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Woohoo! Here are my Top 10 Books for 2019! Can you believe that 2019 is over? I can’t believe it either but this eclectic list of awesomeness proves that I’ve spent my year in great company (wicked wink!)

Creating this list was a huge undertaking because I’m a die-hard book lover who believes the more books I have, the merrier I will be but I eventually came to terms with the fact that I can’t have a hundred books on my top 10 list. I had handpicked these wonderful books (I’m amazed that I actually stuck to the limit) because I got to live vicariously through these unforgettable characters and there was enough romance, action, excitement and swoon-worthy moments to keep me snuggled up in my bed with my trusty kindle for hours on end. 

Now remember fellow book lovers, this list features captivating stories about some of my fictional wives. Oh, I forgot to mention that this wonderful list will put me in a world of trouble with my boss if she ever lays eyes on it because I’ve been guilty of sneak reading these books during office hours and long, drawn out meetings!

Floodtide by Heather Rose Jones1 Floodtide by Heather Rose Jones

Published by Bella Books

Available In Audio No

Check out my full review here

This book is a historical fantasy that features charm work, strong magical elements, four headstrong young women and a deadly fever that is sweeping through the city of Rotenek.

What it’s about

The streets are a perilous place for a young laundry maid dismissed without a character for indecent acts. Roz knew the end of the path for a country girl alone in the city of Rotenek. A desperate escape in the night brings her to the doorstep of Dominique the dressmaker and the hope of a second chance beyond what she could have imagined. Roz’s apprenticeship with the needle, under the patronage of the royal thaumaturgist, wasn’t supposed to include learning magic, but Celeste, the dressmaker’s daughter, draws Roz into the mysterious world of the charm-wives. When floodwaters and fever sweep through the lower city, Celeste’s magical charms could bring hope and healing to the forgotten poor of Rotenek, but only if Roz can claim the help of some unlikely allies.

Set in the magical early 19th century world of Alpennia, Floodtide tells an independent tale that interweaves with the adventures.

Why I love it

I’ve gotta love a story that has strong-willed women who are willing to put their safety, reputations and even their jobs on the line in order to save thousands of lives. My heart literally melted when I realized Roz, Celeste, Liv and Iulien were prepared to risk everything for people they didn’t even know—the same people the powers-that-be were prepared to abandon because they were poor and they seemed easily expendable. I must tip my coffee mug to this author because I had a really hard time with putting my kindle down once I got sucked into this delightful story!

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Embracing Forever by K Aten2 Embracing Forever by K. Aten

Published by Regal Crest Enterprises

Available In Audio No

Check out my full review here

This book is a highly erotic, paranormal romance with a heaping dose of suspense and non-stop action!

What it’s about

Sarah Colby is a musician, teacher, lover, sister, and so much more. In the past year, she learned that sometimes life takes you places you never even knew existed. For Sarah and her sister Annie, they found out that not only were the monsters real but sometimes you loved them. Now the Colby sisters and their friends are being targeted by someone with a grudge. They must discover who is attacking the people of Columbus or risk losing all that they hold dear. Nobel Keller is with them every step of the way but will she bring salvation or merely the end of their lives in Columbus?

Why I love it

Paranormal romances have always hit all the right spots for me but when there’s a “whodunit” element in it then I’ll love that story forever. That’s exactly why I am so hung up on this story because it has everything that I look for in a novel. I got badass supernatural goddesses to adore and water bill raising sex scenes that kept me hot and bothered for days. Those sexy times between Sarah and Keller had me sweating in air-conditioning and the suspense kept me locked into every word and perched at the edge of my couch. I’d advise anyone who would like to read this book to please read it at home with your bedroom door bolted shut because I really don’t think you should read some of the sizzling sex scenes in this story at work or in any public place.  Trust me, I made the mistake of reading this book at work and I got caught red faced and red handed!

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Double Crossed by Ali Vali3 Double Crossed by Ali Vali

Published by Bold Strokes Books

Available In Audio Yes, narrated by Paige McKinney

Check out my full review here

This book is a romantic suspense set in the “Sin City” of Las Vegas.

What it’s about

Hit woman and thief Reed Gable works for the highest bidder, no matter where the job takes her. An orphan of circumstance, Reed knows the streets of Las Vegas better than anyone. Growing up rough has gotten her to the top of her profession, and she plans to stay there.

