Best of 2012
I know, I know. It is mid-January and we are posting our ‘best-of’ but better late than never.
********************************
Barb’s BEST OF 2012
I was late to read this series, hence I have it in my favorite older series that I completed in 2012. The Hunger Games turned out to be my favorite YA series, which I was lucky enough to read simultaneously.
Favorite cover: Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost So many great covers this year that I probably would be listing at least 10 covers, but to pick one, I just can’t get past this one.
Some honorable mentions include: Heart of Atlantis, Dying Wish, Tiger Magic, & The Shattered Dark…
Favorite Reads:
This is is almost impossible. I have read so many awesome books this year, and I probably have missed one or two I read earlier this year. But to do justice, I’ll pick my favorite in their category.
Romance Suspense– Wait for Me by Elisabeth Naughton – Such an awesome read from start to finish. I read this earlier in the year, and still think about this book. (Blaze by Joan Swan is second – Non stop action in this second book of her series, which was wonderful)
Regency Romance – A Taste of Scandal by Erin Knightley – I love this series, and this book was so much fun to read. (The Duke’s Perfect Wife by Jennifer Ashley is second)
Urban Fantasy – Cold Days by Jim Butcher – After so many books in this series, Butcher outdoes himself with this book. Love Harry Dresden. (The Curse by Sherrilyn Kenyon/Dianna Love duo is second – Evalle is one of my favorite heroines.)
Paranormal – Heart of Atlantis (Great finale for Alyssa Day. I will miss our Warriors of Poseidon) ( I read so many paranormal books, and this has been a fantastic year. No way that I can pick a second book, since I loved so many)
YA – Insurgent by Veronica Roth – Great continuation in Roth’s Divergent series. This one rivals The Hunger Games. (Deviants by Maureen McGowan & Opal by Jennifer Armentrout are tied for second)
Older book read this year: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh. I also started this series late, and Psy/Changeling has become one of my top two series. Love Nalini, love Hawke & Sienna, as I adored Kiss of Snow. (Hunger Games Trilogy is second favorite older series.
Again, this was hard, as I have so many wonderful reads this year, all by some great authors.
Barb
****************************
Jules BEST OF 2012
My favorite 5 books of 2012 are: THE WITNESS, by Nora Roberts. She shows us that she is truly the Queen of Romance. I loved the main characters and the suspense! I had to read to all in one sitting, it was that great.
THE GOLDEN LILY by Richelle Mead. What can I say, Richelle is a talented YA author! Her characters and the world that she created is so engaging and she makes me laugh out loud. She is the creator of some of the best male heros that I have ever read.
SHADOW OF NIGHT by Deborah Harkness. The 2nd installment of her All Souls Trilogy, The Discovery of Witches world is awe inspiring in its detail and the romance of Matthew, a vampire and Diana, a witch makes me swoon.
THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green. This book touched my heart because it is the story of a child with cancer, but it is both a book that made me smile and made me cry. John Green is in a class by himself. I love ALL of his books.
TANGLE OF NEED by Nalini Singh. It is one of my favorite series, I have come to love the Psy Changeling world. It is the story of Adria and Riaz, two wolf changelings. They were not my favorite couple, but we get to see Hawke and Sienna and all of our favorites. Jules
********************************
Marcie’s BEST OF 2012-Favorite Covers
Ember’s Kiss by Deborah Cooke,
What’s not to love about this cover, just look at the model, and the colours are just beautiful. I know I want to go to that beach now.
Taking A Shot by Jaci Burton
I love my hockey and this cover is perfect for me, and just look at those abs, need I say more?
Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day
How could you not love this cover. Just look at the physique on that cover model.
I don’t want to look too vain, so here’s one that caught my eye on one of Sandy’s cover reveal posts.
Last Blood by Kristen Painter
Its such a striking cover especially with the red against the black and white, really catches the eye.
Seriously though, there are so many covers out there with hunky cover models that I have loved this past year. Who doesn’t want a hunky cover model gracing the book they are currently reading. 😉
My Favourite Books
The 50 Shades Series by E.L. James,
Christian Grey, need I say more?
Born of Silence by Sherrilyn Kenyon,
I’m a sucker for the tortured hero and Darling is just that. No one writes a tortured hero the way Kenyon can. One word, Acheron.
Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day
What an amazing end to a wonderful series. Alyssa out did her self on this one. I shall miss my Atlanteans
Never Seduce a Scott by Maya Banks ties with Warrior Reborn,
I love my Highlanders.
