Jan 31, 2014

Favourites Category Books of 2013

I did a post about a month ago about my favourite single title romances of 2013, and at the time I said I'd be doing a post about my favourite category books soon. Well, this is that post! :)

When I started looking through my bookshelves to see what I'd read in 2013, I realised I hadn't read as many category books as I usually do. Which means I'd like to read a heap more in 2014, so please, give me your recommendations in the comments to start me off!

As with the last post, this list isn't limited to books published in 2013, just ones I read last year.

1. Last Chance Proposal, by Barbara DeLeo
The hero of this book, Cy, is all that's good about heroes, and his little boy, Jonty is adorable and heart-breaking. The setting is strongly New Zealand, which added gorgeously to the story's flavour. This book made me happy-sigh.

http://www.amazon.com/Last-Chance-Proposal-Entangled-Bliss-ebook/dp/B00GQ67VSG/ref=la_B009BHOXCO_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391086245&sr=1-1


2. Doukakis's Apprentice, by Sarah Morgan
 This book came with a lot of buzz, so I was a bit wary, but I loved it. The heroine was quirky, fun and brave, and she helped the hero change his life for the better. I can see why it won a Rita!

http://www.amazon.com/Doukakiss-Apprentice-Sarah-Morgan/dp/037313021X/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1391086041&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=doukakis%27s+apprentice


3. Flirting With Danger, by Claire Baxter
Loved that the hero and heroine were both firefighters. Loved the journey they both took. Loved the flirty dialogue. Loved it so much, in fact, that I gave it a cover quote. :)
 
http://www.amazon.com/Flirting-Danger-Firefighters-Adelaide-Entangled-ebook/dp/B00EMSY3Y0/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391086295&sr=1-1&keywords=claire+baxter+flirting+with+danger


4. The Billionaire's Bridal Bid, by Emily McKay
This book came out in 2011, but I only got around to reading it this year. It's a reunion story where the hero is a geek (how cool is that?) and the heroine runs a diner. Can't tell you how much I loved this book!

http://www.amazon.com/Billionaires-Bridal-Bid-Emily-McKay/dp/0373730640/ref=la_B001HCTXGC_1_10?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391086476&sr=1-10


5. How To Mend A Broken Heart, by Amy Andrews
It came out in 2o12, but I was lucky enough to grab a copy at a book signing a bit later. I love that the hero and heroine in this book are a bit older than average romance characters - they tried marriage once and it ended in tragedy. Their journey of healing and finding each other again is incredibly intense.

http://www.amazon.com/Broken-Harlequin-Medical-Romance-Larger/dp/037306845X/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391090285&sr=1-1&keywords=amy+andrews+how+to+mend+a+broken+heart



Bonus Book: I'd just started Nikki Logan's Slow Dance With The Sheriff when my Rita judging package arrived, so I haven't finished it yet, but I can't wait to get back to it!

http://www.amazon.com/Slow-Dance-Sheriff-Nikki-Logan/dp/0373178247/ref=la_B003D1YEXW_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1391086746&sr=1-3


So tell me, what other good category books did you read in 2013? I'm ready and waiting for recommendations!



12 comments:

  1. Great list, Rach and might thrilled to be on it :-)
    A great category I read last year was from debut medical author Amalie Berlin - Craving Her Rough Diamond Doc. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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    1. Amy, I love finding a debut author - thanks for the tip. Will go and check it out at Amazon right now...

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  2. I'm blushing! Thank you so much for including The Billionaire's Bridal Bid!
    That is actually one of my favorite books of mine. I just loved Matt and Claire. So I'm so super excited that you enjoyed it!!!

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    1. Emily, I just loved it. The heroine was fabulous (and now I want to own a diner!), and after the hero's backstory with his family, I loved how that sub-plot worked out too. Thanks for writing it!

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  3. Rachel, there's some fab reading there! I'm ashamed to admit how few category romances I've read this year (so I won't). I think it's because it's been a year of lots of writing -- and I don't read as much when I'm full on writing. I do things like watch Pride and Prejudice (the BBC version) or Buffy. :-)

    But the standout category romance for me this year was Kelly Hunter's The One That Got Away. Loved that book. Loved the honesty between the characters. Loved the secondary characters. I just loved it all. :-)

    Category romances I'm dying to read, though, include Annie West's "Captive in the Spotlight", Marion Lennox's "A Bride for the Maverick Billionaire" and anything else by Sarah Morgan. I loved Doukakis's Apprentice too but it's the only one of hers I've read so far. I'll stop now, but I'm afraid the list could go on and on.

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    1. Oh, Michelle, I read and loved The One That Got Away too - I forgot about it when I did the post above. Doh.

      Great suggestions from your list of ones you're dying to read. Will add them to the list. Thanks!

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  4. Hi Rachel

    So many great stories here I read lots of great Category romances last year all of Annie West's and Michelle Douglas's I loved your story Countering His Claim and Amy Andrew's I really think the list would be way too long and I do have a lot more on the TBR pile that I need to get to :)

    Have Fun
    Helen

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    1. Aw, thanks for including Countering His Claim in your list, Helen. :)

      Now you mention it, I have two Annie West books sitting on my shelf that I haven't read yet. That's a crime! Must move them from the shelf to by bedside TBR pile. :)

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  5. Rachel, how great to share the names of books you've loved. I saw your earlier list and am taking notes now. I'm way behind with my reading but as I've just send my book in to my editor I'm hoping to dip into some this weekend. Yay!!! Thanks for the recommendations. I'm so glad you liked Sarah M's Doukakis. It's hard, isn't it when friends rave? Always the fear of disappointment. I like it when someone gives me a book but doesn't tell me about it and it's a new thrill. Hey, how nice that you've got some of my books waiting for you. Off now to sort out my TBR pile - you've inspired me!

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    1. Annie, a reading weekend? Heavenly! I'm struggling through a Rita judging book that I'm not liking very much and occasionally glancing at my TBR pile (where two of your books are) longingly. Though, I'm optimistic that the next Rita book will be fabulous.

      Re: giving you a book and not telling you anything about it - I agree that's great, but I guess I just blew that for the books in this list that you haven't read? Hopefully I didn't say *too* much. :)

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  6. It is a great list, Rachel! And I haven't read them all yet so I've got some catching up to do! I know I've read some fab category romances in the last year - Annie West's Imprisoned By A Vow, Sarah Mayberry's The Other Side Of Us, Michelle Douglas's Cattleman's Ready-Made Family, your Countering His Claim - just to name a very few! My TBR pile is positively scary and I keep adding to it!

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    1. Sharon, what a lovely list of recommendations! I already have a couple of those in my TBR pile - might move them up. Thanks. :)

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