Favorite Books of 2014

Happy New Year, everybody! Today, I thought I'd post about my favorite books of 2014. These books weren't necessarily published in 2014; I just happened to read them this year. 

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon - I've been meaning to read Outlander for ages now and finally got around to it. Man, did I love it. Yes, it starts a wee bit slow, but the build-up is worth it, and once the timeline slips back into the past, I was delightfully sucked in. This is a book to savor, not only for the abundant historical details, but also for the sometimes poetic phrasing. But be warned: this isn't a book for the faint of heart. The villain in this book is a true sadist capable of incredible cruelty and sexual violence. 

Though Outlander is at times brutal, it has many, many beautiful moments to savor, and if you love those fearsome Highlanders, Jamie Fraser will be the best book boyfriend you've ever had. If you love the book as I much as I did, you also have to check out the Outlander series on Starz. Very faithful to the book! 

(Psst! The Kindle edition of Outlander is on sale for 1.99 right now!)

The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt - As always, Tartt has a gift for descriptions that evoke the very essence of things in such an incredibly precise way. Again and again, I was struck by how efficiently she conjured up things so clearly in my mind that I could almost feel and smell them. I had some quibbles with this book, but it's earned many of the accolades that have been heaped upon it. I can't wait to read what Tartt conjures up next. 

(Psst: The Kindle edition of The Goldfinch is on sale now for 6.99!)

Blood & Beauty: The Borgias by Sarah Dunant - I loved Showtime's "The Borgias" even though I know it's not all that accurate. How could you *not* love the juicy story of a family unafraid to bribe, murder, or conquer anyone who stood in their way? Showtime billed them as "the original crime family" with plenty of reason. So when I learned that Sarah Dunant had tackled this infamous family, I had to pick up the book and dive in. 

In Blood & Beauty, Dunant sets out to give us a far more accurate accounting of the Borgias' bloody misdeeds, and the result is no less engrossing. No matter how despicable the Borgias are (especially Rodrigo and Cesare), you almost want to root for their tremendous ambition and utter disregard for the rules. Though the start of the book is a wee bit slow, hang in there -- it's worth it. Dunant plans to write a second book about the family, and I'll be picking it up when it comes out. Highly recommended for those who love historical fiction.

Fifth Grave Past the Light, Sixth Grave on the Edge, Seventh Grave and No Body by Darynda Jones - I read all three of these books in the Charley Davidson series this year, and they just keep getting better and better. If you love humorous, sexy paranormal romance, I highly recommend this series! 

Reaver and Chained by Night by Larissa Ione - Larissa Ione is one of my favorite authors. I've loved her Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series for years, and the Moonbound Clan Vampire books are quickly becoming a second favorite. As always, the sexual chemistry in these books is off the charts, the conflicts are extremely tough to surmount, and the world building and detail are phenomenal. If you love sexy, gritty paranormal romance, you will love this series!

The President's Vampire and Red, White & Blood by Christopher Farnsworth - I really enjoyed Blood Oath, the first book in the Nathaniel Cade series. If you haven't been following along, Cade is a 150-year-old vampire who works for the President of the United States as a defense against all the things that go bump in the night and just might destroy the country. Both books are scary good fun, fast-paced, and addictive. Can't wait for the next book... and why the heck hasn't Hollywood made these into movies yet? I'd *love* to see these on the big screen! 

Recommended if you like fast-paced supernatural suspense. 

Indelible by Karin Slaughter - Gripping from start to finish--very well done! I really enjoyed learning more about Sara and Jeffrey's past. Slaughter has a real gift for portraying relationships in all their strangeness and complexity. She does a great job here of showing how mistakes made in the past (at different times) have unexpected consequences years down the line. (I really don't want to say too much about this book, because I don't want to ruin the plot.) Her deft plotting and character development elevate this book above many in the genre. Highly recommended for anyone who likes thrillers or mysteries. As usual, Slaughter doesn't spare you the gore, so be forewarned.

