The Best and Worst of 2012 as Read By Me!!

So I guess most, if not all book bloggers are doing some kind of Top Ten or Best Reads list to finish of 2012, and so I decided to throw my hat in the ring also!
It sounds fairly easy I know, however it has taken me an absolute age to wade through my pile of books to find the true standouts; here are some of the books I have loved in 2012...

A fellow Kiwi, I first heard about Melissa Pearl via an online newspaper article in March. I bought Golden Blood for my kindle, and fell in love! The characters, the plot, the writing - I was completely blown away, and quickly read book 2 in the series (Black Blood) and desperately waited for book 3 (Pure Blood) to be released.
I have also read Forbidden Territory which Melissa co-authored with Brenda Howson, and Melissa's most recent release, Betwixt
I am now eagerly awaiting her latest trilogy, with book #1 Unknown, tentatively scheduled for a June 2013 release.

I discovered T.G. Ayer (also due to the internet article mentioned above), and what a discovery she has been!
I read, and fell in love with Dead Radiance. Its beautifully written story of Norse mythology threaded into an intricately woven teenage tale of loss and hardship, mystery and intrigue, first love, deceit, self discovery and more. Just as wonderfully written was Dead Embers, the second in the series and I am impatiently waiting for book #3 Dead Chaos which is scheduled for a March 2013 release.
T.G. Ayer also has a new series (The Hunter trilogy), with book #1 Skin Deep, scheduled to release in February 2013, which I can't wait to read too!

Pushing The Limits by Katie McGarry completely took me by surprise.
This was a story I expected to like, but I very quickly found myself enraptured by Echo and Noah's story. I loved this book, and I can't wait for the follow up book Dare You To which is set to release in May 2013.

Vengeance Born had been on my list of books to get from the first moment I saw the cover! Australian author, Kylie Griffin did not disappoint with her beautiful and creative world building, bringing this story and her characters to life, etching a place in my heart. The second book in this series Alliance Forged just confirmed for me what a talented writer Kylie Griffin is, and her books are on my keeper shelf.
I have pre-ordered the third book in this series, Allegiance Sworn and I really can't wait for its release in April 2013.

Zombies are not my thing, but Flesh came highly recommended by a friend so I thought why not. Why not indeed! - not only was this a great zombie story full of snappy writing and addictive characters, but it was a really great erotic read too!
A convert to the zombie theme, I look forward to more books from Kylie Scott, especially book #2 in this series Skin, which is set to release in February 1st 2013.

I loved the amazing world that Merrie Destefano created for Fathom
This beautifully crafted story with a watery twist and shrouded in Celtic myth was addictive. For her first foray in the YA genre, Merrie Destefano has definitely made her mark, I cant wait to see what she has to come in 2013.

A beautiful and sweetly engaging story, Ransomwood by Sherryl Jordan will melt your heart. Simply put, this book was an absolute pleasure to read.

Every Day by David Levithan is the quintessential love story.
Although it didn't get a perfect 5 star review from me, it was a book I could happily read again...and again. I loved the voice with which this story is told and will definitely add the authors back catalogue to my to read list.

I love a good historical romance, and IMO Anna Campbell writes some of the best.
Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed left me thoroughly enchanted with its dark and gothic retelling of a beauty and the beast themed love story. Another author on my keeper shelf, I can't wait for the next installment of Anna Campbell's Sons of Sin series.

Book #2 in the Witch Song series, Witch Born definitely has all the right things going for it and I eagerly await future stories from Amber Argyle as she has put me under her spell with the truly beautiful and lyrical way in which she writes. 







The following have not necessarily been bad books, but they have been books I did not enjoy; for whatever reason, they just didn't do it for me :(


Seven Day Loan was a couple of wasted hours of my life that I'll never get back!
Entirely too shallow for me :(

This story lacked character depth and a good editor; and through frustration and angst I gave up after reading less than a quarter :(









Did nothing for me, and (in my opinion) it was pretty crap!

I was bored beyond reason and gave up after 145 pages of Redemption :(

I hated the contrived characters and the authors overuse of a thesaurus. This Ember just fizzled :(










So that's it...
The Best and Worst of 2012 as read by me...
I know there will be people out there that completely disagree, and that's fine - I'll respect your opinion if you respect mine!!
(thats code for don't bother messaging me to rant about how wrong I am!!!)

Book Review: Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed by Anna Campbell

Title: Seven Nights in a Rogue's Bed (Sons of Sin #1)

Author: Anna Campbell
Release Date: September 25th 2012

Publisher: Grand Central Publishing

Imprint: Forever
Source: Received from the publisher via NetGalley

Will a week of seduction...

Desperate to save her sister's life, Sidonie Forsythe has agreed to submit herself to a terrible fate: Beyond the foreboding walls of Castle Craven, a notorious, hideously scarred scoundrel will take her virtue over the course of seven sinful nights. Yet instead of a monster, she encounters a man like no other. And during this week, she comes to care for Jonas Merrick in ways that defy all logic—even as a dark secret she carries threatens them both.

...Spark a lifetime of passionate surrender?

Ruthless loner Jonas knows exactly who he is. Should he forget, even for a moment, the curse he bears, a mere glance in the mirror serves as an agonizing reminder. So when the lovely Sidonie turns up on his doorstep, her seduction is an even more delicious prospect than he originally planned. But the hardened outcast is soon moved by her innocent beauty, sharp wit, and surprising courage. Now as dangerous enemies gather at the gate to destroy them, can their new, fragile love survive?

My Thoughts

I love a good historical romance and Anna Campbell writes the best bodice rippers out there. Filled with incredible amounts of emotion, her books are always a joy to read - well written and extremely addictive, this 'Beauty and The Beast' themed romance is no exception.

  
With equal amounts of pure sex and self loathing, Jonas Merrick is the quintessential tortured hero. 
Within his self imposed prison at Castle Craven he hides his scarred face and bastard status from view which only fuels the fires of gossip. His reputation for vile hatred and revenge is well known and although terrified at the thought of giving herself in exchange for her sister, Sidonie approaches this lonesome beast with a kind heart and open mind.

What follows is an extremely sweet romance filled with hot and heavy sex!

Not only does Sidonie tame the beast but she finds the strength to stand up for both Jonas and herself too.

Well written characters set against a dark and gothic background of hatred and despair, Seven Night's in a Rogue's Bed will leave you thoroughly enchanted. 
This emotional and turbulent love story will both set your pulse racing and break your heart with its intensity and heat. 

A truly engrossing story of love, trust, and redemption; and a definite sexy 5 Star read ~<;]