Monday, December 31, 2018

Between the Pages - Books I Read in 2018


"You know you've read a good book when you turn the last page and feel a little as if you have lost a friend." ~ Paul Sweeney

Reading provides a special kind of escapism to me, something I have found to be vital to my existence, especially during trying times.

As I haven't discovered a better way of expressing the following, I shall repeat what I said in previous years...
 
The books I select as my favorites each year are those that: I get lost in; the ones that while reading, I lose all track of time; the ones that evoke the strongest emotions; the ones that make me laugh, cry, blush, gasp, and sigh. Yeah, those books!

Each year I meticulously review my database and Goodreads shelves to select my favorites. Even though I arbitrarily decide upon the categories, I am careful in considering which books deserve each designation.

To all the authors whose stories entertained me this year, and especially those who wrote my favorites below, you've earned my highest esteem, gratitude, and adoration. Thank you!

Sadly, no matter how much I love a book, I am unable to recall details. In other words, although my devotion is clear, my memory is not. I would, indeed, like to attempt to explain my choices to anyone who may be interested.

(Note: I receive no monetary compensation. I only wish to show my appreciation!)

Here are my stats for 2018:

    My Goodreads Challenge total was 247 (first reads and rereads of single titles).
    My database total was 220 (book bundles are counted as a single title).

There are several books that were published in 2018 that I was unable to read this year, some of which were published late in the year. I may have to make an exception for some of them and include them in next year's list, just as I made an exception this year for three books that were published in 2017.

My favorite genre remains romance, but I also enjoy select mysteries, thrillers, biographies, and popular fiction.

In 2018, I finished a total of 96 digital library books and didn't finish an additional 10. I was gifted with a Kindle Unlimited Subscription and finished 43 of those, and during the short time I had the Audible Romance Package, I listened to 26 audiobooks.

I'll be starting out 2019 with well over 200 books on my to-be-read shelves—primary and secondary—and nearly 100 books on my library wish list. I've chosen Verity by Colleen Hoover as my first read of 2019 and set my Goodreads Challenge goal at 200 books.

Here's to 2019 being an exceptional year in books!


 My Favorites Published in 2018

(alphabetical by author)

Single Titles

Deadly Intent (I-Team #8) by Pamela Clare (my short and sweet review)
Holding On (Colorado High Country #6) by Pamela Clare (my short and sweet review)
The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson (my short and sweet review)
No Tomorrow by Carian Cole (my short and sweet review)
The Girl He Used to Know (Advanced Reader Copy - Publishing 04/02/2019) by Tracey Garvis-Graves (my short and sweet review)
The Great Alone by Kristin Hannah (my short and sweet review)
All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland (my short and sweet review)
Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward (my short and sweet review)
Rebel Heir (my review) and Rebel Heart (my review) by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
The Birthday List (Maysen Jar #1) by Devney Perry
Undefeated by Stuart Reardon and Jane Harvey-Berrick (my short and sweet review)
The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker (my short and sweet review)

Series Titles (two or more installments published within 2018)

Confessions Series by Ella Frank
Nick Renshaw Series ( #1 Undefeated) (#2 Model Boyfriend) by Jane Harvey-Berrick and Stuart Reardon
Rush Duet by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward


 Favorites by Category

Favorite Literary Fiction - Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Favorite Paranormal - The Outsider by Stephen King (my short and sweet review)
Favorite Mystery - The Masterpiece by Fiona Davis
Favorite Suspense - Dark Sacred Night (Ballard and Bosch #1) by Michael Connelly
Favorite Thriller - The President is Missing by Bill Clinton and James Patterson
Favorite Mainstream Romance - The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis-Graves
Favorite Contemporary Romance - Sex, Not Love by Vi Keeland, (tie) Hate Notes by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Favorite Romantic Suspense - Deadly Intent (I-Team #8) by Pamela Clare
Favorite Inspirational Romance - All Your Perfects by Colleen Hoover
Favorite New Adult - The Hot Shot (Game On #4) by Kristin Callihan (my short and sweet review - published 2017)
Favorite Romantic Series - Rush Duet by Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward
Favorite Audiobook - Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely. Narrated by Richard Armitage and Grace Grant (my short and sweet review)
Favorite Romantic Hero - Cole Goodman from The Birthday List (Maysen Jar #1) by Devney Perry
Most Tormented Hero - Evan “Blue” Von Bleu from No Tomorrow by Carian Cole 
Favorite Alpha Male - Derek "Undertaker" Deschaine from Undertaker (Evil Dead MC #8) by Nicole James
Favorite Romantic Heroine - Poppy Maysen from The Birthday List (Maysen Jar #1) by Devney Perry
Most "Kick-Ass" Heroine - Brynn O'Neal from Tailspin by Sandra Brown
Favorite Romantic Couple - Harrison Conrad and Kenzie Morgan from Holding On (Colorado High Country #6) by Pamela Clare
Most Realistic Romance - Ink (A Love Story on 7th and Main #1) by Elizabeth Hunter (my short and sweet review)
Most Luscious - The Idea of You by Robinne Lee (my short and sweet review - published 2017)
Most Erotic - The Red: An Erotic Fantasy by Tiffany Reisz (my short and sweet review - published 2017)
Most Heartrending - No Tomorrow by Carian Cole
Most Humorous - Chaser (Dive Bar #3) by Kylie Scott
Most Guilty Pleasure - Confessions Series by Ella Frank
Most Pleasant Surprise - Birthday Girl by Penelope Douglas (my short and sweet review)
Most Striking Cover - Ink (A Love Story on 7th and Main #1) by Elizabeth Hunter (my short and sweet review)


Most Anticipated Books of 2019

Dirty Charmer (The Bodyguards #1) by Emma Chase
Go Tell the Bees That I Am Gone (Outlander, #9) by Diana Gabaldon (Author announced 2019!)
The Girl He Used to Know by Tracey Garvis-Graves (publish date 04/02/2019)
Blood Apprentice (Elemental Legacy #2) by Elizabeth Hunter
We Shouldn't by Vi Keeland
The Blessings of Ethan Blackstone (Blackstone Affair #5) by Raine Miller (Fingers crossed!)
My Lord (Rothvale Legacy, #2) by Raine Miller (Hopefully this year!)
Amped (Trent Brothers #2) by Tina Reber (I hope this one will finally be released in 2019!)
Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno #4) by Sylvain Reynard
When August Ends by Penelope Ward


Book Bundle I Read in 2018

Since my book database counts a multi-book bundle as a single book, the following is a list of the 4 individual books from within the book bundle I read this year. The remainder of my 2018 book database follows that.

Dirty Sexy Series (4 Book) Bundle by Carly Phillips
Dirty Sexy Saint (#1) 05/22/2018 (8 out of 10 stars)
Dirty Sexy Inked (#2) 05/23/2018 (6 out of 10 stars)
Dirty Sexy Cuffed (#3) 05/23/2018 (6 out of 10 stars)
Dirty Sexy Sinner (#4) 05/24/2018 (6 out of 10 stars)


 Individual Books I Read in 2018
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook.
Table best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.)
All the Books I Read in 2018

