This was my year of the erotic contemporary. I fell in love with some new authors (hello Tiffany Reisz). I fell in love with some new pen names (hello Kit Rocha).  I fell in love with already established authors who for some reason I had never read (hello Megan Hart). And I continued my love affair with Ty and Zane (hello Abigail Roux). So let’s get to it, shall we?

The Siren and The Angel by Tiffany Reisz. This series pushes my boundaries. I think this author has done a fabulous job creating characters that have just seeped into my brain and won’t escape. While The Prince also released this year and I didn’t love how it ended, I still think this is an amazing series. (review and review)

My other book of the year was A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare. This book was the definition of romance. Two souls who think they aren’t good enough for the other. A scarred heroine who fights for happiness. A lonely soldier who looks from afar at the woman he loves for many months. It made me smile so much. A true gem. (review)

When I first heard “Dystopian Romance” I wrinkled my nose. But then I read I read Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha and was pretty blown away. A really cool world filled with large, unforgettable characters. Hot, erotic sex, great action, good love story. And the best part? My two favorite characters are supporting characters whose book comes out next. I can’t wait. (review)

Favorite romantic suspense this year goes to Twisted by Laura Griffin. A worn out, older FBI agent meets a new a young police detective and together they must solve a series of gruesome murders. I love how this author weaves a very scary, intricate yet easy to read plot with a well done romance. (review)

I have two favorite Urban Fantasy books this year. The first is Fair Game by Patricia Briggs. She writes the best shifters. Period. In this series, the way she is letting Charles and Anna’s relationship develop just feels so realistic and challenging. Add to that her entire world with all the supernatural beings, I can’t get enough. This series must be read in order. (review)

The Fever world is one of my absolute favorite series so when I read Iced by Karen Marie Moning I was nervous. How dare I doubt her? *wink* I loved this book. I love Ryodan, Dani, Christian, Dancer, Barron, Mac. I just can’t get enough of her world. (review)

I adore Ty and Zane. But paired with Julian and Cameron from one of her other books, I about fell on the floor when I read Armed & Dangerous by Abigail Roux. Their sarcastic banter, the intensity of their relationship, the overall story arc…I’m obsessed. I also love that each book I read just gets better and better. Stars & Stripes also came out this year and I adored that one too. (review)

I’m going to end with two of my favorite contemporary authors who not only gave me really great books in 2012 but who I realllllly can’t wait to see what they have in store for us in 2013. First up is Ruthie Knox. I not only recommend About Last Night, but also Ride with Me and Room at the Inn (in the Naughty & Nice anthology). What I like about this author is that she doesn’t try to overdo the story. By that I mean, she give us very clever dialogue, rich, interesting characters and just lets their romance and relationship develop at its own pace. She doesn’t force an over the top story down our throats and she always shows us rather than tells us. I’m really excited about her voice and can’t wait for her upcoming books this year. (review)

Charlotte Stein. She writes really great erotic books. Each one is so different and I think her specialty is really getting into the head of the heroine. We know her every thought, and I really like that about the author’s style. This year I read Deep Desires (review) Sheltered (review) Restraint (didn’t review but excellent novella). I also recommend Control. I feel like she takes chances with her characters – pushing them into situations that are not always comfortable.  I wait excitedly for each new release.

Note: I also read some fabulous books this year that released in prior years that would have absolutely made my favorite list had I read them the year they were released. Notable are: Naked by Megan Hart, Dirty by Megan Hart, Tempted by Megan Hart (three of my all time favorite books) and Special Forces Part One by Aleksandr Voinov (a free read on his website – I’ve only read part 1 and part 2, as my heart needs a break for now.)

Note #2: Other notable authors that are totally on my auto-buy list for 2013: Shannon Stacey, Elle Kennedy, Beth Kery, Anne Calhoun, KA Mitchell, Carolyn Jewel, Meredith Duran, Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Kaki Warner and Courtney Milan.