Accountant Brinley Myers, a recent hire at the Moroccan Casino, discovers a money laundering operation orchestrated by the New York mob and suddenly her life and the people in it become collateral damage.

Reed has Brinley in her sights and is ready to close the contract when she sees Brinley’s son in the car with her. Even hard-hearted Reed can’t kill a mother in front of her child. Before Reed can come up with a plan to finish the job, she’s double-crossed. It’ll take all her street smarts to keep herself, and her surprisingly beautiful mark, alive.

Why I love it

There are high stakes in and out of the casino and I must say that I’m an action-seeker in every sense of the word! Thanks to this story, I’ve had a lot of wonderful daydreams about leaving my 8 to 4 desk job behind so that I’d be able to cruise the busy strip of Las Vegas with Reed. Who said a nerdy accountant can’t get the woman of her dreams? Brinley definitely scored big time when she fell under Reed’s radar and I’m insanely jealous of her because she’s dating one of my biggest crushes ever! Ali Vali’s books hold a special place in my heart because she creates the gorgeous butch masterminds that I always end up falling arse over tit in love with. I just can’t resist a tough woman with a good heart!

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Galileo by Ann McMan4 Galileo by Ann McMan

Published by Bywater Books

Available In Audio Yes, narrated by Christine Williams

Check out my full review here

This book is an enthralling and unforgettable mystery and thriller.

What it’s about

Tim Donovan is a Catholic priest with a guilty conscience—though not in the way you’d guess. And Katherine Donne is a Parisian socialite who long ago kicked her self-respect to the curb—for good and for ill. And much closer, we have a group of men whose fortunes, graying temples and positions in life are distinguished and enviable. But their morals? Anything but. And that’s where Evan Reed comes in. Evan (short for Evangeline) is a highly principled political operative with an imperfect past, tasked with uncovering compromising material on a rotten judge up for nomination to the U.S. Supreme Court before he can be rushed through confirmation.

Evan knows it won’t be simple to find damaging information against the judge because he’s been vetted many times before. When Evan pulls the string after an interview with a cryptic madman, she finds herself struggling to solve a puzzle that gets more complex by the hour. And where crime, money, conscience, and greed come together, danger is sure to lurk. In this sequel to Dust, Ann McMan takes the reader on an intense journey into a world that lies just beneath the thin veneer of civilization—a world teeming with power struggles and warped desires, and a subculture of promises made, kept, and broken.

As Evan pushes further into peril, her personal life sparks into flame with the increasing presence of the ravishing Julia Donne, a book publisher with a progressive bent and troubling questions about her late father.

Why I love it

I know that I’m going to come across as one of the biggest fangirls ever but I just LOVE all of Ann McMan’s books especially this story because I’ve got a thing for plain-talking women like Evan. I’ve read numerous mystery novels over the years but there’s no way that I’ll ever be able to forget the heartbreaking situations that Evan, Julia and Tim had to deal with and I’m pretty sure that I won’t forget how many times I’ve laughed out loudly while I was reading this story as well. Ann McMan is a genius when it comes to blending humor and touching moments in a novel.

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Falling by Kris Bryant5 Falling by Kris Bryant

Published by Bold Strokes Books

Available In Audio Yes, narrated by Brittni Pope

This book is a beautiful romance that deals with trauma, loss and finding love again.

Check out my full review here

What it’s about

Shaylie Beck just wanted to go home.

She managed to snag the last seat on a late flight from New York to Denver. No one thought anything would go wrong. Nobody expected the unimaginable to happen. When the plane crashes, Shaylie fights for her life and is one of only eleven survivors.

Piper Cole wants answers.

Why did her fiancée’s plane crash? She lost everything that night, and the investigation is taking too long. To help cope with losing the woman she loved, Piper attends a support group for survivors.

The friendship Piper and Shaylie develop helps each to heal, but as their feelings turn to love, Shaylie’s torn. She can follow her heart to the woman she loves, or she can come clean about what really happened right before the plane crashed and risk losing Piper forever.

