Blogging Authors Reading Project

2012 Blogging Authors Reading Project

The Blogging Authors Reading Project started a couple years ago and I'm going to continue in 2012.  I have discovered quite a few authors who blog and enjoy reading new to me authors. I have been following a few group author blogs and made it a goal to read at least one of each of their books.  Hence the Blogging Author Reading Project.  The goal is simple - to read books by authors who blog.  I'll be starting with the books I already have in the stacks since one of my goals this year is to whittle down my current TBR pile.  

My favorite site Murderati has made a few changes in the past year - lost some old favorites and added some new ones.  The current roster includes: 

Pari Noskin Taichert 

Cornelia Read 

David Corbett

Gar Anthony Haywood

Zoe Sharp

P.D. Martin

Stephen Jay Schwartz

Alex Sokoloff

J.T. Ellison

Louise Ure

From the old and current guard on Murderati, I've already read stories by Toni McGee Causey, Louise Ure,  J.D. Rhoades, Tess Gerritsen, Robert Gregory Browne, J.T. Ellison, Alex Sokoloff and Allison Brennan.  Other group blogs include The Kill Zone, Murder She Writes and The Deadline Dames.  I'll be exploring their books as well. 

Currently on the shelves and carrying over from 2011

1. Alafair Burke - Close Case 
2. Allison Brennan - Original Sin 
3. Brett Battles - Shadow of Betrayal and Sick
4. James Scott Bell - Watch your Back
5. Toni McGee Causey - When a Man Loves a Weapon    
6. Richard Doetsch's - The 13th Hour
7. Diane Emley  - The First Out
8. Susan Helene Gottfried  - Shapeshifters Demo tapes 3 
9. J.T. Ellison - Judas Kiss
10. Jayne Ann Krentz aka Jayne Castle aka Amanda Quick - Canyon of Night and Charmed
11. Kait Nolan - Red 
12. John Scalzi's of Whatever - Old Man's War

These are just a few of the blogging authors I have on the shelves.  Will most likely be adding more over the next year.

Do you follow any blogging authors?  Jump right in and join me.

A to Z Challenge by Title and Author completed

I finished the A to Z Challenge hosted by Becky of Becky's Book Reviews with just 5 days left to the year.   I committed to reading 26 books alphabetically by Title and 26 books alphabetically by Author.  It was actually kind of fun and had to get creative with a few letters but managed to find some really interesting books.  I reviewed all the books read by title but didn't quite get to the ones by authors.  Half of the books were new to me authors. 

Alphabetically by Title

A. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
B. Beatrice and Virgil - Yann Martel
C. Cinders - Michelle Davidson Argyle
D. Delirious - Daniel Palmer
E. Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynn Truss
F. Forsaken by Shadow - Kait Nolan
G. Green - Ted Dekker
H. Heatwave - Richard Castle
I.  In the Woods - Tana French
J. Janeology - Karen Harrington
K. Kiss the Moon - Carla Neggers
L. L is for Lawless - Sue Grafton
M. Murder in the Marais - Cara Black
N. Night Road - Kristin Hannah
O. Out of Time - Alton Gansky
P. Dark Prince - Christine Feehan
Q. Quicksilver - Amanda Quick
R. Riptide - Cherry Adair
S. Soulless - Gail Carriger
T. The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown
U. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture - Apostolos Doxiadis
V. Vampire's Violin - Michael Romkey
W.Worth Dying For - Lee Child
X. Mister X - John Lutz
Y. Love Me if You Must - Nicole Young
Z. Hostage Zero - John Gilstrap

Alphabetically by Author

A. Alton Gansky - The Incumbent
B. Patricia Briggs - River Marked
C. Cherry Adair - Hush
D. Debbie Macomber - Angels Everywhere
E. Elle Newmark - The Sandalwood Tree
F. Diana Pharoah Francis - Crimson Wind
G. Gary Chapman - The Five Love Languages
H. Libby Fischer Hellmann - An Eye for Murder (e-book)
I.  Irene Hannon - The Best Gift (e-book)
J. Jody Hedlund - The Preacher's Bride
K. Ben Kane - The Silver Eagle
L. Lara Adrian - Kiss of Heaven
M. Mercedes Lackey - Intrigues
N. Kim Newman - Anno Dracula
O. Tess Oliver - Camille
P. Ann Patchett - State of Wonder
Q. Amanda Quick - Quicksilver
R. Karen Rose - You Belong to Me
S. Mariah Stewart - Hometown Girl
T. Traci L. Slatton - The Botticelli Affair
U. Lisa Unger - Beautiful Lies
V. Rachel Vincent - Blood Bound
W. J.R. Ward - Dark Lover
X. Qui Xiaolong - Death of a Red Heroine
Y. Rebecca York - Shadow of the Moon
Z. Miriam Zimmer Bradley - The Forest House


Looking forward to doing it all over again in 2012.

