Happy New Year!!

Happy New Year to All!

    I’m so excited to see what 2017 has in store for my family, friends, and myself. These last few months have been crazy busy but in a good way as I transitioned into a new job and learning how to balance my life is now my new main task. But I’m not complaining one bit, nay I am extremely thankful for my new job, because I had been searching for a couple years and then just when I was at my wits end at the job I was working, God gave me exactly what I needed. 

    So looking over this last year I realized sure at the time I felt like I hadn’t accomplished much, but I read a lot and got to travel too. I loved that I traveled quite a bit with my sister and friends to places I’d been dying to venture to in and around LA. Seriously, singing out loud during packed LA traffic are the best moments. My health also took a turn for the better, helps when specialist can pinpoint things your regular doctor can’t. Oh and my other hobbies are beginning to flourish, well at least their shaping up into something to be proud of. 

     All in all, I’m happy to enter 2017, with my family, friends, books and camera. I'm ready to pack for trips I hope to squeeze in after a busy work week, but I really hope to hit my reading goals this year by reading more classics and history books I've had on my TBR list for waaay too long. I also hope to spend a lot of quality time with my family meaning my grandparents who are a lot older now and my kid cousins who aren't the babies I remember them to be. 

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My Goodreads Record:

Okay I know for a fact that I've read a few more books than just the novels I've pressed "Read", but I must sadly admit that my number of books read this year was smaller than last years. I completely blame it on my wanderlust and lack of a  proper computer for a bit.

Now a lot of amazing books were released over this past year and some series released their final novels. Those releases are always bittersweet because anticipation is sooo long, but once finished the realization that your beloved series is over sometimes sets in a book-depression. However, all good things must come to end, or else how can we cherish them if not for their beginning and subsequently their unforgettable ending. 

So listed below is a compilation of my favorite reads from the year and a mention of the various series that finished this past year.

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My Favorite Books Read In 2016:

Surprisingly enough most of these novels were released just this past year. Hope some of these books match your favorites from this year or bring you a new choice to pick up for the new year.

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PARANORMAL:

"Awakened Angel" 
(Soul Savers, Book 7.5) 
by Kristie Cook
Genre: Paranormal, Post-Apocalyptic, Fantasy. 135 pages
Price: $0.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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YOUNG ADULT:

"Nora & Kettle" 
(A Paper Stars Novel, Book 1) 
by Lauren Nicolle Taylor
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy, Social & Family Issues. 355 pages
Price: $3.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Back of Beyond" 
(Complicated Love Series, Book 1) 
by Neeny Boucher
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary Romance, Coming of Age. 316 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"See No Evil" 
(Brotherhood Trilogy, Book 1) 
by Jordan Ford
Genre: Young Adult, Sports, Romantic Suspense, Thriller. 244 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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NEW ADULT:

"Never Stop Falling"  
by Ashley Drew
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance. 288 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"The Sister Code" 
(D.O.R.K. Series, Book 2) 
by Haley Allison
Genre: New Adult, Music Fiction, Contemporary. 268 pages
Price: ebook N/A  (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

**Note: the D.O.R.K series is in the middle of a makeover but ebooks should be available soon.**

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Contemporary Romance:

"Yesterday's Tomorrows"  
by M.E. Montgomery
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Suspense. 290 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Geronimo" 
(A Songbird Novel, Book 8) 
by Melissa Pearl
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Holiday. 218 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"In All My Wishes" 
(Riverbend Novels, Book 1) 
by Ciara Knight
Genre: Contemporary Romance. 188 pages
Price: $0.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Shameless" 
(Dearest Series, Book 4) 
by Lex Martin
Genre: Contemporary Romance. 394 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Follow Me" 
(Corrupted Hearts Series, Book 1) 
by Tiffany Snow
Genre: Romantic Suspense. 304 pages
Price: $1.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Polaris Boxed Set: 
North Star and True North" 
(Book 1 & Book 2) 
by M.E. Montgomery
Genre: Romance, Mystery, Suspense. 582 pages
Price: $4.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Last Chance" 
(A Second Chances Novel, Book 8) 
by L.P. Dover
Genre: Romance, Sports, Mystery, Suspense. 318 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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MYSTERY:

"The History Major"  
by Michael Phillip Cash
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense. 132 pages
Price: $1.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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Historical Fiction:

"Forget Me Not"  
by Allison Whitmore
Genre: Historical Fiction. 447 pages
Price: $2.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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"Time of Useful Consciousness"
by Jennifer Ott

Genre: Historical Fiction, Mystery, Thriller. 286 pages.

Price: $0.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

Blog Post: Click Here

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Series That Ended in 2016

Some of these series I'd been following since the beginning, while some I found at the end. But all of them I'm happy to have read and will most likely re-read in the future.

