My top 12 reads of 2012

Irish Moon

By Amber Scott
Best Erotic Romance
I chose this book primarily because of the number of great reviews it received. It didn’t take very long before I was well absorbed in the story. Something I personally look for when reading an erotic romance is that thin line difference between straight up pornography and a steamy love story. I have to be invested in the characters and their plight if I’m going to care at all whether or not they hook up or not. Their first kiss was so well described and surprising that it made my stomach flip as though I was on a roller coaster. A very tantalizing read indeed. I loved the characters and their story first the heat was just an added bonus.
http://www.amazon.com/Irish-Moon-Magick-Series-ebook/dp/B004G5ZXWU/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1356000897&sr=8-2&keywords=irish+moon

Justice for Emily
By, Sandy Wolters
Best Balance of a Serious Story with Humor.
This book was about the very serious and very real subject of domestic abuse. I personally work in this situation everyday so I will rarely pick up a book about the subject. As do most people I read to escape but the very talented author was able to artfully weave humor into the story line to lighten it to tolerable levels without losing any of the substance of the story. It takes more than a creative mind to blend the two, it takes skill that can’t be taught.
http://www.amazon.com/Justice-For-Emily-ebook/dp/B004VB8QJG/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356000943&sr=1-1&keywords=justice+for+emily

Happy Hour at Casa Dracula
By, Marta Acosta
Most Endearing Main Character
Stanford educated Author Marta Acosta proves that imagination, humor and natural story telling ability can all reside inside the head of a very intelligent woman. I loved the story but I was most impressed by the real emotional connection I had with the main character. She was filled with fault and self-doubt that made her feel very real and very likable.
http://www.amazon.com/Happy-Hour-Casa-Dracula-ebook/dp/B000NY127S/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356000980&sr=1-1&keywords=happy+hour+at+casa+dracula

Witch Weigh
By, Caroline Mickelson
Best Short Story
This story is your classic fable. At the beginning our main character is witchy and full of flaws but as the story progresses she learns lessons about patience, tolerance and the art of subtly of manipulation. This story is a great pick me up riddled with humor. It is an easy read you can easily finish in one sitting but I personally wish it had been a full length novel.
http://www.amazon.com/Witch-Paranormal-Romantic-Comedy-ebook/dp/B007X7CY5W/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001018&sr=1-1&keywords=witch+weigh

Me Talk Pretty One Day
By, David Sedaris
Best Autobiography
I try to stay away from autobiographies. I’m a serious reader without reading anything serious but as I sat beside a coworker and she kept giggling as she read this book I knew I had to get my hands on it. It is a dark humor but also a very well written story about a man’s life starting on the day of his first speech therapy lesson as a child and his trials with knowing he was homosexual at a very young age. Though many of the topics are of a serious nature the author is very skilled at finding the humor in them and expresses it beautifully.
http://www.amazon.com/Talk-Pretty-One-Day-ebook/dp/B000SEJHRA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001046&sr=1-1&keywords=me+talk+pretty+one+day

Pride’s Run
By Cat Kalen
Best Young Adult Paranormal Series
I don’t know how else to say this except, if you read young adult and are a fan of paranormal you have to read this series. She is the kept pet of a drug lord and he uses her to kill his enemies. It is a very very different take on the young life of a werewolf and the story of how she’s fighting for her freedom. Action packed and full of dynamic, a must read for paranormal fans of all ages.
http://www.amazon.com/Prides-Wolfs-Pride-novel-ebook/dp/B0062O0B3E/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001093&sr=1-1&keywords=prides+run

Beautiful Bad Man
By, Ellen O’Connelle
Best historical romance
In the famous words of country music band, Big and Rich, save a horse and ride a cowboy. This book was neither paranormal nor was it contemporary which is my normal reading genres of choice but every once in a while I get the urge to read something with a little…cowboy in it. This is your classic historical romance template but it’s very well written. The only problem I have with this author’s work are the terrible titles but if you can get past telling people you’re reading a book called Beautiful Bad Man, it really is worth the time it takes to read this fantastic love story.
http://www.amazon.com/Beautiful-Bad-Man-ebook/dp/B009I6EOBS/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001140&sr=1-1&keywords=beautiful+bad+man

Bloodstone
By, Barbara Annina
Best Paranormal Mystery
Having been forced to watch reruns of Matlock and Murder She Wrote as a very young child I am not a big fan of Mystery anything. But I am a huge fan of comical, paranormal and romance. This series has two out of the three and when you are reading about the mis-adventures of a witch the comical aspect of the storyline is limitless. This is the second book in the series and I liked it as much as the first.
http://www.amazon.com/Bloodstone-Stacy-Justice-Mystery-Book/dp/1612186130/ref=la_B004CAHSWC_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1356001202&sr=1-3

Something Witchy This way Comes
By, Veronica Blade
Best Title
This one really speaks for itself. I bought the book because the title caught my eye. As an author I recognize the importance of a great title and cover art. These above all else are the things that catch a potential reader’s attention. I was also pleasantly surprised that the storyline was excellent and well worth buying the book due to catchy title alone.
http://www.amazon.com/Something-Witchy-This-Comes-ebook/dp/B005L9B0MM/ref=sr_1_2?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001254&sr=1-2&keywords=something+witchy+this+way+comes

After Life
By, Willow Cross
Best Prequel to a series
I’ve been seeing a lot of great things about this series and since I am the type of girl to start things at the very beginning when I saw that there was a short story prequel I decided this was the logical place to begin. It’s a quick read but it does the job. It introduces you to the characters, how they came to be together and why they have to remain so while simultaneously drawing the reader into the story and leaving them wanting more. What more could you ask for?
http://www.amazon.com/Afterlife-Dark-Gifts-Companions-ebook/dp/B007XY2SGA/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001310&sr=1-1&keywords=afterlife+willow+cross

Cauldron of Tales
Best Anthology
This book was recommended to me by a friend. It is a collection of witchy erotic short stories that leave the reader wanting to do something a little magical too. Except for maybe one of the stories I really loved the collection but I tend to be hard on anthologies because I am expecting the best of the best. So for this book to be at the top of my list it has to be good.
http://www.amazon.com/Cauldron-of-Tales-ebook/dp/B009GN98QO/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001359&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=culdron+of+tales

The Frog Prince
By, Elle Lothlorien
Best Romantic Comedy
I’ve only just finished this book but I can tell you if you need a quick pick me up the comical stylings of this author will have you laughing out loud over The Frog Prince. Well written without being too sarcastic the comedy in these pages isn’t very subtle so if you left your sense of humor at home I wouldn’t bother but if you’re looking for a story about an awkward sexual scientist stacked like a super model and the royalty she nearly maimed for life, with a stiletto, at her great aunt’s funeral…this is right up your alley.
http://www.amazon.com/Frog-Prince-Romantic-Comedy-ebook/dp/B003XRE6F2/ref=sr_1_1?s=digital-text&ie=UTF8&qid=1356001396&sr=1-1&keywords=frog+prince
So these are my top 12 reads of 2012, narrowed down from 52. If your book is not on this list, I probably didn’t read it. Most of the books I read are either free, really cheap, requested reviews or all of the above. All reviews on this list and any other, are subject to taste and personal interests. I just happen to hold my own opinion above all others :) I understand if you don’t. To contact me about doing a review of your book in 2013 please feel free to message me on facebook or email me at creewalker@rocketmail.com subject, review.
“If you don't have time to read, you don't have the time or the tools to write.”
Stephen King