As bloggers, we get contacted by authors, big and small, traditionally published or independent, to review their books. Most of us have a set of criteria that a potential read has to fit. Let's be real... there are just some books we have no intention of ever reading. So why bother put yourself through something that you're only going to review poorly?
That's how I feel about Love Triangles. I don't like 'em. If I'm warned in advance, I stay away. It's not to say that I haven't read and loved stories that centered around a love triangle. Take Black Swan Affair by K.L. Kreig. I gave it five whole stars!! And why? Because the story was phenomenally written. However, I look at it as an aberration rather than the status quo.
I know there are a ton of people who will disagree with my take on the trope. They love it and can't understand why I don't. They believe that I'm missing out. Well, the following are my reasons for giving this trope a pass:
HITS |
MISSES |
|---|---|
| * the angst. If you're a fan of emotional, heart-jerking stories, then these books are for you. | * the angst. I deal with enough in real life. I don't need my heart to be pulled in so many different directions. |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| * the volume. If you feel like the more the merrier, then these books are for you. | * the volume. I'm finding that as I get older, I'm becoming more traditional in my views of relationships. I know, I can't believe it either. But I like the 1:1 ratio in a relationship. No cheating or polyamorous entanglements. |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| * the characters. Sometimes it's the journey that makes it work. Watching the protagonist maneuver their way to find love with one or both people is a huge part of what makes the story work. | * the characters. Most of the time it's the relationship between the characters that ruins it for me. What if the heroine/hero has to choose between brothers/sisters? Or best friends? It makes me lose all respect for the protagonist for stringing them along. |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| * the feels. This leads back to the angst. All those emotions, feeling along with the protagonist, choosing your victor, and then finding out if you're right. | * the boom. There are times when it is super easy to pick the person you want the protagonist to be with. Why? Because the author makes one of the contenders a monster. They'll be abusive or negligent or entertaining others. Can we call a cliché a cliché? |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| * time spent. When done well, the tension isn't dragged out, the heroine/hero makes their choice intelligently and emotionally, and the rest is a happily ever after. | * time spent. Then there's the time spent dragging the story out, so I don't even care who they choose. Especially if they spend time going from one person to the other. |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| I can't think of another 'hit' | Pet peeve... when one of the contenders dies. So it's not a matter of choice anymore, it's a matter of convenience. And yes, I know how bad that sounds. But how can you believe in your relationship if the only way you 'won' your partner is because your rival died, clearing the way for you? How can I believe in it? |
| - - - - - - - - - - - - | - - - - - - - - - - - - |
| I still can't think of another 'hit' | There is no reason for the love triangle. The story would have gone on its merry way without it. So here you've introduced a triangle to what? Liven up your story? And it's all bullocks because if your plot increases in value because of the triangle... fine. But when there is no plot without the triangle or vice versa... I'll pass. |
I'm sure there a still more reasons for why I don't like love triangles, but honestly, thinking about them is making me remember all of the bad ones I've read and I'd rather not.
One of my 2021 bookish resolutions was to be more open with my fellow readers and bloggers. To open up more about my thoughts and opinions. To post more about my likes, dislikes, loves and favorites. So here's post one and I hope you like it!
I genuinely don't know what the hell "acting naturally" would be around someone as glorious as Ryan Asshole Morgan."
Captain by Lauren Rowe
Standalone - Morgan Brothers #2
Release - May 14, 2017
Genre - RomCom/enemies-to-lovers
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/several scenes
Format/Source - ebook borrowed from KU
Length - 360 pages
Publisher - SoCoRo Publishing
It wasn’t the way this kind of story was supposed to go . . .
Insta-love isn’t supposed to turn into insta-hate.
But that’s exactly what happened when the hot-as-hell dreamboat I met in a bar turned out to be a lying, cheating scumbag-player-douche looking for nothing but a little side action. Jerk.
And he has the nerve to call me a liar and a “sociopath”? Assh*le.
And now, three months later, through a mind-blowing series of events I couldn’t have predicted in a million years, it turns out my boss is marrying his sister in Hawaii and I’ve got to play nice with him for an entire freaking week.
Okay, sure, I’ll put on a happy face this week and act like I’ve never even met the jerk before--did I mention his sister is marrying my boss?--but that doesn’t mean I’ll like it. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’ll stop secretly hating the cocky bastard’s guts.
Because I do.
I hate him.
I really do.
