2013 Favorite Books of 2013 from the Storm Goddess

Seriously, I'm not sure how this year just flew by, but it did. Here we go, sitting at December 31. It's been a good year. I've read some great books, and some...not so great. But that's the way it rolls, right?

It's not easy to come up with a favorites list. So many books have touched me emotionally on one way or another, but I'm going to try anyway.

These are in no particular order.

1. A Taylor Made Life- Kary Rader.

Where do I begin??

I love this story. It tore me into shreds, made me cry, huge, huge HUGE tears, but damn it this story grabbed me. It's beautiful. it's real. It's emotional. It's heartbreaking.  It's a story not to be missed.  Kary Rader reached deep inside her heart for this book and it shows.  I reviewed this in July, I was lucky to get an ARC before it went live and just wow.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/645159465











2. Souls Set Free by Kimmie Easley

 So, I'll be honest here. When I bought this book, I don't think I paid attention to the blurb. The cover caught my eye along with the title. I had no idea what I was going into when I bought Souls Set Free. None.

This book moved me in a huge way. The main character, Emma, goes through a struggle and ends up on an emotional journey that changes her attitude about things. She's the kind of woman who held onto her past, let it define her.

There's where I relate.

My story isn't like Emma's AT ALL, but I understood her. I knew her pain. I was a reflection of her.

I went through a lot of feelings throughout this story.

I loved her support system from her family- especially her husband.

I wanted to smack the CRAP out of her family. No, seriously. Big time.

Kimmie poured a lot of emotions in this story. Souls Set Free is a very fitting title.

My review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/667889181


3. Elsewhere by Linda Lee Williams

Another book that the cover caught me. Hey, I like purple! But, I did read the blurb on this one, and the author and I stuck up a friendship when I commented on it.

Elsewhere is a unique romance that I fell in love with.  There's always stories about 'perfect' people and as much as I might love the stories, not everyone is perfect in a physical or emotional sense.

Enter Andie and Errol.  Two of the most imperfectly perfect character's I have ever read about.

Andie has a lot of issues. No, really. she does. Phobias, etc. But I love her! She's sweet, she's strong and she overcomes her obstacles as much as possible. I connect with her very strongly.

Then there's Errol. For a man that's not perfect, he's perfect for Andie! I love him! So patient, kind, and understanding. But he has his problems too.

I loved their building relationship. We all know starting a new relationship isn't easy, but add in a whole bunch of baggage that's not just past relationships or something of that sort, and it really brings a whole new set of things to light. Then there's that little bit of a paranormal aspect added in.

This book has a special spot in my heart. Linda Lee Williams did a marvelous job with these two!

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/683780839


4. Dear Emily by Trudy Stiles

ANOTHER book that made me emotional. Man, they really jumped off the page with this one!

Not only one woman's remarkable journey from heartache, but TWO. and they now have something that connects them together. This book goes from past and present in both women's lives.  Did I say remarkable? If I did, well then it deserves being said again.

Beautiful, beautiful story.

My Review: http://stormgoddessbookreviews.blogspot.com/2013/12/dear-emily.html?zx=da850d4f83b4fc0







5. Finding Forever- Melisa Hamling

This is another story that is unique and interesting. Hell, it pulled me in RIGHT away from the start and didn't let me go! A few eerie moments, some laughs, some emotions and a lot of...what happens next?  Waiting on book 2, as I am curious at what's next!

My Review: http://www.amazon.com/review/R1RB9NXBBG1SQI/ref=cm_cr_quotes_dprb_2?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B00EWT1M34&nodeID=133140011&store=digital-text


6. Price of a Kiss- Linda Kage

So, yeah. The hero of the book is a gigolo.

You read that right.

Yet, it's in my top list. That's right, it is!

I read this for a tour stop. Wasn't sure how I'd feel, but hey, I give books a fair chance.

I was blown away by the emotions I felt with this one. At how much I attached to Mason and his family.  He has reasons for his actions. Can they truly be justified? Maybe, maybe not. Regardless, I loved this book.

My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/714389228




7. When You're Ready- J.L. Berg

One of my Goodreads statuses sums this one up in a nutshell. A man getting attached to a single mom and her daughter holds a special place in my heart.

Nuff said?
No?

Okay, read my review:

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/688302135










8.Barefoot in the Sun- Roxanne St Claire

I actually have not written my review for this one yet, but I wonder how each of the books in this series keeps getting better and better? LOVED this one and yes, it did make me cry.
















9. Heartstrings- Sara Walter Ellwood

Country sensation coming home and has to face his past? Oh yeah, you know there's a lot of heartache and dealing with the past.







My Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/703886426







10. Mississippi Blues- D'Ann Lindun

 It's REALLY, REALLY hard to pick a favorite D'Ann Lindun book. I've read many this year :)

But this one, while a romantic suspense, it a bit different from her other suspense stories. Not just because it doesn't have cowboys, either.  It's a little bit darker and kept me up WAY late at night reading. Say...3am late. Yeah. While I can easily recommend any of her books without hesitation, I think if you love a good suspense with some angst, this one will do the trick.

My Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/627804324