(Psst: The Kindle edition of Indelible is on sale now for only 1.99!)

The Russian Temptation by Nikki Navarre - This book had me purring with pleasure. There's so much delicious stuff wrapped up in these pages! I greatly enjoyed the first book in this series, The Russian Seduction, so I was really looking forward to The Russian Temptation, and I wasn't disappointed. In fact, I was blown away. This book grabbed me right from the start, and I was immediately wondering how the heck these two would ever get to an HEA. It seemed downright impossible, even though the sexual tension was through the roof. A US ambassador and a Russian hitman? Not happening!!! But it did, and I loved every minute of it. I'm saying absolutely nothing about the plot, other than that the twists and turns keep on coming, and there's never a dull moment. I hope there are more books coming in this series (please, please, please write a book about Maxim!). I'm officially a Nikki Navarre fangirl.

(Psst! The Russian Temptation is on sale now for 1.99!)

The Vampire Queen's Servant by Joey W. Hill - I picked this book up because I loved Joey W. Hill's Natural Law. Yes, she writes erotic romance, but she puts a lot of story and character into it, and her writing is loaded with emotion and oftentimes beautiful. "Lush" is the main word I'd use to describe this book. It's meant to be read slowly and savored rather than gobbled up in a frenzy. I occasionally got a wee bit impatient with the pacing in the beginning, but once I accepted it, the book unfolded beautifully, with a rich, complex story to tell. 

While much of the story involves the developing relationship between Lyssa and Jacob, there are a number of intriguing hints about the larger vampire world surrounding them, and Hill invests Lyssa with some unexpected powers and characteristics. And on top of that, Lyssa has a terrible secret that could kill them both (and that explains some of Lyssa's more objectionable behavior). I'll be reading the next book in the series to find out what happens next to Lyssa and Jacob!

Memoirs of a Gigolo, Volume Eight by Livia Ellis - I'm a huge fan of Livia Ellis's erotic series about Oliver Adair, an impoverished young earl who turns to prostitution to save his family estate. Ellis is one hell of a writer -- the storytelling is complex, the character development is deep, and the story is unpredictable. Yes, there's sex (and plenty of it throughout the series), but it's almost beside the point. I'm invested in Oliver, and I want to see him grow up and get his happy ever after. Highly recommended for fans of sharp, well-written erotica. 

Ford: Slack/Taut by J.A. Huss - Not your typical new adult romance. Ford is cut from very different cloth than most romance heroes, and at first you may not like him at all, especially at the start of Taut. I came to like him very much by the end of Slack, but he's never a completely cuddly person, and that's okay. He's a very human one, and he's struggling with a couple conditions that don't make life easy. Some good twists and turns throughout these two stories. I hadn't read any of the earlier books in the series (these two stories make a standalone bundle), so I'm going to have to go back and pick them up to see what I missed. Recommended for anyone who likes unusual heroes and storylines.





Made: A Sempre Novel by J.M. Darhower - I loved Darhower's Sempre and Sempre: Redemption. One of the most intriguing characters in the books is hit man Corrado, and I pounced on this book the minute I knew it existed. The story is a bit slow in places in the beginning, but it picks up once he joins "the family business." The ending felt a bit rushed, but I really enjoyed getting to learn more about Corrado and the DeMarco and Moretti families. I highly recommend reading Sempre and Sempre: Redemption before Made. Even though much of Made takes place before the events of Sempre and Sempre: Redemption, Made will spoil some of the big reveals and twists in those books. Recommended if you enjoy Mafia stories!

(Psst: Made: A Sempre Novel is on sale now for only .99 cents!)


Other notable books

The Crossfire Series by Sylvia Day - I haven't read the fourth book yet, but the first three (Bared to You, Reflected in You, Entwined with You) are best kind of soap opera--sexy, tempestuous, twisty, and not above a catfight or two. This is primo book crack!