A to Z Challenge: Uncle Petros through Hostage Zero

Mini Reviews of books U to Z for A to Z Challenge by Title

Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture by Apostolos Doxiadis is a novel of mathematical obsession.  Petros Papachristos devotes his life to trying to prove  Goldbach's Conjecture, the deceptively simple claim that every even number greater than two is the sum of two primes. It's an interesting read and if you are like me, not mathematically inclined, then you discover many mathematical forums you've never heard of, err, don't remember from school.

Michael Romkey's Vampire's Violin is about a Vampire who after centuries of living has just two passions left: blood and music. The Vampire has the voice of angels and makes anyone who plays it a master player. It disappeared many years ago. He tracks it down to a young woman in college who inherited from her grandfather who had bought off a German soldier during the war.  It had been hidden in his attic for 50 years.  Now it's come to life again and the vampire wants it back.

I just finished reading 61 hours and had to find out what happened to Jack Reacher.  He lives on, of course, in Worth Dying For by Lee Child.  He stumbles upon a town that is controlled by three evil brothers.  He's ready to move on, but decides to get involved when he drives the drunken doctor to treat the broken nose of the wife of one of the brothers.  After he breaks the nose of the brother, because he doesn't like wife beaters, he gets involved in an old missing child case and he just won't let go until it's solved.

John Lutz's  Mister X is about a chilling serial killer who slices his victims throats, then carves an X in their chest.  The killings stopped 5 years ago and recently another victim with the same mo has surfaced.  And Detective Frank Quinn is asked to investigate by the twin sister of one of the victims.   The story is full of twists and turns, chock full of action and just when you think you got it figured out and know who the killer is, you realize you don't.

Nicole Young's Love Me if You Must is book one in the Patricia Amble Mystery Series.  Patricia is a ditzy gal who falls in love at the drop of a hat, has a history she doesn't want revealed and thinks there is a dead woman buried in the basement of the house she just purchased to renovate.  She is easily startled and screams alot.  Reminded me of a B movie.

John Gilstrap's Hostage Zero is a non stop thriller.  Two boys are kidnapped from a boarding school that houses kids for incarcerated parents. Both are drugged - one is left to die in a field somewhere and the other taken for a helicopter ride to who knows where.  Jonathan 'Digger' Graves and his team set out to rescue the boys and run into a government conspiracy that may just finally get him killed. 

A to Z Challenge: Dark Prince through The Weird Sisters

Mini Reviews for books I've read for the A to Z Challenge 

Christine Feehan's The Dark Prince is the first book in the Dark series about an ancient race of Carpathians in modern times. Basically vampires who don't kill.  Michael the prince is tired of life and about to step into the sun when Raven, a telepathic hunter of serial killers speaks to him in his mind and makes him want to live.  The characters are very intense and emotional and the writing is along the same lines as how Dracula was written.  There are 22 books in the series. I tried a couple more and gave up. Too over the top for me. I'll stick to her Ghostwalker series. 

Amanda Quick aka Jayne Ann Krentz's Quicksilver is book # 11 in her Arcane Society Series which are set in the past, present and future. This particular story is set in the late Victorian England. Virginia Dean is a glass reader and can see what has happened in the past through whatever glass was in the room at the time.  Owen Sweetwater and  the Arcane Society think her magic is a ruse.  However, it just may come in handy in solving a murder.   

Cherry Adair's Riptide is book two is her Cutter cay series.  Princess Bria Visconti is trying to convince Nick Cutter of Cutter Salvage group to refund the money her bankrupt prince brother invested in a treasure dive.  Little does she know she walking into the middle of a dangerous situation.  Once you start reading, you won't want to put it down. The story is action packed, fast paced and full of twists and turns.  You never quite know who to trust. 

