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As usual, when it comes time to pick my favorite books for the year, I find it hard to narrow it down. Pretty much all the books I gave 5 stars are favorites. That’s about 30, counting the novellas/short stories.

I decided to approach my end-of-year list the same way I handled my mid-year favorites: new-to-me and on-going. I had to tweak it a bit because there were a couple authors who I’ve read before, but the books were for a different series: Meljean Brook and Amanda Stevens are authors I read before, so they were on my on-going list even though the series in question were new-to-me.

I soon realized I didn’t have enough new-to-me series/authors to do a separate Top 10. So, I just picked one from that list and nine from the other.

In no particular order, other than the new-to-me author/series is listed first.  Linked to my reviews, except where noted.

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Grave Mercy (His Fair Assassin 1) (Robin LaFevers) – Read in May and was on my mid-year favorites list. The sequel is on my most anticipated reads.

The Iron Duke (The Iron Seas 1) (Meljean Brook) – Read in February. Prior to this book, I had only read one short story by Meljean — and it was for her other series. As I mentioned in my review, I almost didn’t read this book at all. Some of the reviews had me doubting I would like it. I’m glad I did.

Storm Kissed (The Final Prophecy/Nightkeepers 6) – Read in March and was on my mid-year list.  The series ended this year. And seeing as we lived past December 21, 2012, I guess the Nightkeepers were successful. 😉  I haven’t read the last book yet, but hopefully it will hold my attention as much as this one did.  So far, Storm Kissed is my favorite of the series.

The Kingdom (The Graveyard Queen 2) (Amanda Stevens) – Read in October.  I’ve read a couple of Amanda’s other books.  I discovered her through her category romances for Harlequin.  I read the first two Graveyard Queen books this year, but I liked this one more than the first.  It was a great Halloween read! Creepy!

Dark Awakening (Dark Dynasties 1) (Kendra Leigh Castle) – Read in November.  I read Kendra’s Harlequin Nocturne, Renegade Angel, and loved it.  I was hoping there would be a mini-series because the potential was there.  I bought this book when it came out, solely on my love of Renegade Angel.  I took me a bit to get to it though.  If I were caught up, the newest release would have made my list of most anticipated books for 2013.

Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians 3) (Dianne Duvall) – Read in October.  For a person who wasn’t keen on vampires as love interests, I certainly have a lot of favorite books featuring them in the lead role.  I read the second and the third book this year, but I liked this one better.  In fact, it is my favorite in the series so far. I don’t know why I didn’t check before, but I looked up the release date for the fourth book.  It’s due in October.  I guess I’ll have to do a mid-year “most anticipated books” list! 😀

Ember’s Kiss (Dragonfire 8) (Deborah Cooke) – Read in October.  This has been one of my favorite series.  As much as I loved the other characters, this one stood out for me because they were hardly in it.  This was such a different book in terms of the hero (he’s only in his twenties, not centuries), the heroine (she’s got some mojo of her own) and the firestorm (Brandon welcomes the event — much like Rafferty — so the angst is different).  The author announced, in November, that the publisher has decided not to continue the series.  However, Deborah is self-publishing the rest of the books and will also self-publish novellas featuring the Dragon Teeth Warriors. Another plus? Spin-offs.

Affairs of Steak (White House Chef Mystery 5) (Julie Hyzy) – Read in January. Peter nearly gets fired and we finally get to know more about him.  And he finally understands of little of what makes Ollie tick.  They might not be best buddies, but I think there will be a better understanding between them.  Fonduing Fathers will be my first read of 2013. 😀

Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling 10) (Nalini Singh) – Read in April and was on my mid-year favorites — no review.  Ah, yes, the long-awaited Hawke and Sienna book.  Well, not for me, since I came to the series late.  I waited for the paperback release though.  Loved it.  Hated having to put it down and I thought it was worth the wait.

The Elder Races by Thea Harrison — True Colors (#3.5); Oracle’s Moon (#4), Hunter’s Season (#4.7) (No Reviews) – I read Oracle’s Moon in March and it was on my mid-year favorite list.  Big improvement over Serpent’s Kiss.  I read the four e-novellas published by Samhain in December.  I liked True Colors and Hunter’s Season the best.  Of all five books (Oracle’s Moon, True Colors, Natural Evil, Devil’s Gate, and Hunter’s Season), Hunter’s Season was my favorite.  I loved the characters and the story.  I have to say this: my mental picture of Aubrey, while reading Storm’s Heart, was totally off.  I was completely thrown when I realized who the hero was supposed to be (I didn’t pay much attention to the blurb).  Another reason for loving the book: Tiago and “Tricks” — they have more than just a fleeting role in the book.

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So, there you have it.  And it wasn’t as painful for me as I thought it would be. 😀

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