The King and Immortal by J.R. Ward - J.R. Ward wraps up her Fallen Angels series... but then ties it into the Black Dagger Brotherhood series! Both books are must-reads for lovers of hot, sexy vampires and sinfully sexy fallen angels. 

Beach Blanket Bloodbath by Mark Henry - Another snarky entry in the blackly comic misadventures of Amanda Feral, everyone's favorite zombie/fashion plate/supernatural celebrity author. Some editing errors tripped me up at times, but the number of times I laughed out loud more than made up for it. Where the heck is the next one???? I've been looking for A Night to Dismember, but it seems it's not out yet. I need my next Amanda fix!

Balustrade by Mark Henry - A creepy, twisted, erotic horror story. Imagine "Rosemary's Baby" crossed with a really twisted episode of "The Twilight Zone," and you have some idea of what you're getting into. Yes, it's extremely explicit, so expect that too. While this story does have a sense of completion, a number of big questions are left unanswered, which is only fitting, since this is a trilogy. I'll be picking up the next one to find out what's *really* going on. Recommended only if you aren't easily offended and enjoy being thoroughly creeped out!

Read anything in 2014 that you can't recommend enough? I'd love to hear about it! 

GIVEAWAY: Come celebrate Read-A-Romance Month!

My lovely friend, L.C. Giroux, asked me to participate in Read-A-Romance Month at http://www.readaromancemonth.com/. All throughout the month of August, romance authors are celebrating romance by recommending their favorite authors and giving away cool prizes. 

The theme of this year's Read-A-Romance Month is "Celebrating Romance." Since my one-year wedding anniversary is coming up in August, this is an easy one for me. My wonderful husband and I have been together for over five years now, but last year we decided to make it official. The funny thing was that we'd been talking about getting married within a few weeks of when we met. We just always knew that was where we were headed. But how did we know? 

All I can say is that for the both of us, this was the first relationship we'd had where we felt "solid" from the start--no games, no moodiness, no doubts. I never questioned his motives or behavior because he never gave me cause to. We both laid our cards on the table, said take it or leave it, and that has remained true to this day. And while we both have strong opinions and have butted heads time and again, we've also worked hard to resolve our differences. An important part of that is apologizing when we're in the wrong. (And hey, making up can be really fun!)

But the most important thing? Cherishing each other and saying "I love you" every day. Maybe it's because we're both older and know that we don't have all the time in the world anymore, but we both feel it's important to express how we feel and show our love all the time, whether it's through abundant kisses, little "just because" gifts, or supporting each other when we're feeling down. I feel so incredibly lucky to have met the love of my life. Our only regret? That we didn't meet in our twenties! 

As part of Read-A-Romance Month, I've been asked to answer the following three questions: 

1 - Describe the most daring, adventurous or inspiring thing you ever did. 

The most daring thing I ever did was join an online dating service. It took me quite a while to work up the nerve to do it, but I'm so glad I did--I met my hubby there the first week! And even luckier: He was about to quit the service, but decided to take one last look before closing his account, and that's when he spotted me. (It's just like a romance novel!)

The most adventurous thing I ever did? Taking a trip to Italy with a group of complete strangers! I fell in love with the country, and it inspired my first full-length romance novel and my current romantic suspense series, Blood and Honor, about the blood feud between two powerful Mafia families and the star-crossed romances that occur along the way. 

2 - Tell us about your journey to becoming a writer. (How did you decide to get started? Did you always know or was there a specific moment when you knew?)

I started writing romances when I was teenager. They were all about the rock stars I and my friends had crushes on. I wrote tons of them, and my friends couldn't get enough of the stories I dreamed up. I was hooked! However, reality intruded, and I had to find a "real job." So even though I majored in writing in college, I took a job in the software industry, and stayed there for almost twenty years. (*cue montage of late nights staring at a computer screen) The job was all-consuming, but my writing bug was always there in the background, waiting to be let loose. 

