December 30, 2014

♥♥SPECIAL BLOG POST PART 1♥♥JOCELYN'S TOP TEN OF 2014

 
AHHHHHH THE YEAR IS ALMOST OVER!!!!!

2014 is coming to an end and what better way to send it off than with a list of some of our favorite authors and books of the year. Over the next two days All is Read will be coming at you with a list of all of our favorite reads/authors over the past year. Since we all have a different palette for reading you are going to get a variety of goodies from each of us here at All is Read. First up is myself! Check out my list for 2014 and don’t forget to stop by tomorrow for more top reads from Lexy, Annie and Jamie.

Now if you are an avid reader like myself than you can only imagine how hard it is to narrow down a list of favorite books especially if you are reading well over 100 a year, so I decided to go with a slightly different approach.

My Top Authors of 2014
This list is made up of the authors I couldn’t get enough of this year. I was literally diving head first into all of their releases and I couldn’t put their books down once I started. I would stay up waiting for hours on end after they hit their publish buttons for their books to go live or just start twitching with excitement when their release days approached. Enjoy and if anything catches your eye don’t forget to #oneclick that b*tch, ;)
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10. Trudy Stiles- Forever Family Series- Stiles released two books in this series this year and I fell in love with them, Dear Emily and Dear Tabitha. The content in these books were definitely heavy and it hurt my heart to read through some of the scenes but the strength of these characters was amazing. There is a lot of self-discovery and self-revelation in these books, it focuses on how much a person can endure and yet still find happiness and joy in their life; how much a person can sacrifice for someone else. Stiles delivered a touching, dramatic, pull at your heartstrings series that is well worth the read.
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9. Gena Showalter-Burning Dawn (Angels of the Dark), The Darkest Touch (LOTU) - I have been reading Gena Showalter for a few years now and she has never disappointed me. The Lords of the Underworld series is still one of my all-time favorite series and it got even better when she created the Angels of the Dark spin off series. I LOVE THESE CHARACTERS. I want to have their babies!! Seriously. Gena was awesome enough to release a book in each series this year including the long awaited Torin story and it was absolutely amazeballs. If you have not jumped into these books yet then you need too because you are missing out.
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8. Darynda Jones - The Charley Davidson Series - Another one of the best paranormal authors out there. Jones’ Charley Davidson series had two installments release this year. Sixth Grave on the Edge and Seventh Grave and No Body and if you are like me, than you were aching for some more Reyes Farrow. He has got to be one the sexiest ParaAlphas around and he will always leave you all hot and bothered. I love this series it’s hilarious, suspenseful and deliciously seductive. You will be both laughing out loud and fanning yourself reading these books.
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7. A.Z. Green - Hidden Blood Series- Have you been introduced to this series yet?!? If you are a fan of the Werewolf Paranormal genre, then you need to grab these babies. A.Z. green released Beasthood and Beast of Burden this year. While the first book started out a bit confusing only because of the multitude of characters, the second book grabbed my attention and wouldn’t let go. AZ Green’s take on the wolf genre is fascinating. This isn’t just a romance; it’s a mystery thriller with political undertones and alliances. There is a lot more brewing in this series then just the ever rising sexual tension between the MCs. AZ sinks her awesome storytelling claws into you and you will find yourself thirsting for more.
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6. Michelle Mankin- The Tempest Series- Where are my Rocker Fans?!? This series is for you!! Mankin is one of my fave in the rocker genre. Her books are not your typical Rocker books as they deal with some real heavy themes like drug addiction and abuse but they do it well. We got both War and Dizzy’s story this year with Captivating Bridge and Relentless Rhythm. The Tempest boys will break your heart and then put it back together. You will love to hate them at times and hate to love them just the same. They will make you ache and fall head over heels in love.
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5. Belle Aurora- Oh what this woman does to my heart and head. Belle gave us a ton of books this year. But my favs were Raw and her serial Night Fury. Twitch, Twitch, Twitch. I stayed up until 4am reading this book, sobbing like I just lost my best friend. This book will have you reeling with emotions that you can’t control and all screwed up in the head in the best way possible. Night Fury is a little different and only two parts were released this year both equally shocking and full of twist and turns, I mean what’s better than a nun-type assassin, yes I did say nun. Trust me; you need to read these books.
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Night Fury First Act/Second Act
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4. Elena M. Reyes- I love this woman! HAHA. I got my fill of Reyes this year. I read both her Marked Series and her Teasing Hands book and novella-Taunting Lips. I love what Reyes does with the male POV and she will have you lusting for both Talan from Marked and Camden from Teasing Hands. These guys will set your panties on fire. These books had the right amount of sexy time, angst and complete romance that you will find your heart completely sated by the end. Pick them up, you won’t regret it!
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3. Monica James- Something Like Normal Series-Monica James kicks major a$$. She released books in both her series this year but I especially loved Something Like Normal and Something Like Redemption. This follows the story of Mia. Mia is running away from horrendous past, a past that will make you cringe and cower in a corner; one that most people would not be able to survive. But Mia is a survivor, she is strong, tough, feisty, determined and pretty much downright fearless. She meets a ton of people who help her survive including Quinn. Sexy, Sexy Quinn, he is her rock in the series and you will be attracted to him like a moth to a flame. Book 3 Something like Love is coming soon and I can’t wait!!!
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2. Kathryn Perez-Perez is a gem, a shining light in the literary world. There are not enough amazing things to say about Perez’s writing. Her book Therapy is one of my favorite books to date. Jessica’s story is broken and beautiful all at the same time. Her emotions are genuine, real, honest and heart-breaking. Therapy was beautifully written. Perez weaves a story of immensity; immensity of the heart, of one’s tenacity to fight and of one’s resolve to love. This book will touch your heart in ways you never imagined, the lyrics, quotes and poetry used throughout the story add even more to its sincerity.  Perez took it even further and equally rocked my reading world with her erotic romance, Sex Unlimited. I didn't want the story of Brisban and Candace to end. Perez can pull out these emotions from her readers like no one else can no matter how long or short a story. Her way with words is inspiring, compassionate, romantic and simply beautiful. AND let’s not forget sexy, yes this book still has all those spicy nuggets of sexiness that made the story of Brisban and Candace so hot that you had to come up for air and a cold shower ;). Read them, love them, and consume them!


