Well, November is coming and so is the end of the year. It’s time to dive into the enormous list of books I’ve read in 2015 to pick my Top Ten! This begs the question: “What makes a ‘Top Ten’ book?”

The Questions I Ask Myself:

How did the book make you feel?

Did I cry? Laugh? Stare at the wall in a drunken book-hangover induced stupor? SO many authors have had this effect on me this year, I know it will be a tough choice, but there are a few that stand out in my pea-brain. How many times have you had to mark your page, set your book (or kindle) down, and just breathe through the trauma?

Are the characters memorable?

Mind you, there are levels of memorable. There are characters you think of lovingly when someone mentions their book to you, but there are those that are so firmly etched into your soul that they pop into your head at the most random times. You just can’t help but think of these characters because they have become part of your family.

Were you left satisfied?

There are times where, no matter how much you liked a book, the ending left you wanting for something. Sometimes, it’s because you loved the book to much you cannot imagine your time with it is over. Other times, there’s just something missing.

Would you read it again?

This is a tough one for me, as I rarely re-read anything. Part of my love of romance novels is the ability to experience those “firsts” with the characters, and if I’ve read it before, it’s no longer a “first” for me. It’s weird, I know, but it’s how I roll.

Would you buy this book for a friend?

Notice I didn’t say, “Buy this book again.” There’s a reason for that. I’m cheap. Like super-dee-duper cheap. So, if I spend the money on a book to give it to a friend, it has to be good. Because it will more than likely be a paperback (because wrapping paper, duh!) and those are a bigger investment than an ebook. It takes a helluva lot for me to want someone to read a book so badly that I will purchase it for them.

I’d love to hear how you make your Top Ten list for the year!! Let me know what book you think will make yours 🙂

Title: Love Hate Relationship
Author: Jessica Prince
Genre: Contemporary, Romantic Comedy

People say that sometimes the line between love and hate is thin. What they don’t tell you is that sometimes it’s invisible.

Rowan Locklaine gave his heart to one woman a long time ago and has no desire to go through that kind of torture ever again. His painful past has turned him cold and heartless. Women serve only one purpose as far as he’s concerned, and relationships are nothing but a waste of time and energy. When the mouthy little blonde, Navie Collins, is hired as his personal assistant, he finds his world turned upside down. And against his better judgment, he can’t seem to stop thinking about her.

Navie Collins has spent years convinced she’s not good enough, that no one could possibly want her. Growing up the way she did helped to thicken her skin, so when she walks into a job interview and meets the temperamental, foul-mouthed, best-selling author Rowan Locklaine, she’s all too happy to put him in his place.

Rowan and Navie are convinced they hate each other. But as time passes and the attraction between them begins to grow, these two stubborn, strong-willed people have a life changing decision to make. Can they move beyond their pain for a chance at something better, or are they destined to let their pasts dictate their future?

**Love Hate Relationship is a STANDALONE Contemporary Romance that follows characters introduced in Shrinking Violet. It is not necessary to read Shrinking Violet first**

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I love, love, love stories like this!! Jessica Prince NAILED the enemies-to-lovers storyline with Love Hate Relationship. The characters were easy to love (and hate), the writing was engaging, full of fun banter, and sexy. I will admit, I skipped Shrinking Violet. I knew Prince could make Cassidy not suck, and in just not ready to not hate her.

Back to LHR……..

Watching the friction between the M/m is humorous and aggravating (in the best way), so be prepared to want to smack Rowan on the back of the head a few times while you guzzle spirits with Navie.

The attraction is instant, I mean they’re both hot and neither is blind, but the insta-love element is so not there! Yay!! While insta-love can be fun, watching Navie put Rowan in his place is much more satisfying.

Rowan, while a total ass, is actually not a horrible person. His rough, cold exterior is not surprising given his past. And I love a man that goes for what he wants.

Navie, oh gosh NAVIE! Love this girl!!! She is a great mixture of sweet, sassy, kind, and strong. Mwuah! Perfect 🙂

4 Cups

“Hello?”

“I need you over here right now.”

Temporarily stunned, I stood frozen in place until realization hit me. “Rowan?”

“Who else could it possibly be?” he asked in a detached, insulting tone that instantly got my hackles up.

“People call me!” I insisted childishly. I hated how my maturity nosedived whenever it came to my boss.

“If you say so. I need you to get over here ASAP.”

There was a strong possibility I let out a rather indelicate snort at his typical assholery. “Since you asked so nicely, I’ll be right there!” I answered, my voice heavy with sarcasm.

“Do you always have to be so damn difficult?” he grunted

“Do you always have to be such a raging hemorrhoid?” I fired back. I would have sworn I heard him choke on a laugh if I thought the man was capable of laughter. Rowan Locklaine was more likely to suck the souls from small children than to laugh.

“Did you really just call me a raging hemorrhoid?”

Was that humor in his voice? Couldn’t be. The Devil doesn’t have a sense of humor.

