Top 11 BEST books I've read this year.

Every year I get asked for a list of my favorite books of all time and honestly, that list is SO hard. Mostly because I love too many, all for very different reasons, so one of these days I'll make this huge definitive list that you need. But for now, some of you are still shopping for holiday gifts and if you have any awesome friends, they are readers. And readers want books for gifts, it's just a fact.

So without further making you wait, here is a list of top eleven books that I read this year.

This Dark Road to Mercy- Wiley Cash: Talk about a book that grabs you from the first word and keeps you hanging on to the end. I really identified with the older daughter, Easter. These girls are essentially orphaned when their mother overdoses on drugs after living a hard life. But instead of going to foster care, good ol' dad comes back out of nowhere and tries really hard to do the right thing. It's a hard book, and it's sad, but it was great.


Orphan Train - Christina Baker Kline: One thing I really love is when two generations learn about each other and can connect through stories of a time long passed. Then you get a book like Orphan Train, which is that and so much more and it's everything. Not only was I hooked on Molly's story, but more so the one of Vivian, who was a passenger on the oft forgotten Orphan Train, but I wanted to learn more about the orphan trains and really- they were kind of horrible. You never knew where kids would land and it didn't actually matter so long as they weren't taking up government funds in an orphanage somewhere. Then Vivian's ending? GUT PUNCH. I cried and had to take a break from the book just to read the final few pages.


Trinity Stones- L.G. O'Connor: I recently read and reviewed the second book in this series as well, and it's just as good as the first. So I'm going to honorably mention it here but you really need to read the first before you get to that one. But this was a really great book and if you are at all a fan of paranormal, you are going to love this. The story is great, the character development is great, you are completely hooked. You finish the book feeling satisfied but already wanting more because this is going to be a pretty in depth series and I cannot wait. Can I mention how fantastic the writing is??


The Unfinished Child- Theresa Shea: Oh man. Well this was a book that originally I didn't remember signing up for, was a little worried I would hate it, and it turned out to be one of the best books I have ever read. It's about two friends, one who desperately wants a child but can't for some unknown reason, and the other who has kids and finds herself pregnant again and isn't thrilled. Even more so when she finds out that her child will likely have Downs' Syndrome. But mixed in this is the story of a woman who gave birth to a child in 1947 with Downs' Syndrome and back then, you gave that baby up, you certainly didn't keep it. But she kept in touch with the home her daughter was at, and that proves to be  horrific when she finds out what happens. But it ties in with the two friends. And it's such a moral gut wrench of a story and every opinion you thought you had on this would be questioned. Amazing story.

Alias Hook- Lisa Jensen: If there was an award for book that I talked about most this year, this book would get it. It's a re-telling of the classic Peter Pan, except the brilliance about this is that Peter Pan is actually portrayed as the bad guy, and poor Hook is the hero, the guy you root for and oddly enough, the guy you fall in love with by the end. No, I'm not even kidding. I said in my review that I had a slow start on this book but once I got into it, I was absolutely riveted and I could not put this one down at all. It was amazing, I am such a fan of Lisa Jensen and I will go wherever she wants to take me next. It was such a great concept of a book and honestly, I had no idea how she was going to make me love Hook but she did.


Sea Creatures- Susanna Daniel: Another author I will throw all of my money at just to buy whatever she is selling. Her first book, Stiltsville, is one of my all time favorites and it has a line at the end that will always gut punch me. I was so worried that feeling and love couldn't possibly be conveyed over another book with a totally different cast of characters and story, but it did. Oh, did it. It's about a mom who is in a difficult marriage with her work-aholic husband who reluctantly agrees to parenthood but kind of leaves it to her once the boy is here. She doesn't mind, she loves being a mom, even if her son won't talk for no reason. Bring on a job with her going to Stiltsville to help organize artwork for a recluse and you worry where this story is going, BUT! Cue a major accident, a hurricane, and an unexpected death and you are left reeling at the end. You feel like you're on a boat yourself and you might fall right off the edge. Absolutely loved it, I can hardly wait to see what she produces next.

