My Favourite Reads of 2012

Again, there is no way I can choose a top 5 or 10 so you're basically getting all the books that I rated a 4 or 5 out of 5. Click on the picture to be taken to either my review on here or on Goodreads.

Country vs Country - Vampire Academy

It's been a while but here is my 5th Cover vs Cover post. This time around, we're looking at the Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead.

These are the covers I own and I liked them well enough until it came to buying Last Sacrifice and I couldn't get the same cover here in the UK so I bought the UK cover and then looked up the rest of the series.

I LOVE these covers and it annoys me that I have the US covers. To the point that I'm going to re-buy the entire series in the UK covers so I have covers that I like.

What covers are your favourite?

Enthralled: Paranormal Diversions by various authors

A journey may take hundreds of miles, or it may cover the distance between duty and desire.

Sixteen of today's hottest writers of paranormal tales weave stories on a common theme of journeying.

Whether they're writing about vampires, faeries, angels, or other magical beings, each author explores the strength and resilience of the human heart.

So my very awesome and Amazing friend, Danielle La Paglia, sent me this book as a surprise. And she even had it signed for me!

I wanted to read this as it has some of my favourite authors in it but with anthologies I'm always wary about buying a full book for a few authors. I thought with this review, I'd give my thoughts on all the stories.

Giovanni's Farewell by Claudia Gray
Very sweet little romance story.
I've never read anything by Claudia Gray before and I really enjoyed my first story by her. I'd be interested in reading more from this world but it seems it's not part of a series or the beginning of a series so I may just pick up her Evernight series to see if I like it.

Scenic Route by Carrie Ryan
Post zombie apocalypse story about 2 sisters surviving.
Another new author for me and I really enjoyed the world she made. Plus bonus: this one is part of a series so I get to read more.

Red Run by Kami Garcia
A haunted road makes a girl seek revenge for her dead brother.
I thought this was a new author but I didn't realise she wrote Beautiful Creatures which I have on my bookcase but haven't read yet. I must bump it up my TBR.

Things About Love by Jackson Pearce
A genie tries to find out about love from a human.
I've never read anything by this author either but I quite liked this short. I liked the idea of genies researching love 'cos they don't feel it.

Niederwald by Rachel Vincent
Based in the Soul Screamers series, this follows Sabine & Emma on a road trip.
I love this series and Vincent's writing so I really enjoyed this little short.

Merely Mortal by Melissa Marr
Based in the Wicked Lovely series, this follows Keenan & Donia on a holiday.
I'm still new to the Wicked Lovely series, having only read the first book so I feel like I've spoilered myself a little by reading this. But Donia was one of my favourite characters in the book so I still liked this.

Facing Facts by Kelley Armstrong
Based in the Darkest Powers series, this has Tori finding out about Kit and putting her, and Chloe's, life in danger.
I love Kelley's writing and have recently re-read the whole Darkest Powers series so I was in the right mind frame for this story.

Let's Get This Undead Show On The Road by Sarah Rees Brennan
A vampire is the pulling factor for a boy band.
I didn't really enjoy this one, it was kinda cheesy. Thankfully only one of three that I didn't enjoy.

Bridge by Jeri Smith-Ready
A ghost finds someone to contact his brother.
The layout of this was a bit weird, it was written like a poem but I enjoyed the story. Unfortunately, the layout really was a put off.

Skin Contact by Kimberly Derting
A young boy has dreams that end up proving to be truth.
Another new author and a story that I really enjoyed. Very descriptive and well written.

Leaving by Ally Condie
A young girl lives in a society under a bubble but has a secret to hide.
Similar world to the Matched series. I really enjoyed this and liked the characters, there's potential for more.

At The Late Night, Double Feature, Picture Show by Jessica Verday
Young girl tries to prove to her family she can do the family job but runs into trouble.
Another one of the three that I didn't really enjoy. Again, it was because of the cheesiness - there was just too much of it.

IV League by Margaret Stohl
Two young "drinkers" try to get into college to get out of their dying town.
And here is the third story that I didn't enjoy. The story seemed good but it just didn't come across as well as it could have.

Gargouille by Mary E. Pearson
A gargoyle gets captured and gets her wings cut off, this means she'll lose her memory about being a gargoyle and all she knew.
I enjoyed this one, it was bittersweet but a nice wee read.

The Third Kind by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
One sister has impulses that she must follow, the other sister is just along for the ride - until it turns out she's part of the 'pulses.
I really enjoy Jennifer Lynn Barnes' writing and this seems like it could be a good start to a series.

Automatic by Rachel Caine
Based in the Morganville Vampires series, Michael almost loses it when he tries the new canned blood.
Another favourite author of mine so I loved this. Eve is one of my favourite characters as well so I like to see more of her.


So it seems this anthology has just made my Goodreads to-read list that little bit longer. I do like that I've found some new authors to read but I'm pretty sure my bank account doesn't. Oh well, the life of a bibliophile.


Book Depository: Enthralled
Amazon UK: Enthralled

Why I don't celebrate christmas ....... and why I hate being called a scrooge

I don't celebrate xmas (I don't even like writing christmas, I always write xmas) ... haven't done for several years. Thankfully, my boyfriend of 4.5 years feels the same way I do so we never clash about this.

People call me Scrooge or say I'm so "Bah humbug", but the truth is that xmas was never a religious thing in my family (I'm an atheist and, as far as I know, the rest of my family just don't care or are agnostic), it used to be a family thing .... then my family broke up and it just meant nothing.

