So, 2014 was a busy year for me. Despite being pregnant for most of it and spending all of December blurry eyed from feeding a newborn every two hours, I still managed to find time to read 245 books. O_O There were a lot of goodies I found this year (and quite a few duds), I’m going to do my best to keep the list somewhat manageable. 🙂
Night Shift Anthology – Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews, Milla Vane, and Lisa Shearin
If I could, I would put ALL of Nalini & Ilona’s books on the list, because I tend to re-read them every year over and over again. Getting Bas’s story, as well as a Jim & Dali short was just amazing. I love those characters so much. Getting to see Meljean Brook’s darker alter ego was great as well. For me, Shearin was a first time read, and I instantly went out and bought some of her other books as well, because I love them so much. A great anthology with great authors that is a must read!
Cowboy Take Me Away – Lorelei James
The Rough Riders series has come to an end, and while I was starting to get a little burnt out on the series, James found a way to wrap up it in a way that had me both sobbing and laughing and wishing for more. Getting the story of the McKay couple that started it all was the best way to end the series that has been going strong for so long.
Fatal Jeopardy by Marie Force
I can’t even begin to say enough good things about this series. It continues to get better and better with each book. I thought the storyline was so tough to read and yet it was such an important topic to address. Force didn’t pull any punches with this book, and I thought it was so incredible. This is a series that all romance readers should read, immediately.
Unraveled by Jen Frederick
I adore the Woodlands series and thought that Unraveled was probably the best in the series so far. I loved the story with a young heroine who was widowed almost immediately after her wedding and was stacked with guilt and struggling with the idea of moving on. New adult fans that have not read this series yet need to go out and buy this one.
Wild Ones by Kristine Wyllys
Another new adult book that I thought was so amazing was Wild Ones by Wyllys. It was dark and twisted and ugly and yet so well written and engaging that it was hard not to be completely drawn in and captivated by the characters and story. Although the second book was a miss for me, the first one is a must read in my opinion.
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
The Others series is a fabulous UF from Bishop that continues to impress me with each book. The world-building and characters and everything is just so unique and interesting and amazing. Fans of urban fantasy books that love strong world-building and characters that are interesting and unique and complicated will LOVE this series.
Chained by Night by Larissa Ione
Ione started a new series with the Moonbound Clan, and I fell in love with her vampires. The world is constantly changing and morphing and throwing curve balls at the reader. The large cast of characters is made up of a strong brotherhood with family bonds that are enough to make me gobble the pages up. PNR readers will absolutely want to check this one out!
So there you have it, the books in 2014 that were standouts for me. I’m looking forward to another great year of new books and authors and reads! Happy 2015! 🙂
Oh, my 245 books, that is so good. I only read a little over 100 and I am retired.
Congrats on the new baby. Boy or Girl? When did it arrive? Name? If you don’t mind sharing the deets.
And you keep up with this blog as well. They always say the more you have to do, the more you get done.
Happy New Year and have fun with the new little bundle.
Great list Minn! And I am very happy that you fell in love with Lisa Shearin’s writing, as I love her books.
I didn’t really like Murder in Red when I first read it, but for some reason I reread it and it really struck a chord. It, and Murder of Crows, are on my best list and I’ve actually pre-ordered Visions in Silver (I never pre-order no matter how much I love a series just in case it’s a klunker). The stories in Night Shift didn’t thrill me, though I do like the glimpses we get into secondary characters’ lives.
I’m with you on Lorelei James series being too long but if the library gets a copy of CTMA, I may eventually read it.
@Patoct: A boy, Kolton Nash. 🙂 He came November 30th, almost 8 lbs and 19 inches long.
@aurian: I’m excited to read more from her!
@Anne: I’m glad Written in Red finally worked for you, I loved it so much!! 🙂
Congratulations, MinnChica! I hope that you’re getting more sleep and happy that you’re still posting.
I really like Wild Ones too because it was so different from anything else that I’ve read.
@JTReader: Thank you!! 🙂 I felt the same way about Wild Ones!
Sounds like a good year 🙂 I totally agree with you on Nalini Singh, Ilona Andrews and Marie Force 🙂 They are some great authors 🙂
Hope 2015 is even better