Best Books of 2013

These are my favourite books I read in 2013. There are a combination of teen, new adult, adult and romance. This was my first year in blogging and I just want to thank all my followers. I want to wish everyone a Happy New Year and hope that your 2014 will be a great year filled with joy and happiness.

Books I love read in 2013: (in no particular order)

Opal (Lux#3) by Jennifer Armentrout

The whole series keeps on getting better and better. You just never know what is going to happen. The characters in this book are addictive which just makes you want more and more and that ending. OMG that ending. It made me want to fling my e-reader against the wall (thank goodness I didn’t) it was such a huge cliff-hanger.

Reckless by S.C. Stephens

This book is just AMAZING. This is the 3^rd and concluding book in the series. I read this book in the beginning of the year and I still can’t stop thinking about it. I laughed, I cried heavy tears and I swooned. This book evoked every emotion possible. Even today, I still go back and read my favourite parts.

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins

Sweet Evil is enchanting, addictive and downright sinful. I have never read an angel book like this before and I absolutely loved it. The storyline was fast paced and exciting. I couldn’t get enough. The chemistry between the main characters, Anna and Kaiden is explosive.

Tangled by Emma Chase

I was hooked from the very first page of reading this book. This was the first time I read a book from a male’s POV and it was absolutely hilarious. I was laughing so much that people on the bus probably thought I was crazy. I don’t know where this guy comes up with the stuff he says but it is priceless. 

Fading by E.K. Blair

Intense. Raw. Heartbreaking. I don’t even know what to say other than it is AMAZING. It is a beautiful piece of art that left me wanting more even after reading it. This book had me in blubbering tears multiple times. It is utter perfection. Fading is a beautiful story that shows you even through complete darkness, love is extremely powerful.

Lick by Kylie Scott

I loved the description for this book and it is also a unique story. Lick was an addiction for me the 2 days I read it. If I could have blown off work to read it, I would have but unfortunately I couldn’t or else I would have finished the book in 1 day. I was even reading this book all through work because I just could not get enough. It was so good.  Lick is an unconventional love story that will make you swoon.

Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley

While reading I highlighted a quote on almost every page. Every book I read by this author I end up getting lost in the world she creates. You have to read this book to know how good the book is. It is a feel good read with a lot of steam.

Allure (Spiral of Bliss #2) by Nina Lane

One of my favourite book couples. I love love love this book. I read both books, Arouse and Allure in about 3 days. This book has a lot of passion, love and heartache. I cried at the end. I feel like these books deal with a lot of issues normal married couples go through. It was just beautiful.

Waiting on Wednesday (33)

Awaken (Spiral of Bliss #3) by Nina Lane

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

I am so looking forward to this book. I read the first 2 books, Arouse and Allure, in 3 days because I was so invested in the characters Liv and Dean. I am addicted and I am so excited to see how the series will end.

Expected Publication Date: January 7, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

“I love that you love me, professor.”
“I love loving you, beauty.”

Since their intense, passionate beginning, Professor Dean West and his wife Olivia have fought dark secrets and betrayal in order to save their marriage. Now reeling in the aftermath of a personal tragedy, Liv and Dean are driven further apart by a vindictive threat to Dean’s career.

Struggling to stand on her own for the first time in years, Liv is determined to defend her husband and prove herself. Then an unexpected letter dredges up old insecurities and endangers Liv’s newfound independence. As Dean fights for his professional life, he is forced to confront his worst fear when he discovers that he can’t protect his beloved wife from her own painful past.

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Raquel

xoxo

In My Mailbox (25) & Stacking the Shelves (31)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This post is about the books I purchased for the past couple of weeks.

Purchased for my Kindle:

The Unidentified Redhead by Alice Clayton

Falling Into Us (Falling #2) by Jasinda Wilder

Wounded by Jasinda Wilder

Arouse (Spiral of Bliss #1) by Nina Lane

Allure (Spiral of Bliss #2) by Nina Lane

I got some great books this week. I have already read Arouse and Allure and they are excellent. I honestly cannot stop thinking about them. My review for both books will be out in the next week or so. I am looking forward to reading the other books but not sure when I will get to them. My TBR list is getting longer and longer, lol.

I hope everyone has a good week!

Raquel

xoxo

Cover Reveal: Beauty from Love by Georgia Cates

Beauty From Love (Beauty, #3)

By Bestselling Author Georgia Cates

Expected release January 28, 2014

An Adult Contemporary Romance

The epic romance between an all-American beauty and her Aussie continues in this final installment of The Beauty Series. Jack McLachlan is fulfilled by more than he dared to dream possible. He finds everything he never knew he wanted—or needed—in Laurelyn Prescott, his last and final companion. Life is beautiful with his beloved by his side but their post-wedded bliss is cut short when his dark past springs into their present happiness. He wants to shelter Laurelyn but keeping her untainted by his previous life proves impossible when yesterday’s sins insist on returning to haunt him. Will it be possible for them to find happiness in their forever with a past like his? Beauty From Love is an adult contemporary novel and is not intended for younger readers due to mature content.

