2014 Completed Reading Challenges


2014 Reading Challenges

 



Dusty Books:  Nat King Cole - 10 Books


  1. Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
  2. The Twelve - Justin Cronin
    The Road to Rome - Ben Kane
  3. Tenth Stone - Bodie Thoene  
  4. The Sorceress - Michael Scott 
  5. Falls the Shadow - Sharon Kay Penman 
  6. Dragonfly in Amber - Diana Galdadan  
  7. Jonathan Norrell and Mr. Strange - Susanna Clark  
  8. Hollow Man - Dan Simmons 
  9. Rapture - J.R. Ward


Chunky Books: Good Golly Miss Molly - 8 books 


  1. Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami (607)  (1/14)
  2. Ice Hunt - James Rollins (656)  (1/20)
  3. The Passage - Justin Cronin (766) (1/27) 
  4. Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman (704) (2/12) 
  5. Amazonia - James Rollins (624) (3/4)
  6. Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (714) (4/7)
  7. Monuments Men - Robert Edsell (640) (5/26)
  8. False Memory - Dean Koontz  (768)  (6/8)

Around the World

  1. Japan - Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
  2. England/Wales - Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
  3. Italy - The Road to Rome - Ben Kane
  4. Israel - Tenth Stone - Bodie and Brock Thoene
  5. Brazil - Amazonia - James Rollins
  6. Ireland - Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llywelyn
  7. China - When Red is Black - Qui Xiaolong
  8. Middle East - I Own the Dawn - M.L. Buchman
  9. Canada - Exit Strategy - Kelley Armstrong
  10. Antarctic - An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne
  11. Istanbul - Scribe - Elizabeth Hunter



Faith Reads



1.  Sacred Reading  - Michael Casey
2.  Seeds of Contemplation - Thomas Merton
3.  Three Philosophies of Life - Peter Kreft
4.  Toward God: Ancient Wisdom of Western Prayer
5. The Bible




Centuries Challenge

12th (1101-1200):  Tale of Genji - Lady Murasaki
13th (1201-1300):  Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
14th (1301-1400):  Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco
15th (1401-1500):  The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer
16th (1501-1600):  Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llewelyn
19th (1801-1900):  Apothecary's Daughter - Julia Klassen


A to Z Challenge
A: An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne
B: Ben Kane - The Road to Rome
C: Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami
D: Here Be Dragons - Sharon Kay Penman
E: Elizabeth Hunter - Elemental Mysteries series
F: The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer
G: Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell
H: Haven - Kay Hooper
I: Grania: She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llwelyn
J: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrel - Susanna Clark
K: Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh
L: Shiver of Light - Laurell. K. Hamilton
M: Night is Mine - M.L. Buchman
N: Tangle of Need - Nalini Singh
O: I own the Dawn - M.L. Buchman
P: Poison Promise - Jennifer Estep
Q: Qui Xiaolong - When Red is Black
R: Rapture - J.R. Ward
S: Exit Strategy - Kelley Armstrong
T: The Twelve - Justin Cronin
U: Umberto Eco - Name of the Rose
V: Vengeance in Death - J.D. Robb
W: Written in Red - Ann Bishop
X: Qui Xiaolong - When Red is Black
Y: New York Dead - Stuart Woods
Z: Nicole Zoltack - Woman of Honor 



