the heroine in this book that totally enveloped me into the predicament that she found herself in and had the strength to get out of. While she did not necessarily make the best choices, she did what she thought was best at the time and I could understand her actions taking into account her age and her vulnerability. This book is one of my go to books, I read it in times on a book funk and have actually read it at least a dozen times and it still has the same effect as the first time.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1FJDw9z

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UhHtt6

My second favourite book was...

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre

My review can be found here: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/09/release-day-blitz-excerpt-review.html

For me this book was character driven, it was funny yet still had that emotional connection that I crave, the heroine had me in hysterics and she was intensely headstrong. This was a quick read for me, the pages just turned and turned and I laughed and laughed. This was a fantastic pick me up book and I devoured every single word.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1EE3Nug

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1fYDEKQ

And finally...my third favourite book was...

Iniquity by Amy Bartol

My review can be found here: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/12/review-iniquity-premonition-series-5-by.html

This book was a long time coming but the wait was so worth it. Authors sometimes have that dilemma where the characters are just not talking and this was the case with the final book of the Premonition Series. So we had to patiently wait until Evie, Reed, Brennus et al decided to let themselves be heard in this fantastic finale to my all time favourite paranormal series. I am not a huge paranormal reader and I used to body swerve them at every opportunity but someone I trusted told me to read this series and I just never looked back. This is one of those series that I would love to see on the big screen. Amy Bartol's vivid descriptions brought these characters to life and I lived it all. This is an amazing series and I highly recommend.

Buy Links:

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1LAZNOn

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1GxVcoB

and the other 40 in no particular order:

321 by JA Huss

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/169xzHN

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PymEKO

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/01/review-three-two-one-321-dark-suspense.html

A Necessary Sin and The Next Sin by Georgia Cates

Buy Links:

A Necessary Sin

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1aFzpSC

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1OtYv2Q

The Next Sin

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Cab5Ru

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1MIeZ6p

My review:  http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/01/review-necessary-sin-sin-trilogy-1-by.html

Beneath the Stain by Amy Lane

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Q2GWZe

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Omh2ma

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/05/review-beneath-stain-by-amy-lane.html

Blind by Lydia Michaels

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1McBrEt

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1IPyFtP

My review: I have only just read this book so have not yet written a review, here are my initial thoughts:- 

"This is what I think is going to be a "marmite book" you will either love it or hate it. For me personally, I fell in love with these characters and this story.

This was a book that popped up on my Amazon recs and I fell in love with the synopsis. This is a book that is all about connection, trust and learning to believe in yourselves and each other. This was nothing like I expected but I lived the journey that these two characters took. I was emotionally invested throughout, kept page turning and didn't want the book to end...always a winner in my eyes. This was geek tastic and for us nerds even we deserve love."

Corrupt by Penelope Douglas

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1MhzvxW

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1HTebuw

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/11/review-corrupt-by-penelope-douglas.html

Countdown to Killing Kurtis by Lauren Rowe

Buy Links:

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1B6YPyY

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1YTTaYw

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/06/release-day-blitz-excerpt-and-review.html

Dance With Me by Heidi Cullinan

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PblSAw

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1iE0wSd

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/09/review-dance-with-me-by-heidi-cullinan.html

Echo by EK Blair

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1RAeIIE

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Rap9my

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/05/release-day-blitz-and-review-echo-black.html

Indebted #3, #4 and #6 by Pepper Winters

Indebted #3

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yInR9E

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Nnphve

Indebted #4:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1H34MCC

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Tpgwm9

Indebted #6:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1OxCkf9

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Sq0dpH

My reviews:

Indebted #3: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/01/blog-tour-review-giveaway-second-debt.html

Indebted #4: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/04/blog-tour-review-excerpt-giveaway-third.html

Indebted #6: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/11/release-day-blitz-final-debt-indebted-6.html

Fisher's Light by Tara Sivec

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1C5rc33

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1SnRtTe

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/03/release-day-blitz-review-giveaway.html

Grayson's Vow by Mia Sheridan

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1UIsNmc

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1FyXyD9

My Review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/09/review-graysons-vow-by-mia-sheridan.html

Gus by Kim Holden

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1EYzOXF

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1PytgsL

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/05/review-gus-bright-side-2-by-kim-holden.html

