When I sat down to look at all I’ve read and consider what might make my list this year the contenders were few. What I mean is, I didn’t have to cut anything from my list of favorites or make tough calls because this is THE list of A grade books I read this year.
There is no new motorcycle badass, tortured lumberjack, wicked werewolf, and sadly no sigh worthy military hero. These are crimes against romance land, and I won’t have it! I demand some smexy tortured loner mountain man with a beard next year, dang it!
Now luckily I did indeed read several outstanding books this year, and I’m here to share those with you now:
Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
What fairy tales were left over for a plain, impoverished, twenty-six-year-old woman who’d never even been kissed?
This one. And everyone needs to read it. By far, no contest, the absolute best historical romance of 2014. This book is first on this list for a reason. Link to my review
Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep
“You should watch yourself, young lady,” she said in a snippy tone as I handed over her change. “Some of us don’t appreciate such salty language.”
My smile sharpened. “Sorry ma’am,” I drawled. “But I can assure you that cursing is going to be the least of my sins today.”
Gin Blanco continues to rule the seedy side of town, and I continue to adore this series! I’m actually one behind (ack!) I really need to catch back up… here’s a link to my full review.
Speaking of not caught up I haven’t read the latest Kate & Curran adventure. I did however read this book. This writing team has a new series and you must read it. Immediately. Mad. Rogan. That is all you need to know. Oh how I burn for more in this series!
Why aren’t you reading this series? It is perhaps the finest smexy, dirty, tough, and gritty series that straddles the paranormal romance/Urban Fantasy line and does it exceedingly well. You always get a new couple and happy ending but you also get a rich world full of detailed plots and extraordinary characters.
Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan
“I won’t give you the easy answer. It doesn’t exist. Go write the messy, difficult story.”
A newspaper running heroine and the tortured, messy, disreputable hero team up to bring us another fabulous story by Courtney Milan. This one? Oh I loved this one. Here’s a link to my review.
I really loved this book. Strong and very dark superhero heroine for the win! Also, this is the only new to me author to make this list. No pressure for book #2 or anything. Link to my review.
Honey Badger heroine – what else do you need to know?! Seriously hilarious, sweet, sexy, and all around amazing. Laurenston wrote two of the few amazing books I read this year – props girl! Read Tori’s Review for more. ;)
This series. It’s not quite like anything I’ve ever read, and well if you want details read Tori’s review because I ditto her. (and I’m getting lazy here)
This is an intensely amazing #3 in a must read series with one of the most badass and heartbreaking heroines ever. It has been way too long and we need like 10 more books immediately. Do you hear my JC/Shiloh?
I know there is some A-grade awesome in my current TBR pile. Or rather, I am optimistic that out there I have books to be read, authors to discover, and stories that will blow me away and entertain me thoroughly over the holiday break. Not to mention authors whose pending releases have me excited and waiting for new reads…
Yes ever the optimist, this romance reader is confident we’ll see great things from the authors named here and many more in 2015.
Such a fun list May! You make me want to read each one of those! I love Aiken, but have only read book one and a novella in that series. Would love to glom but don’t have the time. Same with Laurenston, and Bishop…sheesh, I have got to find time to read her since it seems I’m the only one who hasn’t read it.
Haha! I loved your into and your list May! I am going to check out the Tessa Dare, WTF is wrong with me! lol
I forgot to read Burn For Me! Need to get on that!