Simply the Best and a Giveaway: Jules’ and Lana’s Best Books of 2015

Welcome back to Round Two of our Best of the Best of 2015! Today’s Top Reads of the year come to you from Jules and Lana. Take a look at some of the books they thought were pretty outstanding this year, and then be sure to click on the Rafflecopter widget to enter for the chance to win one e-title from each of their lists.

Good luck!

Now, here they are: Simply the Best 2015

Jules’ Faves:

• Vespertine by Indra Vaughn and Leta Blake:

So, yeah…this is a fantastic read. There are too many kickass bits and characters to mention them all. Nicky’s story is hard to read at times – addiction is such an ugly thing, and a tough topic to tackle, but these guys did an amazing job. I wanted to squeeze him throughout the entire book. Jazz reminds him about all the best parts of himself, though, and together they are wonderful. The authors did an unbelievably brilliant job at making the story flow seamlessly and bringing all of the elements together. I wholeheartedly recommend this one! I will definitely be reading it again.

• Lonely Hearts by Heidi Cullinan:

I highlighted fifty-seven passages in this book, you guys. Fifty-seven. Highlighter orgies like that don’t happen every day. Read this book. Or, the series if you haven’t started it yet, beginning with Love Lessons, of course – because Walter.

Sidenote: Ed and Laurie are a FANTASTIC addition to this book. If you want to know their story, and haven’t read Dance with Me, it’s being rereleased with an amazing new cover on September 8th!!

• How to be a Normal Person by TJ Klune:

I don’t know how TJ Klune ever got through this manuscript. I know some authors go through the same emotions while writing that we go through while reading – in this case: hysterical laughter, eye rolling, swooning, and tears, to name just a handful – which must have made writing this one an adventure and a joy. I know reading it sure was. I love so hard that this book exists.

• Sutphin Boulevard by Santino Hassell:

Santino Hassell’s writing has been described as ‘gritty’. And it is that, no doubt. But, it’s also full of beauty and heart and wit. And romance. I swooned HARD for these guys. The writing feels authentic, not researched. Santino Hassell is simply a great storyteller, and great storytelling begins with great characters. Lisa and I couldn’t stop talking about this book for weeks after we finished it. One of the things we both kept coming back to was that final scene, and how utterly perfect and gorgeous the writing was. Another thing that was repeated numerous times, though, in varying degrees of flail, depending on the scene being discussed, was how much we just fucking LOVED these characters. They are so real, and there is so much meat to them…we honestly just couldn’t get enough.

• Gives Light by Rose Cristo:

There are so many fabulous moments in these books, too many to count. I definitely got good use out of my Kindle’s highlighter! I can’t recommend this series enough. Some of the best YA I’ve read in the genre. These books, and these characters, are going to stay with me for a long time.

Honorable Mention: Maps by Nash Summers

Lana’s Faves:

• Cherish & Blessed/Truth & Tenderness by Tere Michaels:

Okay, so I’m a huge fan and just couldn’t get enough. I want to know these people in real life. I want to be their friend! The love they have for each other jumps off the page, and the emotions are of the charts.

Reading these stories was like visiting with a best friend. I just couldn’t get enough because my appetite for them is insatiable. So, Ms. Michaels, you need to give us more of Evan and Matt ASAP!

• The Protector by Cooper West

The story is not only about Alex and Marcus’s mating. There is a subplot of unsolved murders, a mad scientist, a latent Protector manifestation, and another bonding. I’m not going to spoil it because this book is a must read. It was pretty ingenious and fun, and I hope this is not the end of Alex and Marcus because I want to read more about their adventures together.

• The Chase by Nessa Vincent

This story is a gem and I highly recommend it. The writing was very good. The story flowed without any snags. It’s fun, fast, sexy and hot. So pick up a copy. And I hope there will be more.

• A Prince for a Kingdom by Meg Harding

A Price for a Kingdom held my attention thoroughly. It was fast paced and highly entertaining. Any fan of fantasy will greatly enjoy it. I did, and more would be greatly appreciated.

• Plaid Nights Anthology – Torquere Press

Any book that has gorgeous kilted men in it, who love sex and sin, is one I can get behind. This book has a little of everything: sexy bad boys, a little mystery, a little paranormal, and a lot of entertainment. It’s a must read.

Honorable Mention: A Soul Remembered by Vivien Dean

THE GIVEAWAY

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