NatashaReadsBooks: December 2019

Tuesday, December 31, 2019

Book Tag: December Wrap Up

Hi everyone!!

Can you believe that December is over?! That 2019 is over?! Where has the year gone? The DECADE?!

How was everyone's December in books? How was your holidays if you celebrated? Get any bookish related gifts this year?

I got a stack of 12 books, plus a Nightmare Before Christmas Monopoly game, a book light and a air fryer and pressure cooker! So I will be reading and eating good coming into 2020! 😍😍

Sorry I haven't been as active this month. I am still in a book funk thanks to my depression and anxiety. My daughter caught a stomach bug from school and was out for three days giving it to us, plus of course the holidays were pretty hectic. And that isn't slowing down anytime soon with my birthday on the way (January 3rd) and my daughter's birthday couple weeks later... But I am trying to get into posting and reading more again.

I haven't read as much as I would have liked, this month but I have read 5 books which brings my total up to 89 books. I may not have hit my high goal of 100 books but I surpassed my low goal and am still proud of everything I have accomplished & found many favorites for the year! (You can check out my top reads of 2019 here).

The Punk and the Plaything is the third installment in the When Rivals Play series.

The Punk and the Plaything follows Jamie and Barbette.

Jamie is Ever's cousin. With tattoos, piercings and a attitude to match- he is a punk. Who has his mind set on getting his revenge on Bee. When Jamie first came to town he laid eyes on a tomboy- a girl who not only ran with the boys but ran the boys. A girl out of his wildest dreams. She stole his heart- before shattering it, and now that Jamie is back, he is set on getting his revenge on her. Review

Troy's relationship with Clarissa began on a lie- one that could cost her her job. She was a teacher, and Troy was a student. When their one night of blurred lines- and limbs- ended in a pregnancy Clarissa had to make a choice. For her, and her son. But now Troy wants back into their lives, Clarissa must decide if she will let him, or if she will continue to resent him. Review

Possesed by the Devil is an enemies to lovers romance filled with dark delicious angst.

Dove Hendry has lived a life in the dark, afraid of the shadows that always lurked in the corners, until the day she was captured. Now she is thrust into a world of mayhem and sin, trying to survive.
Kingston Axton is more than what he seems. He is dark, and alluring like a monster under the bed. He is part of the Brothers in Midnight Mayhem but there is secrets lurking beneath the surface. And he hasn't decided if he wants Dove dead, or alive and for himself yet... Review

What December releases have you added to your TBR? What was your favorite read of December? Let me know in the comments below!!

Book Tag: Top Books of 2019

Hi guys!
It's time to announce my top reads of 2019.
2019 was full of many amazing reads! I read 89 books this year, and broke down my favorites to

In no particular order my Top reads of 2019 are

YA & Fantasy books

* The Cruel Prince and The Wicked King by Holly Black. I loved her world of the Fae and cannot wait to continue the story with Queen of Nothing.

* An Emperor of Evening Stars, Strange the Hymn and Dark Harmony by Laura Thalassa. (Not Pictured) I loved continuing the Bargainer series this year, and the world Laura portrayed.

Paranormal Romance

*Dead of Night, Dark of Night, Call of Night and Still of Night by Emily Goodwin. I seriously cannot wait to continue with Lucas and Callie's story. If you love vampires and witches you need to read these books!

*Taste the Dark, Burn the Dark, Free the Dark by Nicola Rose. Yesss to more vampires. Talk about a sexy paranormal love triangle.

Dark Romance

*Sick Fux by Tillie Cole. Think Alice in Wonderland but with a much darker tone. Murder, blood play, and characters who have gone completely mad.

*I Promise You and If You Dare by Shantel Tessier. The next installments to I Dare You and just as delicious and dark.

Arranged Marriage

*The Kiss Thief by LJ Shen. Enemies to Lovers but with so much more. If you haven't read any of LJ Shen's books yet, I suggest you do so. She is definitely an auto-buy author for me!

Student Teacher Romance

*The Fall of Troy and The Judgement of Paris by Rebecca Sharp. So much forbidden juicy angst!

NA/Bully Romance

*The Boys of Brayshaw High, Trouble at Brayshaw High, Reign of Brayshaw by Meagan Brandy. These books were AMAZING and are a must read.

