Thursday, January 3, 2013

My Favorite Books of 2012



I love to read a good book. While time management was certainly a balancing act for me, I thought I'd share my top 10 favorite books of 2012. I've include the Title, the Author, and a snippet of my book review.

I'd love to hear your thoughts. Do you agree or disagree? What were some of your favorite books in 2012?

Enjoy!
Steph


50 Shades of Grey
By: EL James
What makes the novel resonate is the characterization. Christian is forceful, bossy, dominant even, but he reveals to Ana another side of himself that he hasn't before. Ana is strong, made of "steele." She may be willing to try Christian's suggestions, but she speaks her mind all things.

Captured by the Highlander
By: Julianne MacLean
MacLean's writing is easy to read and plunges the reader in a suspense filled opening. The action is perfectly paced, allowing the reader to catch their breath before racing forward again.

Addie and the Gunslinger
By: Celia Yeary
Addie and the Gunslinger has just the right balance of old west, romance, action, adventure, and intrigue. A very heartwarming read.


It's Complicated
By: Angela Britnell
"It's Complicated" promises endearing characters, romantic locales, and an unpredictably that will keep the readers turning the pages to find out what happens next.


Lady of the Rivers
By: Phillipa Gregory
Gregory brings history alive in a rich, vibrant, emotional, and personal way that engages the reader and keeps them turning the pages.

Magic of the Loch
By: Karen Michelle Nutt
The Magic of the Loch" will wrap the reader in its spell on the first page and won't let go until the end.

Noah's Ark
By: Vijaya Schartz
Schartz excels at world building as she layers the humans' discoveries staring with the citadel, then the godds, and then tossing in the zerkers.

Oceans Between Us
By: Helen Scott-Taylor
Scott-Taylor's romantic setting and easy writing style stirs the reader's heartstrings.  I'm a sucker for a great international romantic setting and Scott-Taylor has a way of making the reader feel like they're residents of the locales in the novel.

Rogue Pirates Bride
By: Shana Galen
Galen's writing is full of witty dialogue, vivid descriptions, and effortlessly plunges the reader into Sebastien and Raeven's world. The plot moves at just the right pace, leaving the reader breathless.

The Titans Curse
By: Rick Riordan
What I enjoyed about the novel was how it appeals to younger readers. There's likable heroes and Riordan's modern take on the Greek gods make them interesting to a new, younger modern audience.


10 comments:

  1. Thank you for including Oceans Between Us. I'm honored! I have to agree with 50 Shades as well. I found it a compelling and memorable read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Helen, I really enjoyed the longing between the characters. They came from different backgrounds, but they knew love was worth taking the chance to be a couple.

      Smiles
      Steph

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  2. Kind of you to pick 'It's Complicated' as one of your favorites, Steph! It was one I enjoyed writing and I still think Ash is my favorite hero.

    Angela Britnell

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    Replies
    1. Ash, had it rough, Angela, but I loved how the heroine was always there for him. It gave him hope, that that's what I enjoyed about the story!

      Smiles
      Steph

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  3. What a great list! When do you have time to read? During REM sleep??? Just kidding.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Maggie,
      I use the text to speech on my 2nd generation Kindle to read to me while I'm driving to work. hehe That's how I get it done.

      Smiles
      Steph

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  4. Yes, I was surprised to see 50 Shades of Grey listed as #1. I knew it was popular, but wasn't sure if it was really a good book.

    Morgan Mandel
    http://www.morganmandel.com

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    Replies
    1. Morgan,
      I was a bit standoffish about reading the story first, but it isn't all about SEX. The characterization is excellent and that's what makes the book a GOOD book. Christian is very haunted and Ana is very innocent, but she really grows as a character and the ending will have you cheering and leaving you wanting to read the sequel.

      Steph

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  5. Thanks for mentioning Noah's Ark, Steph. The Chronicles of Kassouk is definitely a favorite series of mine, and this prequel is close to my heart.

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    Replies
    1. Vijaya, I LOVED this series. You had the right mix of everything with these stories. I love how Noah's Ark sets up the history of Kassouk. I'd love to read more stories about Kassouk if you write them!

      Smiles
      Steph

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