Soulless is Gail Carriger's first book in her Parasol Protectorate series and is my first foray into steampunk.  I thoroughly enjoyed it.  Set in Victorian London,  the main character Alexia is charming, amusing and gets into all kinds of trouble.  Mix in werewolves, vampires and Victorian high society and morays and it makes one entertaining story. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Eleanor Brown's The Weird Sisters was quite an interesting read. The three Andreas Sisters are all adults now and have returned home to help take care of their ill mother.  They all have issues and the story is one of them actually growing up finally, taking responsibility for their lives and making peace with each other.  Relationship stories usually aren't my cup of tea, however the sisters grow on you.  Brown does an excellent job of creating three distinct, yet flawed women who end up balancing each other out.  Well worth the read.  
(and yes, just this once I'm using The for my t book)

2012 Read 52 books in 52 Weeks

For the fourth year in a row I am hosting the Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks reading challenge.  I am having so much fun with this challenge, coming up with weekly posts about books, books and more books.  This past year I've enjoyed exploring different themes and introducing folks to books they never considered reading before.  

The goal is to read one book (at least) a week for 52 weeks. It can either be easy and casual or kick it up by exploring new authors and genres. I enjoy discovering new authors.  There are several mini challenges to make it fun which include: 

12 in 2012: Read 12 books in 12 different categories

A to Z challenge: Read books alphabetically by title and/or author.

Jane Austen: Read all things Jane Austen

Mind Voyages: Explore the hugo and nebula winners, take side trips through the different decades reading the nominees.

Well Educated Mind: Explore the classics in five categories: Fiction, Autobiography, History/Politics, Drama and Poetry.

To sign up and find out more, check out Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks. 

Row80 Mid Week Check in: plugging away

 Despite the fact I've had a cold and finally getting over it, I've managed to do another 10,000 words for a total of 60,000 words on my current wip - Blue Steel.  Hubby has been very supportive of my personal nano bootcamp efforts and encouraging me to keep up with my word count.  He's a keeper.  I'm getting a good handle on my characters.   Throwing all kinds of things their way to mess with them and handle.  I did some additional brainstorming and almost gave myself a panic attack thinking this is getting too complicated.  Then I took a deep breath, reminded myself it is a rough draft and to keep plugging away. As long as it isn't stalled and I'm not writing in circles, I'm happy.The story is progressing.  

My goals are simple:  continue 1667 words a day and take off my blinders and visit and comment on 5 blogs a day.  As you can see my internal editor is still on vacation.  Way too many ands.  

How is everyone else fairing with their goals?  

Reading wise

I'm in the midst of finishing the a to z reading challenge. Have completely given up on the books I had planned on reading for Fall reading Challenge.  Don't know why I just didn't plan on the books for a to z.  With 15 days left to go, let's just say I'm revising the list.  *grin*

Also I'm working on the 2012 Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks Reading Challenge.  Will be coming up with some new mini challenges within the challenge and revamping the website for the new year. Will be announcing sign ups in the next week or two. 

Happy Reading!   Off to do some Christmas decorating. 

2011 What's in a Name Challenge Completed

Rah Rah, zisk boom bah!   I completed the What's in a Name 4 challenge hosted by Best Fish Reads. The goal was to read 6 books in the following categories: 

1. A book with a number in the title: The Fifth Servant - Kenneth Wishnia
2. A book with jewelry or a gem in the title: Red Heart of Jade - Marjorie M Liu
3. A book with a size in the title: Long Gone - Alafair Burke
   
4. A book with travel or movement in the title: Heat Wave - Richard Castle
5. A book with evil in the title: Secrets of the Demon - Diana Rowland 
6. A book with a life stage in the title: Wild Man Creek - Robyn Carr

Check out what other folks read here.  Thank you to Candace of Beth Fish Reads for hosting such a fun challenge. Looking forward to the 2012 What's in a Name 5 and figuring out which books to read. 

Novemberish wrapup: Writing and reading mania

November has been a month of balancing my time and energy.  You'd think after 30 days of NaNoWriMo, I would be ready to take a break. But no...I'm still deep into my story "Blue Steel" and eager to push on and finish it.  Although I think both Father and James are glad the month is over.  It's been a month of blank looks, uh huh's and late dinners while I'd write, then push to type all my scribblings up in order to make sure I'm keeping up.  I'm going try and keep the same momentum going with the writing, push for the 1600 words or at least 5 written pages a day and finish the story by the end of December.  That way I can start the year fresh and dive into outlining and editing and researching.  

