Nikki’s Top picks for 2015
I was tasked with trying to narrow down a very long list of
books into my favourites for 2015. Asking to cure world hunger or to find the
true meaning of life would have been easier. I read a lot, like hundreds and hundreds
of books every year. And I have to make a teeny tiny list of my favourites?
This requires a bucket of coffee. It feels like having to choose between my
children! This list is in no particular order. Just narrowing it down to this
many was hard enough. Don't ask me to pit my babies against each other. I just
can't do it. So, here goes. These are my top loved books of 2015!
1. Jessica Lemmon's Second Chance Series
Bringing Home the Bad Boy
Rescuing the Bad Boy
A Bad Boy For Christmas
This series was is so fantastic! The heroes are so delicious and
so loyal. The writing in these books captivated me from page one. Book 4 will
be out soon and I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. I swear, I had a new
book boyfriend with each hero. I wanted to really know these characters.
2. Radiant Surrender by Kennedy Layne. CSA series book #6
I have loved this heart stopping series since the first book. I
held my breath when I finally had Gavin Crest's book in my hands. Getting
glimpses of him in past books was enough to make me go insane with wanting his
story. Ms. Layne didn't disappoint. It was worth waiting until book 6. Gavin is
everything I love in a hero. Totally arrogant and panty wetting sexy! In my
opinion, you should start from the beginning of the series. You won't be sorry
about going on this fantastic journey with the crew from CSA!
3. Ella Sheridan's Southern Nights Series
Teach Me
Trust Me
Take Me
Stumbling upon Ella's books was like hitting the jackpot! I
picked up Teach Me and was hooked! The characters from this series are so
likeable. The suspense aspect in these books was perfectly balanced in that it
didn't take away from the romance. This is a must for me. Ella Sheridan's
writing style is one that makes me want to forget the outside world. I can curl
up with her books and find a place that's just for me. I don't have to share it
with anyone.
4. Only For the Weekend by Ella Sheridan
This book is a novella from Ms. Sheridan's new series, If Only.
It may be a novella, but it packed a punch! I absolutely adored, Vincent! The
banter in this book made me laugh out loud. I gobbled it up in one sitting.
This book was just plain fun to read!
5. Call on Me by Roni Loren. Loving on the Edge series book # 8
Hot damn! This book rang all of my bells! Seriously, the sex
scenes in this book were crazy hot. The writing was phenomenal, it always is
with Roni! But this book is probably my favourite of hers to date. Pike and
Oakley were opposites in most ways but the chemistry between them is
combustible. I was hooked from the moment, Pike walked onto the page. This book
is part of her, Loving on the Edge series. It can be read as a stand alone. But
why miss out on all the other super yummy reads in this series? Read them all!
6. Dare to Rock by Carly Phillips. Dare to Love series book # 7
Let me start by saying, you need to read this whole series! Your
life will be better for it. I loved them all, but Dare to Rock was my absolute
favourite. Grey Kingston is a rock god and totally made me swoon. He went after
Avery with everything he had. Of course, she was no match for this hottie. I
love a book where the hero and heroine find their way back to each other after
a few years apart. This book gave me the angst I like and sexiness that I love!
7. Master No by Lexi Blake. Masters and Mercenaries book # 9
Finally, we get the elusive Tennessee Smith's story! It was long
awaited and so damn worth it! This book made me ugly cry. Big snotty nosed
tears...hiccup inducing even! After getting glimpses into the ghost like
character that is Ten, we finally get to see inside his heart! He was
everything I wanted/expected and more! I loved the heroine in this book. Faith
McDonald is so strong and smart. This makes her gift of submission that much
more sweet! This whole series is fabulous. Fast paced and heart stopping sexy;
everything that keeps me totally engaged is in this series.
8. Sultry Groove by Eden Summers. Reckless Beat book # 4
I can't enough of my Reckless Beat boys! These characters are so
funny when they get together and start bullshitting. They are rock stars with
the world at their feet. But when that one woman comes into their lives, they
are brought to their knees. Melody Jenkins is everything that Sean Taiden never
knew he wanted. He's nursing a broken heart and she's battling her own set of
demons and insecurities. You could feel the sensual chemistry all through this
book. It's smokin' hot sexy and it made my heart flutter! As with most of my
favourite series, I recommend you start from the beginning. Not because you
won't be able to follow along, but because the books are all incredible!
9. Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh. Rock Kiss Series book # 4
This book incited so many emotions in me. I loved this book. But
I also struggled with it. Does that make sense? I feel like I went on this
heart wrenching journey with Noah and Kit. It seriously put me through on an
emotional roller coaster! That's a sign of some seriously great writing. I
loved and hated the characters throughout the book. They were written in a way
that I could believe the reactions and behaviours were real. So, my feelings
towards them weren't always welcomed, but they were real also. Ya, even many
months later, I still can't adequately put my thoughts down. This book left me
shaken. But I don't regret or wouldn't have missed this journey for anything!
