This list of ten books is not necessarily my best reviewed books of 2015. Rather, these are ten books which stuck with me for one reason or another.
10. Pia Does Hollywood by Thea Harrison — This novella does exactly what I love. It revisits characters from the series and moves their story forward. This novella has a tight story line and reminds me how much I love Dragos and Pia as a couple.
9. The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean — A classic road story, this first book in MacLean’s new series ticks all the classic romantic tropes — two protagonists who start out hating and fighting one another but soon cannot help being attracted to one another, a highwayman, illicit nights spent on the road together, and a rake brought to his knees.
8. Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz — Perfect balance between romance and suspense in this story of the past that comes back to haunt the heroine. I loved the twists and turns of the suspense story and also the connection between the hero and heroine.
7. The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward — A book I was inclined to dislike merely because of its description which sounds like a 1980s Dynasty or Dallas description, I found the story of this rich family that is falling apart on all sides to be compelling. These are not always likable characters but their development makes great drama. The story is a sweeping and epic family drama with a lot of romance.
6. Luck be a Lady by Meredith Duran — I love these cross-class romances. Here, the hero is a criminal mastermind and the heroine is a woman who wants nothing more than to be a strong business woman. Challenging all her assumptions Catherine has about herself, Nick is clever, daring, rough and sexy. Their interactions are what I remember most from this book.
5. Archangel’s Enigma by Nalini Singh — Nassir, Nassir, Nassir. Cuddly as a cat and as dangerous as a viper, Nassir is such unique character. His search for his mate is as singular as Nassir’s own nature. I loved that we get to know so much about Nassir and yet he becomes more mysterious and compelling. Mee-yow!
4. Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh — The only author with two books on my list, Nalini Singh has two diverse genres. Rock Redemption is her contemporary series about the members of a rock band. When Noah and Kit were introduced earlier in the series, readers discovered that Noah purposely destroyed any potential relationship between them by having Kit catch him having sex with a groupie. How these two find a path together is my most heartbreaking and angst filled read of the year.
3. Dukes Prefer Blondes by Loretta Chase — This book has a quirky relationship between a barrister and an aristocrat. The two of them have a very bantering relationship with lots of arguments and discussions which draw them together. I always love the sense of place that Chase novels have with many historical details. Chase makes a stuffy lawyer very sexy.
2. Sweetest Scoundrel by Elizabeth Hoyt — Hot, hot, hot. This story between a sensualist and a woman who fears even being alone with a man is romantic and sexy while also being sweet and gentle. Hoyt’s Maiden Lane series is one of my all time favorites and this book’s story is big and bold and sexy — and so is Asa Makepeace.
1. The Legend of Lyon Redmond by Julie Anne Long — My favorite book of the year did something that is almost impossible — exceeded high expectations. The final book of the Pennyroyal Green series, this book tells the star-crossed lovers story of Lyon and Olivia whose families rival the Capulets and Montagues. Lyon and Olivia’s story has been a catalyst throughout the series and thus readers had high expectations for their story. This book was beautiful, emotional and one of the best closures of a series I have ever read.