Complete List for the Year 


  1. An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne: 1839 Antarctic 184p eb)
  2. Black Arts (JY#7) - Faith Hunter:  (20th C, New Orleans, 336p  eb)
  3. Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami (20th C, Japan 607p)
  4. Ice Hunt - James Rollins (20th C, Arctic, 656p) 
  5. The Tale of Genji (volume 1) - Lady Murasaki (12thC, Japan, 210p eb)
  6. The Passage - Justin Cronin (20thC, US and various, 766p) 
  7. Fury of the Demon - Diana Rowland (20thC, Paranormal, 416p eb)
  8. Dead Man's Deal (#2 Asylum Tales) - Jocelyn Drake (20thC paranormal, 384p eb) 
  9. House of Cards (#2 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 447p eb) 
  10. Here Be Dragons (#1 Welsh) - Sharon Kay Penman (13th, England/Wales, 704p) 
  11. Hands of Flame (#3 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC, paranormal, 384p, eb)
  12. The Twelve - Justin Cronin (dystopian U.S., 568 p)  
  13. Coyote Dreams (#3 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy  (20thC paranormal, 416p, eb)
  14. Walking Dead (#4 Walker Papers - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 384p, eb)
  15. Concealed in Death (#38 In death) - J.D. Robb (futuristic New York, 402p)
  16. The Road to Rome (#3 Forgotten Legion) - Ben Kane (46BC, Italy, 513p)
  17. Scribe - Elizabeth Hunter (Instanbul-290p)
  18. Tenth Stone (#10 AD Chronicles)- Bodie Thoene (Ancient Israel, 352p)
  19. Amazonia - James Rollins (Brazil, 624p)
  20. A Hidden Fire (#1 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter  (US/Italy, Paranormal, 274p, eb)
  21. This Same Earth (#2 Elemental Mysteries - Elizabeth Hunter (290p, eb)
  22. The Sorceress (#3 Nicholas Flamel) - Michael Scott (US/France, Fantasy, 514p)
  23. At the River's Edge (Chesepeake Diaries) - Mariah Stewart (US Romance, 434p)
  24. The Force of Wind (#3 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (414, eb)
  25. A Fall of Water (#4 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (360, eb)
  26. Shifting Dreams (#1 Cambrio Springs Mystery) - Elizabeth Hunter (US Paranormal, 270, eb)
  27. City of Fallen Angels (#4 Mortal Instruments) - Cassandra Clare (US Paranormal 434, eb)
  28. Demon Hunts (#5 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (US Paranormal 366, eb)
  29. Black Heart Loa (#2 Hoodoo) - Adrian Phoenix (US Paranormal 437 eb)
  30. Night Broken (#8 Mercedes Thompson) - Patricia Briggs (US Paranormal 353 eb)
  31. Dark Witch (#2 Cousin O'Dwyer) - Nora Roberts (Paranormal 352)
  32. The Chance (#4 Thunderpoint) - Robyn Carr (347, eb)
  33. Spirit Dances (#6 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (366, eb)
  34. Raven Calls (#7 Walker Papers) - C.E.Murphy (365, eb)
  35. Mountain Echoes (#8 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (348, eb)
  36. Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (Israel, Paranormal 717) 
  37. The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer (15thC England, 240, eb)
  38. Across the Nightingale Floor - Lian Hearn (medieval Japan, 305, eb)
  39. Falls the Shadow (#2 Welsh Trilogy) - Sharon Kay Penman  (13thC England/Wales, 580)
  40. The Collector - Nora Roberts (496) 
  41. Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco (14thC, Italy, 536)
  42. Written in Red (Novel of the Others) - Anne Bishop (US Paranormal, 496)
  43. Grass for his Pillow (#2 Otori) - Lian Hearn (Medieval Japan 332 eb)
  44. Espresso Shot - Cleo Coyle (Us mystery 380)
  45. Haven (Bishop/special Crimes series)  - Kay Hooper (US psychic mystery 359)
  46. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julia Klassen (19thC Regency Romance 416 eb)
  47. The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart ( Wales, fantasy 529)
  48. The Fallen Angel (Gabriel Allon series) - Daniel Silva (Italy mystery 417 eb)
  49. Monuments Men - Robert Edsel (NF, Europe, 640)
  50. Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llywelyn (16thC Ireland historical 420 eb)
