Hello my lovelies,
I’ve been sporadically joining in with Top 5 Tuesday, a weekly meme hosted by Shanah @ Bionic Book Worm, and as I missed 3rd December’s fun, 🙁 I’m posting my response today instead. Luckily, Shanah comes up with the topics a month at a time and she’s taking a two week break over the festive fortnight which has given me some thinking space. *phew* She’s so kind to us busy (or forgetful) book bloggers. 🙂
If you’re interested in participating in Top 5 Tuesday, all you have do is write up your post and pingback to one of Shanah’s posts. Make sure you pingback to her post and not just her blog so she can add you to the list of participants.
So on to this week, as you may guess from the title, Shanah asked everyone’s – Top 5 SURPRISING READS OF 2019!
As a fan of adult paranormal romance, I tend to avoid genres that, experience has told me, I won’t enjoy: what’s the fun in reading a book when you spend the whole time rolling your eyes, tutting and growling in frustration! 😉 Anyway, today, all the books are written by new-to-me authors AND included in my choices are a couple of books that I did take a chance on and was pleasantly surprised by really enjoying them! Double Result! 😉
I have linked the images to the author’s websites, where you’ll find all the information about their books, purchase links and lots of other fun stuff and you can read my reviews by clicking on the book titles. All my links open in a new tab so that you don’t lose your place here. OK, so without further ado, on to my choices …
Dark Justice by Shelley Russell Nolan
Driven to kill. Compelled to protect.
Five hundred years ago, the cure for the common cold went horribly wrong, turning those infected into freaks consumed with hate and rage. Forced underground, the freaks return above ground at night, driven to attack the surface dwellers – their bite infecting thousands more.
To fight the freaks and protect mankind from extinction, scientists created genetically enhanced soldiers. Stronger, faster, with enhanced senses, wardens are trained from birth to protect the weaker humans.
The Captain of the Ward, Jackson Kyle, is infected while saving the life of another warden. Due to his genetic enhancements, he is like no other freak. His faculties intact, he escapes and encounters a mysterious young woman. The second he touches her, he is caught in a bond, compelled to protect her at all costs. For she will decide the fate of humankind.
Shelley Russell Nolan is a new-to-me author and I must admit to being a bit apprehensive accepting this eBook, as science fiction and dystopian themes aren’t my usual genre but I really enjoyed this story.
Unearthed by Cecy Robson
Fae was once a flourishing paradise. Until Death turned greedy and destroyed it, targeting the creatures who inhabited it. Those who survived escaped to Earth’s realm, but Death wasn’t far behind . . .
Olivia Finn is just another pixie trying to blend in among humans and hide from the death hounds who devoured her family. Clinging to the talisman that keeps her veiled from those who hunt her, she believes she is safe. . .. Until Death finds her and discovers she’s immune to its grip.
Now that Olivia’s power is unearthed, she is sought by Fae who see her as their savior and stalked by dark entities compelled to destroy her. Can she trust the King of the Dead who has sworn to train and protect her? Or should she obey her instincts that warn he desires more?
Olivia can no longer hide from Death. To survive, she must seek it.
Cecy Robson is a new-to-me author who has written hugely popular YA and NA series but despite my apprehension that this would be another story in the YA genre, I found this book engaging and easy to read.
Warden by Montana Ash
Ryker is a paladin. An ancient knight, born to protect those precious few who hold powers over the elements. He is bound by honour, courage and loyalty. But when tragedy strikes he forsakes everything he stands for, vowing never to serve again. He opens his home to other rejected and dishonoured knights … but never his heart. That is, until a sarcastic, sword-wielding, miniature Warden barges into his life, bringing chaos and mayhem to his carefully ordered world.
Will he forgive himself for past mistakes? Or will old wounds continue to scar his future?
Max is different. She has a strange affinity to nature and finds herself constantly causing disasters wherever she goes. What’s more, strange creatures stalk her every step, their relentless pursuit driving her to the brink of exhaustion. Stumbling upon a gaggle of hot ancient knights seems too good to be true but she can’t deny they have the answers she’s looking for. Too bad their Captain is a growly, insensitive jerk who insults her every time he opens his gorgeous mouth.
Should she trust her instincts and allow herself to hope for the first time in her life? Or will her fierce independence cause her to lose the one thing she has always craved – a home?
Montana Ash was a new-to-me author that I found though RARE19 London and I was blown away by this book! I devoured it; I loved her writing style, the pace she set for her story and the gripping plot-line. The characters she created were complex souls that exhibited all the traits that I crave. I love that this book made me feel so many emotions; yes, I did blubber like a baby at times but I won’t tell you how often or when. However, I also chuckled out loud too causing many an odd stare.