Prophecy's Power- Brenda Dyer: YES. As book three in the series, I feel like I went in thinking there is a chance it won't be as great as the other two, and that's kind of allowable with a series because it has to be hard to write them. But no, it was just as amazing as the first two and I was so upset when I finished it. That moment when I'm hitting "next page" on my Nook and it's blinking at me like I'm an idiot and I realize that oh hey, this book is done. DAMMIT. I am quietly stalking Brenda's Facebook updates and she is furiously writing book four, which sounds equally amazing and I'm all over here wanting her to stop sleeping and just write. *sigh* SUCH a great romance series with a paranormal twist.

Made for You- Melissa Marr: Oh man. Here is another book I had no recollection signing up to review, and the cover is creepy enough to remind me that was probably why I picked it, and I absolutely was not disappointed at all. It's basically about Eva, who after almost being killed by some nut job who is fixated on her who refers to himself as "The Judge", discovers she has developed some unusual powers during her recovery. She connects with an old love interest and this seems to only fuel the psychopath who one by one starts murdering people in school as some kind of "I'm sorry I tried to kill you, but I do these other murders because I love you" thing and it's creepy. It's like a really terrifying Lifetime movie. The book is so fast paced and you have no idea who the culprit is until the end and it kept me on the edge of my seat.

I Shall Be Near To You- Erin Lindsay McCabe: All of the tears in the world. Absolutely do not read this if you are having your period or for whatever reason find yourself to be highly hormonal. Just don't do it because you will hate yourself afterwards and eat all of the ice cream you can afford. The book takes place during the Civil War, Jeremiah enlists and Rosette can't bear to be without him. She's not convinced he will come home and that's not the kind of life she wants, so she decides to pretend to be a man and also enlists. He's rightfully furious when he finds out, but also kind of relieved because he also is madly in love with her. I can't even tell you any more without ruining this beautiful story, but I'll tell you what, nothing in this lifetime prepares you for the ending. Nothing.

Accidents of Marriage- Randy Susan Meyers: If you are married, and you have ever had the "is it worth it to stick it out" thought, this book is for you. The wife is a pill popper to cope with the stress of parenting a teenager who seems more and more disconnected, and a son who she doesn't relate to, and a husband who is never home. The husband, doesn't see how far his family has spiraled out but doesn't actually care because if you don't see it, it's not a problem. Until one day an epic marital fight results in a horrifying car crash, leaving wife in a coma and fighting for her life. During that hospital stay, and subsequent recovery, we learn all about their marriage. Her problems, his infidelity, and all of the issues the children have had right in front of them. No holds barred, it was a great book.

Black Ice- Becca Fitzpatrick: Yes, I know this brings my list to 11 and that doesn't conform to standard end of the year lists and I really don't give a damn. I don't give a damn because I am a HUGE Becca Fitzpatrick fan and she could doodle on a napkin and it'll be on this list. That's how strongly I feel for her and her books. Yes, she writes YA and I am 32 years old and again, don't care. This is about Britt, who is basically your average dumb teenage girl, who makes a series of really terrible decisions which ultimately almost get her killed. BUT, we meet a cute guy who may or may not be a psychopath, we have Britt developing a little Stockholm Syndrome and then? THEN it all goes to hell in a hand basket (or forest after a terrible blizzard, as it so happens) and nothing was the same. The best part? You're left devastated at this ending- like was everything a lie? Does anything mean something anymore? But *deep breaths* we have an epilogue and it's amazing. It's so good, it's what you want. I flew through this book in a day and that was bittersweet because Becca is hands down, the slowest writer ever, or so it seems because we wait FOREVER between her books. Seriously. I think it's been years since this and the ending of the Hush, Hush series, which is one of my favorites of all time. So this is my plea to you, Becca: please dear god, write faster.

**
So there you go. You need all of these books in your life, right now. You also need to make sure any awesome reader friends on your shopping list get something off this list because they will thank you, you will look super awesome and knowledgeable, and then you can pay me in cookies.