  51. The Genius and the Muse - Elizabeth Hunter (US, Romance 224 eb)
  52. False Memory - Dean Koontz (US, psychological thriller 768)
  53. Her Sky Cowboy - Beth Ciotta (Italy, steampunk eb 352)
  54. Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack - Mark Hodder (dnf - creepy)
  55. Something More Than Night - Ian Tregellis (dnf - annoying noir)
  56. Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry series) - Laurell K. Hamilton (paranormal 384 eb)
  57. I Own the Dawn  (#2 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman  (Middle East Military Romance 418 eb)
  58. Night is Mine (#1 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 418 eb) 
  59. Wait Until Dark (#4 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 384 eb) 
  60. Take Over at Midnight (#8 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 382 eb)
  61. Slave to Sensation (#1 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, paranormal, 352 eb)
  62. Visions of Heat (#2 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356 eb)
  63. Caressed by Ice (#3 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 388 eb)
  64. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell - Susanna Clark (England, 1024)
  65. Hostage to Pleasure (#5 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356, eb)
  66. Branded by Fire (#6 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 372, eb)
  67. Blaze of Memory (#7 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 386, eb)
  68. Bonds of Justice (#8 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 359 eb) 
  69. Play of Passion (#9 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 356, eb) 
  70. Kiss of Snow (#10 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 433, eb)
  71. Tangle of Need (#11 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 432, eb) 
  72. Exit Strategy - Kelly Armstrong  (Canada, US, 512)
  73. Poison Promise (#11 Elemental Assassin) - Jennifer Estep (US 416, eb) 
  74. Bitten - Kelly Armstrong (Canada, 544) 
  75. Rapture (#4 Fallen Angels) - J.R. Ward (US, 513 eb)
  76. Bastion(#5 Collegium Chronicles) - Mercedes Lackey (Paranormal, 353 )
  77. Frankenstein: City of Night (#2) - Dean Koontz UW =480)
  78. Hollow Man - Dan Simmons (US - 352)
  79. Blood Magick (#3 Odwyer series) - Nora Roberts (Ireland, 336) 
  80. Storm Front (#1 Dresden Files) - Jim Butcher (Paranormal 322) 
  81. City of Lost Souls (#5 Mortal Instruments)- Cassandra Clare (Paranormal 560)
  82. When Red is Black (#4 Inspector Chen) - Qui Xiaolong (China 320)
  83. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein)- Dean Koontz
  84. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz
  85. The Way Home (#2 One Eyed Jacks) - Cindy Gerard (Afghanistan and US, eb)
  86.  Black Widow (#11 Elemental Assassins) - Jennifer Estep (eb)
  87. Possession (#5 Fallen Angels) -  J.R. Ward  (Paranormal 545 eb)
  88. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 352)
  89. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 416)
  90. House Immortal (#1 HI) - Devon Monk (Paranormal 350 eb)
  91. Sweet Dreams (#2 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 678 eb)
  92. The Gamble (#1 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 679 eb)
  93. Lady Luck (#3 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 664 eb)
  94. Breath (#4 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 649 eb)
  95. Kaleidoscope (#6 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 406 eb)
  96. Rock Chick - Kristen Ashley (US 398 eb)
  97. Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley (US 400 eb)
  98. Forged in Ash (Seal #2)  - Trish McCall (US 445 eb)
  99. Born Wild (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 385 eb)
  100. Hell for Leather (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 375 eb)
  101. Full Throttle (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 380 eb)