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DRUM ROLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL PLEASE!!!
My number 1 author of 2014 is….
Karina Halle!!!!
Yes I love this talented woman. She rocked my year. No one can pump out books like Halle. She is a writing machine. But there were some books that were just pure magic to me. She made me say a sad yet happy goodbye to my favorite couple Dex and Perry with the last Experiment in Terror installment Dust to Dust. She scared the shit out of me with her Cowboy meets Zombie standalone Donners of the Dead, and she made me fall madly and completely in love with the Hot Scot from San Francisco, Linden, and his Baby Blue Stephanie in The Pact. I can’t describe the feelings that I get out of reading Karina Halle’s books, they do wonderful things to my heart, they make me scream in delightful terror and they make my toes curl with the dirtiest of thoughts…hehe. Karina has proven that she can do her job and do it well; she is a master at her craft. She has no fear in trying different genres and that’s what sets her apart. If you have never read Halle then you need a wake up smack to your head. Her books are gold and I can’t wait to see what she has in store for 2015!!
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I HOPE YOU ENJOYED MY LIST AND FOUND SOME NEW BOOKS TO PICK UP- I CAN’T WAIT TO SEE WHAT ALL THESE AUTHORS WILL BE WORKING ON AND RELEASING IN 2015. HAPPY WRITING AND READING.
 Jocelyn

{*}Blog Tour & Review{*}Beast of Burden by A.Z Green

 
http://www.amazon.com/Beast-Burden-Hidden-Blood-Book-ebook/dp/B00QBDTG32
BEAST OF BURDEN 
(Book Two in The Hidden Blood Series)
By A.Z. Green

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Pages: 320 pages




SYNOPSIS


Pack Leaders who were allies at the time of the Vikings, had rings made to remind them of who they were and what they stood for. Weremen of peace, justice and loyalty. We try to stand by that principle.

After the attempt on Nik's life, he and Jaz leave Deer Creek to escape the dangers and judgements on both their heads. But many are determined to find them and drag them back.

Curs are creeping out of the woodwork and making themselves known by the increase of deaths, kidnappings and rapes but it seems the Head Council are looking the other way.

