It’s Jan’s turn, and I love this list!!! I’m seeing some repeats of favorites this year (note-to-self: definite must-reads) and I’m loving all of the new-to-me suggestions too!!!
Jan is a teacher, our resident historical lover, she’s from Australia (it’s summer there, right now!!), and we want to plan a group trip to her house!! Right guys?? *squeee* Jan she delves into all the book genres (as this list will show)!
Here are some fun recent “Jan highlights” from this year:
Jan is a book-hoarder just like so many of us!
“I’ve got a few books stored up for when the zombies unleash on the world and I’m holed up in a cubby somewhere with my solar-powered kindle…….
“
Jan LOVES the movie Notting Hill (it’s also one of my absolute favorites too!!)
“The memories of Notting hill are making me want to watch it again (for the squillionth time). What about Hugh Grant’s housemate that eats the ‘yoghurt’. And wears the unusual underpants. And the hilarious birthday party at Hugh’s sister’s house.
And what about the scene at the end during the press interview and all of the press suddenly realise there is a romance going on. *happy sigh*”
About our “Black Fridays”:
“Some retailers over here have been jumping on the bandwagon and offering Black Friday sales, but we Aussies don’t even know what Black Friday means. Still, our eyes light up at the word ‘sale’ LOL. Any excuse!”
About her Christmas preferences (bev posted a fun Christmas questionnaire) and here are Jan’s very confused but totally cute answers (they look a lot like mine). 😉
Hey Jan… I’m right there with you. I didn’t get the Christmas movie references either. I ended up having to look up the leg lamp thing and was creeped out. *snort* 😛 I think I started watching Christmas movies when Elf came out. LOL! All modern releases (or Lifetime & Hallmark Christmas)
Anyway… I digress. Here’s a bit of Jan and her Christmas preferences:
Fake tree or real tree? Sorry bev, I’m a faker.
Fat tree or thin tree? Medium
Multicolor lights or white lights? Multi
Candy canes or ribbon candy? I dunno what ribbon candy is??? So, candy canes, I guess??
A hula hoop or a plane that loops the loop? Hula hoop. I was really good at when I was 9!
B.B. gun or leg lamp? ??
Best dancer Snoopy or anyone else? Um?
Should Frosty have been named Oatmeal? Um, no?
If a bell rings does an angel get his wings? Um??
Is that you Santa Clause? Um, maybe???
Er, I think I haven’t watched enough Christmas movies. I’d better get on that.
*snort*
P.S. Get to know more about Jan from her past favorites lists:
- Reader Favorites – Jan’s 10 Books That Stayed With Her…
- Reader Favorites – Jan’s Favorite Low Angst Romance Books
Jan’s Top 10 reads of 2017
“Here are my top ten reads of the year. Some were newly published this year but some are older ones that I’ve just discovered this year.”
A Charm of Finches (Venery Book 2) by Suanne Laqueur
Jan: Intense, emotional and powerful contemporary novel about a fascinating set of characters. M/M romance, but so much more. Really packs an emotional punch.
Devil in Spring: The Ravenels, Book 3 by Lisa Kleypas
Jan: Beautiful historical romance. A charmingly awkward young woman who hasn’t yet found her place in the world reluctantly falls in love with a wonderful, loving, patient man who awakens her mind and her sexuality.
Luck Be a Lady (Rules for the Reckless Book 4) by Meredith Duran
Jan: Well -written historical romance. An East End (London) crime lord (with a heart of gold) falls hard for a lonely, nerdish spinster who is being bullied and embezzled by her nasty brother.
Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
Jan: Intense and emotional historical romance. A couple is in love, but their marriage goes down the tubes within a few days. Why?? Years later they are reunited in the exotic and remote highlands of northern India. Brilliant story and setting.
Afterwards & Afterburn by Nia Forrester
Jan: Two connected contemporary romances. Powerful, emotional, fascinating. Robyn Crandall is a successful lawyer whose husband unexpectedly dumps her for another woman. Chris Scaife is the high-powered head of a huge music corporation focussing mainly on rap and hip-hop artists. He has a chequered past with women, but is finally starting to grow up.
He and Robyn form a deep connection, but it’s no easy path to their HEA. Fantastic pair of books.
