End of the Year Roundup

Well, 2010 was an interesting year in Reading Land, so I figured an end of the year roundup might be fun.

Number of books I read: 283 (a few were re-reads or audio books - list here)
Number of new-to-me authors whose books I read: 117 (list and quick opinions here)
Challenges I participated in: A to Z Reading Challenge (list here)

Now comes the fun part - taking stock and picking the best of the best :)

Favorite authors of 2010: Cameron Dane and Riley Shane

Favorite new-to-me authors of 2010: Cherise Sinclair and Dee Tenorio

My Top Ten Books of 2010
Note: Not necessarily all published in 2010 but all were new-to-me reads
Also note: The books are alphabetized by author - love them all equally

1. Magic Strikes (Kate Daniels, Book 3) by Ilona Andrews
Buy Link

2. Something New (Foster Siblings/Coleman, Florida Series, Book 2) by Cameron Dane
My Review | Buy Link

3. Quinn's Hart by Cassandra Gold
My Review | Buy Link

4. Love in the Afternoon (The Hathaways, Book 5) by Lisa Kleypas
My Review | Buy Link

5. A Vintage Affair by Josh Lanyon
My Review | Buy Link

6. The Taste of Magick by Riley Shane
Buy Link

7. Club Shadowlands (Masters of Shadowlands, Book 1) by Cherise Sinclair
My Review | Buy Link

8. Master of the Mountain (Mountain Masters, Book 1) by Cherise Sinclair
My Review | Buy Link

9. Burn for Me (Rancho Del Cielo, Book 3) by Dee Tenorio
My Review | Buy Link

10. Blonde with a Wand (Babes on Brooms, Book 1) by Vicki Lewis Thompson
My Review | Buy Link

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Review: Arrested Holiday by Lissa Matthews

Arrested Holiday by Lissa Matthews
Loose Id
Erotic Contemporary Romance
ISBN: 978-1-60737-899-0
Buy Link: http://www.loose-id.com/Arrested-Holiday.aspx

Decorator Holli always looks forward to the week between Christmas and New Year’s. It’s the one time of the year she takes a vacation and this year she’s headed to New York City to ring in the New Year with friends. At least, that was the plan…

When Michael pulls over a woman for speeding, he doesn’t expect to discover that she’s also wanted for fraud. He’s forced to put Holli behind bars and, to make matters worse, he discovers that the fraud charges are a mistake due to a clerical error. Unfortunately, with government offices closed, he can’t release her. He does, however, get permission to place Holli under house arrest until the mistake can be fixed.

Small-town Pennsylvania isn’t New York City, but Holli can’t bring herself to mind when Michael – aka Officer Hunky – offers to let her stay in his home rather than some nowhere motel. Holli’s first brush with the law might have been a mistake, but she fully plans on going for a second, far more personal “brush” with Officer Hunky.

Christmastime gets wicked in the delightful Arrested Holiday! I admit, the premise of the story made me raise an eyebrow, but hey, it’s fantasy. If you’re willing to slightly suspend disbelief, Arrested Holiday is one heck of a fun read. Holli is likeable, relatable, and has a few vulnerabilities that I found engaging. Michael, in turn, is every woman’s dream. He’s sexy, gorgeous, intelligent, and a gourmet cook. Together, Holli and Michael are hotter than any fire. In fact, put away the chestnuts and tell Santa to skip Officer Hunky’s chimney this Christmas, lest he find himself accidentally barbequed.

Arrested Holiday is a wonderful blend of naughty and nice, making it the perfect read for the holiday season. This is the first story I’ve read by Lissa Matthews and I will surely be coming back for more.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Treachery in Death

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I love, love, LOVE the In Death series. Eve and Roarke have kept me captivated for 39 stories (including novellas), and I expect nothing less than pure entertainment from Treachery in Death.

Note: Reading order and release date information for J.D. Robb’s books can be found HERE on Wit and Sin

Title: Treachery in Death
Author: J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 40
Genre: Mystery
Publisher: Putnam
Release Date: 22 February 2011

Book Description (from amazon.com):

Detective Eve Dallas and her partner, Peabody, are following up on a senseless crime-an elderly grocery owner killed by three stoned punks for nothing more than kicks and snacks. This is Peabody's first case as primary detective-good thing she learned from the master.

But Peabody soon stumbles upon a trickier situation. After a hard workout, she's all alone in the locker room when the gym door clatters open; and-while hiding inside a shower stall trying not to make a sound-she overhears two fellow officers, Garnet and Oberman, arguing. It doesn't take long to realize they're both crooked-guilty not just of corruption but of murder. Now Peabody, Eve, and Eve's husband, Roarke, are trying to get the hard evidence they need to bring the dirty cops down-knowing all the while that the two are willing to kill to keep their secret.

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Faeries and Witches and Challenges - Oh My!

I love a good reading challenge, so I had to post about not one, but two coming your way in 2011. Nicole Sheldon at The Betrayed Writer is hosting The 2011 Faery and Witches Challenge:

What's the goal? Read 10 books from either challenge in 2011. Post your books, your rating and your completion date as we follow along. Encourage discussions of the book and the author as we discover new worlds and friends! 

Check out Nicole's challenge page HERE for further details, gorgeous challenge buttons, and even news about prizes!!!

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