2017 Top Reads

It’s that time again! the end of the year is my favorite because it gives me a chance to look back on all of the reading I’ve done and the crazy adventures I’ve gotten to go on. Whether it was new authors, new series, or new avenues, this year held some of the most jaw-dropping and heart-wrenching books I’ve ever read! I’ve got some of my favorites and their reviews to share with you but here’s a quick look from my Year in Review on Goodreads.

p.s. GoodReads lovers, you can add me here!

What I Need – J. Daniels

There’s something to be said about a southern gentleman who’s not afraid to talk dirty. Daniel’s CJ Tully is the perfect mix of sweet talkin’ man who will do whatever it takes to win his woman. But don’t let the cop uniform fool you….he’s downright dirty. And sweet Riley has to rumble her way around his confident feet.

Check out my full review of Tully’s tequila filled kisses here!

The Deep End & The Farthest Edge – Kristen Ashley

You bet your sweet butt that KA is going to be on my list. Her latest dip into the dark erotic world of BDSM went live this year as she released two in the Honey Series. No stranger to strong men who aren’t afraid of what they like, our new heroes have a different tale to tell. With a switch up about alpha-subs and a delectable world of decadence and rules when it comes to sex, KA’s Honey Series either left you shocked or hanging on for more.

Read the full review for Olly and Amelie here and Branch & Evangeline here.

Salvaged – Jay Crownover

Talk about your heroes that need saving. I had been dying for Poppy and Wheeler’s romance as it was a chance for two battered broken hearts to find love. This tear-jerker romance was one hell of a way for Crownover to end her Saints of Denver series with a BANG!

Read my full thoughts here.

Checkmate: This is Dangerous & This is Beautiful – Kennedy Fox

Magical duo Brooke Cumberland & Lyra Parish revealed themselves as the elusive Kennedy Fox after releasing their final duet in the Checkmate series. And where the two previous duets were enemies and friends to lovers, the final pair was a heartbreaking tale of loss and what may never be. With a cliff ending for book 1 that left readers in shock, the duo closed the series with a one-two punch sure to make your top reads list.

Check out my reaction to Logan & Kayla’s tale here and their finale here.

Show Me the Way – A.L. Jackson

My first A.L. Jackson novel and I AM HOOKED. In her new Fight For Me series, the first novel deals with single dad Rex fighting his attraction to his new neighbor Rynna. When dangers from their pasts their past threaten their lives and the life of his daughter…hold on.

Read my review of this heart-warming, coming home romance here.

The Final Fight – J.B. Salsbury

If you’re looking for a tale that will break you apart emotionally then build you back up, then the dramatic final to Salsbury’s Fighting Series is the book for you. It’s somehow two tales in one; our hero Braden falls in love our heroine AJ but after going to war comes home a broken man who has to learn to love again.

Read the full review (with tears) here.

Hooking Up – Helena Hunting

Generally the queen of romcoms filled with slapstick humor, Hunting’s Hooking Up had readers wanting strangle our new heroine’s traitorous husband within minutes. Bit with Anarchy Amie taking charge, our sassy heroine takes charge of her life….with a new beau.

Read my (hero) spoiler-free review here.

Ruthless King, Defiant, Queen & Sinful Empire – Meghan March

New to Meghan March these series completely blew me away with the dirtiest and darkest side of NOLA romance. Mount, the dark king of NOLA, claims our heroine Keira, body and soul, as a debt paid and the whole sordid tale spirals into madness from there. With cliff hangers and twist endings in each story, this trilogy was a journey straight to my favorite reads.

Read my initial reaction to Lachlan Mount here, to Keira standing her ground defiantly here, and the big finale of this sinful duo here.

Honorable mentions: While I don’t review every book I read in the year, there are a few that still hit my top reads list.

Looking ahead…

With the close of 2017 comes the highly anticipated reads for 2018! Here’s some of my big wishes for the next 12 months:

Dynamic duo Kennedy Fox blew us all away with their Checkmate series and as they come together for another series (technically two with the #BedtimeReads series!) we’ll get 4 novels based on the southern, country brothers of Courtney Bishop. Find out more about book one, Taming Him now.

J. Daniels returns to her Dirty Deeds series and is bring us the heartbreaking tale of Stitch and Shayla. I cannot express how excited I am for this story! I’m all for a heartbroken man who needs some cute little lady to love him and fight for him! (In my mind it’s me, because I am claiming him!). You can check out an exclusive excerpt from Bad For You here.

For fans of the fantasy romance Fever Series, Moning dives in again with a focus on Dani O’Malley in High Voltage. With her world seemingly in shambles after an all-encompassing battle against the Fae, a new view point and a new hero is sure to have fans begging for more!

One of my all time favorites, Julie Ann Walker, closes out her beloved Black Knights Inc. series with Built to Last. Mysterious mercenary Angel may finally reveal his secrets as we say goodbye to this MC romance classic!

