Favorites of 2017 ~ New-to-Me Authors

I enjoyed doing a "look back at the year" in 2016 so I figured it'd once again be fun to bring 2017 to a close by listing some of favorites. I hope you enjoy reading about some of my favorites and I'd be happy to hear about any of yours!

*~*New-to-Me Authors*~*

• Sierra Simone - I blew through her New Camelot trilogy - in both audio and ebook. I'm a fan and am eager to read more from her!
• Juliette Cross - I'm so happy I agreed to review The White Lily as Cross made a new fan in me with her fairytale mixed with vampires tale.
• Kari Lynn Dell - I can't say enough about how much I love her writing as well as her ability to make life in West Texas as well as rodeo so vivid and authentic! (thanks, Anna!)
• Lexi Blake - meeting Zoey and company from Blake's Thieves series was a highlight for me in 2017! (thanks, Kristen!)
• Heather Demetrios - she delivered a YA so gripping and emotionally moving...a treat despite the difficult subject matter. (thanks, Tanya!)
• Kiersten White - OMG! I still can't believe I put off reading this one - a female incarnation of Vlad the Impaler...need I say more?!? If y'all haven't read And I Darken, make it so!
• Helena Hunting - I binged on her Clipped Wings series back in June for a challenge...the lady can write!
• Georgia Cates - another author I can't believe I put off reading for so long. I'll be finishing her Beauty series in 2017.
• T. Torrest - Remember When dazzled me with it's 90's nostalgia and characters I fell for...hard. I'm looking forward to the spinoff series coming in 2018. 
• Diana Gabaldon - 'nuff said, am I right?
• Pierce Brown - I couldn't imagine how blown away I'd be by Red Rising despite how much my friends gushed about it. I have the next two books already laid out. *wink*
• Lenora Bell - I picked up How the Duke Was Won because the narrator is one I adore. However, I ended up a fan of Bell who delivered a tightly woven story with a feisty heroine and a hero to fall for.

Review ~ Beauty from Surrender ~ Georgia Cates #TravelingtotheTerminus

Beauty from Surrender by Georgia Cates
Beauty Series #2
Release Date: May 30, 2013
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on kindle
Rating: 4 Bookworms
Challenges: #Goodreads, #TravelingtotheTerminus
Goodreads

Synopsis
How do you move on when he's every song you sing?

After Laurelyn Prescott walks away from the love of her life, she returns to Nashville to pursue the only dream she has left. Determined to find a distraction from the pain of losing Jack Henry, she immerses herself in her music. But with her old life comes old acquaintances and new expectations. When Laurelyn refuses her record producer's outrageous demands, she finds herself without a career - until an unforeseen opportunity presents itself. From there it's a rocket ride straight to the top where Laurelyn finds the success she's always dreamed of. Will it be enough to bring her the happiness she so deserves, or will the absence of Jack Henry leave her wanting more?

Jack Henry McLachlan never expected to fall in love with Laurelyn Prescott - but he did. After he foolishly let her slip through his fingers, he spends three months searching for her, but their reunion doesn't come easy. The woman he finds isn't the same one who drifted away without a goodbye. No longer an insecure girl on an Australian adventure, this Laurelyn is a successful musician with a promising career. Her dreams are becoming a reality, and Jack is terrified his American girl won't have a place for him in her new life. With only a month to convince her otherwise, will it be enough time to make her visualize a life beyond the glitz and glamour, a life that includes him?

Beauty in Surrender continues Laurelyn and Jack Henry's story. It was heartbreaking to begin with - both of them being so unhappy apart. Things eventually took an upswing though. Here's what worked and what could have worked better, in my opinion:

What Worked

• The emotion. If there's one thing Cates is adept at it's evoking emotion! I felt Jack Henry's despair in not being able to locate Laurelyn and thinking he'd lost her. I felt Laurelyn's struggle over wanting to be with Jack Henry but also wanting the career she'd worked so hard for. I felt the elation, the passion, the fear they each experienced when they found one another and then tried to figure out if they could work things out. The feels....they packed a punch!
• The secondary cast. I enjoyed being with Jack Henry's family again. I liked seeing how close he is with his family and how their dynamics affect them. I also liked how they welcomed Laurelyn into the fold. Laurelyn's parents, on the other hand, left something to be desired and her best friend wasn't as present in this installment but I liked her. I even liked the band members who gave Laurelyn her chance.
• The story. I found myself captivated by Jack Henry and Laurelyn's story once again, reveling in their times together and despairing at the thought they wouldn't work things out.

