Favorite Books read in 2011

I’ve read over 100 books this year and have found some amazing new-to-me authors this year. Many of the books on my list are by some of my must-read authors. About half of the books on the list are either from new-to-me authors or debut authors. I have to thank so many of my twitter peeps and blog friends for helping me find some of my new favorite books/series. 

1. Serendipity by Carly Phillips is not only my favorite contemporary romance I read this year, but my favorite book I read all year. In fact, the entire Serendipity series might be my favorite series of books ever by Carly. 

2. Cold Touch by Leslie Parrish is my favorite Leslie Parrish book ever. Might even be my favorite book written by Leslie as either Leslie Parrish or Leslie Kelly.

3. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison is my favorite book by a new-to-me author. Love the entire Elder Race series so far.

4. Night After Night by Janelle Denison is my favorite book written by Janelle ever!

5. The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton is her first romantic suspense and she totally rocked it.

6. Because of You by Jessica Scott is her debut novel and I can't wait to read more books from Jessica in the future.

7. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis is my favorite in her Lucky Harbor series and my favorite of her books I read this year. 

8. The Legendary Lovers series (loved all 3, but Danny is my favorite brother) by Julie Leto is one of Julie's best series ever.

9. First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones was a find thanks to twitter. So glad I found this book and series.

10. The Renfield Syndrome by JA Saare feeds my Disco love. I met Jamie at the Lori Foster get together in June and only acted a little fan-girl.

11. Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl is the 3rd book in her Donavan Brothers Brewery series and my favorite of her books I've read so far.

12. Sweet Tea & Secrets by Nancy Naigle is the 1st book in her Adams Grove series. I met Nancy at Lori's event in June and bought her book that weekend. Loved this book.

13. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey and all the other Kowalski books. Really hoping we get more Kowalski books in the future.

14. One Dance With a Duke by Tessa Dare is my favorite historical romance I read this year. I've loved every book of hers I've read.

15. New York to Dallas by JD Robb is the latest book in the In Death series and was gut-wrenching, but wonderful.

16. Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep is the 5th book in the Elemental Assassin series and was my favorite of the series so far. I've listened to this entire series and can't wait for the next book in this series.

17. Can’t Help Falling In Love by Bella Andre is the 3rd book in her Sullivan series. Loved me some Gabe so much. Already plan on going back and reading the first 2 in the series.

18. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh is the 1st book in her Psy/Changeling series. I found this series with about 10 other books to follow. Was lucky enough to meet Nalini at Lori's event in June. 

19. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter is the 2nd in her Heist Society series and just as wonderful as the 1st book in the series. My favorite series from Ally is her Gallagher Girl series. Out of Sight, Out of Time is set for release on March 13, 2012.

20. Sin Undone by Larissa Ione is the 5th book in her Demonica series and was so awesome. Loved Sin so much.

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Cold Touch

Cold Touch is the newest release by Leslie Parrish. From the back cover.~

Since being gifted-or cursed-with her ability to touch a lifeless body and relive the victim's final moments, Olivia Wainwright has died a hundred deaths. She hears the screams, tastes the fear, and feels the excruciating pain-and every glimpse into this darkness draws her deeper into danger.

Now she's met a man who offers her a glimmer of light. Savannah detective Gabe cooper might look like a sexy good old boy, but his laid-back attitude hides a sharp mind and a protective heart. He doesn't believe in psychics-until he meets Olivia and sees firsthand how her dark gift ravages her spirit.

As their bond deepens, Olivia will have to choose between her cold gift and the warmth Gabe provides. But her past is catching up with her, and Gabe can't refuse when she needs his help solving a crime that's haunted her for over a decade: her own murder.

I've loved Leslie Parrish's books since I read Fade to Black, the first book in her Black CATs series. I loved the Black CATs books and have said repeatedly I want more. I also love her Extrasensory Agents books and loved Cold Sight, the first book in the series. That being said, I really think Cold Touch is my favorite Leslie Parrish book ever.

I loved both of the main characters so much. Olivia's "gift" give me chills. I can't imagine willingly touching a dead body to experience the last 2 minutes and 10 seconds of that person's life to see how they died. Gabe is so protective of everyone around him. He and Olivia are attracted to one another from their very first meeting. Once Gabe realized he had real feelings for Olivia, his protection mode went into overdrive.

I also loved Gabe's partner Ty and Olivia's co-workers and her sister. In fact, I would love to see some of the secondary characters get books in the future. I don't want to post any spoilers about this book. I can only say I felt so many different emotions as I read this story. I cheered Olivia and Gabe on from the very beginning. I laughed out loud a few times, and cried like a baby at other times. I really thought I had the bad guy figured out with about 100 pages left, but was off the mark. I love that Leslie kept me guessing and I still had to wait for the reveal.

Cold Touch is one of the best books I've read all year. It is filled with suspense, action, and romance. I personally and hoping and praying we get more books from Leslie Parrish in the future!

Leslie Parrish Winners

I selected the 2 winners using random.org. Congratulations to #23 Kristin and #29 Brenda Hyde. I'll send out an email to you both to get your snail mail addresses and forward them to Leslie.

Thanks for everyone who posted a comment. I'm currently reading Cold Touch and can only say if you didn't win, it is so worth going out and buying a copy of your own.

Skyrockets in Flight Blog Hop Delight

I’ve been a fan of Leslie Kelly’s books for years. She writes super sexy contemporary romances with fabulous characters. Two years ago she started writing psychological suspenseful books as Leslie Parrish. I love her Leslie Kelly books and still buy them as soon as they are released. However, I truly believe Leslie found her voice with her Leslie Parrish books.

