Jen in Bookland

Every year I sit down on the last day to write up my best of list. Every year I have a hard time deciding on which 20 books were my favorite reads, but usually it is doable and I have one or two books that stand out as a bit better than the rest. One or two books that are my my absolute favorite reads. This year is no different, I'm sitting here coming up with my list, but man 2015 was an amazing year for books! I have read so many wonderful stories that picking just 20 was incredibly difficult. More so than in past years. I started just listing every book I absolutely loved and had way too many. So then I said okay, just one in a series if I had more than that on the list, but even that was way too many. I finally had to decide on just one per author which still left me with more than I had wanted. It was hard coming up with just 20 books, series, or authors that I loved reading this past year. And the real kicker? I don't have one or two books that stand out as better than ...

Releasing Jan 1! Pre-order your copy now on Amazon * Amazon.de * Goodreads Synopsis: Rath and Paisen completed all fifty kills in their contracts with the Janus Group. But when they uncovered the criminal organization's darkest secret, the Janus Group unleashed an army of assassins to silence the rogue pair. With help from a former Interstellar Police detective, Rath and Paisen survive - barely. Their plan to attack the Janus Group head-on may be suicide, but in the end, they'll tear the organization to the ground … or die trying. Review: *Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Also this is the third book in a series and NOT a standalone. You should have read the first two books before continuing on or you will be lost. There will be spoilers for the first two books ahead* Rath's Reckoning is the third and final chapter of the Janus Group Trilogy and man was it fun! Just as great as the first two books in the ser...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Teagan Cross, college senior, rebel, and wiseass extraordinaire, goes from princess to pauper in a single phone call. Overnight, her life of privilege becomes one of survival, and no matter where she turns, it seems like the world is out to get her. She's not going to fall apart, though. She's a rebel and she's strong … determined to live life on her own terms … and nothing's going to stop her from getting things done and making things right. But when a twist of fate brings her to the doorstep of a different kind of Rebel, she's forced to figure out when something's worth fighting for and when something's worth letting go. Review: Rebel is one of those books that I shouldn't have liked, but I actually loved. If someone would just tell me about the characters in detail, mainly Teagan, and the story and everything I probably would have passed on reading ...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Skye Titan's wealthy father thinks he can still dictate his daughter's choice in men. Now widowed and a single mother, Skye isn't the yes-girl she once was. Especially since the love of her life is back in Texas after eight long years. He won't like the answers to the questions he's asking. About why she left him at the altar. And about her eight-year-old daughter. Former navy SEAL Mitch Cassidy comes home to find nearly everything different. His wounds from battle have changed the way people treat him. His cattle ranch is suddenly organic. But time hasn't touched his desire for Skye -- or the sting of her betrayal. Forget lip service. He's asking that luscious mouth of hers to reveal the truth. But will Mitch be able to put the past aside to help Skye get out from under her father's thumb and help himself recover from a broken heart? Review: I know...

Re-releasing April 19. Available for pre-order now on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: There’s one must-have toy this Christmas, and Neala Clarke has told her niece Charli she’ll get it for her. Never mind that she’s got less than a week and it looks like everywhere is sold out. She’s promised Charli a Fire Princess doll—and Neala is a woman of her word. Darcy Hart is a people-pleaser. So when his adorable six-year-old nephew, Dustin, asks for a particular doll at the last minute, he says yes. Luckily for Darcy, there’s one left in stock at the local toy store. Unluckily for Darcy, he’s not the only person who wants it—and his rival is the one woman who’s immune to his charms. Neala and Darcy have loved to hate each other since they were kids, and they’re both willing to do whatever it takes to get that doll. This can’t possibly end well for both of them…can it? Review: Frozen was a fun Christmas read. Kind of like Jingl...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: A new Christmas novella by bestselling author Ginny Baird... Book #1 in Ginny's Holiday Brides novella series. Since the death of her military husband two years ago, single mom Christine White has struggled to get by. By throwing herself into her work as a Chicago copywriter, she's managed to keep food on the table but has gradually lost sight of what really matters, like building a bond with her four-year-old son. When Christine's best friend insists she spend Christmas in Vermont so she can get her life in order, Christine initially resists. Little does she know she's in for a memorable holiday that will reignite her faith and reawaken her heart.  Bachelor professor John Steadman has given up on finding the right one. Spending time with his friends while keeping up with his job seems satisfying enough. Then one day close to Christmas, a beautiful woman from Chica...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Cruel miser Ebeneezer Scrooge has never met a shilling he doesn't like...and hardly a man he does. And he hates Christmas most of all. When Scrooge is visited by his old partner, Jacob Marley, and the ghosts of Christmas Past, Christmas Present, and Christmas Yet to Come, he learns eternal lessons of charity, kindness, and goodwill. Experience a true Victorian Christmas! Review: Merry Christmas those of you who celebrate this holiday! For todays read I decided on a classic from my Rory Gilmore Reading Challenge list.   A Christmas Carol must be one of the most popular Christmas stories, at least in the states, but it was never a favorite of mine. Really it is probably my least favorite Christmas story, based on the movies. I remember watching many movie versions of the story from Micky Mouse to Scrooged and everything in between. I don't know that I ever read the story though...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Home is more than a place . . . Breaking free from her structured life, Chloe English quits her high-powered job and moves across the country to work as an art teacher. The simple life is all she hoped it would be until her house burns down, leaving her homeless. When a handsome firefighter swoops in to save the day, she can’t believe her luck. He’s laid-back and unassuming, everything she’s looking for in a man—or so he seems. It turns out he’s as ambitious as her ex, comes with a family who could be more stifling than hers, and harbors dark secrets he may never be able to share. Orphaned as a teenager, Derek Sumner has found a place in his best friend’s family. However, the love and support of his surrogate parents and siblings can’t erase the grief and loss he struggles every Christmas to banish. But this year he meets the fun and sexy Chloe, whose optimism and sense of joy are inc...