I had a plan during the month of November to read unputdownable books so that I wouldn't get caught up in a story at breakfast time, decide to keep reading and then find my writing time had completely disappeared.  I soon discovered, I rarely choose books that are unputdownable.  *grin*    So I ramped up the willpower and used them as rewards for making my daily goals.   The books I read during the month were:

1. The Next Always - Nora Roberts
2. Soulless - Gail Carriger
3. Waking the Witch - Kelley Armstrong
4. The Whisper - Carla Neggers (E-Book)
5. The Immortals - J.T. Ellison 
6. Warning Signs - C.J. Lyons (e-book)
7. The Memory Collector - Meg Gardner
8. 61 Hours - Lee Child
9. The Immortals - J.T. Ellison
10. Seal of My Dreams anthology - Cindy Gerard, et all
11. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture - Apostolos Doxiadis
12. Blood Bound - Rachel Vincent
13. Beautiful Lies - Lisa Unger
14. Vampire's Violin - Michael Romkey
15. Worth Dying For - Lee Child

I did find myself slowing down a bit, analyzing, absorbing their writing styles, picking out what I liked and didn't, learning as I read and finding I could still enjoy the story in the process.  I also acquired some fabulous writing books and during December will be putting together my list of craft books to study during 2012.    

I've picked out the remaining books to read to finish the A to Z challenge and just have x, y, and z to complete.  For X I found Death of a Red Heroine by Qui Xialolong and Mister X by John Lutz.  For Y Shadow of the Moon by Rebecca York and Year Zero by Jeff Long.  Z is Hostage Zero by John Gilstrap and Riders of the Purple Sage by Zane Grey.  Wish me luck.


Time to get back to normal or as near normal as possible. See you around the Blogosphere!

2012 Reading Challenges

Josephine Wall's Harp Angel

It is that time of year again when everyone is announcing their reading challenges for next year. Keeping it simply for 2012 and joining in on just a few.  

Beth Fish Reads What's In a Name challenge is always fun and has interesting categories:

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following:

1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: (ie: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley)
2. A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: (ie:   Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas)
3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: (ie: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm)
4. A book with a type of house in the title: (ie: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House)
5. A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: (ie:  Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary)
6. A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: (ie: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking) 

Jackie of Literary Escapism's New Authors Reading challenge which is all about exploring new authors.  My goal will be to read 25.

Random Widget for now   :)

Whether Becky hosts the A to Z Challenge, someone else decides too or I just go it alone, I will be doing it again for 2012 and reading 26 alphabetically by Author and 26 alphabetically by Title. 

Which all works in with my Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks reading challenge I will be hosting again and my Blogging Authors reading project for 2012. 

Lots of new and interesting Reading Challenges for 2012.  Be sure to check them out at A Novel Challenges which Brianna of  The Book Vixen and her helpful gang of book elves have taken over.

What challenges are you joining for 2012?

TLC Book Tour: Hometown Girl by Mariah Stewart

Hometown Girl

By

Mariah Stewart 

Back cover: " Life was always just about perfect for Brooke Madison Bowers. She was the prettiest, most popular girl in small-town St. Dennis, Maryland, a prom queen, local pageant star, and the pride and joy of her loving parents. She even married the man of her dreams. But the promise of happily ever after fell to pieces when her husband was killed while serving in Iraq. Brokenhearted and longing for the solace of better days, she returns to the idyllic world of St. Dennis, and the familiar comfort of the family farm. Surrounded by her loving family and friends, she’s determined to build a new life, complete with her own cupcake bakery. She’s equally determined never to fall in love again.

For Jesse Enright, life has been a challenge. A fourth-generation attorney, he’s spent his life fighting to escape the shadow of his irresponsible father. Now he’s moved to St. Dennis to run the family law practice, and he’s ready to find the right girl, get married, and settle down. But his carefully laid plans go out the window when he meets Brooke and finds himself caught between the unbreakable law of attraction and Brooke’s resolve to go her way alone—despite the undeniable feelings Jesse stirs in her. But just like catching lightning in a bottle, is it possible to fall head-over-heels, heart-and-soul in love all over again?"

Hometown Girl is the fourth book in Mariah Stewart's Chesapeake Diaries series.  I love the fictional little town of St. Dennis, Maryland in Chesapeake Bay and the characters that reside there.  The series takes us back to the cozy little town from her murder mystery Last Words. (excellent story, part of the Lost series, and well worth reading as well.) 

After losing her husband two years before, Brooke is working hard to be a good mom to her 8 year old son, finish her Bachelor's Degree and get her cupcake business off the ground.  She's dated off and on since her husband died, but never one man more than once.   Jessie has always liked her but never made a move. According to her brother Clay, if she's pursued, she'll walk away.  Wait for her to ask him out.  When she comes to him for help with her will, he arranges it so their meetings are during lunch time or dinner.  He's prepared to be patient and win her over without scaring her off.  We also get to see Dallas and Grant and Steffie and Wade finally marry.  The book is perfect as a standalone, but you'll want to read the first three to really get the flavor of the characters and the quaint, cozy town of St. Dennis. Hopefully you'll end up loving them as much as I do.  And be sure to check out Mariah Stewart's other books including Mercy Street and FBI Series. 

