Favorite Books read in 2011

I’ve read over 100 books this year and have found some amazing new-to-me authors this year. Many of the books on my list are by some of my must-read authors. About half of the books on the list are either from new-to-me authors or debut authors. I have to thank so many of my twitter peeps and blog friends for helping me find some of my new favorite books/series. 

1. Serendipity by Carly Phillips is not only my favorite contemporary romance I read this year, but my favorite book I read all year. In fact, the entire Serendipity series might be my favorite series of books ever by Carly. 

2. Cold Touch by Leslie Parrish is my favorite Leslie Parrish book ever. Might even be my favorite book written by Leslie as either Leslie Parrish or Leslie Kelly.

3. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison is my favorite book by a new-to-me author. Love the entire Elder Race series so far.

4. Night After Night by Janelle Denison is my favorite book written by Janelle ever!

5. The Heart of a Killer by Jaci Burton is her first romantic suspense and she totally rocked it.

6. Because of You by Jessica Scott is her debut novel and I can't wait to read more books from Jessica in the future.

7. The Sweetest Thing by Jill Shalvis is my favorite in her Lucky Harbor series and my favorite of her books I read this year. 

8. The Legendary Lovers series (loved all 3, but Danny is my favorite brother) by Julie Leto is one of Julie's best series ever.

9. First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones was a find thanks to twitter. So glad I found this book and series.

10. The Renfield Syndrome by JA Saare feeds my Disco love. I met Jamie at the Lori Foster get together in June and only acted a little fan-girl.

11. Real Men Will by Victoria Dahl is the 3rd book in her Donavan Brothers Brewery series and my favorite of her books I've read so far.

12. Sweet Tea & Secrets by Nancy Naigle is the 1st book in her Adams Grove series. I met Nancy at Lori's event in June and bought her book that weekend. Loved this book.

13. Yours to Keep by Shannon Stacey and all the other Kowalski books. Really hoping we get more Kowalski books in the future.

14. One Dance With a Duke by Tessa Dare is my favorite historical romance I read this year. I've loved every book of hers I've read.

15. New York to Dallas by JD Robb is the latest book in the In Death series and was gut-wrenching, but wonderful.

16. Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep is the 5th book in the Elemental Assassin series and was my favorite of the series so far. I've listened to this entire series and can't wait for the next book in this series.

17. Can’t Help Falling In Love by Bella Andre is the 3rd book in her Sullivan series. Loved me some Gabe so much. Already plan on going back and reading the first 2 in the series.

18. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh is the 1st book in her Psy/Changeling series. I found this series with about 10 other books to follow. Was lucky enough to meet Nalini at Lori's event in June. 

19. Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter is the 2nd in her Heist Society series and just as wonderful as the 1st book in the series. My favorite series from Ally is her Gallagher Girl series. Out of Sight, Out of Time is set for release on March 13, 2012.

20. Sin Undone by Larissa Ione is the 5th book in her Demonica series and was so awesome. Loved Sin so much.

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The Renfield Syndrome

The Renfield Syndrome is the 2^nd book in The Rhiannon’s Law series by J.A. Saare. From the author’s website.~

Vampires, and werewolves, and demons, oh my.

Rhiannon thought facing off against a deranged child vampire was the most dangerous task she would ever have to undertake, but she’s about to discover making a deal with a demon is far, far worse. Sent forward into another reality, one in which vampires are now dominating nearly extinct humans, she realizes the sooner she returns to her vampire lover, Disco, the better.

Unfortunately, time changes a lot of things; including those most trusted around her. When she’s faced with a loss and betrayal unlike any she has ever known, her focus shifts from severing the debt between the demon that wants to kill her, to exacting a revenge that will bring forth consequences she never could have fathomed. By reaching out to the darkness lingering within her, she’ll find the strength to push forward despite the circumstances that would see her dead and buried.

After all, when it’s all said and done, all that she has left to lose is her soul.

I really don’t want to post any spoilers, so I’m going to be very limited in what I say about The Renfield Syndrome. I have been waiting to see what happened to Rhiannon since Jamie threw us the big twist at the end of Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between (which I absolutely loved, by the way). Not only was Rhiannon’s new world completely different from the one she left behind, but she immediately is thrown into a situation where she has very little control. We get to spend time with some of the vampires from DUOSIB, and also get to meet some new characters. Carter is the one that stands out with me the most. He and his pack offer to help keep Rhiannon safe from the vampires of the future, even when she wants to go find Disco and his friends, Goose(Ethan) and Paine. In fact, Carter intrigues me so much, I really hope we get to see more of him in the future.

Saare throws more twist and turns at her readers with The Renfield Syndrome, and only has me wanting to read the next book in this series even more. The Ripple Effect will be the 3^rd book in The Rhiannon’s Law series, and I believe it hopefully will be released in early 2012.

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between

Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between is by J.A. Saare. I bought the book for the Kindle on my phone, so I went to the author’s website to get the back cover blurb. ~

One bad corpse can ruin your whole day. No one knows that better than Rhiannon Murphy. She’s left behind the flash and sass of Miami for the no-nonsense groove of New York City, eager for a clean slate and a fresh start. A bartender by trade, a loud mouth by choice, and a necromancer by chance; she’s managed to keep her nifty talent hidden from those around her – until now.

The deliciously good-looking vampire Disco knows her secret, and when he strolls into her bar to solicit help investigating the mysterious disappearances of his kind from the city, she discovers he’s not the kind of person that appreciates the significance of the word no.

But in a world where vampires peddle their blood as the latest and greatest drug of choice, it’s only a matter of time before the next big thing hits the market. Someone or something is killing vampires to steal their hearts, and unlike Rhiannon, this isn’t their first stroll around the undead block.

I decided to read Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between after hearing so many of my twitter and blogging friends talk about the sexy vampire, Disco. Thanks to Bells, Stacy, MamaKitty, and everyone else who suggested this book to me. I loved Rhiannon from the very beginning. She is such a strong and kick-ass character, with a bit of vulnerability underneath. I was smitten with Disco from the beginning (might have something to do with all the love he gets on twitter and blogs), but fell hard for him as the story progressed.

I don’t really want to give away any spoilers to the story, but I will say there are a few curve balls thrown in the story. I’ve heard lots of people complain about the ending to Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between, but I loved it. Can’t wait for the next book in the series! This was my first book by J.A. Saare, but it won't be my last.