My Personal Faves Read in 2019!

So, I don't typically include my personal opinions on this blog.  I like to stick to list topics and the general opinion of the reading world, as rated by Goodreads users.  But today to wrap up 2019 I'd like to share with you my ten favorite books / series I read this year.  Back to our regular type of list tomorrow, today lets talk about my interest in sci fi / fantasy romance!  I'm only going to include one book or series by an author if I've read more by them, but I'll mention the others I've read too.

Captive of the Horde King by Zoey Draven - On the unforgiving planet of Dakkar, I did what all the humans in our village did: kept my head down, worked to provide for my family, and I certainly didn’t break any Dakkari laws to risk inciting the alien race’s merciless wrath.
Unfortunately, the same couldn’t be said for my brother and one careless mistake brings a horde of the nomadic, barbarian Dakkari straight to our doorstep, led by their powerful horde king—a cold, ruthless, battle-scarred warrior demanding retribution.
In order to save my brother’s life, I do the unthinkable.
I sell myself to the horde king as his war prize. I agree to warm his furs, to travel with his horde across the wild lands of Dakkar, and to never see my family again.
But as I struggle with my new reality, I discover that the surly, mysterious, dominant horde king never intended for me to be his concubine…
He wants me as his queen.  Book 1 of the Horde Kings of Dakkar series 

I decided to take a chance on Audible this year in about October.  I had a baby in May and haven't been able to read as much as I wanted to since then.  Getting Audible was a REVELATION.  I also invested in some Airpods and suddenly I'm tearing through 4-5 books a week.  It's wonderful.  Anyway, Captive of the Horde King was the first book I got on Audible and I instantly loved it.  Barbarian aliens?  I am soooo in.  This book had great world building, a wonderful romance, and a plot that kept me listening up late.  As I'm writing this I just realized that book two (Claimed by the Horde King) recently came out and I'm hoping that it's coming to audiobook soon too.

The Choosing by Lucy Varna - Ziri Mokuru has lived her entire life in the rural village of Arden Hollow on the planet Tersi. While her parents are off having adventures and being Very Important People, she's struggled simply to find a place where she belongs. One night, she investigates a disturbance in her home and discovers an armor-clad man sorting through her belongings. Her first thought is for her parents' safety, not to question why this man is in her home late at night without even the courtesy of knocking. After all, no one among the trusting Tersii breaks into someone else's home without a good reason.
Ryn abid Alna has an excellent reason for sneaking into Ziri's home. After years spent scraping together enough vud for the bride price, he's finally ready to steal a wife. One look at Ziri's sweet smile and Ryn decides no other woman will do. She can fix anything she touches, so why not the loneliness he's lived with since he was enslaved as a young boy?
Though Ziri longs for love, she's not so sure she's ready to settle down with the man who kidnapped her, especially after he jumps her into a nest of Sweepers, a sinister alien race bent on mayhem and destruction. As the day draws near when she faces Ryn's family on the Choosing field, Ziri ponders the hardest decision of her life: Fight for Ryn and the place he's made for her in his heart or choose another man as a life mate and risk never knowing love. Book 1 of the Pruxnae series

I got this book as a free review copy on Audiofreebies.com not being sure if I would like it.  Boy did it blow me away.  I loooved it.  I'm a sucker for alien abduction romances and I don't know what weird thing that says about me.  This book had a really interesting culture in it, and the world (galaxy?) building was neat too.  I put the other books in the series on my wishlist!

A Demon and His Witch by Eve Langlais - Burning alive is nothing compared to the heat of his touch.
There are better ways to break up with a girl than having her roasted at the stake as a witch. Is it any wonder Ysabel has trust issues? She got her revenge, though, and it only cost her a slightly tarnished soul.
Working for Lucifer isn't all bad, until her ex-boyfriend escapes the bowels of Hell and she's forced to team up with a womanizing demon to fetch the jerk back.
As a minion in Lucifer's legion, Remy's seen a lot of things, but nothing can prepare him for the witch with the acerbic tongue - and voluptuous figure. The more she pushes him away, the more determined he becomes to seduce her. However, what's a poor demon to do when he accidentally falls in love and wants to keep her forever?
Welcome to Hell where you're screwed if you do and damned if don't. And just so you know, Lucifer has a special spot reserved for you... Book 1 in the Welcome to Hell series

EVE LANGLAIS! My new author crush!  I read A LOT by her but I picked the Welcome to Hell series as my favorite.  So far I've read books 1-4.  Looking at her other series I think this may be a sequel series to one or more of her other series, but I never felt like I was missing any important information reading these.  They are very funny and very sexy.  I know I keep saying this about all the books... but I loved the world building.  The concept of hell in these books is interesting. 
Close second to these books were the Alien Abduction series, of which I read books 1-5.  Also I'm currently reading the Furry United Coalition books.  I'm on book 3 and they are very fun as well.  I love you Eve Langlais, can't wait to read more!

