*Sips Wine*  Well! I’ve done it!  This was such a hard list to compile. 2014 was an amazing year in reading for me.  Selecting my fave’s really put me to the test and it felt so good to reflect on the 2014 high notes.  My auto-read authors came through with amazing material and  I was introduced to some truly amazing authors who now have secured spots on my “must-read” lists.

Check out my picks below-in no particular order- primarily because that would be akin to a self-induced aneurysm as the stress would tweak my brain out!

Archangel’s Shadow by Nalini Singh– Finally! The story of Janvier and Ashwini and it does not disappoint.  Nobody does it like Nalini Singh.  Dark and intriguing.  Sexy and exciting.  Shadows hit every mark!

 Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling # 13)– No surprise here! We (Yes, I speak for the masses!) have been waiting for Vasic’s book for what felt like forever.  Vasic is vulnerable and strong and brave and so damn silently sexy it hurts! I loved watching him thaw out and then really heat up for his female!

 Collateral by Callie Hart– This was the final installment in an amazing series with a heroine who goes to hell and back for the sister she loves- escorted by the MOST delicious male to grace BDSM erotica.  Zeth Mayfair. Yes. Yes sir and please again.

 Anguish (Jokers’ Wrath MC #3) by Bella Jewell–  Thank Gawd these Joker’s Wrath MC club books are released rapid fire. I would not survive if I had to wait a year in-between.  Anguish is the story of Mack and Jaylah.  Mack is a single dad hell-bent on remaining reckless and unattached and struggling to cope with being a father to his infant son.  Jaylah is the women hell-bent on showing him that her love can make all the difference.  Easily the best of the series and a must read.

Reaper’s Stand (Reapers MC # 4) by Joanna Wylde – The Reaper’s MC club is back with the story of its uber alpha President, Picnic.  Nothing about Reaper’s Stand is cookie cutter.  Wylde created an amazing mature heroine and the action and sex appeal was unlike nothing we have seen before with the series.  Loved this book!

 Cash’s Fight by Jamie Begley (The Last Riders # 5)– There was nothing I did not love about this MC novel.  Cash is a part of the infamous Last Riders MC club, a series that is as addictive as it is just plain fun to get lost in.  The battle of wills that goes on between Cash and his love Rachel is perfection.

Fearless (The Survival Race #2) by KM Fawcett– Utterly unique and different.  I was not expecting to love this sci-fi romance but found it impossible to put down.  Epic, intriguing and captivating.

Dragon’s Lair (Wind Dragon’s MC #1) by Chantal Fernando– OMG, I see such great things in this author’s future.  She is like the Nalini Singh of MC club fiction. Dragon’s Lair was the first book I’ve had the pleasure of reading by her and damn if it didn’t make me a believer.  Easily the top 10 heroine for me of the year- absolutely relatable and perfectly developed. D-Y-I-N-G for the next book in this series.

 The Unexpected Duchess (Playful Brides #1) by Valerie Bowman – Absolutely the most delightful historical romance I have ever read.  I said this back in July and it still holds true. Smart dialogue, Engaging Heroine. Loved!

 Halligan To My Axe (The Heroes of The Dixie Wardens MC, Book 2) by Lani Lynn Vale–  This novel is the star of the series.  Hero has a filthy mouth and dirty sense of humor.  Heroine is an impulsive woman who I cheered on throughout the novel.  Explosive love story that had me laughing and crying in tears. Lani Lynn Vale has a way of squeezing your heart- pushing you to the brink and then making it allll better in the end.  I loved this book so much. I re-read it- often!

 Loving You Always- by Kennedy Ryan– Have you EVA read a romance novel where everything that should have happened did!  This novel was impressive, cover to cover. The journey to true love that these characters take is heart rending and mending all in one! So amazing I can not encourage you more to read these books!

Hunt the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy– Roke is a sexy, brooding vampire clan master who finally gets his HEA with the minx of a little witch he falls for.

The Fix by K’wan– Urban, street-lit novel that shows the harrowing, dark spiral of drug addiction and violence and the disparity that arises when love is a conduit to dangerous vices.

The Wicked Ways of Alexander Kidd by Paula Quinn– Swashbuckling and dangerous and so damned funny. I absolutely enjoyed every minute.  Quinn depicts life aboard Alexander’s ship so well I felt like one of the deck hands watching it all unfold with my own eyes.  Hands down the best novel of its kind that I have had the pleasure of reading.  Perfection!

 Hard Time by Cara McKenna– Holy smexy convicts Batman!  Hero, Eric Collier, can seduce me anytime! Illicit flirtation between a soon to be released convict and prison librarian, Annie, sparks a romance that neither were ready for and their realistic obstacles made for a very compelling read.

Love Me to Death (Underveil #1) by Marissa Clarke– If you like a dark, sexy and thrilling paranormal tale, with amazing supporting characters and a story arc that is fun and complex- READ IT! I do not think you will be disappointed!

To Kiss a Kilted Warrior (Claimed by the Highlander #3) by Rowan Keats– Unique, enthralling and rich.  This was a great Highland historical romance novel.

Crave the Night (Midnight Breed #12) by Lara Adrian– Bred to be a monster, Vampire commander, Nathan has fought for the life he has carved for himself and is woefully unprepared for the storm of emotions that breedmate Jordanna stirs within him.  Adrian’s vampire series is both addictive and exciting.  She is unmatched when it comes to the action in her Midnight Breed series.

Honorable Mentions:

Riot by Jamie Begley

Pia Saves the Day by Thea Harrison

Renegade Reject (Renegade Sons MC Book 2) by Emily Minton & Dawn Minton

The King by JR Ward