Marina's Best 2016 Reads

Hi Everyone :)

So it is time to hear about my best reads of this year. As a whole, I read some incredible books this year but quite a few of those were published in previous years. So unfortunately, they are not featured here. But the books that are, completely floored me with the inventiveness of the authors, the humour in some of them, the suspense, heartbreak and of course, romance. As there is no way I can pick a favorite or anything of the sort :D, the books are in completely random order :)

Still Air

Freya Barker

Freya Barker is one of my favorite authors. She has the uncanny ability to tear my hear to peaces, stitch it up and make me crave more. Still Air is an emotional roller coaster that left me with my heart wide open and my eyes puffy after the countless tears I shed for the characters. This is the story of a woman who's been irreparably broken and hides her demons even from the closest to her people. It is the story of a man who though his life was good, when it exploded in his face and left him to deal with the ruins. It is the story of two people, who are scared to open up to any one, two people who lived through their own brand of hell, two people that find solace, redemption and hope in each other. Two people that save each other.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Silent Waters

Brittainy C Cherry

I am in love with Brittainy C Cherry's writing and the heartbreaking stories she shares. This book is another emotional roller coaster. Both characters have demons that are haunting their nights, and in Maggie's case also her days. Maggie and Brooks are meant to be together but their way is filled with pain and heartbreak. If you've read Brittainy C Cherry before, you know what I am talking about. And you know that you must read this book. If you are new to the author, this is the perfect place to start. The books in this series are complete standalones so it doesn't matter where you start. But you need to read them.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Careless Whispers Series:

Denial**Demand**Surrender

Lisa Renee Jones

OK, I confess. I am cheating a little bit with this one :D But I simply couldn't pick just Demand (the only book from the series released this year). Each book compliments the rest and considering it is a trilogy, there was no way around it. This was my first experience with Lisa Renee Jones (yes, I know I have to read everything else she's ever written :D) and I was floored. This is probably one of the best romantic suspense series I've ever read. Every time I thought I had things figured out, I was thrown for a loop. From the very first page till the end of the third book (releases next year), my attention was completely focused on the characters and their story. And it doesn't hurt that Kayden is a walking wet dream, sex-on-a-stick or anything else you can think of for your next BBF ;)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Dark Corners

A. M. Madden

Aaaaahhhhh, David Cavello!!! Here is another walking wet dream of a BBF! The book is intriguing and entertaining, heartbreaking and romantic, suspenseful and funny. There is something for everyone in it. And David is simply YUMMY!!! He is the type of guy that every woman dreams of. A gentleman when is in public. But the moment there are no eyes on him or he is in the privacy of his home, he becomes god in the bedroom and anywhere else you would like him to be ;) So if you are looking for a new BBF, you should definitely meet David :)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Specimen

Shay Savage

This one is a little bit more on the Sci-Fi side of romance, but DAMN was it good. The story is incredibly intriguing and really makes you think. And it is written in such a clever way that you will be engrossed from the very beginning. And don't even try to put together all the puzzle pieces. No matter what you come up with, in the end you will be still thrown for a loop. This was definitely one of the most unexpected books I've ever read. And the romantic story between the main characters is simply incredible. I am so hoping Shay savage will more about these characters and their world next year :)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Divine Desire

Audrey Carlan

This one is the newest addition to my top 10. I finished just a day ago but it was so much fun to read the there was no way I could skip adding it :D The story is not suspenseful and it is not going to tear your heart out but don't skip it because of that. It is fun and definitely hot to read (naked yoga everyone :D). It is romantic and of course it has just a pinch of heartbreak to make it that much better. I can promise you that the sexual tension and the bickering between Atlas and Mila will keep you entertained the whole time. but there are enough twists and turns to give you that extra something you crave ;)

Amazon US | Amazon UK

A Deadly Sin

Tracie Podger

Tracie Podger before has the uncanny ability to weave stories that will keep you up at night, wondering what happens next. And probably pay extra attention to the dark corners just to make sure that nothing unexpected is lurking there. Well, this story is exactly that. It will catch you from the very beginning and make your head spin until the very end. Probably even after that. And don't be surprised if you find yourself sleeping with one eye open ;) The plot is so unpredictable, that no matter what you think will happen, there is something else around the corner. And using the seven deadly sins as a backdrop in the story is simply genius.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

The Sins That Bind Us

Geneva Lee

If you are looking for an incredible and heartbreaking book to read, you are definitely at the right place. If you've read Geneva Lee before, keep in mind that this story is very different from her previous ones but it is still masterfully written. From the very first page I was captivated by the characters and their story. Their past is filled with pain and so much heartbreak that will make your heart weep.

