What I've Been Up To and My Favorite 2012 Reads

Hi Everyone!  I've missed you all like crazy!  I took some time off over the holidays because I had family coming and going and life took a crazy turn the end of the year.  My Grandfather passed away in the middle of the crazy chaos and in all honesty it was kind of hard to just pick up and carry on as usual.  I'm doing much better though, feel relaxed and am ready to tackle the new year!  How are all of you?  How was everyone's holiday?  Tell me about any awesome books you've read!

So I know at the end of the year, everyone posted lists of the best books they read in 2012.  I really love to read them because if there is a book on there I haven't read, I totally check it out based on everyone's lists.  Below are a few of my favorite books from last year!














 Forever My Girl by Heidi McLaughlin - LOVE this book!  Liam is a hot, muscled, tattooed motorcycle riding rocker who left behind the love of his life ten years before to pursue a music career.  After the death of his best friend from high school he returns to his home town and to the love of his life he left behind.  It is SO SO SO good. The best part?  There will be a book 2 and 3 in this exciting Beaumont series.  There is SO MUCH to love in this book, not only the storyline, but Heidi's writing!  Read it!  P.S.  Liam is MINE, don't even think about it ladies!
















Stalk Me by Jillian Dodd - I don't think Jillian could ever write a book I wouldn't read.  I love all of her books and her new Stalk Me series is no exception.  Keatyn is super popular and has it all, but she's not sure she wants it anymore.  Full of sexy boys, bitchy girls, gossip, drama, love, envy betrayal and a huge dose of fashion you will covet, Stalk Me is a must read!  





Love Unscripted & Love Unrehearsed by Tina Reber - Ryan is a famous actor that every girl in the country wants to have.  While Ryan loves acting, he never thought his life would turn into the three ring circus it has and lately he's not loving life anymore until he meets Taryn Mitchell one afternoon when ducking into her bar to avoid a mob of screaming women.  This series is one of my favorite.  The relationship between Ryan and Taryn is unbelievably hot but doens't come without a lot of drama in the form of crazy stalkers and trust issues.  You will love these books!














Beyond by Mary Ting - Book three of the Crossroads saga is definitely my favorite in the series so far.  Mary's story just keeps getting better and better and I'm completely sucked into the love between Michael an angel and Claudia.  In this installment Claudia has completely forgotten who Michael is and is trying to put the missing pieces of her memory together.  Michael is on the outside watching, waiting and hoping Claudia remembers him and dying a slow death the whole time he's waiting feeling as if he's missing his other half.  The first book in the series is Crossroads.  Get reading now if you haven't yet!




Bared To You & Reflected In You by Sylvia Day - Oh my Gideon Cross.  One of the HOTTEST men I've ever read about in a book EVER.  One of the richest men in the world, Gideon meets Eva when she begins a  job working in his building for one of his companies.  The first time they see one another its white hot attraction and it isn't long before the two begin an affair that is sexy, erotic but full of complications as the two of them have very difficult childhoods that still haunt them.  Wonderfully addictive these books are must reads but are not for the strictly YA crowds.

 


The Premonition Series by Amy Bartol - LOVE these books.  I've read every single one of them more than once which I rarely do.  I'm a one read kind of girl usually unless I love a book.  The relationship between Reed and Evie is one of my favorites especially with the complication of Russell thrown in.  A fresh and different twist on Angels, Evie is a different kind of angel that every supernatural creature wants a piece of, especially Brennus.  Read the synopsis from each book, I'm telling you guys  you HAVE to read this series.  They are amazing.

 

Slammed and Point of Retreat by Colleen Hoover are two books the likes of which I've never read before.  I just found out BOTH of these books have been optioned for movies and I'm not the least bit surprised.  Still reeling from the death of her Father, Layken is less than thrilled about moving away with her Mom and brother, but deals with it because her Mom has been through enough.  Enter her sexy neighbor Will with a little brother her own brother's age and the two of them go on a date and have a wonderful time only for a revelation to stall their relationship and the undeniable connection between the two of them.  Trying hard to stay away from one another, it isn't easy and its definitely painful.  Will they be able to keep their relationship platonic?  An awesome read full of slam poetry that will get your heart pounding.  Fall in love with Layken and Will!


 Half-Blood, Pure & Deity by Jennifer Armentrout - A series hasn't made me this crazy since Rachel Vincent's Soul Screamers series.  I am literally obsessed with these books.  All Alexandria wants is to become a Sentinel but her life has been far from easy.  Given a second chance at her school the sexy Aiden is assigned as her trainer to get her caught up with the other students.  A relationship between the two is forbidden in their world but let me tell you that won't keep you from wanting it desperately.  Each secret look between the two makes me crazy and I cannot get enough of the two of them!  There will be two other books in this series, Apollyon and Sentinel.  You HAVE to read them.  I'm seriously considering starting a support group for those of us suffering through the wait time in between release dates!



 Eternal Eden, Fallen Eden & United Eden by Nicole Williams - I'm pretty sure I mourned for a while when this series was over.  What did I love so much about it?  In a word.. .William.  The day Bryn meets William, her life is never the same.  Despite everything telling her that William is different and not to fall for him, she can't resist him and when William saves her one night, she is thrust into his world whether she likes it or not.  A wonderful series for any romantic out there that loves a paranormal twist to their unforgettable romances.  I think it might be time for a re-read!





Reckless Magic, Hopeless Magic, Fearless Magic & Endless Magic by Rachel Higginson - I'm telling you right now... Rachel can write.  She can write something amazing.  Something addicting.  Something beautiful.  The spells she weaves around my heart with her clever words is one I will never forget.  One of my new favorite authors, the story between Eden and Kiran is amazing and unlike any other you will ever read!  Captivated by Kiran, Eden is pulled into a world she thought only existed in fairy tales.  Full of mystery, adventure, magic, heartbreak and so much love, this series is one of my all time favorites and I have read it over and over.  Remember in New Moon when Edward was missing and you would cheat and look to the back of the book to find out when he would be back because any scene between Bella and Edward was something you craved?  Kiran and Eden is just like this... you will look forward to EVERY interaction between the two.  You HAVE to read this series.  I promise you will thank me!


Honorable mention:

Crimson Moon & Crimson Sunrise by J.A. Saare
The Mighty Storm by Samantha Towle
Thoughtless & Effortless by S.C. Stephens
Sovereign Hope & Eternal Hope by Frankie Rose
Descension & Impsssion by B.C. Burgess



So there you have it!  My list!  What did I miss?  Tell me about YOUR favorite reads of 2012!