My top 12 books of 2013

I know at the end of the year many people post top 10 lists.  Well, I guess I'm not like most people.  Why you ask?  Because I couldn't get myself to settle on 10.  I have read so many wonderful books this past year and narrowing it down to 10 was just sacrilegious.  So….I have a top 12+ list.

The books on this list weren't necessarily published this year, but are books I read in 2013.    I'll start off with 12 and work my way to my most favorite…#1.

So, off we go…….

12)  Frog by Mary Calmes

11)  Let's Heart if for the Boy by T.A. Webb

10)  Texas Pride by Kindle Alexander

9)  Family Man by Heidi Cullinan and Marie Sexton

8)  A Heart Without Borders by Andrew Grey

7)  At Piper's Point by Ethan Day

6)  The Sacrifices We Make by Sophie Bonaste

5)  Tell Me It's Real by TJ Klune

4)  The Broken Road Cafe by T.A. Webb

3)  Let It Snow by Heidi Cullinan

2) Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

1) Omorphi by C. Kennedy

And because it's my blog and I can do what I want….I'd like to give 3 honorable super mentions (I had to quit the list somewhere and I loved these books as well.)  Painting Fire On The Air by J.P. Barnaby, Easy Rider by Deanna Wadsworth and Bad Idea by Damon Suede.

There you have it.  My most favorite reads of 2013.  I can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

I'd like to take a minute to say thank you to every single writer out there, whether you are on this list or not.  It takes balls to put your baby out there for people to read (trust me, I know.)  You all make my life better with your words.  

Happy New Year.

Love, 
Sandy

Life Lessons (#1) by Kaje Harper

I really enjoyed this book and the characters.  
Maybe it's the "opposites attract" that made me like this book so. 
Tony is a high school teacher who is out and proud.  Mac is a police detective deep in the closet.  I wasn't sure when I started reading this that Mac would ever let himself go enough to get involved with Tony.  I can happily say I was very pleased! 
Not only did I like the characters, I liked the books plot. A who dunnit when I really don't know who done it!  Sorry, I just had to say that.
Anyway, I'm happy I purchased this book and read it.  It'll be one I read again. 

And To All A Good Night by Kaje Harper

What can I say? This was the first book I purchased in the Life Lessons series written by Kaje Harper and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that I just purchased Life Lessons, book 1 in the series. 

In this book Mac and Tony are already in a relationship, although Mac is still firmly in the closet. My interest was more than piqued and I really want to see how Mac and Tony met and what happened previously to Tony. This book eludes to some pretty bad stuff.

I want to be able to watch their relationship evolve and grow.  I'm excited tone starting the first book in the series tonight.  

Breathing A Sigh of Relief

A lot of praying has been done.  Well wishes and good vibes continually sent.  Healing thoughts thunk.  (Yeah, I know….probably not a real word.)  

Today was a huge day in the life of authors and fiancés Eric Arvin and TJ Klune.  If you've read my previous blog post you know that Eric has had some health issues.  I'm not speaking out of turn as the guys have been open in keeping us updated with what's been going on.  Today Eric had surgery to remove a hemangioma from his brain stem.  

I cannot image how scared the two of them must have been. But, even though Eric was initially on a ventilator and then later switched to a traecheotomy he was able to get his feelings known about the possibility of a life saving surgery.  When Eric was able, he told TJ, "Let's go. Let's go. Let's go."  Thus started the mantra though out the viral world for the people who love and care for these two men. 

I know this is strange.  I've never met these two guys.  I've only read their books and followed their lives through their Facebook posts and homemade videos.  But, I feel as though they're friends.  No they don't know me from Adam, and that's okay.  I feel they have made an impact on my life.  The love they share is a tangible thing, we should all be so lucky.  I read about it and then watched it blossom.  I saw the video where TJ proposed marriage to Eric in October and cried right along with them.  

Anyway….back to the surgery. Those of us who know of these men, who are friends or just feel they are friends have been praying. A lot.  If not to God, then to whatever deity they believe in.  Asking, begging, cajoling for what might turn out to be a miracle.   The surgery started two hours late, poor guys.  Like they needed the extra time to think.  Although, I image those extra minutes together felt like a blessing.  TJ had informed us that the surgery may take 5 hours.  I had been saying prayers all along for his surgeon and medical professionals, too.  For the God I believe in guide their hands and actions.  

Word came from TJ tonight, via Facebook, that the surgery was over and the surgeon said he believed was able to remove the WHOLE hemangioma from Eric's brain stem.  Oh, thank you Jesus.  I don't know what kind of recovery and or therapy Eric has to face in the future, but I do know that the love of his life, TJ, will be there with him all the way.  I know that all of us will continue to pray, this time for continued healing.  

Eric and TJ, you are loved and supported by many.

TJ Klune and Eric Arvin….A Love Story

TJ and Eric are two men who met and fell in love.  Their love is a tangible thing for anyone who has ever seen the two of them together, either in real life or virally.  Myself, like many others have never met these two incredibly gifted authors, but love them just the same.

Eric is undergoing some huge scary health issues at the moment and TJ, bless him, is just that man that Eric needs.  I wish I could make this all better for them.  It makes me sad I can't.  One thing I can do is pray.  I do that often for them.

Eric's surgery is scheduled for Thursday, December 26th at 11:00 eastern, 10:00 central.  Please, won't you pray with me?  If you don't pray, can you send cosmic good vibes?  These two fantastic men need all the love and well wishes we can give them.

Let's go.  Let's go.  Let's go!