I just wish my brain would explain the situation to my body . . . because every time he flashes that panty-melting smile at me, it takes all my self-restraint not to jump the bastard’s hot-as-f*ck bones.
I'm about to become Captain Ahab and this beautiful woman my whale.
After falling in love with Colby in Hero and then Zander in Mister Bodyguard, I knew that I had to get to know all of this characters as soon as possible. They were just too special to miss. Too awesome to be passed over. Too incredibly funny not to enjoy more and more laughs with.
Honestly, I thought that this story would be a no-brainer. Five stars like the rest of them and on to the next. And it would have been if it was about Ryan, the rest of the amazing Morgan family, and their equally phenomenal friends and family. However, I had to endure Tessa and she was a hard pill to swallow.
Burned by love, Tessa didn't need much to push her into believing that Ryan was pretty much like every other lying, cheating, scumbag of a man. Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary... despite the many people who loved and respected him... despite how he carried himself... despite how obvious it was that he was a great man... she treated him like garbage. She was disrespectful, mean, and ugly to him. She went above and beyond to treat him like dirt while continuing to sleep with him.
Thankfully there were plenty of high points to this story to enjoy. Every moment with the Morgans was a delight and a half. The family (oh Peenie), the friends, the sweet and hilarious conversations and hijinks made this story amazingly entertaining. I loved Ryan so much and I look forward to seeing him again as I continue to read about his brothers.
Find your copy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/38KlhZc
FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
Find out all about Lauren and her books on her website: https://www.laurenrowebooks.com/
It's the weekend and I don't know about you, but I'm looking forward to getting down to some serious reading. On that note, I scoured Amazon for their list of freebies and sales in order to find some inspiration. I hope something here inspires you! 💙💙 Please Note: this list may be missing some and it's obviously not in any particular order. For more sales & freebies (because they might still be on sale or free), CLICK HERE and Happy Hunting!
"I'm fighting for you, Emily. I don't even mind the fight because I know in the end that you'll see I'm the better man. But what I won't do is fight for someone who won't even be there in the end. Someone who'll fade away trying to be like everyone else. I won't fight for someone who won't even be the girl I want by the time she chooses me."
Girl Meets Boys by Ari Reavis
Standalone
Release - January 15, 2021
Genre - New Adult Contemporary Romance/love triangle
Heroine POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/several scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 249 pages
Publisher - Indie
Girl meets boy, they fall in love, and live happily ever after. But what happens when, instead of meeting one boy, the girl meets two?
With Emily starting college, she figures it’s the perfect time to break out of her shell and have a new beginning. She doesn’t expect that in rewriting her story, it would include a love triangle.
First she meets Julian. She can’t help but notice his shirts with quotes on them, that match his quirky personality, his crooked smile and ruffled hair. He understands her in ways few others do. That’s what makes her afraid to let him get too close.
Then she meets Will. He’s from a different world, different crowd. When he goes out of his way to show her just how well she fits in his life, she finds herself getting swept up all too easily. Sometimes though, opposites really shouldn’t attract.
Girl meets boys and soon the choice isn’t which one of them is better, but who she’s better with.
Emily was a young woman trying to find herself. Tired of being the shy one, the one hiding in the shadows, she decided that her first year of college was going to be different. New look, new day, new attitude... same girl. She immediately realizes that nothing was going according to plan, however, she did meet a charming boy named Julian. He was a lot like her, he made her feel free to be herself, and he seemed to adore her for just who she was. But she needed more.
Enter Will. He's the campus bad boy, he comes from money, people seem to flock to him like he's the new Messiah, and Emily is instantly captivated. No matter what he does, she can't seem to get enough. He's the one to pull her out of her shell, to get her to try new things, to become a different person. He offers something that Julian cannot provide. Which girl will Emily be in the end?
This story in no way swayed me to start enjoying love triangles, especially when they involve young people. I'm over teenage angst and drama. Growing up is hard and Emily had to take some hard knocks in order to see the light. I'm happy with who she chose, but dang, she made it hard for herself! The author didn't shy away from illustrating the hurdles and hormones and doubts and insecurities that young people face when she created Emily. She also showed how beautiful it is to find oneself and love oneself for all of one's faults and favors.
“Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles, leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.” - Maya Angelou
Find your copy on Amazon! https://amzn.to/3qkz7re
Find more about Ari and her amazing books on her site: https://arireavis.wordpress.com/
WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
The three W’s stand for:
What did you recently finish reading?
