Top 5, *head desk* Top 6 Fantasy Reads

So I'm struggling severely this year. It's such trouble when you enjoy what you are reading. ;) Should we all have this trouble. lol

Top 5, er, 6 Fantasy Reads

My guest blogger today is Blodeuedd from Book Girl of Mur-y-Castell. Thank you Blodeuedd for joining me in celebrating another year of blogging!

Best of 2013-2014

Mel gave me a very cruel timeline which mean AWESOME books of July 2014 did not make it to this list. Instead we have July -13 to June -14. But I will try my best and cry a bit over those who do not make it. My babies!

1. Words of Radiance by Brandon Sanderson
Of course it' number 1! Hello! I read everything by him, everything! Yes I might be a fan-girl.
I was thrilled that I was sick the day I got it because I started it at once and did not put down this 1000 page book before my eyes were almost bleeding. Honestly I did have an eye infection while reading it but nothing comes between me and Sanderson. NOTHING!

2. Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan
I was not sure about this book. I had read another gunpowder fantasy before, and I had really enjoyed that one. But I was still unsure, you know, new, the unknown. Of course one should not doubt because it blew me away. McClellan fast went into the list in my head of must-read authors. Fresh, original and just awesome.

3. The Garden of Stones by Mark.T.Barnes
This book is on the list because it was magnificent. The world, history, magic, everything! I just wanted to bade in it's light. It was a book with wonderful world-building, and I am woman who love great world-building. I want to feel that I am there. The book was hard to get into, I will give it that, but when you are in, you do not want to leave. It was poetry.

4. Drakenfeldt by Mark Charan Newton
This was like a cop mystery, in away, in a fantasy land. It mostly took place within a city and it was interesting. I am not a mystery fan, but hey in fantasy everything goes. I never saw anything coming. I want more.

5. The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller
I can be VERY old school and Miller sure feels old school. Young boy the savior of all, finding his power, fighting baddies. I love it, it makes me feel safe. And the best thing is that the pages just fly on by and suddenly I have read it all. It's a read it in a day kind of book.

Mel did say it was a 5 point list, even if she threw in a 6 ;) Which I could do, but then next great books on my best of list are 3 more Miller books. Haha, so I will just leave it like this and say that hopefully next year I will have read even More Miller books, and they will also make it into the list.


My World...in words and pages Top 6 Fantasy
lol. Blodeuedd, I know! It's hard to narrow the list. And I love throwing that curve ball of a date range at everyone. LOL! *sigh* I just can't do it! I can't narrow it down! So the list is of 6 instead of 5.

Once again, I can't put my favorites in any order. I love them all for different reasons. So they are listed in NO particular order...

Murder at Avedon Hill by P.G. Holyfield
Oh my goodness! This had everything in it! A fantasy world with moon wolves (reminded me of werewolves), vampires, and Gods. Gods that can be reborn into the world and affect what happens. And the magic! I just loved every aspect of the world, and that's without even talking about the story. The story was amazing. The mystery was outstanding. You all need to get this one.

The Rose and the Thorn by Michael J. Sullivan
I bet you all thought I forgot about this master of fantasy writing. Well, I haven't. Michael is on talented mind. If you've read the original books in The Riyria Revelations, then read this. It will blow your mind how well he weaved this and all the pieces relate so closely to the series. O.O I loved this book as it gave me a past that I didn't know I wanted and to see how close everyone was at one point, before it all happened. Outstanding Michael!

Promise of Blood by Brian McClellan
Yes. Gun powder, guns, and magic all blended together. I love the magic powers created with the gun powder and more. And the fact that this story starts at the fall of the king. Dang! I love how we dive right in and there is so much more at work here than we, and the characters, even know.

Requiem by Ken Scholes
Ken has many elements blended together to create this fantasy. The mechanical man and the death song. The worshiping of different beliefs and the worlds. I can't even describe it all to you as you have to start at the first book and read it all for yourself. I savored each word Ken wrote.

Hapax by K.T. Bryski
Oh this was another that took me by surprise. I was blown away with the world created here. The two words of religion and magic are separated, and then collide. There are magically created beings and gods. A full fantasy world that is well crafted on all angles.

The Coffee Legacy by Katharina Bordet
Mmmm. This isn't the hard fantasy as many think fantasy is. It's a creation of a tale of where coffee comes from and the people who cherish it. It's a tale of a family and their struggle to survive when others are out for power. There is so much to this tale and I enjoyed every minute of this magical story.

