Guest Post: Debut Author Ruth Warburton on her Top Reads for 2012!

Ruth Warburton's A Witch in Winter is one of those books I've been looking forward to for ages and ages! Not long to go now until it releases at the beginning of January! In the meantime, Ruth has stopped by the blog today to share her Top Reads for 2012 with you. You can also take a look at the great book trailer for A Witch in Winter!

A Witch in Winter by Ruth Warburton
Publisher: Hodder Children's Books
Release date: January 2012

Anna Winterson doesn't know she's a witch and would probably mock you for believing in magic, but after moving to the small town of Winter with her father, she learns more than she ever wanted to about power. When Anna meets Seth, she is smitten, but when she enchants him to love her, she unwittingly amplifies a deadly conflict between two witch clans and splits her own heart in two. She wants to love Seth, to let him love her – but if it is her magic that's controlling his passion, then she is as monstrous as the witch clan who are trying to use her amazing powers for their own gain.

Although a perfect fit for the paranormal romance genre, A WITCH IN WINTER avoids fangs, excessive body hair and submissive female leads, and tells the heart-wrenching story of a couple meant to be together, but being forced apart. Seth is utterly irresistible and Anna is an empowered, proactive young woman with unimaginable magic inside her. This is fast-paced, sensuous writing with believable incantations inspired by Warburton's research into witchcraft legend and old English.

Ruth Says:  In January I can't wait for Night School by CJ Daugherty. CJ is a friend and, weirdly, her book comes out on the exact same day as mine. It's about Ally, who is in trouble with the police (again) and is packed off by her parents to the creepy Cimmeria Acadamy. But Cimmeria isn't your regular boot-camp for troubled kids, there's something strange going on behind the scenes, and Ally gets in a lot of trouble trying to figure it out. I can't say any more without spoiling the plot but it's a gripping thrillerish read - I've had a sneak peak already but can't wait to read the real thing.

I've also heard a lot of good things about Cassandra Clare's Clockwork series. I realise I'm coming late to this party, but I've put Clockwork Angel on my Christmas list and hope that might be a New Year read. It sounds brilliant - Victorian London with demons and shadowhunters - what's not to like?

In 2011 I really enjoyed Delirium by Lauren Oliver and the sequel - Pandemonium - is out in 2012. Delirium is set in a futuristic, slightly Margaret Atwood world, where love has been designated a disease and "cured". The main character, Lena, is just days away from her own "cure" when she does the unthinkable: falls in love. Delirium ends on a real cliff-hanger (hope this is not a spoiler?!) so I can't wait to find out what happens.

Finally on the adult side I've just started A Game of Thrones. I haven't seen the HBO adaptation but reading the reviews of the TV series made me want to try the books. It's a marathon, rather than a sprint, but you can only marvel at the breadth of the fantasy world George R. R. Martin has created. It's a masterclass in world-building and a sustained vision of a chilly, brutal alternate reality. I'm halfway through book 1 and I think the sequel, A Clash of Kings, might be a good holiday read for summer 2012 (I will certainly need some warmth to drive out the chill if things head the way I think they're going). Reading the books has also made me really want to try the series!

Watch the trailer for A Witch in Winter:

Thanks so much to Ruth for the great guest post. Can't wait to read A Witch in Winter!