*Pretty Reckless and Broken Knight by LJ Shen. More than bullies and enemies. More than friends to lovers. Filled with sooo much angst and drama.

*Cruel Intentions, Twisted Betrayal, and Sweet Retribution by Siobhan Davis. More than just your typical bullies. Secrets, lies, deceit & family ties are packed in these books.

*The Peer and the Puppet, the Moth and the Flame, and the Punk and the Plaything by BB Reid. These can be read as stand alones but best to read in order to get the full experience. Each book is about a different couple- but follow a bigger storyline and soo worth it.

*Kiss & Break Up and Forever & Never by Ella Fields. Loved it! If you love the NA romance books with bullies, and angst then grab up these books!

*In Peace Lies Havoc by Amo Jones (not pictured). Not a circus. Not a carnival. But Midnight Mayhem. Filled with mind tricks, and so much more.

Romantic Comedy

*Tactical Heart by SK Rose. Enemies to lovers? Check. Hot gamers and nerds? Check. Fun read? Check.

*Text Me Baby One More Time by Teagan Hunter. Conclusion to the texting series, and definitely worth the wait. It was fun, funny, and adorably sweet.

*A Pizza My Heart and I Knead You Tonight by Teagan Hunter. A new romcom series revolving around pizza. And it was cute, and funny!

*Desperately Seeking Roommate by Michalea Smeltzer (not pictured). Opposites attract under the same roof?! Yeap. It was so funny and cute!

Sports Romance

*Teardrop Shot by Tijan. There was so much emotion behind it. I adored it!

Contemporary Romance

*Cheap Trick & Fight Dirty by Emily Goodwin. More from the large, loving Dawson family. Annnddd Hello twins!

*Hard Place and Hard Truth by Emily Goodwin. Single parent, enemies to lovers goodness. Seriously loved these books.

*Baby Mine, Baby Yours, Truly Mine, Truly Yours by Kennedy Fox. Yesss. Loved the drama and emotion in these books.

Favorite Couples:

*Raven & Maddoc from the Brayshaw Series by Meagan Brandy

*Austin & Cole from the Dare series by Shantel Tessier.

*Callie & Lucas from the Thorne Hill series by Emily Goodwin.

Favorite Male Characters:

*Maddoc, Royce, Captain, & Bass from the Brayshaw series by Meagan Brandy

*Cole Renyolds from the Dare Series by Shantel Tessier

*Lucas from the Thorne Hill series by Emily Goodwin

*Penn from Pretty Reckless by LJ Shen

*Wolfe Keaton from the Kiss Thief by LJ Shen

*Desmond from the Bargainer series by Laura Thalassa

*Cardan from the Folk of Air series by Holly Black

*Alex Elwood from the Elwood Legacy trilogy by Nicola Rose

Favorite Female Characters:

*Raven from the Brayshaw series by Meagan Brandy

*Austin from the Dare series by Shantel Tessier

*Callie from the Thorne Hill series by Emily Goodwin

*Harper from the Hard To Love duet by Emily Goodwin

*Scarlett from Tactical Heart by SK Rose

*Jude from the Folk of Air by Holly Black

*Four Archer from When Rivals Play series by BB Reid

Favorite Reads of 2019:

*The Brayshaw Series by Meagan Brandy

*Sinners of Saint Series by LJ Shen

*Thorne Hill series by Emily Goodwin

Anticipated Reads for 2020:

(In no particular order)

*Queen of Nothing by Holly Black

*Code of Silence by Shantel Tessier

*Queen of Air and Darkness by Cassandra Clare

*Always Mine & Always Yours by Kennedy Fox

*Curse of Night by Emily Goodwin

*Angry God by LJ Shen

*The Hunter & the Prey by LJ Shen
*Call Down The Hawk by Maggie Stiefvater

Did you have any favorites? Drop them in the comments below, I am always looking to add to my never ending TBR pile! 😉😂😂
Also, you can drop in your 2020 anticipated reads as well!

Friday, December 27, 2019

Blog Tour: Code of Silence

CODE OF SILENCE by Shantel Tessier

Release Date: January 13th

Genre: Arranged Marriage/Mafia

Add to Goodreads:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48107416-cos

Blurb:

COS is a brand-new standalone from Bestselling Author Shantel Tessier. Releasing 2020.

