End of Year Post

It has been a busy year both on the blog and personally.

My husband and I

My Husband  and I :)  set the date for our wedding back in January.  We could finally seal our love and become a family.

I had just over 7 months to plan and produce a wedding.
I made as much as I could and kept the budget down. My hubby's "favourite" saying of mine was "I have saved you money today when I bought such and such"


We wed in September!

The family are growing up fast!

My daughter and son went into their final year in School and Sixth Form.

My youngest son started full-time school.












This year the UK celebrated 2 major events that had us flying the flag. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee was first.  We had a little tea party at home with the children.

In the summer the UK hosted the 2012 Olympics.  I loved watching the events on tv, especially the Paralympics.  Those atheletes are such an inspiration.



I became a twitter fanatic. @DizzyCLBB

I took on the voluntary role of Reviews Editor for Romantic Fiction On-line

I started WIP Wednesday feature on the blog. So far 27 authors have taken part. It is an on-going feature so please do contact me for your slot.

I went to the Festival of Romance and met so many wonderful authors, bloggers and readers. I had never realised what could be gained from hearing an author read from their novel.  Author readings are great.

When I sent out an invitation to previous guest authors with a view to hosting an Author Advent for December I had no idea how popular it would be. A massive thank you to all the authors who have been guest in 2012 and those who have taken part in the Author Advent.
 You can catch up with all the authors here

Don't forget!  The Festive Quiz with Prizes (UK Only)  The clues are in the Author Advent feature.

Lastly, my Top Reads for 2012.


Well I am signing off now until the New Year, so....

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy 2013!

DizzyC

My Year in Books - Top Reads for 2012

It has been another fantastic year for reading.  I had not had quite so much time with the wedding and the children, but reading is still my favourite way to relax and unwind.

My top 10 reads for 2012 are

• Publisher: Sphere (29 Sep 2011)
• ISBN-13: 978-0751547634
• Also available on Kindle

A magnificent debut novel from Jane Sanderson. When is the sequel due? 
5 out of 5 for me!  

I loved the way Laurie Graham gave us just enough to know that Enid and Bernard had missing pieces to their history without giving everything away. I felt Enid's frustration about the situation. She left me wondering whether Enid still had unanswered questions about Bernard at the end of the novel.  I found the way Enid handled Bernard at the end  of the novel satisfying and funny.

5 out of 5 for me!

• Format: Kindle Edition
• Publisher: Thornhill Print (4 Dec 2011)
• ASIN: B006ICFIZG

The storyline, set in Scotland, had me engaged right to the very end, with some very funny moments and some "I didn't see that coming" moments, too . All the characters were lovable, even Ross, in his own way. I loved it!
5 out of 5 for me!

• Publisher: Piatkus (2 Feb 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0749954499

A detailed and beautifully written novel that will stay with me for a long while.
5 out of 5 for me. Oh wow!  I loved it!

• Publisher: Ramjam Publishing Company (3 Oct 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0957378209 
• and on Kindle ASIN: B007RFBZPA

I warmed to all the characters.  John was especially handsome and oozed charm.  I hated the villain of the piece, Greg. I look forward to more from this author.

5 out of 5 for me!  Loved it!

• Publisher: Piatkus (3 May 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-0749957766

This novel is brilliant. I was expecting a gentle regency romantic tale, which I do enjoy,  but this one can only be described as a regency rom-com.  It had me giggling away and could rival Bridget Jones any day.  

The weekend fun and frolics kept me entertained right to the very last page.  Such a shame the weekend came to an end.

5 out of 5 for me!

• Publisher: Choc Lit (7 Jun 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1906931728

The storyline flowed easily and the writing was superb, one of those novels that makes me wish I could write.
This story would appeal to historical romance and saga fans.
5 out of 5 for me!

• Publisher: Quercus (16 Aug 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1849164191

Oh yes, this one hit the spot.  A lovely read to curl up with on these autumnal evenings. 
Fabulous!  
4.5 out of 5 for me!

• Publisher: Choc Lit (7 Sep 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1906931674

I was not sure whether to put this in the historical fiction or historical romance genre.  It is much more than just a romance with wonderful descriptions of the landscape and people of Ladakh.
10 out of 10 for me! 

(I changed ratings from 5 to 10 to eliminate half scores)

• Publisher: Sandstone Press Ltd (16 April 2012)
• ISBN-13: 978-1905207855

In this novel mother-daughter relationships are explored through Willow's story and Beth's story. The author captures the fears of a mother with an asthmatic child, who is becoming more independent, very accurately. 

I loved this novel, not only because I could identify with Laura, but also because it was set in a familiar setting.  

10 out of 10 for me! 

The best of the rest.......

DizzyC