Holly's Top reads of 2012

Holly's top 10... or so of 2012 
(depending on how you count them, LOL!)

We were asked to list our top ten books of 2012, well; I am going to have to alter that just a tad, simply because some of my favorites of this year were whole trilogies, or series. Not all but some, really in no particular order. So here we go….

The Sinners Series by Tiffany Reisz – Tiffany is a new author for me and she immediately became a must buy for me. She is an amazing writer and I still, even after finishing the first 3 in this series, tend to find myself waxing poetic about these books to anyone that will listen.

Captive in the Dark & Seduced in the Dark by CJ Roberts - This author was also a new one for me and holy crap more amazing writing! This dark tale is not for everyone but it was exactly the type of emotional ride that I love.

Anything and Everything Kristen Ashley – I discovered Kristen Ashley this year and I think I have to admit she has become my favorite author! I know, that is a bold statement but there is not even one of her books that I have not LOVED! Her heroes are fucking amazing and I am pretty sure I have loved every one of her kick ass heroines! I recommend her books to anyone that will listen and I can’t talk enough about them. One of my girlfriends said that KA had ruined her for all other authors, that is exactly how I feel every time I finish a KA book!

Slammed & Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover – Colleen Hoover was a new author for me and HOLY CRAP! I read both of these books in less than 24 hours and cried! OMG did I cry, it was a beautiful
journey and the kind of story where you wish you could forget it as soon as you finished so you could experience it all over again!

The Last Girl by Kitty Thomas – I think people either love or hate Kitty Thomas and I love her. She pushes you out of your comfort zone and this book is not my favorite of hers. It is fairly short, just over 100 pages but when you are finished these characters stay with you! I will say the last line was my favorite line in the book!

Risking it All by Jennifer Schmidt – This was another little gem that I picked up this year that I loved with all my heart. I am a huge sucker for a friends to lovers story and this was one that really sticks out in my head. I’m really not sure why. I just know that this was one of those stories where the characters made a significant impact and I loved them for that.

Poughkeepsie by Debra Anastasia – I don’t even know how to express the amount of love I have for this book! I recommended it to everyone I know that even remotely reads!! The hard copy has earned a permanent place on my keepers shelf so that I can revisit Blake and Livie whenever I need to spend some time with them.

Cowboy Casanova by Lorelei James – I have really enjoyed all of the Rough Riders series but this one rocketed to the top as soon as I got a look inside Ben McKay. Seriously, a smokin’ hot cowboy Dom?? Is this what Heaven is? I mean it, this entire series is a delicious ride but IMO none of them hold a candle to this McKay! They totally had me at hot cowboy and BDSM in the same sentence!

Grace's Favorites of 2012

Grace's Top Ten Favorite Reads of 2012


This year I read so many wonderful books that choosing my top ten favorites was extremely difficult. So here they are listed in random order.




 Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn: This is one of those books that you keep reading because it is both fascinating and disturbing. My favorite pick as a mystery/psychological thriller with one wicked plot twist!

 Faythe Reclaimed (Hanaford Park #3) by Lisa Sanchez: As a fan of this series, I was so excited when the third book released earlier this year. I fell madly in love with Gabriel and Taylor's story, which included time-travel, demons, snarky remarks, a heroine to root for, and a super sexy warlock. I really couldn't get enough of this dark and emotional read.

 On the Island by Tracey Garvis-Graves: If a book makes me lose sleep, you bet it's going to go on this list, and that is exactly what T.J. and Anna's story made me do! Their remarkable survivor and love story had me thinking about them for days after reading the last page.

One Night with a Hero (The Hero #2) by Laura Kaye: My favorite contemporary romance this year that featured two damaged individuals whose chemistry and passion of spending one night together ignites into something more! Both heartbreaking and heartwarming, Brady and Joss's story is my pick for ultimately providing that warm and fuzzy feeling.

