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
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
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)
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
God-Shaped Hole by Tiffanie DeBartolo
