Top 10 Books I Read In 2013

It’s Top 10 Tuesday (hosted at The Broke and the Bookish) and the topic is:

TOP 10 Books I Read In 2013

I had a hard time picking only ten but decided to chose one from each of those series I loved this year. Romances made the top four, but I also had lots of heroines fighting for the next positions.

   

MY TOP FOUR READS

1. When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak – This author makes me cry with every book. I’m not usually like that, but those stories really touch my heart. They are super sad and the characthers need to overcome some sad things. Each book has a difficult plot, but this one was the saddest to me, because Callie had cancer and it was almost taking her.

2. The Divorce Party by Jennifer Hayward – This book was a nice surprise.The author is making a great debut and the story was full of reconnection. I love a book with a second chance story. Lilly and Ricardo needed a different view from their story and try to make things right.

3. I Only Have Eyes For You by Bella Andre – Another series that I started late. Everyone loved the Sullivans so I decided to read them this year. Sophie book was my favorite so far and her story was exactly like those I love, friends became lovers. Jake fought really hard but we can all see the love.

4. Only Yours by Susan Mallery – I loved Montana story. She had a difficult time choosing what to do with her life, but after she finally understood her mission things began changing and was happy again, but there’s one thing missing in her life. Simon was a very cold guy, but I liked the way he and Montana created a beautiful relationship.

   

5. Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep – This was the best book for me in the series. Gin put her plan in place and managed to finish Mab Monroe. I loved the family touch and those moments shared with persons that mattered to her. We can see that in this moment Gin needed her friends and family by her side, to face the biggest nightmare of her life.

6. Destined for An Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost – This was a troubling book for Cat, but I liked the way her relationship was tested and it became clear the love between Bones and the Red Reaper. This series is coming real close to an end and those side characters made me love this plot even more.

7. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews – This was a difficult book for me. We have those favorites and some bad things happen, but I suffered so much with the finale. This series became one of my favorites this year and the last released book took my heart. Can’t wait to see what Curran and Kate are going to do to save Atlanta again.

  

8. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione – This was such a different story and I loved meeting Eidolon and Tayla. They are complete opposite, but we can see the attraction and those sparks flying between these two. Since this is the first book, there are lots of introductions and we can see a great potential for this series.

9. Shadowed by Rebecca Zanetti – I fell in love with Rebecca Zanetti this year and her vampires are a favorite of mine. Those Kayrs brothers are to die for. They are strong, very powerful and full of those alpha instincts. Loved this series and can’t wait for the next books.

10. The Mistress by Tiffany Reisz – I had the great idea to read this series after ravishing reviews and now it’s only waiting until the next book. This year I snapped early the my copy and was so happy with the end of this era. This became one of those favorite erotica of mine and is going to be a re-read real soon.

Romance Review: One Night in Santiago by Audra North

One Night in Santiago by Audra North
Publisher: Entangled: Flaunt
Format: ebook
ISBN: 1622664108
Genre: Romance
Release date: December 30th 2013
Number of pages:  120
Source: Publisher

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

I received this book from Entangled: Flaunt in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Summary:

Lily Stanton’s vacation goes from bad to worse when a storm strands her in a foreign country, arguing with an arrogant—and very sexy—stranger over the last available hotel room.

Successful CEO Bruno Komarov wasn’t expecting the gorgeous woman checking in at the reception desk to challenge him over a room. Even more surprising, he actually enjoys their exchange.

But when Lily proposes a compromise—she’ll take the bed and he can sleep on the couch—Bruno pushes his attraction aside and assures himself that this can remain strictly business. After all, they’re both adults capable of keeping their hands to themselves. They’ll share the room, get a good night’s sleep, and be off to their respective destinations in the morning.

What could possibly happen in just one night?

Review:

When I started reading this novella had no idea it was part of a series and you can read as stand alone without a problem too. This was a nice story and I liked Lily from the start, she’s such a nice girl and needed some fun for a moment. Loved the converstaion with her sister, because we can clearly see the love and the worry her family felt for her. Bruno was a great guy actually and very hot too. So their night together was spicy, but they have more than that and it’s clear to anyone the deep understanding and love that could grow between them.

This is the second novella from this author and I’m really loving her creations. More Stanton, please.

