My Favorite Reads of 2012

Picking a favorite book is like picking a favorite kid! It doesn't help that I read dozens upon dozens of books this year. I've picked each of these according to how they moved me, inspired me, or made me laugh. Some of these books may have been written prior to 2012. I'm putting them in my favorites of 2012 because that is the year that I read them! ;o)

1. By far, the best book I read of 2012, or for any other year for that matter, is Carl Purdon's The Night Train.  I loved this book so much that I ended up buying six paperback copies so that I could share with family and friends. I've not done that for any other book.
     The Night Train is a story about a boy who is abused by his father and ignored by his mother. He is taunted and teased at school, by his classmates and his teacher. He decides he has had enough and runs away on what they call The Night Train. He convinces his only friend in the world to join him. Together, they run away and meet up with a 'hobo' who helps them cross the country, hopping trains, and living hand to mouth.
     This isn't a Disney story. This is Jayrod's story. It is a story about finding courage and strength to persevere, of growing up, of learning that life isn't perfect but there is always hope.
     This is a beautifully written story that had me sobbing by the third page. Carl has a way of not only showing you what is happening, but drawing you in so quickly that in just a few pages, your are completely absorbed. I could not put this book down. Not many authors have the talent to do what Carl does. I envy him, I truly do. If Amazon would have let me give this one ten stars, I would have.

2.  Anything that was written by author Emery Lee, aka, Victoria Vane. Just take your pick. The Wild Night's Bride, or The Virgin Huntress, or The Devil's Match, or The Devil You Know, or Devil In The Making. The entire series is a delight! This is a Regency era series that left me on the edge of my seat, rooting for heroes and heroine's alike. This series is not for the faint of heart or for those who do not like 'steamy' stories. What I love most about this series is that each book stands on its own two feet. They are exciting, captivating, sexy, and just down right good books to read. ;o)

3.  Another favorite series was Katie MacAllister's Noble series! These were not only exciting and sexy, they were hilariously funny. I'm talking the kind of funny where you laugh so hard you pee your pants! I bought one right after the other and read the entire series in about a week. Couldn't put them down. These would be books I'd give more than 5 stars to if Amazon would let me.

4. Ava Stone's Scandalous Series. This is another favorite. Sweet, exciting, and intriguing. I enjoyed each book and am anxiously waiting to read more from this author. ;o) Ava does an excellent job with this Regency series.

5. Maya Banks' Highlander books, The McCabe Trilogy. In Bed with a Highlander, Seduction of a Highland Lass, and Never Love a Highlander. This is the series that made me love Maya and Highlanders even more than I already did! You can get the entire trilogy in one bundle now and it is worth every penny!

6. Lucinda Brant's novel, The Salt Bride. This is another historical romance that had me enthralled and captivated in just the first few sentences. That does not happen too often, but it did with this book. There are parts that left me sobbing with grief for the heroine. It is a HEA (Happily Ever After) but what they have to go through to get there will leave you breathless. ;o)

7.  The Train Station Bride, by Holly Bush. I love historical romances but was never one for Western Historical Romances until I read this book! I loved every page of it. Holly has a beautiful voice and I love how she brought the two main characters together! It is a sweet and funny read and I gave it a 5 star review. ;o)

8. Carmen Caine's The Bedeviled Heart from her Highland Heather and Hearts Series. This is another Highlander series that I absolutely adore. I love Carmen's writing style and her voice. Breathtaking, beautiful, sweet, clean, and chock full of accurate history. You can't miss with any of the books in this series. Carmen is one of the reasons that I write in the genre that I write in. If it weren't for her, I wouldn't be here! ;o) Carmen is one of my top 5 all time favorite authors. Ever.

9. True Highland Spirit, by Amanda Forrester. This is another Highlander Series that I treasure! Amanda has a wonderful voice and way of telling a story. Hilariously funny, sweet, clean, and an all around 5 star book!

10. Come Back To Me, by Melissa Foster. This one folks, is a tear jerker. Don't read without two boxes of Kleenex and a box of chocolates. This is a contemporary romance and one that I couldn't put down. Melissa has a fine voice and this book proves that point. I actually emailed the author while I was reading the book! ;o)

11. Ava, by Ashley Barron. This is a contemporary romance and Ashley's first published novel. I enjoyed this book and I look forward to reading more from Ashley! ;o) This is much more than just a romance novel. It has a good mystery to it as well. This is pretty darned good for a debut novel!

I think I see a trend here. I like historical romance novels especially when they are part of a series. I lean toward Highlanders and Regency. But I also thoroughly enjoy a good contemporary fiction and a good contemporary romance novel.

There were many, many other books that I read this year. Far too many to mention here. These are just a few of those books that stood out for me this year.

Happy New Year to all of you and may God bless you in 2013!!

Hugs and warm wishes,

Suzan