Reviewers' Choice Award for 2013
NOMINATED FOR THREE 2013 Reviewers’ Choice awards.
PLEASE VOTE!
Victoria's Favorite Books Read in 2013
This is not a list of books published in 2013. It’s a list of my favorite books read this past year. You may notice that there are no paranormal or scifi books on the list. That’s not for lack of trying. I did read some. They just didn’t make the cut.
As I’ve said many times, before I began writing fiction I read every paranormal and paranormal romance that was of any consequence. Perhaps it was inevitable that I would become either saturated or bored. I have a low tolerance for repetition. Enough said. So this was a year dominated by
1.
HOW TO KILL A ROCK STAR by Tiffanie DeBartolo
Published in 2005, this was NEW ADULT years before there was a label for it. Eight years out, but new to me. This is my Number One for 2013. If you love angst, neurotic characters, music and a flawless plot, I suggest you hurry to get this book. My ONLY criticism is that the author hasn’t published anything since.
http://www.amazon.com/Kill-Rock-Star-Tiffanie-DeBartolo-ebook/dp/B003H29CJI
2. 
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
Published in 2004, this book had been recommended to me dozens of times by friends over the years and for some reason I ignored them. Then one day one of my street team members (Dee Bowerman) mentioned it in response to a Facebook question about what man (as opposed to boy) occupies your real man fantasies. I picked it up ($1.99 Kindle for an incredible 894 pages!!) and read the entire series nonstop. I have now been responsible for several friends finding a new series to cherish. This is a reread waiting to happen – probably several times.
There are really good reasons why – after nine years – it is still ranked… WOW!!
Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #14 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
- #1 in Books > Romance > Time Travel
- #1 in Books > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Historical
- #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Science Fiction & Fantasy > Fantasy > Historical
http://www.amazon.com/Outlander-Bonus-Content-Diana-Gabaldon-ebook/dp/B000FC2L1O
3.
Boy in a Band by Lisa Loomis
This book got my prize for most gut-wrenching story I ever read. I walked around in a funk for three days afterward. This is (I strongly suspect.) a true story disguised as fiction. Knowing that makes the emotional roller coaster almost unbearable. This book was painful and yet I’m not sorry I read it. I’m including a link to my full review.
MY FULL REVIEW… http://victoriadanann.me/2013/11/24/2609/
BUY ON AMAZON… http://www.amazon.com/Boy-Band-Morgan-Mallory-story-ebook/dp/B007F1VSLW
4. 
Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley
I have to classify this book as a guilty pleasure. On one level I’m ashamed that I liked it because, as a feminist, I shouldn’t enjoy anything that goes on my “overbearing bad boys” shelf in Goodreads. But underneath the couple’s power struggle there was a charming, sweet and real romance, the kind you rarely get in books, wherein two people are trying to work through the dynamics of melding radically different backgrounds, perspectives, and priorities into a shared life that is exciting and harmonious.
BUY ON AMAZON… http://www.amazon.com/Motorcycle-Man-Dream-Kristen-Ashley-ebook/dp/B00AHFJACM
5. 
The Thoughtless Trilogy by S.C. Stephens
Riddled with flaws, but still so compelling. This book is categorized as New Adult, but should be paranormal romance because the male lead does not exist in our reality. So long as we give ourselves permission to accept that, just as we do in paranormal, we are freed to relax and enjoy. (Except for all the smacking.)
MY FULL REVIEW… http://victoriadanann.me/2013/04/04/thoughtless-book-one-thoughtless/
BUY ON AMAZON… http://www.amazon.com/Thoughtless-1-S-C-Stephens-ebook/dp/B008Y405NG
THE STORY STOP SIGN AWARDS for 2013
Have you ever been happily enjoying a promising book – you’re buying the plot, you’re relating to the characters, you’ve successfully escaped your real life – only to be slammed back to reality by a glaring (and usually senseless) error? Like all authors, I’m a reader as well and have my personal peeves.
Today I’m posting some of my top picks for worst book mistakes (no titles, no author names). Please believe me, there have been hundreds. This is just a tiny sampling and don’t think they all came from non-edited or self-published books. Oh contraire!
You are welcome to add yours and I will append them to the list. (Again, NO TITLES, NO AUTHORS.)
5. “Open ten a.m. to twelve p.m.” – I think the author meant to say twelve a.m. and not that the establishment was open for only two hours out of twenty four.
4. “Chock it up” – The phrase is “chalk it up“. It’s a reference to writing something noteworthy on a blackboard with CHALK.
3. “Faithful journey“. – Although that is entirely possible, within the context referenced the author meant to say “fateful journey“. If the writer doesn’t know the difference, I know what to say about that, but will refrain from saying it.
2. “Fire in the hold“. Although there may have been fires in ships’ holds from time to time, as there have been fires in barns, theaters and outhouses, the phrase “fire in the hole” originated with cannon fire as a warning to clear away after the fuse was lit.
1. AND THE WINNER IS… Fred Flinstone. The author, intending this reference to be a running gag, made this mistake a whopping NINE times in this book. Tragically, the author missed the tongue-in-cheek joke behind Flintstone‘s name.
Flint is a hard, sedimentary cryptocrystalline form of the mineral quartz, categorized as a variety of chert. It occurs chiefly as nodules and masses in sedimentary rocks, such as chalks and limestones. When struck, flint fractures like glass. Flint is one of the hardest materials, close behind diamond. It takes a razor sharp edge, so is ideal for tools and weapons.
CALLING THE LIBRARY POLICE…
In an effort to practice the Golden Rule, I used to contact other authors and let them know if I found an editing issue, but I stopped the practice when I learned it wasn’t accepted as intended – as a good will gesture. As for myself, please! If you ever find an error in one of my books, let me know so that I can upload a corrected version. I would rather be embarrassed and right, then ignorant and wrong. Sincerely, Victoria
Black Swan Collected Tales, Books 1-6 Release
The Order of the Black Swan is a serial saga including My Familiar Stranger, The Witch’s Dream, A Summoner’s Tale, Moonlight, Gathering Storm, and NEVER BEFORE RELEASED Book 6, A Tale of Two Kingdoms.
Once upon a time a girl lost everything familiar. She escaped death by being forced into an experiment that left her in another world where modern day knights, elves, vampires, werewolves, witches, demons and fae became her allies, friends and family. She discovered a place where adventure intersects fairytales, where honor is more than an ideal, and she learned that love can find you in the strangest places, when you’re least expecting it, even when you’re far, far from home. This is the story of Elora Laiken’s strange and wonderful journey. It is also the story of those whose lives she touches along the way.
If you love romance, paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, urban fantasy, contemporary, this series is right for you. 17+
ISBN: 978-1-933320-94-6
533,000 word
iTunes SMASHWORDS KOBO B&N
On Amazon the set is available as Black Swan Collected Tales, 1-3 and 4-6.
Six Days to Release!!
Only six days to release of Black Swan Collected Tales 1-6, INCLUDING A Tale of Two Kingdoms!
RSVP TO ATTEND THE RELEASE PARTY ON FACEBOOK ON THE 9TH.
Yule Gift the ENTIRE Saga for less than a dollar…
This Yule, share the adventure with everybody you know. Gift the entire saga for less than a dollar.
Six books – $.99 – for Six days.
Dec. 9th- 14th.
RSVP for the Release Party on Facebook. December 9th.
Be sure you’re on the mail list. Subscribers will have an opportunity to get a FREE paperback of A Tale of Two Kingdoms when it releases as a single title January 6th.
