Hey y’all…welcome to DAY 13 of BLOGMAS: BEST BOOKS OF 2018! The very awesome and wonderful blogger, Sophie, over at Beware of the Reader is hosting this challenge where I will attempt to post about the BEST OF THE BEST in contemporary romance every day this month. Go check out her blog!!🎅

ICYMI: My hubby, Mr. A. has been in the hospital since Sunday so I’ve missed several days of Blogmas. But he was released yesterday, thank God and now I’m playing catch up! That means that today, I’ll post the BEST FANTASY/PARANORMAL ROMANCE and the BEST SERIES! Woo Hoo…let’s go!!😁

 

 

Goodreads: The Gathering (Ivy Blackwood Chronicles #1) by L.A. Fiore

 

 

The Gathering by L.A. Fiore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THE GATHERING is the start of a new paranormal series, The Ivy Blackwood Chronicles.

Ivy Blackwood has spent her entire life in a mental institution. She’s plagued by dreams and a deep intuition that says danger is coming. Her psychiatrist, Dr. Ellis, plies her with drugs to keep her calm. But some horrific deaths have been linked to Ivy’s past and as the investigation plays out, it’s evident that nothing is as it seems. Evil is on the horizon and it’s up to Ivy and her band of supernaturals to stop it.

I believe this is my first read from author L.A. Fiore and holy hell…it won’t be my last! This book just had my imagination running wild from beginning to end. The story is like a 1000 piece puzzle; in order to complete it, you start at the edges then work inward to see the big picture. Ms. Fiore’s writing was pure genius! The first half of the book was incredibly creepy. Then as the love story unfolds between Ivy and the lycan, Bain, the pieces start to come together. It becomes less spooky, more exciting, thrilling.

The sinister cover caught my attention and then the blurb but honestly, I loved the ENTIRE cast of characters from the sheriff, Josiah, to the guardian of Hell, Hades. And trust me, you’ll find all kinds of mystical creatures in this one! Ivy seemed so lost and sad in the beginning, naive almost. But she’s actually exceptionally strong and soooo much more than you think and that’s all I’ll say about that! This is one of those stories that will stay with me for awhile. It’ll be a fantastic addition to my READ AGAIN E-SHELF.

Told from multiple POVs with a happy for now ending but with the knowledge that there’s more to come. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

View all my reviews

 

 

 

Goodreads: Confessions Series Books 1-4 by Ella Frank

 

*My review of book #4: The Princess, the Prick & the Priest

The Princess, the Prick & the Priest by Ella Frank

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

THE PRINCESS, THE PRICK & THE PRIEST is the final book in the Confessions series. It begins where book 3 left off so read it in order!

THE PLAYERS:

1. Robert (Robbie) is a barista, referred to as THE PRINCESS, boyfriend of Julian & Joel.
2. Julien is a world renowned French chef, known as THE PRICK, he’s married to Joel.
3. Joel, aka THE PRIEST, works as a lawyer & is the son of a murderer.

HERE’S A SNIPPET FROM MY REVIEW OF BOOK 3:

“…Priest seemed like the coldest character, kind of the odd man out but reading this one successfully endeared him to me. He was so protective, proud, loving…just downright swoony.”

Honestly, I was a bit wary of this book. I really felt like I could live with how book 3 ended. But damn, I’m so glad to be wrong! First, the cover. Go ahead and stop reading to take a gander at that hot as hell cover…gorgeous, isn’t it? Next, the drama and suspense of Priest’s story has been solved, so essentially, this is like an extended epilogue that has a lighter feel to it. There is some small family drama but nothing too heavy. And prepare yourself for more swooning because Ella Frank does not hold back in the bedroom scenes. Bow chicka bow wow!!

I can’t say enough how much I adored getting to know these wonderfully imperfect, perfect characters. {Sigh} I’m so sad to say goodbye to them. And the ending? I really didn’t see that coming but I loved, loved, loved it! I thought it fit perfectly and the very last line in the book…Killed. Me. I immediately had to put on Bon Jovi’s, “It’s My Life”!

It’s my life
It’s now or never
I ain’t gonna live forever
I just want to live while I’m alive
(It’s my life)
My heart is like an open highway
Like Frankie said I did it my way
I just want to live while I’m alive
It’s my life

I highly recommend this series if you enjoy a steamy little taboo ménage romance. Oh, and peruse the cover…just one more time! Told from the POV of all three main characters. I voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

View all my reviews

 

What do you think of my picks? What’s your vote for best series or best fantasy/PNR? Merry Blogmas y’all!🎄