Jayne’s Best of 2014
Book Reviews / Need A Rec! / Reading Lists / Top Ten ListsBest of 2014 / Reading lists10 Comments
After adding up my list in early December, I realized I only had nine books, so I was reading down to the wire to see if one more book would make my list this year. I added some more B grades to my year’s total but not any that made my B+ cutoff. So here’s my nine book 2014 B+ or higher grade listed in no particular order.
The Jade Temptress by Jeannie Lin
I think I’m probably the 5th or 6th DA person to have this on their 2014 list. Unusual Historical, opposites attract, murder mystery – it can be described and listed under several categories but if this many of us liked it, it can definitely be called wonderful.
group review with Willaful and Sunita
It Happened One Wedding by Julie James
Each year I look forward to the latest effort from James which not always but usually involves lawyers, the FBI and Chicago. Here the heroine has agency and her man loves it.
Neil Armstrong by Jay Barbree
Written by long time NASA enthusiast and journalist Jay Barbree this is the unvarnished story of not only Neil Armstrong but also the other early astronauts in the NASA program as well as the Russian cosmonauts all racing for the same prize – to be the first humans to set foot on the moon.
Rodeo Dreams by Sarah Anderson
A heroine who can ride bulls with the big boys? Bring it on. She’ll kick that eight seconds in its ass.
Bitter Greens by Kate Forsyth
A bit of romance, a bit of historical, a bit of magic and a mesmerizing read.
Without Words by Ellen O’Connell
Simply one of the best books I’ve read in a long time. It’s reignited my love of westerns.
Unwrapping Her Perfect Match by Kat Latham
One of two holiday novellas to make my list and a charming addition to the London Legends oeuvre.
Cora’s Christmas Kiss by Alison May
This is the second novella on this year’s list and combines cute, heartbreak, redemption and holiday cheer.
The Siege Winter by Ariana Franklin
Left unfinished at her untimely death “The Siege Winter” or “Winter Siege” as it’s been released in the UK, was picked up and finished by Diana Norman’s daughter Samantha. I think she did a admirable job as evidenced by the recommended reviews that Jennie and I both wrote for it which will be posted closer to the 2015 US release date.
Review to Come
I always love your lists because they are so eclectic. I’m probably the only one at DA that didn’t love the Lin book and I’m glad to see that the Ariana Franklin book turned out so well for you.
I haven’t read any of the books on your list, but they’ve given me some to add to my to be read pile!
I do enjoy what I’ve read from Julie James, and Ellen O’Connell is one of my favorites. I can’t wait to read Without Words! There are just too many books and not enough hours in my day.
Very neat list. I’ve been curious about Bitter Greens since you reviewed it, and I’m looking forward to reading your thoughts on the Franklin / Norman.
I’ve only read It Happened One Wedding and really enjoyed it. The book seems to be appearing on several favorite lists.
@Angie: I’m really excited to add Ellen O’Connell to my TBR reading pile and hope to try more of her books this year.
@Jane: Did you read her steampunk novel? I can’t remember. I hope she has the opportunity to keep writing in her Tang Dynasty world.
@Janine: I’ve been telling Jane that I had my fingers crossed when I started the Franklin/Norman book as you never know how things like that – one author finishing up another’s book – will go.
Kate Forsyth is another author I will keep checking on to see what she’s writing next.
@Kim: I haven’t read any of James’ books outside of this FBI series but she’s been pretty consistent for me within it.
It Happened One Wedding was one of my favourite books of the year, too. Will check out the Ellen O’Connell book sometime…
I bought the Ellen O’Connell ebook. Thanks. A minor thing but I have to say that I am impressed with the formatting of the ebook. Nicely done.