Now available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Levi Donovan is best friend and wingman to Keanu Lee. He is also his business partner in Limbitless Tees. (There is a pun in there, folks.) Well, he was wingman, but now Keanu has Hope in more ways than one. Things are changing for this sexy brotherhood … for the better. Retro has the love of his life, which has turned him into an overprotective caveman. Keanu is a goner. Text is trying his best not to screw things up with his complicated relationship with Faith—it’s a work in progress. Harley’s ‘spidey’ senses are working overtime. And ... Slade has gone MIA, not that Phoenix cares. Not much, anyway.  Damn Behemoth of a man. Now the crew and the ever-expanding sisterhood are off to spend Thanksgiving in Cedar Hill, Texas with the people they love. Of course, what should have been a relaxing break away from OB turns into more than Levi bargained for. When the girl h...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Goodreads Synopsis: Daria Stark's ex-husband and his scheming girlfriend have her precious little girls for Christmas and she opts to get out of Seattle at the last minute to survive the lonely holidays. She arrives in the picturesque Canadian ski resort, Whistler Mountain, to visit her friend Joanne and lands in a whirlwind of holiday activity--getting a Christmas tree, shopping for presents, making Christmas cookies and being romanced by a dashing Frenchman, who is also visiting Whistler for Christmas. Not one to rush into romance, Daria finds herself being swept away by the charms of Californian vintner, Pierre Charbenaud and contemplates having a Christmas fling but will her heart survive when the Christmas vacation is over and both leave Whistler?  Review: Christmas in Whistler was a fun, cute Christmas read. Daria's ex-husband and horrible girlfriend have her daughters for Christmas. This is the first time Daria ...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Rath just assassinated a senator, and completed his final mission for the Janus Group. Now every Interstellar Police officer on Alberon is searching for him. If they don't find him, one of his fellow contractors certainly will … and the most feared criminal organization in the galaxy has severe punishments for employees who break the rules. Rath's only hope is to find the rogue contractor who helped him escape a company deathtrap after his final mission. United, the two assassins might just get free from the Janus Group and get what they're owed. But first they'll need to survive. Review: *Note: I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. Also you should have read  Rath's Deception already as this is a continuation of the same story. Rath's Gambit was such a fun read. I am loving this series. One of the things I love most about this book ...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Goodreads Synopsis: Erica London needs some time alone to figure out if she should continue with the in vitro treatments. They haven’t worked so far. She really wants to have a baby and an heir to the ranch…to know he or she was on the way before Christmas. Of course, wishing for a man to love her and produce said baby would be wonderful, but that’s not about to happen. She rides over to the London Lodge, situated on the back end of the London Ranch, to clean and close it down for the winter. A freak blizzard has her snowed in, but she doesn’t mind in the least. She has food, shelter, and wood fires to keep her warm. Besides, she enjoys not having the phone ringing or wranglers stopping in to chat. Spencer Rafferty is on his way to his brother’s wedding when he takes a wrong turn and ends up on a side road. His car hits a nasty drift and barrels into the ditch. With no signal on his cell phone, he looks around and all he sees is ...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Alone and on the run, Ginny is desperate to stay one step ahead of danger while still trying to protect her sister and her sister's boys.  Forced from her home and holding the key to a horrible secret, Ginny is haunted by her memories and pursued by a man who will stop at nothing to regain his control over her.  The appearance of a mysterious man in her time of greatest need forces Ginny to decide whether she will take the chance to trust this handsome stranger. Review: Home for Christmas was a fun Christmas suspense. Ginny is homeless, living on the streets trying to stay warm at night and find food during the day. She has her places she can hang out and be warm during the day, but nighttime is still hard. She is on the run, trying to stay hidden from her step-father.  Ginny didn't run far, but hopefully far enough. She has been sticking around because her sis...

Available on Amazon * Amazon.de * Barnes & Noble * Goodreads Synopsis: Annie Prudhomme never expected to be back in Marietta, MT and her family is fond of reminding her that she left them and the town behind in search of better things. A humiliating divorce that cost her everything she’d gained has driven her back home and her family isn’t about to welcome her back into the fold. She’s in town to rebuild the old home that she inherited and to move on once again. Carson Scott never forgot Annie or the way she left. Now that she’s back in town he’s realizing that the old flame still burns hot but he can’t risk his heart the way he did last time now that he has his son to think about it. Being trapped together during a December snowstorm gives them a chance to rekindle their romance but is Annie back for good or is she just looking for a cowboy for Christmas?  Review: A Cowboy for Christmas was an alright Christmas read. The basic story is Annie and...

Distraction (Underground Kings #3, but can be read as a standalone) will be releasing early next year!. I am very excited for this story! Add to your to-read list in Goodreads Synopsis: Distraction: The great intensity, novelty, or attractiveness of something other than the object of attention. Sven is a man who takes pride in his ability to separate himself from his emotions. He's a man who knows who he is and where he’s going in life, a man who needs no one, because needing someone, anyone, is a weakness.  His past taught him love isn’t enough.   Maggie wants the happily ever after, but has never picked the right men, or stuck around long enough, to build a forever. It’s always been easier to get out early, before emotions make things messy.     When Maggie wakes up naked in Sven’s bed, with no memory of the night before, these two must be honest about their feelings and face their fears, so they can build a future together. W...