You all may remember back in March, there was a writing challenge hosted by Marquessa at simplymarquessa.com. And one of the daily writings where we had to write about what we are freakishly good at. And one of the things for me is reading. You can find the post here. Well, I mentioned a reading challenge and that I would share the books I was reading. Well, I had completed the 50 books in the 2021 reading challenge.

Before I go into the books I’ve read for this year, I would like to share with you the books I’ve read last year and other years that weren’t part of the reading challenge.

And they are:

I have read other books by them and plan to read more books by them as well. I found myself reading the books more than once because I enjoyed the books these authors wrote. I also didn’t include other authors and their books I’ve read from other years because the list is long, but please feel free to view them on my Goodreads Read pile. Also, if you haven’t read the books listed above, please do visit the books by these wonderful, talented authors because you’re missing out. 😊

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** Note: The books I have read this year, the majority of them I have added to my Goodreads read pile for the challenge. But, there are books I read but didn’t add for no particular reason. So it would make my books read for this year over 50, but let’s focus on the ones added on Goodreads for the year 2021, shall we? Okay.

To let you know: Since I started the first week of January, I wanted to up my reading game by reading outside of my genre. Other than reading romance, nonfiction, erotica, and urban fiction, I started reading fantasy, paranormal fiction, paranormal romance, urban paranormal, supernatural fiction, LGBTQIA, and more this year. I wanted different, and to strengthen my reading, and I got it. I also would like to say that even though when reading these marvelous and entertaining novels, I don’t tend to go by the race of the author/characters, or whatever, though looking back, I noticed nearly all of the authors were women. I don’t feel bad about it, but it did felt good to come across Black/African American authors would who can really write fantasy, paranormal and supernatural fiction works. I am well pleased.

Now, finally, on to the 50 books read from this year:

(In order from January- September)

1.)

I enjoyed this novel, especially since it was a happily ever after because most books I read don’t tend to have that. I also don’t read books with a HEA as much. It’s not my go-to, but I still enjoyed it.

2.)

Hmm. What can I say about this book? For one, this is my first book by this author. It is one of those books where if you don’t like steamy erotic scenes, then it is not for you. I loved and enjoyed this novel because the female main character had found her second chance at love. I’m not going to spoil it, but it is always a good thing to me when a woman is in her forties and she may feel down on herself, then she picked herself up and take charge of her life again. She found that in this book, and with a so very attractive and sexy man at that.

3.)

This story is where the girl who is known to be an ugly duckling who also has stalking issues found love with a guy who loves her for her, no matter what she looks like. The thing is with him though, he is something of a vigilante. Let him tell it. If you read this book, you will find out why he does the things he does. When I read this book, I couldn’t put my phone down, because I kept swiping to read the next page and the next one. It is different than what I read before when the woman is always beautiful and has a killer body, no pun intended. I like how the female character in this book gains her confidence and the love that blossoms between her and the “vigilante” guy who is in love with her that is real and true.

4.)

Even though this book came out around when the pandemic started, I read it with that in mind because the story is about this character who works in a strip club as a bartender eventually finds love with a customer. The “look but don’t touch” made me think how people who had to work in such business as this, where they still have to do their job, but kept the 6 feet distance from the customer when they have to dance or deliver food and drinks- at the customer’s home where it is done outside. Still, I won’t spoil it by revealing too much, just know, I love the ending. Because for me, I wouldn’t care about finding love especially during the beginning or middle of the pandemic. (Or anytime soon.) Then again, this character wasn’t expecting to fall in love with the guy, or him with her.

5.)

I usually read this author’s books that are fiction. I read this book in mind that it is to empower women. Since this is a nonfiction book, I feel that each person should take into consideration how it may work for them.

6.)

Love it! It was a page-turner for sure.

7.)

8.)

9.)

The thing is with this novel is this was my first time reading a novel about a succubus. This novel was everything, and since I wanted to read something in a genre I had never read before, this was it. I didn’t search for it, for it came to me in an email from Amazon. I saw the red color and the title, I read the description and fell in love with the story. The story takes place in Chicago, and it was interesting to read about people who are my race who trying to get their life together. With the male main character trying to do just that, he came across a Succubus who helps him in making his dreams into a reality in a way she can. But it comes at a price, and that doesn’t The ending was sad to me on some levels. There is a part two I ended up reading later in the year.