Thank you to Lisa and TLC BookTour's for asking me to be a part of the tour, the publisher for providing a courtesy copy of the book and Mariah Stewart for writing another wonderful installment of the Chesapeake Diaries series.  Check out what the rest of the folks on the tour had to say.

Read an Excerpt here

2011 Books completed

2011 Book List

Post rotates to the first of the month every month

I will be keeping track of the books I read for 2011 in this post.   Posts with links lead to my review of the book. Reviews may be posted later than when finished the book.

1. Safe and Sound - J.D. Rhoades
2. Tiger Eye (Dirk and Steele series #1) Marjorie M Lui 
3. Shadow Touch (Dirk and Steele Series #2)  Marjorie M. Liu 
4. Secrets of the Demon (Kara Gillian Series)  Diana Rowland
5. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy
6. Red Heart of Jade - (Dirk and Steele #3) - Marjorie M. Liu
7. Beatrice and Virgil - Yann Martell
8. Cinders - Michelle Davidson Argyle
9. Delirious - Daniel Palmer
10. The Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman  (nf)  
11. The Tenant of Wildfell Hall - Anne Bronte
12. An Eye for Murder - Libby Fischer Hellmann (e-book) 
13. Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynne Truss (nf)  
14. Full Mortality - Sasscer Hill (dnf) 
15. Forsaken by Shadow - Kait Nolan
16. Wild Man Creek (Virgin River Series # 12) - Robyn Carr
17. Wild Rain (Leopard Series #2) - Christine Feehan (e-book)
18. The Fifth Servant -  Kenneth Wishnia
19. Green - Ted Dekker 
20. Heatwave - Richard Castle 
21. Devil's Eye - Kait Nolan  (e-book)
22. Night Shift (Jill Kismet Series #1) - Lilith Saintcrow (e-book) 
23. In The Woods - Tana French
24. Angelology - Danielle Trussoni
25. The Incumbent - Alton Gansky  (e-book)
26. River Marked - Patricia Briggs
27. Angels Everywhere tale 1  A Season of Angels - Debbie Macomber (ebook) 
28. Angels Everywhere tale 2  Touched by Angels - Debbie Macomber (ebook) 
29. Hush Money - Susan Bischoff  (ebook)
30. Harvest Moon - Robin Carr
31. A Man Called Outlaw - K.M. Weiland
32. Bond with Me - Anne Marsh (ebook)  
33. The Teachable Moment  - Rebecca Branstetter (nf - ebook) 
34. Almost Home - Mariah Stewart (TLC Tour)  
35. Chasing Fire - Nora Roberts  
36. Unclean Spirits - M.L. N. Hanover (e-book)  
37. Darker Angels - M.L.N. Hanover (e-book) 
38. The Sandlewood Tree - Elle Newmark 
39. Hush - Cherry Adair
40. Face of Danger -Roxanne St. Claire (e-book)
41. Shiver of Fear - Roxanne St. Claire (e-book)
42. Undertow - Cherry Adair  (e-book)
43. Treachery in Death - J.D. Robb
    
44. Ruthless Games #8 - Christine Feehan
45. Crimson Wind - Diana Pharaoh Francis
46. The Best Gift (#1 Sisters and Brides) - Irene Hannon(ebook)
47. Gift From The Heart (#2 Sisters and Brides) - Irene Hannon (ebook)
    
