Tracy’s Top Picks For 2010

Tracy’s 2010 Top Picks

This was great reading year for me.  I caught the reading bug last fall and have already over 100 books this year (5 times more than last).  This feat was in large part due to my girl Amy and her willingness to talk about books and beta reviews at all hours of the night (Sleep: optional. Steamy love scenes: required. Just sayin’).  My obsession was also fueled by great Goodreads/Twitter friends’ recommendations and quite a few amazing 2010 book releases.  Below are my Top 5 Book Releases of 2010 as well as a few honorable mentions.

Sin Undone by Larissa Ione
After reading Lore’s story in Ectasy Unveiled, the fourth installment of the series, I wondered ‘how do I get a Seminus demon??’  Once I finished Sin’s story, I couldn’t help but think ‘how do I become a Seminus demon?’  Sin was my favorite heroine in this series.  In addition to being a badass assassin, Sin revealed herself to be a self-less and loving person which created a great blend of yin and yang for her character.  And Con.  Oh. Dear. Con.  The vampire and werewolf mix was all kinds of faint-worthy hawtness *swoon faint*.   His support and acceptance of Sin for what she was, no questions asked, made me love him even more. Sin Undone was an amazing end to an exceptional series.  Larissa Ione, you did the damn thang!

Favorite Quote: “Don’t….leave….me.” A lump formed in his throat. “Listen to me, Sin. I swear, I’ll come back. I won’t leave you.” A single tear dripped down her cheek as he squeezed her hand and leaned over to brush his lips across hers. A deep, primal rage rose up in him. He would get her brother’s, and he would tear apart the bastard who had done this to her.

Lover Mine by J.R. Ward
The Black Dagger Brotherhood rekindled my love for reading, so all of the brothers will always make my heart go pitter pat.  John Matthews and Xhex’ story was no exception.  As I learned more about Xhex in this installment, I became more impressed by her strength and subtle tenderness.  That her relationship with John Matthews was somewhat “destined,” made the story feel epic.  This story brought so much full circle and opened doors to unknown chapters to come.  Lover Mine is an incredible addition to the series and earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf.  *caresses book and tries not to drool on the tantalizing cover*

Favorite Quotes:
“Hold up there, big man. You think you can make me blush like I’m some girl?”
“She was the missing piece to his puzzle, the twelfth in his dozen, the first and the last page of his book.”

Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Carolyn Crane truly impressed me with Mind Games.  I’d heard so many great things about the book and am happy to report they were all true.  Interesting, multi-dimensional characters and the creative use as hypochondria as a weapon (brilliant!) really brought the story to life.  With philosophical undertones and a little sleuthing, the story reminded me of the very best elements of the movie the Matrix.  If only the series could stretch beyond three books… *wink wink nudge nudge*

Favorite Quote: “He kisses up my neck, lingering tantalizingly over my ear, doing warm breathy things that feel illicit, especially once his tongue gets involved.  Then he bits down on my earlobe, hot and sharp, and a swoon moves through me, like unexpected sunshine on my stomach.”

Dare to Surrender by Lilli Feisty
Opposites attract and get all tied up (quite literally) in this sexy, yet romantic story.  Take a completely unstructured, disorganized and not particularly responsible art curator (Joy) and pair her with a former Navy SEAL, experienced Dom and edgy new artist (Ash) and you get a fun, sexy and sweet submission.  Joy and Ash’s chemistry had me excitedly turning the pages – erotic love scenes and some light BDSM certainly helped too.

One Dance with a Duke by Tessa Dare
I quickly became a fan of Tessa Dare after reading this sweet, romantic and sensual story.  I’ve always been a fan any hero who is outwardly abrasive and arrogant, but it’s all just a façade.  When he meets that one woman, in this case Amelia, his softer side comes out.

Favorite Quote: “He kissed her. Without warning, without permission. Without even deciding to do it, but simply because he couldn’t have done anything else. He needed that breath she was holding. It belonged to him, and he wanted it back.”

My 2010 Honorable Mentions

The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks
An emotionally raw journey that is well balanced with suspense and a little action.  Add in a loving family and military-trained brothers and I’m marking my calendar for future releases from this series.

Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
An intense psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat with a passionate couple who has to overcome their mistrust and team up to catch a creepy serial kill.

Entice Me at Twilight by Shayla Black
This series is on my auto-buy list.  Imagine the camaraderie and hawt sexiness of the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  Mix in some pretty cool magical powers.  And shake your fist at a back-from-the-dead-I-really-wish-he’d-go-back villain.