Rom-com queen Helena Hunting teased a new book and new cover with Good Luck Charm. Her charming characters make for heartwarming, feel-good romance with no shortage of sexy times and hilarious moments. Find out more about this new standalone here.

Beloved school teacher Josie may finally find her prince charming in Jaci Burton’s next Hope novel, One Perfect Kiss. Burton’s sweet romances have never failed to leave readers sighing and swooning over her hunky heroes. I for one can’t wait for some more wholesome romance!

December 22, 2017 0

SHOW ME THE WAY – An A.L. Jackson Review & Giveaway

I can see why Corinne Michaels finds this story so intriguing. This was my first A.L. Jackson read and I am HOOKED!

Rynna has returned home after being away since she was 18 and immediately meets Rex and his darling daughter, Frankie. He’s gruff and grumpy but Frankie wins over the toughest of hearts and Rynna can’t help but feel a pull to them both. Though she’s not pleased with being home, Rynna is determined to find a new version of herself in her hometown despite the painful memories it brings back. Rex, unlike Rynna’s running away, has retreated into himself and his daughter after his own painful memories decide to haunt him. But there’s an inexplicable desire he feels for Rynna that he hasn’t felt for years.

I loved that Jackson gave us very small glimpses of both Rynna and Rex’s pasts as we read through their story. Readers will not only go along their journey of finding a HEA but two smaller journeys of a young man’s loss and a younger woman’s pain. There’s never a dull moment in Show Me The Way as Jackson weaves every bit of information into the plot. Secondary characters become just as important as our hero and heroine as we dig deeper into each of their secrets.

There’s a past to Rynna that takes chapter after chapter to slowly peel away the truth of what drove her away. You may guess what it could’ve been but hold all your predictions as Jackson will not only throw you for one loop, she’ll twist you around again and again. I couldn’t have been more happy with this heartbreakingly dramatic tale of taking a chance on love.

The first stand-alone novel in A.L. Jackson’s brand-new Fight for Me series…

“This book is absolutely perfect.”
– Corinne Michaels, New York Times Bestselling Author

READ FOR FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED

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The first sexy, captivating, stand-alone novel in the brand-new FIGHT FOR ME series from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson . . .

Rex Gunner. As bitter as he is beautiful.

The owner of the largest construction company in Gingham Lakes has been burned one too many times. His wife leaving him to raise their daughter was the last blow this single dad could take. The only woman he’ll let into his heart is his little girl.

Rynna Dayne. As vulnerable as she is tempting.

She ran from Gingham Lakes when she was seventeen. She swore to herself she would never return. Then her grandmother passed away and left her the deed to the diner that she once loved.

When Rex meets his new neighbor, he knows he’s in trouble.

She’s gorgeous and sweet and everything he can’t trust.

Until she becomes the one thing he can’t resist.

One kiss sends them tumbling toward ecstasy.

But in a town this size, pasts are bound to collide. Caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and disloyalty, Rex must make a choice.

Will he hide behind his walls or will he take the chance . . .

Amazon

Paperback

Audible

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CONNECT WITH A.L.

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

Her bestselling series include THE REGRET SERIES, CLOSER TO YOU, and BLEEDING STARS novels. Watch for A.L. Jackson’s upcoming novel, SHOW ME THE WAY, the first stand-alone novel in her brand-new FIGHT FOR ME SERIES.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

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October 2, 2017 1

SHOW ME THE WAY – An A. L. Jackson Excerpt Reveal & Giveaway

Show Me the Way

The first stand-alone novel in A.L. Jackson’s brand-new Fight for Me series…

Coming October 2nd

“This book is absolutely perfect.”
– Corinne Michaels, New York Times Bestselling Author

The first sexy, captivating, stand-alone novel in the brand-new FIGHT FOR ME series from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson . . .

Rex Gunner. As bitter as he is beautiful.

Rynna Dayne. As vulnerable as she is tempting.

She ran from Gingham Lakes when she was seventeen. She swore to herself she would never return. Then her grandmother passed away and left her the deed to the diner that she once loved.

When Rex meets his new neighbor, he knows he’s in trouble.

She’s gorgeous and sweet and everything he can’t trust.

Until she becomes the one thing he can’t resist.

One kiss sends them tumbling toward ecstasy.

But in a town this size, pasts are bound to collide. Caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and disloyalty, Rex must make a choice.

Will he hide behind his walls or will he take the chance . . .

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Signed Paperback

Tension roiled between us. That tether pulled taut. Drawing us closer. I swallowed around it and reached for the latch. He was quick to open his door, jumping out and rounding to my side before I had time to step out of his massive truck. He helped me down, and his hand scorched where he aided me by holding on to my elbow.

“Let me walk you to the door. Last thing I need to be worried about is you here by yourself and some asshole taking advantage of you.”

He quirked this belly-flopping grin that pierced me like an arrow. “Unless of course that asshole is me.”