10.)

Well, I ended up reading another book by this author that I should be ashamed. But, I’m not and couldn’t help myself. This story is set in Louisiana. Even though I am not from there nor I have ever been, I can relate somewhat to this story. It’s mainly because I am from and have been living in the South. (South Carolina, that is.) And I am no stranger to the knowledge of voodoo-practicing, tarot cards, magic, and others of the like. The main male character thought he could cast a spell on the main female character, and like most spells when not done correctly or misused, it can have bad effects on the intended person. Like I would most likely keep saying, I won’t spoil the story and its ending, but I was shocked at a few of these characters.

11.)

Part 2 of the last novel as you can tell. All I can say is I had enjoyed it a lot and love how it ended.

12.)

I saw the cover and my eyes journeyed down to read what the book was about. All I can say at first is, with my not-so-good luck with men, I would never need to worry about dating a Hollywood man. They can be shallow and promiscuous, and some other things I dislike. I also shouldn’t worry because my chances of dating one are none to none. Anyway, this guy turns out to be the type of guy who turns his life around after meeting a woman that doesn’t quite fit that so-called society definition of beauty, and he ended being deeply in love with her.

13.)

14.)

Where do I start with this one? Well, this novel is about witches who became friends who have something– or someone putting them in danger. Well, there are these brothers who have different fathers, and oh man, the descriptions of these brothers had me envisioning what they look like, their movements, and the voices. One was an angel, and the other is half-angel, half-demon. I like both brothers, even though they are different from the other. But, I love love the women (witches) who became close to the point where their bond became strong they were like sisters. This novel came to the point where the good can be bad, and bad can be good. Funny how that goes. I am also glad to have found out a few weeks ago the authors of this novel are writing Part 2. Eek! I am so thrilled about that.

15.)

Man oh man! This novel is more on the lines of “better careful what you wish for because you just may get it.” But, it may come at a cost. This novel had me thinking that when living in the South with most people you know and don’t know who claim not to believe in the voodoo, tarot, witchcraft, etc, you know they truly exist. These four friends wanted something out of life which is to have their deepest desires and/or dreams come true. Oh, they got it. But damn! They suffered bad. This novel is one of those novels where you have to read it for yourself. The ending had me like, “oh, oh!” Because…well, just be careful what you wish or pray for, and be more specific.

16.)

This book has useful information for anyone looking to be an indie author.

17.)

I like the writing style and the world-building is something I am new to. I grew up reading nearly all of the Harry Potter books since I was a teenager, so I am used to fantasy books and their world-building. Though, this is something quite different. The characters are adults and there are sexual scenes most wouldn’t want to read. Some people are calling it a YA novel and that is not what I took it as because if so, most scenes and descriptions would have made me cringe. I enjoyed it but not to a certain extent. It did make me read the rest of the books in the series because I am a sucker for series books.

18.)

The thing is with these Incubus Series books is there is an MFM romance going on. Some people may not be interested in reading books about gay lovers who also share the same woman as their lover. Since I read this in March, and now writing it in late September, I can’t seem to remember some parts. It is descriptive in its rights, and the connection between the three lovers was beautiful. This is also my first time reading a novel with the characters being in the LGBTQ group.

19.)

20.)

21.)

I read this book because it goes more in-depth about each crystal and how you can use them to benefit you. Everything you need to know and learn about crystals is in this book. I wasn’t overwhelmed when reading the book. The magic of crystal healing is a powerful thing to me. And this book touched on grief, anxiety, health, and more. I highly recommended it.

22.)

23.)

Whew! When I got to this book, I was so so so impressed! And it is not because the characters are of the same race as me. Though the characters could all be different races, the novel doesn’t say what the races are and it doesn’t really matter. I love this novel. This is the first novel in this series called the Seven Deadly Sins. And this one is where the characters live in Fireland where the main character is a shape-shifting dragon and he lost his pregnant mate who died. The thing is, the novel really captured the sin, Wrath.

24.)

This novel is about the author’s real-life sexcapades. And all I’m saying when reading it is “got damn woman!” She really had, and most likely still have a free-spirited sex life. And I don’t usually read a novel like this where the character in the novel is based on the life of the person who wrote the novel. And no, it is not an autobiography or anything like that. Though when I read erotica, the characters are fictitious. This was well-written, sinful, and sizzling hot.