After my first trip to Italy, I decided to write my first full-length romance novel. I didn't have a lick of spare time, but I powered through, working on it during the wee hours for months and months. Even though it wasn't the greatest thing ever (and I haven't published it), it showed me that I could in fact write an entire book that actually made sense. Most importantly, I fell in love with writing romance all over again. I was fast approaching forty, and I realized then that I could either spend another twenty years in software, or I could spend the rest of my life doing what I loved. I chose romance! 

3 - Tell us about The (or A) Book That Changed Your Life. (Why?)

Interview with the Vampire and The Vampire Lestat by Anne Rice. I'd always been an avid reader, but there was something about these lush, richly imagined, wildly romantic novels that nurtured my writing bug. I was especially taken by how Rice managed to take a character I'd thoroughly despised in Interview and turn him into a character I adored in Lestat. I realized then what was possible in the hands of a gifted storyteller and that made me want to be one someday.

Recommendations

Yay! We've made it to my favorite part: recommending writers I love! 

First up is Kristine Cayne. She's my critique partner and an awesome award-winning romance author. She writes both exciting, steamy romantic suspense and naughty, sizzling erotic romance. 

Her latest release is Deadly Betrayal, a thrilling story set in Afghanistan about an American soldier and a woman's rights activist trying to save a twelve-year-old girl from marriage to a savage warlord. I've read this book three times now, and I *still* laugh, cry, and fan myself every time! 

And if you love erotic romance with dirty-talking CEOs, I highly recommend Everything Bared. 

I also must recommend Delilah Marvelle. She writes steamy historical romance with swoon-worthy heroes and unusual heroines and settings. These aren't cookie-cutter stories and often have edgy (sometimes dark) subjects in them, and I've loved them all. 

Her latest release is Night of Pleasure, part of the highly enjoyable School of Gallantry series. 

I'm also a huge fan of J.R. Ward and her Black Dagger Brotherhood books. Imagine lethally sexy alpha vampires with a hard edge and hearts of gold. I love them all! 

If dark, angst-ridden paranormal romance is your thing, start with Dark Lover, and don't look back! 

Giveaway

I'm giving away two ebook copies of Revenge! 

A woman on the run. A damaged Mafia don. A rival bent on revenge... 

Kate Andretti is married to the Mob--but doesn't know it. When her husband uproots them to Italy, Kate leaves everything she knows behind. Alone in a foreign land, she finds herself locked in a battle for her life against a husband and a family who will "silence" her if she will not do as they wish. When her husband tries to kill her, she accepts the protection offered by a wealthy businessman with Mafia ties. He's not a mobster, he claims. Or is he? 

Enrico Lucchesi never wanted to be a Mafia don, and now he's caught in the middle of a blood feud with the Andretti family. His decision to help Kate brings the feud between the families to a boil. When Enrico is betrayed by someone in his own family, the two of them must sort out enemies from friends--and rely on each other or die alone. The only problem? Enrico cannot reveal his identity to Kate, or she'll bolt from his protection, and he'll be duty-bound to kill her to safeguard his family's secret. 


Attacks from without and within push them both to the breaking point, and soon Enrico is forced to choose between protecting the only world he knows and saving the woman he loves. 

*** Revenge was a double-finalist (Romantic Suspense and Best First Book) in the 2013 Booksellers' Best Awards! ***

To win a copy of Revenge, fill out the Rafflecopter below. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

About Dana

Dana Delamar is the author of the Blood and Honor romantic suspense series, which is set in Italy among the Calabrian Mafia. Her first book, Revenge, received 4 stars from RT Book Reviews, was a Top Pick at The Romance Reviews, and was a double-finalist for Best First Book and Best Romantic Suspense in the 2013 Booksellers Best Awards. Her second book, Retribution, received 4 stars from RT Book Reviews and was a semi-finalist in the Kindle Book Review's 2013 Best Indie Book Awards. Her third book, Malavita, was a quarter-finalist in the 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards, and her fourth book, Redemption, is a semi-finalist in the 2014 Kindle Book Awards. Dana is also the editor of a number of fiction and nonfiction books, and co-owner of By Your Side Self-Publishing, a company that provides editing and other services to self-publishers. 