Fighting Destiny by Amelia Hutchins
Have you ever heard of the old Celtic legends of the Fae – beautiful, magical, deadly and a love of messing with humans just for kicks and giggles?
Welcome to my world.
What started out as a strange assignment, leads to one of the most gruesome murder mysteries of our times and my friends and I are set and determined to find out who is killing off Fae and Witches alike.
Couple of problems in the way – I hate the Fae and the Prince of the Dark Fae is bound and determined that I work for him. He’s a rude, overbearing egotistical ass with a compulsive need to possess, dominate and control me. Oh – did I mention that he is absolutely sex-on-a-stick gorgeous and he makes me feel things that I never ever wanted to feel for a Fae…every time he touches me or looks at me with those golden eyes seems to pull me further in under his spell, despite my better judgment.
My friends and I can’t trust anyone and nothing is as it seems on the surface – not even me.
Warning: Mature content and language not intended for anyone under the age of eighteen.
This book is not intended for anyone under the age of 18, or anyone who doesn’t like lip biting, throw your ass on the bed, tear your clothes off and leave you panting dominant alpha male characters. This is a dark, dangerous, intense, gritty and raw. Scenes are dark, disturbing, and scorching HOT. This book is a soul crushing, tear jerking, and leave you hanging on the edge of your seat fast paced book.
Side Effects may include, but are not limited to: Drooling, lip biting, wet panties, crying, and screaming at the author. If any of these things happen, do not seek medical attention—get the next book in the series and enjoy the ride!
Amelia Hutchins is another new-to-me author that I found through RARE19 London – I was blown away by this book. I loved her writing style, the pace she set for her story and the gripping plot. The characters she created were complex souls that exhibited all the traits that I crave to keep my interest. I love that this book made me feel so many emotions; yes, I did cry my eyes out at times but I won’t tell you how often or when.
Wolf Bride by T.S. Joyce
Werewolves meet the Wild West in this captivating new shifter romance series from T. S. Joyce.
Kristina Yeaton is running from her past as a working girl at a Chicago brothel. Determined to start fresh in the wilds of Colorado, she answers an advertisement in the paper for a wife. So what if she doesn’t fit the description Luke Dawson wants in a woman? She aims to survive the hell that’s coming for her, and for that, she’ll need a strapping man who isn’t afraid to get his hands a little bloody.
Kristina expects a hideous husband with a bad attitude to match. What she finds in Colorado Springs is crude talking, sexy as hell, commitment phobic, Luke. Sure, his eyes are a strange color, and the snarl in his throat can be off-putting, but as she gets to know more about him, she falls head over high-backed heels for the growly stranger. If she can get him to the circuit preacher before he learns her secrets, she just might have a shot at staying alive.
Werewolf, Luke Dawson, is struggling with dark secrets of his own when Kristina barrels onto his homestead. No doubt she’s hiding something big, but she’s also stirring up feelings he’s never felt before. His wolf is more dangerous to her than she knows though, and he’ll have to work to keep her safe, even from himself.
And as it turns out, he’s not the only one hunting her.
Content Warning: explicit love scenes, language, badass Wild West werewolves, and sexy shifter secrets.
Adult only shifter romance.
T. S. Joyce is still a relatively new-to-me author again, coming across her books through RARE19 London but I enjoyed Swim Deeper, and although historical romances are not my preferred genre, I am glad I read this book; I enjoyed it.
That’s it for this catch-up week, have you read any books by these authors? I’d love to hear what you thought about them if you have.
I can hear my Kindle’s calling me so I’m sneaking off to read something from my TBR pile. (Remember my post from a few weeks ago? Those poor books have been waiting for ages!) 😉
Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to read my post.
Happy New Year and I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and read some fantastic books.
Bye for now. x
0 replies on “I love it when authors can surprise me ~ (My late) Top 5 Tuesday”
[…] wasn’t long ago that I posted my Most Surprising Reads in 2019 and I don’t want to repeat myself, so I’m taking a bit of a liberty with this […]
Glad you found some great books that were a bit outside your norm or that surprised you! I know I have Fighting Destinies on my kindle, clearly I should try and get to that one!
Happy New Year to you!!!!
Reading something from their favourite genres is always best but sometimes it is good to stray. Like before I read Harry Potter I never read fantasy. I got Harry Potter from school lib one day because I wanted to try something else and now Harry Potter series’ books are some of my fav books of all time.