Tag Archives: Someone buys too many books

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #18: Is it 2013 yet?

30 Nov

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the Week What are the Top 5 Books that you are looking forward to in 2013?

Apologies, folks! I haven’t been around for a while, and I haven’t done one of these follows for ages, but this looked like a good one to join in on.

Obviously, my first must-buy for 2013 will be Lover At Last by J.R. Ward. I know a lot of people are really looking forward to March when it comes out.

I can’t wait for Unravel Me by Tahereh Mafi, because Shatter Me was one of my fave books this year. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Julie James is another auto-buy, so Love, Irresistibly is expected to be really good.

I don’t have the cover for it yet, but Burned by Karen Marie Moning should be good. I haven’t read Iced yet – it isn’t available here, much to my annoyance – but this series is pure win and you can’t have enough Barrons or Ryodan.

And my number five, again with no cover yet, is Painting by Numbers by Jasper Fforde. The first book in this series, Shades of Grey, was amazing!

What about you? What are you looking forward to in 2013? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

Teaser: Iced, by Karen Marie Moning

23 Jun

You all know how much of a fan of Jericho Barrons I am – *swoon* – so I was super-excited to see Karen Marie Moning had posted a wee teaser for her upcoming continuation of the Fever series, Iced, on her Facebook page yesterday. Iced is going to be the first in a trilogy based on Dani and featuring Christian MacKeltar and the mysterious Ryodan – and I hope JZB makes lots of appearances!

Here’t the teaser:

Ryodan doesn’t like Mac. He never has. She got between him and his best boy-bud. I give him a look. “I’ll tell you a secret, Ryodan. You mess with her, Barrons’ll kill you.” I drag a finger across my neck. “Just like that. You aren’t all that. Barrons’ll stomp your ass, hand’s down.”

He smiles faintly. “I’ll be damned. You have a crush on Barrons.”

“I do not have a crush—”

“You do, too. It’s all over your face. Anybody could see it.”

“Sometimes, boss, you’re just wrong.”

“I’m never wrong. You might as well take out a billboard. ‘Dani O’Malley thinks Jericho Barrons is hot.’ My offer to teach you is still open. Save you from future embarrassment. If I can see it on your face, he can, too.”

“He never figured it out before,” I grumble then realize I just admitted it. Ryodan has a tricky way of wording things that makes you say things you didn’t mean to say. “Maybe I’ll ask Barrons to teach me,” I mutter and turn away from the stairs, heading for his office. I run smack into his chest. “Dude, move. Trying to get somewhere here.”

“No one but me is ever going to teach you, Dani.”

He touches me before I see it coming, has his hand under my chin, turning my face up. My shiver is instant and uncontrollable.

“That’s non-negotiable. You signed a contract with me that grants exclusivity. You won’t like it if you try to break it.”

Ooh, me likey :) Iced is expected to be published on October 30.

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow #2

4 Mar

18 & Over Book Blogger Follow is a weekly feature that runs over the weekend, hosted by Crystal from one of my favourite blog sites, Reading Between the Wines.

Question of the week: If you could get an early look at one of March’s releases, raw and pre-edits, which book would it be?

Oh, this is so tough! There are two books coming out on March 27 which are part of some of my most favourite series, and I can’t decide between them!

The obvious choice is Lover Reborn, by J.R. Ward. I have been an avid reader of this series for a couple of years, and Tohrment’s book promises to be one which may polarise Ward’s fans. I’ve seen some spoilers and am not really sure what to expect. I’ve pre-ordered it, though, and am keen to read what happens to one of my favourite Brothers as soon as it hits my Kindle.

I love Tohr, but I think I love Terrible just as much, so I would have to say I’m hugely impatient to read Sacrificial Magic by Stacia Kane. The end of the last book was so brilliant and I can’t wait to read Chess and Terrible together as a couple.

Was that a copout? Sorry, but I just can’t choose!

So what about you? What book can you not wait to get your hands on this month? Leave a comment below or link up HERE to follow the meme.

2012 Reading Challenges

5 Jan

The new year has begun, so of course I have been madly signing up for new reading challenges. The first two are old friends – ones I signed up for last year and managed to complete – but then I saw some new ones and thought… well, you know!