An avid traveler who loves to learn about different peoples and cultures, Dana often sets her books in exotic locales. She grew up in the Midwest and Pacific Northwest, and today makes Seattle her home. She's an omnivorous reader with overflowing bookshelves, a passionate love of "Supernatural," "Firefly," "True Blood," "Mad Men," and a zillion other TV shows. Where she finds the time to sleep is a mystery. You can learn more about her at http://www.danadelamar.com.

Find Dana's books at: 

Kindle | Nook | Kobo | iTunes | Smashwords 

Review: SUGAR AND SIN Romance Bundle

Today I've got a book review for you. My wonderful critique partner, Kristine Cayne, asked if I'd be willing to review Sugar and Sin, a bundle of six full-length contemporary romances that she's part of. Having already read books by several of these gals, I eagerly jumped on board, and I'm so happy I did!

Book Description

In the land of Happily Ever After, six romance writers banded together to bring readers a super-sexy dose of Sugar and Sin, a bundle of six full-length books (over 1000 pages!) with fun, sassy heroines and the oh-so-sexy men who fall for them. If you like your contemporary romance on the steamy side, this book is for you!

My Review

Wow! What a great bundle of books! Every single one has something to recommend it. I was alternately laughing, fanning myself (these books are all HOT!), or worrying about the characters in each story. 

Chasin' Mason by Stacey Joy Netzel
Catch the stallion ~ win the ranch. A simple competition between bitter enemies, but once tempers and passions flare in the Texas heat, all bets are off. 

I enjoyed this story right from the start. Tripp and Reggie are both great characters with believable flaws and a past marred by conflict and misunderstanding. The characters are well-drawn and there's off-the-charts sexual tension and just plain good sexy fun. Oh, and there are horses and a contemporary western backdrop too! Tripp is one very sexy cowboy, and I liked that Reggie was his equal in every way.  

Deadly Addiction by Kristine Cayne
A violent clash of cultures tests the forbidden love between a Native American man and a white female cop. 

I *love* this story. It's got thrills, chills, red-hot sexual tension, and scorching sex--on top of a bang-up, downright exciting plot and a great setting (an Iroquois reservation in Canada). This is the second in Kristine Cayne's Deadly Vices series, but this book certainly stands alone. The two leads, Alyssa and Rémi, are both damaged people who come together and make each other whole... and when they're not getting shot at, they're burning up the sheets. Trust me on this!

His Lady Godiva by L.C. Giroux
A disabled surgeon and a damaged patient find healing in their love for one another. 

I was intrigued by the idea of a disabled hero, and I fell in love with this great story about taking risks and making yourself vulnerable. Michael and Violet make a great couple and their chemistry is sizzling; in fact, this story was borderline erotic romance, in my opinion. I was definitely fanning myself while reading it! I liked that Violet does not pity Michael in any way, and he proves to be well worth all the effort she puts in to convince him that they can be great for each other. 

Love By Design by Liz Matis
Sex in the City meets HGTV when an uptight interior designer has to deal with a hunky, rough-hewn cohost from Down Under.

Another great story--I laughed out loud over and over again. There were so many great lines in this! I could definitely see this book being made into a romantic comedy. I liked Victoria quite a bit, and oh man, you can give me a hot Aussie like Russ any day! The secondary characters were well-drawn and the story moves swiftly and effortlessly. It'll go down as nicely as a vodka martini!

Run Rosie Run by C.C. Mackenzie
She’s wasted enough of her life madly in love with a man she can never have... or can she?

I'd read and enjoyed Reckless in Rome (the first book in The Ludlow Hall series), and I really loved Rosie in that one, so I was looking forward to her book. Alexander seemed like a bit of a stuffed shirt in Reckless, but oh no--we learn in this one that he is an alpha male, through and through. Lots of laugh-out-loud lines and blazing hot sex (did I mention it was on fire? It so was!), not to mention getting to visit with Bronte and Nico again and see that their marriage is still sizzling, make this book a definite must for fans of the series and anyone who's suffered through a long-term unrequited love. Although I got a wee bit impatient with Rosie at times (the girl needs to learn to open up!), her pain and angst over a man she's loved for ages (about half her life or more) are understandable and made me feel her turmoil. And Alex's ham-handed initial response doesn't help matters!