Henry's End by Julie A Richman

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NTUwPZ

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1P1PUVF

My review:  http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/05/release-day-blitz-excerpt-review-and.html

If You Dare by AR Torre

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1RI1WXc

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1L6521K

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/11/release-day-blitz-review-if-you-dare.html

Inappropriate by Elizabeth Finn

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Ddv5kh

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1IFMBXL

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1210995653?book_show_action=false

Kick Push by Jay McLean

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1HpXxCd

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TwJKkN

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/08/blog-tour-review-kick-push-by-jay-mclean.html

Manwhore & Manwhore + 1 by Katy Evans

Buy Links:

Manwhore:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Ki9Svk

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Ou9wkC

Manwhore + 1:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1HiOTJn

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1YTZ6Rh

My reviews:

Manwhore: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/03/review-manwhore-manwhore-1-by-katy-evans.html

Manwhore + 1: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/07/review-manwhore-1-manwhore-2-by-katy.html

My Soul to Keep by Kennedy Ryan

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1NxycZB

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1O9ApNt

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/11/release-day-blitz-excerpt-review_16.html

Never Never by Colleen Hoover and Tarryn Fisher 

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1AOVkzT

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1RSMs62

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/01/review-never-never-by-colleen-hoover.html

Paper Hearts by Claire Contreras

Buy Links:

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1JKbfmI

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1UtL6kn

My review:  http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/09/review-paper-hearts-hearts-2-by-claire.html

Restless Waters by Jessica Park

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1Jy10Pd

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1hHUtMa

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/09/review-restless-waters-left-drowning-2.html

Sea of Stars by Amy Bartol

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1IeD4RX

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1IPW47K

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/03/review-sea-of-stars-kricket-2-by-amy.html

Sweet Hope by Tillie Cole

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1DjHYPH

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Lyf3vu

My review: I couldn't write a review for this one, I was too emotional, it was that good!!

"One word...amazing!! This is by far my favourite of this series. This story broke my heart in so many ways, so many tears but such a beautiful read. Leopards do change their spots and in this case there really wasn't that many spots to change. The past is the past, what was done was done but it was all done for a very unselfish reason. I just LOVED this one. When I can form a coherent sentence I will write a full review."

The Deal by Elle Kennedy

Buy Links:

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1vylXcl

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1RaGICV

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/03/review-deal-off-campus-1-by-elle-kennedy.html

The Fall Up by Aly Martinez

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ORMolI

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1XtxDHk

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/10/blog-tour-excerpt-review-giveaway-fall.html

The Friend Zone by Kristen Callihan

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1ETW4Gm

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1TrFum2

My review: "I absolutely loved and adored this book. I could not put it down. These characters were fantastic, their friendship in the beginning was beautiful, their texting while being miles apart being and having never met went to show how suited these two were. Their chemistry was off the charts, I felt it all, every glance, every touch, every text, every kiss just everything!! It was believable, it was honest, it was stunning."

The Girl Before Eve by Lisa J Hobman

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1BjPd8w

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1YU22gE

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/02/review-girl-before-eve-by-lisa-j-hobman.html

The Ground Rules by Roya Carmen

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1M4vb8g

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1Ff4QkS

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/06/review-ground-rules-by-roya-carmen.html

The Mad Tatter by JM Darhower

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1IZnYzT

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1NWWr45

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/05/review-mad-tatter-by-jm-darhower.html

The Virgin and The Queen by Tiffany Reisz

Buy Links:

The Virgin:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1yJuqpq

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1YU2Su2

The Queen:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1LU1YHH

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1N4aXKJ

My reviews:

The Virgin: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/04/review-virgin-original-sinners-white.html

The Queen: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/10/review-queen-original-sinners-8-by.html

The Song of David by Amy Harmon

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PpDHQn

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1JLeDvC

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/06/release-day-blitz-and-review-song-of.html

Thoughtful by SC Stephens

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/17Gfphr
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1NUaIRl

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/02/blog-tour-review-thoughtful-thoughtless.html

Trust by Ella Frank

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1zrvi7N

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/22AfSJT

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/05/well-donna-posted-this-week-early-and.html

Unblocked (Episode 2) by Marni Mann

Buy Links:

(for complete series)

Amazon UK:  http://amzn.to/1EgYHnQ

Amazon US:  http://amzn.to/1FzRFLz

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/04/release-blitz-review-excerpt-giveaway.html

Verum by Courtney Cole

Buy Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1EXZ6ay

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1KET6Ur

My review: http://www.theromancecover.com/2015/02/release-day-blitz-with-review-verum.html

Excerpt Reveal ~ Slave to Love by Julie Richman

Mixing business and pleasure is never a good idea. Or is it? 

