Sandy's Favorite Reads
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I'm a firm believer that one of the best ways to get to know an author is to learn about the books they've read and loved. That's why I'm collecting all of my favorites here on this page.
No particular order, and the list isn't complete. I'll keep adding to it as I find new books to love and recommend.
Here's to discovering new-to-you authors to binge while you're waiting on my next book. (Affiliate links are used when available. )
LAST UPDATED 1/28/26
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The Bridge Kingdom by Danielle L. Jensen
The first two books of this series tore me apart! I often claim I can't get into fiction audiobooks, but Ithat's because I wasn't choosing the right books/narrators. The Bridge Kingdom is addicting. I listened to the first two books in less than a week, and when I wasn't listening, I was thinking about it, worrying about the characters and how terrible things were going to get!
Be prepared to put your life on pause until you finish the first two books. The angst is worth it!
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Blood & Ash by Deborah Wilde
I stumbled across this series because Deborah Wilde posted in an FB author group I'm a part of. It was urban fantasy, and it sounded interesting. I read the first few pages and was hooked by the letter exchange in the first chapter. IFKYK. These books are funny and fast-paced. Loved the whole series and will definitely read the spin-off dualogy. And the of Deborah Wilde's books too! Definitely give her a try!
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Daughter of No Worlds by Carissa Broadbent
(Funny sidetone I totally misread the title and thought it was called Daughter of No WORLDS the entire time I was reading. I couldn't figure out why it said no words because she did plenty of talking!)
Loved this book when I first read it a few years ago. I have NO idea why I didn't read the second book immediately. It's not Grumpy / Sunshine, but more like Grumpy Hero / Nothing-will-stop-me-heroine.
Re read in March 2025 so I can read the next book. It's just as great the second time. Strongest heroine ever. Slow burn romance. The quiet moments between Tissaana and Max are so perfection. Truly. And the writing is AMAZING.
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Dragon Bones by Ines Johnson
I can't remember why I picked this one up, but it was a surprisingly great slow burn urban fantasy romance--just what I'm always looking for.
The book was ADDICTING, so just warning you. Once you start, you won't be able to put it down.
The author describes the book as TOMB RAIDER meets urban fantasy. Very fitting and a blast to read!
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Sin & Chocolate by K. F. Breene
I started with K. F. Breene's DDVN vampire series, loved it, then tried this one out. I remember loving it just as much if not more than the DDVN. Unfortunately, I never wrote a review of any of the books in this series! I just remember it being very sex and fun. Lexi is a great heroine, and I thoroughly enjoyed the band of supporting characters.
And Kieren. Of course Kieren. <3
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Grave Witch by Kalayna Price
I finally finished this series in 2024! I don't know what took me so long. It's fantastic. Great writing, great world building, great characters. This had a strong romantic subplot, but was mostly urban fantasy plot with unique magic, fey, and court intrigue and politics. Loved every book!
This is definitely one took pick up if you're an urban fantasy fan.
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Shatter Me by Tahereh Mafi
Totally bought this book because of the cover. I had no clue what it was about. That's probably good, because I tend to not like dystopian novels. End of civilization stuff is just so depressing, and I don't want to be depressed when I read.
Usually, I'm the type of person who likes the words to disappear on the page. I like to not notice that I'm reading, and if the writing catches my attention, it's usually because it's pulling me out of the story. Not so with this book. Yes, I paused MANY times while reading just to say "wow" because the writing was that good. That unique. I just loved it.
I also really loved the way words and sentences were crossed out. It added so much emotion and angst to the story.
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From Blood & Ash
Loved this book! Poppy was declared the Maiden when she was born, a person chosen by the gods for...well something. We're not sure but she's Special, and because she's Special, she is isolated from most people, forced to wear a veil, not allowed to talk to interact to any but a select few, etc. Obviously, this sucks, and she's really starting to hate the thing she was born.
Enter: Hawke. He's the hottest soldier around, and he's assigned to protect her.
