Best Genre Fiction of 2012
With the advent of 2013 the reviewers at Fresh Fiction were asked to make a list of our favorite 2012 books. As a group we reviewed approximately 2,000 books making choosing a top 10 a huge challenge. We love our books and get pretty attached. So after much arm wrestling, hair pulling, and attempts at bribery, we’ve settled on letting our reviewers have their own top 5.
So, here are some of our reviewers’ selections for the best genre fiction of 2012.
# of books reviewed 2012- 61
Genres: Romance (Contemporary, Historical, Paranormal, Erotica), YA
For someone who averages a book a day, I found it extremely difficult to narrow down my top pics. I have favorite authors whose series I have followed over many years but then I began reviewing for Fresh Fiction six months ago. As a result, I expanded my genres and tried new authors. As a result I found authors like Lori Wild and Sarah MacLean whose books had characters I was invested in. For a book to become a favorite I need to be drawn in, feel where the character is coming from, and be taken along their journey.
1. A COWBOY FOR CHRISTMAS by Lori Wilde
2. ONE NIGHT RODEO by Lorelei James
3. NEVER SEDUCE A SCOT by Maya Banks
4. A ROGUE BY ANY OTHER NAME: The First Rule Of Scoundrels by Sarah MacLean
5. STYGIAN’S HONOR by Lora Leigh
# of books reviewed in 2012- 5
Genres: Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
1. STORMDANCER by Jay Kristoff
2. LULLABY by Amanda Hocking
3. WHISPERS AT MOONRISE by C.C. Hunters
4. WAKE by Amanda Hocking
5. SOUL TRADE by Caitlin Kittredge
# of books reviewed in 2012- 5
Genres: Romance
1. THE PERFECT HOPE by Nora Roberts
2. ANGELS AT THE TABLE by Debbie Macomber
3. THE WIDOW OF SAUNDERS CREEK by Tracey Bateman
4. TUESDAY’S CHILD by Fern Michaels
5. BROWN EYED GIRL by Lori Leger
# of books reviewed in 2012- 19
Genres: Romance (Paranormal, Suspense), Urban Fantasy
1. ORACLE’S MOON by Thea Harrison
2. ONCE BURNED by Jeaniene Frost
3. DELUSION IN DEATH by J.D. Robb
4. RUNNING WILD by Linda Howard and Linda Jones
5. WICKED EDGE by Nina Bangs
# of books reviewed in 2012- 103
Genres: Romance (Suspense, Contemporary, Paranormal)
Narrowing my list down to the top five was ridiculously tough. I read a lot of really entertaining books this year. For me, the best books had characters I obsessed over and storylines that had me wondering how they were ever going find their way to the happily ever after. These were the books that left me wanting more and had me digging up other books in the series.
1. BEAR MEETS GIRL, by Shelly Laurenston
2. RELENTLESS PURSUIT, by Adrienne Giordano
3. TAKING A SHOT, by Jaci Burton
4. THE NIGHT IS MINE, by M.L. Buchman
5. SWEET TALK, by Julie Garwood
Though Fifty Shades of Grey wasn’t a favorite book of 2012 it deserves recognition for pushing erotic fiction into the mainstream. The sexually explicit and creative nature of erotica titillated the American public. At its best, though, erotica is not just about sex. It’s about complex and strong characters confidant, or becoming confident, in their own sexuality facing life’s challenges as they find love. The sex catches our attention but it’s the characters we root for and the obstacles they face that keep us reading late into the night.
1. HOLD ‘EM– Katie Porter
2. CALLING THE SHOTS– Christine D’Abo
3. O COME ALL YE KINKY– Anthology
4. RULE OF THREE– Kelly Jamieson
5. TART– Lauren Dane
6. HOSTILE TAKE OVER– Joey W. Hill
# of books reviewed in 2012- 72
Genres: Women’s Fiction, mystery, contemporary romance.
I like to read well-written works about believable characters and to learn about interesting locations or periods in history. Challenges to be overcome, resourceful women, inventive fantasy, and attention to detail all gain points with me. If the plot keeps me reading and I finish the book knowing I’ll want to re-read it, then the book may gain a place on my top five list.
1. ONE BREATH AWAY by Heather Gudenkauf
2. BEAUTIFUL DISASTER by Jamie McGuire
3. THE SLEEPING NIGHT by Barbara Samuel
4. KISS AND MAKE Up by Faye Roberts
5. DARK CROSSINGS by Karen Harper/ Martha Perry /Patricia Davids
# of books reviewed in 2012- 117
Genres: Romance
1. I DREAM OF GENIES by Judi Fennell
2. A WEDDING IN APPLE GROVE by CH Admirand
3. THE CHRISTMAS STAR by Ace Collins
4. STORYBOOK DAD by Laura Bradford
5. BESIDE A DREAMSWEPT SEA by Vicki Hinze
Reviews Editor
Genres: Romance (Suspense, Paranormal, Contemporary)
1. THE WITNESS by Nora Roberts
2. BEAR MEETS GIRL by Shelly Laurenston
3. SWEET TALK by Julie Garwood
4. RESCUE MY HEART by Jill Shalvis
5. FAIR GAME by Patricia Briggs
# of books reviewed in 2012- 17
Genres: Romance (Suspense, Contemporary), Women’s Fiction
To narrow my list down to a top 5 was hard because I read so many interesting books, and even discovered some new authors that are finding their way to my auto buy list.
1. THE WITNESS by Nora Roberts
2. SPRING FEVER by Mary Kay Andrews
3. DON’T SAY A WORD by Beverly Barton
4. NEXT OF KIN by Sharon Sala
5. HOME FRONT by Kristin Hannah.
# of books reviewed in 2012- 51
Genres: Romance (Paranormal, Suspense, Contemporary, Historical)
It is nearly impossible to come up with only five favorites, but I looked at my list and picked out the ones I have already read again. If I will read a book again and be willing to buy more from this author that tells me it belongs in the favorites stack. So here are five of my favorites.
1. DESIRE THE NIGHT by Amanda Ashley
2. DOUBLE DANGER by Dee Davis
3. HEART OF DANGER by Lisa Marie Rice
4. DRAGON’S MOON by Lucy Monroe
5. PRIMAL POSSESSION by Katie Reus
# of books reviewed in 2012: 51
Genres: Romance (Suspense, Paranormal, Contemporary) and Urban Fantasy
Narrowing down my favorites from the 300+ books I’ve read this year was an insane task, but after switching them up countless times, I think I finally found the top 5 that really stood out this year. These were the books that made me laugh and cry, made me curse the fact that we have to wait a whole year for another hit, and the ones that made me pine for more even after an immediate reread.
1. ICED by Karen Marie Moning
2. ARMED & DANGEROUS by Abigail Roux
3. FOREVER AND A DAY by Jill Shalvis
4. GUNMETAL MAGIC by Ilona Andrews
5. HOW TO DRIVE A DRAGON CRAZY by G.A. Aiken
# of books reviewed in 2012- 24
Genres: Suspense, Historical, Women’s fiction
1. COMING HOME by Stacy Hawkins Adams
2. HEART ECHOES by Sally John
3. TEN PLAGUES by Mary Nealy
4. FULL DISCLOSURE by Dee Henderson
5. FAIRER THAN MORNING by Rosslyn Elliott
No Comments
Comments are closed.