MUST read authors/novels – ’12
The end of 2012 is right around the corner, seriously I can already smell 2013. Every time I log on to Facebook or the blogs I stalk…I mean frequently read, I see posts about everyone’s favorite books of 2012. So I’m joining the party. This is a list of authors I read in 2012 that are beyond talented and I must share.
There are are tons of books I didn’t get a chance to read in 2012 and unfortunately some of those authors would probably be on this
Oh one last thing…So I didn’t give myself a heart attack trying to place these fabulously talented authors in some sort of rank order I’m just going to alphabetize them…each authors name is linked to their Goodreads page.
Alice Clayton has the uncanny ability of intertwining emotions into her writing while also being one of the funniest authors I’ve ever read. When you are in need of steamy romance and laughing until your abs ache reach for Alice Clayton’s novels….any of them, I promise
Abbi Glines is by far one of the busiest authors I’ve ever seen. She appears to either never sleep or write whole novels while snoozing. She has a complete laundry list of best selling novels and I can promise you will never be disappointed because she always leaves you wanting more. The Vincent fellas and Existence is just a single helping…
Oh, THE Colleen Hoover…exactly what can I say about such a talented author that hasn’t already been said or that is even worthy of her. Colleen has the ability to make you physically feel every emotion she transfers onto the page. She released three novels in 2012 and I pray she never stops…from my mouth to God’s ear.
CJ Roberts can invoke feelings you probably wish you never had to feel, but she will make you enjoy them during and look back with fond memories. Her Dark Debut series was one of my favorites of the year while also playing complete games with my sense of reality.
Christine Zolendz created genius with her Mad World series. She brought together the three things I love about reading: alpha male hotness, paranormal, and rock stars. She is one of the best story tellers I’ve ever read.
So I’m not totally sure I can add anything additional to the unending string or praise for EL James. I mean come’on who doesn’t wish they could pull a Christian Grey out of their back pocket every once in awhile. She brought womanly desires to the forefront…even some desires a LOT of us didn’t know we had. Who besides me had zero clue just how vanilla they actually were?
Jennifer, Jennifer, Jennifer L. Armentrout…she broke my heart. There I said it she! Her Lux series is simply amazing. She made hot, alpha male alien-ness something to dream about. But she also completely shattered my heart with a cliffhanger that I’ve gotta wait until 2013 to recover from…can I have my heart back in one piece please?
Jamie McGuire is praised by all indie readers and it is for great reason. Now I’m not saying that Jamie started the alpha male craze that women everywhere are loving…but I will go as far to say she perfected it with Travis Maddox. Hotness, emotions, rage, tenderness, protectiveness…all wrapped up in a nice tattooed package. But she also created a whole world of swoon worthy angels with her Providence series that is too often overlooked.
Hello paging flat Finn. Jessica Park created a perfectly unstable world and invited us all over for a visit. She took what could be considered a taboo topic and turned it into a love story with heartache that takes a whole family to heal.
When you start reading J.A. Redmerski’s The Edge of Never you think you can see the storyline already planned out in your head and then she throws a couple punches at you and then completely finishes you off with a round house to the side of the head…yet your sitting there begging for more. Now I’m not saying she’s a physically violent lady…I’m just saying her writing will have you physically clutching your chest to make sure your heart hasn’t escaped.
J Sterling is a rare diamond among the rocky cliff. She’s not only a fabulously talented author but she’s also a fabulously wonderful human being. She hit a home run this year with The Perfect Game. She leads you right into the double play but rounds third and plows through the catcher for the win. Read the book and then you’ll understand my puns…or maybe you won’t.
I don’t even know where to begin with the whole perfect universe that JR Ward created with her Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I read all 10 that have been published back to back. I just couldn’t get enough, and now I can’t wait for number 11. JR has created a world separate from ours that you will find yourself still thinking about long after you’ve put down the last book. You’ll just be walking down the road minding your own business and all of the sudden one of the brothers will pop into your head. Trust me, she weaves a perfect series that you don’t want to miss. Get busy you have until March 2013 to play catch up.
Kate Mathias is not only a ridiculously talented author she is also the sweetest, most genuine lady you’ll ever have the pleasure of crossing paths with. Her debut novel has one of the most original storylines you’ll ever read and you’re missing out if you don’t devour it right now. Warning: hold on to your seats because its gonna be a bumpy ride.
Katja Millay took me completely by surprise with her debut novel. I did not see her coming but man it was full steam ahead…I read her book in one day. You will feel her words in every inch of your body, I can promise you will not put down her book without feeling every single, itty bitty word she put on paper. Yes, you will enjoy the rollercoaster ride and then get right back in line for a second ride. You don’t get an almost perfect rating from over 4,000 readers without doing it right.
You want to read an emotional story that will wake you up at night a year later because you can’t stop thinking about it? Well here you go my friend meet Molly McAdams! Her writing runs the full gamut and has so many twists and turns that you feel like you’re reading an entire series in one. Warning: do NOT read this novel while you are ailing from your monthly visit from mother nature…you’ve been warned.
