Top 10 Reads of 2017

I can't believe 2017 is already almost over! I managed to read 30 books this year. Still, barely made a dent in my TBR list, and didn't quite make my goal of 40 books for 2017. Still, I feel like I read quite a bit! Here is my top 10 reads of 2017! For more information on the books, click on the book cover.

10.

Strange the Dreamer is by far the most beautifully written story I have ever read. Laini Taylor has a very artistic way to tell a story and I couldn't help but be captured by the gorgeous details in this story.  I have to say, the ending is a bit odd and took a direction a didn't see coming, but I loved that about this story as well! Definitely had to be on my top 10 list this year!

9.

Though I thoroughly enjoyed this book, I was slightly disappointed because it didn't have quite the same feel as book 1 and 2. Still, definitely had to be on my top 10 list for 2017. There's an epic battle and Feyre is a strong female heroine that is steadfast and loyal which I just love!. And of course I love Rhysand! Those to together are the perfect pair, so it's hard not to enjoy anything they are in!

8.

One reason why I loved Warcross was because of how original it was. There is literally nothing like it. For all those computer, virtual reality nerds out there (my husband included), this book is definitely for you. The world Marie Lu creates is phenomenal and I love how this is basically the Olympics for virtual reality games!

7.

I absolutely enjoyed this sequel to Rebel in the Sands. It was epic and full of adventure and I am super excited about the third book in the series!

6.

Daughter of the Pirate king I simply loved! What a great sea life romance! It had the perfect balance of a love story, strong heroine, adventure, and mystery to it. I cannot wait for the sequel!

5.

I finally got around to reading this gem this year. What a magical adventure! It was beautifully written and pulled me in right from the beginning. I loved how this story unfolds and how you aren't really sure what is real and what is just part of the magical place called Caraval! It keeps you guessing clear up until the end. Legendary comes out this year! Definitely will be on my TBR list!                                                                           




4.

Can I just squeal for a minute about this book? Legion was incredible! It was a fast turning, griping, and stunning story that left me wanting more. I'm both thrilled and nervous for the next book in the series! If you have read the Talon series yet, be sure to check this series out! Who doesn't love a good dragon tale?





3.

This was another book that I wish I had tackled sooner. I couldn't put this book down. It was purely amazing and I loved the setting and character development of the story. Though I still enjoyed the sequel, this book was just captivating from the beginning. From the Blue-Eyed- Bandit, to the magical sand horse, to the abilities some of these people have, and not to mention the sultans rebel son. It's a must read for anyone that enjoys action and adventure!




2.

I began 2017 reading this book was blown away by how incredible this story was. I read The Diabolic in 2 days. I couldn't put this read down. It's a futuristic space opera about a girl that is basically bred and programmed to protect people. She ends up standing in for her charge when the emperor calls her charge to court. Of course there The Diabolic meets the emperor's son and soon realizes that she is so much more than just some thing programmed to protect someone. I haven't read the sequel yet, it's on my TBR list for 2018, but I cannot wait to see where S.J. Kincaid goes next!

1.



Okay so I am cheating a little here, but I read these two back to back and loved them both so much that I feel like it justifies putting them together on this list for the number 1 spot. What an amazing read by Amy Tintera! Another series that is just unlike anything I have read. I just love Em and Olivia. I love their sisterly bond and I love how it evolves in book 2. I love how dark Amy goes with this series and I love how smart and brilliant Em is. I love how she doesn't have any abilities and yet she is able to command people by just being who she is. The love interest is wonderful, Cas has his own growth to go through and I love seeing his character evolve! Amazing reads. Both of them were page turners and I can't wait to read the last installment in this unforgettable series!

The Bulletproof Proposal by Rebekah Bryan

Rebekah Bryan

I am very excited to share this post with you. As some of you will be aware, I published my latest book ‘The Bulletproof Proposal’ in November.

This is my second book and I decided to write a novelette. I love the idea of a short story, the reader can enjoy it in one or two sittings, fitting it in around their hectic lifestyles.

The idea for ‘The Bulletproof Proposal’ came when a close friend of mine was waiting for her partner to propose. I thought about what someone might do in that situation and I think most people would try and gain control, giving rise to the idea for my new book.