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Sweet Cheeks

K. Bromberg

I loved the story, the writing, the characters. There was just something about it that pulled me in from the very start. It was funny and heartbreaking, romantic and HOT. And it doesn't hurt that Hayes is an eye candy :D But as a whole, this is an incredible story of second chances, forgiveness and realising what really matters in life.

Amazon US | Amazon US

The Wedding Pact

Katee Robert

I love Katee Robert and especially her O'Malley's Series. But there is just something about Carrigan and James that makes them my favorite of all the couples so far. The book is practically a modern Romeo and Juliet story but with a happy ending :) It is full of danger, suspense, romance and steaminess. Practically, you can't go wrong with it :D And it doesn't hurt that James is like a sex-on-a-stick with his hard body and whiskey smooth voice. What wouldn't I give to have a man like that whisper dirty things in my ear :D

Amazon US | Amazon US

Excerpt Reveal: Specimen by Shay Savage

A soldier, a doctor, and a stark white laboratory full of lies.

Specimen releases on February 24th!

Title: Specimen 

Author: Shay Savage

Release Date: February 24th, 2016

Synopsis

I awaken in a laboratory.

I don’t know who I am.

I’m inexplicably drawn to the doctor who cares for me.  She tells me I’ve been altered, that I’m stronger and faster, that I’ll be a key component in a war between corporations.  She says I volunteered for this.  She says I volunteered to be transformed, but I have no way of knowing if what she says is true.

Something isn’t right.  My memories have been taken, wiped clean, but dreams begin to slip into my conscious mind.  I can’t let anyone know when that happens, or they’ll remove my memories again.  Somewhere inside of me, I know I need to remember something important.

I’m fighting a war I don’t understand, and the one woman I rely on can’t be trusted.

Pre-order Links:

Amazon US | Amazon UK

Excerpt:

Suddenly, my body goes rigid.  I can’t move at all, but I can feel a surge through my entire system.  I can see it, taste it, smell it.  My heart forces blood through my veins, warming my insides.  As the blood flows, the muscles in my legs, arms, and chest flex.

“Sten?  Are you all right?”

I try to focus on her face, but my vision is blurred.

“Hold on, Sten.  You just need to ride it out.”

“What…”  I can’t utter another word.  My throat seizes up, and for a second, I am unable to take a breath.

Riley’s palm touches my face as she presses a sensor to my temple.  My arm jerks, and I grasp her hand.  I press it to my chest.

“Relax.  Focus on your breath.”

“I can’t!”

She takes my free hand in hers and holds it to her body, right over her heart.

“Focus on me, then,” she says.  “Feel my heartbeat.”

My fingers twitch.  I can feel the steady beat in each fingertip.  Closing my eyes, I count the beats.  One hundred.  Two hundred.  Three hundred.

Minutes pass.  I keep counting.  Eventually, my body begins to adjust and my muscles relax.  I become aware of not just her heartbeat, but of how close my hand is to her breast.  My dick strains in my shorts.

I reach out with my legs, wrapping them around her waist and bringing her body toward my crotch.  Releasing her hand, I reach up and grab the back of her head and use the other hand to push the collar of the lab coat out of the way.  The blue of her blouse contrasts with her skin.  It’s beautiful, enticing.

With one finger, I trace the edge of her collar, brushing over her skin.  I can feel her heart beat under my fingertip, and I want to taste the spot where I’ve touched her.  I look back to her eyes.  She’s staring at my lips.

I bring us together, pressing my mouth to hers gently at first but then with more vigor.  I can taste mint on her breath as my tongue slides over hers.  I thread my fingers through her hair and tighten my thighs around her waist, holding her close to me.  I trail my finger farther down her collar and spread my hand to cup her breast.

She pulls back, breaking the kiss.

“Sten, you’ll have to stop that now.”

“I don’t want to.”

“I know.”  She touches the side of my face, running her hand over my rough cheek.

“I want you.  I need you.”  I don’t understand why I’m explaining myself.  It’s clear to me from her scent that she wants this too, but she keeps pushing me away.  She denies me as she denies herself.

Why?

About the Author:

Shay Savage lives in Cincinnati, Ohio with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker, and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. When not writing, she enjoys science fiction movies, masquerading as a zombie, is a HUGE Star Wars fan, and member of the 501st Legion of Stormtroopers. When the geek fun runs out, she also loves soccer in any and all forms - especially the Columbus Crew, Arsenal and Bayern Munich.  Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.

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