"This isn't a marriage. It's a contract signed in blood."

Full blurb coming soon!

EXCERPT

I pick up a glass paperweight and throw it at his head, cussing when I miss him by a mile. Damn drunk aim. I would have been spot-on if I was sober.

Taking a step back from his desk, I watch as his eyes darken, his jaw sharpens, and his chest bows. He reaches out, grabbing the netting on my dress, and yanks me forward until my chest bumps his. “You’re mine,” he growls in my face.

I tremble as the meaning of his words sink in to my foggy brain.

"The contract means I own every inch of you now.”

About the Author:

Shantel is a Texas born girl who now lives in Tulsa, Oklahoma with her high school sweetheart, who is a wonderful, supportive husband and their two daughters. She loves to spend time cuddled up on the couch with a good book.

She considers herself extremely lucky to do what she does while getting to work from home. Going to concerts and the movies are just a few of her favorite things to do. She hates coffee but loves wine. She and her husband are both huge football fans, college and NFL. And she has to feed her high heel addiction by shopping for shoes weekly.

Although she has a passion to write, her family is most important to her. She loves spending evenings at home with her husband and daughter, along with their cat and dog.

Connect w/Shantel

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShantelTessierAuthor/

Readers group: Shantel's Sinful Side - https://bit.ly/2l9EUBJ

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Shantel_Tessier

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shantel_tessier/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7086716.Shantel_Tessier

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KKeTpa

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/shantel-tessier

Thursday, December 26, 2019

Review: In Peace Lies Havoc

Title: In Peace Lies Havoc
Series: Midnight Mayhem
Author: Amo Jones
Release Date: Nov 4, 2019

My name is Dove Hendry.

𝘔𝘪𝘯𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘒𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯 𝘈𝘹𝘵𝘰𝘯.

I was captured by darkness.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢𝘭𝘸𝘢𝘺𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘴…

They groomed me for Midnight Mayhem. Like a trained possession, weak against their control.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘭𝘰𝘰𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘫𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘥𝘰𝘦𝘴𝘯’𝘵 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘪𝘵 𝘺𝘦𝘵...

But Midnight Mayhem was the stained glass that concealed a very dark culture.

𝘈 𝘤𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘣𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧.

The Brothers of Kiznitch come in fours, and they’re not happy about me being hustled into their acts.

𝘖𝘳 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘸𝘦? 𝘊𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘧𝘶𝘭, 𝘓𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘉𝘪𝘳𝘥. 𝘈 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘴 𝘢 𝘸𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘰𝘯…

Mind-tricks.

Stunts.

Deceit.

𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳.

But there’s something uglier that has been haunting me for years upon years. So ugly that I have never seen it’s face. I never had to. I’d hear his whispers through my internal screams, feel his shadow brush against my nightmares. He was my the monster that tormented me.

𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘮𝘢𝘺𝘣𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘥 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘺𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘣𝘦𝘥…

When I started Midnight Mayhem, his presence faded.

His whispers were silenced.

His shadow dissolving without a trace.

I wondered why that was.

𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘥𝘪𝘥𝘯'𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘸𝘰𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨...

"Welcome to Midnight Mayhem. We are not a circus, we are not a carnival, and the only thing that you should be afraid of losing tonight, is your sanity..."

Dove Hendry has lived a life in the dark, afraid of the shadows that always lurked in the corners, until the day she was captured. Now she is thrust into a world of mayhem and sin, trying to survive.
Kingston Axton is more than what he seems. He is dark, and alluring like a monster under the bed. He is part of the Brothers in Midnight Mayhem but there is secrets lurking beneath the surface. And he hasn't decided if he wants Dove dead, or alive and for himself yet...

"Intimacy is just like murder; they both make your heart race and your palms sweat while leaving your thoughts in disarray, but then when you're done, you're left with the remnants of someone else's soul or blood on your hands."

