It’s that time of year again people. The time where we, the voracious and obsessive readers of LGBTQ 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 2019 “To Read” list, but first, let’s share some of our favourite books from the year just gone.

Over the next few 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.

One commenter from each of these posts will win a $5 store credit with Dreamspinner Press.

KAT

As many of you know this has been a year of many changes for me in my personal life and the books I have had an opportunity to read have helped me get through many of the tougher moments. Books are sometimes a means of escape from many from the pressures and obstacles of our lives. I truly appreciate each of the authors that allowed me to read and review their art. It is such a privilege that I do not take lightly. And now for the fun stuff…

 

These books in alphabetical order are in no certain order of importance. They all deeply impacted me one way or another.

A Hard Call (Stonewall Investigations #1) by Max Walker

I was thrilled when I realized that Max Walker had a new series that was a spin off of the Sierra View Series. This is a particularly gritty series and this book started it all. Stonewall Investigations is a LGBTQ+ friendly Private Investigation firm that was started Zane Holden. Zane’s husband had been taken from him when he was way too young. He had been murdered by the sadistic and homophobic serial killer “The Unicorn”. This series follows Zane and his fellow investigators in his firm as they fight for the rights of gay men that have been wronged while helping search for the killer that is back killing gay men in committed relationships.

A Soldier’s Wish (The Christmas Angel #5) by N.R. Walker

When I read this phenomenal book it took me back to high school and worrying about my friends that were drafted and sent off to Vietnam. This was particularly stressful time in US history. Our returning warriors were not honored for their valor but hated by many for taking part in this war. This was the first war that played out nightly on our televisions and was not well received. The horrors that Richard endured there will not soon escape my memories and ignited many I had forgotten.

 

Death and Destruction series by Patricia Logan

Thayne and Jarrett have gotten me through some harder moments. If these amazing men and their fellow ATF and FBI associates can get through all the brutality and harm that Patricia Logan can throw at them then I can get throw my common troubles! I have been a huge fan of this series and was so sad to have to let my men go. I have loved getting to get glimpses of all the agents in the new Thin Blue Line series and can’t wait for the next book due out soon.

 

Flash Me (Heathen’s Ink #7) by K.M. Neuhold

Liam’s story particularly opened my eyes to what a transgender (ftm) man goes through to finally accept himself as the man he has become. With the help of two amazing and loving partners Liam was able to live the life that he had always envisioned.

 

Greyson Fox by TL Travis

I fell for Greyson from the very start and knew that he was one silver fox that deserved a life of love. He had such a hard young life as a boy and needed to have someone take him under his wing and allow him to grow. Daniel won my heart over for nurturing Greyson and allowing him to become the man that he needed to become. But Samuel was the true love of his life and taught Greyson how to love fully and completely. I think that meeting TL at GRL this year and having her introduce me to the real life model for Greyson Fox was one of my highlights of the conference! They both were so genuine and wonderful.

 

Irresistible Omegas series by Nora Phoenix

I fell in love with Nora Phoenix and her amazing books when I got to review her No Shame series and knew she had become one of my must-have authors. So when she said she was doing a new series I was all in…that is until I found out that it was a paranormal/MPREG/shifter series. I explained that I don’t do those kind of books but I was convinced to at least try one and see. Who would have thought that I would become a paranormal/MPREG/shifter series junkie who couldn’t wait to get my hands on the next book in the series! I love these men and their very unconventional (and that’s saying a lot in this genre) lifestyle.

 

Of Sunlight and Stardust by Christina Lee & Riley Hart

This book deeply touched me. The parallel stories of the T & C’s (Tanner and Cole with Tom and Charlie) worked so well and captured you. For me though it was the story of Tom and Charlie really meant so much. My dad’s best friend was born in the ‘20’s and had 8 had always known that he liked men not women. What I never appreciated was the world that he grew up in and the hate for gay men. I know I was a very sheltered girl in the 60’s but I had never known that people on the outside of our family didn’t love him for who he was but hated him for who he loved. I had visited him in the hospital a couple times after he had “fallen” or some other now obvious story my parents had told me to protect me from the anger and bigotry of our world. Riley Hart and Christina Lee nailed it with this one.

 

Reinventing Us (The Rock Gods #9) by Ann Lister

When I found out that Ann Lister had decided to give us another Rock Gods book I was over the top excited. This series about my favorite rock stars and how their lives evolved is one of my top series to reread. This book was particularly hard at times to read. I was dealing with some pretty tough things in my personal life and Alex’s depth of depression hit home pretty close. Ann didn’t take the easy way out with this one and I for one and thankful that she had the fortitude to stick with it because this really is an amazing and though provoking book.

 

Riven (Riven series #1) by Roan Parrish

Roan Parrish was a new-to-me author that I discovered with this series. I am a Rock Star Gay Romance fan and this jumped out at me. What I wasn’t expecting was what I learned in this book. When I was young all the members of a popular band were immediately known and followed. Somehow this has evolved to mainly the front man. The other members of the band get to enjoy their lives a bit easier as they aren’t always as easily recognizable because the studios and producers push the lead, especially if they are good looking. Theo opened my eyes to what it was like to have your personal time “stolen” by the paparazzi and fans. The whole band shares the wealth however it is now at the expense of the spokesperson for the group personal space at times.

Tank (Ballsy Boys #2) by K.M. Neuhold and Nora Phoenix

I would have never guessed that a book series on Gay Porn Stars would have hooked me so hard but these guys at Ballsy Boys Studio have reached out and lead me into their inner world. A world filled with dreams for the future that they are helping pay for with the money they make at the studio. And that work allows them to go to college and peruse their dreams. I particularly enjoyed this book where two of the men form the studio Tank and Brewer finally got past their bickering and found their HEA.

That’s my Ethan by Tarian P.S.

This was a very personal book for me and not my typical read. I don’t usually real non fiction. This is the real life love story of two men that I know and admire. I will admit that it was hard to real how difficult their lives had been at times and the struggles they endured to make their love become the foundation of their current lives. This book will show you the truth of how a 24/7 D/s relationship began and why it is a necessity in their lives.

The Second Time Around by Rowan McAllister

I loved this book. I loved that Jordan risked his former life to live this life as he had to. That he came out to his rich parents knowing that they weren’t going to support his life. I loved that he figured out where to go to get the love and support he needed as he figured out his next steps in life and what he wanted to pursue. And I love that he didn’t let the gruff and off-putting Russ turn him away. I simple loved this book.

Yep, I know, these more than ten here and yep, I cheated and put in Series instead of choosing just one of the books from them but these book made a difference in my life this year. Through all the changes and challenges I learned a real-life lesson. Sometimes you have to choose to “escape” and I realized and there’s no better place than in a good book. And sometimes you learn a bit about yourself during that escape.

Kat