Top 17 of 2017

I read 114 books in 2017. That is the most I've ever read in one year. Out of that 114 books it was hard to choose my 17 stand outs.


But here is my list:

1. A Court of Wings and Ruin by Sarah J. Maas
2. King by T.M. Frazier
3. I Am Ozzy by Ozzy Osbourne and Chris Ayres
4. Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost
5. Where There's Smoke by Sandra Brown
6. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
7. The Beauty of Darkness by Mary E. Pearson
8. The Outskirts by T.M. Frazier
9. You Do Something To Me by Bella Andre
10. The Iron Warrior by Julie Kagawa
11. Darker by E L James
12. Candidate by Rachel E. Carter
13. Truce by R.L. Mathewson
14. To All The Boys I've Loved Before trilogy by Jenny Han
15. The Bookshop On the Corner by Jenny Colgan
16. I Could Pee On This: and Other Poems by Cats by Francesco Marciuliano
17. A Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson

I really did read alot of great books in 2017. I finished 10 series. It was another awesome reading year.

Happy Reading, Ashley

December Wrap Up 2017

December flew by. Although I didn't read as much as I had intended. Can't always be great reading months back to back.

Here's what I read in December:

• Apprentice by Rachel E. Carter 5/5 stars (reread)
• A Christmas Joy Ride by Melody Carlson 5/5 stars
• A Cowboy Christmas by Janette Kenny 5/5 stars (reread)
• The Book Thief by Markus Zusak 5/5 stars (reread)
• All I Want For Christmas Is You:A Wedding Novella by Anita Louise  4/5 stars
• Sneezy the Snowman by Maureen Wright 3/5 stars
• Jingle My Balls by Jenika Snow and Jordan Marie 5/5 stars
• Candidate by Rachel E. Carter 5/5 stars
• Ride My Beard by Jenkia Snow and Jordan Marie 5/5 stars
• Planting His Seed by Jenkia Snow and Jordan Marie 5/5 stars
• Darker by E L James 5/5 stars

And that's a wrap on December. How did you all do in December?

Happy Reading, Ashley 

Currently Reading

I'm currently reading 2 books.

Darker by E.L. James
I ordered a copy from Amazon. I'm just a few pages in.

on my kindle I'm reading:
Planting His Seed by Jenika Snow and Jordan Marie

After I finish my kindle book I have lined up The Last Stand by Rachel E. Carter. I'm hoping to finish The Black Mage series before 2017 is over.

Happy Reading, Ashley

When I'm Not Reading #4

I believe I made a post about this in the past. I write song lyrics from time to time. Well last night while listening to Taylor Swift's new album Reputation. There was this one song I kept replaying So It Goes... Also thinking about someone. I wrote a song... Here it is....


Talk To Me 

I could honestly see myself with you
Forever embracing this new love
But it can't just be me reaching out to you

If you want a shot
On a love that will never break your heart
Talk to me

Open up your walls
I'll do the same for you
We can share our hopes, fears, dreams
Talk to me

Can't you see it in my eyes?
I'm falling for you
I hear your cries of loneliness
I could be your best friend for life

Talk to me
Talk to me
Open up your walls, baby
Love that will never break your heart (love that will never, never break your heart)

I will mend your bruised heart
Give you my unconditional love
A love that will be true

I could honestly see myself with you
I need for you to talk to me
Not just me building our love

A new beginning
Best friends for life
A love that will never break your heart

Just talk to me
I wanna know your hopes, fears, dreams
I wanna know your heart



I hope you like my song. I've been writing them since 2001 ish. I had to write a poem in my 8th grade in English class. And that is how it began. I discovered I could voice my thoughts through songs. I have more posted on fictionpress.com . I will try and share more whenever I write them. My inspiration isn't what it used to be.

Happy Reading, Ashley

My Most Anticipated Books For 2018

I looked through Goodreads to see what books are coming out in 2018.I found 12 that I'm super excited to read and hopefully add to my shelves.