48. The Unexpected Gift (#3 Sisters and Brides) - Irene Hannon (ebook)
49. Janeology - Karen Harrington
50. The Preacher's Bride - Jody Hedlund
51. Kiss the Moon - Carla Neggers
52. Shadow Game #1 - Christine Feehan (ebook)
53. Mind Game (Ghostwalkers #2) - Christine Feehan (e-book)
54.  Eye of Heaven (Dirk and Steele Series # 5) - Marjorie M. Liu (ebook)
55. The Perfect Poison (arcane series) - Amanda Quick (ebook)
56.  The Silver Eagle - Ben Kane
57.  Kiss of Heaven (midnight breed series) - Lara Adrian (ebook) 
58.  Adventures of Huckleberry Finn - Mark Twain (Class)
59. The Last Twilight (Dirk and Steele series #7 - Marjorie M. Lui (e-book)
60. Styx's Storm (breed series) - Lora Leigh
61. Night Game (Ghostwalkers #3)- Christine Feehan (ebook)
62. Conspiracy Game ( Ghostwalkers #4) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
63. Deadly Game (Ghostwalkers # 5) - Christine Feehan (Ebook)
64. Predatory Game (Ghostwalkers # 6) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
65. Murder Game (Ghostwalkers # 7) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
66. Street Game (Ghostwalkers # 8) - Christine Feehan) 
67. Beach Lane - Sherryl Woods 
68. An Unsocial Socialist - George Bernard Shaw 
69. Kiss of Midnight #1 (Midnight Breed Series) - Lara Adrian (ebook)
70. Kiss of Crimson #2 - Lara Adrian (ebook)
71. Midnight Awakening #3 - Lara Adrian (Ebook)
72. Midnight Rising #4 - lara Adrian (ebook)
73. Veil of Midnight #5 - Lara Adrian (ebook) 
74. Ashes of Midnight #6 - Lara Adrian (ebook)
75. Shades of Midnight # 7 - Lara Adrian (ebook)
76. Taken by Midnight # 8 - Lara Adrian (ebook)
77. Deeper Than Midnight #9 - Lara Adrian (ebook)
78. Navarro's Promise - Lora Leigh
79. Savage Nature - Christine Feehan
80. Before I Go To Sleep - S.J. Watson
81. The Wild Road (Dirk and Steele #8) - Marjore M. Liu (ebook)
82. In the Dark of Dreams (Dirk and Steele) - Marjorie M. Liu  (ebook)
83. Changeling Moon - Dani Harper
84. Changeling Dream - Dani Harper 
85. Vicious Grace (Black Son's Daughter #3) - M.L.N. Hanover (ebook)
86. Midnight Crystal (Arcane Society) - Jayne Castle (ebook)
87. Just over the Mountain (Grace Valley series) - Robyn Carr  (ebook)
88. Deep in the Valley (Grace Valley series) - Robyn Carr (ebook)
89. Down by the River (Grace Valley series) - Robyn Carr  (ebook)
90. L is for Lawless - Sue Grafton  (ebook)
91. Thicker than Blood - C.J. Darlington (ebook)
92. Magic to the Bone (Allie Beckstrom series) - Devon Monk  (ebook)
93. Intrigues - Mercedes Lackey
94. With No Remorse - Cindy Gerard  (ebook)
95. Back in Black - Lori Foster (ebook)
96. A Rocky Path - Lauralynn Elliott  (ebook)
97. Live Wire - Lora Leigh  (ebook)
98. The Fury (short story) - Claudia LeFeve  (ebook)
99. Shadow Touch (short story) - Erin Kellison  (ebook)
100. Altar of Eden - James Rollins (ebook)
101. Always Watching - Brandilyn Collins (ebook)
102. Sealed with a Kiss - Mary Daughtridge (ebook)
103. Anno Dracula - Tess Newman 
104. Camille - Tess Oliver (ebook)
105. County Line - Bill Cameron (ebook)
106. Everything Beautiful Began After - Simon Van Booy
107. Giving Chase #1 - Lauren Dane (ebook)
108. Taking Chase #2 - Lauren Dane (ebook)
109. Chased - #3 - Lauren Dane (ebook)
110. Murder in the Marais - Cara Black
111. Making Chase #4 - Lauren Dane (ebook)
112. When You Dare #1 - Lori Foster
113. Trace of Fever #2 - Lori Foster 
114. Savor the Danger #3 - Lori Foster
115. Night Road - Kristen Hannah
116. Verity (cursed 1) - Claire Farrell (ebook) 
117. Guilty Pleasures (#1 Anita Blake Vampire) - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
118. The Laughing Corpse #2 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
119. Circus of the Damned #3 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
120. The Lunatic Cafe #4 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
121. Bloody Bones #5 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
122. The Killing Dance # 6 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
123. Out of Time - Alton Gansky
124. Burnt Offerings #7 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
125. Blue Moon #8 -Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
126. State of Wonder - Ann Patchett
127. Obsidian Butterfly #9 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
128. Narcissus in Chains # 10 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
129. Cerulean Sins # 11 - Laurell K. Hamilton(e-book) 
130. Monarch - Michelle Davidson Argyle 
131. Incubus Dreams #12 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
132. Micah# 13 (novella) - Laurell K. Hamilton  (e-book)
133. Danse Macbre #14 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
134. The Harlequin #15 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
135. Blood Noir #16 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
136. Skin Trade #17 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
137. Flirt #18 (novella) - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
138. Bullett #19 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
139. Hit List #20 - Laurell K. Hamilton  (e-book)
140. A Kiss of Shadows #1 Merry Gentry Series - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
141. A Caress of Twilight #2 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
142. Seduced by Moonlight #3 - Laurell K. Hamilton (e-book)
143. A Stroke of Midnight #4 - Laurell K.Hamilton  (e-book)
144. Mistral's Kiss #5 - Laurell K. Hamilton  (e-book)
145. A Lick of Frost #6 - Laurell K. Hamilton  (e-book)
146. Swallowing Darkness # 7 - Laurell K. Hamilton  (e-book)
147. Divine Misdemeanors #8 - Laurell K. Hamilton  (e-book)
148. A Heart Revealed - Julie Lessman
149. Tea and Destiny - Sherryl Woods
150. Light the Stars - Raeanne Thayne 
151. You Belong to Me - Karen Rose
152. Crave (fallen angels series #2) - J.R. Ward (e-book)
153. An Obrien Family Christmas - Sherryl Woods (ebook)
154. Angel's Blood (Guild hunter #1) - Nalini Singh (ebook)
155. Archangel's Kiss (GH#2) - Nalini Singh (ebook)
156. Archangel's Consort (GH3) - Nalini Singh (ebook)
157. Archangel's Blade (GH4) - Nalini Singh (ebook) 
158. An Instance of the Fingerpost - Iain Pears 
159. New York to Dallas (In Death #33) - J.D. Robb
160. Dark Prince (Dark Series #1) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
161. Dark Desire (Dark #2) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
162. Dark Gold (Dark # 3) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
163. Dark Magic (Dark # 4) - Christine Feehan (ebook)
164. Quicksilver - Amanda Quick (e-book)  
     