Author Title Publication Year Reading Date My Rating
Adams, Dee J. Danger Zone (a) 2012 2/3/2018 8
Adams, Dee J. Dangerously Close (a) 2012 1/8/2018 8
Alexander, Kindle Havoc 2018 11/27/2018 6
Armentrout, Jennifer L. Till Death 2017 1/10/2018 6
Baldacci, David Long Road to Mercy 2018 11/30/2018 6
Bay, Louise King of Wall Street 2016 7/6/2018 6
Blakely, Lauren Wanderlust (a) 2018 2/7/2018 10
Bohjalian, Chris The Flight Attendant 2018 5/9/2018 4
Bowen, Rhys Time of Fog and Fire 2016 9/9/2018 10
Bowen, Rhys The Tuscan Child 2018 3/31/2018 6
Bowen, Sarina Speakeasy 2018 8/10/2018 8
Bowen, Sarina; Eby, Tanya Man Hands 2017 8/24/2018 6
Boyd, Natasha Accidental Tryst 2018 3/25/2018 8
Brown, Sandra Tailspin 2018 9/20/2018 6
Caine, Rachel Killman Creek 2017 1/20/2018 10
Callihan, Kristen The Game Plan 2015 5/13/2018 6
Callihan, Kristen The Hot Shot 2017 8/13/2018 10
Carr, Robyn Virgin River (a) 2009 2/8/2018 8
Carr, Robyn Shelter Mountain (a) 2009 2/15/2018 8
Carr, Robyn Whispering Rock (a) 2009 11/13/2018 8
Carr, Robyn A Virgin River Christmas (a) 2011 11/6/2018 8
Carr, Robyn Second Chance Pass (a) 2009 11/8/2018 8
Carr, Robyn Temptation Ridge (a) 2010 11/14/2018 8
Carr, Robyn Paradise Valley (a) 2010 11/16/2018 8
Carr, Robyn Forbidden Falls (a) 2010 11/22/2018 10
Chase, Emma Getting Schooled (a) 2018 10/28/2018 8
Cherry, Brittainy Disgrace 2018 10/14/2018 8
Child , Lee Echo Burning 2011 2/22/2018 8
Child , Lee Without Fail 2008 9/17/2018 10
Clampett, Ruth Mr. 365 2013 12/8/2018 4
Clare, Pamela Holding On 2018 8/15/2018 10
Clare, Pamela Deadly Intent 2018 3/1/2018 10
Cleeton, Chanel Next Year in Havana 2018 4/23/2018 8
Clinton, Bill; Patterson, James The President is Missing 2018 7/4/2018 10
Cole, Carian Storm (a) 2016 1/9/2018 8
Cole, Carian Vandal (a) 2016 1/13/2018 10
Cole, Carian Lukas (a) 2016 2/4/2018 10
Cole, Carian Talon (a) 2016 2/6/2018 10
Cole, Carian Loving Storm 2017 1/19/2018 8
Cole, Carian No Tomorrow 2018 9/14/2018 10
Connelly, Michael Dark Sacred Night 2018 12/27/2018 8
Connelly, Michael Nine Dragons 2009 3/5/2018 8
Connelly, Michael The Drop 2011 9/25/2018 10
Connor, Claudia Worth the Wait 2017 7/11/2018 8
Cosway, L.H.; Reid, Penny The Player and the Pixie (a) 2017 1/25/2018 6
Cross, Kaylea Falling Fast 2017 9/11/2018 8
Crownover, Jay Shelter 2017 7/30/2018 6
Crownover, Jay Escape 2018 8/7/2018 6
Cumming, Alan Not My Father's Son 2014 5/25/2018 8
Darhower, J.M. By Any Other Name 2015 10/26/2018 8
Darhower, J.M. Sweetest Sorrow 2016 10/27/2018 8
Darhower, J.M. Lucky 2015 9/18/2018 6
Davis, Fiona The Masterpiece 2018 11/8/2018 8
Delinsky, Barbara Before and Again 2018 8/21/2018 8
Douglas, Penelope Birthday Girl 2018 4/20/2018 8
Douglas, Penelope Bully 2014 7/13/2018 8
Douglas, Penelope Misconduct 2015 6/5/2018 8
Evans, Katy Racer (a) 2017 4/9/2018 4
Evans, Katy White House 2018 8/23/2018 8
Field, Sally In Pieces 2018 10/5/2018 8
Finn , Elizabeth Unforgiven 2013 2/24/2018 8