People say, "What about presents?" Know what? If I see something I think someone I care for (of which there are few) will like ... I'll buy it. Doesn't matter to me what time of year it is, if I see a t-shirt I know my partner will like then I'll buy him that shirt. If I see something I think my gran will like, then I'll buy that something. (This is also the reason I don't buy birthday presents)

I'm not family orientated and I'm not religious so xmas means absolutely nothing to me. I'm not a scrooge, I'm not "Bah humbug" and I'm not a bad person ... I just don't celebrate xmas.

And the sheer commercialism of this time of year, and the amount of money I see people spending for that ONE day? Makes me hate it even more.

So yes, I don't celebrate xmas and yes, I actually hate this time of year.

This time of year, I see people rushing about like idiots and spending a fortune. Panic buying food ('cos for some reason the shop being shut for that ONE day means you NEED those 10 loaves of bread, right?). Getting into such a panic over what to buy someone for a present.

Know what I do? The same as every other day of the year .... and I love it.

Caught in Amber by Cathy Pegau

Recently out of rehab, Sasha James is determined to keep her head down, complete her parole and never touch amber again. The chip in her neck controls her cravings for the highly addictive drug, but also tracks her every move. Not that she goes anywhere other than work and the halfway house she calls home — a far cry from her luxurious former life as lover of the mining colony's top drug dealer, Guy Christiansen.

Agent Nathan Sterling has no desire to see Sasha fall back into amber, but his sister has become Guy's latest conquest and the unexpectedly attractive Sasha is the key to getting her back. So in exchange for an introduction, he offers Sasha the one thing she can't refuse — her freedom. From the chip, her parole and even the planet if she wants. Though he would be sorry to see her go...

Torn between her growing attraction to Nathan, fear of Guy and the allure of amber, Sasha accepts. But who will save her if Guy refuses to let her go a second time?

Release Date January 28th 2013

Sasha just wants to go about her life, as mundane as it is, but when Nathan approaches her and asks for her help to save his little sister from Sasha's drug-dealer ex-boyfriend - she can't turn him down. To get back into Guy's good books, she has to play nice with him - which could hurt her and her probation status - all while resisting the call of Amber. Nathan and Sasha's growing feelings for each other could jeopardise the whole thing, if Guy suspects anything between the two of them - he could kill them both.

I always like books that make an entire new world, to someone like me (with little or no imagination) that seems like a herculean task so I admire that in an author. I liked Sasha - she was broken but determined to be strong and survive and that trait in her made me hate Nathan for forcing her into the situation above.

But, of course, Nathan manages to change my mind as we find out he actually has feelings for Sasha and isn't just in it for his sister's sake - he wants to help Sasha get on with her life.

Also, I hate Guy and Marco ... that's all I'm going to say on that.

Buy this book, it's a fun, quick read.


Amazon UK: Caught in Amber

Vanilla-Free Christmas by Various Authors

This Christmas, the best gifts are waiting for those who have been naughty…

And the toys under the tree are not for children. Sexy Santas, naughty elves, and dominant shifters are ready to spread some very kinky Christmas cheer. It’s a good thing the ladies in our stories are looking for anything but vanilla.

Santa's Beard by Doris O'Connor
Two hot, cursed shifters fulfill a woman's wish for dominant men when Santa undoes the curse that's been laid on them .... so she can get laid by them. (Yes, I just said that. Wrote that?)
The Olympian by Sandra Bunino
An ex-olympic hopeful gets injured when training for the next olympics, a resort employee rescues her and things get steamy in an abandoned cabin.
Three in a Tub by Giselle Renarde
A woman gets her threesome dream for real when her boyfriend sets it up with a bathtub installer and the bath gets christened in an sexy way.
A Few of My Favourite Things by Seleste deLaney
A sequel to deLaney's other shorts in previous Evernight Publishing anthologies. An elf doesn't want her BDSM secret to hold her back from a relationship with a new guy but he's interested in learning more for her.
The Man Inside by Lila Shaw
Two office workers that flirt online finally get together in person but he can only do it behind a disguise .... or in front of a camera.
Who's Been Naughty and Nice? by Vanessa Devereaux
A boss feels the need to not be in charge any more and joins an agency that will help grant her wish to be dominated. A blizzard means they're stuck together for the night and things get steamy afterwards.
Secrets Santa by Raven McAllan
"Santa" brings a woman's fantasy to fruition at an office party, turns out "Santa" is an old acquaintance that knows EXACTLY what she wants.
Faith's Gift by R. Brennan
Doing a favour for a friend, a woman meets a sexy Dom who shows her what a good time is .... and she wants more.
A Very Furry Christmas by Jorja Lovett
A polar bear lover finally finds someone who doesn't find her plushie kink a turn off .... him wearing a polar bear outfit helps a little.

Another sexy christmas anthology from Evernight Publishing following 'Twas a Dark and Delicious Christmas and Stockings & Suspenders and it really lives up to its predecessors. Every story is definitely vanilla free (except The Olympian, I didn't think there was anything un-vanilla about that one) and definitely hot - although I found all the teddy bears in the furry one a bit weird.

I've loved all the anthologies from Evernight and will continue to buy them as they continue to publish them.


Vanilla-Free Christmas is available from Evernight Publishing.