What Could Have Worked Better

• The story. Despite my positive feelings about the story, there was something missing from this second installment. That thin was the suspense element. While one part explored in the first book was present, it was too easily resolved and never discussed again. The other part was barely given a mention. Although I feel quite certain it will have a pivotal role in the final installment, I missed the tension it provided in the first book.

Even though Beauty in Surrender didn't quite live up the the first book, I am still enchanted with and invested in Jack Henry and Laurelyn's story. I'll be finishing it sooner than later.

As an aside, I love how the title reflects what goes on in the story - Jack Henry and Laurelyn both surrender things they thought they wanted as they learn what they really need and how it defines them. It was beautiful!

Review ~ Beauty from Pain ~ Georgia Cates #COYER #ShelfLove

Beauty from Pain by Georgia Cates
Beauty Series #1
Release Date: January 4, 2014
Genre: Adult, Contemporary Romance
Source: Purchased on kindle
Rating: 4.5 Bookworms
Challenges: #COYER, #ShelfLove
Goodreads ~ Amazon

Synopsis
They agreed on three months...but their love knew no boundaries.

Jack McLachlan is a winemaking magnate and easily one of Australia's most eligible bachelors. His success and wealth make him no stranger to the complications of romantic relationships and that's why he goes to extreme measures to avoid the hassle. He prefers simplicity in the form of a beautiful female companion with no strings attached. He arranges relationships like business deals and they're always the same. No long term relationships. No real names.

It's his game and his rules. He's content to play as usual, but when Laurelyn Prescott enters his life, his strategy must change because this player is like none he's ever encountered. His world is turned on its head after he begins a three month affair with the beautiful American musician. Nothing goes according to plan and as he breaks more and more of his own rules for her, she's exceptionally close to becoming something he never thought possible. His ultimate game changer.

Omigosh! I cannot believe I've had this for so long and hadn't read it! Cates sucked me into this story immediately and I flew through it. So good!

Laurelyn has escaped to Australia with her best friend for a 3-month long getaway. She's running from a situation and taking time to make some big decisions regarding her future. Jack/Lachlan is a man who doesn't do relationships and his reasons are logical. He enters into agreements with his companions - no names (real anyway), no strings, just 3-4 weeks of fun and then they walk away. However, he's in Wagga Wagga for an extended time and he's decided to have a longer arrangement. Laurelyn, luckily, ticks all his boxes and will only be in the country for 3 months.

Obviously these two had chemistry - and it was palpable. They were fun together - Laurelyn challenged and teased Jack and he didn't know what to do with that. Laurelyn also felt the freedom to really be herself - even offering admissions she'd never shared with anyone - because there was an expiration date on their relationship. Neither of them expected to fall.

Watching as these two got acquainted and as the feelings developed was a pleasure. Laurelyn is feisty and even though there were boundaries set for their time together, she wasn't afraid to push Jack when it was important to her. Jack, although he wouldn't admit it, was smitten and almost immediately started breaking his own rules for her. He liked that she wanted time with him over anything he could buy for her.

There are some things in their pasts that are causing problems. I like the element of suspense these are providing. And there's the issue caused when Laurelyn goes home.

The next book in this series will be the first book I buy this year. But I *have* to know! Fortunately I have a few gift cards. :) This was my first read by Cates and her writing is fluid, the story well-crafted, and her characters well-defined. I can't wait to read more!

Thirsty Thursday & Hungry Hearts #58

My pick this week is from:

Beauty from Pain by Georgia Cates

I escort her toward the back of the restaurant to our table. I pull out her chair and slide it under her when she sits. "Are you hungry?"
She smiles and I find myself wanting to know all the secrets she hides behind it. "Very. I'm not one of those girls who's scared to eat in front of a date. I hope you don't mind that."
"Not at all."
She's quiet as she reads the wine list and our server arrives to take our drink order. "I'll have a Sauvignon Blanc."
She lifts her eyes from the list. "I have no idea how to order wine. I'll have what you're having."
"Two Sauvignon Blancs."

She holds the menu in front of her and I can't see her face. She's studying it like there could be an exam later. "I don't know what I want. Everything looks good."
"My business associate recommended anything seafood."
A moment later she places her menu on the table. "Seafood sounds good. I'll have the stuffed prawns."



It must be said that I don't do seafood but the Sauvignon Blanc sounds good. :D