  1. Reread entire J.D. Robb's In Death Series (1-39)
  2. Reread Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series (1-8)

2015 Reading Challenges

2015 Reading Challenges

My challenge at the beginning of any new year is to whittle down the number of books on my shelves since my books have had many babies throughout the year.  I am going to institute a buying ban for the beginning of the year through April and plan to read only books I own.  Always easier said than done.  

Once again I will be hosting Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks  and have many fun mini challenges and readalongs to keep everyone inspired.   

I'm going to do a 3/5/15 challenge which is 3 books in 5 categories for the year 2015.  My categories are  Dusty, Chunky, Translated, Study of St. Luke, Spiritual/Philosophical.  

I'll also do another round of A to Z and Around the World, keeping track of countries and centuries.  

Completed Reads for 2014

2014 Completed Reads


  1. An Antarctic Mystery - Jules Verne: 1839 Antarctic 184p eb)
  2. Black Arts (JY#7) - Faith Hunter:  (20th C, New Orleans, 336p  eb)
  3. Wind Up Bird Chronicle - Haruki Murakami (20th C, Japan 607p)
  4. Ice Hunt - James Rollins (20th C, Arctic, 656p) 
  5. The Tale of Genji (volume 1) - Lady Murasaki (12thC, Japan, 210p eb)
  6. The Passage - Justin Cronin (20thC, US and various, 766p) 
  7. Fury of the Demon - Diana Rowland (20thC, Paranormal, 416p eb)
  8. Dead Man's Deal (#2 Asylum Tales) - Jocelyn Drake (20thC paranormal, 384p eb) 
  9. House of Cards (#2 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 447p eb) 
  10. Here Be Dragons (#1 Welsh) - Sharon Kay Penman (13th, England/Wales, 704p) 
  11. Hands of Flame (#3 Negotiator) - C.E. Murphy (20thC, paranormal, 384p, eb)
  12. The Twelve - Justin Cronin (dystopian U.S., 568 p)  
  13. Coyote Dreams (#3 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy  (20thC paranormal, 416p, eb)
  14. Walking Dead (#4 Walker Papers - C.E. Murphy (20thC paranormal, 384p, eb)
  15. Concealed in Death (#38 In death) - J.D. Robb (futuristic New York, 402p)
  16. The Road to Rome (#3 Forgotten Legion) - Ben Kane (46BC, Italy, 513p)
  17. Scribe - Elizabeth Hunter (Instanbul-290p)
  18. Tenth Stone (#10 AD Chronicles)- Bodie Thoene (Ancient Israel, 352p)
  19. Amazonia - James Rollins (Brazil, 624p)
  20. A Hidden Fire (#1 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter  (US/Italy, Paranormal, 274p, eb)
  21. This Same Earth (#2 Elemental Mysteries - Elizabeth Hunter (290p, eb)
  22. The Sorceress (#3 Nicholas Flamel) - Michael Scott (US/France, Fantasy, 514p)
  23. At the River's Edge (Chesepeake Diaries) - Mariah Stewart (US Romance, 434p)
  24. The Force of Wind (#3 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (414, eb)
  25. A Fall of Water (#4 Elemental Mysteries) - Elizabeth Hunter (360, eb)
  26. Shifting Dreams (#1 Cambrio Springs Mystery) - Elizabeth Hunter (US Paranormal, 270, eb)
  27. City of Fallen Angels (#4 Mortal Instruments) - Cassandra Clare (US Paranormal 434, eb)
  28. Demon Hunts (#5 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (US Paranormal 366, eb)
  29. Black Heart Loa (#2 Hoodoo) - Adrian Phoenix (US Paranormal 437 eb)
  30. Night Broken (#8 Mercedes Thompson) - Patricia Briggs (US Paranormal 353 eb)
  31. Dark Witch (#2 Cousin O'Dwyer) - Nora Roberts (Paranormal 352)
  32. The Chance (#4 Thunderpoint) - Robyn Carr (347, eb)
  33. Spirit Dances (#6 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (366, eb)
  34. Raven Calls (#7 Walker Papers) - C.E.Murphy (365, eb)
  35. Mountain Echoes (#8 Walker Papers) - C.E. Murphy (348, eb)
  36. Blood Gospel - James Rollins and Rebecca Cantrell (Israel, Paranormal 717) 
  37. The Novice's Tale - Margaret Frazer (15thC England, 240, eb)
  38. Across the Nightingale Floor - Lian Hearn (medieval Japan, 305, eb)
  39. Falls the Shadow (#2 Welsh Trilogy) - Sharon Kay Penman  (13thC England/Wales, 580)
  40. The Collector - Nora Roberts (496) 
  41. Name of the Rose - Umberto Eco (14thC, Italy, 536)
  42. Written in Red (Novel of the Others) - Anne Bishop (US Paranormal, 496)
  43. Grass for his Pillow (#2 Otori) - Lian Hearn (Medieval Japan 332 eb)
  44. Espresso Shot - Cleo Coyle (Us mystery 380)
