Best Reads of 2013 (So far)

This year has been tough for me writing and reading wise. There were tight deadlines, family matters, and a big move. It’s been crazy around here. Since I’ve been behind schedule with my writing, I haven’t been reading as much as I normally would. That means I’ve been super picky about which books get my money and my attention. These are the books that recharged me while I was writing A Time of Dying and A Breath of Winter. These are my favorites of 2013 (so far).

1. Cold Days by Jim Butcher. I am a longtime Dresden Files fan, and this book made the slower pace of the last two worthwhile. I’m so excited for the Skin Games I could pop.

2. MacRieve by Kresley Cole. I really enjoy the Immortals After Dark series. It’s funny, sexy, and a little crazy. These books always leave me with a smile at the end, and I like that. This book in particular felt more focused on the hero and heroine, with fewer subplots to clutter the romance.

3. Second Grave on the Left by Darynda Jones. I have a weakness for UF police procedural series. This one isn’t that exactly, but it’s close enough. The heroine is likeable and funny. The hero is smoking and broken (my personal favorite combination). It’s a well-executed twist on a concept that’s seen some heavy play in UF. I really enjoyed it.

4. FROST BURNED by Patricia Briggs! I love this series so hard. It just keeps getting better. This book was awesome. If you haven’t tried the Mercy Thompson series yet, but love vamps, weres and folklore what are you waiting for?

5. Trapped by Kevin Hearne. I have mixed feelings about this series. I enjoy delving into lore and learning about Norse and Celtic mythology, but Atticus often rubs me the wrong way. He’s often compared to Harry Dresden, and I’ll admit I’m enough of a Harry fangirl that could be the root of the issue. But Harry risks his life to save people at great cost to himself, often for no reward other than survival. Atticus risks other people’s lives in the pursuit of what he wants/needs. That’s acceptable IF he shows growth throughout the series. So far that hasn’t happened to my satisfaction. In this book, I began to have a glimmer of hope because Atticus was forced to right some of his wrongs. We’ll see. I may not be one-hundred percent onboard, but I’m still reading, right? That has to say something.

Soul Weaver Coming August 7th

Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family’s bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel—but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe’s life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself—for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth.

--------------------EXCERPT--------------------

“If you’re asking me to choose, I choose you.” His lips brushed over hers. “I always will.”

“You’ll leave when this job is over,” she said. He couldn’t deny the fact.

His eyes flashed dark. No longer warm tropical waters, they were storm tossed and forceful. When his smile came, it held a sharp edge. “I’ll take you with me.” He nipped at her lips, forcing them open so his tongue could dip inside.

Her eyes closed to better enjoy him. Desire roared to life between them, fanned the flames low in her belly until they licked along her insides.

Leaving wasn’t a possibility. When things cooled between them, he would realize she must stay. The break up would hurt, but they would both move on when his job was finished. He would return to his world while she remained here, in hers.

She groaned beneath his lips and he smiled against her mouth. God, she would miss him.

He traded his hold on the window for her. Cupped her shoulder, then smoothed down her back. Fisted the fabric of her shirt and tugged until his palm flattened against her spine, skin to glorious skin. She moaned into their kiss, leaned farther, reached for him, grabbed his belt loop, and tugged him flush against the wall, against her.

“Did you hear that?” His hand continued its downward trek, fingers teasing the waistband of her jeans and sneaking between the denim and her skin.

“I didn’t hear anything.” She nipped his bottom lip, slid her hand around his hip and into his back pocket. When she squeezed, his groan vibrated through their lips. Her other hand was making its way toward his other pocket when she heard it too—a familiar sharp, buzzing sound.

He broke their kiss. “You don’t hear that?”

Of all the times for Neve to arrive, this was the absolute worst. “It’s the doorbell.”

“You’re expecting someone this late?” As if remembering, he nodded. “Neve, right?”

“Right.” Chloe withdrew her hand from his back pocket. She didn’t even cop one last feel. It seemed kind of rude given the moment had passed. “You’re welcome to stay if you’d like.”

“Thanks, but I should go.” He traced over the elastic band of her panties. She couldn’t remember which pair she was wearing, but she sent up a quick prayer they were sexy.

The buzzing resumed and Chloe sighed. “I guess I’ll see you Monday, then.”

“Bright and early.” He stole a final kiss and withdrew. “Enjoy your weekend.”

“You too.” Before he turned, Chloe added, “Think about what I said, okay?”

“I’ve already made up my mind.” He sounded certain. “But we can finish this Monday.”

For a minute, her brain hazed over. Finish this? Finish what, exactly? Their conversation or where their hands had left off before they were interrupted?

--------------------CONTEST--------------------

In Soul Weaver, the heroine, Chloe, has a thing for Chinese food. I admit, I love it too. Garlic chicken is one of my absolute favorite dishes to eat.

Tell me about your favorite takeout foods and you’ll be entered to win your choice of any title from my digital backlist (excluding Soul Weaver) in any digital format. Contest ends next Friday, on the 10th.

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