Sexy in Stilettos by Nana Malone
A hyper-organized event planner meets a carefree playboy... and sparks fly. But can they make it work?

This book starts off with a bang and sucks you right in. I liked Jaya and Alec from the start, and oh boy did I love Jaya's best friends, Micha and Ricca! They're a total hoot, and I laughed out loud many times while reading this book. This is another that could make a really good romantic comedy. And oh man, was the sex ever *scorching*! These two have amazing chemistry and I was rooting for them the entire time. A bang-up read, and a great ending to this bundle. Now I've got several new authors to follow!

SALE! SALE! SALE! 

I'd be remiss if I didn't point out that Sugar and Sin is available now for only .99/.77p (it's normally $5.99). It's a huge bargain at 5.99, but a total steal at .99. Where else can you get that much entertainment for only a buck? 

Amazon (US) | Amazon (UK) | Kobo

My favorite books of 2013 (so far)

Last December, I shared my favorite books of 2012. Since I love sharing great reads with other people, here are my favorite books of 2013 so far. (Note that these are books I've read in 2013--that doesn't mean they're all new books, only that I've just now discovered them.) 


If you read last December's post, you'll know that my hands-down favorite of the year was Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall. The next in her series, Bring Up the Bodies, will most likely top my 2013 list as well--and I say that knowing the year is only half over!

Bring Up the Bodies, Hilary Mantel - Amazing follow-up to Wolf Hall. We all know the story of how Anne Boelyn came to grief, but somehow Mantel makes it fresh and exciting. She's a master at sketching a character through a few choice words. Cromwell remains a fascinating character; we're in his head the entire time, and yet somehow he's still a bit of an enigma, managing to hide essential bits of his character for long stretches, so that we're continually surprised and riveted by this man and what drives him. Ever pragmatic, ever clever, ever resourceful, Cromwell is also determined to better the lot of the poorer classes, while profiting handsomely from the foibles of the rich. He bends to suit the shifting winds, and yet he steadfastly plots in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to take revenge on those who've wronged him or those he loves. I can't wait for the final book!


I was a huge Stephen King fan as a teenager, and I dip back into horror from time to time when I want a change. One of the best I've read so far this year is Jack Kilborn's Afraid.

Afraid, Jack Kilborn - Super, super creepy story! I don't want to say much about the plot for fear of spoiling it (you kind of think you know what's it about, but you don't, not really, for a long time). I very much liked the main characters and rooted for them along the way; I even teared up near the end. And the bad guys are truly frightening. This story doesn't let you feel safe for even a minute; anything can (and will) happen. 

A word of warning if you have a weak stomach; there's gore galore in this story, though the author does leave some of the worst stuff to your imagination (which is maybe worse). Very well done, and I highly recommend it to horror fans. I read this story all in one go; I couldn't put it down, even though I had pressing things to do. 


My favorite in historical romance so far this year is Forever a Lord by Delilah Marvelle. She writes historical romance like no one else!

Forever a Lord, Delilah Marvelle - My favorite of the Rumor series! Nathaniel is a great hero--tortured, complex, and with his heart in the right place--and Imogene is a very relatable heroine. I also had fun learning more about bare knuckle boxing, which I knew nothing about. Once again, Ms. Marvelle treats us to a unique storyline and locations. I love her historicals because she manages to come up with fresh and interesting facets of history to explore. Looking forward to Ms. Marvelle's next series! 


In paranormal romance, my favorite so far this year is Third Grave Dead Ahead by Darynda Jones. The Charley Davidson series has rapidly become one of my favorites, and I'm looking forward to the next book!