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House of Royals Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This is definitely a refreshing twist on the vampire genre. The female lead is royal vampire who is constantly concerned with matters of family, community, politics and learning to live. It's a great series and a spin off is coming soon.

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The Big Play Novels

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

As a new writer in the ya sports romance scene Jordan Ford, she brilliantly smashed the charts with "The Playmaker". Each novel is about a couple and the drama encountered is high school with issues such as race, social status, blackmail, bullying, friendship and of course love.

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The Risky Business Trilogy

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

The risk is clear when it's the main character who has to choose whom to trust. Two hot guys and she has to decide whom not only to believe but love as well. Ugh, wish I had her problems, minus the danger.

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The Patience Trilogy

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This trilogy opened my eyes to an issue I knew about in thought but hadn't truly given more attention too. The main character endures sexual abuse and after turning in her abuser begins to find healing. It's her story process of healing and the strength it takes that really makes me want to be there for people who've faced similar situations.

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The Fire and Ice Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This is a spinoff of the Kindred series and fans from that series will not be disappointed. The two leads make this series their own and let me just say Erica Stevens is great with writing about the supernatural and chemistry ;)

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Supernatural Chronicles: The New Orleans Collection

Set Collection Link: Click Here

Written as individual novellas by various authors, the story all revolves around a key plot and of course New Orleans. Each novella highlights a different supernatural group and a bit of their history. A project like this from these authors is amazing.

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Sydney West Novels

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

Simply put main girl doesn't do love or relationships, but loves sex and partying. The party time is reward for her good behavior and hard work at college, but when vacationing in Malibu-California, everything is fair game. Until one guy says no to her for once and shows her love could be a real thing.

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Love in the '80s: A New Adult Novella Anthology

Set Collection Link: Click Here

Novellas written but various authors chronicle the fantastic 80's decade by each year. It's great how contemporary the stories are even set in a time when it's all about scrunchies, spandex and shoulder pads.

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The Dark Cycles Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This is YA but I'd definitely keep it upper YA. Dealing with angels, demons and other supernatural beings everything always seems unknown. The plot is complex and just a bit sinister when the hero finds he may not get his HEA.

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Make the Play Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

This series is the epitome of opposites attract theory. Amber Garda knows how to have her characters fall hard for people they think aren't or shouldn't be their perfect fit. Especially when the relationship brings tension to the baseball team.

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The Captive Series

Series Purchase Link: Click Here

For this series to end I honestly cried. The first novel "Captive" was the first novel I read by author, Erica Stevens, and I've been her fan ever since. So saying adieu to the characters and this dystopian world of vampires and humans fighting to coexist and survive was difficult.

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Hey, It's A Blog Tour for "Piecing Together Sydney" by Brittney Coon

by Brittney Coon

Book 3, in The Sydney West Series

"Piecing Together Sydney"

Genre: New Adult, Sports, Contemporary, Romance. 256 pages.

Price: $3.99 ebook (at time of post)

Book Link: Click Here

- SYNOPSIS -

This year’s annual voyage to Malibu will be unlike any other... 

Sydney West is no longer a party girl looking for summer boys to occupy her nights. She has found love with Jason King and agreed to marry him. With wedding plans in full swing for the July deadline, everything seems to be perfect. 

Until someone from Jason’s past interrupts their summer getaway… 

When Jason turns cold and distant, the party scene beckons Sydney to return to her old drink-all-night ways. Only this time the guys at the bar don’t hold her attention, but when Sydney's drink is drugged by a so-called friend—she kisses one of them. When Jason finds out, he leaves the beach house to clear his head, but a couple hours quickly turn into days. 

It’s hard to have a wedding without the groom… 

This summer is nothing like what Sydney had planned, and for the first time she's afraid of the future. Sydney finally figured out what she wants and she isn’t willing to let Jason go without a fight. But is it already too late? Sydney will risk everything to… 

piece herself, and the life she wants, back together again.

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My Rating:  

My Thoughts: Even "Bad" Girls Get A HEA

        As this is the third novel in the Sydney West series, I highly suggest reading the previous novels before beginning this book. So happy to see how much Sydney has grown and opened up over the series. This final book was a great ending for Sydney, her family and friends.

        For Sydney West her summers in Malibu were all about clubs, drinks, and meaningless sex. But ever since she fell in love with Jason King, her life has begun to change to the point that she is even getting married something she had sworn never to do. Heading to the beach this summer has everyone in full wedding planning mode with the big day set for July. But the plans get paused when someone from Jason’s past returns, making him become cold and distant, raising Sydney's insecurities of not really knowing the real Jason. So when each of them begin to question each other rather than listening, the big question is will there still be a wedding or not?