What are you currently reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
The three W’s stand for:
What did you recently finish reading?
What are you currently reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
I've firmly entrenched in reading what I want when I want. I have a big stack of books that have been sitting on my bookshelves and have promised myself to get through as much as I can this year. If I can tackle at least one a week, I'll be happy. I hope you're better able to stick to the bookish resolutions you've made!
What I've Read
Twisted Together by Pepper Winters was a pleasure read while Ruthless King by Alison Aimes and Repeat Offender by Lani Lynn Vale were advanced copies. I've also finished Girl Meets Boys by Ari Reavis, which is a new adult love triangle romance. It was full of drama and teenage heartbreak. All were such amazing reads and my new year has gotten off to an amazing start!
What I'm Reading
Captain by Lauren Rowe
It wasn’t the way this kind of story was supposed to go . . .
Insta-love isn’t supposed to turn into insta-hate.
But that’s exactly what happened when the hot-as-hell dreamboat I met in a bar turned out to be a lying, cheating scumbag-player-douche looking for nothing but a little side action. Jerk.
And he has the nerve to call me a liar and a “sociopath”? Assh*le.
And now, three months later, through a mind-blowing series of events I couldn’t have predicted in a million years, it turns out my boss is marrying his sister in Hawaii and I’ve got to play nice with him for an entire freaking week.
Okay, sure, I’ll put on a happy face this week and act like I’ve never even met the jerk before--did I mention his sister is marrying my boss?--but that doesn’t mean I’ll like it. And it certainly doesn’t mean I’ll stop secretly hating the cocky bastard’s guts.
Because I do.
I hate him.
I really do.
I just wish my brain would explain the situation to my body . . . because every time he flashes that panty-melting smile at me, it takes all my self-restraint not to jump the bastard’s hot-as-f*ck bones.
What I'll Read Next
I've been reading the Morgan Brothers series by Lauren Rowe all out of order. I've already read Hero, I'm currently reading Captain, and I intend to read the rest. Other than that, I hope to pick up one of the YA Fantasy novels sitting on my shelves.
• ────── ✾ ────── •
What are you reading right now? Tell me below or leave me a link so I can check out your post. Happy Reading!
xo, Natalie
I wasn't aware that an Adam's apple could be such a complete turn-on, but there I was, looking at one and thinking 'holy shit I could totally slide my vagina against that when he was talking and come.'
Repeat Offender by Lani Lynn Vale
Standalone - Souls Chapel Revenants MC #1
Release - January 12, 2021
Genre - Contemporary Romance w/ elements of suspense
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 4 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author thru Uplifting Author Services
Length - 208 pages
Publisher - Indie
Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor has lived a lot of lies. Seen a lot of good men go down.
But he will not stand by and watch as the world he’s built from the ground up burns to ashes before his eyes. Even if he has to build an army to combat the problem he sees brewing around him.
One step at a time, he carefully lays out his plan, building layer after careful layer until everything is where he wants it to be.
Every part is impeccably played, his pawns are in the perfect place, and then she barrels into his life, totally scattering every single piece he’s set in motion.
The bad thing is, she doesn’t even realize how badly she’s messed up until she’s roused the beast.
***
The day that Six Ines Broussard met Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor was the worst day of her life.
First, she has a public breakup with a man she’s not even dating. Second, she has to deal with a black-tie event that she’d rather gouge her eyes out than to go to. Third, she then has to sit at a table for hours on end with the one man she despises.
Just wanting a break, she thinks she’ll lose herself for a few hours and do what she loves to do best—spend time by herself and go for a walk in the middle of nowhere, spot some birds, and get a little sun. Only, her day doesn’t go nearly as planned.
She walks right into the middle of hell. And at the center of it? Lynnwood Thatcher. The mayor. The man that she took one glance at on the night of his inauguration and dismissed as boring. A total stick in the mud.
Only, he’s not so boring shirtless, in the middle of nowhere, doing things that are very illegal.
At first, she’s appalled. Then her interest gets piqued. Stuck-up suit is hot! And he has tattoos. Oh, and let’s not forget one hell of a mouth on him!
