- Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas. Always a winner.
- Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James. My new favorite contemporary author.
- Angel's Blood by Nalini Singh. She's amazing. Really.
- Fade To Black by Leslie Parrish. Loved the suspense. A real treat.
- Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill. Another vamp series? Yes, it's worth it.
- Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles. Wonderful YA romance. Sigh.
- On the Edge by Ilona Andrews. Magical and romantic.
- Skin Game by Ava Gray. Gritty, dark, yet incredibly romantic.
- Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler. Intense. Unforgiving. Unforgettable.
Other favorites include older series:
- Magic series by Ilona Andrews - adore both Kate & Curran.
- Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. Bones won me over.
- Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. Barrons!
Worst book of the year:
- When Alex Was Bad by Jo Davis. I hate dissing a book, but this one was just rather awful. Hated the hero (TSTL!!!) and couldn't forgive the heroine for putting up with him. Contrived and painful to read.
Stepping outside my comfort zone book:
- Stress Relief by Diana Hunter. Can't say I liked it but it definitely pushed me past my limits. Not my type of lifestyle, but I understand many are really happy with it. Live and let live.
Now there are so many new books to look forward to in 2010, including some I already have and need to read. I hope to continue to challenge myself in my reading. I haven't signed up for any specific challenges, because that's too much like homework. But I was thrilled to see I read more paranormal this year and absolutely loved it.
What were some of your reading surprises in 2009?
**************
My 2009 reading list:
January
1. Tempt the Devil by Anna Campbell (2008)
2. Nobody's Baby But Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (1997)
3. Glitter Baby by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (1987)
4. To Sin With a Stranger by Kathryn Caskie (2008)
5. Born In Sin by Kinley MacGregor (2003)
6. Dream a Little Dream by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (1998)
7. This Heart of Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2001)
8. Can You Keep a Secret? by Sophie Kinsella (2004)
9. Match Me If You Can by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2005)
10. The Kiss by Sophia Nash (2008)
11. Fragile by Shiloh Walker (2009)
12. Dark of Night by Suzanne Brockmann (2009)
13. Natural Born Charmer by Susan Elizabeth Phillips (2007)
February
14. Tempted by His Kiss by Tracy Anne Warren (2009)
15. Scandal by Carolyn Jewel (2009)
16. Lean, Mean Thirteen by Janet Evanovich (2007)
17. Again the Magic by Lisa Kleypas (2004) re-read
18. Redneck Cinderella by LuAnn McLane (2009)
19. Lord of the Fading Lands by C.L.Wilson (2008) re-read
March
20. Falling In Love by Pauline Trent (2009)
21. Bikini Diaries by Lacey Alexander (2009)
22. The Kissing Game by Suzanne Brockmann (1996) re-read
23. Whispers in the Dark by Kira Sinclair (2008)
24. Smooth Talking Stranger by Lisa Kleypas (2009)
25. Whiskey Sour by JA Konrath (2004)
26. Dark Thirst by Sara Reinke (2007)
27. To Pleasure a Lady by Nicole Jordan (2008)
28. To Bed a Beauty by Nicole Jordan (3008)
29. What a Scoundrel Wants by Carrie Lofty (2008)
30. Hard & Fast by Erin McCarthy (2009)
31. The Rake by Suzanne Enoch (2002)
April
32. Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James (2009)