165. Heart of the Witch - Alicia Dean
166. Fatal Judgement - Irene Hannon
167. Riptide - Cherry Adair
168. The Botticelli Affair by Traci L. Slatton
169. Hometown Girl - Mariah Stewart 
170. Mercy Burns (Myth and Magic #2) - Keri Arthur 
171. Dracula - Bram Stoker
172. Outlining Your Novel - K.M. Weiland
173. The Mist - Carla Neggers 
174. The Next Always - Nora Roberts
175. Soulless - Gail Carriger
176. The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown
177. Waking the Witch - Kelley Armstrong
178. The Whisper - Carla Neggers (E-Book)
179. The Immortals - J.T. Ellison 
180. Warning Signs - C.J. Lyons (e-book)
181. The Memory Collector - Meg Gardner
182. 61 Hours - Lee Child
183. The Immortals - J.T. Ellison
184. Seal of My Dreams anthology - Cindy Gerard, et all
185. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture 
186. Blood Bound - Rachel Vincent
187. Beautiful Lies - Lisa Unger
188. Vampire's Violin - Michael Romkey
189. Worth Dying For - Lee Child
190. Death of the Red Heroine - Qui Xiaolong 
191. Dark Lover - J.R. Ward 
192. Mister X - John Lutz 
193. Within the Flames (Dirk and Steele) - Marjorie Liu
194. Love Me If You Must - Nicole Young
195. Shadow of the Moon - Rebecca York 
196. Bring Me Home for Christmas - Robyn Carr
197. Hostage Zero - John Gilstrap
198. The Forest House - Miriam Zimmer Bradley 
199. An Irish Country Doctor - Patrick Taylor  
200. The Mortal Bone (Hunter Kiss #4) - Marjorie Liu

2011 Reading Challenges

Fairy Bubbles by Josephine Wall

It's that time of year when all the reading challenges are being announced for next year. I won't be going challenge crazy again for the new year.  I'm limiting myself to three or four (or try to) and will be instituting another buying ban until I've read the majority of my TBR Pile. Books in italics are ideas for the challenges.  The challenges I will be joining are 

Beth Fish Reads "What's In a Name 4"

The goal is between January 1 and December 31, 2011, read one book in each of the following categories:   Completed

1. A book with a number in the title: The Fifth Servant - Kenneth Wishnia
2. A book with jewelry or a gem in the title: Red Heart of Jade - Marjorie M Liu
3. A book with a size in the title: Long Gone - Alafair Burke
4. A book with travel or movement in the title: Heat Wave - Richard Castle
5. A book with evil in the title: Secrets of the Demon - Diana Rowland
6. A book with a life stage in the title: Wild Man Creek - Robyn Carr

Carrie's Ireland Reading Challenge

The challenge runs from January 1 through November 31 and the goal is to read books  written by an Irish author, or set in Ireland, or involving Irish history or Irish characters, Fiction, non-fiction, poetry, audiobooks and children’s books apply.