Then he goes and kidnaps her, and she realizes that nobody is quite as hot as you thought they were when they’re now holding you hostage.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3sfmK1i
iBooks: https://apple.co/32E6Z9l
Nook: https://bit.ly/2H9wjfh
Kobo: https://bit.ly/35IoxDa
Audible: http://adbl.co/3q0YT3C
Okay, so Lynn is the undercover bad boy. He's currently the mayor of town, but there is just so much more going on, hiding beneath his elegant suits and perfect hair, stuff I can't even begin to explain. Just know that he is bound and determined to clean up the place and he's not afraid to get blood on his hands. A lot of blood, if necessary.
Six is a woman who is what some would call a free spirit. She doesn't really fit, but that's one of the things that makes her so great. LLV created a character that moved to her own beat, followed her heart, and that organ led her right to Lynn.
These characters couldn't be more different. And yet they fit so well together. I loved their every interaction, the slow build up to their inevitable relationship, the hotness in between, their everything.
My only real hang up was that some parts of the story deserved more time to develop. They were so interesting and were given such a starring role that I felt they should have been fleshed out a bit more.
I'm all agog (and yes, I use this word regularly in real life) to see what this author is going to come up with for all of the characters introduced here. For example, that doctor who let the kid who was terrorizing women die on the operating table... yeah, I'm dying to read his book! I was dying to read his book right after he did all that! Oh Zach... Seriously, I'm excited to read ALL of their books.
If Repeat Offender is anything to go by, this series is going to be outstanding!
P.S.... Side Note... Whatevs... The author left this little tidbit in the book... Go to Google. Type Wizard of Oz. Touch the red slipper. Then the tornado. You're welcome. Now I'm probably the very last person to do this, but I do thank her for showing me it. It gave me so much joy. It's so neat that someone took the time and gave the effort to make it possible. So freaking cool!
You can find out more about her and her amazing books on her website: https://lanilynnvale.com/
Alphas dominated while betas served, and omegas submitted.
Ruthless King by Alison Aimes
Standalone - Ruthless Warlords #1
Release - January 11, 2021
Genre - SciFi Omegaverse Dark Mafia Romance
Dual POV - 3rd person
Heat Level - 4.5 out of 5/frequent
Format/Source - eARC provided by the author
Length - 367 pages
He's the most brutal Alpha crime boss in the galaxy—and she belongs to him now. Payment for a debt owed. Pawn for an act of vengeance. Property to be used, knotted, and bred.
Irresistibly gorgeous mafia king Nikolai Skolov is dominant, hard, possessive—and determined to bend innocent omega Dahlia Lundin to his will. But she is equally determined to resist. The lives of those she loves depends upon it.
Except Dahlia isn't prepared for the insatiable hunger the Alpha's discipline awakens. Or her soul's recognition that her new master is also her fated-mate.
As dangers mount and betrayals loom, all Dahlia knows is turned on its head. Allegiances are tested. Secrets exposed. Until Dahlia is not sure if her ruthless enemy is the monster who will destroy her or the only one left who can save her...
Amazon * Kobo * iBooks * Nook
Here are the reasons why you should read this and why it got five stars...
❤️ fated mates
❤️ organized crime shenanigans
❤️ fierce warrior who was insanely hot
❤️ strong and stubborn omega who tried to give as good as she got
❤️ revenge plot
❤️ brilliant storytelling and incredible world building. I could feel the cold of ice planet Abzal.
❤️ tons of hot sex. TONS!!
❤️ enemies-to-lovers trope that blossomed into something truly beautiful
❤️ redeemable characters and huge hints to what's to come...
Nikolai Skolov is an Alpha - dominant, fearless, gorgeous - and he was the glue that held the Skolovs together. A horror from the past has gone unavenged and unanswered, and now's the time for justice. For truth. And Dahlia Lundin, daughter of his greatest enemy, is the key. Traded to pay her father's debts, she expects abuse, unkindness, and unending punishment. Nikolai wants to use her gift to make her family pay. She is willing to sacrifice anything to keep her family safe. They're at odds until she realizes she's fighting the wrong thing and the wrong person.
While she grew up treated as trash, Nikolai treated her as his treasure. They were supposed to be on opposite sides, enemies, but with his every move, every thought, every touch, Nikolai proved to Dahlia that everything she knew was wrong. And she gave him the most ultimate prize - her heart. With her, he found all that he was missing.Every filthy, arrogant pronouncement only made her wetter.
She fought it as best she could.
"This isn't me. You're triggering my heat. You're using my weakness against me."
"Weakness? It's not some flaw inside you. It's all you are, omega. This is what you were made for. Your body knows exactly what it was designed to do. Give."