Third Grave Dead Ahead, Darynda Jones - Wow, wow, wow. I enjoyed the first two books in this series, but this one was even better. Charley and Reyes are quite the pair--scorching hot together, but oh, what a mess! I don't want to say much for fear of spoiling the story, but I will say one of my favorite things about this book is that it holds out some hope for Charley and Reyes maybe, possibly, having a future together one day... at the same time that it lets us know that future is very much in jeopardy. And did I mention this book is laugh-out-loud funny? 

Somehow, I went on a bit of a gigolo romance kick (started by Showtime's Gigolos series--don't ask!). Here are three I enjoyed: 

Escorted, Claire Kent - This book was a total page-turner for me, and I finished it in two days. The premise drew me in, but it was the characters that nailed it. Lori is interesting enough--she's a famous romance author, and yet almost utterly clueless about men and sex--but Ander, the male escort she hires, is something else altogether. He's an enigma for much of the book, with the sort of tortured back story that I love. The more we learn about him, the more fascinating he becomes. I like that the author didn't go all "Pretty Woman" with the story and instead made it relatively realistic.

My Gigolo, Molly Burkhart - I loved this book! The premise is entertaining in itself (concerned sister hires a gigolo for her sister who's been single too long, hoping this will spark the single sister into dating), but the characters and the writing made this book a truly compelling read. The story develops in a fashion I didn't expect, but that comes down to the characters. This isn't one of those books where you can predict every single scene in advance. Sure, you know they'll end up together, but how they get there is hardly clear and certainly not smooth sailing. 

Most of all, the writing is compelling. Tight pacing and great character and plot development meant there was never a dull moment, and I could hardly put the book down. I love it when a book makes me late to appointments and makes me blow off errands because I don't want to stop reading. My Gigolo is that kind of read. It's a sexy book to be sure, but it has so much more going for it than just that.

Memoirs of a Gigolo (Vols 1-6), Livia Ellis - If you're looking for quality literary erotica, this is it. Tightly written and with a sexy, cynical, sharp as a tack, honest to a fault narrator in Oliver, the titular gigolo, this story sucks you in, and you won't put it down until you finish.

Volume 7 was just released, and I can't wait to dive into it!

And then a friend of mine got into M/M romance and shared some of her favorites with me. She recommended Aleksandr Voinov, even though what he writes is really best termed "gay erotic fiction," as he likes to call it rather than M/M romance. What he writes is unique, raw, disturbing, and somehow utterly addictive. 

Dark Soul: The Complete Collection, Aleksandr Voinov - I'm not sure what to say about this book, other than "Wow." From the first sentence, I was drawn into this dark, disturbing, and amazing (and amazingly well-written) story. I went into it thinking it was M/M romance, but it's not. There is a love story, yes, but it's not a romantic one in the traditional sense. It's a twisted, violent, and raw story of flawed people coming together in a highly charged environment (the Mafia) and learning to love and care for each other. The characters are human, deeply human, and deeply real and imperfect. 

This is not a story for the faint of heart. There's violence (including sexual violence) and other behavior that most people would consider immoral or disgusting. And yet, even if I didn't like everything that happened, I was able to understand it and why the characters had done it. Mr. Voinov is truly skilled; he made me empathize with these characters even when their behavior was so far removed from anything I'd ever consider "right."

Was this book perfect? No. Is it for everybody? No. Will I remember it for the rest of my life? Yes. Will I read more by Mr. Voinov? Hell yes. He's an incredible talent, and my hat is off to him.

Yes, I know this is an eclectic list, to say the least! I definitely like to switch it up.  

If you want to see more of my recommendations, feel free to friend me on Goodreads. 

And now it's your turn: What books have you enjoyed most this year so far?

Giveaway and new firefighter romance releases from Kristine Cayne!

Hi everyone! I'm really excited today to be featuring the latest releases from my awesome critique partner, Kristine Cayne!

