Dot's Top Authors for 2017

So, I had this great idea to do a top 10 reads for 2017. Fun, right? Nope. Because I read over 100 books in 2017 - new and old. My list went from 10 to 20 to 30 and I kept going "Ooh, that was a 5 star read, it needs to be on the list." Well, this went on for a week. So today, the second day of the new year, I have decided to just write a list of authors you should be reading and include some of their latest releases or my favorites.


So...HERE GOES.


1. Colleen Hoover
 (No big surprise there.) Hoover released Without Merit in 2017 and I have to admit, this one has been stuck with me sense I read it. It may be bumping Hoover's Confess out of my number one spot for my favorites.


2. Kandi Steiner
If you haven't picked up Steiner yet, I have no idea what you're waiting for. Seriously! There are a few of her books that I have not read yet (older ones), but I will get to them. I am going to sign up for less new releases this year so I can enjoy some of the books sitting on my TBR. Pick up Palm South University: Seasons 1-3 (I seriously hope she's writing more of this), Weightless, On the Way to You, and Revelry... Sure, I want you to get all of her books, but these are a few of my favorites. Steiner gives it to you real and raw. I'm not sure how she does it, but I am in awe of her writing. On the Way to You left me feeling so raw and open, that I wanted to reread it just to make sure that it was real.


3. Marie Skye
I am not sure how I came in contact with Skye, but boy am I glad I did. She has a knack for writing great character development that catapults you into the storyline wishing you had someone speak beautiful words to you. The Incapable Series...whew. But, you want to know something strange? Her short stories in the Anthologies she's participated in were my favorites, thus far. So check out Fourteen Shades of F*cked Up and Six: A Men of the Strip Anthology. Hot reads! So good.


4. Brittainy C. Cherry
All I have to say is Behind the Bars. If you haven't read it, you need to get off of my blog right now and go read it. Like now. I am still working on her Elements Series, but I am loving those too. Cherry is so very talented and I can't wait to read more of her work.


5. Whitney Barbetti
I guess I am just a sucker for a good romance. I was introduced to Barbetti after posting in the Cohort's group that I was in labor and it would be a long night. A nice woman offered to gift me a book and she sent me Into the Tomorrows to give me something to do while I waited for the birth of my beautiful baby boy in June of 2016. After I read this one, I gobbled up each and every one of Barbetti's books. I was a goner. Barbetti writes like she loves words. Like they are the only thing that matters. I remember highlighting things and simply being in awe, saying things like "whoa" or "wow" in the notes sections because the words just spoke to me.


6. Cassie Graham
I stumbled upon Graham through a promo site that I subscribe to. I remember just saying, "Why not," when I clicked yes to Who Needs Air. It was a rerelease of it, I believe. But it was so beautifully written that I was glad I took a chance on it. More people should read it. And let's not forget to mention the Wilder Boys...umm..yes!


7. Staci Hart
She captured my heart in 2017 (officially) with A Little Too Late. I don't know what it was about this story, but I was officially a fan after that. I mean, I loved her clever take on the Greek Gods in her Hearts and Arrows series, but A Little Too Late put that all to shame.


8. S.L. Scott
She's clever and witty and everything you would want in an author. Everest is a must read.


9. Meghan Quinn
Twisted Twosome was funny and exciting. She has a lot more books that I have yet to read, but they are on my TBR waiting for me.


10. Max Monroe
Now, don't you think that because they are number 10 on my list is in any way a depiction of them being at the bottom of the barrel. Save the best for last, ya know? If you like a great love story that makes you laugh out loud?? Max Monore is the duo for you! Even their emails are freaking hilarious! Billionaire Bad Boys, Alex in Wonderland.... THATCH! And word around the street is Quinn is next. Yum...yes..and yum.




Honorable Mentions:
Stylo Fantome (Twin Estates series is bomb)
Annita L. Jackson (New Urban Author with great potential in storytelling)
B. Love (Beautifully written stories)
Latoya Nicole (Her storytelling is good, potential to make the list for 2018 if she works on editing a bit)


There are plenty more, but I hope to have a bigger list for next year!


That's it folks! Happy 2018.


My first read for the year will be The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Weight of Life by Whitney Barbetti *Review*

• Rating: 5 out of 5
• Recommend: YEEEESSSS
• Release Date: June 28, 2017
• Triggers: None
• Read Time: 2 days
• Genre: Romance 
• Standalone, but some characters from another book appear :)
• Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Blurb: (Courtesy of Goodreads):

-Mila-
“Don’t let go.” Those were my first words to him, as I hung over the side of a London bridge. The words I would soon say again, in a moment that didn’t involve bridges, but something much more fragile: my heart.

He held onto me for three weeks, in a time when I needed to be held. Needed to connect to someone who understood how loss tunneled unrepentantly through the fabric of your soul.

Although he said he'd stay, we both knew he wouldn't. I had already survived one loss—I didn't know if I'd survive another.

-Ames-
She spun into my life like a tornado of smiles and chatter and everything else I'd long avoided, with a persistence that I admired, albeit begrudgingly. She broke down each neat wall I’d constructed without even trying. Her presence alone caused me to remember what it felt like to smile, to look forward to what the day would bring.

But it was only supposed to last three weeks.

“Don’t let go,” she’d pleaded.

I’d promised her I wouldn’t—but I would. I didn't have a choice.

*****

Sooo...What did I think? HELL YES! I could not put this book down. I must admit, I walked away from Barbetti's Bleeding Hearts series hating Mila. I was just like what kind of person would...seriously?? But The Weight of Life redeemed her for me. Ames and Mila! Oh my heart. This is a must read. Add it to your Summer read! Grab this book, a box of tissues, a glass of wine (soda for you underagers) and curl up with this good book. I do not have much more to say about it than this. I loved it, I hated it and then I loved it once more. Read it. Love it.

Available for purchase on AMAZON (Free for KU members)

Into the The Tomorrows By Whitney Barbetti

Rating: 5 out 5
Recommend: heck yes (but warning...this is book one of a series and the next book has not been released yet).

Let me start off by saying that I know it has been over a month since my last review and I skipped 2 books. I can't do it. I couldn't read them. They were....ugh. Also, I was pregnant and gave birth to a beautiful baby boy on June 29th. And while I am on the topic, I posted in Colleen Hoover's fb fan group about needing support and positive vibes and a fellow Cohort sent me this book. I am forever thankful.

So...where to begin?

Trista. Trista was born to a mother who didn't care much about her. She didn't care much about anyone except for herself. Leaving Trista to be alone in this big world. Until she met her best friend, Ellie (have tissues ready when you read this) and soon after her boyfriend, Collin. But for years Trista identified as Ellie's friend or Collin's girlfriend. She didn't know what it meant to be Trista. And how many of us can relate to this?

This is part of the reason why I gave this book a 5. It was super relateable. I found myself thinking, "wow, I feel like I'm dating a Colin."

Colin. He is so disconnected from Trista and holding on to a promise he made to Ellie. He's a selfish prick. But I will let you formulate your own opinions.

But then...Trista meets Jude. Tattooed. Nature smelling. Hotness of a man Jude. Yes. He's my book boyfriend this time around. Yes...yes...I have book boyfriends. Don't judge me. But Jude turns Trista's world upside down. Or maybe right side up.

"We seek out the people we need, but that doesn’t mean they need us too."

This book gives perspective and things to think about when it comes to relationships with others and self.

Read it!!