My Top 5's of 2018

2018 is coming to an end.  With the New Year just a few days away it's time to look back on my year in books and to do my Yearly top 5's.   This year I have read over 237 books.   Some I loved.  Some I didn't.  Some where good but just didn't wow me.  When making these list it's so hard to narrow it down to just 5 for each of my categories.  Not all my picks were published in 2018 (only the New releases top 5) just read  for the first time in 2018.                                        

                   Let's get this party started! 

My Top 5 books that came out in 2018 

5. Angie's Gladiator (Icehome series)

4.Three Dates (Paths To Love Series)

3.  Holding On (Colorado High Country Series)

2.  Echoes Of Fires (Mercury Pack Series)

1.  Vampire's Faith (Dark Protectors Series)

They may not have been released in 2018.  Just that I read for the first time in 2018!

5.  Eye Of The Beholder (Nebraska Historical Series)

4.  Just a Bit Twisted (Straight Guys Series)

3.  RUSH (Rush Series)

2.  Without Words

1.  Unlawful Contact (I-Team Series)

5. 

The Thief (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series)

4.  Just A Bit Confusing (Straight Guys Series)

3.  The Law Of Moses ( The Law Of Moses Series)

2.  

Amish Widow's Hope(Expectant Amish Widows )

1.  Tempting The Bride (Fitzhugh Trilogy)

5.  Brides of Beckham Series by Kirsten Osbourne

4. Nebraska Historicals Series By Ruth Ann Nordin

3.  The Mackintoshes and McLarens Series By Suzan Tisdale

2.  Ice Planet Barbarians Series By Ruby Dixon

1.  I-Team Series By Pamela Clare

5. Archer Hale from Archer's Voice by Mia Sheridan

4. Vincent Hunt from The Arrangement  by Mary Balogh

3. David Larson  from Eye of the beholder by Ruth Ann Nordin

2. Marc Hunter from Unlawful Contact by Pamela Clare

1. Ronan Kayrs from Vampire's Faith by Rebecca Zanetti 

5. Charlotte Conroy from Rush by Emma Scott

4. Pippa from Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti 

3. Liz  from Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon

2. Madisyn Drake from Echoes of Fire by Suzanne Wright

1. Aggie McLaren from Frederick's Queen by Suzan Tisdale

These are Authors I just found in 2018 not Authors that just started writing!

5. Grahame Claire

4. Mia Sheridan

3. Ellen O'Connell

2. Julia Quinn

1. Ruby Dixon

5. 

4.

3. 

2. 

1. 

Well there are my top 5's.  I did some rereads this year, had a took my time, and found some amazing new books.  It was hard to narrow it down.  I can't wait to see what amazing books I discover in 2019!  Happy Reading Everyone :)

Rough Trade

Book Review of Rough Trade (The Woodbury Boys Series)

Title:Rough Trade

Series: The Woodbury Boys Series

Author: Sidney Bell

Date Published:  December 3rd 2018

Date Read: December 16, 2018 

The Blurb:

Quick-witted hustler Ghost is no stranger to living dangerously; survival has always been the name of the game.

He’s just always gone it alone.

Now he’s got the wrong people breathing down his neck, and the only way out demands placing his trust in the unlikeliest of heroes: Duncan Rook, a gruff cop whose ethics are as solid as his body.

Cozying up to a criminal is hardly what Duncan’s reputation on the force needs—especially when that criminal is temptation personified. Ghost is Duncan’s polar opposite, and the last person he expected to fall for.

So then why does every imaginable scenario for taking down their common enemy end with Ghost in his arms? 

My Review

4 Ghost Stars

Omg Okay so I didn't read the other 2 books in this series. Now this book can be read as a standalone, but you can tell it's part of a series. I felt like I missed some "getting to know" Ghost moments by not reading the first two books. Still it didn't take me long to fall in love with Ghost. My heart broke for him and all his went through. Some of the things in this book were ugly, raw, and hard to read. Selling sex to survive as a teen, the hunger, abuse, betrayal, just everything!!! It tore my heart out. Ghost had dark issues and I love that the author didn't gloss over them. Duncan took a little longer to warm up to for me, but in the end I loved him too. Not as much as Ghost but..... Duncan and Ghost had a really slow burn relationship. Which was understandable with trust issues and past demons. Plus it really gave depth to Duncan and Ghost's love. I did however take a star off because I would have liked a little more steam between them. Just a tad! Still this book was a great and emotional read with lots of action. This was my first time reading anything by Sidney Bell but it won't be my last. I plan on going back and reading the first two books in this series too. 

Echoes of Fire

Book Review of Echoes of Fire (The Mercury Pack Series)

Title:Echoes Of Fire

Series: The Mercury Pack Series

Author: Suzanne Wright

Date Published:  December 11th 2018

Date Read: December 14, 2018

The Blurb:

They may not be made for each other, but animal instincts are impossible to ignore.

Madisyn Drake is a rare breed of cat shifter…a loner, unpredictably wild, and emotionally distant. A recent betrayal has left her ready to sharpen her claws on the next man she sees…until a prowling wolf with steel-gray eyes and a brooding dark edge challenges her distrust. No matter how fully he satisfies her touch-hunger, Madisyn’s not ready to open up again, even if it is oh so gratifying.