Black Ice

YOU GUYS. So in case you had no idea, I am a huge Becca Fitzpatrick fan. I was that person who grabbed up her first book, Hush, Hush on a whim and then was a fanatical fan girl who drove her local book store NUTS leading up to the release of the other three books in that series. And I loved that series. I've read it quite a few times and I love the lead character, Patch.

But then she had this weird break with nothing and it's frustrating because when you find an author you love, you want them to stop eating and just write. Write all of the time and pump out books like a maniac. Unfortunately, Becca does not do this. A little over a year ago I started hearing about her latest book, Black Ice, and again I got excited. I have waited so long for this book. And wouldn't you know it, I don't have the funds to pre-order it.

It was a dark day in the Strand household when that realization hit.

BUT THEN!!!

Out of the blue, I got a review copy in the mail and I'm like, "Jeebus, is that you??" and I stopped feeding my family for a whole day. I won't even tell you the hideous outfit I not only wore on Friday but that I picked my kids up from school in. You guys, it was bad. The kids were grateful I did not get out of the car. But good god, it was so worth it.

Black Ice - Becca Fitzpatrick

Sometimes danger is hard to see... until it’s too late. 

Britt Pfeiffer has trained to backpack the Teton Range, but she isn't prepared when her ex-boyfriend, who still haunts her every thought, wants to join her. Before Britt can explore her feelings for Calvin, an unexpected blizzard forces her to seek shelter in a remote cabin, accepting the hospitality of its two very handsome occupants—but these men are fugitives, and they take her hostage. 

In exchange for her life, Britt agrees to guide the men off the mountain. As they set off, Britt knows she must stay alive long enough for Calvin to find her. The task is made even more complicated when Britt finds chilling evidence of a series of murders that have taken place there... and in uncovering this, she may become the killer’s next target. 

But nothing is as it seems in the mountains, and everyone is keeping secrets, including Mason, one of her kidnappers. His kindness is confusing Britt. Is he an enemy? Or an ally? 

BLACK ICE is New York Times bestselling author Becca Fitzpatrick’s riveting romantic thriller set against the treacherous backdrop of the mountains of Wyoming. Falling in love should never be this dangerous…

Full disclosure, this is a YA novel. With that being said, you're not pulling anything on me, Becca Fitzpatrick, I knew who the killer was from the word go. You know why? Because I read a lot and you're not fooling me. But I don't even care because I finished this baby on Friday. I also started it around lunch time and that baby was done by the time I went to bed. I took this book with me to pee, which happens a lot now that I'm growing a tiny human again, so this book and I have fully bonded. But do you know what else I love? I love Mason. I can't even help it. I want to eat him up, that's how much I love him. 

Can we talk about Britt being stupid? Because she is really stupid. 

But you have no idea what I'm talking about, so let's recap the book. Britt is a teenager who has a snobby best friend, and the best friend's brother is her ex. He's a douchebag, but Britt is still pining for him like an idiot. Instead of getting all fun in the sun for spring break, Britt and friend decide to take off to teh mountains and go hiking. Which turns out to be a terrible plan because there are girls being murdered up there and wouldn't you know it, her car gets stuck and they hike to cabin and surprise- two super cute guys are there! Seemingly unprepared for a winter blizzard in the mountains! But then it turns out that's all bad and it's downhill from there. Britt decides she's going to get them off the mountain, and then develops a little Stockholm Syndrome but THEN, ex boyfriend shows up to save her! Or does he? It all comes to a really violent ending and then we have an epilogue (THANK YOU) and it's so good. 

You guys? It's so good. If you are a fan of YA romance, just do yourself a favor and get this baby when it goes on sale tomorrow. It's so good. And kind of cheesy and I don't even care. It reminds me of a couple of Linda Howard books I love (because we all know if I ever saw her in real life I would honestly pee my pants, that's how out of control fan girl I am of hers), and maybe that's why I loved this book even more. 

I will say though, for as many bad reviews Becca Fitzpatrick gets, it begs the question: why do these people continue reading? I think some people have really high expectations on what the books should be and forget that this is YA, let's be honest, the majority of the audience are kind of dumb high school girls that would think Britt was just right on. I'll admit- Britt's an idiot, but so are a lot of high school girls. Honestly, calm down.