I fell in love with these characters so easily. I loved when they fought, I loved when they bantered, and I loved when they loved. Most of the bad guys got just what they deserved, the good guys kinda won, and I'm looking forward to the next hunt.With Dahlia, he was reborn.
Freed.
Unburdened.
He was content.
It was more, in fact, than anyone had ever given him before.
Find all of her information and other books on her site: https://alisonaimes.com/
“My name is Tess Mercer. I’m no longer weak or afraid or broken. I’ve taken control of my fate. I no longer need a tower or dark angels or help. I am fear. And I take your soul in penance for everything that was done to me. I take it for the women you’ve raped. I take it for the women you’ve sold. I take it for my master, soul-mate, and husband. I take you for me.”
Twisted Together by Pepper Winters
Monsters in the Dark #3
Release - June 1, 2014
Genre - Dark Romance
Dual POV - 1st person
Heat Level - 5 out of 5/a few scenes
Format/Source - owned paperback
Length - 572 pages
“After battling through hell, I brought my esclave back from the brink of ruin. I sacrificed everything—my heart, my mind, my very desires to bring her back to life. And for a while, I thought it broke me, that I’d never be the same. But slowly the beast is growing bolder, and it’s finally time to show Tess how beautiful the dark can be.”
Q gave everything to bring Tess back. In return, he expects nothing less. Tess may have leashed and tamed him, but he’s still a monster inside.
After surviving the darkness, a new dawn has begun. Twisted Together wades through black to grey, chasing the light of true love to banish the shadows forever.
Pain is a requirement, connection a necessity. But ultimately Q and Tess must face their demons, before they can embrace their future.
I can't begin to explain how much I enjoyed taking the time to re-read the Monsters in the Dark series after all this time. It's given me the chance to fall in love with Q all over again. What I found so intriguing was the fact that I read this story like it was new. I forgot so many of the details that it really was like reading this series for the first time.
So here's what happened...
Tess was blissfully happy with Brax. Or so she thought. Away on vacation in Mexico, she was kidnapped, brutalized, tormented and trafficked. Destined to be a slave, she lucked out when her new owner turned out to be Q. Not only was he unlike all the monsters she'd already met, he was unlike any man she'd ever known. He was a monster in his own right, but his beast called to her in a way that answered all of her unasked questions. He sent her home. She came back. And they should have lived in happiness. But she was taken again, Q rescued her, but she was broken to a point where no one knew how to heal her. Then Q made the ultimate sacrifice and she was back. However, their happiness was stilted because all of the bad guys wanted to take out the hero to slaves everywhere. Too bad the bad guys didn't realize the monster Tess had become.
While this book wasn't as neat or as fluid as the books that came before, it was necessary. How else would we get to see Tess come into her own? I'm still not her biggest fan and I don't understand why Q had to come off so psychotic and abusive, but aside from that, I needed this book. It tied everything up into a nice little bow and gave me a glimpse into the true happiness this couple deserved.
https://amzn.to/3bbNHgp ➤ FREE to read with Kindle Unlimited
I needed to be touched. I needed to be kissed.
Kiss him. Let him know.
Launching upright, I splashed a wave over the tub. Q jerked back, but wasn’t fast enough. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I dragged him down toward me. His hand slipped on the rim, plunging his arms into the water, landing on either side of my body.
His mouth opened to curse, but I swallowed whatever he said. My lips stole his, and the moment I tasted him, I went a little mad.
My core squeezed with delirium, demanding to be filled. My eyes rolled back at the sheer bliss of kissing.
He tasted like freedom and violence and pain.
“Esclave…wait…” Q tried to speak, but he only gave me the opportunity to slink my tongue into his mouth. Joy bounced and fizzed in my heart, demanding more.
I moaned, dragging him closer. My hands dug into his hair, tugging with sharp-laced desire. His mouth opened, either in shock or passion—I didn’t hesitate. I thrust my tongue deeper into his mouth, willingly drowning myself in all things Q.
After chasing her dreams to become a full-time writer, Pepper has earned recognition with awards for best Dark Romance, best BDSM Series, and best Hero. She’s an #1 iBooks bestseller, along with #1 in Erotic Romance, Romantic Suspense, Contemporary, and Erotica Thriller. She’s also honoured to wear the IndieReader Badge for being a Top 10 Indie Bestseller.