The first series of books Leslie Parrish released were the Black CATs novels. The three books in this series are Fade to Black, Pitch Black, and Black at Heart. I loved each and every one of these books and I’m still very hopeful we will get more books in the Black CATs series (really want Brandon’s book so much).



The Extrasensory Agents series came out last year. The first book in the series is Cold Sight and is a little darker than the Black CATs books. I loved it from page 1 and wanted more as soon as I was finished reading. On July 5, the newest Extrasensory Agents book is released. The newest book in the series is Cold Touch. Here is the blurb from the author’s website. ~

Since being gifted--or cursed--with her ability to touch a lifeless body and relive the victim's final moments, Olivia Wainwright has died a hundred deaths. She hears the screams, tastes the fear; feels the excruciating pain--and every glimpse into this darkness draws her deeper into danger.

Now, though, she's met a man who offers a glimmer of light. Savannah Detective Gabe Cooper might look like a sexy good-old-boy, but his laid-back attitude hides a sharp mind and a protective heart. He doesn't believe in psychics--until he meets Olivia and sees firsthand how her dark gift ravages her spirit.
As their bond deepens, Olivia will have to choose between her cold gift and the warmth Gabe provides. But her past is catching up with her, and Gabe can't refuse when she needs his help solving a crime that's haunted her for over a decade...her own murder.

I’m giving away 2 copies of Cold Touch during the blog hop. Hope new readers fall in love with her books as much as I have. The giveaway is open from July 4 -10 and I’ll draw winners from all of the comments during that time. Due to shopping cost, this giveaway is open to the US only (sorry).

Cold Sight

Cold Sight is the newest release by romantic suspense writer Leslie Parrish. From the back cover.~

Her Black CATs series “crackles with dark, edgy danger.” Now Leslie Parrish introduces Extrasensory Agents, a band of psychic investigators interested only in the cases nobody else wants-the coldest one.

After being made a scapegoat in a botched investigation that led to a child’s death, Aidan McConnell becomes a recluse. Still, as favors to an old friend, Aidan will help on the occasional case. But under his handsome, rugged facade, he keeps his emotions in check for fear of being burned again.

Reporter Lexie Nolan has a nose for news-and she believes a serial killer has been targeting teen girls near Savannah, Georgia. But no one believes her. So she turns to the new paranormal detective agency and sexy, mysterious Aidan for help. But just as the two begin forging a relationship, the case turns eerily personal for Lexie-and Aidan discovers that maybe he hasn’t lost the ability to feel after all.

I am a huge fan when it comes to books by Leslie Parrish, and I’m proud to admit it. I loved the Black CATs series, and am still hoping we get more books in that series. Cold Sight is the first book in Leslie Parrish’s exciting new Extrasensory Agents series. I was very lucky to be sent an ARC from the author for review, and I dropped all other books to move this one to the top of my list. I try not to put spoilers in my reviews, but there are a few semi-spoilers to come. I can say with totally honesty that I loved this book. It pushed me emotionally on every level and kept me thinking about the story long after I’d finished reading. Lexie Nolan feels in her gut there is a serial killer targeting teen girls in her town. Since the girls who have been targeted so far are all from the “wrong side of the tracks” no one believes her. When Vonnie Jackson turns up missing, Lexie seeks help in a somewhat unusual source. Aidan McConnell has psychic abilities and Lexie hopes he can help her find Vonnie before another teen girl disappears forever. Aidan is the first person to actually believe Lexie about the missing girls. Aidan had actually met Vonnie before and had been having visions of a young woman, but had not put it together yet. As Aidan helps Lexie investigate, they grow closer each day.

Lexie and Aidan discover a group of affluent men in the small town are behind a very distasteful practice. They would “borrow” many young girls from the wrong side of the tracks to use at will for their carnal pleasure and entertainment. Parrish doesn’t actually show us the flashbacks, but since Vonnie was one of the young girls, she has memories, luckily we just don’t have see them just know they existed. The adults in the small town of Granville want to shove the missing girls under the mat, with the exception of Lexie and Aidan. Only after the students of the two town schools push for their friend Vonnie, do the adults have to admit something is going on.

At this point in the story, Parrish throws a curve ball at the reader that made me cry my eyes out. A principle supporting character, which I didn’t see on the chopping block, is murdered by out villain. As this young girl is from the “right side of the tracks”, the police immediately rush into action. I totally understand why this character had to die, since it was extremely pivotal to the outcome of the book. But it didn’t make it any easier for me to read. I will say I loved reading about the strength of Vonnie. Even at one of the most horrific times in her life, she is still trying to figure out a way to take down the person who kidnapped her and get away. Such strength in a time of terror was inspiring to read. I had trouble figuring out the “bad guy” in the Black CATs series, until the last book. I’m happy to say I had the actual villain within my 3 suspects.

Although Cold Sight has paranormal elements, I would say it is more a story of psychological suspense than a paranormal. The romance between Aidan and Lexie was filled with sexual tension and banter and I couldn’t wait for them to finally give in to their attraction. Leslie Parrish gives her readers a roller coaster ride with Cold Sight. Even with the bumps and surprises, I totally enjoyed the ride. I look forward to more books in the Extrasensory Agents series in the future.

The release date for Cold Sight is July 6, 2010, but I've seen online where some people have already seen it on the bookshelves. To read more about Leslie Parrish and her books, visit her website www.authorleslieparrish.com.