 Seduced in the Dark (The Dark Duet #2) by C.J. Roberts: This is one sequel that turned out to be way more than what I expected it to be. To get a better idea of what I'm saying, you really need to read the first book, Captive in the Dark. Full of emotion and angst, this is one dark and dangerous story that I completely fell in love with!

 Exhale (Just Breathe #2) by Kendall Grey: I fell really hard for the Just Breathe series this year. It has my most favorite fictional rock star, Gavin Cassidy! I literally swoon when he gets inspired by his muse, Zoe. With phenomenal world-building, shocking scenes, and delicious tension, book 2 was an exceptional sequel with characters being pushed beyond limits.

 Undeniable (Undeniable #1) by Madeline Sheehan: Here's another one that I lost sleep over when I couldn't help but wake up extra early just to read. Intense, raw, and insanely emotional! I was rooting for Eva and Deuce from beginning to end. If you like motorcycles and bad boys, this one would be right up your alley.

Blaze (Phoenix Rising #2) by Joan Swan: This year I've become a huge fan of this romance-suspense author. Her stories always take you on an exciting and sexy thrill ride. Blaze has one of my favorite kick-ass heroines and a hero that melts your heart. The superbly written action sequences left me wanting more! I really can't wait for the next book in the series.

 Bittersweet Seraphim (Seraphim #2) by Debra Anastasia: As one of the sequels I was most anticipating this year, the author did not disappoint me in the very least. So much goes on as Emma and Jack fight to be together. One of my most favorite, entertaining reads! All I will say is...best ending ever!

 Lover Unbound (Black Dagger Brotherhood #5) by J.R. Ward: 2012 was my year to immerse myself further into the world of the BDB. It's really hard for me to pick a favorite brother or book in this series, since I've been enjoying each one thus far. I chose Lover Unbound as one of my faves because I really did love the pairing of Vishous and Jane. From their matching intelligence to the way they just mesh together, I was fascinated by every page of their story.

Rhonda's Best of 2012

Rhonda's favorite books of 2012

When I sat down to decide what my favorite books for 2012 were, it proved to be more difficult choosing just 10, but I selected the books that made me say, "WOW!" when I was finished. 2012 was also a great year for the self-published author, and I had no shortage of their books on my list. So here are my picks in no particular order. 

Seduced in the Dark by C.J. Roberts- I was lucky to be one of the beta readers for this book. After reading Captive in the Dark in 2011, this topped my list of most anticipated books for 2012. Let me say it did not disappoint. C.J. Roberts gave me everything I expected and more. The Dark Duet is dark, gritty, and at times was a difficult journey, that has forever seduced me to the dark side. Roberts gave me a anti-hero I should rightfully despise and left me breathless!



Defiant by Pamela Clare- I fell in love with Pamela Clare's writing while reading her I-team series. After reading those I decided to give her historical series MacKinnon's Rangers a try. I was left in awe of the versatile talent this author has. Whether Clare is writing romantic suspense or historical romance, her ability to pen a beautifully written novel with incredible storytelling, swoon worthy heroes, and heartfelt emotion that is sure to have you grabbing your box of Kleenex. Defiant (MacKinnon's Rangers #3) was also among my most anticipated books for 2012, and it was exactly what I expected from Pamela Clare, and completely worth the wait. 

The Siren by Tiffany Reisz- This author came out of nowhere, with an incredible voice, and an extraordinary cast of characters in her Original Sinners series. This series is kinky and explores the S&M side of BDSM. Reisz gave us not just one, but three novels in this series in 2012. The Siren was quickly followed up with The Angel, and The Prince, which were perfect additions to the series. Nora Sutherlin and all her men have me eagerly anticipating the next installment to this series. 

Sempre by J.M. Darhower- This was an unexpected treat! I will admit to stalking Darhower for a review copy, and she so graciously gave me one. This story involves the Italian Mafia, human trafficking, and a girl named Haven that is born into the human trafficking world. At the age of 17 Haven meets a boy named Carmen as she begins a new life. Carmen is so full of angst and foul language, I just adore him!! This story is an incredible journey of self-discovery, and redemption. What surprised me with this one was not only did I love the story, and the H/h. But Darhower made me love the shady characters too. I loved Corrado just as much as Carmen, and I can’t wait for the next book. 