Force, Marie Celebration After Dark 2015 5/27/2018 6
Force, Marie Outrageous 2018 11/25/2018 8
Frank, Ella Confessions: Robbie 2018 3/13/2018 8
Frank, Ella Confessions: Julien 2018 8/19/2018 8
Frank, Ella Confessions: Priest 2018 8/25/2018 8
Frank, Ella The Princess, The Prick & The Priest 2018 11/20/2018 8
Frank, Ella; Blaine, Brooke Wrapped Up in You 2018 1/25/2018 6
Frazier, T.M. King (a) 2015 1/28/2018 6
Frazier, T.M. Tyrant (a) 2015 1/29/2018 8
Frazier, T.M. Lawless (a) 2016 1/29/2018 6
Frazier, T.M. Soulless (a) 2016 1/30/2018 6
Frazier, T.M. Preppy: Part One 2016 3/15/2018 4
Garvis Graves, Tracey The Girl He Used to Know 2019 5/27/2018 10
Grafton, Sue X 2015 3/12/2018 8
Griffin, Casey A Wedding Tail 2017 8/15/2018 6
Hall, S.E. Sawyer Beckett's Guide for Tools Looking to Date My Daughter 2016 9/18/2018 4
Halle, Karina Wild Card 2017 1/28/2018 8
Halle, Karina Maverick 2017 1/30/2018 6
Halle, Karina Hot Shot 2018 2/2/2018 6
Hannah, Kristin The Great Alone 2018 3/24/2018 10
Hardt, Helen Possession 2016 2/7/2018 4
Harlow, Melanie Man Candy 2016 7/5/2018 8
Harlow, Melanie After We Fall (a) 2017 4/1/2018 10
Harlow, Melanie After We Fall 2016 2/1/2018 10
Harris, Charlaine Shakespeare's Counselor 2001 6/15/2018 6
Harvey-Berrick, Jane Dangerous to Know & Love 2014 9/9/2018 10
Harvey-Berrick, Jane Tick Tock 2018 11/4/2018 8
Harvey-Berrick, Jane Carnival 2017 1/18/2018 10
Harvey-Berrick, Jane; Reardon, Stuart Undefeated 2018 1/26/2018 10
Hassell, Santino First and First 2016 2/5/2018 8
Hassell, Santino Interborough 2016 2/25/2018 6
Hassell, Santino Concourse 2017 3/9/2018 6
Higgins, Kristan Now That You Mention It 2018 4/26/2018 6
Hildreth, Scott The Fed Sex Man 2018 8/31/2018 6
Hoang, Helen The Kiss Quotient 2018 7/21/2018 8
Hoover, Colleen All Your Perfects 2018 8/27/2018 10
Hunter, Elizabeth Desert Bound (a) 2015 11/11/2018 8
Hunter, Elizabeth Midnight Labyrinth 2017 12/3/2018 8
Hunter, Elizabeth The Bronze Blade 2014 11/27/2018 8
Hunter, Elizabeth A Very Proper Monster 2017 10/13/2018 10
Hunter, Elizabeth A Stone-Kissed Sea 2016 10/21/2018 8
Hunter, Elizabeth The Staff and the Blade 2016 3/21/2018 8
Hunter, Elizabeth The Silent 2017 4/2/2018 6
Hunter, Elizabeth The Storm 2018 4/28/2018 8
Hunter, Elizabeth Ink 2018 3/14/2018 8
Hunting, Helena The Good Luck Charm 2018 10/30/2018 6
James, E.L. Darker (a) 2017 4/27/2018 10
James, Nicole Undertaker 2018 3/7/2018 10
James, Nicole Joker 2018 8/15/2018 8
Jones, Lisa Renee Damage Control 2017 6/1/2018 6
Jones, Lisa Renee Bad Deeds 2017 6/3/2018 6
Jones, Lisa Renee End Game 2018 7/17/2018 6
Jordan, Isabel You Complicate Me 2018 10/13/2018 6
Kaye, Laura Fighting for Everything 2018 9/6/2018 10
Kaye, Laura Fighting for What's His 2018 11/29/2018 8
Keeland, Vi The Naked Truth 2018 8/16/2018 8
Keeland, Vi Sex, Not Love 2018 1/16/2018 10
Keeland, Vi; Ward, Penelope Hate Notes 2018 11/9/2018 10
Keeland, Vi; Ward, Penelope Rebel Heir 2018 5/25/2018 10