After releasing two books with Grand Central, Hachette (Ruin & Rule and Sin & Suffer) Pepper is a Hybrid Author of both Traditional and Self-published work.
Find all of her books and contact info on her website: https://pepperwinters.com/
WWW Wednesday is a meme hosted by Sam @ Taking on a World of Words.
The three W’s stand for:
What did you recently finish reading?
What are you currently reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
The three W’s stand for:
What did you recently finish reading?
What are you currently reading?
What do you think you’ll read next?
We're at the beginning of a new year and I hope you all had an amazingly blessed time ringing it in. I'm sure most of you have made bookish goals and while I haven't made any strict ones, I have made a few 'notes to self'. The most important one is to not pressure myself to read. I'll pick up what I want, when I want, determined to stay in my happy place when it comes to reading what I love. I hope all of your resolutions hold true.
What I've Read
Going into the end of the year, I decided to do a re-read of an old favorite. I read the Monsters in the dark series years ago and reading it again was like going through the horror of this story for the first time. With Tears of Tess and Quintessentially Q, Pepper Winters solidified her place at the top of the dark romance genre. This series reaffirms her right to be on my must-read list forever!
What I'm Reading
Twisted Together by Pepper Winters
“After battling through hell, I brought my esclave back from the brink of ruin. I sacrificed everything—my heart, my mind, my very desires to bring her back to life. And for a while, I thought it broke me, that I’d never be the same. But slowly the beast is growing bolder, and it’s finally time to show Tess how beautiful the dark can be.”
Q gave everything to bring Tess back. In return, he expects nothing less. Tess may have leashed and tamed him, but he’s still a monster inside.
After surviving the darkness, a new dawn has begun. Twisted Together wades through black to grey, chasing the light of true love to banish the shadows forever.
Pain is a requirement, connection a necessity. But ultimately Q and Tess must face their demons, before they can embrace their future.
What I'll Read Next
I've got ARCs to read and I'm super excited about these two! Ruthless King by Alison Aimes is a scifi omegaverse mafia romance. It sounds hot AF and although she's a new-to-me author, I'm thinking I just might love this. As for Repeat Offender by Lani Lynn Vale is a guaranteed great read. I've loved everything from LLV so I'm sure this will be no different.
• ────── ✾ ────── •
What are you reading right now? Tell me below or leave me a link so I can check out your post. Happy Reading!
xo, Natalie
Happy Tuesday and welcome to another TTT! This meme is hosted by Jana @ That Artsy Reader Girl. I hope you've been enjoying the new year so far! 2021 has only just begun and I've already read a five-star book. Granted, it was a re-read, but it still counts :) This week's TTT theme is Most Anticipated Releases for the First Half of 2021 and I had to dig in the crates as it were to find books that I would not only actually read, but that I hadn't covered already. I'm obviously going to have some repeats, but trying to limit this list to only 10 is hard AF. I have about 50 books I have to read by the end of the year and I'm going to do everything possible to make it so.
Here's my list, in no particular order:
Just As I Am by Cicely Tyson
Non-fiction/Autobiography/Memoir
Releasing January 26, 2021
“In her long and extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson has not only exceeded as an actor, she has shaped the course of history.” –President Barack Obama, 2016 Presidential Medal of Honor ceremony
"Just As I Am is my truth. It is me, plain and unvarnished, with the glitter and garland set aside. In these pages, I am indeed Cicely, the actress who has been blessed to grace the stage and screen for six decades. Yet I am also the church girl who once rarely spoke a word. I am the teenager who sought solace in the verses of the old hymn for which this book is named. I am a daughter and mother, a sister, and a friend. I am an observer of human nature and the dreamer of audacious dreams. I am a woman who has hurt as immeasurably as I have loved, a child of God divinely guided by His hand. And here in my ninth decade, I am a woman who, at long last, has something meaningful to say.” –Cicely Tyson
Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas
Young Adult Fiction/humanitarian
Releasing January 12, 2021
If there’s one thing seventeen-year-old Maverick Carter knows, it’s that a real man takes care of his family. As the son of a former gang legend, Mav does that the only way he knows how: dealing for the King Lords. With this money he can help his mom, who works two jobs while his dad’s in prison.
Life’s not perfect, but with a fly girlfriend and a cousin who always has his back, Mav’s got everything under control.
Until, that is, Maverick finds out he’s a father.