The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare- I first read this series in 2010 with Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between and immediately fell in love with Rhiannon, Disco and company. Saare definitely has a talent with UF/PNR and with each installment to this series I have watched this author grow as a writer, as she leaves me in knots waiting for the next book. The Ripple Effect (Rhiannon’s Law #3) was just awesome!! It was such an emotional journey that left me hoping that there will be more.

Undeniable by Madeline Sheehan- Now here was an unexpected surprise! This is one of those guilty pleasures that just grabs a hold of you at the beginning and doesn’t let go. This book hooked me at the prologue and I just devoured it. And there it was reminding me of Sons of Anarchy on steroids.  When I wasn't reading this book, I was thinking about it! This book had some hard to read scenes, but Sheehan did a great job with the characters and kept me loving Deuce even when I shouldn't have, because there he was redeeming himself repeatedly.  I cannot wait for UnBeautifully,  which is on my 2013 most wanted list. 

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry- This is one of the best contemporary YA books I’ve ever read. This story contains a cast of characters with physical and emotional damage. It is a story of self-discovery, love, hope, and triumph. I loved this story, and look forward to more from McGarry.

Lover Reborn by J.R. Ward- I was a bit worried about this book, especially when I found out who the heroine would be. I knew that the heroine would need to be a worthy one for Tohr after all he’s been through. I was worried we would have a repeat of Phury and Cormia. Thankfully Ward put my concerns to rest early. This was one really emotional read. I don’t think I’ve ever shed as many tears as I did while reading this book. Tohr really pulled my heart strings. And once again I continue to fall in love with John Matthew. I love how Ward has evolved this series to keep the reader interest up. I can say for certain that the long awaited, highly anticipated,  Lover At Last (Black Dagger Brotherhood #11) is on my most wanted list for 2013.

Bared to You by Sylvia Day- This book was originally released in 2012 as a self-published novel, and was quickly picked up by Berkley Trade. Let me say right now that yes, I am a E.L. James fan, and while there are similarities between Fifty Shades of Grey and Sylvia Day’s Crossfire, I think this book was an excellent read in its own right. Gideon Cross was HOT, and Eva Tramell was a likeable heroine. Sylvia Day is a seasoned writer that brought her story to the table, and I enjoyed every page. 

Unspoken Abandonment by Bryan A. Wood- This is an incredible journey that everyone should take with Bryan. This book is taken from his personal journal while in Afghanistan during the early part of the war. This was an eye opening experience for me, I got to see through the eyes of Bryan all the things that the media doesn’t tell us about, and I was able to learn about his long journey home, a journey that so many of our soldiers have to take. 

Welcome our new reviewer!!!

S,E,R's is super excited to welcome a new reviewer to the awesome team.  Her name is Grace, and she's a real sweetie, and we look forward to having her on our blog with us.  She is going to tell you a little about herself, and I hope everyone gives her a big warm welcome! 

"Hi, I'm Grace, I'm a mother to one inquisitive kid and married to a really supportive man, who I met in high school!  One day I would love to travel the world.  Until that happens I will continue doing my favorite thing to do and that is reading!  I generally love paranormal and contemporary romance fiction.  Among my current faves are Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series and anything by Laura Kaye and Debra Anastasia.  When I'm not reading I'm a sucker for romance movies, bang my head to rock or heavy metal music and bake with my little one."

WOO HOO!!! That's it girl, let your hair down and have some fun with us!!!