Why I love it

I don’t think Kris Bryant will ever stop blowing my mind with the delightful characters and the heart-tugging stories she breathes life into and this story was no exception because I felt as though I was right there by Shaylie’s side while she dealt with the horrific plane crash and her painful road to recovery. Then there’s Piper… Why isn’t she a real woman? I would be first in line to date her! She is a total sweetheart and she does yoga and she even has a furry yoga sidekick! This is exactly why my woman crush list is so long and this story almost got me in trouble because I couldn’t stop reading it even when I was in the middle of my organization’s annual general meeting!

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If The Shoe Fits by EJ Noyes6 If the Shoe Fits by E.J. Noyes

Published by Bella Books

Available In Audio Yes, narrated by Kelsey Navarro

Check out my full review here

This book is a lovely slow-burn romance and it has a couple of steamy moments that will make you crave more of this author’s flawless writing.

What it’s about

Jana Fleischer loves her life—wonderful family, best sister in the world, awesome soon to be sister-in-law, fabulous job, and a never-ending stream of men to chew through and spit out. So what if everyone says she’s too picky and she’s never had a real relationship?

When a chance meeting with Brooke Donnelly leaves Jana literally and figuratively off-balance, it doesn’t take long for her initial annoyance to turn into the first sparks of friendship. Jana always thought she was happy with her life, but the more time she spends with Brooke, the more she realizes something is missing. And maybe not just in the friendship department.

But how do you make that leap when you’ve never even considered kissing a woman, and have spent your whole life avoiding romantic commitments? Being brave, taking the first step, and admitting she wants to try to make things work with Brooke is only the beginning. Whether it’s the beginning of a disaster—or everything Jana hadn’t realized she wanted—depends on if Brooke can also be brave enough…

Why I love it

Sabine and Rebecca are one of my favorite couples and I was delighted to meet them in this story again. Then Jana and Brooke came along and they threw my woman crush list out of order. I know I’ve probably said it about a hundred times before but I’ll say it again, I just love the piping hot chemistry between Jana and Brooke! This story saved my sanity during a particularly long and drawn out meeting because I enjoyed the hottest sex scenes known to womankind and I had to work really hard at keeping a straight face in a room filled with other tired and cranky accountants. At least I got to live vicariously through Jana and Brooke for those four, never ending hours. I believe I was the happiest woman in the conference room on that day because I knew that I was going to get take-out for dinner and binge read all night long!

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Borage by Gill McKnight7 Borage by Gill McKnight

Published by Dirt Road Books

Available In Audio No

Check out our full review here

This book is an urban fantasy novel that features witches and other magical beings!

What it’s about

Coven politics are tricky, and when a magical critter begins syphoning off The Plague Tree Coven’s hard cash, novice witch Astral Projector is chosen to hunt it down.

Her mission takes her to Black and Blacker Finances, a gloomy office where everyone has something to hide, especially Abby Black, the brooding, enigmatic CEO, who weaves a magic all her own that Astral finds all too alluring.

But storm clouds are gathering, and betrayal is in the air. As Astral digs deeper into the strange occurrences at Black and Blacker, she uncovers secrets, lies, and tantalizing clues about her own past. With the help of her coven sisters Dulcie and Keeva, a few surprise allies she collects along the way, and even her ill-tempered familiar, Borage, Astral will have to find a way to save the coven from being engulfed by the dark side. And maybe she’ll find her heart’s desire along the way.

Why I love it

Who’s in favor of devouring a story with witches, yummy treats, good scotch, devious magical beings and an undercover mission? Count me in because there’s no way that I can pass up such an exciting tale! I really enjoyed the way Gill McKnight brought all of my favorite magical beings together in one story and she made them seem so relatable and realistic. Some of them were delightful and I wished they really did exist and a few others were downright terrifying and I’m so glad they’re not real. I bonded with Astral from the first moment she was mentioned because we both enjoy cooking large batches of food and we’re not shy about sharing our love for food with anyone who is lucky enough to be close to us. Plus, Astral and I have a weakness for baking up a storm of the sweetest and most scrumptious desserts ever. I guess I might be a kitchen witch after all!

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Going Up by AE Radley8 Going Up by A. E. Radley

Published by Heartsome Publishing

Available In Audio Yes, narrated by Amy Putt

Check out my full review here

This book is a lovely thawing the ice-queen romance.

What it’s about

A ruthless executive. A destitute woman. Both on the way up.

Selina Hale is on her way to the top. She’s been working towards a boardroom position on the thirteenth floor for her entire career. And no one is going to get in her way. Not her clueless boss, her soon to be ex-wife, and most certainly not the homeless person who has moved into the car park at work.