“If the shoe fits…or in your case, whatever Satan wears on his feet. It’s nine o’clock on a Saturday night, Rowan. Have your latest conquest run whatever bullshit errand you need taken care of. I’m off the clock and not required to be nice to you.”

“This is you being nice?” he asked indignantly, causing me to roll my eyes.

“Hanging up now.”

“Wait, wait, wait!” he hollered through the phone line just as I was about to disconnect. Reluctantly, I held the phone back up to my ear. “Look.” He huffed out a loud breath. “I’m…I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to insult you…Navie? You still there?” he asked when I remained silent for several seconds after his apology.

“The world is coming to an end, isn’t it? It’s the zombie apocalypse. I’m not prepared! I haven’t taken any crossbow lessons yet!”

“You’re friggin’ hilarious,” he deadpanned.

I didn’t bother to stifle my laughter. “I like to think so.”

I listened as he inhaled deeply. “Please, I really need your help. I know it’s your day off, but it’s an emergency. I’ll even make sure Lauren pays you time and a half. Can you just please get here as fast as you can?”

“Rowan.” I sighed in exasperation. “It’s at least a twenty-minute train ride to your place. It’s not like I can just snap my fingers and make myself appear on your doorstep. You’re on the Upper East Side and I’m in Murray Hill.”

“I’ll pay for a cab.”

“Fine,” I grumbled dramatically. “But I’m not changing out of my comfy clothes. And I want double-time, not time and a half.”

“Okay, okay. Whatever you want. Just get here.”

At the unease in his voice, I began to worry a little about what was so important that I had to rush over to his apartment on a Saturday night. Not wanting to hesitate in the event it was something major, I slipped on a pair of bright pink flip-flops, pulled a gray hoodie on over my ‘That’s what she said’ t-shirt, and headed for the door. The only change I was willing to make before walking out the door was trading in my yellow rubber ducky pajama pants for a pair of plain black leggings.

By the time my cab pulled up in front of Rowan’s building, he was already standing out front waiting for me. As I stepped out onto the sidewalk, he leaned in and paid the driver before rising to his full height and turning my way. His hair was standing on ends, as if he’d been running his hands through it anxiously, and I couldn’t help but notice how amazing his body looked in just a plain white tee and another pair of athletic shorts. Man, it really was a crying shame he was such a mega-douche. Women around the world would line up just for a chance to stare at him uninterrupted for five minutes.

“Navie,” Rowan’s rumbly voice called out, shaking me back into reality. When my vision came back into focus, I noticed Rowan was standing much closer than he had been just a second before. When had that happened?

“Huh?”

“I asked if you were coming.” His typically chilly blue gaze warmed just a bit as a cocky smirk spread over his lips. “You were just checking me out, weren’t you?”

Oh, hell, I thought with a huge roll of my eyes.

“You were, admit it. You didn’t hear what I was saying because you were too busy checking me out. It’s okay, everyone does it.”

“And then your mouth opens and the fantasy’s ruined,” I responded dryly with a roll of my eyes as I shoved past him. “Let’s get this over with. Too long in your presence and the desire to cause bodily harm becomes too overwhelming to ignore.”

“You know,” he started as we stepped into the elevator leading up to his floor. “I had no idea you were so…feisty. Gotta say, I’m pleasantly surprised.”

“Oh, goody. My purpose in life has been accomplished. I can die happy now.”

Luckily, the doors chose to open at that moment, saving me from whatever smartass comment Rowan had in return.

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Born and raised around Houston Texas, Jessica spent most of her life complaining about the heat, humidity, and all around pain in the ass weather. It was only as an adult that she quickly realized the cost of living in Houston made up for not being able to breathe when she stepped outside. That’s why God created central air, after all.

Jessica is the mother of a perfect little boy–she refuses to accept that he inherited her attitude and sarcastic nature no matter what her husband says.

In addition to being a wife and mom, she’s also a wino, a coffee addict, and an avid lover of all types of books–romances still being her all time favs. Her husband likes to claim that reading is her obsession but she just says it’s a passion…there’s a difference. Not that she’d expect a boy to understand.

Jessica has been writing since she was a little girl, but thankfully grew out of drawing her own pictures for her stories before ever publishing her first book. Because an artist she is not.

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Blood Tree: Silver Edition by Scarlett Dawn
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you want three great short stories by one awesome, one-of-a-kind author, the Blood Tree boxed set is PERFECT for you!! Prepare for action, emotion, and blazing hot chemistry (Bunsen burners will explode people!) – is there a better combination???Kenna, Juliet, and Susan are spunky, intelligent, fun women who define the phrase “breaking the mold.”Kenna’s story is that fabulous forbidden love story line that we all love, with an SD twist, of course 😉 She’s feisty, outspoken, and even though she’s afraid, she never banks down.Juliet’s story is my favorite of the three. But, second chances usually are. A mother who would do anything for her child is a woman I can respect, and though Juliet didn’t always choose the best way to do things, her intentions were pure and good.Susan’s story was such a fun bonus, but it was a little less amazing than the other two. Susan is finally free from her debt to Juliet, but does she run with it? No, she does her duty. No matter how much she hates it. But alas fair in love and war ;)Each woman gets her very own half crazy alpha elf. How wouldn’t want that???I was given an ARC in exchange for am honest review.