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Paranormal Review: The Man Within by Lora Leigh

The Man Within by Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Format: ebook
ISBN: 1419951076
Genre: Erotica
Release date: October 28th 2004
Number of pages: 236
Source: Bought

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

Summary:

Book 2 of the Feline Breeds

He had protected her as a child, filled all her teenaged fantasies, and as a woman, he stole her heart. Only to break it.

Now, fifteen months later, the news has released. The man she loves is one of the genetically altered Feline Breeds who have shocked the world with their presence. He’s also her mate. The mark on her neck attests to that. The fire that rages in her heart and in her body further proves it. But he hadn’t wanted her then; does he really want her now?

Deceit and treachery, born in the past, now haunt the present as Taber and Roni fight to make sense of a sudden bonding. The mating of heart, body and soul as the man and the beast within merge; both battling the forces raging against the union and dominance over the woman he claimed.

Review:

Since I had a hard time with the audio, decided to go back to those ebooks that I love. This book is set around three months after the ending of Tempting the Beast and we see the Pride struggling to keep save and at the same time leave as normal as possible. We see some moments of dangerous scenes and it’s clear that not everything is smooth. The Council is still after Merinus and the babe and now the also want Rina. Nobody has a clue to why they are so set in those woman, but the only giving point is the fact these are the females mated to those Breeds.

We have also Tanner finding his lost mate. He had no idea that she was more than a girl he loved, but he marked and now the people know about everthing they do and it’s dangerous for Rina. Her father was a real ass and sold the news to a few newspapers and now she’s being haunted because of her connecting those two “animals”. I loved their problems, because not everything is so simple and we can clearly see that they are meant for each other, but some moments of the past changed their life. I loved this couple and now we have more felines, some dark and other more lethal.

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Series in Order

#1 – Tempting the Beast
#2 – The Man Within
#3 – Elizabeth’s Wolf
#4 – Kiss of Heat
#5 – Soul Deep
#6 – The Breed Next Door
#7 – Megan’s Mark
#8 – Harmony’s Way
#9 -Tanner’s Scheme
#10 – Wolfe’s Hope
#11 – Jacob’s Faith
#12 – Aiden’s Charity
#13 – Beyond the Dark
#14 – Dawn’s Awakening
#15 – A Jaguar’s Kiss
#16 – Mercury’s War
#17 – The Magical Christmas Cat
#18 – Coyote’s Mate
#19 – A Christmas Kiss
#20 – Bengal’s Heart
#21 – Lion’s Heat
#22 – Styx Storm
#23 – Primal
#24 – Navarros Promise
#25 – An Inconvinient Mate
#26 – Lawe’s Justice
#27 – Stygian’s Honor
#28 – The Devil’s Due
#29 – Rule Breaker (Expected publication: February 4th 2014)

Sunday Post #12

The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer. It’s a chance to share news~ A post to recap the past week on your blog, showcase books and things we have received and share news about what is coming up on our blog for the week ahead. See rules here: Sunday Post Meme.

I not into huge parties for Christmas so there was only dinner in my house with close family. I read a lot this week and for once the all those reviews are scheduled in advance. The year is almost over and I only need to read two more books for the Goodreads challenge. Didn’t spend any money, but Netgalley provided a few novellas.

Last Week on the Blog

Romance Review: Forged in the Desert Heart by Maisey Yates

Top 10 Books I Wouldn’t Mind Santa Bringing Me

Merry Christmas Everyone

2014 Netgalley Reading Challenge

2014 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

2014 TBR Pile Challenge

Paranormal Review: Lover Unbound by JR Ward

Re-Read: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Urban Fantasy Review: Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

Paranormal Review: Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh

News on the Reading Pile

NetGalley:

       

That’s all for this week. What you got to show? Leave me a link and I’ll come to visit.

Paranormal Review: Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh

Tempting the Beast by Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds
Publisher: Audible, Inc.
Format: audiobook
ISBN: B00ELLBTZY
Genre: Erotica
Release date: September 17th 2013
Number of pages: 8 hours
Source: Bought

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

Summary:

Callan Lyons is a genetic experiment, one of six fighting for freedom and the survival of their Pride. Merinus Tyler is the reporter who will tempt him, draw him, until the fury of the “mating frenzy” locks them into a battle of sexual heat they cannot escape.