The Last Hellion (Scoundrels Book 4) by Loretta Chase
Jan: Enjoyable, fast-paced historical romance. Vere became a duke after a series of tragedies in his family. Bitter and grieving, he seeks solace in wine, women and song – he is ‘the last hellion’. Lydia had a difficult childhood but is reinventing herself as a successful journalist.
These two larger than life characters form a wild ‘I love you – I hate you’ relationship, and it’s lots of fun to see the sparks fly on the way to their HEA.
American Hellhound (Dartmoor Book 6) by Lauren Gilley
Jan: Very satisfying addition to the Dartmoor MC series. Gives the back story about Ghost Teague and his Maggie when they first met, when they were much younger. But there is also a gripping present-day story.
Seveneves: A Novel by Neal Stephenson
Jan: Science fiction on a grand scale. Huge, epic book full of huge, epic concepts. A catastrophe affects the earth. How will mankind survive when we have to move into space? The amount of detail dragged a little at times, but overall it was a fantastic read, full of fascinating ideas.
Silver Lining by Maggie Osborne
Jan: Lovely historical romance. Western, but not a cowboy story. Centres on two great characters, Louise (or ‘Low Down’) and Max, both of whom are full of personal strength and integrity. You really root for them as they face lots of challenges.
Hmmmm. 5 HRs, 3 CRs, a contemporary fiction and a sci-fi. Sounds about right to reflect what I’ve been reading this year.
Best new (to me) authors I’ve discovered this year: Nia Forrester (CR) and Lisa Kleypas (HR).
from Jan 🙂
➔➔➔ Looking for more of our favorite recommendations? Browse our “Ultimate Favorites Lists” here. Are you in the mood for a certain kind of story? Browse our favorite “genre/trope categories” here and our reader favorites lists too.
➔➔➔ Love Jan’s book taste? Check out more of her favorites lists here: Jan’s Favorites
OMG: *stealing* “for the squillionth time”!!! 😀
Love the list, Jan. I bought the Duran one off of it. Love a nerdy heroine.
Though disturbed that you wouldn’t catch an It’s a Wonderful Life reference or Snoopy. Lol.
Sorry bev. Come to the house party at my place and we can binge watch some of those movies I’ve missed out on while we drink margaritas.
I need to learn to like historical romance because I am so in love with Lisa Kleypas covers. Those dresses!?!
Devil In Spring would be a good place to start, Leslie. Really lovely book.
0.0 I haven’t read a single one of those. Devil in Spring tempts me the most since I read Devil in Winter many years ago. Thanks for the reminder about Nia Forrester. I have that series as an unbought TBR, since it looks so interesting. 🙂
Leslie, right? The clothes are absolutely gorgeous!
Ooh, well, I read and loved A Charm of Finches…so we’re on the same track there…and I adore that LK cover. Hmm, yes. I remember really loving HR when I was younger. That’s it my goal for 2018 is to read a historical romance.
Great list, Jan! Xoxo! Thanks, Maryse!
I keep seeing American Hellhound recommended. It’s not my *usual* kind of read, but I’m intrigued due to the amount of praise it has gotten.
Anyway, can it be read as a stand alone?
Kim I wouldn’t recommend it as a standalone. It’s the latest in a series and full of refs to previous characters and books. Why not go back to the start and read Fearless instead? Really well written and meaty motor cycle club series. This best MC series out there IMO. It’s pretty hard core, but the characters are fascinating, and once you get hooked, you’ll love the ride!
Loved American Hellhound and that entire series! I agree that Gilley is an outstanding author, and you learn to live all these not-so-perfect people! Ghost & Maggie, especially!! It was a tough decision between this one & Undeniable by Sheehan, for me, because both were about paternal figures. Great year for this genre!
I’m feeling in a HR mood and “crime lord” falls for “nerdish spinster” is calling out to me!
Jan, I’ve only read one from your list-Charm Of Finches. Afterwards and Afterburn sounds really good- adding those to my tbr!! 🙂
🙂 Hope you enjoy Cheryl. You know when you really like an author’s books, and you want to share the enjoyment…..
Jan, I need to step out of the box and read more HR! I’ve only read Larks/Finches from your list!
I haven’t read any from your list, BUT! I did click Afterwards a few days ago. Something about that cover just feels…like heartache. Maybe because it reminds me of the cover of Forever, Interrupted? Well, one of the covers, anyways.
I’m glad you found us Jan! I love how we all get to compare and contrast various terms and sayings with friends from all over the world.