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

Hi, everyone, here we are, back again to share another Best of 2017 list with you, this one courtesy of Taz. His top reads of the year include some contemporary, paranormal, and sci-fi, so have a look and then be sure to enter for the chance to win two eBooks from his picks!

Poppy’s Secret by Andrew Grey – What a read!

Poppy’s Secret by Andrew Grey was an emotional journey filled with real-life problems, presented through the raw and believable lives of the characters. If I were to grasp onto a theme for this book, I think of forgiveness, second chances, or chasing one’s dreams. All fit and are beautifully portrayed through a storyline that progresses smoothly. No words are wasted as the tale unfolds in a natural and, at times, nail-biting way. But you’ll have to read to the end for me to tell you the real theme that emerged as the strongest.

Bargaining with the Bear by Caitlin Ricci and AJ Marcus – Bargaining with the Bear is a fun read and felt deceptively longer than its short seventy-nine pages…in a good way. When the idea of multiple types of shifters hit the scene years ago (as opposed to just wolf shifters), I was resistant. I like my good-old-fashioned werewolf, vampire, witch triad. But eventually I got with the times, and this book gave me a healthy dose of what the world would be like with all different types of shifters.

All in all, a very well done and enjoyable story that captivated me from start to finish.

Back Home by RJ Scott – Back Home is exactly the kind of story I love to read. It is centered on two men struggling through emotions, to come together and find their happily ever after. True romance, through and through. What Ms. Scott has done, in her masterful way, is weave a tale that explores the history and emotions which both entangle themselves in matters of the heart, and complicate the road to bright, happy futures.

There is a lot of haunting in this story. Kieran is haunted by his love for Jordan. From the beginning days of his living as a gay man (well, teen), he’s loved Jordan, his brother’s boyfriend and later, partner. When circumstances bring Kieran back home, he is haunted once again, this time by the memory of someone who could potentially serve as the one obstacle neither he nor Jordan could overcome, even from beyond the grave.

The Metahuman Files Series by Hailey Turner – (In the Blood) Ms. Turner pulled no punches when it came to the violence of the military sequences. I don’t want to ruin anything by giving examples, but the villains are so hateful and sadistic in this book that the way she brings them to their demise is remarkably gratifying. To that end, people who find graphic violence off-putting should read with caution. But read the book anyways, just skip over some of the more gory scenes. There aren’t too many, but the ones that are there are truly visceral.

Overall, another amazing book by an author who is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I look forward to the next book in this awesome series.

His Brother’s Beta by Caitlin Ricci and AJ Marcus – His Brother’s Beta was a delightful read from start to finish. I’m not sure why I’m in the short story mode right now, but the last few I’ve read have really hit the mark. I was able to complete this book in just a few hours, and it helped to pass the time in a wonderful way.

While sex was not a significant component of this story, barely even being hinted at, it was the pack dynamics and the character development that did it for me. The premise was so unique. An alpha who wiped out his own pack and turned local human men (barely men) into werewolves to create his own personal harem, set the stage for what Harlow, a long-lost brother, came back home to. Add to this a hot beta, Nathan, who is trying to protect the pack against the alpha’s savage leadership, and a lone original pack member who is all that remains from the main character’s childhood, and I found myself tearing through the book and wondering what would happen next.

Rough Edges by Cardeno C. – When circumstances bring Kyle and Brent together, the chemistry ignites and the romantic element in the story takes hold. The sexual compatibility of these two men is astounding, as is their desire for something real. Despite the fronts each man puts forth to the world and each other, they have a desire for something real and lasting. It takes a while for them to figure that out, and the journey was what made the story such an enjoyable read.

By far one of the best short stories I’ve read in a LONG time.

The Giveaway

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