The Best of 2015: Shannon’s List
2015 year was a pretty average year in books for me. There were a few things I hated, lots of things I liked, and a number of things I loved. Let’s take a look at what I loved and why I loved it.
Do Not Disturb by A.L. Torre.
I’ve never read anything like Do Not Disturb. Ms. Torre has crafted an incredibly unique series with an unforgettable heroine. There’s nothing out there that compares to it.
Menagerie by Rachel Vincent
Over the past few years, urban fantasy series have grown in popularity. They’re now a dime a dozen, but Menagerie offers something different. The world building is flawless, the plot gripping, and the characters totally relatable. I can’t wait for book 2 to be released.
The Drafter by Kim Harrison
I loved the sci/fi feel to Ms. Harrison’s latest offering. The romance is only hinted at, but that didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the book.
Vision In Silver by Anne Bishop
From the moment I started reading Ms. Bishop’s work, I knew she’d be one of my auto buy authors. This book, third in her Others series, only confirmed my love for this author. This book is dark urban fantasy with the tiniest hint of sweetness thrown in. Meg and Simon are a truly remarkable couple, complimenting each other perfectly.
Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose
I love romantic suspense, and Karen Rose definitely knows how to do it right. Faith and Deacon are so good together, and the suspense plot kept me glued to my iPad until I reached the end of the book.
A Desperate Fortune by Susanna Kearsley
I love Ms. Kearsley’s ability to blend past and present seamlessly. She outdid herself with this book, telling the story of two women, centuries apart, but leading oddly similar lives.
The Bourbon Kings by J.R. Ward
When asked to choose my favorite read of 2015, I simply had to pick this one. It’s full of everything I love: scandal, family drama, forbidden love. Ms. Ward’s writing isn’t the greatest I’ve ever read, but she can write plots and characters that hook you in and refuse to let go.
AAR Shannon
I have AR Torre on my TBR list too. I plan to try Rachel Vincent as well since another reading friend loves her books too.
I read Written in Red when it was released and was way underwhelmed. But there is so much love for the Others series online that I got book 2 in audio and will give it a go. I think first books in UF series are tough to pull off because so much page time is devoted to worldbuilding, particularly if it’s an intricate world as the Others exist in.
So is anyone else totally blowing their book budget thanks to these Best of 2015 posts? Or is it just me? (Because it really is me :D )
The Best of… lists are one of my favorite blogs of the year. I really do get good ideas from reading them.
I guess AR Torre is the penname Alessandra Torre uses for her erotic romances (it’s my understanding some of them also have suspense or thrillerish elements, which sounds like your selection does). I had Alessandra Torre’s Hollywood Dirt on my favorites from the year list, which is contemporary romance, probably not as erotically charged as her AR Torre books. I’d put HD at the same heat level as an SEP book, for example. I’ll have to give her AR Torre books a try at some point. Erotic romances are often hit or miss with me, but I’m willing to try authors doing interesting things with characters and themes.
I’m tempted with the Rachel Vincent book because I’m reading her YA novel, The Stars Never Rise. She found a way to make YA dystopia different! (To start with, her heroine isn’t a helpless pristine flower whose role is to wear lots of gorgeous dresses. :))
Very eclectic list. I’ve only read the Kearsley (which was on my list).
I really liked the Kearsley, and particularly liked the contemporary portion of the book.
I haven’t read any of these but I liked what you had to say about the Kearsley and want to give that a try. She’s been an author that I’ve wanted to get around to reading, and from the reviews on this site, she has a strong backlist too.