Suddenly he has a baby, Seven, who depends on him for everything. But it’s not so easy to sling dope, finish school, and raise a child. So when he’s offered the chance to go straight, he takes it. In a world where he’s expected to amount to nothing, maybe Mav can prove he’s different.
When King Lord blood runs through your veins, though, you can't just walk away. Loyalty, revenge, and responsibility threaten to tear Mav apart, especially after the brutal murder of a loved one. He’ll have to figure out for himself what it really means to be a man.
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
Young Adult Fantasy
Releasing February 9, 2021
Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.
But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.
Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.
Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself.
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert
Contemporary Romance
Releasing March 9, 2021
In Act Your Age, Eve Brown the flightiest Brown sister crashes into the life of an uptight B&B owner and has him falling hard—literally.
Eve Brown is a certified hot mess. No matter how hard she strives to do right, her life always goes horribly wrong—so she’s given up trying. But when her personal brand of chaos ruins an expensive wedding (someone had to liberate those poor doves), her parents draw the line. It's time for Eve to grow up and prove herself—even though she's not entirely sure how…
Jacob Wayne is in control. Always. The bed and breakfast owner’s on a mission to dominate the hospitality industry—and he expects nothing less than perfection. So when a purple-haired tornado of a woman turns up out of the blue to interview for his open chef position, he tells her the brutal truth: not a chance in hell. Then she hits him with her car—supposedly by accident. Yeah, right.
Now his arm is broken, his B&B is understaffed, and the dangerously unpredictable Eve is fluttering around, trying to help. Before long, she’s infiltrated his work, his kitchen—and his spare bedroom. Jacob hates everything about it. Or rather, he should. Sunny, chaotic Eve is his natural-born nemesis, but the longer these two enemies spend in close quarters, the more their animosity turns into something else. Like Eve, the heat between them is impossible to ignore—and it’s melting Jacob’s frosty exterior.
The Revelation of Light and Dark by Sawyer Bennett
Chronicles of the Stone Veil #1
Urban Fantasy
Releasing February 9, 2021
I always knew I was different.
From a young age, my mind has been plagued with things only I could see. Some hauntingly beautiful, others completely terrifying. Never knowing if these visions were real or just hallucinations, I learned how to lock them down and ignore them. I learned to take solace in the relative anonymity of city life and find peace in the rainy days my city of Seattle is known for. But just when I think my life is getting on track and my dreams are achievable, a moment of weakness causes me to learn a hard and fast lesson.
My entire existence has been a lie.
Now I’m faced with a new reality that’s as implausible as it is fantastical. Filled with realms and veils, light and dark, fae and daemons, gods and angels—things I don’t understand but am forced to acknowledge. It doesn’t help that the man teaching me about my unique gifts is the gorgeously handsome Carrick Byrne, one of Seattle’s richest and most powerful men. He intimidates, annoys, and intrigues me all at the same time. I don’t trust him and yet there’s no one else to help me. No longer certain who to put my faith in, what to believe, or how I fit into it all, one revelation is clear…
The world as I know it will never be the same again.
Vampire by Rebecca Zanetti
Dark Protectors #12.5/1001 Dark Nights
Paranormal Romance
Releasing April 13, 2021
Dr. Mariana Lopez has finally stopped bailing friends out of difficult situations. Well, except for substituting as the leader for another anger management group, pitching in as a campaign strategist for a prospective sheriff, and babysitting three dogs. Even with such a full life, she can feel the danger around her—a sense that something isn’t right. Nightmares harass her, until the real thing comes to life, and only the dark and sexy male sitting in her group can save her. However, with safety comes a price she might not be willing to pay.
Raine Maxwell is one of the Maxwells out of Montana, which means he's not only one of the most deadly vampires alive, but his path is set and his mate has been chosen for him. To save him—to continue his line. Unfortunately, his mate is an enhanced human female who has no idea of her abilities, of his species, or of her future. He’d like to lead her gently into this new world, but his people aren’t the only ones who’ve found her, which puts her into more danger than she can imagine. Plus, in order to follow his laws, he only has one week to convince her that immortality with him is what she wants—and needs.
Repeat Offender by Lani Lynn Vale
Souls Chapel Revenants MC #1
Romance
Releasing January 12, 2021
Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor has lived a lot of lies. Seen a lot of good men go down.
But he will not stand by and watch as the world he’s built from the ground up burns to ashes before his eyes. Even if he has to build an army to combat the problem he sees brewing around him.
One step at a time, he carefully lays out his plan, building layer after careful layer until everything is where he wants it to be.