Talk about needing some air…Rebecca Donovan weaves a perfect tale of resilience in her Breathing series. Her writing is so spot-on that the characters emotions will be YOURS. It is now safe for you to start the series if you haven’t already because the second book has been released, you know me and I’m NOT a fan of cliffhangers and therefore the months following the first in the series were torture for me.
“Holy rock star heaven!” That’s what I said to myself numerous times during Olivia Cunning‘s Sinners on Tour series. I will admit to reading Backstage Pass several times and that it’s by far my favorite risque read. Read my friends and enjoy…but only if you’re over 18…cause I don’t want anybody’s momma coming after me…
Shelly Crane‘s Significance series is perfect YA romance. It is a tale of love that includes a completely swoon worthy male lead but also a strong female…yes, you heard me. I know that doesn’t happen very often but Shelly did it! Read it and cry when the HEA hits your sweet tooth.
Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock you’ve heard about Sylvia Day‘s Crossfire series. Two words for you…Gideon Cross…I don’t really think I need to say anything else about this series but I will….ummm…okay…… sorry I, uh, lost my train of thought, I was in Gideon land but I’m back now. Sylvia took what could have been a simple steamy love story and turned it into a dramatic read that will have you guessing just where the hell she’s leading you. Warning…warning: cliffhanger on book 2 and number 3 will not be out until mid-2013…yes, I’m sobbing too.
Sylvian Reynard does something very special with Professor Gabriel, he actually brings culture and sophistication to a romance novel…gasp! You’ve got your fair share of drama but there is also a good deal of refinement brought in by this Dante specialist. If you are a fan of quotes like ME then get your highlighter ready because this will get you up and moving.
Kellan Kyle, Kellan Kyle, Kellan Kyle…you know you’re chanting with me if you’ve already read S.C. Stephens novels…so go ahead and get your lighters in the air. S.C. is a very talented writer that can jump from alpha hottie rock star in the Thoughtless series to a tormented high school student trying to put his life back together after a tragedy many of us are lucky to never experience in Collision Course. Read her work and be in awe.
So is anyone else seeing a trend with rock stars in this list…cause I am??? Samantha Towle took childhood best friends to a whole new level of greatness in The Mighty Storm. She also tackled infidelity and came out the other side without claw marks from rabid fans like me…and that’s a huge accomplishment!
Samantha Young has a knack for writing a strong female lead that I love. And she also knows how to wrap the reader up in a storyline until you no longer feel your’e reading the story but living it…however I don’t recall waking up next to Braden Carmicheal recently…hmmm?
Hello death by book…cause that’s what you’ll get with Tarryn Fisher. She is an outrageously talented author that will have you gasping for breathe by the end. You also might want to secure your Kindle’s because you might get the urge to throw them across the room when you emotions reach their peak. Shhh…come closer…can I make a confession…I haven’t read Dirty Red yet! GASP!!! The Opportunist is by far one of my FAVORITE books and I haven’t read the second in the Love me with Lies series…what kind of book lover am I??? Well for starters it just came out like a week ago and secondly I just can’t do it yet. I can’t betray Oliva with Leah…yes that is how genius Tarryn is she makes me feel like I’m cheating to move on with Leah’s POV in the second book…but I will read it, ohh I promise I will, and I know she’ll make me feel all the things I’m dreading right now BUT I know I’ll love them and beg for more…
Tom Hanks just thought he was signing up for Tracey Garvis Graves‘ island when he agreed to do Cast Away…I mean he got a volleyball named Wilson and Anna got T.J. So seriously zero competition there! I want to know how many islands Tracey has visited in her life because she transports you right to the beach and will have you feeling the sand between your toes…and all the other annoying places sand ends up.
Teresa Mummert will have you hunting down the nearest trailer park just so you can be rescued by hottie rock star and his motorcycle. White Trash Beautiful is completely different then a lot of popular reads these days, you see the bad side of life and how difficult it can be to escape it…even when you understand how badly your life sucks. Paging Teresa…umm no pressure or anything but when is the third Honor series book gonna be done…just planning my 2013??? 
Entering stage left is Tina Reber…do movie actors actually “enter stage.” Nevermind, doesn’t matter…Tina gives you a hunky movie star and an everyday bar owner girl that fall in love and all hell breaks loose. Fans can be such a pain in the ass, can’t they Ryan? Oh and did I mention the hunky bodyguard??? No, well yea there’s him too protecting the goods and looking hot while doing it…
Do NOT read any of the Chocolate Lovers series if you are anywhere you’re suppose to be professional because Tara Sivec will have you laughing uncontrollably until you pee your pants or cry…hopefully the latter. When a book starts off with a one night stand where the girl can’t seem to get away fast enough, well you know you’ve got a different kind of romance on your hands.
Tammara Webber created such a touching, perfect story I don’t even know where to start. I have NEVER in all my years of reading wished for a stand alone book to suddenly morph into a series right before my eyes. There’s nothing flashy or gimmicky to draw you into this story…just good ole fashioned talent from the author.
If you survived my list I want to say thank you! These authors touched my heart and soul in 2012 and I can’t wait to see what they and all the other rock stars of the reading world have planned for 2013!