This story was an exciting piece for me to write. I took on Lisa’s character with ease as she was fun to write about (I think I could also see some of myself in her). Authors will tell you to write about a topic that you would want to read yourself and this is a book that I would want to snuggle up with. I also love the cover, which I had great fun designing. I am guilty of choosing a book by its cover, so I hope it will attract you too. My wonderful husband put together the book trailer and I think it is a wonderful teaser of what’s to come.

One of the things that I love about writing a story is the creativity that surrounds it. For ‘The Bulletproof Proposal’ I designed a mood board on Pinterest which allowed inspiration to flow and gave me some lovely ideas for when Lisa is planning her proposal. I also had great fun in creating a YouTube video trailer for the book. This isn’t something I had done before but I’m glad I did as I feel it brings the book to life and adds another dimension. If you’d like to check both these out please see the links below.

My hope is that you’ll enjoy reading ‘The Bulletproof Proposal’ as much as I loved writing it. Please leave a review if you liked it, on either Amazon or Goodreads, and tell your friends and family about it, it would be much appreciated.

 

Book Blurb:

After five years of dating, Lisa is anticipating that all-important question, ‘Will you marry me?’
Impatient, Lisa decides to take matters into her own hands and proposes to Matt, after all, it is the 21st Century.

Only she takes it one step further and with the help of her best friend Mandy, she prepares the ultimate proposal.

What she doesn’t know is whether this will be the beginning of her happily-ever- after or the beginning of the end.

Social Media and book links:

www.rebekahlouiseauthor.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RebekahLouiseOffical/?ref=bookmarks
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/RebekahBe4
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rebekahlouiseauthor/
YouTube book trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tKtKxxh7L8
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/rebekahlouiseauthor/wedding-story/
To read a free sample of the book: https://read.amazon.co.uk/kp/embed?asin=B0772MPBW8&preview=newtab&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_7PwkAbQC9PBS7

Purchase ‘The Bulletproof Proposal’: myBook.to/TheBulletProofProposal

How to Create an Antagonist or Villain

Guest Post by

Lilac Mills

I’ve been asked about how I go about building my antagonist or villain. And at first I thought “but neither And a Sixpence for Luck nor Elephant and Pinky Moon has an antagonist. But then I realized -  there’s always an antagonist, but it doesn't necessarily have to be another character, either
Okay, let me explain what I mean. Take my latest novel, And a Sixpence for Luck. There is no one person who prevents Daisy getting what she wants, or what she deserves. There is no one standing in her way, or threatening her, or making her goals difficult. If there has to be a person, you could probably say that Daisy herself is her own worst enemy. She jumps to conclusions, doesn't think things through, or else overthinks them.

Or maybe the sixpence itself could be seen as a false antagonist. Or luck, even.
The same goes for Elephant and Pinky Moon. Nina's introversion causes her as much of a problem as a real antagonist would, as does her lack of belief in herself.

Neither Daisy nor Nina needed anyone to thwart them - their own personalities did the job without any external help. And how they react to the situations they find themselves, and how they learn from it in order to grow and develop as characters is what makes both ladies believable (hopefully!).
Neither character is wholly based on people I know, but rather they are based on personality types, and I've stolen bits and pieces from various people I’ve encountered in my life, to build up the picture of each one.

I did the same with Neil, though he is a very real and rather nasty antagonist in Under the Cherry Tree. I've encountered people like him in my life, but again, he’s constructed out of several moving parts and not from one person. I actually really enjoyed writing his character. This time, because he is an external factor and not simply part of the main character’s make-up, I could go to town on just how nasty and repulsive I wanted him to be, without having to temper his personality.
I'm looking forward to having more real life antagonists in the future, because they're simply so much fun to write.

However, a lack of an actual real-life antagonist is common in chick lit, where the issue is often the main character’s view on love, life, marriage, etc, or the way they react to certain situations, and this can cause as much trouble for them as a jealous ex, or an evil potential mother-in-law, or the friend who ends up being the exact opposite. And I believe this speaks to us on a deeper level than outward appearances might lead us to believe, as we can relate to those insecurities, and this is what makes chick lit such a moreish genre!