Prefect Strangers By Rebecca Sinclair

Gabrielle Carelton is one of Queen Elizabeth's most devoted ladies-in-waiting. But her loyalty is put to the test when Her Majesty commands her to marry Scotsman Collin Douglas. When Gabrielle is kidnapped by Collin's twin brother, not even Good Queen Bess can save her. Dubbed the Black Douglas, devilishly handsome Connor is known throughout the land for his magnificent feats of strength and cunning. But now he is in need of an heir. An English bride will bring peace to the warring nations and give him the son he craves. What he doesn't expect is a woman as passionate as she is proud and a desire that knows no boundaries. Set against the pageantry and savage splendor of 16th-century England and Scotland, here is the story of a man and a woman who begin as enemies and strangers and find a love that will triumph against all odds.

Elena's thoughts:


Feuds go back a long way....

Gabrielle Carelton is ordered to marry a Scotmans named Colin Douglas to reacquaint alliances between England and Scotland Borders. Their marriage would put an end to the vengeful feuds that have been getting worse by the day between the English and Scottish. This is one feud that's on the verge of being repaired by one simple marriage. Till.....

Connor Douglas also known as the Black Douglas,(his notorious name is enough to make you quiver) takes refuge and steals the spotlight and ruins his brother Colin's plan to marry Gabrielle by abducting his bride and wanting to marry her himself.All plans are set into motion. Till ........

Yet, another Feud begins, between the Douglas and Maxwell's. As you can see, lots of coins are being flipped,this novel was a page turner. It's been a while since I've read an Historical Romance. It took me a while to get used to the heavy Scottish accents, but, Boy oh Boy! It was worth it! The plot of the story was very dramatic and eventful which kept me reading it non-stop.There's love, romance, jealousy and suspense.

First off, if you love Scottish Hotties, with a possessive streak and all man from head to toe, you'll love Connor! Gabrielle, (his heroine)was soft in the beginning of the novel, but she grows stronger by each page I turned. I loved her for her willingness,strong and easy going character that she was. The one woman to snag Connor's heart and bring him to his knees with just a smile is what made her a perfect heroine. I loved it!! The emotional conflicts between this couple, was hot tensioned,strong,sexy,intriguing and all together just DELICIOUS!! Their relationship becomes stronger & stronger as the book progressed. Charming couple!

This was my first go,at reading a novel written by Rebecca Sinclair. She put a lot of thought, determination and time to write this novel,so therefore by me giving it a 5star rating,it's a definite "HECK YES" I will read another wonderful well written novel by this author.

Learn more about our newest reviewers!

Meet  Holly

 

I have to say that I have been an avid reader for as far back as I can remember, but a handful of years ago I discovered erotic romance and holy crap, I'm pretty sure I became an instant junkie!! I am a sucker for a good emotional story, make me cry, laugh or break my heart and I am a happy girl. LOL I guess I would describe my obsession with books, and yes, it is an obsession, as my escape into another persons life for brief periods of time! I have lived my whole life in Michigan and even though I love it here we tend to have a whole lot of cold months of the year that are perfect for curling up with a good book!

When the girls approached me about being a reviewer for the blog I was a little unsure, but then thought, what the heck! What a better way to tell more people about the books that really move me!! So, here I am and all I have to say is...you asked for it!! :)

Meet  Ren

 

Nice to meet you all :)

Hmm, so a little bit thing about myself, 

Why I love reading? I think I begin my love of reading since I'm just a little brat in kindergarten. I read from all kind of writing. Newspaper, comic, history books, you name it. But I always read comics until I enter college. After my friend lend me her Linda Howard's White Lies, since that day my love to reading romance novels begin =).

I'm from Indonesia, so that's why my English far from perfect and maybe.. weird. But I practice everyday by reading books which 90% from books I have are English book, the rest are translated version, discussing about book or things I love and writing reviews on Goodreads. 

I begin write review this year, and I become addicted to write review, especially in English. Well, because book I read in English, if I write in Indonesia, lot of people will confused when read it =).

Why I agree to join Sam, Elena and Rhonda's blog? Well, we all meet and know each other from a wonderful site named Goodreads, and when they ask me to review for this blog, without doubt, I said : YES! ^_^