In no particular order:

• Wild In Love by Bella Andre and Jennifer Skully 
• Zenith by Sasha Alsberg and Lindsay Cummings
• Catwoman:Soulstealer by Sarah J. Maas 
• A Court of Frost and Starlight by Sarah J. Maas
• The World of Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
• Untitled Throne of Glass #7 by Sarah J. Maas
• Restore Me by Tahereh Mafi
• Legendary by Stephanie Garber 
• These Rebel Waves by Sara Raasch
• Dance of Thieves by Mary E. Pearson
• Untitled Warcross #2 by Marie Lu
• Up In Smoke by T.M. Frazier 

If I hear or see any other books that are being released in 2018. I will add them to this list.

Happy Reading, Ashley 

Currently Reading

I'm currently reading a very short book on my kindle called Ride My Beard (Hot-Bites Novella) by Jenkia Snow and Jordan Marie. I still have kindle unlimited until January 7th 2018. Reading a few romance novels before my free trial is up.

Bout Of Books 21

Bout of Books 21 is taking place in January. I am super excited to be taking place. This readathon always helps give my reading a jump start in the beginning of the year. If you want to participate as well here is the sign up for Bout Of Books 21 
The dates are starting at 12:01 am Monday January 8th through Sunday January 14th ending at whatever time zone you live in. 


I will not be setting a TBR for this readathon. I will however keep my progress updated during the readathon. Cannot wait for the readathon to take place!! Good luck to you all!! Happy Reading, Ashley


The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda Shofner and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 8th and runs through Sunday, January 14th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 21 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

Happy Holidays and Happy New Year

Wishing you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year. I hope whatever you celebrate you will have fun, lots of laughs, great food, and be safe!! I am just going to be spending Christmas Eve and Christmas day at home with my parents. I'm super excited for it!! The first time in years we don't have to visit family on Christmas. Don't get me wrong.I do love spending time with my family on the holidays. I just like being home too!! On Christmas day my football team the Philadelphia Eagles have a game!! I know we will exchange gifts either on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.

New Years Eve will be spent with my brother and his girlfriend. I'm excited to spend time with them. I just wanted to make a post on my plans. I will be taking off until January 2nd. I might share a tiny book haul. I did receive one book for Christmas. I did order 2 from Amazon.

Anyways, enjoy the holidays!!!See you in 2018!!!! I am excited for a new year of reading. Blogging about books and etc. I hope you all are excited for 2018.

Happy Reading, Ashley

Reading Goals and Blogging Plans for 2018

My Reading Goals For 2018

No Goodreads challenge.
I want to read whenever I feel like it. Without worrying about hitting a certain number of books before the year is over.
No TBR's
I never stick to them anyways.So why make them?

Read.... simple
Read whatever and whenever. Whether it is physical books. My kindle books. Library, Audio-books. YA,Adult, New Adult. Fiction, Nonfiction. Just read.

I'm not sure what 2018 will bring me. I hope to just enjoy reading and spending time with my family.

Blogging Plans for 2018

Try and post more book reviews. Maybe not for every book. Probably the ones I rated 4 or 5 stars. Unless there is a certain book you would like a review for. Besides blogging about reading and books. I want to share more of my life. I hope you all won't mind that. If you have any types of posts you would like to see please let me know. my email address is: booksarediamonds@yahoo.com

Here's to a good year. I am hoping for a calmer year.

Happy Reading, Ashley

Reading Challenge 2017

I did make a Goodreads Reading Challenge. My number was 20. I did change it to 100. I reached that goal. Right now I've read 107 books. I can't believe that number. I did read alot on my kindle. Which I really enjoyed. Other than that I didn't have any reading goals. I managed to finish 10 series in 2017.

The series I finished in 2017:

1. The Iron Fey series by Julie Kagawa
2. Fireside series by Stacey Lynn
3. Night Prince by Jeaniene Frost
4. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas
5. King series by T.M. Frazier
6. To All The Boys I've Loved trilogy by Jenny Han
7. Embrace/The Violet Eden Chapters by Jessica Shirvington
8. The Remnant Chronicles by Mary E. Pearson
9. The Outskirts Duet by T.M. Frazier
10. English dulogy by Ilsa Madden-Mills

All in all 2017 was a great reading year. I hope to do as well or maybe better in 2018. That post will be up soon.