   
  About the Author 
 Georgia resides in rural Mississippi with her wonderful husband, Jeff, and their two beautiful daughters. She spent fourteen years as a labor and delivery nurse before she decided to pursue her dream of becoming an author and hasn’t looked back yet. When she’s not writing, she’s thinking about writing. When she’s being domestic, she’s listening to her iPod and visualizing scenes for her current work in progress. Every story coming from her always has a song to inspire it.

Website | Facebook | Twitter 

 

In My Mailbox (24) & Stacking the Shelves (30)

Welcome to this week's In My Mailbox. In My Mailbox (IMM) is hosted by The Story Siren, who was inspired by a fellow book blogger Alea of Pop Culture Junkie. It features books I have bought or received for review.

Stacking the Shelves by Tynga`s Reviews is about adding books to my shelves I received during the past week whether it is physical or virtual. This post is about the books I purchased for the past couple of weeks.

I got a lot of books, probably because I have not gotten anything new in the past 2 weeks. I am excited to share anything everything I got :)

Bought from Amazon

Arsen: A Broken Love Story by Mia Asher

Creed (Unfinished Hero #2) by Kristen Ashley

Axel by Harper Sloan

The Sweet Gum Tree by Katherine Allred

Penmont Castle by Kristen Ashley

Love Realized by Melanie Codina

The Hart Family Box Set by Ella Fox

Fighting Redemption by Kate McCarthy

Holy Frigging Matrimony: (A Tangled Series Short Story #1.5) by Emma Chase

I hope everyone has a good week!

Raquel

xoxo

Cover Reveal: A Fighting Chance by A.J. Sand

New Adult/Adult Romantic Suspense

Releasing February 4, 2014

Cover designed by Cover It! Designs

  Jesse Chance is a bastard. And that’s all he heard his entire life growing up once news got out that he was the illegitimate child of womanizing ex-con, Henry Chance. Stuck in Glory, Texas, a town too small to escape the sins of his parents, Jesse turned into exactly what everyone expected him to be: a lover of liquor and women, and so good with his fists, he became a teenage champion of the secret underground fighting rings that float around the South, while doubting the only people who ever believed he could be more, his ailing mother, and his girlfriend, Drew Hallisay. But determined to make his mother’s dying wish come true, he enrolled in a college on the East Coast, far away from his past. Jesse Chance is reborn into a new life, and set on keeping Glory, Texas--and Henry Chance--in his rear view. Until a visit from his father in the middle of the night changes everything. Forced to return to Glory to prevent a tragedy, Jesse is soon back on the fighting circuit with Drew's help and facing the history he was so desperate to escape, the part of him he would prefer to hide. As he slips back into his old ways--Henry Chance's ways--he finds himself torn between the guy he was and the one he’s been struggling to become. And in a world dead set on betting against you, can you ever really overcome your past… or your destiny?

     
  About the Author A.J. Sand grew up an only child whose parents bought her many, many books to keep her busy, so it was only natural that she would start writing her own stories. She is the author of “Documentary,” “Remake” and “Recklessly.” She lives just outside of Washington, D.C. 

  Blog | Facebook | Twitter

Waiting on Wednesday (32)

Defy (Defy #1) by Sara B. Larson

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

Expected Publication Date: January 7, 2014

Synopsis: (Taken from Goodreads)

A lush and gorgeously written debut, packed with action, intrigue, and a thrilling love triangle.

Alexa Hollen is a fighter. Forced to disguise herself as a boy and serve in the king's army, Alex uses her quick wit and fierce sword-fighting skills to earn a spot on the elite prince's guard. But when a powerful sorcerer sneaks into the palace in the dead of night, even Alex, who is virtually unbeatable, can't prevent him from abducting her, her fellow guard and friend Rylan, and Prince Damian, taking them through the treacherous wilds of the jungle and deep into enemy territory.

The longer Alex is held captive with both Rylan and the prince, the more she realizes that she is not the only one who has been keeping dangerous secrets. And suddenly, after her own secret is revealed, Alex finds herself confronted with two men vying for her heart: the safe and steady Rylan, who has always cared for her, and the dark, intriguing Damian. With hidden foes lurking around every corner, is Alex strong enough to save herself and the kingdom she's sworn to protect?

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Raquel

xoxo