Sixteen years ago today at 10:18 a.m. my darling girl drew HER first breath and innumerable times since then she has taken MY breath away. Happy sixteenth birthday my sweet, compassionate, creative, brilliant, and beautiful girl! I love you!
Technically, this was the second snow of the season; this one occurred magically overnight. Quietly. I heard nothing of its descent as I lay comfy and warm inside listening to my audiobook. Then, not-so-bright and early this morning, I spied the predawn blue-tinted winter wonderland of my front yard. It sparkled in the limited light and was downy soft—so very fluffy. At that point I was only mesmerized by the beauty of it. Too soon though, I had to consider the mechanics of clearing a path and a vehicle.
Although I have been on the east coast for many years I will always have been from Southern California, where snow was a magical and mysterious thing which happened everywhere but there. The weather here is such that I can wear sandals most of the time; snow boots are a necessity only every few years. The same goes for gloves. This morning, however, if I had had the appropriate attire, I would have gladly remained outside for much longer.
Be warm and safe where you are. I plan to cuddle up with my Corgi, a cup of coffee, and a good book!
It was less than two weeks ago that the temps in our area were in the high 70s. Mid-afternoon today it's reached a high of 26, which made for the icy photo op above.
Just last Saturday it was 59 degrees and sunny which was ideal sightseeing weather for me. My daughter and I drove over the Rappahannock River to the Northern Neck where we visited George Washington Birthplace National Monument. This was our fourth visit to this lovely historic park. We strolled the grounds for a while, each of us taking photos with our iPhones, before settling at a bench situated next to Pope's Creek for our picnic lunch. It couldn't have been a more perfect day!
What an amazing year 2013 was for me in regards to reading! I set a new record for the number of books read within one year (my database total was 270 and my Goodreads Challenge total was 285). I reread several newer books: The Fifty Shades Trilogy (9th reading), Beauty from Pain, and Surrender Your Love. I also bought and read the Kindle versions of a few books I read years ago: Slow Heat in Heaven, Where There's Smoke, It Had to Be You, and Family Blessings. I borrowed 16 titles through our library system and purchased a total of 379 books—mostly Kindle, but also audiobooks and a few signed paperbacks. Only 7 of the books were not categorized as any kind of romance, and all of those were mysteries.
I meticulously reviewed my database and Goodreads shelves in selecting the favorites listed below. I arbitrarily decided upon the categories but was careful in considering which books deserved each designation.
I'm all about focusing on the positive when it comes to books, but in 2013 I also ended up adding more books (8) to my did-not-finish shelf than in any previous year. Although, I hope to return to two of the books at some point.
The books I've chosen as my favorites are the ones that evoked the most emotions ("feels") in me. Those whose characters I cared about the most and whose stories I didn't want to end. *dreamy sigh*
2013 was also the year I attended my first author signing. I had hoped to go to Book Bash in Orlando last June but that wasn't possible. Instead, I was able to attend the Richmond Author Event, which was ideal in location and size for this first-timer. I can't adequately express how joyful I felt being there amongst so many of "my" authors and the other passionate readers. My fingers are crossed that the event organizers plan another event for Richmond in 2014.
Jennifer L. Armentrout and Me
The photos I took at the event plus all the autographs I received are here:
I will be welcoming 2014 with over 100 books and audiobooks on my to-be-read shelf. Not only am I anxious to read the upcoming books I listed below, but I'm also anticipating the unexpected gems that end up on my reading device. I look forward to being in the proper mood to read some of the literature, general fiction, and non-fiction Kindle books I already have, and I very much hope to finally get that Kindle Paperwhite I've been wanting for so long. I've read nearly 700 books on my tiny iPod touch and am more than ready to graduate to a larger eReader.
I'd love to know what you think, and I wish you very enjoyable reading in 2014!
Favorite Mainstream Romance - Two of a Kind (Fool's Gold #11) by Susan Mallery, (runner up) Whiskey Beach by Nora Roberts
Favorite Contemporary Romance - Forever, Jack by Natasha Boyd (reviewed here)
Favorite Romantic Suspense - Striking Distance by Pamela Clare, (runner up) Deadline by Sandra Brown
Favorite Inspirational Romance - Losing Hope (Hopeless #2) by Colleen Hoover
Favorite Paranormal Romance - Blood and Sand (Elemental World #2) by Elizabeth Hunter
Favorite New Adult Romance - Wait for You by J. Lynn (reviewed here), (runner up) One Tiny Lie (Ten Tiny Breaths #2) by K.A. Tucker (reviewed here)
Favorite Romantic Novella - (tie) First Strike by Pamela Clare and Light Me Up by Cherrie Lynn
Favorite Romantic Series - The Stark Trilogy (Release Me, Claim Me, and Complete Me) by J. Kenner
Favorite Audiobook - Eyes Wide Open (The Blackstone Affair #3) by Raine Miller and narrated by Shane East with Grace Grant, (runner up) Beautiful Stranger (The Beautiful Series #2) by Christina Lauren and narrated by Jonathan R. Cole and Grace Grant
Favorite Mystery - Death Angel (Alexandra Cooper #15) by Linda Fairstein (reviewed here)
Favorite Romantic Hero - Jack Henry McLachlan (The Beauty Series by Georgia Cates)
Favorite Romantic Heroine - Laurelyn Prescott (The Beauty Series by Georgia Cates)
Favorite Romantic Couple - Damien Stark and Nikki Fairchild (The Stark Trilogy by J. Kenner)
Favorite Alpha Male - Remington Tate (The Real Series) (Remy reviewed here) by Katy Evans
Favorite Debut Author - Willow Aster for True Love Story, (runner up) Leah Raeder for Unteachable
Most Pleasant Surprise - Ruin by Rachel Van Dyken
Most Luscious Romance - No More Wasted Time by Beverly Preston (reviewed here)
Most Erotic Romance - Edible (Exquisite #3) by Ella Frank, (runner up) This Man Confessed (This Man #3) by Jodi Ellen Malpas
Most Outside My Comfort Zone - Never Have I Ever by August Clearwing
Most Heartrending - Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (I'm cheating by one day with this one which was published on December 31, 2012!)
Most Humorous - Tangled by Emma Chase
Most Tormented Hero - Ethan Blackstone from Eyes Wide Open by Raine Miller
Most "Kick-Ass" Heroine - Brooke Dumas from The Real Series by Katy Evans
Most Guilty Pleasure (Love them through all their darkness!) - The Consequences Series (Consequences, Truth, and Convicted by Aleatha Romig, (runner up) The Artists Trilogy (On Every Street, Sins & Needles, Shooting Scars, and Bold Tricks by Karina Halle
Most Striking Cover - Eversea by Natasha Boyd
(The (a) following a book's title designates an audiobook.
A rating of zero denotes a book that defies a rating.
Table best viewed in landscape mode on mobile devices.)