Keeland, Vi; Ward, Penelope Rebel Heart 2018 5/26/2018 10
Kenner, J. Claim Me (a) 2013 10/21/2018 8
Kenner, J. Complete Me (a) 2013 11/2/2018 8
King, Stephen The Outsider 2018 7/28/2018 8
Kleypas, Lisa Cold-Hearted Rake 2015 12/11/2018 8
Kleypas, Lisa Marrying Winterborne 2016 12/17/2018 8
Knightley, Diana Kaitlyn and the Highlander 2018 9/29/2018 6
Knightley, Diana Time and Space Between Us 2018 10/1/2018 8
Knightley, Diana Warrior of My Own 2018 10/6/2018 8
Knightley, Diana Begin Where We Are 2018 10/9/2018 4
Lacey, Rachel Unwritten 2018 6/27/2018 8
Lane, Prescott To the Fall 2018 3/23/2018 4
Laquer, Suanne A Charm of Finches 2017 1/6/2018 10
Lauren, Christina Josh and Hazel's Guide to Not Dating 2018 10/6/2018 8
Lauren, Christina Love and Other Words 2018 5/18/2018 8
Lauren, Christina My Favorite Half-Night Stand 2018 12/29/2018 10
Lauren, Christina Dirty Rowdy Thing (a) 2014 12/28/2018 8
Lauren, Christina Wicked Sexy Liar (a) 2016 12/31/2018 8
Laurens, Stephanie A Buccaneer at Heart (a) 2016 3/3/2018 6
Lee, Rachel Killman Creek 2017 1/20/2018 10
Lee, Robinne The Idea of You 2017 5/22/2018 10
Leighton, M. The Way We Burn 2018 9/4/2018 8
Malpas, Jodi Ellen The Protector 2016 8/14/2018 6
Malpas, Jodi Ellen With This Man 2018 4/11/2018 8
March, Meghan Defiant Queen 2017 2/5/2018 8
March, Meghan Sinful Empire 2017 3/12/2018 6
March, Meghan Savage Prince 2018 7/9/2018 4
March, Meghan Iron Princess 2018 9/10/2018 4
March, Meghan Rogue Royalty 2018 9/13/2018 4
Martin, Alexa Intercepted 2018 9/28/2018 4
Martinez, Aly The Truth About Lies 2018 10/10/2018 8
Martinez, Aly The Truth About Us 2018 10/11/2018 8
McGuire, Jamie Beautiful Burn 2016 8/11/2018 8
Miller, Raine Filthy Lies 2018 8/30/2018 10
Miller, Raine The Undoing of a Libertine (a) 2015 1/20/2018 6
Moyes, Jojo Still Me 2018 4/18/2018 8
Owens, Delia Where the Crawdads Sing 2018 12/31/2018 10
Paige, Laurelin First Touch 2015 5/14/2018 8
Paige, Laurelin Last Kiss 2016 5/15/2018 8
Paige, Laurelin; Simone, Sierra P*rn Star 2016 7/8/2018 6
Perry, Devney The Coppersmith Farmhouse 2017 9/16/2018 8
Perry, Devney The Clover Chapel 2013 9/18/2018 8
Perry, Devney The Lucky Heart 2017 9/22/2018 8
Perry, Devney The Outpost 2017 9/22/2018 8
Perry, Devney The Bitterroot Inn 2018 9/26/2018 8
Perry, Devney Tattered 2018 11/23/2018 8
Perry, Devney Timid 2018 12/13/2018 8
Perry, Devney The Birthday List 2018 10/6/2018 10
Phillips, Carly; Wylde , Erika Dirty Sexy Series 2017 5/24/2018 6
Reardon, Stuart; Harvey-Berrick, Jane Model Boyfriend 2018 9/5/2018 10
Redmerski, J.A. The Edge of Never (a) 2013 11/4/2018 8
Reid, Penny Dating-ish 2018 4/15/2018 6
Reid, Penny Scenes from the Hallway 2018 9/1/2018 6
Reid, Penny Marriage of Inconvenience 2018 9/7/2018 8
Reiss, C.D. Prince Charming 2018 1/15/2018 8
Reiss, C.D. White Knight 2018 4/22/2018 6
Reisz, Tiffany The Red 2017 1/12/2018 10
Riley, Alexa Lift 2018 12/1/2018 6
Roberts, Nora Shelter in Place 2018 7/20/2018 8