I will be posting my December wrap up at the end of the month or beginning of January. I am currently reading a novella by Anita Louise called All I Want For Christmas Is You. I'm 28% done. Really enjoying it. Not sure what else I will try and read before the month and year is over. I do have some plans on the 31st.

Until my next post... Happy Reading, Ashley

A Chat Of Everything or Anything

I feel like chatting with you all. I don't really have any topics in mind. I still can't believe it is December. Anybody else feel this way? Where in the hell did 2017 go? The year started off rocky, and just got a little worse. Between losing 2 pets, some family members, and friends of the family. 2017 was one hell of a kick in the face. I hope 2018 is calmer waters. As far as my reading goals and plans for reading. I am not doing a Goodsread challenge for 2018. I have no idea what the year will be like. I am hoping to get employed. So that might take up a big part of my time.


 I don't want to focus on the number of books I read. Instead just simply enjoy reading again. I felt the pressure to add to my Goodreads goal. A few years back I just read whenever I felt like it. I don't mind reading alot of books. But I just want to not worry if I'm behind on a goal. I am not posting any TBR's. I never NEVER stick to them. I will just pick up whatever catches my eyes from my own bookshelves, kindle, or library. Also will be reading whatever I want. Whether it will be YA or not. I felt like I was growing away from YA this year. Reading more adult books. I still like YA. But I don't want it to be the main genre I read anymore.
Definitely feeling my age.... I still cannot believe I'm 30 years old. CRAZY!!!! There are times I feel like I'm still the same me. And other times I'm like nope definitely older.

I know come late spring and some days in the summer months on Saturday nights I will be helping my brother when he races. I tell him where he starts. Thank goodness for phones with cameras!! I just take a picture of the line up and show him.

Right now I just help take care of the cleaning the home. Making sure the pets have what they need. Not good when you need money. I feel lost... like I messed up somewhere along the lines. I didn't go to college after high school when I graduated back in 2006. I did have a job for a few years. I was a substitute janitor for my old school district. Which I liked alot ,It was night shift. My hours because I am night owl. But I could never get full time. No matter how well I thought I was doing. I ended up quitting when my family and I moved out of the area. I don't have my drivers license because the idea of driving terrifies me. I had a friend get into a bad car accident and it just made my fear worse. I know I need to somehow overcome this fear. I wasted so much time. Time I'm never getting back. I'm not younger. Having people treat me unwell because in their eyes I'm a failure. I reflect the same thoughts.

Life is never what anyone tells you.....

Cover Reveal: Up In Smoke by T.M. Frazier

 Up in Smoke, an all-new gritty stand
alone romance by T.M. Frazier is coming February 19th, 2018!

Up in Smoke by T.M. Frazier 
Release Date: February 19th, 2018
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Photographer: Wander Aguiar 
Model: Jacob Rodney

"I’m a man without a conscience. 
I deal in murder and mayhem.
I’m the best at what I do. 
Frankie Helburn is supposed to be an easy job. 
A means to flush her father out of hiding.
Simple. 
Except there isn’t anything simple about Frankie or the secrets she’s keeping. 
She’s stubborn as hell and the sexiest god damn thing I have ever seen, sending dark, dirty animalistic desire coursing through my veins. 
She’s cocaine with legs. A f*cking addiction that makes me question things I’ve never questioned before. Want things I’ve never wanted before. 
I might have her, but she isn’t mine to keep. 
If her father doesn’t show his face, she will be mine. 
To KILL."

* Other books in the King Series DO NOT have to be read to enjoy Smoke's book. Up in Smoke can be read as a standalone. * 

Preorder Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2y05HHR

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2wcnoPR

iBooks: https://goo.gl/7JJiUJ

Nook:  https://goo.gl/31JU7a

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2xAE1bu

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2xpURHV

About the Author: 

T.M.Frazier is a USA TODAY bestselling author. She resides in sunny Southwest Florida with her husband and her young daughter.

When she’s not writing she loves talking to her readers, country music, reading and traveling. Her debut novel, The Dark Light of Day was published in September of 2013 and when she started writing it she intended for it to be a light beachy romance.

Well…it has a beach in it!  

Connect with T.M. Frazier: 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TMFRAZIERBOOKS/

Twitter: @TM_Frazier

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