The evil Genetics Council is hot on their trail. Leaving a trail of their own of deception and blood. Callan will use his strength to try to save them both…and do all in his power to keep his woman in the process.

Review:

I’ve read this series before and remember liking it, but could’n exactly explain the story or plots, so decided to try again and gave it another chance with the audio version. This was not the best audio for me, I think there was too much sex to listen and it didn’t help, but I loved the book. Just discovered that erotica and audio don’t mix right in my brain. There’s always other books for that.

The couple was okay, but I liked Merinus better. Still don’t know where her name came from, but she’s strong and very firm. I liked the way she handled things and never gave up. Callam was the best alpha male, he had a hard time understand the mating and saving everyone at the same time. But he’s very possessive. And I loved the ending. There’s not much of the back story, but we can understand that some humans decided to mix DNA of animals with some human DNA. Callam and the rest of the Pride are these different shifters.

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Series in Order

#1 – Tempting the Beast
#2 – The Man Within
#3 – Elizabeth’s Wolf
#4 – Kiss of Heat
#5 – Soul Deep
#6 – The Breed Next Door
#7 – Megan’s Mark
#8 – Harmony’s Way
#9 -Tanner’s Scheme
#10 – Wolfe’s Hope
#11 – Jacob’s Faith
#12 – Aiden’s Charity
#13 – Beyond the Dark
#14 – Dawn’s Awakening
#15 – A Jaguar’s Kiss
#16 – Mercury’s War
#17 – The Magical Christmas Cat
#18 – Coyote’s Mate
#19 – A Christmas Kiss
#20 – Bengal’s Heart
#21 – Lion’s Heat
#22 – Styx Storm
#23 – Primal
#24 – Navarros Promise
#25 – An Inconvinient Mate
#26 – Lawe’s Justice
#27 – Stygian’s Honor
#28 – The Devil’s Due
#29 – Rule Breaker (Expected publication: February 4th 2014)

Urban Fantasy Review: Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost

Eternal Kiss of Darkness by Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress
Publisher: Avon
Format: ebook
ISBN: 0061783161
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Release date:  July 27th 2010
Number of pages: 361
Source: Bought

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

Summary:

An immortal war has been brewing in the darkness . . . And now one woman has stumbled into the shadows. 

Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she’s only imagined in her worst nightmares.

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he’d seen it all. Then Kira appears, this fearless, beautiful . . . human who braved death to rescue him. Though he burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.

Review:

Mencheres was not high on my list, but after this book and the way he behaved while in love we can clearly see that he was just turned of the actions his wife created. I loved seeing this side of him and the discoveries while hiding. It’s nice not to know everything that’s about to happen. His Egyptian and there’s way too much story behind him, I never would had imagined him as a pharaoh.

I liked Kira and her way of helping people and avenging those wrongs. She’s a really strong woman and Mencheres deserved someone like her to show the world can be different and that selfish bitch that almost  killed Bones. Kira is full of life, but at the same time she knows how humans are dangerous. I liked that she didn’t get completely scared, but she also can understand this different world. Her changing was a bit abrupt, but in a way, was better than waiting forever.

I didn’t understand the point of having a Law, when not even the vampires working for it use it clearly. But I love to see more of Vlad and the couple of Cat and Bones.

Contact the Author: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook

Series in Order

#0.5 – Reckoning
#1 – Halfway to the Grave
#2 – One Foot in the Grave
#2.5 – Happily Never After
#3 – At Grave’s End
#3.5 – Devil to Pay
#4 – Destined for an Early Grave
#4.5 – Magic Graves
#5 – First Drop of Crimson
#6 – Eternal Kiss of Darkness
#7 – This Side of the Grave
#8 – One Grave At a Time
#8.5 – Home for the Holidays
#9 – Once Burned
#10 – Twice Tempted
#11 – Up From the Grave (Expected publication: January 28th 2014)
#12 – Untitled

Re-Read: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changeling
Publisher: Gollancz
Format: ebook
ISBN: 0575095660
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: September 5th 2006
Number of pages: 334 
Source: Bought

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

Summary:

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”—the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was…

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation…

Review:

This was a book to fall in love. I’ve read this two years ago and decided to join the read along to push me into finishing this series. These is one of those cases of love at first sight, because Lucas was perfect for me. Alpha, with some dark moments and really gentle. We can totally see him pushing but in the good way because Sascha needed to know this different world and trust in someone. Her family and her entire life was pretty much a lie and we see that she’s sufferenig a lot.