The committment levels are:  Shamrock level  with 2 books, Luck o’ the Irish level  with 4 books or Kiss the Blarney Stone level with 6 books.  I'm going with the Shamrock Level.

Completed the Luck o the Irish Level

1. In The Woods - Tana French
2. Treachery in Death - J.D. Robb
3. Dracula - Bram Stoker
4. New York to Dallas - J.D. Robb

Jackie of Literary Escapism's New Authors Challenge

The challenge runs through the end of the year and the goal is to read authors that are new to you.  The choices are 15, 25 or 50 books and I'll be going with 15. Completed

1. An Eye for Murder - Libby Fischer Hellmann
2. Delirious - Daniel Palmer
3. Five Love Languages - Gary Chapman
4. the Tenant of WildFell Hall - Anne Bronte
5. Forsaken By Shadow - Kait Nolan
6. Fifth Servant - Kenneth Wishnia
7. Heatwave - Richard Castle
8. Night Shift - Lilith Saintcrow
9. In The Woods - Tana French
10. Hush Money - Susan Bischoff
11. A Man Called Outlaw - K.M Weiland
12. Ann Marsh - Bond with Me
13. The Teachable Moment  - Rebecca Branstetter (nf - ebook)
14. The Sandlewood Tree - Elle Newmark
15. Unclean Spirits - M.L. N. Hanover (e-book) 

Florinda of The 3 R's Blog

Completed

1.  Safe and Sound - J.D. Rhoades
2.  Cinders - Michelle Davidson Argyle
3.  Forsaken by Shadow - Kait Nolan
4.  Green - Ted Dekker
5.  Night Shift - Lilith Saintcrow
6.  Susan Bischoff - Hush Money
7. A Man Called Outlaw - K.M Weiland
8.  The Preacher's Bride - Jody Hedlund
9.  Janeology - Karen Harrington
10. The Perfect Poison - Amanda Quick
11. Thicker than Blood - C.J. Darlington
12. Midnight Crystal (Arcane Society #9) - Castle

 

A to Z Challenge with Becky

Completed

Titles: Alphabetically by Title - 26 books

 A. Anna Karenina - Leo Tolstoy

B. Beatrice and Virgil - Yann Martel

C. Cinders - Michelle Davidson Argyle

D. Delirious - Daniel Palmer

E. Eats, Shoots and Leaves - Lynn Truss
F. Forsaken by Shadow - Kait Nolan

G. Green - Ted Dekker

H. Heatwave - Richard Castle

I.  In the Woods - Tana French

J. Janeology - Karen Harrington

K. Kiss the Moon - Carla Neggers

L. L is for Lawless - Sue Grafton

M. Murder in the Marais - Cara Black

N. Night Road - Kristin Hannah

O. Out of Time - Alton Gansky

P. Dark Prince - Christine Feehan

Q. Quicksilver - Amanda Quick

R. Riptide - Cherry Adair

S. Soulless - Gail Carriger

T. The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown

U. Uncle Petros and Goldbach's Conjecture - Apostolos Doxiadis

V. Vampire's Violin - Michael Romkey

W.Worth Dying For - Lee Child

X. Mister X - John Lutz

Y. Love Me if You Must - Nicole Young

Z. Hostage Zero - John Gilstrap

Authors:  Alphabetically by Authors - 26 Books

A.  Alton Gansky - The Incumbent
B.  Patricia Briggs - River Marked
C.  Cherry Adair - Hush
D.  Debbie Macomber - Angels Everywhere
E . Elle Newmark - The Sandalwood Tree
F.  Diana Pharoah Francis - Crimson Wind
G. Gary Chapman - The Five Love Languages  
H.  Libby Fischer Hellmann - An Eye for Murder  (e-book)
I.   Irene Hannon - The Best Gift (e-book)
J.  Jody Hedlund - The Preacher's Bride
K.  Ben Kane - The Silver Eagle
L.  Lara Adrian - Kiss of Heaven
M.  Mercedes Lackey - Intrigues
N.  Kim Newman - Anno Dracula
O. Tess Oliver - Camille
P.  Ann Patchett - State of Wonder
Q.  Amanda Quick - Quicksilver
R.  Karen Rose - You Belong to Me
S.  Mariah Stewart - Hometown Girl
T.  Traci L. Slatton - The Botticelli Affair
U.  Lisa Unger - Beautiful Lies
V.  Rachel Vincent - Blood Bound
W. J.R. Ward - Dark Lover
X. Qui Xiaolong - Death of a Red Heroine
Y  Rebecca York - Shadow of the Moon
Z.  Miriam Zimmer Bradley - The Forest House