December started with my favorite author and other mysteries and ended with beach reads because I was traveling for the holidays.  Over the year I have often mentioned if a book was a good “beach read”.  For me a beach read is a fun, fast read that makes me smile and occasionally even laugh.  As much as I love mysteries sometimes they are too gory or tense for the beach.  Super steamy romances aren’t the greatest for the beach either unless you are traveling with your significant other.  I might be missing a few books because I didn’t always have internet access so I couldn’t update Goodreads but I think you will get the idea.

1. Cross My Heart by James Patterson
2. The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly
3. Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
4. All That Glitters by Ilana Fox
5. Wicked Ambition by Victoria Fox

King and Maxwell by David Baldacci – (Mystery) The latest in the series that is now also a TV Series by the same name. Again, being a very visual reader I see the TV characters as I read the book.  Really great book, excellent story line and I love that they brought Edgar back into the mix.

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter – (YA) If you like stories about gods and goddesses then you will enjoy this book, it was full of twists and turns and its a a fast read.

Cross My Heart by James Patterson – (Mystery)  The latest in the Alex Cross series that is FULL of suspense. You won’t be able to put it down and unfortunately, yes there is a cliffhanger.  Usually JP doesn’t do that so it was a little disappointing…and since he usually doesn’t release Cross books more than once a year…I guess we will find out what happens next year.

Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson – (YA Science Fiction) The first in a new series.  I haven’t read any of Sanderson’s so I can’t judge this series against others.  If you love super heros and comic books though you will love this book. It’s very visual, the characters are interesting and its full of action, twists and turns.

A Red Death by Walter Mosley – (Mystery) I have always wanted to read this series and since the first book was a movie I started with this one.  I found it really interesting that it was based in 50’s LA and that the main character was a WW2 vet. I love how he intertwines all the history and culture of black people in LA, Alabama and TX. I really could visualize it all and I felt like I stepped back in time.

White Butterfly by Walter Mosley – (Mystery) Mosley changed his writing style a little in this book.  It was years later and all of a sudden Easy was married.  He ends up tying it all up but it was a little weird.  Loved the story and learning more about the main characters. I look forward to reading more in this series to see where Mosley takes us.

Half Blood by Jennifer Armentrout – (YA) This book reminded me of all the vampire school books like the Vampire Academy and House of Night but in this case it’s gods. Same concept though, the 1/2 bloods protect the full bloods and the two can’t mix. Its a good start to a series and if you love the books above you will probably love these too.

The Gods of Guilt by Michael Connelly – (Mystery) The 5th book in Lincoln Lawyer series and its funny because Connelly was able to work in the movie based on the first book. Again, I visualized Matthew McConaughey all through the book (not a bad visual). I like the character development, you are cheering for him all the way even with his faults!

All That Glitters by Ilana Fox – (Chic Lit) Don’t let the name of the book or the description fool you.  This book was actually pretty intense, between the lies and drama and the real love story…it keeps you on your toes and you can’t wait to find out what happens!  If you are collecting a list of good beach reads…add this one!

Misbehaving by Abbi Glines – (Chic Lit) Super cute!  The female character is the town bad girl but she is loyal and has big dreams.  Seems like a typical chic lit book and it is but its a fun and fast and you love the characters!  Add it to the list 🙂

Love Me by Bella Andre – (Chic Lit) I liked this book and at times its pretty intense but it’s not really different than other books.

Her Sexiest Mistake – (Chic Lit) Another book to add to your beach read list even if you want to shoot the girl for being stupid.  She is stupid but also funny, intelligent and very real.

Nothing to Lose by Jill Shavis – (Chic Lit) This was a very short and full of fun characters. Lots of action and instant attraction in the mist of bullets. Add to the list.

The Wrong Billionaire’s Bed by Jessica Clare – (Chic Lit) The title speaks for itself but its really more than you think it is.  I think this was the third in the series but I liked all of the characters so I want to read more in this series.

Wicked Ambition by Victoria Fox – (Chic Lit Mystery) This was a more complicated book than most Chic Lit’s. It starts with a girl going off to kill one of three women at an awards show and then goes back a year.  You really learn to love/hate/love these woman and you can’t put this book down…I stayed up till 2am in order to finish it.

Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft – (Paranormal) I loved the characters in this book!  It has all of your favorite supes and I liked the story line.  This is the 2nd in the series so I am going to start at the beginning and read the whole series. Looking forward to see where it takes us. This was almost on my top 5 list.

Broken Desires by Azure Boone – (Romance) Not one of my favorites.  The writing wasn’t great and it was trying too hard to be one of those…”I got problems so no one can love me” stories.  The character development was rush.

Very Much Alive by Dana Marie Bell – (Romance) The story was good but the writing was horrible.  It was jerky and I had to skip a lot.

Prince Charming Can Wait by Stephanie Rowe – (Chic Lit)  As an ends to a means two lonely people agree to get married and then fall in love.  Sounds typical but its more than it appears.  Add to the list!