Jaz and Nik put their differences aside to begin her training in self-defence and controlling her ability to Change. Jaz allows herself to trust him again despite their rocky start, and in doing so, she soon understands the true reasons behind his past actions.

Things aren't what they seem.

Packs are stirring, enemies are coming out to play, humans will be caught in the crossfire, hybrid Weres must fight for their survival and sides must be picked.

Which side are you on?
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23558674-beast-of-burden

 
 MY REVIEW

WOW....
This book is intense, action-packed and full of all kinds of twists, turns and complete surprises. I cannot say how much I am enjoying this very detailed, unique and suspenseful take on the werewolf genre!

Book 2 pretty much immediately starts off where book 1 ended. After a complicated and horror filled duel gone wrong between Kain and Nik and Jaz exposing herself as a hybrid Were. No one is safe and all kinds of chaos is about to hit the fan. With Nik on the run to protect Jaz the pack is under the tyrannical rule of Swain, Nik's disloyal brother. As more secrets are revealed and new faces come into play, Jaz will have to place her trust and faith in Nik and finally accept who she is and what she is capable of.

There is alot happening in this book and while I was a little confused by the abundance of characters in book 1; book 2 provides you with more insight, background and history surrounding those characters building a better connection for the reader and a story that flows both flawlessly and effortlessly.

I love the political nature of the plot, the rawness and ruthlessness of the Were culture that Green creates and the emotions that run deep throughout this story. Jaz is an amazing alpha female character. She is tough, smart, capable and compassionate. She defends those she loves on pure instinct and it is quite a formidable force. I love both the undeniable connection and tense attraction between her and Nik, it ripples through the pages like a tsunami waiting to explode and it compounds the plot that much more. Its not just the secrets and conspiracies or the action that add to the suspense of this story its also the romance. Its the building and build up of Nik and Jaz's relationship which coincides with Jaz's acceptance of who she is.

I absolutely adore this series, its both exciting and refreshing and CANNOT wait for book 3!!!

http://www.amazon.com/Beasthood-Hidden-Blood-Book-1-ebook/dp/B00CYBFTWC
BEASTHOOD
(Book One in The Hidden Blood Series)

Genre: Dark Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Pages: 390

SYNOPSIS

The bloody, raw meat was tantalizing her; calling to her. She hated it and yearned for it all at once.
Stop, she ordered. What are you doing?!
So hungryyyyy, snarled a primal voice deep within her.
Don’t you dare! she screamed back.
But the primal hunger ignored her pleas and took over her body, forcing her rational voice deep within the crevices of her mind.

What would you do if you discovered you weren't human? That you turned into a bloodthirsty monster against your will?

What if your instincts, emotions and desires were torn between your own and the dark, dangerous animal lurking inside of you?

If it could make you yearn for someone you shouldn't, make you say and act in ways you wouldn't and overwhelm your whole existence?

If everything you'd ever known about your life was a lie?

In a world where a deeply hidden community is swathed in mystery, deadly secrets, betrayal and murder, Jaz Barker struggles to fight against the dangerous Beast within her and the emotions and desires it thrusts her way.

When tensions ride high and people she cares about are put in danger, she will have to decide how much of her newly awakened animal-side she's willing to let in.

And if it is worth the risk…
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20797344-beasthood?ac=1


 ABOUT THE AUTHOR


A.Z.Green was born in 1989 and raised in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. She met the love of her life aged 16 and moved to London, finally settling down near Brighton.

She has written various novels and short stories in her lifetime but has only recently decided to publish. She writes a wide range of genres such as Dark Fantasy, Romance, Thriller, Historical Fiction, Dystopian, Horror and Paranormal. Her books tend to fit better into the New Adult genre as they usually have a more mature theme.

Beasthood is her first published novel.

Besides writing she also loves designing blogs, websites, covers for others' books as well as her own and various graphics. She has four blogs/websites and counting. Pinterest and Tumblr keep her busy, as does reading, drawing, painting and watching films. That's if she gets time to do any of these things with a three-year-old jumping around.

When asked in an interview, 'What books have inspired you to write?' she replied, 'I write books I wish existed, not because I'm inspired by a book that already exists.'

 
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