Empire of Sand by Tasha Suri - The Amrithi are outcasts; nomads descended of desert spirits, they are coveted and persecuted throughout the Empire for the power in their blood. Mehr is the illegitimate daughter of an imperial governor and an exiled Amrithi mother she can barely remember, but whose face and magic she has inherited.
When Mehr's power comes to the attention of the Emperor's most feared mystics, she must use every ounce of will, subtlety, and power she possesses to resist their cruel agenda.
Should she fail, the gods themselves may awaken seeking vengeance.... Book 1 in the Books of Ambha

Here is one that I actually did read the print version of rather than the audiobook.  I picked up this book while on a very quiet shift at the very small library branch I work at and I think I had binged over a hundred pages before I even left work.  This is a richly detailed fantasy with some romance too, but it wasn't as much the focus in this book as a lot of the other books I read this year.  I haven't gotten to the second book yet, but it's definitely on my radar.  Oh and Tasha Suri is a great follow on twitter!

How to Date Your Dragon by Molly Harper - Anthropologist Jillian Ramsay's career has taken a turn south.
Concerned that technology is about to chase mythological creatures out into the open (how long can Sasquatch stay hidden from Google maps?), the League for Interspecies Cooperation is sending Jillian to Louisiana on a fact-finding mission. While the League hopes to hold on to secrecy for a little bit longer, they're preparing for the worst in terms of human reactions. They need a plan, so they look to Mystic Bayou, a tiny town hidden in the swamp where humans and supernatural residents have been living in harmony for generations. Mermaids and gator shifters swim in the bayou. Spirit bottles light the front porches after twilight. Dragons light the fires under crayfish pots.
Jillian's first assignment for the League could be her last. Mystic Bayou is wary of outsiders, and she has difficulty getting locals to talk to her. And she can't get the gruff town sheriff, Bael Boone, off of her back or out of her mind. Bael is the finest male specimen she's seen in a long time, even though he might not be human. Soon their flirtation is hotter than a dragon's breath, which Bael just might turn out to be.... Book 1 in the Mystic Bayou series

Dragons are one of my absolute favorite character types, so this book caught my eye easy.  Add in the fun quirky southern town and a paranormal mystery and I was hooked.  I also read book 2 (Love and Other Wild Things) and I desperately want pie from Bathtilda's Pie Shop.

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon - You'd think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you'd be wrong. Because now, the aliens are having ship trouble, and they've left their cargo of human women - including me - on an ice planet.
And the only native inhabitant I've met? He's big, horned, blue, and really, really has a thing for me... Book 1 in the Ice Planet Barbarians series

More sexy aliens!  This time with blue skin!  I don't think I would like to visit not-Hoth, not being a fan of cold and snow myself, but Ruby Dixon almost makes it sound worth it with these swoony and fun blue barbarian aliens.  So far I've read 11 of these and I currently have book 12 queued up to read soon.  Also by Ruby Dixon I read book 1 of Fireblood Dragons (Fire in His Blood) - again, sucker for dragons.  And SUPER SPECIAL MENTION - I read Bound to the Battle God and I freaking loved this book sooo sooo much.  So much so that I almost put that as the header here for Ruby instead of IPB.  Seriously, it is so good.  I'm really hoping that turns into a series rather than just a stand alone.  I will be waiting!