Find out in Slave to Love by 

Julie A Richman releases January 14th!

Add to your TBR at: http://bit.ly/SlaveToLoveTBR

Book Description:

There are risks to mixing business with pleasure...

IF A MAN HAS AN AFFAIR AT WORK, HE'S A STUD.

He was a royal prick.

The night we met, he ignored me.

Then Mr. Big Shot CEO grabbed my ass in a business meeting. 

My boss just loaned me out to this guy.

Now, we’re working on a major project together. 

And our chemistry is dangerous.

Combustible.

If I allow it to ignite, I’ll risk losing that promotion. 

Worse, what if I lose myself in him?

IF A WOMAN HAS AN AFFAIR AT WORK, SHE'S A SLUT.

From the moment I saw her I knew she was trouble.

It was the combination of her fresh face, smart mouth and nipples that seemed to know my name.

This woman could satisfy my needs both in the boardroom and the bedroom.

But there was more to it than that.

I wanted her.

Really wanted her.

And I was in the position to change the course of her life.

But I’ve got secrets, secrets that could destroy her.

And either make her mine or drive her away forever.

Excerpt:

Slave to Love

© 2015 Julie A. Richman

Parking the Lotus, I quickly head to her side to help her out. She gives me a look and I laugh, “I’m only trying to be a gentleman.” I feign innocence.

“Mmm-hmm.” Even her mmm-hmm is dripping sarcasm.

Not commando. White lace. Oh God, she’s destroying me. I want to rip them off and lower her onto my lap. Impale her and discover what kissing does to her with my cock inside her.

Damn it. Will I be able to keep the promises I want to make?

Our waiter comes by and I order two Manhattans, smiling at Sierra.

“Craving cherries?” Her eyebrows are raised.

Oh man, she really is going to kill me tonight.

“Only if they are yours.”

“You want mine?” she asks and I can see she feels it. She feels our energy.

“More than you can imagine.”

“I would hate to deny you.”

“Good girl. Then don’t.”

The waiter places the Martini glasses in front of us and I lift mine, “Good to see you again.” And I hope she can see how sincere I am.

“Good to see you.” She takes a sip and her nose scrunches up. “This tastes different.”

“They make theirs with rye whiskey instead of bourbon.”

Another two sips and the cherry is no longer submerged. Sierra reaches into the glass and plucks it out. About ready to pop it into her mouth, she catches my eye and smiles. She’s just messing with me. Reaching out, I grasp her slender wrist and slowly pull it to me. Taking the tips of her thumb and forefinger into my mouth, I suck the cherry out from between her fingers and show it to her on my tongue before slowly chewing it, a smile firmly planted on my face.

I’m still holding her wrist and with my free hand, I signal to the waiter for two more.

“We need to talk, Hale.”

I can see she is struggling. We are in such dangerous territory and we escalate there quickly and too easily. She is clearly unnerved and I’m not sure if it’s by her own behavior, mine or what happens when we’re together. Her eyes search mine as if she is hoping to find some truth. I loosen my hold on her wrist and pick up my drink.

“Let me start by first saying something I have yet to say to you. I’m sorry, Sierra. I’m sorry I disrespected you.”

About the Author:

USA Today Bestseller Julie A. Richman is the author of the highly acclaimed NEEDING MOORE SERIES trilogy (SEARCHING FOR MOORE, MOORE TO LOSE & MOORE THAN FOREVER), BAD SON RISING & HENRY'S END. Saddled with the affliction of serious wanderlust, Julie can often be found behind a camera lens in locales from Paris to Alaska.

 

STALK HER: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Pinterest

Excerpt Reveal ~ Aced (The Driven Series #8) by K Bromberg

Book Description:

Rylee and Colton's ride continues...