  45. Haven (Bishop/special Crimes series)  - Kay Hooper (US psychic mystery 359)
  46. The Apothecary's Daughter - Julia Klassen (19thC Regency Romance 416 eb)
  47. The Crystal Cave - Mary Stewart ( Wales, fantasy 529)
  48. The Fallen Angel (Gabriel Allon series) - Daniel Silva (Italy mystery 417 eb)
  49. Monuments Men - Robert Edsel (NF, Europe, 640)
  50. Grania, She King of the Irish Seas - Morgan Llywelyn (16thC Ireland historical 420 eb)
  51. The Genius and the Muse - Elizabeth Hunter (US, Romance 224 eb)
  52. False Memory - Dean Koontz (US, psychological thriller 768)
  53. Her Sky Cowboy - Beth Ciotta (Italy, steampunk eb 352)
  54. Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack - Mark Hodder (dnf - creepy)
  55. Something More Than Night - Ian Tregellis (dnf - annoying noir)
  56. Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry series) - Laurell K. Hamilton (paranormal 384 eb)
  57. I Own the Dawn  (#2 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman  (Middle East Military Romance 418 eb)
  58. Night is Mine (#1 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 418 eb) 
  59. Wait Until Dark (#4 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 384 eb) 
  60. Take Over at Midnight (#8 Night Stalkers) - M.L. Buchman (ME, 382 eb)
  61. Slave to Sensation (#1 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, paranormal, 352 eb)
  62. Visions of Heat (#2 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356 eb)
  63. Caressed by Ice (#3 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 388 eb)
  64. Jonathan Strange and Mr Norell - Susanna Clark (England, 1024)
  65. Hostage to Pleasure (#5 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 356, eb)
  66. Branded by Fire (#6 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 372, eb)
  67. Blaze of Memory (#7 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 386, eb)
  68. Bonds of Justice (#8 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 359 eb) 
  69. Play of Passion (#9 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US 356, eb) 
  70. Kiss of Snow (#10 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 433, eb)
  71. Tangle of Need (#11 Psy Changling) - Nalini Singh (US, 432, eb) 
  72. Exit Strategy - Kelly Armstrong  (Canada, US, 512)
  73. Poison Promise (#11 Elemental Assassin) - Jennifer Estep (US 416, eb) 
  74. Bitten - Kelly Armstrong (Canada, 544) 
  75. Rapture (#4 Fallen Angels) - J.R. Ward (US, 513 eb)
  76. Bastion(#5 Collegium Chronicles) - Mercedes Lackey (Paranormal, 353 )
  77. Frankenstein: City of Night (#2) - Dean Koontz UW =480)
  78. Hollow Man - Dan Simmons (US - 352)
  79. Blood Magick (#3 Odwyer series) - Nora Roberts (Ireland, 336) 
  80. Storm Front (#1 Dresden Files) - Jim Butcher (Paranormal 322) 
  81. City of Lost Souls (#5 Mortal Instruments)- Cassandra Clare (Paranormal 560)
  82. When Red is Black (#4 Inspector Chen) - Qui Xiaolong (China 320)
  83. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein)- Dean Koontz
  84. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz
  85. The Way Home (#2 One Eyed Jacks) - Cindy Gerard (Afghanistan and US, eb)
  86.  Black Widow (#11 Elemental Assassins) - Jennifer Estep (eb)
  87. Possession (#5 Fallen Angels) -  J.R. Ward  (Paranormal 545 eb)
  88. Dead and Alive (#3 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 352)
  89. Lost Souls (#4 Frankenstein) - Dean Koontz (Paranormal 416)
  90. House Immortal (#1 HI) - Devon Monk (Paranormal 350 eb)
  91. Sweet Dreams (#2 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 678 eb)
  92. The Gamble (#1 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 679 eb)
  93. Lady Luck (#3 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 664 eb)
  94. Breath (#4 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 649 eb)
  95. Kaleidoscope (#6 Colorado Mountain) - Kristen Ashley (US 406 eb)
  96. Rock Chick - Kristen Ashley (US 398 eb)
  97. Rock Chick Rescue - Kristen Ashley (US 400 eb)
  98. Forged in Ash (Seal #2)  - Trish McCall (US 445 eb)
  99. Born Wild (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 385 eb)
  100. Hell for Leather (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 375 eb)
  101. Full Throttle (Black Knights) - Julie Ann Walker (US 380 eb)