Kate Morgan fell through the cracks in a broken support system and found herself destitute. Determined and strong-willed, she’s not about to accept help from a mean business woman who can’t even remember the names of her own nephews.

As their lives continue to intertwine, they have no choice but to work together and follow each other on their journey up.

Why I love it

There’s nothing I love more than sinking into an entertaining thawing the ice-queen romance especially when the other woman in question is feisty to the core. This story touched me so deeply because it dealt with sensitive issues such as homelessness, privilege and homophobia just to name a few. I could easily empathize and relate to Kate because there are no words that could adequately describe losing everything you once cherished. I have a huge soft spot for Selina as well because she has a tender heart beneath her icy exterior and I must say that I had the time of my life just laughing at her dry and sarcastic comments. A. E. Radley has never disappointed me because she always gives me witty banter and endearing characters who struggle with emotional baggage and heart-tugging circumstances.

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Catch Me When I'm Falling by Cheryl A Head9 Catch Me When I’m Falling by Cheryl A. Head

Published by Bywater Books

Available In Audio No

Check out my full review here

This book is a captivating mystery featuring a badass private eye and her amazing team.

What it’s about

Someone is murdering the homeless in Detroit’s Cass Corridor—by immolation. These horrific crimes wouldn’t require an investigation by Charlie Mack and her crack team investigators, except one of the burned bodies is identified as her mother’s friend. There’s a lot wrong with this case: the police won’t admit a serial killer is on the loose, drug trafficking intersects with the deaths, and a rogue cop is involved. The timing also couldn’t be worse—Charlie and Mandy are finally moving in together. This case becomes the most difficult of Charlie’s career when she transforms herself into a street person, and mixes with the corridor’s gangs, do-gooders, and the down-and-out to uncover evidence the police can’t continue to ignore.

Why I love it

Charlie Mack has won me over with her generous nature because she took on a dangerous case as a favor to her mother without even fretting over her own well-being or safety out there on the mean streets of Detroit. I also love the way the Mack Investigations team supported Charlie as she took on the drug dealers of Cass Corridor and anyone else who wanted to prey on those who were the most vulnerable in society. I’ve got a ton of respect for Charlie because she did all of that while her hands were full with hunting down a ruthless serial killer. There were a few times where I pictured myself working side by side with Charlie in Cass Corridor but I like the comfort of my cozy bed too much and I don’t think I could survive a night of sleeping out there on the streets!

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Steel City Confidential by Anne Hagan10 Steel City Confidential by Anne Hagan 

Published by Jug Run Press

Available In Audio No

Check out my full review here

This book is a compelling mystery and thriller.

What it’s about

Clients hide things from their lawyers all the time. Pam Wilson makes it an art form.

Pam’s been on the run from the law for years and she was getting away with it. The statute of limitations ran out on most of her crimes. For her spouse Charlotte? Not so much. Though they were aging, they looked forward to enjoying their golden years and, hopefully, forgetting about the past.

Life got complicated when Charlotte became gravely ill, their daughter got pregnant with the child of a married man…a married man someone took shots at from a rare motorcycle Pam happens to own. When the man was shot again and killed in his office at Pitt a couple of weeks later, the police found all signs pointing to Pam.

Rochelle ‘Ro’ Rabinowitz, a second-generation Pittsburgh lawyer, and her little firm take on Pam’s case pro-bono. Ro thinks it’s a slam dunk for the defense and hands the case off to her new associate and – she hopes – her future partner in the firm, Dominique, to get her feet wet in a courtroom. Clients are never completely honest with their lawyers and Ro and Dominque soon learn this one is no exception.

Slam dunk? More like a pipe dream…

Why I love it

Long held secrets, heinous crimes and drive-by shootings? Well, well, well… how on earth could I possibly pass up this compelling story? I must say that Pam and Charlotte took me all the way back to one of my favorite films of all time called Thelma and Louise. I’ve got to hand it to Ro because she pulled out all the big guns as a criminal defense attorney and she gave Pam the respect and representation she deserved. Right now, I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this riveting series. Last but certainly not least, I must tip my coffee mug to Anne Hagan because I enjoyed watching all the events in this story unfold during a late night reading marathon!

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