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

I have three fantasy giveaways this year.

Please follow the instructions on the Rafflecopter.

I'm mailing these through Postal, so if mail runs to you, you can enter.

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(signed drawstring bag, signed bookmark, and sighed The Way of Kings)

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Top 5, *scratch* Top 7 Urban Fantasy Reads

Yes, as you can probably tell from my going pattern here I'm not doing well with sticking to top 5s. I've moved on to top 6s. Hey, the blog is 5 and I need one to grow on... Sounds like a good excuse. *nod*

Friend...

Top 5, er, 7 Urban Fantasy Reads

My guest blogger today is Melissa from Books & Things. Thank you Melissa for joining me in celebrating another year of blogging!

I think one of my favorite genres is UF. I tend to be drawn to it more than any other genre. I seem to have been catching up or finishing a series this past year. Although there are a few good YA UF books out there, most tend to stay in the adult category so I’ll stick with adult. Some of my favorites (and I’ve tried to stay with 5… TRIED) I’ve read in the past year are:

1. The Charlie Davidson series: Third Grave Dead Ahead (#3), Fourth Grave Beneath my Feet (#4), Fifth Grave Past the Light (#5) by Darynda Jones
I really got caught up with this series and I’ve actually just finished the 6th book. This is a great series to do on audio. Lorelei King is a great narrator and I’ve done this whole series in audio format. The series is humorous, action packed and has one very swoon-worthy male in the series (BTW who is MINE).

2. Arcadia Bell Series: Binding the Shadows (#3), and Banishing the Dark (#4) by Jenn Bennett
These are the last 2 in the series and I’ve read them all including a novella set in the world. I adore the characters in this book. There is Arcadia our heroine, Lon a wonderful demon daddy, and Jupe an irrepressible teenager who will totally steal your heart. This is a series that should NOT be missed. Plus all books are out so those who haven’t tried it can devour them all at once.

3. Elemental Assassin series: Heart of Venom (#9), and The Spider (#10) by Jennifer Estep
I adore this series as well. She might be an assassin but she has a heart of gold (or silverstone). This is another series with great main characters and wonderful secondary characters. Poison Promise (#11) just came out and I still love this series.

4. Cold Blooded (Jessica McClain #3) by Amanda Carlson
Oh another great series that has just captured my attention. I really love not just the characters but the world in this one. I am impatiently waiting the next installment Red Blooded out this fall.

5. Wisp of a Thing (Tufta #2) by Alex Bledsoe (the Hum and the Shiver)
This was a great conclusion to the Tufta duology, the first being The Hum and the Shiver. It was something very different and very engaging. This one is set in the mysterious Smoky Mountains.

Honorable mention: Strange Country (Wide Open #3) by Deborah Coates, The Lost (Lost #1) by Sarah Beth Durst, Watcher of the Dark (Jeremiah Hunt #3) by Joseph Nassise, My Life as a White Trash Zombie (White Trash Zombie #1) by Diana Rowland, and Carniepunk by Various UF authors ( Rachel Caine, Jennifer Estep, Kevin Hearne,Seanan McGuire, Rob Thurman, Delilah S. Dawson, Kelly Gay,Mark Henry, Hillary Jacques, Jackie Kessler, Kelly Meding, Allison Pang, Nicole Peeler, and Jaye Wells.)

Top 7 For My World...in words and pages:

First, thank you Melissa! I'm so glad to see you have had an amazing year in books. :) And I don't feel so bad about not sticking to the Top 5 plan either. ;) Again, I struggle with numbering order so these are in any order and all amazing. :)

The Shambling Guide to New York City by Mur Lafferty
Oh my. This one is plain fun in words. I love the creation Mur has here. It's a story and traveling guide in one. I know, sounds like it wouldn't work, but IT DOES! And everything we take in as we sight see has a supernatural relation to it as well. Just enjoyable fun and story and characters here.

Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
This world is amazing. There is a bit of everything here and the story is deeper than we get in some Urban Fantasy reads. I enjoyed meeting Dante as she kicks some serious *## as she goes along. She is one dangerous woman and I wouldn't want to cross her.

Weather Child by Philippa Ballantine
Aaaah. Now this was a pleasure to read. I love the weather witchy take here. And it's more than just females. The men too have abilities. Some are stronger than others. But the connection to their ability is through an essence in them. Then you have the connection to each other. All set in a time of trouble.

Cold Blooded by Amanda Carlson
I'm so glad Melissa loved this one too. I don't know what more I can say of this book, and whole series, other than Urban Fantasy fans will gobble this series up.

God Save the Queen by Kate Locke
I was late coming to this series. But dang. I love the twist to the British history and the impact of the infection to create Vampires, Werewolves, and goblins. Well played! And the development of the information as we read. Wow.

Playing For Keeps by Mur Lafferty
Mmmm. These are the unlikely superheroes. lol. This one I listened to for free and so loooooved Keepsie and the crew of non-superheroes that might have to save the day. lol. Oh did I laugh with this one.

Knight Shift by Krista D. Ball
Ooooh. We get a little further with the character and her crush here. And the story! Oh my! The things we learn and what is to come. Yeah, this is a paranormal that is a read for you.

And now for the giveaway!

I have a few prints here I want to giveaway. I'll do two Rafflecopter giveaways (one for each) so you can pick what you want to enter for. Or enter for both!

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Top 5, er, 6 Romance Reads

I have done Top 5 lists for my blog birthday since the first one and I enjoy doing it. So, I'm carrying on with tradition. I've invited a fellow blogger to share their top reads of the last year as well.

The time frame I'm using for the top list is July 1, 2013 through June 30, 2014 - my blogging year.

Top 5, er, 7 Romance Reads

My guest blogger today is Jennifer Bielman from Reading and Writing Urban Fantasy. Thank you Jennifer for joining me in celebrating another year of blogging!

Thank you so much, Melissa, for asking me to come up with this list. I am a huge romance fan, in any genre and age group, so I am excited to share my top 5 romances with your followers. They are all contemporary romances in both young adult and new adult. I wanted to make the list a little more versatile, like add a paranormal romance in there, but I couldn't help which books stood out to me most. And really, that's the way it should be. So without further ado, here is my Top 5 Romances.

#5:  Crash Into You by Katie McGarry

Crash Into You has that amazing romance with a dark storyline. I can't tell you how much this book stressed me out, but the romance made it worth it. Are you looking for a opposites attract romance? Then Rachel and Isaiah are the ideal couple for you. She brings light to his darkness, and he brings the forbidden to her sheltered life. Perfection.

#4:  Four Seconds to Lose by K.A. Tucker

What does Four Seconds to Lose bring to the romance table? Strippers! Romance at a strip club, is there anything better? This book is filled with amazingly strong characters, but it is the hot chemistry between Charlie and Cain that make this a must read. These two flirt outrageously throughout the whole book, and I loved every second of it.

#3:  On the Fence by Kasie West

On the Fence was a big surprise for me. To be honest, the romance is super slow. This book focuses more on character growth, which I loved, but the romance was nothing to sneeze at either. Charlie (What's up with all these girls names Charlie? lol) and Braden take their sweet damn time getting together, but you will definitely fall in love with them as they fall in love with each other.

#2:  Take Me On by Katie McGarry

Yup, another Katie McGarry novel. Take Me On is another dark story with a heartfelt romance. The feels in this book are hardcore. I felt teary-eyed the whole time. The pain Hayley and West go through was almost too much but that's what made the romance so strong. They had great chemistry and a great bond that held the whole novel.

#1:  Five Ways to Fall by K.A. Tucker

Obviously K.A. Tucker is the bomb in romance since I mentioned her twice. Out of all her books, I am freaking obsessed with Five Ways to Fall the most. This is a different kind of romance. This is not about true love or marriage. This is about two people having fun sex together and having their feelings slowly grow. It's hard not to fall in love with these flawed characters. Ben and Reese are offensive, they often don't make the right decisions, but they are beautiful in every other way. If you want a different kind of romance book, this is the one for you. And once you read it, you will NEVER think of orange groves the same way again! :D




MY Top Picks:
I can't put mine in order. I can't pick what is better over the other, I have a hard time doing that, so I'm going to list all five of my favorite of the last year...

Evolution Series by S.A. Huchton
So this is cheating, but hey it's my party and I'll cheat if I want. ;P This trilogy has taken me by a whirl wind. I loved the sexy superheroes. Really, we need more sexy superheroes in the world.

A Cursed Embrace by Cecy Robson
Oh yes. A love in a Wird world. I love the sister bond, the magic the sister possess, the men, and all the action. All in one package in the UF setting.

Along Came A Spider by Kate SeRine
Oh I love reading this world. The recreation of the fairy tale world in our world. And the characters come to their love in their time.

Gaming for Keeps by Seleste DeLaney
Mmm. This is a quick read but oh so sexy and fun! Going to a convention and meeting a man she's been gaming with? Yes. Fun.

Progeny by S.A. Huchton (and the previous two too!)
So Starla shows up again on the list but for a different series. This is the third book of a series of four (still waiting on number four to come out). This series is a touch of a science fiction, but TOTALLY romance. All will enjoy this one too!

Seriously, if you enjoy romance there is a lot to pick from. I'm so glad Jennifer picked the ones that stuck out for her in the last year no matter what. That is the way it should be. :) So, my suggestion, don't let the sub-genre stop you from picking up a great romance book. They are all amazing!

Time for a GIVEAWAY!

I will giveaway ONE of the books in MY top five list in eBook format. You can tell me which format you prefer (Amazon or Barnes & Nobles) and I will gift it to you there.

You pick from Starla Huchton, Cecy Robson, Kate SeRine, or Seleste DeLaney. DO NOTE: There are a few books that are ONLY in ebook format so the book that is won will be in eBook format.

This is Romance, so you MUST be at least 18 to enter.

Follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter:

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Top 5 Young Adult Picks!! and GIVEAWAY!

For my Blogoversary I enjoy sharing the Top 5 reads of different genre for the last year, June 1, 2012 through July 1, 2013.  These are the memorable reads with high recommendations from me.  Well worth looking into.

I can only bring myself to do the last year, as trying to figure out the best of all time...yea, no.  I love to many books on all different levels to try and figure that out.

Also, part of what makes this such an amazing thing, is my fellow bloggers.  I love sharing books with fellow bloggers and learning what they have loved to share with me as well.  This is a huge thing with me in the booking community.  I have with me a book lover of Young Adult books.  Sharing their Top 5 reads for the last year as well.

My Picks:
And yes, I broke the rules.  It's my birthday darn it, and I'm allowed. ;P

Hunter of the Dead by Katee Robert - (Amazon Link)
 Oh this one I fell in love with, and yes I am NOT a zombie person.  But this one was all about stopping them.  I just loved Eden and her profession of zombie killing.  Fast action read.  I would say for older Young Adults, but a great read.

Fathom by Merrie Destefano - (Amazon Link) I enjoyed this one with the water setting.  Selkies and monsters all mized with an amazing Celtic legend that grows as the story passes.

Greta and the Goblin King by Chloe Jacobs - (Amazon Link) This was a wonderful read.  Had me flipping pages and falling for all the characters. Oooo, yes, can't wait for more!

Time Heals by Dina James - (Amazon Link) This is the second book of an AMAZING young adult series.  It's not full of any sexual innuendos and such.  And the characters are just plain amazing.  I love every single one of them!! And Noth is here. :)

Outpost by Ann Aguirre - (Amazon Link) This takes the reader into a dystopian and a whole new world as compared to Enclave (the first book).  The characters are strong and learning as they go and fight for their lives and all around them.

The House of Grey by Collin Earl - (Amazon Link) I fell in love with this serial with the first book.  Monson is a mystery, to us and himself.  But the things present in this world.  Yea, magic feel to everything.  The Greek feel to the structure.  The boys and the girls.  It's real yet mythical.  I just loved it all.







I've invited Kimba of Caffeinated Book Reviews to share her Cream of the crop in the YA genre:

Dark Triumph (His Fair Assassin #2) by R.L. LaFevers - (Amazon Link)

Unravel Me (Shatter Me #2) by Taherah Mafi - (Amazon Link)

The Hallowed Ones (The Hallowed Ones #1) by Laura Bickle - (Amazon Link)

The 5th Wave (The 5th Wave #1) by Rick Yancey - (Amazon Link)

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay - (Amazon Link)

GIVEAWAY TIME!!

Winner will get to pick One (1) of my Top 5 picks.

Open Internationally, as long as Amazon (or Book Depository) ships to you.

Or you can take Ebook.

NOTE:  One of the books ONLY COMES in ebook format

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Young Adult Swag Giveaway!!

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