But I'm a Becca Fitzpatrick fan. I don't care. I'm a fan, I loved her first series and I loved this book.

Learn to Read

Honestly- if you aren't a reader I wonder why. I would be a boring loser if I didn't read. Anyways. Here are some books I've read lately that you may (or may not) like:

1. Crescendo- Becca Fitzpatrick

If you haven't read the first book in this series (or maybe it's only a trilogy??), Hush, Hush you'll have to do that before you read this on. I did a review on that one HERE, and I really think you'll love it. What I love about this author is that she's actually talented and she can write where you can't put the book down. This one took me two days to finish (so maybe 8 hours total) and it was GREAT. Beyond great. It leaves you on a fantastic cliffhanger and you only get part of the puzzle solved BUT the piece you solve is crazy. I never saw it coming. Never. It was good. I can't recommend this book enough.



2. Accidents In The Home- Tessa Hadley

I got this book in the bargain bin at Barnes & Noble and it was good. A little different ending than I thought- but good nonetheless. It's about Clare, a 29 year old mom of 3 who is basically considered a stay at home mom. She's married and has, essentially, the perfect life. When her best friend visits with her new lover (whom Clare knows from years before) she suddenly realizes she wants more out of life. She is overwhelmed with her current life and is kind of jealous of the care free life her friend has. Never mind that all of Clare's family sees life differently and in their own rights are having some kind of crisis in their own lives. So in order to test the waters Clare sets in motion the acts that eventually end the book. Nobodies lives are ever the same and the ending is kind of unsatisfying to me as a reader, but I suppose if it were real life it's exactly how this part of the story would end. Honestly I could relate to Clare because I know the feelings she was feeling in the book. And I understood her rationale.  There was a passage that summed it all up perfectly: She couldn't think how to complain of him. She out to have a complaint, oughtn't she, for an alibi? He was uncommunicative sometimes. And he didn't like many people, much; he was always friendly and polite, but in private he was unforgiving if he found out anyone's vanity or pretension. He knew things but he didn't invent things. Those didn't sound like accusations; they sounded like goodness. And that's it- it makes it seem as if you're just good enough... maybe it isn't enough? If you're married, if you're married with kids, or if you are with a long term partner and kind of feel like you're in a weird rut- it's an interesting book.

3. Smoked - Patrick Quinlan


Again, a bargain book from Barnes & Noble. (Can I just say how in love I am with their online clearance?? It's great. Books for under $5? Can't beat that!) So this book is a suspense/mystery type book. Smoke Dugan is a former bomb maker that decided he was going to retire...which you can't really do when you're essentially in a mob like organization. He's hid for a long time but his number is up and they've found him. His girlfriend, Lola, gets into a lot of trouble and finds herself unknowingly tangled up in his drama. Then enters Cruz, the hitman of sorts sent to take care of Smoke, but is thinking about ending his career as well. He's debating how to retire and not get killed. The book is good. I liked the characters, the story was really interesting and all of the little things that go wrong and bring more players into the mix really keeps the story moving. The only quirk is that it kind of ends like there COULD be a sequel. It wouldn't necessarily be needed... but I could see how the author could turn around and write another story with these characters. For this being the author's first novel- he did really well.
**

OK- so that's what I've finished in the last 7 days! I have two book reviews next week for you, one on Monday and one on Tuesday for TLC Book Tours. I want you to come and read both, but the one on Tuesday is going to have personal stuff attached to it. Anyways!

Have a good weekend- you may not see or hear from me tomorrow. Maybe. We'll see. ;)

Boo Reviews: Get your Credit Card Ready

Hi. I still read. You wouldn't necessarily know that since I haven't posted a book review in forever. But here is what I have read recently:

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

If you haven't read any of the Sookie Stackhouse novels by Charlaine Harris I suggest you get off your back road hick ass and start. These books are a million times better than Twilight for several reasons. Mainly because this author can write and doesn't kill you with adjectives. But it also unfolds a fabulous story where these vamps (and weres, shifters, witches, fairies, etc) are having sex with humans. Fabulous sex. *sigh* And I think you should read these so you can watch True Blood on HBO because THAT is a fabulous show. Anyways.