You might know Kristine as the award-winning author of Deadly Obsession and Deadly Addiction, the first two books in her Deadly Vices romantic suspense series. (If you love romantic suspense, you must check them out!) Kristine has recently branched out into erotic romance with her Six-Alarm Sexy series about a team of firefighters in the Seattle Fire Department. 

The Six-Alarm Sexy Series

Prequel: Aftershocks

The first book, Aftershocks, is a romantic suspense prequel that sets up the Six-Alarm Sexy series. Here's what it's about:

When Seattle is struck by a devastating earthquake, technical rescue firefighter Jamie Caldwell must save his estranged wife and daughter from the wreckage of a collapsed building. He's defied the odds hundreds of times, but will his luck finally run out for good?

Excerpt

Adrenaline surging through her system, Erica hung onto the doorjamb as the quake rocked the old courthouse. The building swayed and groaned, windows rattled and shattered as the earth continued to tremble. Cracks raced across the ceiling and plaster dust showered down, covering everything in a thin white film. She’d lived in Seattle all her life but had never experienced a quake as powerful as this one.

And her daughter was all alone.


I LOVED this story. Even after I'd read it three or four times, I was still on the edge of my seat with worry. It's THAT good!

Where to Get Aftershocks

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N US | Kobo | All Romance eBooks | Smashwords 

Book One: Under His Command

Winner - Best BDSM Romance - 2012 Sizzling Awards

A firefighter desperate to save his failing marriage earns the trust--and the sexual submission--of his controlling wife in the most pleasurable of ways.

After an explosive one-night stand results in pregnancy, Jamie Caldwell is thrilled to marry the perfect foil to his Dom side. But when his submissive wife starts cringing every time he gives a command, Jamie shackles his dark desires. A bout of rough, frenzied reunion sex makes him wonder if now he should free the Dom he's kept in chains and teach Erica the joys of submission and sexual surrender.

Erica Caldwell secretly loved every sinful thing Jamie did to her on their first night together. However, terrified she'll become a codependent doormat like her mother, she repeatedly rejects Jamie's dominance, despite craving the kind of release only he can give her--the release that comes from yielding to Jamie's every demand.

Hoping that the trust required by BDSM will help them rebuild their faith in each other, Jamie and Erica embark on a journey of sexual exploration. But is it too late to repair their crumbling marriage?

A Sexy Excerpt

Something soft and cool slid over her eyes. “What’s this?” she asked, reaching for it.
“Shh… It’s just a blindfold. To heighten your senses.”

Like she needed her senses heightened? He’d already taken her places she’d never been. “I’m not sure about—”

His hand smacking her butt cheek completely derailed her train of thought. “Did you just slap me?”

“That was a spank. Now turn around.” He tied the scarf over her eyes, plunging her into darkness.

She really should resist, tell him to stop. Something. But she didn’t. “Okay. Why should I let you spank me?” she asked. So far this night had been like nothing she’d expected. Jamie was skilled and unpredictable. And she was genuinely curious.

“Because you love it.” His fingers trailed down the crease between her cheeks and dipped into her. Her body convulsed, pushing against his hand to take more of him. What was it about fingers that felt so darned good?

Another smack, this one a little harder, had her trembling. “See how wet you are? How good it feels?” he said.

He was so right.


Is it hot in here, or is it just me? *fanning self* This books starts off with a bang and gets even more sizzling from there as Jamie and Erica work out their problems in beautiful Hawaii. The sex is scorching, the romance is touching, and the Hawaiian backdrop is gorgeous. This book has everything I look for in an erotic romance, and it has an unusual scene in it that is certain to spark extra-hot fantasies... and don't you just love that title?

Where to Get Under His Command

Amazon US  | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | B&N US | Kobo | All Romance eBooks | Smashwords 

Giveaway!

To celebrate her new releases, Kristine is giving away this super-cool book thong that features Jamie Caldwell, the hero of Aftershocks and Under His Command. Isn't it gorgeous?

To enter the giveaway, follow the instructions in the Rafflecopter below.

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