25.)

Hot damn to this book! And yes, the sin here is called, Lust. I-I…um, I just love it, and not because of the steamy scenes. Okay, who am I kidding? I love it for that as well. I am also definitely in love with the main character. On another note, what got to me is how mean and chaotic the majority of the humans are toward the creatures and shape-shifters. Like who died and made them royalty. The majority of these humans are witches and I hate that they used their power on the creatures and beasts, and shape-shifters alike for bad. Though, in the end, the humans/witches got what they deserve.

26.)

The thing about this series is that these shape-shifters are good beings and they still are, but they do something that caused them to commit some type of sin and the “sin” takes over their body. The “sin” that takes over their body (and mind) is a demon. I love reading the parts when the sin/demon are talking because they are quite funny. The connection the demon sins have with their hosts and the hosts’ mates is entertaining.

27.)

This is Part 2 of Games Women Play. It’s an action-packed novel.

28.)

Yessss! When I got to this novel and I saw the cover, the first thing that came to mind was,” yesss, a woman this time as one of the main character.” And she is strong, fierce, and don’t take no ish. When she got contracted with a demon sin, everything after that, I felt like I was holding my breath. I had my phone in my hand reading on lunch breaks, in between calls, etc just to know what will happen next. For her to have her mate find her, who is the polar opposite of her, I was in awe and love their chemistry and the way he love her.

29.)

The main character in this novel is a wolf shape-shifter, and for someone like me who loves wolves, I wanted to read this guy’s story forever. The thing with him is that he is a person who loves to help others, and gives them jobs, but having the sin of Sloth caused him not to be able to do much of anything for too long. There are times when his body would shut down causing him to be helpless. His mate has to help him with a lot of things even when it comes to what he wants to say and can’t because the demon sin takes up a lot of his energy. I really enjoyed this novel.

30.)

This novel was hot and heavy. The female character took charge of her life ( more like sex life) and goes to a place called The Den. It’s a place for women mostly to go and have their desires and fantasies fulfilled, and oh man do they. I was almost jealous of these women having their fantasies fulfilled in this series. The woman in this book meets a guy, and the way he rocked her world had her constantly coming back for more. The thing is, she doesn’t know who he is because the men that worked at The Den, their faces are covered.

31.)

32.)

I read this book solely because it was a novel about vampires that live in a world next to humans. But most of the humans would venture off the vampire world for the main purpose of selling their blood to the vampires. And if the humans want to take it a step further, they would have to sign a waiver so the vampire won’t be held liable for anything going wrong. And the humans will pay them for the step further which is, um… for sex. It is said in this novel that you haven’t been kissed unless you have been kissed by a vampire. And they were talking to the women. (I’m not quite sure if there any vampires in the LGBTQ group, though I don’t remembered reading that part.) I was thinking, hmm, my real-life fetish if you want to call it that, is fangs. So I would be amazed just to see the fangs, just not to be kissed. Then again, it might depends on where at. As I read on, they were talking about being kissed below. I guess it works out for both parties involved. Um…

33.)

Part 2 of the last novel as you can see. I love that one of the two female friends from the last novel ended up being in love with one of the two male best friends who are vampires. The same thing happened with the other two who knew each other the longest, except that were stubborn about forming a relationship when they clearly love each other. I love the romance in this novel, and you know I can’t spoil it for you by revealing too much. The love for the two couples is truly supernaturally beautiful.

34.)

This novel is four short stories in one about the love between interracial couples. I enjoyed them all and wanted more. I am glad to know from IG that the author is coming out for a Part 2, but it might end up being with more couples.

35.)

And here we are with a story about werewolves who were once humans, of course. A virus of some sort broke out and caused some people to turned into one. And it caused more humans to become one because they got bit by someone who is affected. This story is well-written, and the descriptions played themselves out like a movie in my mind. I hated that the scientists thought that in the beginning, they could play God, and create something that put others’ lives in danger. The wife had to make a sacrifice when one of her family got attacked. Which led me to…

36.)

This novel picks up from where Part 1 left off. All I can say is the ending had me truly shocked, and I am the wife and her family was able to get justice on what her family went through.