Ryan, Carrie Ann Delicate Ink 2015 7/4/2018 6
Saberton, Ruth The Island Legacy 2017 11/18/2018 4
Sahin, Brittney The Safe Bet 2015 11/10/2018 8
Sahin, Brittney Finding His Mark 2018 10/15/2018 8
Salsbury, J.B. Fighting Fate 2016 7/12/2018 8
Salsbury, J.B. Ghostgirl 2018 11/1/2018 8
Salsbury, J.B. Saint 2018 11/2/2018 8
Salsbury, J.B. Uncaged 2018 3/15/2018 8
Scott, Kylie Chaser (a) 2018 9/26/2018 8
Scott, Kylie Chaser 2018 6/22/2018 8
Sheehan, Madeline UnBeautifully (a) 2013 1/16/2018 6
Sheridan, Mia Most of All You 2017 2/8/2018 10
Singh, Nalini Cherish Hard 2017 10/8/2018 4
Spencer, LaVyrle Separate Beds 1986 8/4/2018 6
Torre, Alessandra Even Money 2018 8/28/2018 10
Torre, Alessandra Double Down 2018 8/28/2018 8
Torre, Alessandra The Ghostwriter 2017 1/11/2018 8
Torre, Alessandra Hidden Seams 2018 1/21/2018 8
Torre, Alessandra Moonshot (a) 2016 1/19/2018 6
Torre, Alessandra Trophy Wife (a) 2017 1/5/2018 8
Tucker, K.A. Keep Her Safe 2018 2/26/2018 8
Tucker, K.A. The Simple Wild 2018 10/12/2018 10
Van Dyken, Rachel The Matchmaker's Playbook 2016 1/12/2018 6
Van Dyken, Rachel The Matchmaker's Replacement 2016 4/30/2018 6
Vance, J.D. Hillbilly Elegy 2018 9/13/2018 10
Walker, Julie Ann Hell on Wheels 2012 6/10/2018 4
Ward, J.R. Devil's Cut (a) 2017 3/10/2018 8
Ward, J.R. Consumed 2018 10/18/2018 6
Ward, J.R. The Rehearsal Dinner 2018 10/15/2018 4
Ward, J.R. The Reception 2018 10/16/2018 6
Ward, Penelope Gentleman Nine 2018 2/20/2018 10
Ward, Penelope Jake Undone 2013 7/16/2018 6
Ward, Penelope Love Online 2018 9/2/2018 8
Ward, Penelope RoomHate 2016 2/2/2018 10
Wilson, Norah Needing Nita: A Novella 2012 9/18/2018 6
Winters, Pepper Pennies 2016 4/3/2018 10
Winters, Pepper Dollars 2016 4/4/2018 8
Winters, Pepper Hundreds 2017 4/5/2018 8
Winters, Pepper Thousands 2017 4/7/2018 8
Winters, Pepper Millions 2017 4/8/2018 8
Wylde, Joanna Rome's Chance 2018 5/2/2018 6

Exported from BookCollector 12/31/2018 9:49:28 AM

Friday, April 6, 2018

Lizzie: I Will Love Her and Miss Her Forever

There are NO words to express my grief over losing my precious girl. We hadn't reached our ten year anniversary, and she had not yet reached her fifteenth birthday. No matter how long we have our beloved companions it's not long enough. She was SO precious to me and was my constant companion. For being such a quiet little dog she had a huge presence in my life. Now there is sadness, loneliness, and a constant fear that I'm forgetting something important (she required a lot of care). I want to believe with all of my heart that her sweet soul is keeping company with those of my other darling doggies. I know how blessed I've been with my canine companions, but right now I'm just missing my sweet Lizzie. I expect to miss her forever since that's the way I've always been.

Known as South Haven's Virginia Woofer "Ginny" 2003 - 2008
Rest in Peace, my precious girl. Mama will love you forever.