Polaris Rising by Jessie Mikalik - In the far-distant future, the universe is officially ruled by the Royal Consortium, but the High Councillors, the heads of the three high houses, wield the true power. As the fifth of six children, Ada von Hasenberg has no authority; her only value to her high house is as a pawn in a political marriage. When her father arranges for her to wed a noble from House Rockhurst, a man she neither wants nor loves, Ada seizes control of her own destiny. The spirited princess flees before the betrothal ceremony and disappears among the stars.
Ada eluded her father's forces for two years, but now, her luck has run out. To ensure she cannot escape again, the fiery princess is thrown into a prison cell with Marcus Loch. Known as the Devil of Fornax Zero, Loch is rumored to have killed his entire chain of command during the Fornax Rebellion, and the Consortium wants his head.
When the ship returning them to Earth is attacked by a battle cruiser from rival House Rockhurst, Ada realizes that if her jilted fiance captures her, she'll become a political prisoner and a liability to her house. Her only hope is to strike a deal with the dangerous fugitive: a fortune if he helps her escape.
But when you make a deal with an irresistibly attractive devil, you may lose more than you bargained for.... Book 1 in the Consortium Rebellion

Ada is my number 1 bad ass space princess...followed closely...or tied with... her sister Bianca in book 2 (Aurora Blazing)  These books are everything I want in a space opera romance and more.  These two I both read in print version rather than in audio, having discovered them before I starting using Audible, but I'm tempted to grab the audio versions just to revisit these wonderful ladies.  Also, Jessie Mihalik is another great follow on twitter!  Can't wait for book 3!

Tamed by the Troll by Tracy Lauren - Once the belle of her village, life took a dark turn for Adelaide upon her parent's death. Plagued by lingering grief, there was not a soul who didn't turn their back on her. They called her angry and spiteful...hell, they called her a monster.
One fateful day Adelaide finds herself alone, lingering on the edge of the perished woods - a cursed and evil place. Without warning, an orc army attacks.
Her village ablaze, Adelaide races into the perished woods, seeking refuge in a place of nightmares. With orcs at her heels, she's desperate to escape. But when the young woman crosses an aging stone bridge in the middle of the cursed forest she's met with an even more fearsome enemy. A troll...one who is determined to save her. Book 1 in the Perished Woods series

This was my second read on Audible!  This is an interesting take on fairy tale creatures and tales in this book and I am totally here for it.  Besides that, this was a great exploration of grief.  I see now that book 2 is out now too, so that will be going on my wishlist.  Also Tracy Lauren has an alien series?  The TBR list never ends....

Wild Blood by Naomi Lucas - Dommik was a monster, a Monster Hunter, and an alpha. Part of an elite group that dealt with the horrors of the universe. At least that was what everyone at the spaceport was whispering as he walked by.
A Cyborg, a hunter, a beast with eyes as dark as the pits of Hell and the stride of a predator. Katalina was a nobody who was intimate with death. It clung to her like a shroud, It followed her like the plague, and infected her like a parasite.
When she overheard that the Monster Hunter needed an assistant, she took the job. And when the Cyborg's eyes caught hers, she knew getting closer to death might just bring her back to life. The Cyborg didn't scare her. So she followed him and left fate up to chance. Book 1 in the Cyborg Shifters series

So...this book actually did make me blush when I tried to explain the premise to my husband.  It's a romance with a cyborg shifter who is part..spider?  It sounds very weird when I try to explain it...but I loved it.  Dommik gives me very Dom vibes and I am here for that.  I also read books 2 & 3, but book 4 doesn't seem to be on Audible from what I remember..but is on my TBR list too.

The Winter King by C. L. Wilson - After three long years of war, starkly handsome Wynter Atrialan will have his vengeance on Summerlea's king by taking one of the man's beautiful, beloved daughters as his bride. But though peace is finally at hand, Wynter's battle with the Ice Heart, the dread power he embraced to avenge his brother's death, rages on.
Khamsin Coruscate, Princess of Summerlea and summoner of Storms, has spent her life exiled to the shadows of her father's palace. Reviled by her father, marriage to Wintercraig's icy king was supposed to be a terrible punishment, but instead offers Kham her first taste of freedom - and her first taste of overwhelming passion.
As fierce, indomitable Wynter weathers even Khamsin's wildest storms, surprising her with a tenderness she never expected, Kham wants more than Wynter's passion - she yearns for his love. But the power of the Ice Heart is growing, dangerous forces are gathering, and a devastating betrayal puts Khamsin and Wynter to the ultimate test. Book 1 in the Mystral series

This was a truly epic fantasy! I loved it! The romance had a lot of ups and downs and will they / won't they that made me verrrry anxious but I was rewarded for making it through.  Book 2, The Sea King is on my radar for 2020!




Wow ok I don't usually write this much of my own opinion and I am feeling verrrry anxious about this, but I hope you've enjoyed hearing about what I enjoyed in 2019.  See you tomorrow with a new list!