37.)

This is a modern-day retold story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears. This is written by an author who previously wrote some of the books above. This is not a book for children or anyone under the age of 18. I love reading this from a Black author because I remembered when I was a young child reading the Goldilocks and Three Bears, I wondered what it would be like when a girl who looks like me, my skin tone. There weren’t many books by my race with characters who are of the BIPOC group. This novel is short and a joy to read.

38.)

I had to read this one because it is about a phoenix. There were so many characters in this series but I didn’t felt too overwhelmed by them. There were a lot of things going on. I hated that two lovers had people who kept trying to keep them apart. When

39.)

There are times when I felt like the female main character was childish with the way she bounced from one guy who is the vampire king and the other is a king of the Lycans (werewolves. ) It was like she never knew what or who she wanted. And the Lycan king in the first book and this one lied about his former mate and can’t seem to stay faithful.

40.)

Okay, I know she is a phoenix, but she died and a whole heck of a lot. Her life constantly started over until she came across her mate who triggered her memory. Loyalty among friends doesn’t seem to happen much, because how in the hiz-zell did her best friend got with her man. I know the girl died but she comes back because she is a phoenix, but her best friend totally betrayed her. Oh best believe, some beings got away with some stuff they did, and some definitely got what’s coming to them. Though, the ending was great. I’m glad the Phoenix got her true mate in the end even though she went through hell more times I can frigging count.

41.)

42.)

This novel is the finale of the Seven Deadly Sins. I enjoyed it way too much to the point I would read it again. This time instead of the demon sins taking over one person, it’s two–twins. These young women are nearly polar opposites of each other. The thing is I was sad when this book ended because the stories of 14 people (the hosts and their mates, and their demon sins) are coming to an end. Imagine my surprise when at the end of the ebook, the author mentioned they are going to write a full-length novel of the epilogue instead of a few pages at the end of this one. The beauty of friendship and love between these beings is astounding. It made me want to get to know them in person and enter their worlds. The author has done an amazing job on this series and I can’t wait to read the Epilogue novel.

43.)

44.)

45.)

46.)

I really enjoyed reading this Moon series. The majority of these characters are based in my home state, South Carolina. I love the mentioned of voodoo-practicing, the supernatural of the like, etc., because it exists. And with this based in the South, I couldn’t help but love it, even though I don’t like the history of the South with my enslaved people being brought over to this country. Back to the book, there is so much to say and the series isn’t over even though I had stopped here for the challenge. There is two more books in this series that I have to read. There is also a lot of characters and their lives in this series to keep up with. They all connect in a way, and even though it’s too much to say about them, just know it is good enough for me to finish reading the series. It’s better than good.

47.)

This is the first book this year that is paperback. All the other books are ebooks. I also checked this book out at the library and kept it a little longer than I should before having no choice but to return it. This book covered a lot for a person looking to publish their novel. It has a lot of useful information that will make you want to take notes.

48.)

This is Part 2 of the novel above called Succubus. Oh, I love this one. I love them both equally. This one had boggled my mind when the realization of what this guy really is was revealed. He is said to be a rare vampire and to find out what he truly made me so angry with the succubus from the first novel who kidnapped the guy when he was a baby from the first book and took him to the Underworld where she is from. She made him who he is, and I wanted to choke her. Finding out the truths of everything, whew! I read this book in a few hours. It is a must-read, definitely a page-turner. I am hoping for a Part 3.

49.)

This novel was well-written and made me sad because it is about a teenage girl who was raped and no one believes her but less than a handful of people. The guy who done this to her didn’t even do time because of who his father is. It may me think of the many people who are sexually assaulted and how some choose not to speak up because either they were threatened and/or scared. I like how the author captured the emotions and the thoughts of the characters. The steps the main character takes to healing made me root for her. It’s the thought of what people in life have to go through.

50.)

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So, what do you guys think about this reading challenge and the book choices I’ve picked? Have you read any of these books, if so, which one? Also, have you ever done a Goodreads reading challenge before?

I appreciate you taking the time to read this long post, and I’m sure and hope I made it worth your while. Here’s a link to the 2021 Reading Challenge- click here to view. Note: from this page, the books are ordered from last to first.

Thank you!

–Pamela