It’s that time of year again people. The time where we, the voracious and obsessive readers of LGBT romance, look back and reflect on what an amazing year of books it’s been. If you’re anything like us then you’re already compiling your 2017 “To Read” list, but first, let’s share some of our favourite books from the year just gone.
Over the two weeks we’ll be posting our top reads of the year. Please feel free to tell us your own favourites, or simply comment on our choices.
There is a wonderful giveaway attached to these Best Of posts!
One winner will win a $25 DSP credit.
One winner will win a $10 Amazon giftcard
One winner wins a month of free advertising on Love Bytes (this prize is allowed to be gifted)
SARINA
This was a great fantasy story with an interesting premise. The world building was unique and I really enjoyed the cast of characters. While it wasn’t very action packed, I loved the personal connections built and there was a great happy ending to finish it off.
Haven Prime Series by Albert Nothlit
This and one other series were the best sci-fi I read all year! Both books out so far have been imaginative and entertaining from start to finish. I especially loved how they were so different from each other yet came together at the end to show their connection. I’ll be re-reading this many times in the future.
Lacuna Chronicles by A.M. Daily
The other best sci-fi series of the year, the Lacuna Chronicles grabbed me from the very beginning and hasn’t let go. Intriguing and intricately put together, the author surprised me at nearly every turn and left me begging for more. A definite must read for science fiction lovers!
Windbrothers: Desert by Sean Michael
Different from what I usually read by this author, I picked this one up and was amazed at the intricacy of the world laid out before me. With a twist on your usual fantasy novel, I found it hard to put down and was completely invested in the main characters by the end. I still find myself thinking about it while I wait anxiously for the next novel to be released.
Aberrant Magic Series by Lyn Gala
This series has made me re-evaluate everything I thought I knew about Urban Fantasy and I just loved it! With interesting characters, a unique look at magic and magic users, and cases that captured my attention from start to finish, this is a must read for fans of this genre.
Wriggle and Sparkle by Megan Derr
Megan Derr has officially managed something I never thought would be possible: she took the concept of tentacle porn and she made it amazing. I loved this! Originally released in installments, this book brings together five complete stories and an epilogue and let me tell you, they were all unbelievably good. Easy to love characters, fantastic dialogue and a unique take on shifters makes this one an absolute win!
Kai Gracen was back and better than ever in this long anticipated sequel. Another look at Urban Fantasy at its finest, I found myself falling in love with the characters all over again and it felt as though it were only yesterday that I’d discovered the series. If you’re looking for a different take on Urban Fantasy or are a fan of Rhys Ford, you HAVE to read this book!
Conversations in Real Time by Nicholas J. Finch
I never once could’ve imagined that a book told through e-mails (at least at first) could have such an impact. I loved learning about the main characters as they slowly learned about each other and you could feel how much it hurt that they were so far apart. I’m not ashamed to say that the ending made me squeal a little bit and thinking back on it I still get a smile on my face.
This was the first published work by this author and it was amazing! The police work was both detailed and entertaining and the case itself kept me guessing until the very end. While upsetting at times, and the ending a bit heartbreaking, I found the story compelling and completely worth the read. The happy ever after was just a nice bonus to cap off a great book.
The Beacon Hill Sorcerer Series by SJ Himes
This was apparently the year of Urban Fantasy for me because this was another total winner for that genre. I loved the mix of mystery, magic and paranormal elements; everything was woven together wonderfully and I was enthralled from the very beginning. The characters and world building were unique and interesting and I read through both books in one sitting. Needless to say, I’m eagerly awaiting book number three. 🙂
Great list, Sarina!
I loved all the books in the Society of Gentlemen by KJ Charles, the new series by Jordan L. Hawk, Hexworld, Priddy’s Tale by Harper Fox and Hottie Scotty and Mr. Porter by R. Cooper. But those are only some of my fav books this last year.
