2013 Favorite Reads And A Small Giveaway To Say "Thank You"

2013 was year of ups and downs.

I never discussed what was going on in my personal life because I have never been one air dirty laundry. In a way it was therapeutic for me because it pushed me to look on the brighter side of things when I put together blog posts, added a status on facebook, or wrote a tiny tweet that disappeared into the ether. Because I didn't speak of it didn't mean there weren't moments when I questioned myself. Those--"What the hell am I doing?"--moments usually happened in the middle of the night surrounded by sleeping dogs, staring at manuscripts that suddenly became stagnant pieces of paper. Stress equals stress related illness. As soon as I recouped I fell back off the healthy train to start the cycle again.

Then an amazing thing happened. I received several emails regarding a crazy little story that I thought NO ONE but maybe 5 individuals would enjoy. Many people expressed their love for the story and asked me when the sequel for Alpha Trine would come out. That handful of communications pushed me and inspired me at a time I was almost out of fuel. I reassessed and rearranged. Made new 3-6-9-12 month plans, dusted off shelved ideas, and picked myself up.

So as a "Thank You" for your kind words and your excitement for the sequel, Striker, December 27th thru December 30th leave a comment and you'll be entered into the drawing for one of two $10 gift certificates for ARe (All Romance).

December 31st to January 2nd *points to the banner at the top of the page* I'm participating in the New Years Kisses Party. There will be a huge pool of giveaways for that party as well. I'm waiting for final details from Kay. Once I get them I'll post an update.

*rubs hands together* Now for the real fun stuff. BOOKS. I love talking about books and my favorite reads. Last year at this time I chose 300 books that I wanted to read in 2013....

I glanced through the list and realized I read everything but them. Well, not everything. I did get in a couple of books from the 2013 list. I only read a little over 100 books this year as well but still, what I did read didn't comprise even a third of what I had carefully selected. *grins* Well laid plans....

Like I said, I did read a little over 100 and a few were added to favorites list. I don't know about you but there are books that I love and I will reread them again and then there are books that I love but I probably won't read again. Usually, the ones that fall in the later category made me cry like a 2 year old. I enjoy a deeply emotional book on the occasion but I don't seek them out because I like my heart to stay firmly in my chest.

My list is a mixture of both categories. I don't think I can stick to a top 10 because seriously if I had to decide which ones were the favorite of the favorite I would be at this for days. This is supposed to be a fun exercise, not hard. Here we go in no particular order:

I love fairytales rewritten because I love to see how different but still recognize able the story is. This one hit the spot and I devoured it in no time flat.

I love Mary Calmes and would probably be reduced to a blubbering mess if I ever met her in person. Just saying. The characters were at times a little too perfect but I seriously do.not.care. It made me feel really good and that was more important to me.

You are bit by a vampire on the job and now you must see a psychiatrist. Loved it. The story was like a Victorian urban fantasy that I really enjoyed the feel of. I would devour a series by this now vampire cop.

I loved this idea of a broken vampire and I so wanted more of these two because their story had merely begun by the time the story ended. I so hope Hepburn continues with this.

Ugh! Loved the world, the mystery, the unveiling of Damien and what he can do. Can't wait for more.

I seriously hope this is a series. Vampire and human treasure hunting team. It's not exactly how I said it but it's the essence.

If you like reading mpreg this one I really enjoyed. There are two books in the series. The second is not mpreg but I enjoyed it just as much and looking forward to the third.

Historicals and I don't have a great history together. But this one was part fantasy so I gave it a go. Well written, great mystery, hot and sexy. Loved it. I already preordered the next one.

Never read Cardeno before this. This one made me cry but it will be on my reread list. I knew the crying would come simply by reading the summary but it's so good. I love m/m/m so I got my cake and icing.

Hands down, my favorite anthology of the year, possibly all time. All three stories were awesome. The middle story I bawled twice.

Seriously loved this. The setting, the characters, Petal, the snark, the humor. All of it worked for me.

Zombies and dystopia yet able to stay realistic with a splash of  romance.

I've already read this four times. I hunted Lyn down on FB and gushed. Sci-Fi, lite D/s, the world, the everything. I cannot wait for the next one.

Fresh and sexy but still able to keep the protagonist's lethal edge.

Last but not least, Locke and Key. Loved these stories of vampire handlers. I wanted more, more, more!  :)