  1. Reread entire J.D. Robb's In Death Series (1-39)
  2. Reread Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series (1-8)

52 Books 2014 Wrap Up

 Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks 2014 Wrap Up


 

How many books did you read and did you meet your own personal goal?

My goal was 100 books and I read 148. (link to books) Of course, 47 of those books were rereads (J.D. Robb's In Death series (39) and Faith Hunter's Jane Yellowrock series (8) so if I didn’t count those, the total would be 101.

The statistical breakdown is 90 physical books and 58 Ebooks.  Last year it was 50/50 split and I was determined to read more ‘real’ books versus ‘virtual.’   I read a lot of series so the breakdown of male to female was 14 males to 34 females.  Out of those 16 were new to me authors.

Challenge wise  (link to books) I cleared my shelves of 10 dusty books, 8 chunky books, and 5 faith reads. Also completed A to Z except for Y and Z which will do within the next week.

I visited 11 countries including Israel, Japan, China, England, Italy, Wales Istanbul, Brazil, United States, and Afghanistan and made it through several centuries including 46BC, 10ad, 12th – 16th and the 19th Century. So did better than I thought.
 

Most thrilling, oh my goodness, I want to read it again, unputdownable book?

It would have to be Cindy Gerard’s The Way Home.  The story was a romantic suspense set in the U.S. and Afghanistan and involved a U.S. Military soldier injured and trapped as a POW in the middle east.  The ending was so poignant it left me in tears. That doesn’t happen very often.

Top 5 favorite stories?  So hard to choose, especially when my mind and mood changes each time I look at the list.   Besides J.D. Robb’s In Death series which I just read for the umpteenth time again, I think Across the Nightengale Floor by Lian Hearn, Cindy Gerard’s The Way Home, Dean Koontz's False Memory, Qui Xiaolong’s When Red is Black and Sharon Kay Penman’s Here Be Dragons.


Least favorite book?  It would be The Strange Affair of Spring Heeled Jack by Mark Hodder.  I’ve read some pretty graphic, creepy stories but this one I just couldn’t handle.

Are you ready to do it all over again?  Certainly!  

Do you have any goals to check out different genres or authors, read translated books or stories in another language for 2015

I always bite off more than I can chew with the mini challenges and overextend myself so for the new year besides the dusty, chunky, and A to Z, I’ll do the 5/5/15 - 5 Books in 5 Categories in 2015.  My categories will be translated books, classics, centuries, 1001 books and inspirational.




I had so much fun this year hosting Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks and look forward to doing it all over again in 2015. 

Writerly Wednesday: Leap of Faith









I wandered through the ancient forest on a narrow trail covered in moss and leaves.  The wind whistled through the trees, branches rustling and singing, while scattered leaves flew all about me. I could see the bridge now and hear the roar of the waterfall. The breeze pushed and pulled me, leaves crunching and crackling under my bare feet.  Crack! I jumped out of the way as a huge tree crashed behind me with a  bone jarring thud. Once the dust cleared, it blocked the pathway and now I’d have to take the long way home.  The wind whipped up again, pulling me along and I sprinted as fast as I could.  I’d heard about the bridge but never seen it.  Awe inspiring. Two huge oaks trees stretching across the water towards one another, the roots forming a natural walkway.  Warm and bumpy underneath my feet, I walked to the middle and stared down at the water.  The river roared underneath and emptied into a crystal clear lake, surrounded by ferns and wild lilies of white, yellow, gold and orange. Sunlight sparkled off the water and fish swam in aimless circles.  Looking out across the ancient forest, the church steeple rose high above the tree tops and the tolling of the bell drifted by on the wind.   A soft breeze caressed my face and whispered ‘I will catch you when you fall’.  The breeze plucked at my clothes, once again pulling me towards the edge.  The leap of faith, that’s what all the kids called it.  I can do this.  I closed my eyes, took a deep breath and jumped.


Writerly Wednesday: All for Charity



All for Charity!

