End of the Year list – My 10 Greatest Discoveries

This year I’m doing a slightly different list than other years. :) Where I usually pick a random number of my favorite reads of the past year in a few categories, I now decided to make it a list of 10 m/m books of new to me authors, that pleasantly surprised me the most in 2012. These 10 ‘discoveries’ made me want to read all the other books by the same author as well (if there were any) and in most cases I actually did manage to read one or a few more, and all with the same, or sometimes even with more, pleasure than that first ‘discovery’ book.

To be clear: These are all books I’ve read in 2012 so they are not necessarily books that were published in 2012. Most are, but some are older.
So, here are my 10 discoveries of 2012, in random order:

Review: Something to Believe In by Sloan Parker

Sloan Parker

Something to Believe In

MLR Press, December 23, 2012 | 53 pages, 17,000+ words

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
After running away from the hatred and abuse of their teen years, Sean and Gavin have been hustling to survive for too long now. When some extra cash lands them alone in a hotel room until Christmas, they can no longer deny their feelings for each other. Now neither one can imagine watching the other walk off with one more trick. Even with no money and no job prospects, Sean is determined to not just show Gavin what a real home and holiday is like, but to keep them off the streets for good and build a life together.

Merry Christmas!

Review: Angel Voices by Rowan Speedwell

Rowan Speedwell

Angel Voices

Amber Allure, December 18, 2011 | 61 pages

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
On a frigid winter night, college freshman Will stumbles into the shelter of a church during choir practice. His father has just discovered that Will is gay, and has beaten him and thrown him out of the house. But right now Will’s interested only in getting warm.
Will’s college roommate Quinn is a soloist in the choir, which is practicing for a Christmas program. He discovers Will in the church—and his friend’s condition. Will, who has grown up in a repressed environment, including church school, an abusive father and a passive mother, is taken aback by Quinn’s enthusiasm and determination to take care of him.
Does Will have a future after all, especially one that will include Quinn?

Review: There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays by Shawn Lane

Shawn Lane

There's No Place Like Home for the Holidays

MLR Press, December 6, 2012

Author’s website | Goodreads | Buy book here

Backblurb:
For the first time in years, Mac is going home for the holidays with his best friend Connor in tow, but he certainly doesn't expect the magic of Christmas to give him the love of a lifetime.

Fashion designer, Mackenzie Grayson, has no intention of going home for Christmas...until his sister calls and uses guilt to talk him into spending two weeks over the holidays at his family's home in California. With his best friend, Connor, in tow, Mac returns to California, a place he has mostly avoided after a bad breakup. Mac no longer does serious relationships, but maybe some time spent with Connor under the mistletoe will make this a more magical Christmas than either of them would have dreamed of.