So this is the latest in the series and I have to say....disappointed. I've become used to way more sex and violence and this book, while the story is interesting, left me feeling like we never really got to the story. I am hoping the next book has violence from the word go. :) BUT...you must read it anyways if you start the series. There is still plenty of good sex.

Don't Sleep With Your Drummer by Jen Sincero

This book was borrowed to me by a friend and it isn't necessarily one that I'd pick up on my own. I also need to mention that I didn't get into it until I was 3/4 of the way done. I don't know. Some writers can pull you in and some can't. But I wanted to finish the book because Kelli said it was good and I didn't want to let her down. And I'm glad I did. This is basically about a woman going through a quarter life crisis (in her 30's) after she gets fired from her job. She realizes what she really wants to do is be in a band and has basically no support. Well she starts a band and they play gigs, are actually really good, get signed and then it all falls apart. But then it kind of comes together again towards the end. But I think it's a great book for 20somethings because it just reaffirms what we all feel towards the end of our 20's- uncertainty and fear.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

You know I love me some supernatural romance book. This is Young Adult so just be aware the most action you will get in this are hugs, naked boy chests and kisses. It's ok though. This is a GREAT book and I highly recommend it. I finished it in four hours and put it down at 2 am. On a work night. It was totally worth it. It's basically about a boy who was an angel- but he lusted after a human and then becomes a fallen angel and has his wings ripped out. But this makes him basically a killer and he hunts humans for fun I suppose. Well he meets a human girl he's been ordered to kill but surprise! He falls in love with her. It is fabulously written and I enjoyed it a ton. It ends kind of weird (I think) but then I find out...dun dun dun....there is a sequel coming! Yes, bitches, a sequel!

Blood Born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones

One of my very favorite authors is Linda Howard. I have read (I think) every book she's ever done at least twice. I own a bunch of them and when I casually saw this on the FLOOR at Target...I had to get it. Blood Born is about vampires (they live in secret in this book unlike other vamp books) who are planning to take over humans basically and not be in hiding. But then there is a somewhat rogue vamp who thinks this is wrong and is going to try to save them. The deal is that some humans are "conduits" and are unknowingly trying to bring over "warriors" to fight this massive warriors vs vampire war. Cheesy, but stay with me. So there is one human who is a conduit but is kind of special. I'm not going to go into more because it would give it away. This also was a fast read for me and it too....is going to have a sequel. Which I am THRILLED about.

Ice by Linda Howard

OK now this one I got at Barnes and Noble. I buy anything with Linda Howard's name on it. Most of her novels are really far fetched- like the chances of this ever happening are slim to none but who cares- she writes GREAT sex scenes and it's worth it. This story is really no different at all and to me, was pretty similar to Cover of Night which was cheese to the max but again, GREAT sex scene on the mountain in that one. Anyways. So this is about a girl who is taken hostage by meth addicts during an ice storm. And then this guy she knew from way back when is "checking on her" and wow- they are being chased by meth addicts outside in an ice storm. Yeah- it is cheese to the max but what you come to love about romance novels. I kind of hope these characters are explored in a future book but you can never tell if that will happen.

But I will say of all of Linda's books my favorites will always be the following: All the Queen's Men, Cry No More, and Up Close and Dangerous. AQM is fab because it has black ops agents! And sex! And yeah- MAN OF MY DREAMS in there. CNM is great because I really liked the story. I think she put a ton of thought into this story about a woman who's child was kidnapped in Mexico and she basically searches all her life for him and yeah- enlists a hitman to help her. I loved the story, I loved the characters, and again, great sex. UCD is fun. It's fun because it's about a plane that goes down in the mountains and these two people who hate each other well you know what happens. BUT..it's fun because I now fill my carry on bag with stupid unrelated stuff because of this book. You never know, dammit.