One moment. Six years ago.

The night she made the world around me so much more than just a blur. Now it's the catalyst that threatens to tear us apart.

Our happily was supposed to be ever after. So why do I feel like it's slipping through my fingers?

How can one moment, when our world seemed so right, resurface and cause our perfect life to spiral out of control?

I can't lose her.

She's my checkered flag.

Colton Donavan is back in ACED, January 11, 2016!

Pre-Order Links:

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1MYKwGF

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/1KerEx7

iBooks: http://apple.co/1hML059

B&N: http://bit.ly/1NqDlFf

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1EkCboq

Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/1NX9mb5

Amazon AU: http://bit.ly/1OVtIjs

Excerpt: 

“I talked to my parents. To Tanner. To Shane.” My voice fades off as the disbelief I have to take stock and let him know the damage control I’ve done takes hold. Unsure how to respond to me when he’s always so sure, he just nods his head as our eyes hold steadfast. “I just don’t know...” My voice is so soft, it sounds so very different than the storm of anger that rages inside me, and yet I can’t find it within me to show my emotions. I can feel his fingers tense from my comment, see his Adam’s apple bob from the forced swallow, and notice the tick of muscle as he clenches his jaw.

“We’ll get through this.”

The condescending chuckle falls from my lips, the first break in my fraudulent façade because it’s so damn easy for him to say. “I know.” Voice back, emotion nonexistent, tone unsure.

Colton stares, willing me to say more but I don’t. I just match him stare for hollow stare as images of myself from Google flickering through my mind. Finally he breaks out connection and reaches his fingers to pinch the bridge of his nose before blowing out a sigh.

“Scream at me, Ry. Yell. Rage. Take it out on me. Do anything but be silent because I can’t handle when you’re silent with me,” he pleads. All I can do is shake my head, dig down within myself to will the emotion to come. When I can’t find the words or the feeling behind them, it unnerves him, worries him. “I’m sorry, baby. Were we stupid? Maybe. Do I regret it?” He shakes his head. “I regret all of this, yes, but that in general? No. So many damn things happened that put you and me where we are now. So for that? I’m not sorry. You pushed me that night, made me question if I could give someone more of myself.” He reaches his free hand up to brush a thumb over the line of my jaw. His touch reassuring, his words helping soothe the sting of our situation.

“It’s not your fault,” I say, trying to ease the concern in his eyes.

“Maybe not directly . . . but I made you color outside of your perfectly constructed lines . . . do something against your nature, and look what happened. I’m so sorry. I wish I could make this right,” he says, dropping his head as he shakes his head in defeat. “All I can try to do is mitigate the damage. That’s it.” He throws his hands up. “It’s killing me because I can’t fix this.” The break in his voice and the tension in his body would have told me everything I needed to know even if he hadn’t uttered a sound.

I look at my achingly handsome husband, so distraught, so desperate to make wrongs right that aren’t his to be held responsible for. And seeing him as upset as I am makes me feel a little better and allows me to dig into the deep well of emotion. I finally find the words I need and want to tell him. The decisions I came to last night when I sat on the deck and considered the life-altering situation we were in.

“Stop. Please quit beating yourself up over this. I don’t blame you.” I pause, my teeth worrying my bottom lip as I put words to my thoughts and wait for him to hear that last sentence.

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author K. Bromberg writes contemporary novels that contain a mixture of sweet, emotional, a whole lot of sexy and a little bit of real. She likes to write strong heroines and damaged heroes who we love to hate and hate to love.

She’s a mixture of most of her female characters: sassy, intelligent, stubborn, reserved, outgoing, driven, emotional, strong, and wears her heart on her sleeve. All of which she displays daily with her husband and three children where they live in Southern California.

On a whim, K. Bromberg decided to try her hand at this writing thing. Since then she has written The Driven Series (Driven, Fueled, Crashed, Raced), the standalone Driven Novels (Slow Burn, Sweet Ache, Hard Beat, Aced (a new Rylee and Colton novel releasing 1/11/16), and a short story titled UnRaveled. She is currently working on new projects and a few surprises for her readers.

She loves to hear from her readers so make sure you check her out on social media.

Connect With Kristy

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