Hanging With Bells 2011 Review!

2011 was one crazy year for me. I thought I was going to make 2011 my bitch, but to be honest, it totally took over and this year certainly had it's challenges. I experienced my 1st ever earthquake which scared the crap outta me! There was also a Hurricane (Irene you bitch!) and several tornadoes that were in my area. A Nor'easter in freaking October! My childhood home of Springfield, Massachusetts suffered through several tornadoes as well as the hurricane (Irene I hate you!) that messed up the city.  Like I said, this has been a tough year for a lot of folks, but there were some bright moments.  That's right, I'm talking about books!  According to Goodreads I read 160 books this year!  I'm going to chat about some of my favorites from this year!

Shadowfever!  

(you're probably not surprised by this)

I LOVED THIS BOOK! This series is my absolute favorite and when I finally got the opportunity to read Shadowfever...it made my life complete.  LOL!  I love the characters and couldn't wait to find out more info on Barrons of course. Oh Barrons I love you so!  It's also my favorite book moment of the year because I went absolutely crazy waiting for this book to finally be released that I was up at 3am release day to read it on my Kindle!  It's the only book that I have every format for (yes I'm crazy)  I have the Kindle version, Hardcover, paperback, and audio book!

I now give you David Gandy (Hottie of the year) as Jericho Barrons!

Honorable mentions:

Sweet As Sin by Inez Kelley

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Face of Danger by Roxanne St. Claire

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

Gabriel's Inferno by Sylvain Reynard

Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh

The Renfield Syndrome by JA Saare

The Darkest Surrender by Gena Showalter

Immortal Rider by Larissa Ione

Double Cross by Carolyn Crane

Thea Harrison!

Oh Thea Harrison, I don't think words can express just how awesome your books were this year!  You stunned me with Dragon Bound and introduced your awesome, unforgettable characters.  I remember asking Mandi from Smexybooks which upcoming book did I need to read and she told me:  Dragon Bound.  She was so right!  I then proceeded to pimp this book as much as I could!  Thank you so much for entertaining your readers with so many great stories this year.

The books in the Elder Races series:

Honorable Mention:  

Sierra Dean 

Author of the awesome Secret McQueen series!

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

These 2 phrases, "Not deep enough." and "Got to get deeper." were the reason why I chose the sex scene from Dragon Bound as my hot scene of the year.  I remember holding my breath when I was reading it for the first time because it was so daggone hot!  That scene between Dragos and Pia was unbelievable and just added to the awesomeness of this book!

 

Jaci Burton - The Perfect Play

When I first saw this cover my mouth hung open while my eyeballs orgasmed over and over!!!  I mean look at it!  The story is pretty awesome as well but this cover really sold the book for me.  I remember tweeting a pic of the cover and I knew that I wasn't the only one that thought it was droolishis!  The cover model is Jed Hill and I am now a huge fan of his! 

The OMG moments of the year!

It's time for Sheneneh to announce my
OMG moments of the year!

Tell them what they are girl!

Shadowfever:  Barrons...OMG! Mac...OMG! The entire book...Oh. My. Goodness!

Magic Slays:  Curran finally catches up to Kate and...Oh. My. Goodness!  SO FREAKING GOOD!

The Renfield Syndrome:  Disco...Oh. My. Goodness!  Like really?!!  I know you were pissed but did you have to do that to Rhi Rhi?!

City of Ghosts:  Terrible...Oh. My. Goodness!  Like a knee in the back for real?!  Damn you are hardcore!  But you made up for it in that tunnel and bathroom.  You go boy!

Hard Bitten:  Ethan...OMGGGGGGGG!  *cries buckets of tears*  Drink Deep:  *POOF*  Oh. My. Goodness!  That's it?!!  *snickers*

Immortal Rider:  Limos... WHAT?!!! Oh. My. Goodness girl!  You are in some trouble! 

Favorite new character of the year!

Wraith - Virna DePaul

 

When I first read about Wraith's character in book 1 of the series Chosen By Blood, I instantly knew that she was going to be awesome!  She's snarky, tough, and is ready to kick someones ass if she needs to.  But behind all the toughness is someone who truly cares about her teammates as well as her man Caleb O'Flare.  Her book is awesome as she doesn't know how she died and must figure it all out before she finally succumbs for good. 

Honorable mention: 

Carter- JA Saare

He's hot and I want to know more about him. I hope that he's in the other books in the book. He could so be a future book boyfriend!