10. Coveted by Alannah Lynne. Pandora's Playground Series book # 1
This book gutted me. Muriel and Matthew have both had their
hearts shattered because they lost someone they loved. There is a scene in this
book, where Matthew is begging for Muriel to see him, to really look at him and
know that he's the one holding her and not her dead husband. Even thinking
about it now, it hurts my heart. I was completely shattered. The journey these
two go on is equally heart breaking and so breathtakingly beautiful that I
never wanted it to end. Sometimes even in your worst pain and desolation, you
can find beauty and peace again. Ms. Lynne tore my heart apart and pieced it back
together page by page.
11. The Players Club series by Erika Wilde
Playing With Temptation
Playing With Pleasure
Playing With Seduction
Sometimes when I recommend books, I just blurt out " you
need to read this ", because there's no simpler way to put it. Or it's
because I'm struggling to find the words to say how much I loved it. This
entire series...you need to read it! Likeable characters, sheet yoga that will
make your toes curl, and solid writing that keeps me coming back for more. So
ya, you need to read this series!
12. Claimed by Elle Kennedy. Outlaws Series book # 1
I love, love, love post apocalyptic books! I like to see how
people are surviving and thriving after a catastrophic event. Morbid? Meh! This
book is so sexy! There was a moment, when the hero and heroine go to a whore
house, that I wasn't sure if I was going to like the book. This particular
moment borders on a hard limit for me. But alas, it didn't push me over the
edge and I was hooked! Finding love when the world has so clearly fallen apart
isn't an easy thing for Connor and Hudson, but they fought for it. Connor, of
course, was kicking and screaming the whole way, but once he fell, he fell
hard! I can't wait for book 2!
13. Lead by Kylie Scott. Stage Dive series book # 3
Let me start by saying, I don't read first person POV. But after
my arm was twisted by a friend to try this series, I took a deep breath and
dived in. While I enjoyed all the books in this series, Jimmy's book was, in my
opinion, the best! I love a brooding and damaged hero. He isn't perfect and
doesn't apologize for that. Lena loves him and knows that can only lead to heartbreak.
But the heart doesn't always listen to the mind. This book was a journey for
Jimmy. He was struggling with sobriety and his budding feelings for his
personal assistant. I adored the realness in Jimmy's character. He's a
recovering addict and writing that in a way so the reader still falls in love
with the character can't be an easy thing. While I wish the book was written in
third person POV, and that I got the hero's POV as well, I truly enjoyed
it!
14. The Strongest Steel by Scarlett Cole. A Second Circle Tattoo
series book # 1
I stumbled across this book last week. Ms. Cole is a new to me
author. And I struggle with trying new authors, I'm crazy picky about what I
read. I know what I like. But sweet baby Jesus, this author freakin' brought me
to my knees! I loved every moment with Trent and Harper. The emotions in this
book were raw, right from the angsty serious stuff to the sexy times. My heart
was torn apart and it was sometimes hard to read what Harper had been through.
But the journey to her healing was an awesome thing to witness. I'll leave it
that. I have a full review coming up on the blog shortly.
15. Ink and Chrome series by Lauren Dane
Opening Up
Falling Under
Coming Back
This authors brilliant writing never ceases to amaze me. Her
books drag me under and I don't come up for air until the last page! The Ink
and Chrome series is no exception. This series is centred around three friends
who own a custom bike/car shop. Each hero is uber alpha and so damn sexy, my heart
swooned constantly. The heroines are feisty, strong willed, and no match for
the walking sex on legs that is Asa, Duke, and Mick. Lauren Dane writes loyal
and likeable characters. I love when she puts out a new family saga or a series
about a group of friends! I need to give a shout to the cover artist of these
books. Seriously, they are freakin' works of art! Not only did I have them in
ebook format, I needed those pretties in print for my keeper shelf too! My
recommendation? Read everything Lauren Dane has written. I'm that
serious!
16. Hurley Boys series by Lauren Dane
The Best Kind of Trouble
Broken Open
Back to You
I'd also like to give a shout out to her Hurley Boys series!
Yummy rock stars who are flawed but you can't help but love them anyways! These
books are crazy sexy! Hell, Lauren Dane can write about the weather and make
your heart flutter! I seriously mourned when this series ended. It was like
saying goodbye to a beloved friend!
I'm going to stop here. I could go on about my cherished books
forever. There are so many incredible authors and novels out there. These are
just a few that particularly resonated with me. But seriously...there are truly
dozens and dozens more! Reading isn't just a hobby for me, it's a passion. I'm
honoured to open these treasures and enter a new world that an awesome author
has poured their heart and souls into. Again, these books aren't in any
particular order. I love them all so much! I hope this list has given you a few
titles that you'll want to look up and discover these characters and their
journeys to a happily ever after.