Charity drove through the front gate of her property and parked at the foot of the front steps. She laid her head on the steering wheel and took several deep breaths. Someone had been following her all day long. An amateur at best, since he’d gotten close enough for her to see him several times. Probably one of Moore’s goons. They’d never been too bright. Finally, she had lost him on the back roads of the town after taking several deliberate wrong turns.

She stepped out of the car, paused when her phone trilled. The text message from her accountant stated a simple “It’s done.”

“About time." Giggling, Charity strode up the steps and was just about to slip the key in her lock, when she saw the plant next to the door knocked over and dirt strewn all over the porch. She shook her head and set it upright. “I’ll deal with the mess later. Darn coyotes after the verbena again.”

Charity unlocked the door and walked into the foyer, frowned when the lights didn’t automatically turn on. She flicked the switch and huffed out a breath when nothing happened. “Damn circuit breaker." Glad to have made it home just before dusk, she trudged down the hall into the kitchen. After grabbing a flash light from the kitchen drawer, she went out the back door and stopped, surprised to find a wheelbarrow full of dirt parked next to the electrical shed. She looked around but couldn’t see the gardener and had been too distracted to notice whether his truck was still in the drive. Why had he gone home in the middle of the job?

Charity reached up to unlock the shed door to find it ajar. She shivered as she scanned the back yard, the heavy shadows of the woods bordering her property loomed as the sun sank. It was quiet, too quiet. No birds or crickets. In the silence, she heard the gurgle of the small creek beyond in the trees. Her phone buzzed again and she jumped, let out a shriek, and then caught her breath at the message from Grady, “He knows. Get out”

“Relax. No problem, I’ve gotten plenty of time. What can he do from jail?” She texted Grady back, then gathered her wits and pushed open the shed door. The gardener hung from the rafters, his eyes bulging out from his purple face. She screamed, stumbled back and fell over the wheelbarrow. It tipped over, covered her in dirt and grass and debris. She climbed to her knees and reached for her phone, but it wasn’t there. She pawed through the dirt, and then froze.

A creak, then a whisper of cloth had her pressing a hand against her mouth to muffle the whimper. She scrambled to her feet, her ankle going out from under her, having twisted it in the fall. She hopped and limped to the house, stumbled through the door, shut it and slammed the lock home as soon as she made it inside.

Panting, she grabbed the cordless phone and lurched into her bedroom. She slipped on the throw rug and landed on her hands and knees. The phone shot out of her hand and slid underneath the bed.

“No. No. No.” Tears blinded her as she lay down and looked under the bed, but it was too dark to see, the flashlight gone along with her cell phone. She stretched out and felt blindly, her hand bumping packages and papers but no phone. She stilled when the hallway floor boards creaked. The door, she hadn’t locked it! Crawling to the door, she grabbed the knob and leaned as hard as possible against the wood. She held her breath until he gave it up for locked and continued down the hall and started up the stairs to the second floor.

“Think, think, think. My keys and another cordless phone should be on the table in the front foyer.” She waited until he started rummaging around in one of the upstairs rooms, then snuck out of the bedroom. Avoiding the squeaky floorboards, she crept to the bottom of the stairs, listened, and then bolted for the front door. Charity raced to the car, put the keys in the ignition, but didn’t turn it on. The cordless phone had a limited range and wouldn’t work past her driveway. She dialed 911, but her voice wouldn’t cooperate when the operator answered. It took her a couple tries to squeeze out any sound.

“He’s dead. Someone’s in my house. 2222 Makstore Lane.”

The operator’s voice buzzed in her head as the front door opened and the large man, dressed all in black, stood silhouetted in the door, holding a machete. She screamed, turned the key and threw the car in reverse as she stomped on the gas. He raced down the steps after the car.

Charity couldn’t do anything, but drive backwards, her hands frozen on the wheel, blind to what was behind her, her sight going gray and blurry with fear as the man ran straight towards the car. She whipped her head around, inadvertently whipped the steering wheel as well. The car veered off into the trees and she stomped on the brake.