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Tanner Akecheta, whose last name means “warrior” in Sioux, is part of a highly skilled military group, the Special Tactical Units Division, otherwise known as S.T.U.D. Tanner’s mission: he’s going to be dropped into the jungle in a small, war-torn Central American country, find kidnapped Alessandra Bellini Wilde and return her to the States and her father, four-star General John Hamilton Wilde. Tanner expects to deal with a scared, spoiled rich girl. What he finds instead is a smart, independent-minded woman—and a passion so hot it threatens to consume them both. This sexy, exciting book is the first in Sandra Marton’s brand new S.T.U.D. series.

Warning! You’re about to meet the heroes of your dreams!

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Author Bio:

Sandra Marton, a USA Today Bestselling author, writes sexy, emotional romances about Alpha heroes and the smart, independent women who tame them.

Sandra’s beloved Wilde family saga continues…and now the Bellini-Wilde sisters are meeting the gorgeous, hard-bodied heroes who will conquer them and claim their love. POWER, Sandra’s newest book, also introduces her latest Alphas: the men of STUD, former SEALS who have been tapped for membership in an even tougher, more secret organization.

Website: http://www.sandramarton.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SandraMartonAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SandraMarton

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/145593.Sandra_Marton

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From the Wreckage by Melissa Collins is NOW AVAILABLE!

Grab your copy now!
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Photographer: K. Keeton Designs
Cover designer: Staci Billhart at Quirky Bird Designs
Model: Nathan Weller
Model: Tessi Le’Anne

SYNOPSIS:
First, he saved me.
I lived because he was a hero.
And then he was gone.
Uprooted by the fire that destroyed our home, my family moved away and I never saw David Andrews again.
Then, he found me.
Eighteen years later, he rescued me again – in much simpler terms, of course. By loving me, by giving me the fairy tale I’d always hoped for, he provided me with the perfect life.
Now, he needs to be saved.
It’s my turn to be strong, to be brave, to be valiant.
When flames threaten to turn us to ashes, it’s up to me to pull us From the Wreckage.

If you’re super excited for From the Wreckage, you’ll be happy to know that Before the Wreckage is now up for FREE! Grab this short prequel, too!

#1click Before the Wreckage by Melissa Collins for FREE!
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And there’s more! As a special THANK YOU to her readers, Melissa has put Let Love Be up for free, too!
This is book 4 of The Love Series, but can be read as a standalone.

#1click Let Love Be by Melissa Collins for FREE!
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From the Wreckage is a beautiful, heartwarming story of love and devotion. I was riveted to my kindle from beginning to end, wrapped up in David and Grace’s romance. While not a 9/11 story, it pays true homage to those affected by that horrific day (which I believe is all of us).

David and Grace are so easy to fall in love with as characters, I cannot imagine a single romance lover NOT appreciating their story. Is it the most original storyline ever told? No. Does that mean it’s boring or predictable? Not in my opinion. But, honestly, even if you were to guess every single twist and turn, Melissa Collins wrote From the Wreckage so beautifully that it won’t matter.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Melissa Collins has always been a book worm. Studying Literature in college ensured that her nose was always stuck in a book. She followed her passion for reading to the most logical career choice: English teacher. Her hope was to share her passion for reading and the escapism of books to her students. Having spent more than a decade in front of a classroom, she can easily say that it’s been a dream.
Her passion for writing didn’t start until more recently. When she was home on maternity leave in early 2012, she read her first romance novel and her head filled with the passion, angst and laughter of the characters who she read about it. It wasn’t long before characters of her own took shape in her mind. Their lives took over Melissa’s brain and The Love Series was born.

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Title: The Darkest Frost, Vol 2 of 2 (TDF #2)

Author: Tanya Holmes

Genre: Gothic Paranormal Romance with a Twist

Release Date: October 19, 2015

Blurb

The job seems simple enough at first: go undercover and catch her best friend’s killer. But psychic detective Denieve Knight gets more than she bargained for when she enters Dr. Braeden Frost’s estate as a “housekeeper.”

She’s supposed to be sleuthing, not falling under the spell of the enigmatic doctor and his irrepressible, hellion of a brother, Xavier.

Now after two months of working for the man known as “Dr. Death,” she’s entangled in a web of secrets and lies. Each discovery only leads to more questions. Though faced with declining health and a storm of confusing feelings and simmering passion for both brothers, Denieve is determined to uncover the truth—consequences be damned. Yet the truth may prove deadly once she discovers just how deep the rabbit hole goes.

PURCHASE your copy of The Darkest Frost: Vol 2 Today!

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