Thanks for the post, Sarina. Some on your list already on my TBR (I actually planned to read last year, but…) such as Dal Maclean’s, Megan Derris & Rhys Ford’s. A lot of my TBR this year is a spill-over from previous years plus those releases this year too. 😉
Great list. I need to add some of these to my wishlist. I have the Beacon Hill series waiting for me on my Kindle as well as Windbrothers: Desert, but several of your list escaped my notice and now need be added too.
Hi, Sarina! Great list! I especially like Megan, Rhys, & Sheena. I’m particularly inclined to novels with singers in it such as Love Me, Tenor by Annabeth Albert & Boy Banned by R.J. Scott. Novels focusing on mental issues also do it for me and Strong Medicine by J.K. Hogan is a good example. I’m also a HUGE YA lover. Few of the novels I like are The Night Screams by Devon McCormack & Turn the World Upside Down by Nyrae Dawn. I’ve also enjoyed Painful Lessons by S.C. Wynne like A LOT!
I’m in for making another of TBR pile on top of my growing pile. LOL!
I haven’t read a book on your list Sarina, so i’m looking forward to checking them out. Thanks for sharing 🙂
Great list, Sarina. I loved Lyn Gala’s series. And you reminded me that I had to read that one by Megan Derr since I loved her writing. I tried Dal MacLean but unfortunately I couldn’t click with the British style and I had to DNF. My personal issue, of course. Looking forward to more great reads this year
Great list Sarina. I loved that series by Lyn Gala and you reminded me that I had yet read “Wriggle and Sparkle”. I enjoy Megan Derr so I should get back to that.
Unfortunately I had problem to connect with Dal MacLean’s writing style and I had to DNF that one. My personal issue not the book.
Hope to more great books in 2017!
Great list! I’ve read half of them at least. I’m a huge fan of SJ Himes, her stories are like magic to me. I can’t wait to see what new stories authors are going to release this year. =)
I haven’t read any on this list….added them to my wish list!
Thanks for sharing your interesting list. I’ve read a couple of them and have others on my TBR list. I’m seeing Bitter Legacy turn up on many best-of lists. I will have to read that one soon.
Mad Lizard Mambo by Rhys Ford is one of my favorites.
I’m not a massive fantasy fan but have read Wriggle and Sparkle – and you saying it was previously in installments makes sense now – though I did enjoy it, tentacles and all!
And I have been flirting with Kai Gracen, big Cole/Jae Min fan so keep thinking I should give this a go
I need to read these! I loved Avon Gale’s POWER PLAY and EMPTY NET, Leta Blake and Alice Griffith’s WILL AND PATRICK series, Arthur Griffin’s THE LUSTY ADVENTURES OF THESEUS, and Ann Gallagher’s ALL THE WRONG PLACES.
You’ve listed some great books Sarina and I’ve got most of them except “Lacuna Chronicles” by A.M. Daily. I love Sci Fi books so this author is going on my wish list.
great choices! several I’ve already read (and agree they were awesome!) and several are on my TBR 🙂
Looks like great picks. I’ve read a couple and had my eyes on the others.
I really want to read Bitter Legacy by Dal Maclean. Sounds good.
Great list, Bitter Legacy was one of favorites of 2016!
I haven’t read any from your list, although I have Bitter Legacy on my reader waiting. : ) I’ve seen Lyn Gala’s book on another best of list, so that’s gotten my attention. You’ve introduced me to a few new titles/authors. Thanks for the sharing and happy new year!
Woot woot! One of the very few positive things about 2016 was that it introduced me to Rhys Ford’s work. Binge read Sinners Gin (and OMG the ending of the last book – cannot wait for more) but i have not read Mad Lizard Mambo yet. Cannot wait to get to it at some point 😀
Thank you for sharing the list. Some authors I don’t know, some I do. Bitter Legacy is definitely on my TBR.
Oh, “Deductions” sounds just like the book for me. And since I loved “Tournament of Losers” by Megan Derr a lot, I should probably put “Wriggle & Sparkle” on my to-read list as well. I also started reading books by Rhys Ford last year, so I’ll probably give “Mad Lizard Mambo” a try sooner or later 😉
Thanks for the list. I agree about Lacuna. The other SF for me this year was the Interscission Project series.