In the glow of the headlights, the man stopped, a grim smile plastered on his face. Clayton Moore! Panting, she made up her mind. She slammed it into drive, pressed down on the accelerator. He barely jumped out of the way, the car clipping his legs. He threw the machete and it sliced into the windshield, cracking the glass. Too scared to slow down, she raced down the drive, rammed through the closed gate. The air bag popped in her face blinding her as she desperately stomped on the brake. Off in the distance, she could hear the sirens, but didn’t know if they’d make it in time. She beat at the bag, pushed it down and wobbled as she climbed out of the steaming car.

She whimpered as Moore pulled himself to his feet, moved toward her, dragging his injured leg. Backing up, she grabbed the machete. “Don’t come any closer. I’ll throw it. I will.”

He growled out in a gravelly tone, “Seriously doubt you have it in you, little girl.”

“Wanna bet?”

He grimaced, then stumbled to his knees with a groan before he pitched forward on his face.

Charity started to move forward, but thought maybe he could be faking it. She raised the machete and just stood there as the police cars pulled up, gravel flying as they skidded to a halt.

Officers jumped out of the vehicles, guns drawn. “Drop the knife, down on your knees.”

“I called. He killed my gardener, he tried to kill me.”

“Drop the weapon, ma’am.”

Charity dropped the knife, then slumped to the ground sobbing. One of the police officers crouched down by her side. “We know who he is. He escaped from custody three days ago. He was arrested for murder in several states. You are one lucky lady.”

Charity drew in a deep breath, and then rested limply against her damaged car. More lucky than the cops would ever know.  Now, the money was all hers.

Writerly Wednesday: Render the Tree, Capture the Forest

The latest exercise in Chapter 3 of The Making of a Story is all about capturing the details called Render the Tree, Capture the Forest.  By carefully choosing a few details, attempt to capture an entire place, a town, a city, a county.

Since I'm working on editing Eyes in the Ashes, figured my main character driving through town would be perfect for this. During the writing, quite a few new ideas sparked about the story so have to say very helpful exercise.


In the early dawn light as the clouds pearled over the redwood trees, the sheriff drove into town. He passed the bakery where Jacky usually started baking around 4:00 a.m. His stomach grumbled as sourdough and butter, cinnamon and blueberries competed with chicory and roasted espresso beans. Danny waved, loading the truck for his early morning deliveries down at the marina. All the windows along Main sparkled, shiny and clean in time for the May Day parade and the beginning of the fair.

In a couple days, the streets would be packed with folks from all over the valley. All the merchants busily preparing for the big day as they created window displays to attract every eye.

Madison books had recently updated their front window to show off local author Jeremiah Gleason’s new thriller “The Dark Gate.” His book sat on a mossy tree stump in the center, surrounded by an assortment of cookbooks, and local travel guides, ringed by greenery from the forest. Down the boardwalk, hanging plants lined the walkways with rocking chairs scattered in front of Patty’s Pizza Palace.

Next door at Four Tunes, the art studio’s front window remained covered. Sebastian and Helene, no doubt had something clever planned. He hoped they would exhibit pieces created by local artists, instead of one of their latest wacked out creations. However, they were being secretive about the whole thing.

As Greg drove the windy road, the marina came into view and reminded him of the miniature diorama displayed in the library. Jackson’s three white, tall sail masts towered above the rest of the boats. Out in the bay, the Greek’s yacht anchored for the week. The mayor had been a bit obtuse about the man and his companion. Although, now that he thought about it, how coincidental that Jackson had showed up as well. He had yet to come by the office, so now would be the perfect time to find out what the heck was going on.

He drove to the end of the pier, parked and headed down the steps to the slips. Seagulls kited above, their cries competed with the chatter and clanking of the fishermen while they offloaded their catches of the morning. As he neared Jackson’s boat, the scent of coffee overrode the moist fish laden air.

Then the man himself appeared on deck, a broad grin on his face, and a cup of steaming coffee in one hand. “You’re late.”

Greg climbed aboard and eyed his friend, took in the pinkish scar that ran down his cheek and the cane in his other hand. “So it seems and the stories of your demise have been greatly exaggerated.”