        Overall, loved Sydney's conclusion. The first two books show how much Sydney works through to become open to love. So when it's her turn to be loving and help Jason through his issues, Sydney does better than I expected considering her past. That what makes the characters "real" their problems don't disappear but are worked through or are understood as being worked on, like life. Jason is amazing and I'd love to have a man like him, even with his daddy issue, because he knows how to cherish and love a woman thoroughly. Oh and of course the adorable couple, Amelia and Hunter, love them especially Amelia even when she gets all wedding planner from hell. The prologue was perfect loved it to bits, but won't spoil any of it. So if you haven't read the first two books do so and then read this one, if you're looking for a girl who likes to be play bad but ultimately finds love even after denying love isn't real, then you'll like this series.

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Excerpt 1:

Jason put his fingers to my lips, killing my words. “Just don’t scream…”

His mouth was on my collarbone, moving lower. His other hand was at my back, trying to undo my bra as his left continued to rub me down south.

I had to bite my lip to keep quiet. He tore off my shirt and unhooked my bra. His shirt peeled off, and we were chest to chest. I straddled him, rubbing myself on his member, awaking it.

Jason’s eyes rolled back. I sealed my lips to his to keep us both from moaning. His fingers found their way to my breasts, rolling my nipples into hard pebbles, making the ache within me grow into a raging fire.

I unbuttoned his jean shorts and moved his zipper down. To remove his shorts, I had to move off of him and pull them all the way down. A smile came to my lips when I found he was wearing Scooby-Doo boxers.

“How cute. I knew these would look good on you.” I had bought them for him a few days ago, and he laughed, but I wasn’t sure if he’d actually wear them. Guess I knew now.

A wicked grin took his lips. “Baby, I wore them just for this moment.” With that, he placed his hands on both my sides and yanked not only my shorts, but also my underwear down my legs.

I bent down and received a condom from his jeans’ pocket. Our eyes locked as I bit it open and removed the condom. Jason leaned his head back as I stroked his cock before sliding the rubber in place.

“You ready, baby?” I ran my hands through my hair, trying to get it out of my face.

“I’m always ready for you.” His breath was uneven, and his eyes locked upon me like I was the only girl in the world.

The pounding between my legs intensified, knowing it was about to get what it desired. I placed my legs on either side of his hips. We kissed as I slowly moved myself down upon him, letting my walls move and allow him inside.

His hand caressed my breasts, bringing the left one to his mouth. He gingerly bit it, making me throw my head back with a moan. His hand went to my lips. I nibbled the pad of his thumb as I rocked myself against him.

The photo album slipped off the couch onto the floor. I looked down at it for a heartbeat. How times have changed for the better. That album could retire. This summer, I was going to have a new album...a wedding album.

Excerpt 2:

“Hey, did I wake you?” I crawled into bed and snuggled close to him again.

He enveloped in me his arms. “No, but I moved my arm and felt only empty space. I guess that woke me.”

I nuzzled his neck. “We’ve become that lovesick couple, haven’t we?”

He chuckled, making his Adam’s apple bounce. “Maybe, but we’re getting married. I think people expect us to love each other so much it makes others nauseous.”

I traced his hair line down his stomach to the edge of his boxers. “I guess. What should we do today? Amelia and Hunter are gone all day and maybe all night too.”

Jason kissed the top of my head. “Remind me why they’re ditching us?”

I sat up, propping myself up on my elbow. “Amelia wants a little break from wedding planning and to enjoy the summer with her boyfriend.” I shrugged, raking my teeth over my bottom lip. Jason’s breath hitched. The reaction I was hoping for. “I don’t want to leave the bedroom today. I think we need a break from the wedding too…” I rubbed my lips together and looked up at Jason through my lashes.

“That’s one of the best ideas I’ve heard.” He flipped me onto my back and kissed my collarbones. I wiggled under him. He knew I preferred being on top and liked to tease me.

“Come on, baby. You’re killing me.” I couldn’t get out from under him. His body pinned me to the bed.

He cackled, grabbing both my wrists in one hand and holding them above my head. “Be still, and I’ll let you go.” His tongue ran down my throat to my chest. He nibbled at the top of my breast. His free hand unhooked my bra, freeing my breasts. “I love it when you only sleep in a bra and panties.”

★★★ LISTEN TO THE PLAYLIST ★★★
Link Here- Spotify
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"Shades Of Sydney" 
(Book #1)- Click Here

Price: $3.99 (at time of post)

"Breaking Down Sydney" 
(Book #2)- Click Here

Price: $3.99 (at time of post)

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

Enter to win all 3 of the Sydney West series 

in ebook format: Click Here

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★★★ BRITTNEY COON ★★★

Author Links: Amazon Page, Facebook, Website, Twitter, Blog, Wattpad, Instagram, Goodreads.

Brittney Coon graduated Magna Cum Laude from Arizona State University with a Bachelor of Science in Communication and a minor in Film and Media Production. Brittney has always been creative and turned to writing to share the stories playing through her head. In her spare time she reads, watches Friends, attends rock concerts, and hangs out with her cats. She currently lives in Arizona.