Best Books of 2017: Carrie’s Picks and a Giveaway

Welcome to Carrie’s Best Books of 2017 picks and giveaway! She’s got some great titles and authors on her list, so check them out and then enter for the chance to win two eBooks from the list.

And now, in no particular order, here they are:

Sight Unseen by Susan MacNicol – Susan Mac Nicol does a wonderful job of keeping her characters “in character”. Cody isn’t an expert on blindness; he has to learn as much as Nate does. Nate’s perspective is written totally through a blind man’s view of the world. The story paces well; it follows a beginning, middle and ending without getting bogged down or off track from its ultimate purpose, which is a romantic story about hope. Hope for love, hope for a better tomorrow and inner peace. I think it will translate really well to the big screen. Overcoming obstacles, finding love, these are all themes we can relate to. This is a feel good, heartwarming, story of love and triumph, and I highly recommend it.

We Met in Dreams by Rowan McAllister – We Met in Dreams is a romance. It’s a ghost story. It’s a mystery. It’s an intense story of two men who need each other—physically, emotionally, and mentally. It’s character driven and a good deal of this story happens within the walls of just one room. It’s a story of breaking free of the chains we and others fashion for us, made up of good intentions. Yes, Fox has some very forward thinking ideas, but, ultimately, he is hindered also by the time period in which he lives. But only Fox could get Arthur to venture out of the walls he created inside his mind and start viewing the world as something to be experienced and not feared. Only when Arthur conquers his mental issues can he venture out past his locked rooms and become a man who can stand side by side with Fox. Arthur’s transition from being pursued to being the one pursuing is a heartwarming story of triumph.

Laurent and the Beast by KA Merikan – The twists, the turns, the gothic story building, layer upon layer. The careful groundwork of establishing the characters, then hitting you between the eyes with a fantastical storyline—this is one of K.A. Merikan’s best books, in my opinion, because of the depth of story they accomplish. The writing duo is known for exceptional alternative, gritty worldbuilding, and this story is no exception. You can smell the sulphur coming off the pages, and Laurent’s fascination with all things plastic allows for moments of childlike wonder in the middle of a dark, demonic tale. Right now, there are four books in the planning stages for this series, and I cannot wait for the next one! Please let it be Knight. PLEASE let it be Knight!

I absolutely, if you couldn’t tell, recommend this book, but be aware: it is dark, it is gritty, it contains triggers of violence, language, explicit scenes, and morally ambiguous characters, but it also has a HEA and a love that triumphs in the end.

The Puritan Pirate by Jules Radcliffe – I love a good pirate story and this one didn’t disappoint. The historical aspects are spot-on (at least, they seem that way), and learning about the politics of the time, as well as life aboard a privateer, was interesting. Radcliffe does an excellent job blending these “facts” with her romance between these men. The political intrigue only enhances her story, it doesn’t detract—actually, it makes her romance seem rooted in real life and we get transported to 1600s Tortuga. Radcliffe did her homework on this one. You can tell, and I appreciate that.

The things I loved about this story far outweigh the issues I had with the timing. This is an interesting historical, at times a suspenseful and intense story. Part three especially paces very well and has a colorful and satisfying conclusion. Frankly, the kink and the chemistry between these two MCs is off the charts, and I totally enjoyed reading their love story. I have found a new author to get my historical fix from. Yay!

Through the Closet Door by Rick R. Reed – Through the Closet Door is a gripping short story, a snapshot into the mind of a gay man trapped by the choices he has made and his inner, authentic self. The emotional turmoil is unrelenting. The imagery Reed paints and the feelings he invokes from such a short story are vast and heartwrenching.

Rick Reed has used his words here to paint a picture of a man looking at life through the closet door. Gregory’s mired in the darkness, and he longs for the light he sees just out of reach. It is the ordinariness of Reed’s characters here, the everyday quality of their lives juxtaposed with what is going on inside the mind and soul of our main character, Gregory, that gives you this feeling similar to Alice falling down the hole into Wonderland, chasing the ever elusive white rabbit of happiness.

Death Dancer by Tara Lain – Ahh, the tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive. I LOVED this book. When you read the blurb for this story, it touts ballet, sex and murder, and that is exactly what you get from this latest installment in the Dangerous Dancers Series from Tara Lain. The first book in the series, Golden Dancer, was really well written, so much so I worried for the second book having such a high bar to live up to. Death Dancer surpasses it. Valentin is a grounded, solidly sexy (and he knows it) MC, and pairing him with an OCD detective with strong Dom overtones truly sets you up for an amazing story. You don’t really have to read the first book before this one, but the trio of MCs from the first book do reappear here as supporting characters. I loved the ballet settings, the appropriate ballet terminology used, and the real life feel of Val’s life in his dance troupe. You can tell there was quite a bit of research into life in the ballet, and I appreciate that in an author.

Saving Sebastian by Luna David – I loved this story. I loved the BDSM elements to it, which were treated with respect and accuracy. Sebastian and Gideon were perfect for each other. Gideon sees Sebastian’s inner strength, and Sebastian brings light to Gideon’s darkness. This book is a journey for these men, both separately and together. They are haunted by illness, past choices, and circumstances beyond their control, but their chemistry together is off the freaking charts. I absolutely recommend this book and this series. It’s long but it’s worth it.

Facing West by Lucy Lennox – Oh my! The chemistry between these two, from hate to love to everything in between, is freaking off-the-charts! Nico and West’s road isn’t a straight one; there is no insta-love here. Lennox creates believable, real world scenarios in her books, and every question you think up, she answers in the dialogue. You WANT these two men to work it out because Nico NEEDS someone to be a champion for him for once. And when West turns all of his love and attention on Nico and really sees the man, whew! ::fans self::

An Unlocked Mind by KC Wells and Parker Williams – This series is gearing up to cover some pretty heady topics just like the other series did. The “unlocking” of Rob’s mind, and his journey, is an emotional one. Rob does end up redeemed, and he and Vic find their way to their own HEA.

I loved the cover on this book. Kudos to Reese Dante once again for a spot-on illustration mirroring the content of the novel. The pacing is a little slow on this one, but it worked with the storyline and how much introspection is involved in Rob’s journey.

Tate by Ella Frank – Ahhhh, this journey! Ella Frank has done what few authors could do and that is, kept the romance and story of one singular couple fresh, innovative and engaging to read for five books now. And, her whole audience is eagerly awaiting number six, me included. That’s some impressive writing skills. Also, this is not a standalone book! There are things that happen in Tate, over and above “the awful scene”, that you will NOT understand unless you have read this series from the very first book. The only way to get inside Logan’s head and understand him and his relationship with Tate, or, the only way to understand where Tate is coming from and really get why he does what he does, is to read from the beginning. That being said, a review for this book is on the difficult side because if you are current with the series, then it’s like preaching to the choir. And if you’re not, then I have to recommend you go back and start fresh or from where you left off before continuing.

The Giveaway

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