He barely angled his head to the side. There was something so endearing and self-deprecating about it. Everything about him right then was at odds with the surly, bear of a man I’d met weeks ago, the man exposing himself, layer by layer.

I lifted my chin, both in strength and vulnerability, tossing all the uncertainties and questions out into the open. “Should I be afraid?”

“Yeah, you should be.” His response was hard, but there was no missing the fact his irritation was aimed at himself. He set his palm on the small of my back, helping me through the gravel drive in my heels, an inch behind as we ascended the porch steps.

We crossed the planks. That tension wound higher with each step until we were nothing but needy pants at my door. Slowly, I turned around to face him.

His presence sent a ripple of energy vibrating across the floorboards, the overwhelming sight of him the owner of my breath.

He stood beneath the faint glow of the hurricane lamp that hung outside the door. A sculpture of sinewy muscle and raw strength, forged through years of obvious physical labor. Every inch of him was rugged, from those roughened, callused hands to the crinkles set deep at the edges of his eyes.

The man was a carving of pure, daunting beauty.

“What exactly am I supposed to be afraid of, Rex?” My brow twisted, and my voice quieted with the admission. “Because when I’m around you, the last thing I feel is afraid.”

“I fuck everything up, Rynna, and the only thing I’ve got to offer you is my mess. I can’t do this.”

Restraint rumbled in his chest, the sound so deep I felt it shake the ground beneath my feet.

I gently cupped one side of his rugged face. “I’m not afraid.”

It was a promise.

An appeal.

“You should be,” he grated. “Warned you, my shit doesn’t ever end well.”

“Maybe that’s a chance I’m willing to take.”

He groaned and he planted his hands high above my head. The man panted above me, torn, desperate, his nose just brushing mine. “God damn it, Rynna. God damn it.”

I felt the moment he broke. When the thread pulled too tight and this mesmerizing man snapped. His mouth descended on mine.

Overpowering.

Overwhelming.

Dizzying.

Lips and tongue and nips of teeth.

And those hands. They were on my face. My neck. My waist. Somehow, I managed to hold on to him and spin away as I fumbled with the lock. He pressed against my backside, his cock against my bottom, and his mouth leaving a trail of fire at the side of my neck. We stumbled into the darkness of my house, breaking apart as I turned to face him.

The only light trickled down from the lamp I’d left on upstairs.

Slowly, he clicked the door shut behind him. We stood there, two feet away from each other, staring.

Chests heaving.

Before we collided.

A tangle of tongues and bodies.

The man frantic, trying to touch me everywhere.

“What am I doing? Fuck, what am I doing?” he muttered incoherently, kissing me deeper. Madder. Wilder.

I pushed up on my toes and tore my mouth from his so I could kiss down the strong column of his throat. His head thudded back against the door, his entire body pressing against it as if he needed it to keep him standing.

He grated my name, and I kept kissing at his throat while I worked free the button on his jeans, hands shaking.

Every reservation spun out of control.

Out of reach.

It was only spurred further when the defined muscles of his abdomen jumped and twitched beneath my touch, when he mumbled, “You’re killing me, Rynna. Fucking killing me.”

Desire rippled from him in heady waves.

And I felt so brave and bold, my kisses brazen as I nipped at the hollow of his throat.

Before I could consider it—the ramifications and the repercussions and the distinct threat to my heart—I dropped to my knees.

I refused to think of anything but setting him free.

Hoping he’d find a little of that freedom in me.

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CONNECT WITH A.L.

A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.

Newsletter: http://smarturl.it/NewsFromALJackson

September 25, 2017 0

SHOW ME THE WAY – An A.L. Jackson Cover Reveal & Giveaway

Show Me the Way

The first stand-alone novel in A.L. Jackson’s brand-new Fight for Me series…

Coming October 2nd

Cover: RBA Designs

The first sexy, captivating, stand-alone novel in the brand-new FIGHT FOR ME series from NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author A.L. Jackson . . .

Rex Gunner. As bitter as he is beautiful.

Rynna Dayne. As vulnerable as she is tempting.

She ran from Gingham Lakes when she was seventeen. She swore to herself she would never return. Then her grandmother passed away and left her the deed to the diner that she once loved.

When Rex meets his new neighbor, he knows he’s in trouble.

She’s gorgeous and sweet and everything he can’t trust.

Until she becomes the one thing he can’t resist.

One kiss sends them tumbling toward ecstasy.

But in a town this size, pasts are bound to collide. Caught in a web of lies, betrayal, and disloyalty, Rex must make a choice.

Will he hide behind his walls or will he take the chance . . .

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A.L. Jackson is the New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author of contemporary romance. She writes emotional, sexy, heart-filled stories about boys who usually like to be a little bit bad.

If she’s not writing, you can find her hanging out by the pool with her family, sipping cocktails with her friends, or of course with her nose buried in a book.