The 2014 List!

I had a good reading year for 2014 with some amazing books and series discoveries. Last year I also took part for the second time in the Goodreads book challenge which was fun!

I've read a variety of different books throughout the year but the biggest surprise for me was my being drawn to many contemporary-romances! Not a genre I usually head for but enjoyed nonetheless!
This year there have been adventures with dark sexy Fae, with questionable Pirates, with dynamic men from fantasy Lands, with cool guys from Rock bands... oh, and a fab book on writing thrown in for good measure! (which could be called sexy it was so good, right?).

The books I really enjoyed this year in no particular order :-

1. The Pirate Captain by Kerry Lynne

This story was recommended and I'm so glad I took a chance on it. A gritty and exciting adventure on the high seas of the 18th century Caribbean with a cast of interesting characters. This tale has a good dose of comedy but doesn't skimp on the darker details of life either. Long and epic in feel.

2. The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

Bloody brilliant. I read books 1-6 in this absolutely wowing urban-fantasy series. Mackayla Lane's sister is murdered but something isn't right and she travels to Ireland where she discovers a dark and seductive paranormal world within our own. From book 3 onwards the books become much darker which was just fine with me!  My favourites are book 4 and 6 though they all have scenes to remember (book 3 and the MacHalo anybody?!).

3. Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

This first book in this Fantasy series had me hooked. This is like a fantasy winter Fairytale adventure - for grown-ups! It has that magical feel that just wrapped me up and the further into Finnie (our heroines) story I got it became SOOO hard to put this book down. 

4. These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman & Meagan Spooner

This is a Sci-romance and a unique story, well-crafted with intricate, deep characters. Lovely tender romance and totally realistic. Lilac and Tarver are thrown together during a titanic-esque crash where the Starliner they are travelling on leaves them stranded alive on a mysterious planet where all is not as it seems. The audiobook was a pleasure to listen too and acted/directed in a very interesting way. 

5. The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

Book 2 in the Fantasyland series (the first being Wildest Dreams). Set in a different country and culture to book 1 this story could easily standalone. Circe wakes up to find herself in the land of Korwahk...and about to be hunted down by warriors in their annual 'bride hunt'! It is a barbaric and harsh land and there is plenty of drama and rough love here in the Lands of the Korwahk people.

6. Fury by Laurann Dohner

This was a big surprise for me this year and I loved the story and idea. Ellie Brauer has worked undercover to expose illegal testing and enhancement of children which has been going on for decades. This has created a new species of humans and this is their story. 

I enjoyed seeing Ellie and Fury's relationship develop and how the world created is emerging. Sexy and thought-provoking. 

7. A rose for Lancaster by Christine Elaine Black

A solid, well-written medieval novella. I loved the way the characters acted and made decisions 'of the time'. Though a novella this felt like a complete novel and threw me back to this intriguing period of  England's history.

8. Writing Habit Mastery

The one non-novel on my list. I Loved this. Short and informative. It doesn't tell you 'how to write' but shares tips with a fresh voice. I particularly liked the sections on time management.

9. Lead by Kylie scott 

Lead is book 3 in the Stage Dive series and my favourite so far (I'd recommend the others too). The series focuses on the 4 members of a Rock band and this book is about their troubled and arrogant Lead singer Jimmy Ferris and his growing attraction to the no nonsense Lena.

10. Transcendence by Shay savage 

This is a great book. A sweet and refreshing love story told from the point of view of a young prehistoric man named Ehd. This book tells the story of Ehd and Beh - the unusual girl he finds stuck in his pit-trap! Moving and comical.

11. A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter 

A gentle paced Paranormal-Romance/Mystery...with elemental vampires! I really liked how the story and intrigue unfolded and the gradually developing and respectful romance between our 2 main characters - young librarian Beatrice and the mysterious Giovanni. 






*My favourite read of the year :- The Fever Series by Karen Marie Moning*

Emma Watson Speaks at UN for gender equality

British actress Emma Watson, the newly appointed Goodwill ambassador for UN women, recently gave a powerful and informative speech on gender equality, feminism and men and women's rights in the modern day world. She was promoting a new campaign by the UN called HeForShe.
This is the first campaign of its kind by the UN and aims to not only gain awareness but enable true action to be taken to create gender equality all over the world. And it's a worthy idea to get behind.

 An interesting point from Ms Watson's speech was :-

 That there is as yet no country in the world that has full gender equality.

I was rather shocked by this current fact! This campaign I feel really puts a clear message out there that gender equality isn't only about women. Discrimination of women affects men's lives too.

 From the 'He For She' action kit :-

"We all benefit socially, politically and economically from gender equality in our everyday lives. When women are empowered, the whole of humanity benefits. Gender equality liberates not only women but also men, from prescribed social roles and gender stereotypes."


Watch Emma Watson's UN speech below :-


 


Campaign website :- www.heforshe.org 

Twitter Tags #HeforShe  @UN_Women  @HeforShe 

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