Bracken Slater has earned his reputation as an indomitable predator. Once broken by grief and guilt, Brack is feeling alive again, thanks to the heady scent of this independent feline. Convincing her that they’re meant for each other is going to take more than branding Madisyn’s beautiful neck. She’s not interested in joining an unfamiliar pack, much less answering to an alpha. But when threats from both their pasts take shape, their unexpected destiny may be the only thing that can save them. 

My Review

5 Pretty Kitty Stars

Let me start this review by stating that I am a die hard Suzanne Wright fangirl. She is one of my favorite paranormal romance authors. She always gives me what I want in a book. Now that being said I wasn't super excited about Bracken's book. I didn't dislike Bracken or anything he just didn't stand out to me in previous books. So going into this read, being a Suzanne Wright book I figured I would like it, but didn't plan on loving it. OMG I Freaking loved it. Bracken blew me away. Who knew Bracken would be a yummy, sexy talking, panty melting beast? 

Bracken Slater totally wowed me. He was super sexy, protective, a little damaged and at times dark, but still sweet. He also kicked major ass all over this book. Losing his whole family has changed him forever. I love that he not only fought his demons, but that he was open and honest about them to Madisyn. He had me madly in love with him 2 chapters in. Madisyn was perfect for Bracken. I love how Suzanne Wright takes these animals I know little to nothing about makes them her shifters. She shines a light on these unique and endearing animals and writes some of the cutest, kick ass, shifters I have ever read. Madisyn was no exception. She was a Pallas Cat, which I had never heard of till this book. A number of Youtube videos later and I'm in love with the cute little pallas cat. I love how Madisyn was strong but didn't stomp all over Bracken's fears or let him rule her. God but I loved her sass. And to say she kicked ass would be an understatement. She was amazing heroine. I think I have a bit of a girl crush.

Bracken and Madisyn were burning up my kindle. They had a smokin' hot connection and like I said up top Bracken was a beast. Smexy time had me feeling hot flashes. I enjoyed the plot very much, and I always love getting to read about my favorite couples from past books. This book had me cracking up from the start to finish. I mean cackling like a mad woman. I loved this book, I love this series, I love all of Suzanne Wright's other series and I just love Suzanne Wright. If you have never read any of her books you should give it a try!

Cold Secrets

Book Review Cold Secrets (Cold Justice Series)

Title:Cold Secrets

Series: Cold Justice Series

Author: Toni Anderson

Date Published:  January 31st 2017

Date Read: November 25, 2018

The Blurb:

When an international ring of sex traffickers kidnaps an eight-year-old girl in Boston, FBI Agent Lucas Randall heads undercover. But his rescue operation goes disastrously wrong and Lucas barely escapes with his life. Now the ruthless traffickers are hunting him down, along with everyone else who threatens their operation.

Computer expert Ashley Chen joined the FBI to fight against evil in the world—evil she experienced firsthand. She has mad skills, and deadly secrets, and once she starts working with Lucas, she also has big trouble, because after years of pushing people away, she’s falling for the guy. The feeling is more than mutual, but as Ashley intensifies her online pursuit of the trafficking ring, her traumatic past collides with her present and suddenly Lucas can’t tell which side she’s on. And as the case escalates into a high-stakes game of cat and mouse, it turns out Ashley isn’t the only one with something to hide.

If neither can trust the other with their secrets, how can they trust each other with their hearts?

My Review

4 Secret Family Shame Stars

May Have Mild Spoilers

Wow did Cold Secrets take me on a dark ride or what??? This book jumped straight into dark no wine and dine. However I wouldn't call this book a dark read per se, just dealt with a dark theme. The opener has Lucas, an undercover FBI Agent, entering a sex slave house asking for a young girl. Toni Anderson must have done her research, the sex trafficking plot was very detailed and felt realistic. To know this kind of stuff happens in the real world gave the book an extra spine chilling factor. It was like watching Law and Order SVU, but sexier. Cold Secret had very hard to read moments, as it dealt with child sex slavery, sex trafficking, and gruesome murders. On a side note, I didn't read any other book in this series and had no problem following this book, so it can be read as a stand alone. 

Lucas Randall was all that was yummy. Brave, honorable, sexy, and caring he was a true hero. I love how close he was to the girls he saved. Lucas was playful, sweet and really wanted to save the world. I fell hard for Lucas. Ashley Chen was harder to connect to. She was hiding something and it made it hard to get a clear picture of who she really was. I could tell she wanted to prove herself and make a different in the world. However she was also cold, and closed off at times. Ashley would push Lucas away, and I didn't know why for the longest time. Which bothered me, I didn't like Lucas getting hurt even a little. Once Ashley's secret was out I totally got why she lied and hid her past and I could forgive her coldness towards Lucas. 

Lucas and Ashley had tons of sexual tension. Their connection was fast and hard, but it didn't feel rushed like a insta-love, mainly because Ashley fought it for so long. When they did finally get together omg it was hot. Lucas was a beast! I loved the secondary character Alex Parker. I checked and he is the hero from book 1, which I plan to go back and read as soon as I can. Alex didn't play a huge role in this book but there was something about him that got me intrigued. The plot was really, really good. On the darker side but really entertaining. The bad guys were evil and creepy, even more so because there are really people like them out in the world. The only reason this book wasn't a 5 star read for me was Ashley took a while to warm up too. The plot and Lucas were spot on and I really enjoyed this read.