In my reader group, on Tuesdays, we do a ‘Tell Me Tuesday’ post where everybody shares what they’re reading/recommending, but lately I’ve been asked in different groups about my recommendations, which are vast, so I thought maybe I could do a regular post on my blog for those of you who are interested. I’m calling it BJ’s Bookshelf.
I’m a voracious reader, so obviously, this could quickly get out of hand! I used to keep a book blog for this purpose, but I just don’t have the time for extensive posts and regular maintenance, so I am deleting it. Instead, I’ll post my books here and limit it to some of my most recent 4 and 5 star reads just for the sake of not overwhelming you!
So, here goes! Here are some of my recent reads (with links) that I recommend, in no particular order.
- The Fallen World series by Laura Thalassa
- This is not a new series, but I’ve only recently discovered Thalassa, and I’m devouring her back catalog like there’s no tomorrow. The Fallen World series is a post-apocalyptic romance in which the hero, King Montes Lazuli, starts out as the villain, and the heroine, Serenity Freeman, a soldier and emissary, struggles with her attraction to a man who has committed so many atrocities in the name of world domination. It’s action-packed and angsty. What I love about Thalassa’s stories: Her world building is intricate, her heroes are alphas, and her heroines are badass. (No simpering, whiny females here!)
- Three books total (all one couple.)
- All books must be read in order (they are not stand alones.)
- No cheating/triangle.
- HEA.
- Book 1 in the series is The Queen of All That Dies
- This is not a new series, but I’ve only recently discovered Thalassa, and I’m devouring her back catalog like there’s no tomorrow. The Fallen World series is a post-apocalyptic romance in which the hero, King Montes Lazuli, starts out as the villain, and the heroine, Serenity Freeman, a soldier and emissary, struggles with her attraction to a man who has committed so many atrocities in the name of world domination. It’s action-packed and angsty. What I love about Thalassa’s stories: Her world building is intricate, her heroes are alphas, and her heroines are badass. (No simpering, whiny females here!)
- A Girl Like Lilac by Victoria L. James
- The main characters, Lilac and Toby, start out as childhood friends who become high school sweethearts and, eventually, adult lovers. Lilac is everything that is sweet and good and quirky. Toby is an alpha hero, even at such a young age, and only has eyes for Lilac. Because of the age of the main characters, some folks might consider this a YA book, however, the story bridges the gap between YA and NA. Plus, it contains a couple of explicit sex scenes and heavy subject matter which may or may not trigger some sensitive readers. Because of the adult themes, I would consider this book NA (as does the author.) This beautiful story is multi-layered and intricately woven.
- Stand alone.
- No cheating/triangle.
- HEA
- Download A Girl Like Lilac
- The main characters, Lilac and Toby, start out as childhood friends who become high school sweethearts and, eventually, adult lovers. Lilac is everything that is sweet and good and quirky. Toby is an alpha hero, even at such a young age, and only has eyes for Lilac. Because of the age of the main characters, some folks might consider this a YA book, however, the story bridges the gap between YA and NA. Plus, it contains a couple of explicit sex scenes and heavy subject matter which may or may not trigger some sensitive readers. Because of the adult themes, I would consider this book NA (as does the author.) This beautiful story is multi-layered and intricately woven.
- The Fine Art of Faking It (Blue Moon, 6) by Lucy Score
- Sexy and sweet rom-com. Score’s Blue Moon series has been laugh-out-loud funny so far, and I can’t wait for the next one. This is an enemies-to-lovers tale that starts in high school and then we fast forward several years. It’s got a Hatfields and McCoys style family feud that goes back a couple of generations and makes for some seriously ridiculous scenarios. If you’re already a fan of this series, you need to add this one to your TBR. Davis, the winery owner, and Eden, the innkeeper, share a property line. Davis broke Eden’s heart in high school, and now he’s looking for a second chance, but man, Eden can hold one hell of a grudge! With cameos from characters from the previous books in this series, you will fall in love with the town of Blue Moon all over again.
- Stand alone, as are the rest of the books in this series.
- No cheating/triangle.
- HEA
- Download The Fine Art of Faking It
- Start the series from the beginning with No More Secrets
- Sexy and sweet rom-com. Score’s Blue Moon series has been laugh-out-loud funny so far, and I can’t wait for the next one. This is an enemies-to-lovers tale that starts in high school and then we fast forward several years. It’s got a Hatfields and McCoys style family feud that goes back a couple of generations and makes for some seriously ridiculous scenarios. If you’re already a fan of this series, you need to add this one to your TBR. Davis, the winery owner, and Eden, the innkeeper, share a property line. Davis broke Eden’s heart in high school, and now he’s looking for a second chance, but man, Eden can hold one hell of a grudge! With cameos from characters from the previous books in this series, you will fall in love with the town of Blue Moon all over again.
- Blaire by Anita Gray
- Blaire is the first book in the Blaire series. So far, books 1 and 2 are out, and book 3 is slated for sometime in 2018. I’m totally obsessed with this dark mafia romance, and book 3 cannot get here fast enough. Blaire was taken as a young girl and conditioned to be the obedient bodyguard to Maksim, a player in the Russian mafia (Bratva.) But when Maksim’s old partner (that he double-crossed) comes to collect a debt, Blaire becomes the price that is paid. Blaire struggles with her conditioning when Charlie demands ownership of her heart. This story is angsty as well as action-packed, and Charlie is one hell of a swoonworthy alpha anti-hero. There’s also a healthy bit of intrigue, as not everything/everyone is as it seems. This book has some serious triggers as well, so definitely not for the sensitive reader.
- Series must be read in order. Not stand alones. One continuous story with one couple.
- No cheating/triangle.
- Hopefully HEA coming soon!
- Download Blaire
- Blaire is the first book in the Blaire series. So far, books 1 and 2 are out, and book 3 is slated for sometime in 2018. I’m totally obsessed with this dark mafia romance, and book 3 cannot get here fast enough. Blaire was taken as a young girl and conditioned to be the obedient bodyguard to Maksim, a player in the Russian mafia (Bratva.) But when Maksim’s old partner (that he double-crossed) comes to collect a debt, Blaire becomes the price that is paid. Blaire struggles with her conditioning when Charlie demands ownership of her heart. This story is angsty as well as action-packed, and Charlie is one hell of a swoonworthy alpha anti-hero. There’s also a healthy bit of intrigue, as not everything/everyone is as it seems. This book has some serious triggers as well, so definitely not for the sensitive reader.
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