 

Barrons - Shadowfever - Karen Marie Moning

He begins moving again.  After a while, he pulls me around and kisses me. "You're Mac," he says. "And I'm Jericho.  And nothing else matters.  Never will.  You exist in a place that is beyond all rules for me.  Do you understand that?"  I do.  Jericho Barrons just told me he loves me.

I LOVE THEM!

Couple of the year!

Kate Daniels and Curran

Magic Slays

This couple has become one of my favorites because they truly, truly love each other and that was truly shown in Magic Slays.  Kate and Curran would do anything for each other and there were some emotional and touching moments in this book.   This entire series is so well written and when these two characters show up on a page, it's pure magic!  They have the best banter that will have you laughing one moment and swooning the next.  They also fight each other which I absolutely love because Kate Daniels is one tough heroine and can hold her own.

David Gandy

*sigh* Gandy. The wonderful Sparkly Bearsy on Twitter brought this succulent male to my attention this year. She loves her some Gandy and thanks to her so many others now get to drool over his pics.

A Glimpse Into the Future!

I've asked my favorite TV psychic Miss Cleo to give me a reading on what I can expect for the year 2012. Here is what she had to tell me:

You're still going to be addicted to books...and hot men!  You've been slacking on the hot men pics on your blog so you need to work on that honey.  Joe will be back next year so you'll have some new pics to post.  Oh and speaking of hot men, you'll go see Joe in that movie Magic Mike about 10 times.  That is one hot cast!

You're going to go to the Lori Foster Reader & Author Get Together and be so happy to see all of your blogger friends.  You'll see lots of wonderful authors which you will stare at like a dork...just like you did last year. 

Danielle says that you're still going to be a loser in 2012. By the way, she paid me to say that. Hey I need the money!

You're going to read so many great books in 2012 and will continue to be astounded by the talent of the authors whose books you will read. 

Ok so Miss Cleo doesn't do readings anymore, but seriously, did she really do readings? LOL!  But I had to include this pic because it's awesome!

Blog Resolutions for 2012

Here are some of the things that I'll be working on for my blog for next year:

It's okay to say NO! I have to learn that I can't read everything. I have an extremely large TBR pile of my own books.  I'm going to limit the number of books that I review so that I can finally read the ones that I bought for myself.

Write a rough draft of a review right after I've read the book.  Sometimes I'll read review books back to back and then go back and write the reviews for them.  I need to stop doing this because sometimes my brain doesn't work and then I can't write anything! 

Take more notes while reading.  That what it'll be easier for me to write a review when the time comes.  I get so caught up in reading that I don't take notes.  I really need to work on this.

Most anticipated reads of 2012:

1/10/12

GAH I can't wait to read this one! 

2/28/12

One of my favorite series and I can't wait to see

if poor Paris up above gets some peace!

3/27/12

Another character that I hope will find some 

peace.  Tohr I can't wait to read you!

5/22/12

Than's book is going to be so good! I just now it!

8/21/12

Shadow's Claim 

The Dacians: Realm of Blood and Mist

Kresley Cole

This book will be about Lothaire's maternal side of his family The Dacians.

They are mentioned in his book and the sound fascinating!

Fall 2012

The Ripple Effect

JA Saare

More Rhiannon, Disco, and Paine.  YAY!

10/30/12

ICED: a Dani O'Malley novel

Heart to Heart talk!

To my followers:  Thank you so much for taking the time to read what I have to say.  I really enjoy blogging and work really hard at trying to say things that are fresh and new.  I appreciate you and hope I can keep you entertained in the coming year!

To my fellow reviewers:  I have so much respect for you all and am so happy to share my joy of books with you.  I love discussing books with you and can't wait to hear what you have to say for the books coming out in 2012!

To the publishers:  I am honored that you trust me to give an honest opinion of the books that you send me.  There is nothing more exciting to me than when I receive one of your books in the mail.  I enjoy reviewing for you and am looking forward to reading all of the awesome books your company will have in 2012!

To the authors:  It is a blessing that you are so talented because your talent means so much to me.  You help this stressed out mom escape into another world when I read one of your books.  There is nothing I enjoy more than losing myself in the pages and it's even better when I can tell one of my friends about what I have read.  Thank you for taking the time to listen to your fans because it means so much to your readers when you do! 

See you all in 2012!