I loved the way he’s protective and at the same time a great guy. He’s a shifter so those senses and touches are so necessary, but the Psy are cold and Sascha had no idea that life coulld be this fullfilling. I loved meeting the rest of the pack, the sentinels and we can see they love each other very much. Tammy’s cubs are super cute. I don’t want to overshare and spoiler anyone, but this book is perfect for shifters lovers.

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter

Series in Order

#0.5 – Beat of Temptation
#0.6 – Whisper of Sin
#1 – Slave to Sensation
#1.5 – The Cannibal Princess
#2 – Visions of Heat
#3 – Caressed by Ice
#3.4 – Movie Night
#3.5 – Stroke of Enticement
#4 – Mine to Possess
#4.5 – A Conversation
#5 – Hostage to Pleasure
#5.5 – A Gift for Kit
#6 – Branded by Fire
#7 – Blaze of Memory
#7.5 – Christmas in the Kitchen
#8 – Bonds of Justice
#8.5 – Sunday Morning
#9 – Play of Passion
#9.2 – Clean and Dirty
#9.4 – Wolf School
#9.5 – Declaration of Courtship
#9.6 – Dancing with Cooper
#10 – Kiss of Snow
#10.4 – Naya’s Most Importart Visitors
#10.5 – Texture of Intimacy
#11 – Tangle of Need
#11.4 – Making Dinner
#11.5 – Poker Night
#11.6 – Stalking Hawke
#12 – Heart of Obsidian
#13 – Shield of Whinter (Expected publication: June 3rd 2014)
#14 – Untitled (Expected publication: 2015)

Paranormal Review: Lover Unbound by JR Ward

Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood
Publisher: Piatkus Books
Format: ebook
ISBN: 074993848X
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release date: October 31st 2007
Number of pages: 509
Source: Bought
Challenges: BDB Read-A-Long 2013;2013 Immortal Reading Challenge; 2013 Ebook Challenge; 

Amazon • Barnes & Noble • Goodreads

Summary:

Butch O’Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he’s the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world-to engage in the turf war with the lessers. His heart belongs to a female vampire, Marissa, an aristocratic beauty who’s way out of his league. And if he can’t have her, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers. But fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When he falls prey to the darkest force in the war and is left for dead, the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back, though even her love may not be enough to save him.

Review:

This is V story and again not a favorite of mine. Like Butch the story was too strange for me. I liked Doctor Jane but her finale was way out of Twilight Zone. I wanted them to have more time together. The brothers treated her really well considering she’s only a human. Also was nice meeting the other side where those ladies, Chosen, protect the Scribe Virgin. I think this goddess is a little off and way to selfish, but what God isn’t?

Didn’t like the way she treated V and expected him to follow rules when she has never done anything to save him. She knew of everything that his father has done and never helped. Bad mom for me. But the worst part was the way she simply pushed him to become the Primale, without a choice to say no. The other brothers barely appeared in this book, but we also have the changing for John Matthew. Plus meeting Xhex. I don’t know why but she is a fave of mine.

Contact the Author: Website | Goodreads | Facebook

Series in Order

#1 – Dark Lover
#2 – Lover Eternal
#3 – Lover Awakened
#4 – Lover Revealed
#5 – Lover Unbound
#6 – Lover Enshrined
#6.5 – Father Mine
#7 – Lover Avenged
#8 – Lover Mine
#9 – Lover Unleashed
#10 – Lover Reborn
#11 – Lover At Last
#12 – The King (Expected publication: April 1st 2014)

2014 TBR Pile Challenge

January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

About:

Hooray! It’s that special time of year for us bookish souls; the time when we’re all frantically scanning the book blog-o-sphere for challenges that we might want to compete in next year.  So, I am pleased to announce that I am hosting theFIFTH ANNUAL “TBR Pile Challenge!”

This  challenge was started after I realized I had such an issue buying books but never reading them (not because I don’t read – but because I have such a book buying problem!). So, year after year, books would sit on my shelf, untouched, and I would end up reading newer ones first. I realized I was missing out on a lot of great books because I let them sit there gathering dust instead of reading them as I bought them.