33. London's Perfect Scoundrel by Suzanne Enoch (2003)
34. Pledge Slave by Evangeline Anderson (2007 ebook)
35. Helping Hand by Shayla Kersten (2008 ebook)
36. Indecent Proposition by Emma Wildes (2009)
37. Heating Up the Holidays by Jill Shalvis/Jacque D'Alessandro, Jamie Sobrato (Blaze)
38. England's Perfect Hero by Suzanne Enoch (2004)
39. Daring Time by Beth Kery (2009)
40. As Shadows Fade by Colleen Gleason (2009)
41. Broken Boundaries by Evangeline Anderson (2009) ebook
42. Stress Relief by Diana Hunter (2009) ebook
43. One Reckless Summer by Toni Blake (2009)
44. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas (2000) re-read
May
45. Under Fire by Jo Davis (2009)
46. Bloody Mary by J.A. Konrath (2005)?
47. Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole (2006)
48. Distracting the Duchess by Emily Bryan (2008)
49. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning (1999)
50. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward (2009)
51. A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore (2009)
52. Taboo by Jess Michaels (2009)
53. The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie by Jennifer Ashley (2009)
June
54. Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan (2009)
55. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione (2008) re-read
56. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh (2006) re-read
57. Hard Rain by Barry Eisler (2004)
58. Seduce Me by Anne Rainey (2009)
59. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh (2009)
60. Mating Game by Janice Maynard (2009)
July61. Fade to Black by Leslie Parrish (2009)
62. What Happens in London by Julia Quinn (2009)
63. Blue Diablo by Ann Aguirre (2009)
64. Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day (2009)
65. Eve of Destruction by S.J. Day (2009)
66. Eve of Chaos by S.J. Day (2009)
67. Taking Care of Business by Megan Hart & Lauren Dane (2008)
68. Pitch Black by Leslie Parrish (2009)
69. Highland Obsession by Dawn Halliday (2009)
70. Sweet Restraint by Beth Kery (2009)
August
71. Double Play by Jill Shalvis (2009)
72. When Alex Was Bad by Jo Davis (2009)
73. Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann (2009)
74. Goddess of the Hunt by Tessa Dare (2009)
75. Renegade by Sarah Parr (2009)
76. Storm Watch by Jill Shalvis (2009)
77. Black At Heart by Leslie Parrish (2009)
78. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber (2009)
79. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning (2006)
80. Bloodfever by Karen Marie Moning (2007)
September
81. Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh (2007)
82. Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh (2007)
83. Not Quite A Husband by Sherry Thomas (2009)
84. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill (2009)
85. Stranger by Megan Hart (2009)
86. Fearless Fourteen by Janet Evanovich (2008)
87. Waking Nightmare by Kylie Brant (2009)88. The Billionaire's Bride of Vengeance by Miranda Lee (2009)
89. The Billionaire's Bride of Convenience by Miranda Lee (2009)
October
90. Kill Me Twice by Roxanne St. Claire (2005)
91. Thrill Me To Death by Roxanne St. Claire (2006)
92. Secret Ties by Opal Carew (2009)
93. Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh (2008)
94. Perfect Chemistry by Simone Elkeles (2008)
95. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews (2007)
96. Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews (2008)
97. Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews (2009)
98. Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke (2008)
November99. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews (2009)
100. Hunter's Edge by Shiloh Walker (2009)
101. Somebody's Lover by Jasmine Haynes (2006)
102. In The Flesh by Livia Dare (2009)
103. Skin Game by Ava Gray (2009)
104. Yours For The Night by Jasmine Haynes (2009)
105. Don't Tempt Me by Sylvia Day (2008)
106. Covet by JR Ward (2009)
107. Hunter's Need by Shiloh Walker (2009)
108. Paradise Rules by Beth Kery (2009)
109. Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl (2009)
110. Start Me Up by Victoria Dahl (2009)
111. What She Needs by Lacey Alexander (2009)
112. Fantasy Lover by Sherrilyn Kenyon (2002) re-read
113. Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon (2002) re-read
114. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (2007)
115. Sweet Surrender by Maya Banks (2008)
December
116. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost (2008)
117. Because You're Mine by Lisa Kleypas (1997) re-read
118. Magic To The Bone by Devon Monk (2008)
119. Seducing The Heiress by Olivia Drake (2009)
120. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler (2009) - review to come
121. Tempt Me At Twilight by Lisa Kleypas (2009)
122. Delicious by Sherry Thomas (2008)
123. Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh (2008)
posted by Stacy~ at 12/31/2009 07:10:00 AM
Hi Stacy!
byLet's see, biggest surprise of the year was probably Scandal by Carolyn Jewel, mostly because I'd never heard of her before Kate started raving about the book.
I also really loved the "Eve" books by SJ Day. And I also enjoyed reading Erin McCarthy's NASCAR books and Jill Shalvis's contemporaries.
I've really enjoyed a bunch of contemporary romances this year. I hope the trend continues.
My biggest shocking surprise of the year was The Claiming Of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice, I don't think I'll forget that novel any day.
bySome other surprises have been Joey W Hill with her Daughters of Arianne series. Lauren Dane with various novels and Suzanne Brockmann with The Unsung Hero.