Every part is impeccably played, his pawns are in the perfect place, and then she barrels into his life, totally scattering every single piece he’s set in motion.
The bad thing is, she doesn’t even realize how badly she’s messed up until she’s roused the beast.
***
The day that Six Ines Broussard met Lynnwood Thatcher Windsor was the worst day of her life.
First, she has a public breakup with a man she’s not even dating. Second, she has to deal with a black-tie event that she’d rather gouge her eyes out than to go to. Third, she then has to sit at a table for hours on end with the one man she despises.
Just wanting a break, she thinks she’ll lose herself for a few hours and do what she loves to do best—spend time by herself and go for a walk in the middle of nowhere, spot some birds, and get a little sun. Only, her day doesn’t go nearly as planned.
She walks right into the middle of hell. And at the center of it? Lynnwood Thatcher. The mayor. The man that she took one glance at on the night of his inauguration and dismissed as boring. A total stick in the mud.
Only, he’s not so boring shirtless, in the middle of nowhere, doing things that are very illegal.
At first, she’s appalled. Then her interest gets piqued. Stuck-up suit is hot! And he has tattoos. Oh, and let’s not forget one hell of a mouth on him!
Then he goes and kidnaps her, and she realizes that nobody is quite as hot as you thought they were when they’re now holding you hostage.
Stalkers: a Dark Romance Anthology
Dark Romance
Releasing February 16, 2021
You should never fall for the bad guy…
Over thirty of your favorite USA Today and bestselling authors have come together to create an epic collection of forbidden, dark romance stories.
Get lost in this unputdownable mixture of short stories. From heroes to bad guys, there’s something for everyone.
stalk·er
A person who stalks: a person who pursues someone obsessively.
Stalkers is a taboo romance collection jam-packed with captivating stories.
Authors Included:
Abigail Davies · Yolanda Olson · Ally Vance · Jessica Ames · N. Isabelle Blanco · D.S. Wrights · Faith Ryan · Sam Destiny · S. Firecox · Cole Denton · Ker Dukey · Petra J. Knox · Kara Dawson · Brianna Hale · Alice La Roux · Emery LeeAnn · Raven Amor · Claire C. Riley · Shannon Youngblood · Kat T.Masen · Logan Fox · Cassia Brightmore · Leaona Luxx · William Joseph · A.K. MacBride · K.I. Lynn · Ryleigh Sloan · Erin Trejo · C. Firecox · B.L. Olson · Michelle Pace · M.A. Foster
Make It Sweet by Kristen Callihan
Contemporary Romance
Releasing February 23, 2021
Life for Emma isn’t good. The world knows her as Princess Anya on Dark Castle, but then her character gets the axe—literally. The cherry on top is finding her boyfriend in bed with another woman. She needs a break, and sanctuary comes in the form of Rosemont, a gorgeous estate in California promising rest and relaxation.
Then she meets the owner’s equally gorgeous grandson, ex–hockey player and current recluse Lucian Osmond, and she sees her own pain and yearning reflected in his eyes.
He’s charming when he wants to be but also secretive and gruff, with protective walls as thick as Emma’s own. Despite a growing attraction, they avoid each other.
But then there’s an impromptu nighttime skinny-dip, and Lucian’s luscious homemade tarts and cream cakes start arriving at Emma’s door, tempting her to taste life again…
In trying to stay apart, they only grow closer—and their broken pieces just might fit together and make them whole.
The Warlord by Gena Showalter
Rise of the Warlords #1
Paranormal Romance
Releasing April 20, 2021
For centuries, Taliyah Skyhawk has prepared to become Harpy General, leader of the deadliest female army in existence. One of the requirements? Remain a virgin. But, for a chance to save her people, she must wed the fearless leader of the Astra Planeta, Alaroc Phaethon.
The time has come for Roc to sacrifice another virgin bride to his god. There has never been a woman alluring enough to tempt him from his path. No warrioress powerful enough to overcome his incredible strength. No enchantress desirable enough to make him burn beyond reason. Until now.
With the clock ticking, war between husband and wife ignites. Except Taliyah never expected the merciless king to challenge the future she once envisioned. She certainly never anticipated the thrill of their battles turning into games… The problem is, only one spouse can survive.
What books are you looking forward to reading? Have any of these made your list? If you've got your own TTT, leave me a link to it so I can come and check it out.
Happy reading!
xo, Natalie
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