Year in Review

Howdy and welcome to my book blog! I intend to mainly blog about books as I am a serious bookworm.I am an avid reader and use as much of my free time as possible reading. I love reading (did I mention that already? =) and I love talking about what I read...sharing my passion for books with others.I read a bit of everything so I hope you'll read about something you enjoy and I hope to inspire you to possibly try something new. So, grab a drink, snuggle up and enjoy!


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I decided that my very first blog post would be a list of some of my favorites books I read in 2011, although they weren't necessarily published in 2011. I didn't want to inundate you with reviews of all those books so I've chosen some of my very favorites from different genres. Hopefully, you'll find something new on my list to try. This post will be a little longer since I'm covering so many books but don't worry, they won't always be this lengthy. Although, they will probably be wordy since I DO like to discuss books.


In the Young Adult (YA) category, my favorites of the year are:


Stolen by Lucy Christopher
This book, about the interactions between a kidnapper and his victim, was very intriguing and a little disturbing.


Raised by Wolves and Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Ms. Barnes was a new to me author, and recommended by a co-worker/friend. I found Raised by Wolves to be highly entertaining yet thoughtful. And Trial by Fire was even better! 


Bloodlines by Richelle Mead
It was a toss up between Last Sacrifice (last book in Vampire Academy series) and Bloodlines (first book in spinoff series) but I ended up going with Bloodlines because I really wondered if Ms. Mead could make the spinoff as exciting as Vampire Academy. I was pleasantly rewarded in my loyalty to Ms. Mead...she did not disappoint! 


In the Fiction category:


These books will give some insight as to where I was personally this year. However, they are all wonderful reads:


Your Roots are Showing by Elise Chidley
A delightful read about what happens in a marriage when you accidentally send an email blasting your husband to your husband, rather than your intended recipient, your sister.


Flirting with Forty by Jane Porter
I found this book about finding life and yourself wonderfully insightful.


Just Sex by Susan Kay Law
I enjoyed reading about the differences between men and women and their ideas about fidelity in a marriage, as well as, how a family picks up the pieces of a broken marriage.


Morning Light by Abigail Reynolds
This follow-up to The Man Who Loved Pride and Prejudice was just as enjoyable.


In the Historical Romance genre:


Grace Burrowes' regency series (The Duke's Obsession trilogy) were delightful! The Heir, The Soldier and Virtuoso all were wonderfully written, fun reads. While not everything was historically accurate, the characters were so charming that I could overlook the inaccuracies. And if only parents had been able to show their offspring this kind of affection...oh, I can't choose a favorite. Gayle Windham, the Earl of Westhaven, in The Heir, was so stodgy that you love watching him fall. You rooted for Devlin St. Just, in The Soldier, because he deserved some happiness in his life. And Valentine Windham, The Virtuoso, mm-mmm...


Loretta Chase's Lord of Scoundrels was a gem. I was so happy to have come upon this book on my nook. I really, really enjoyed the character development in this book. I was impressed with how Ms. Chase showed us the history of the characters which shaped them into the characters we meet and how true love can break through the toughest barriers.


Maggie Robinson's Mistress by Marriage rounded out her trilogy of courtesans and I think this one was my favorite. 


In the Science Fiction/Fantasy category:


I was once again thrilled with the latest in the series by Kim Harrison (Pale Demon - The Hollows series), Patricia Briggs (River Marked - Mercy Thompson series), and Ilona Andrews (Magic Slays - Kate Daniels series).


In the Urban Fantasy category:


I read several new authors' debuts in 2011 in this category and was impressed by them all. Everlong, first in a series by Hailey Edwards stood out, as well as, Dark Awakening by Kendra Leigh Castle. I also enjoyed a trilogy that I found on my nook (for free, I might add) by Nicky Charles. If you enjoy werewolf stories with interesting mythos and great character development, check out Ms. Charles series The Mating, The Keeping, and The Finding. You just don't find good lit like this for FREE!


In the Paranormal Romance category:


I continue to enjoy Lydia Dare's regency/werewolf series. And I read a few other new-to-me authors...Thea Harrison's debut Dragon Bound (first in her Elder Races series) and Rebecca Zanetti's Fated (first in her vampire series). I found both authors' debuts very engaging and I particularly like Ms. Zanetti's twist on vampire lore.


Lastly, in the Contemporary Romance category:


I enjoyed A Rare Gift from Jaci Burton, as well as books from Carolyn Brown and Katie Lane (both cowboy romance series). I also really enjoyed a new-to-me author's series about 3 siblings who own and run a brewery in Boulder, CO. Victoria Dahl's series beginning with Good Girls Don't is definitely worth the time.


Okay, so that's my list. I have many, many others but those are the highlights. Happy New Year and I'll get my next post out soon...I already have 2 books I want to share. =)