Great list! Sorry to hear Jo Davis' book didn't work for you, I haven't read that one yet.
byI too loved Perfect Chemistry, my favorite YA of the year easily.
Happy New Year!
:o)
MsM
So happy that Ilona made it onb your list! I still have to read most of your favorites but I so writing them down now.
byMy big surprise in 2009 was that I like historicals.
Hope you have a great reading year 2010!
Guten Rutsch!
Great list Stacy!!
byI still have never read a Lisa Kleypas contemp!
And I just bought Hard to Hold this week..I am starting it VERY soon!!
I thought I did pretty good reading 86 books this year.
byI did manage to read a new-to-me author every month this year. Lisa Kleypas is now on my auto-buy list(her historicals, haven't read her contemporaries yet) and I started reading historical romances again for the first time in years. I had forgotten how much I loved them.
I still have never read a Lisa Kleypas contemp!
by*gasps and passes out*
Mandi! You just have to read one! No really! You have to!
Ouch, Stacy! (Grabs heart, falls to knees, keels over deader than a doorknob. Gives one last twitch.) :)
byThe good news is I've got plenty o' exciting releases comin' your way in 2010, not to mention the newly released HIDDEN FIRE!
Hoping to be redeemed in 2010, girlfriend... :)
Happy New Year!
Hey Kati. Scandal was really good, but I had a few issues with it, so it didn't make my "favorites" list. And yeah, definitely love the Eve books and hope there will be more of them.
byLeontine, interesting choice. I've not really read a lot of Anne Rice, but you have me curious with this one. I might have to read it. Is it part of a series?
MsM, thanx. I'm not a big reader of YA books, but this one touched me. Jaded, yet unexpectedly sweet. I liked it a lot.
Susi, my biggest surprise was loving the paranormals LOL. So glad you got hooked on historicals. They are my first love.
Mandi! Come on girl, get yourself some Kleypas! And I hope you like Stephanie's book. My review will probably be posted next week.
Liza, that's a smart idea! I might steal that one about the new-to-me authors. I like that one.
Hey Jo. Thank you for stopping by. I'm sorry! It hurts to have to not like a book, especially by an author I "know", but this one really didn't work for me. Doesn't mean it won't work for others, it just fell flat with me. I can't wait to get the next Station 5 book though, and find out what else you have going on in 2010!
So pleased Skin Game made it onto your list. Happy New Year, Stacy!
by--A
Stacy, while I don't comment often, I read your blog regularly. You are one of those bloggers who are articulate, amusing and distinctive in their writing--thank you for sharing with us!
byHappy 2010--may it bring you only good things!
Congrats on reading 123 books! I'm very impressed :) My surprises...well, discoveries for the year were definitely Sarah Monette and Juliet Marillier. Honourable mentions to Deanna Raybourn, Julia Spencer-Fleming and CS Harris!
byWRT The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty, it is part of trilogy. It's....different.
Happy New year!
byGood books read this year
Stacy,
byThank you for stepping out of your comfort zone with Stress Relief...believe me, you weren't alone in your reaction. Many people found it stretched the limits of what they wanted in a relationship. To me, that was the fun of writing it -- not to push people's buttons, but to push the characters to an extreme point and see what they made of it. Again, thanks for taking the chance on it.
Don't give up on me, though. You've read my most extreme look at BDSM -- the others I've written explore other "flavors" of the kink, if you will. I hope as you go through this year, you will keep me on your reading list!
Happy New Year and thank you again :)
Hi Stacy!
byYour "new favorite contemporary author"--wow! I just saw this and bragged to Mr. James. ;-) I'm so happy that Practice Makes Perfect made your list. It's been a real joy getting to know you these last fifteen or so months since JTSMA came out. Looking forward to more tea or wine outings.
Happy New Year!
Julie
Interesting list and reviews Stacy! And I might go through your list and see which books I think I might want to try. Pretty much some you've listed are among one of my favorite of 2009 too.
byI can't remember some of my reading surprise of 2009, how ever I do know that I was really surprise by HEARTSICK by Chelsea Cain. This book was not the usual reading genres I would pick to read but HEARTSICK was an interesting reading. Very gritty, intense mystery.
Good luck on your 2010 reading!