Even though we were in full holiday swing here, I was sucked into the world of Midnight Mayhem. I needed to know more about Midnight Mayhem, more about the four Brothers of Kiznitch, and more about Dove and the shadows. I needed to be immersed in the secrets and learn the truths. And I cannot wait for the next book in the series to learn even more about the Brothers and the world they live.
Dove was thrown into a world she knew nothing about, her life dangling precariously on the line. Her memories were wiped clean, only knowing what she had been told. But despite her life being in disarray, she was still strong and resilient.
King was the leader of the Brothers of Kiznitch. They were more than just an act in Midnight Mayhem- but a family. He held dark secrets. And he was torn between wanting Dove for himself, and wanting her dead for something she didn't even remember. King was dark, and brooding, and an alpha male.
If you're looking to get lost in a world of mind-tricks, secrets, deceit, and sins pick up your copy of In Peace Lies Havoc today! 4.5 Mayhem ⭐ out of 5⭐.

BUY IT NOW:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2kMA92T
B&N: https://bit.ly/2khvMwB
AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2lPjc8i
Kobo: https://bit.ly/2miKg05

Add In Peace Lies Havoc to your TBR: https://tinyurl.com/InPeaceLiesHavocGR

Tuesday, December 17, 2019

Review: Champagne Wishes

Title: Champagne Wishes
Series: Wild in the Windy City New Year's Eve Edition anthology
Author: Shantel Tessier
Release Date: Dec 10

New Year's Eve on Navy Pier.

A sexy, breathless night.

Eighteen authors bring magic, steam, and romance to the Resolution Gala on Navy Pier this New Year’s Eve. Don’t miss the fireworks.

All proceeds from this anthology benefit Bernie's Book Bank (https://www.berniesbookbank.org/)

ANTHOLOGY AUTHORS:
Rachel Brookes
Audrey Carlan
L.M. Carr
L. A. Cotton
M.C. Decker
L.B. Dunbar
H.Q. Frost
Jenna Galicki
J.D. Hollyfield
Sapphire Knight
Bethany Lopez
K.I. Lynn
Jordan Marie
Leslie McAdam
S. Moose
M. Piper
Lisa Suzanne
Shantel Tessier

Champagne Wishes follows Cali- and her recent breakup from her ex Dusty looking to head somewhere new for New Year's, ending up in Chicago with her best friend Danica. They end up kissing the first guys they see at the strike of midnight.
Trey just dumped his girlfriend for cheating. Wanting something different for New Year's his brother drags him out to a party- where a girl he wasn't expecting kisses him as the clock strikes twelve.
These two characters have explosive chemistry. If you are looking for a quick fun read to bring in the new year, I definitely recommend Champagne Wishes- and can't wait to see where the story takes us! 4.5 champagne ⭐ out of 5⭐.

Review: Possessed by the Devil

Title: Possessed by the Devil
Series: the Captive Collection
Author: Nicola Rose

He watches me from the shadows. No, not from the shadows… he IS the shadows.

My name is Angel and I’ve been hunting demons my whole life, sending them back to the festering pit they crawled from. To most hunters, it’s just a job. To me, it’s everything. I come alive with a blade in my hand, only feeling at peace when everything else is chaos.

My problem?

The King of Hell thinks he owns me.

Lucifer is a storm. He crashes into my life after brewing on the horizon all these years, finally unleashing himself upon me and obliterating everything I thought real.

He drags me to Hell and I’m lost. My own inner demons thrive in this place of sin and pain. My dark heart and traitorous body begin to agree that I’m his, but I know better than to listen to that pair.

Game on, Lucifer. I’m going to destroy you.

The Captive Collection

A collection of dark and steamy reads spanning different genres. Each is a complete standalone, but they do have one thing in common — they’re centered around a dark and angsty enemies-to-lovers / forbidden romance captive situation with badboys and anti-heroes!

Angel is one of the top demon hunters around. When she has a blade in hand, she comes alive. Hunting demons is more than just a job for her, it's everything. Until the King of Hell himself turns up thinking he owns her and dragging her to hell.
Posseses by the Devil is an enemies to lovers romance filled with dark delicious angst. Nicola does it again with this one! I loved her Elwood Legacy trilogy and this one is just as dark and just as delicious.
Angel is strong and tough as nails. She hunts down any demon that crosses her path. But what is she to do when she's on Lucifer's radar? He thinks he owns her, and wants nothing more than for her to submit and obey. Will these two find what they desire, or will they end up killing each other first? Grab your copy of this angsty paranormal romance today to find out! 4.5 devilish ⭐'s out of 5⭐.