Top Ten Tuesday: Books I Read in 2014

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books I Read in 2014


1. Heir of Fire (Throne of Glass #3) by Sarah J. Maas
Lost and broken, Celaena Sardothien’s only thought is to avenge the savage death of her dearest friend: as the King of Adarlan’s Assassin, she is bound to serve this tyrant, but he will pay for what he did. Any hope Celaena has of destroying the king lies in answers to be found in Wendlyn. Sacrificing his future, Chaol, the Captain of the King’s Guard, has sent Celaena there to protect her, but her darkest demons lay in that same place. If she can overcome them, she will be Adarlan’s biggest threat – and his own toughest enemy.

While Celaena learns of her true destiny, and the eyes of Erilea are on Wendlyn, a brutal and beastly force is preparing to take to the skies. Will Celaena find the strength not only to win her own battles, but to fight a war that could pit her loyalties to her own people against those she has grown to love?


Sarah Maas really stepped up the game in this third installment. I really liked Throne of Glass, but Heir of Fire completely surpassed my every expectation.



2. Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
No matter how much the paranormal politics of Atlanta change, one thing always remains the same: if there’s trouble, Kate Daniels will be in the middle of it...

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.

As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear....


There hasn't been an Ilona Andrews book I haven't liked, and the latest Kate Daniels book is no exception.

Review: The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

Title: The Suffragette Scandal (Brothers Sinister #4)
Author: Courtney Milan
Publisher: Self
Acquired Via: NetGalley
Release Date: July 15, 2014
An idealistic suffragette...

Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall has put her heart and soul into her newspaper, known for its outspoken support of women's rights. Naturally, her enemies are intent on destroying her business and silencing her for good. Free refuses to be at the end of her rope...but she needs more rope, and she needs it now.

...a jaded scoundrel...

Edward Clark's aristocratic family abandoned him to die in a war-torn land, so he survived the only way he could: by becoming a rogue and a first-class forger. When the same family that left him for dead vows to ruin Miss Marshall, he offers his help. So what if he has to lie to her? She's only a pawn to use in his revenge.

...and a scandal seven years in the making.

But the irrepressible Miss Marshall soon enchants Edward. By the time he realizes that his cynical heart is hers, it's too late. The only way to thwart her enemies is to reveal his scandalous past...and once the woman he loves realizes how much he's lied to her, he'll lose her forever.

My Review

It’s no secret that I adore Courtney Milan’s books, and Free has probably been my favorite side character throughout the Brothers Sinister series. I was so excited when I found out that she was going to be the next and last book in the series.

Milan writes awesome heroines because they are intelligent and capable, and Free is one of the most capable of the bunch. Edward was the perfect match for Free, even though he did not believe it. Edward believes that he is a scoundrel, but he is back in England to help his best friend’s little brother out of a jam. At the center of that jam is Free. It was wonderful watching Edward try to scoundrel his way into helping Free. Free would not be bullied or blackmailed, and Edward was charmed by Free’s cleverness and idealism. My favorite kind of romantic hero is the one that believes he is a bad man, but who does bad things for good reasons, and finds redemption in the heroine. Edward finds something to believe in when he finds Free.

Top Ten Tuesday: Book Cover Trends

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Book Cover Trends

I Like:



1. Girls in Dresses on Historical Romance Novels
This is so much better than half-naked men and women who, more often than not, are making odd faces.



2. Covers That Actually Depict Scenes in the Book

Top Ten Tuesday: Books on My Summer TBR List

Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created and hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Top Ten Books on My Summer TBR List



1. Magic Breaks (Kate Daniels #7) by Ilona Andrews
July 29, 2014
My favorite writing duo is bringing us a new Kate novel! I just can't get enough of Kate and Curran. Also, Renée Raudman brings this story to life through her narration. I can't read "Why me?" in any book without hearing it in Raudman's voice and inflection. If you like urban fantasy and haven't started this series, you need to immediately stop whatever you're reading and start this series.



2. The Kraken King Part II: The Kraken King and the Abominable Worm (Iron Seas #4.2) by Meljean Brook
I quickly devoured the first three in this series, along with a few novellas not too long ago. I'm attempting to be patient and read through the serials of book 4. My library has all of them but I am on the hold list for the second part. I really don't see myself holding out without just giving up and buying the rest of them. Which just confirms that I am too impatient for serials.

Waiting on Wednesday (58): The Suffragette Scandal by Courtney Milan

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.



Title: The Suffragette Scandal (Brothers Sinister #4)
Author: Courtney Milan
Publisher: Self
Release Date: July 14, 2014
An idealistic suffragette...

Miss Frederica "Free" Marshall has put her heart and soul into her newspaper, known for its outspoken support of women's rights. Naturally, her enemies are intent on destroying her business and silencing her for good. Free refuses to be at the end of her rope...but she needs more rope, and she needs it now.

...a jaded scoundrel...

Edward Clark's aristocratic family abandoned him to die in a war-torn land, so he survived the only way he could: by becoming a rogue and a first-class forger. When the same family that left him for dead vows to ruin Miss Marshall, he offers his help. So what if he has to lie to her? She's only a pawn to use in his revenge.

...and a scandal seven years in the making.

But the irrepressible Miss Marshall soon enchants Edward. By the time he realizes that his cynical heart is hers, it's too late. The only way to thwart her enemies is to reveal his scandalous past...and once the woman he loves realizes how much he's lied to her, he'll lose her forever.


Milan writes some of the best historical romances. Each of her books contains top notch writing, intelligent and engrossing heroines, and well-researched plots regarding issues not usually tackled in historical romances. I can't wait to read her newest edition to this fantastic series! I also just found out that she's releasing another series later this year called The Worth Saga which begins with Once Upon a Marquess.

What are you waiting on this week?