Let It Snow by Heidi Cullinan

I love a good romance and when said romance takes place during the Holidays it makes even more alluring. I was looking forward to this book for some time, as I pre-ordered it. I thought it would never get here! I will tell you that the wait was well worth it. This is such a wonderful read.

Frankie and Marcus are, at first look, an unlikely pairing. But, the more I read and got to know them, the more I saw that they needed each other. Unfortunately, they couldn't see it….which had me tied up in knots! I don't want to give away any spoilers, but let's just say…I'm smiling. A lot.

Ms. Cullinan wove a wonderful story which is sweet and the characters lovable and I'm so glad I read this book! I loved it and will re-read it many times over.

Fun and Games with Rudolph by Deanna Wadsworth

This book is another huge winner in the Naughty North Poles series.  Ms. Wadsworth has created a North Pole unlike any other.  It’s a lot of fun, and well.... very naughty!

The story is about Lars, an elf who loves the naughty fun with a variety of partners.  His major rule....no repeats.  Then he meets Mike on an elf dating website.  He’s intrigued with Mike, thinking that this is someone he might like to have a repeat with....then Mike disappears from his life.  

The fabulous and all knowing Santa sends Lars on a Christmas Eve mission which changes his life forever.  

This book has so much wonderfully emotional content to it.  It’s fun and had me grinning  from ear to ear, and then the subject turned more serious with talk of relationships, want, need and insecurities.  The way the author conveyed the feelings of the elves involved was heartwarming.  Ultimately the love and acceptance they both experienced with each other beautiful.  Oh, and I cannot forget the hot elf sex!  Deanna really steamed up the pages with these two. 

The ending of the book left me smiling and happy, yet sad that it was over.  That’s a testament to the fantastic writing ability of the author, Deanna Wadsworth.  She has created a world and characters I love to read and will continue to do so over and over.  

My suggestion?  Buy this book and the others in the series, if you haven’t already.  You really won’t be disappointed!  Each book is excellent as a stand-alone, but I’m so extremely happy I have them all.  I can visit Santa and his elves anytime I want.  

Thank you for writing such an awesome read, Ms. Wadsworth!   

New WIP

So, I know no one has read my blog.  That's okay.  At this point it's a place for me to talk about what I'm doing and adding blogs that I like and am following.

I write. I'm very amateur and some of my work is on a website, not my own,  that I love dearly.  I've started a new WIP that is something totally new for me.  It's a YA LGBT story.  I've love to do such a good job on it that I can submit it for publishing someday.  It is one of my greatest dreams to make a difference and give hope to young LGBT kids who are having a hard time dealing with who they are.  These kids, they are so loved by so many they don't even know.

Omorphi by C. Kennedy

When I sat down to read this book I was excited.  I had read the blurb and thought it sounded very intriguing.  Boy was I right....

There is so much I dearly loved about this YA LGBT book.  I'm going to try to write this review and not include any spoilers.  Why you ask?  Well, it's exactly as it says.  Spoilers.  I don't want to
ruin a moment of thie incredible read for anyone by letting any "cats out of the bag."  I want the reader to experience the book through C. Kennedy's words, and not mine.  I would, however, like to give my impression of a couple of the main characters.  That's not really giving any of the story line away.

Michael-for a high school senior he is wise beyond his years.  His capacity for compassion, understanding and love knows no bounds.  He is emotionally strong and knows who he is and is proud of himself.  His love for Christy is fierce and protective and heartwarming.  I have to applaud the author, Michael is the absolute perfect person for Christy.

Christy-also wise beyond his years, but in a horrific way.  Christy has suffered abuse that is so hard to fathom. (Not giving a spoiler away here, that he was abused is in the book blurb.)  I give many kudos to the author for how Christy was written.  We find out what has happened to Christy in his young life, but the telling is not over-done.  Yes, we're give a lot of info on Christy's past, but I felt it was tastefully done, his character was in no way exploited. I
don't know if it makes any sense to anyone but me, but suffice it to say I think Christy must have been hard to write and Mr. Kennedy did such a wonderful job.  Christy is fragile and strong all at the same time.  He is one hell of a survivor.  I love that he gets to be himself and he's accepted by most everyone.  We should all be that lucky, huh?

Jacob-what a fabulous best friend.  He is also loving and understanding and accepts people for who they are.  The closeness and love between he and Michael is what I wish for in a best friend for my children.

There are many other supporting characters and each and every one adds a significant voice to the story.  They too are people anyone would be proud to call mother, father, friend.

There are a couple of baddies.  Excellently written, but I don't like them.  At all.  That's a testament to the writers ability to draw us in and make us feel for these kids that are being victimized.

This is pretty fast paced and action packed.  I had to force myself to put it down and go to bed at night, lest I not wake up for work in the morning.  Time and again I would catch myself looking at the clock counting down the hours until I could pick this book up again and be transported into these characters's lives.

There are some very troubling aspects of this book, but these are things that happen to people in real life.  Everyday.  I can't say enough the grace in which I feel the author approached each of Christy's situations and conveyed them to the reader.

Above all, this is a book of hope.  There is so much more I want to say.  I'd absolutely love to talk specifics of the story.  I could probably do that for hours.  But, like I said, I want the experience the readers have with the story to come from the author, not myself.

Congratulations C. Kennedy, this is one of the best books I've ever read.  I wish I could give it more than 5 stars.

I feel very strongly when it comes to censorship.  Some of the larger booksellers are attempting to do just that.  Sign the petition and let the know you feel this is wrong.  No one has the right to tell us what we can write or what we can read.

Say no to censorship