TBV’s Top Reads of 2012

Here are the books J9 and I read this year and absolutely loved. (Here's last year's list.)

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J9’s Top Reads of 2012

 

 

Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban & Abigail Roux [ review | amazon ] – (Can I have the entire series here!? Just kidding.) Ty & Zane's scorching romance and suspense plots had me at hello.

Heart of the Warrior by Donya Lynne [ amazon ] – Awesome world building with stellar MM romance. This totally unexpected series features complicated characters in complicated relationships, both platonic and romantic. Can't recommend this series strongly enough!

Full Disclosure by Tibby Armstrong [ review | amazon ] – One of the best committed-couple romances I've ever read.  This book has one of the most poignant descriptions of love and had me teary eyed a few times. May want to read book one in the series, No Apologies, but still great as a solo read.

After the Crux by Dani Worth [ review | amazon ] – Feel in love with this steamy MMF romance set in a graphic post-apocalyptic world.

Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster [ review | amazon ] – Awesome steampunk mixed with vampires and werewolves.  Great plot intrigue and sexy romance with two strong leads

Oracle's Moon by Thea Harrison [ review | amazon ] – My favorite installment in the stellar Elder Races series. I love the powerful but nearly emotionless hero who crumbles at the feet of an average country girl just holding her life together.

Faith & Fidelity [ amazon ] and Duty & Devotion [ amazon ] by Tere Michaels – Adored this tale of two men who fall in love over their shared grief and pain in life.  Their family building and romance go hand-in-hand beautifully and will have readers like me anxiously awaiting the next book featuring Evan and Matt and their family.

Rogues by Ava March [ review | amazon ] – Sexy historical MM romance with best friends who can't make the emotional jump to lovers without serious angst.

Cop Out by KC Burn [ review | amazon ] – Stellar MM romance with compelling characters. This romance is told over a long period of time and allows for the characters to develop individually and as a couple for deep emotional intensity.

Dust of My Wings by Carrie Ann Ryan [ review | amazon ] – Fun book one in a new paranormal series with a quirky heroine and a sexy hero who adores her. The secondary characters are strong and the world building stellar.

Finding Grace by Rhea Rhodan [ review | amazon ] – Emotionally intense romance with one of the most unique romance heroines and a fallen-hard hero who can't resist the impish heroine.

Rules of Engagement [ review | amazon ] and Rain [ review | amazon ] by L.A. Witt – Gay for you themed MM books aren't usually my thing but this romance was such a great combination of emotional and sexual intimacy that I feel in love.  I do admit that book one didn't have the relationship resolution I needed so expect to read these back to back.

Bareback [ amazon ] and Natural Disaster [ amazon ] by Chris Owen – I mistakenly thought Bareback would be an erotic-only read but was I wrong! There is a big relationship shift mid-book which throws the romance into emotional intensity that is carried through the rest of Bareback and into the sequel,Natural Disaster. For those interested, the MM leads get Prince Alberts as their commitment ceremony to each other (totally delicious!) 

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Brianna’s Top Reads of 2012

 

If You Know Her by Shiloh Walker [ review | amazon ] – This was a great romantic suspense trilogy. Had me guessing the who done it up until the very end.

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins [ review | amazon ] – I don’t know why I waited so long to finally read this book but it was amazing. Books 2 and 3 were good but book one was EPIC.

No One Left to Tell by Karen Rose [ review | amazon ] – This author pens very good, complex, multi-layered romantic suspense. I need to read up her backlist, like STAT.

Dangerously Close by Dee J. Adams [ review | amazon ] – I have a thing for the celebrity falls in love with a commoner trope. Plus it’s a romantic suspense novel. Win-win!

Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry [ review | amazon ] – This was an emotionally charged and very moving read. I didn’t have any expectations for this book but it blew me away. I need Beth’s book pronto.

A Fool’s Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery [ review | amazon ] – After being underwhelmed with the Summer books in the series, this book hit the mark. It’s probably one of my, if not absolute, favorite book in the series thus far.

The Wild Ones by M. Leighton [ review | amazon ] – Conflict, tension, passion, intensity; this book has it all. One of the best New Adult novels I’ve read.

Ride With Me by Ruthie Knox [ review | amazon ] – Three words: hot sauce scene. The author nailed that scene, making it come to life right off the page. Even my tongue was on fire.

Rev It Up by Julie Ann Walker [ review | amazon ] – A great romantic suspense with a complex romance. Usually it’s the other way around (complex mystery/suspense) but not with this book. And not only are the leads great, the secondary characters are intriguing without taking the spotlight from the hero and heroine.

Wallbanger by Alice Clayton [ review | amazon ] – This book is loaded with witty, flirtatious banter and hilarious sexual innuendos. Fabulous rom-com.

Venom by Jennifer Estep [ review | amazon ] – This series gets better and better which each book and never loses momentum.

Tangled Threads by Jennifer Estep [ amazon ] – See above (Venom).

 

 

We want to know: what were some of your favorite reads this year? Did we mention any of your favorites?