The Goal: To finally read 12 books from your “to be read” pile (within 12 months).

Specifics:

1. Each of these 12 books must have been on your bookshelf or “To Be Read” list for AT LEAST one full year. This means the book cannot have a publication date of 1/1/2013 or later (any book published in the year 2012 or earlier qualifies, as long as it has been on your TBR pile – I WILL be checking publication dates). Caveat: Two (2) alternates are allowed, just in case one or two of the books end up in the “can’t get through” pile.

2. To be eligible, you must sign-up with Mr. Linky below – link to your list (so create it ahead of time!) and add updated links to each book’s review. Books must be read and must be reviewed (doesn’t have to be too fancy) in order to count as completed.

3. The link you post in the Mr. Linky below must be to your “master list” (see mine below). This is where you will keep track of your books completed, crossing them out and/or dating them as you go along, and updating the list with the links to each review (so there’s one easy, convenient way to find your list and all your reviews for the challenge). See THIS LINK for an idea of what I mean. Your complete and final list must be posted by January 15th, 2014.

4. Leave comments on this post as you go along, to update us on your status. Come back here if/when you complete this challenge and leave a commentindicating that you CONQUERED YOUR 2014 TBR LIST! Every person who successfully reads his/her 12 books and/or alternates (and who provides a working link to their list, which has links to the review locations) will be entered to win a $50 gift card from Amazon.com or The Book Depository!

5. Crossovers from other challenges are totally acceptable, as long as you have never read the book before and it was published before 2013!

*Note – You can read the books on your list in any order; they do not need to be read in the order you have them listed. As you complete a book – review it, and go back to your original list and turn that title into a link to the review– that will keep the comments section here from getting ridiculously cluttered. For an example of what I mean, Click Here.

Monthly Check-Ins: On the 15th of each month, I’m going to post a “TBR Pile Check-In.” This will allow participants to link-up their reviews from the past month and get some recognition for their progress. There will also be small mini-challenges and giveaways to go along with these posts (Such As: Read 6 books by the June Check-in and be entered to win a book of your choice!). I’m hoping this will help to keep us all on track and make the challenge a bit more engaging/interactive. I started these mini-challenges last year, and I think they were a great success, so I am continuing them this year!

Chat: On Twitter, Instagram & Facebook, use #TBRChallengeRBR

This reading challenge is hosted by Roof Beam Reader. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

I still need to stop and pick those books, but I think they will be from read alongs that I’m following and some other TBR oldies.

Book List:

1. No Regrets by Shannon K Butcher
2. Found by Evangeline Anderson
3. This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
4. Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller
5. Lover Reborn by JR Ward
6. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
7. Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus
8. Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
9. Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
10. Cowgirls Don’t Cry by Lorelei James
11. Revealed by Evangeline Anderson
12. Pursued by Evangeline Anderson

2014 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2014

Have you ever logged on to Edelweiss or Netgalley with the intention of “Just Looking” and then logging off  having requested 5 new titles even though your TBR is a mile long? Inspired by Netgalley November the 2014 Netgalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge will (hopefully) give you the incentive to tackle your review books, stumble upon new ones, and get your Netgalley percentage to the desired 80%!

Challenge Guidelines

• This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2014 – Dec 31, 2014.
• Anyone is welcome to join. You do not need to be a blogger, just post your reviews and come back every month to link them up. 
• Any genre, release date, request date, length, etc. counts so long as it came from Edelweiss or Netgalley.
• At the beginning of each month there will be a roundup post for you to add your reviews.
• If you forget to link up one month it’s not a problem just add your reviews next month.
• If you would like to move up or down levels that is completely fine and at your discretion
• Throughout the year there will be giveaways for Challenge participants, make sure to check in regularly and follow this blog so you don’t miss any!
• If you have any questions tweet me @FallingForYA or e-mail Emisbookblog@aol.com

Levels

Aluminum – 5 books
Bronze – 10 books
Silver – 25 books
Gold – 50 books
Platinum – 75 books
Diamond– 100 books

This reading challenge is hosted by Falling for YA. For more information and to sign-up, please see this post.

I should join one level, but decided not to push and I’m staying on the Gold for now. Hopefully I can read more than that, but it’s a good start.

Books Reads: