Deb’s Favorite Reads of 2015

06 January of 2016 by Deb Markanton

It seems to be an end of year tradition for bloggers to compile a favorites list.  I love these lists.  There are some awesome bloggers out there, and while I try to keep on top of what they are posting throughout the year, I still miss a lot.  So, it’s fun to compare lists and see what amazing books I might have missed.  And I inevitably end up with even more books in my TBR pile.

This past year was full of changes for me.  I retired from the rat race known as work, moved from Los Angeles to the Big Island of Hawaii, got married, and decided to channel all my extra energy into reviewing the many, many, many books I read.  It wasn’t as easy as I’d thought it would be.  The reviewing of books, that is.  I tend to obsess over just the right words to use, how to convey my thoughts about a book; the plot, characters, how it all made me feel.  But for some reason, I’m compelled to keep on doing it.  That said, I’d like to share my favorite reads of 2015.  I say reads because not all of the books were released this past year.  Once I jumped into the review writing world I began meeting so many fantastic new-to-me authors, truly wonderful people who care about their readers, and value honest feedback.  Some didn’t release a book in 2015, however, I wanted to explore their previous releases.  In addition, I read quite a lot of these favorites before I started writing reviews so you’ll just have to take my word that they’re worth your time.

In no particular order:

Kristen Callahan’s Game On Series.

I loved all three books in this New Adult, football themed series, and I don’t even like football *gasp*!  While they do center around the heroes being football players; first in college and then moving on to the NFL, you don’t have to love the game to love these very sexy, touching, and witty novels.  Ms. Callahan’s characters are complex, intelligent, interesting, and lots of fun.  The dialogue is laugh out loud funny, the heroines are spunky and not opposed to showing their goofy side, and the chemistry conveyed is, as the                                                saying goes…off the charts.

 

True North by Liora Blake

True North is Ms. Blake’s debut novel, and what an amazing book it is!  I really hated to see this book end.  Ms. Blake has the unique talent to be able to write with honesty and emotion and pull the thoughts and feelings out of the characters in a way that connects with the reader.  I was blown away by this debut book.

True North is a bad-boy celebrity rocker meets small-town bestselling novelist story.  Trevor and Kate are anything but typical.  It’s a very sexy, poignant love story that had me alternately wringing my hands, laughing like crazy, and fanning myself over the hot sex.

True Devotion, and True Divide complete the series.  Both equally good. I just happen to be partial to Kate and Trevor.  You can read my review for True Divide here.

 

Him by Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy

Ms. Bowen and Ms. Kennedy have blended their unique voices and amazing writing talents to create this unforgettable love story.  I’m a sucker for M/M novels and this one hit the top of my list.  Set in the world of ice hockey, it’s not only a friends-to-lovers but it’s also a gay-for-you story.  And it’s totally believable.  The chapters alternate between Wes and Jamie’s point of view, which grabbed me even more.  Knowing what one was thinking and feeling while the other had no clue?  Oy.  I was on edge a lot, hoping they’d eventually get it together!  Him is about being true to oneself, loving with abandon, and offering your heart without fear.

 

 

Cocky Bastard by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Don’t let the blurb for this book fool you.  This book is so much more!  It begins as a road trip during which, strangers Chance and Aubrey are thrown together by circumstances of the broken down motorcycle variety. They’re each running away from something, using the road trip to get their respective heads on straight.  Chance is cheeky, pushy, adorable, and hilarious.  Oh, and SEXY as hell!  Aubrey is quirky,  high maintenance, and predictable.  Witty dialogue, hilarious scenes, and sexual tension made Cocky Bastard one I’d read again.  Read my review here.

 

 

      Ride Steady by Kristen Ashley

What can I say, it’s Kristen Ashley.  I don’t think there’s a book this fab author has written that I didn’t like.  Her books are about family, whether related or not, about love so all consuming it’s painful, about girlfriends you’d love to hang with and men you’d love to hang onto.  Her words wring the emotion out of you every step of the way, and damn if I don’t love that.  I have a weakness for MC series, and was thrilled when KA took Motorcycle Man (*sigh* Tack Allen) and created the Chaos spin off.  While I loved Own The Wind, Fire Inside, and Walk Through Fire, Ride Steady is my favorite in the Chaos series.

 

 

     

 Ditching The Dream by Isabelle Peterson

Ms. Peterson has written a sexy, thought provoking story about a woman so many of us can relate to.  At some point in our lives we feel the need to step out of our comfortable box and, despite the fear of failure, take a chance on something new.  Because to ignore that desire will only cause us to shrivel up and die.  I ate this book up and licked the bowl.   Read my review here.

Feeling dead in her marriage, Elizabeth Fairchild ditches the dream of her seemingly perfect life with her husband in search of who she really is. 

She went from her parents’ house to her husband’s home and never really learned to stand on her own two feet. She decides to leave her comfortable life in Napa Valley in search of her inner fire in New York City. She certainly didn’t leave her husband to find another man, but she soon finds herself involved with two: Jack Stevens and Kevin Parker. 

Jack is older. He has heart-stopping good looks, is wildly successful, and is very much in control of everything around him – especially Elizabeth. 
Kevin is younger. He is carefree with a heart of gold and loves Elizabeth’s spunk. 

While Elizabeth’s old life still calls to her, she also finds what she needs in New York. But which dream will she choose?

Book 1 in the Dream series, this is still my favorite.  Although, Unexpected Dreams is a close second because…y’all know how much I love a good M/M story.

 

The Chronicles of Katrina by Karin Tabke

If you have yet to experience the beauty that is Karin Tabke’s writing, you are missing one helluva ride!  Fast-paced, smooth-as-silk prose.  Jaw dropping, panty melting scenes.  Gorgeous, badass cops dedicated to bringing down criminals even if it means stretching the limits of the law.  And, heroines who bring these bad boys to their knees.  This is book 1 in Ms. Tabke’s Bad Boys of the Bay series.  It’s also my favorite.  It’s not only a stellar suspense with lots of surprising twists it’s a steamy love story.  I’m certain you’ll fall in love with Simon and Kat the way I did.  You can read my full review here.

 

 

 The Big Girl’s Guide To Buying Lingerie by Amie Stuart

Amie Stuart is another favorite author.  Her writing is full of quirky humor, down-to-earth characters, often times hilarious situations, and steamy sex.  Her stories are truly from the heart.  Her characters aren’t perfect.  They are real people whose lives we can relate to because they are like us in so many ways.  But no matter what, they get their HEA, and that’s why I keep coming back for more Amie Stuart.

I absolutely loved The Big Girl’s Guide To Buying Lingerie!  It wouldn’t be on this list, yeah?   Book 4 in the Bluebonnet, Texas series this will have you laughing, giggling, and fanning yourself during the steamy fun.   Read my review here.

 

 Girl (The Training House Book 1)  by Eden Bradley

I’ve been a fan of Eden Bradley/Eve Berlin for years.  Hers were among the first BDSM books I discovered.  Girl is shocking in its intensity, its truth, its darkness, and in its beauty.  It is a delicious departure from her usual BDSM romance novels and I was thoroughly captivated throughout.   Read my review here.

 

 

 

 

 Blue Persuasion by Blakely Bennett

Ms. Bennett is a master at revealing the inner thoughts and feelings of her characters.  Blue Persuasion is Book 3 in the Bound By Your Love series, which centers around a group of friends.  I loved Stuck In Between and Bittersweet Deceit, but this one…just spoke to me.  It is a deeply erotic and intensely emotional journey that had me riveted from the beginning.  The chemistry between Tate and Blue is sizzling!  Read my review here.

 

 

 

 

Annnnd…more on my favorites list for 2015 reads:

Call On Me by Roni Loren    My review

Hollywood Dirt by Alessandra Torre  My review

Hold Me Close by Megan Hart  My review

Nuts by Alice Clayton  My review

Servicing The Target by Cherise Sinclair  My review

Off Campus Series by Elle Kennedy