Honourable Mention
For this category I have to pick Merwie Garzon’s Blaze of Glory series. It’s a great story about young love, life and it’s trials and tribulations. If you haven’t checked it out yet I highly recommend it. Books one and two are out, and she’s working on book three. Looking forward to reading it upon it’s release. Marcie
****************************
Vickie’s Favorite Covers-2012
Vickie’s Favorite 3 covers of 2012:
1. Wicked Nights by Gena Showalter – The hottest cover of the year. Who doesn’t love a hot angel??
2. Tangled Web by Crista McHugh – Simple and sensuous.
3. Splintered – Who could look at this cover and not pick this book up? Such vibrant colors and absolutely beautiful.
Vickie’s Best Reads of 2012
Favorite 3 books of 2012:
1. Lover Reborn by JR Ward – I waited for a long time for Tohr to have his story told and Ward did not disappoint!! The world Ward built for the Brothers is unparalelled. My favorite series of all time………… And the hottest cast of characters EVER!
2. Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks – The KGI Series is one of my favorite series and what these two went through to be together made my heart stop a time or two. No one writes with more emotion than Maya Banks.
3. Tangled Web by Crista McHugh – My biggest surprise of the year. Such a well written story, by an author I had never heard of. This story grabbed you from the first sentence and does not let go. Vickie M.
*******************************
Georgianna’s Favorite Reads of 2012
Favorite books of 2012 (or lately – LOL):
1.Preston’s Mill, by Jacqueline Rhoades: not my usual paranormal – but a compelling and wonderful love story with great characters and lots of action.
2.For You, by Kristen Ashley: again not paranormal romance but absolutely thrilling love story with a serial killer and much action thrown in…great read.
3.Bluegrass State of Mind, by Kathleen Brooks: I must have been on a break from the paranormal romance without actually knowing it – LOL This is a great romance and suspense book with great characters in a town (almost close to me) in Kentucky and the action centers around the Kentucky Derby farms…love this one! Georgianna
Georgianna’s Favorite Covers 2012
Covers: (these are just mine…only because I had such fun doing them)
***********************************
Carmen’s BEST READS of 2012
1. 50 Shades of Grey Trilogy (1 and 2 especially) by E.L. James The evolution of Christian Grey was swoooooooooooooon-worthy!
2. Time Untime by Sherrilyn Kenyon A return to perfect writing!
3. Shadow of Night by Deborah Harkness A history lesson, love story, etc…Matthew Clairmont is a vampire dynamite!
4. Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead Probably in the minority here, but I loved its conclusion! Dorian…
5. Heart of Atlantis by Alyssa Day Made it just in time! Alaric was explosive and honest and passionate and powerful…Carmen
************************
Sandy’s BEST COVERS of 2012
I don’t know where to begin on the covers. What caught my eye on each of these covers was their color.
SPLINTERED-Technically this book was released January 1, 2013 but the cover, pre-order and early reviews were out months before: what can I say. If you saw this cover in a book store it would immediately draw your eye and that is the first thing readers see-the image on the cover.
VENGEANCE BORN-The overall appearance of the woman is very ethereal. There is an untouchable feel to the cover-as though the woman is not real.
UNTIL I DIE-I like the contrast in the colors-deep royal blue with a hint of mauve.
TANGLED WEB-Just a beautiful cover. Love the flow of the ribbon-like cloth.
OTHERKIN-growllllllll
Sandy’s BEST READS of 2012
This was a difficult choice for me as I read over 300 novels this year. Some of the novels I have selected are part of series that I have enjoyed such as Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L.James and The Crossfire Trilogy by Sylvia Day (Bared to You and Reflected in You).
I wanted to add three NEW INDIE authors to my best of 2012.
1. Jacqueline Rhoades writes an amazing series-GUARDIANS OF THE RACE (Guardian’s Grace, Guardian’s Hope and Guardian’s Joy).
2. Shireen Nemnich’s THE ROYAL ASSASSIN-The first storyline in her new SHADOWS OF THE MYST series. I am hoping for Shireen releases the second book earlyin 2013.
3. Carly Fall’s SIX SAVIOR series-What can I say about drop dead gorgeous men who mate for life…swoon
I want to add, that I found several SERIES that caught my attention and in some cases my heart. I will list these in no particular order, but for one reason or another I am looking forward to the next storyline. I will not include the more popular series (which we are all waiting for) like Charley Davidson by Darynda Jones, Elemental Assassin by Jennifer Estep etc but the two books I am most looking forward to reading in 2013 are LOVER AT LAST by J.R.Ward and STYXX by Sherrilyn Kenyon.
These are only a few of the NEW series that I have placed on my WAITING for the next release list.
1. Six Saviors Series by Carly Fall
2. Guardians of the Race Series by jacqueline Rhoades
3. Shadows of the Myst Series by Shireen Nemnich
4. Night Prowlers Series by J.T.Geisinger
5. Time Travel Mystery Series by Monique Martin
6. All The King’s Men Series by Donya Lynne
7. The V.V. Inn Series by C.J.Ellisson
8. Bad Boys of the Highlands by Victoria Roberts
