I was extremely honored this year when Jay asked me to review for Joyfully Jay. I have been a huge fan of m/m romance for a couple of years now and finding Joyfully Jay as a reader was a god-send. Then to be able to give readers my thoughts on books…to be honest I was a little nervous. But once I got into it, I discovered how much fun it is.

You can ask just about anyone who knows me, my genre/sub-genre/trope (whatever you want to call it) tastes vary. A good book, to me, is one that draws my attention rather quickly with relatable, likable characters, exciting new worlds, and a book that takes hold of me emotionally – whether it be funny, sad, somber, joyful. I like a little bit of everything depending on my mood. I laugh. I cry. I get mad and threaten to throw my reader against the wall…although that’s always an empty threat.

2012 has been a great year for the m/m romance world. More readers are discovering the genre that I have fallen in love with. More writers are emerging with amazing works. And veteran authors continue to release fresh, creative, fantastic tales. There have been such a variety of stories in 2012 – controversial, heart-wrenching, funny, action-packed, sweet, dirty, sexy…need I go on?

I’ve read so many outstanding books this year. It’s been a difficult process narrowing them down to my favorites, but, alas, I think I have done it! I tried not to repeat titles throughout the list although some books do fit under more than one category. So, without further ado, here are my favorites of 2012 (in no particular order…because, really, it was hard enough choosing favorites.):

Favorite Books of 2012:
To Touch the Stars by Jeremy Pack
The One Who Saves Me by Cardeno C.
Second Chances by T.A. Webb

Favorite Contemporary:
But My Boyfriend Is by K.A. Mitchell
Let It Go by Mercy Celeste
Fifteen Shades of Gay (for Pay) by T. Baggins

Favorite Paranormal:
Wake Me Up Inside by Cardeno C.
Sumeria’s Sons series by Lexi Ander

Favorite Fantasy:
The Lost Gods series by Megan Derr
Wick by Megan Derr

Favorite Futuristic/Sci-fi:
Sci-Regency series by J.L. Langley
Blind Space by Marie Sexton

Favorite Historical:
Mark of the Gladiator by Heidi Belleau and Violetta Vane

Favorite Mystery:
To Catch a Fox by Geoffrey Knight and Ethan Day

Favorite Young Love:
Something Like Summer by Jay Bell

Favorite Short Story:
Eight Days by Cardeno C.
Last Dance with Mary Jane by John Goode

Favorite New (at least to me) Authors:
Cardeno C.
Jeremy Pack
E.M. Lynley

Favorite Series:
Home Series by Cardeno C.
Bad in Baltimore series by K.A. Mitchell
The Lost Gods series by Megan Derr

Favorite Anthologies:
Three Fates by Andrew Grey, Mary Calmes, and Amy Lane (Dreamspinner Press)
Don’t Try this at Home (Dreamspinner Press)

Favorite Cover Art:
The One Who Saves Me by Cardeno C.

Cover Art by Paul Richmond (I’m still obsessed with this cover and the story it alone tells. It’s such an amazing cover by such wonderful talent.)