Last year I managed to completely outdo myself and read 129 books, so to outdo myself in 2012 I will have to manage 130 or more. That seems rather daunting, but I hope I can make it.

Here are The Book Vixen’s competition rules, and if you want to join me you can sign up HERE:

Details:

  • Runs January 1, 2012 – December 31, 2012 (books read prior to 1/1/12 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime. Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
  • The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2012 than you did in 2011. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
  • Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
  • Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
  • Grab the reading challenge button and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate; you could track your progress on Goodreads or LibraryThing.

 

Levels:

     Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
     Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
     Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
     I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

So I will be aiming to get my heart rate up. Anything more than that will be seriously amazing!

I just love Book Chick City‘s pink hair! Her fun logos just make me want to join her in whatever challenge she has going, so I’m signing on for her Mystery and Suspense one again this year.

Here are the details, and if you want to join me the link is HERE:

Challenge Details
• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012
• Rules: There are TWO LEVELS you can choose from:

- Read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2012
- Read TWENTY FOUR (24) mystery & suspense novels in 2012

• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.
• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

• You can choose from the numerous sub-genres of mystery and suspense, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I’m sure this challenge will have something for everyone! :) To help you figure out and decide, I have updated a sub-genre list – to view this list go HERE.

Last year I managed 22 mysteries and thrillers, so I’m going to choose the option to read 12 this year. If I do more, then that’s a bonus.

Since I managed 129 books last year, and am aiming for 130 this year, I thought I could also sign up to Book Chick City’s 100+ Books in  Year challenge.

To join me in this one, click HERE.

Challenge Details
• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012
• Rules: Read 100+ books in 2012 (any genre)
• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• At the beginning of Jan 2012, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• Only fiction, no non-fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

I read a reasonable amount of Urban Fantasy, so I was a sucker for this one. And I love the logo!

To join me in this challenge, click HERE.

Challenge Details
• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012
• There are two levels:

- Read TWENTY FOUR (24)  horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012
- Read FORTY EIGHT (48) horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012

• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join the challenge at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.

• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• No non-fiction – only fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

I’m aiming for 24 UF books.
Likewise, I read a lot – A LOT – of paranormal romance these days, so this was a no-brainer. And again the logo is too cute to ignore!
Join me in this challenge HERE.
Challenge Details
• Timeline: 01 Jan 2012 – 31 Dec 2012
• Rules: There are FOUR (4) LEVELS to choose from:

- One Sexy Demon: Read 6 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

 - Two Sexy Werewolves: Read 12 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

- Three Sexy Vampires: Read 18 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

- Four Sexy Archangels: Read 24 Speculative Romance novels in 2012

• You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
• You can join at anytime. All books read in 2012 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.
• Audiobooks do not count, but all other formats are accepted.

• Only fiction, no non-fiction.

• This challenge can crossover to other challenges.

 GENRES:

- Paranormal romance
- Dark fantasy romance
- Urban fantasy romance
- Steampunk romance
- Sci-fi romance
- Apocalyptic romance

In my opinion as long as the main plot line is the romance element then you’re good to go! Also remember, this is ‘speculative‘ romance so no historical or contemporary allowed ;)

I think I can probably manage to read to the archangel level – we shall see!
Finally, this one seemed appropriate. I found out about it through Book Chick City but it is hosted by Literary Escapism. I have been trying a whole lot of new authors lately, often debut writers but sometimes just ones who are new to me. This seemed like a good challenge to join to keep note of them.
Join me in this challenge HERE.

Here are the guidelines:

  1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012.
  2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels.  Anthologies are a great way to try someone new, but only a third of your new authors can be from anthologies.
  3. I want this to be an easy challenge, so you can pick to do either 15, 25 or 50 new authors.  It all depends on how fast you read and how adventurous you want to be.  If you reach your goal halfway through the year, don’t stop. Any new author you try, go ahead and head back here and add it to the list.  Introduce us all to whoever you find.  Afterall, there’s no reason to stop trying new authors, right?

I’ll start off with 15, although I suspect I might manage 25 before the end of the year.

What do you think? Too ambitious? Only time will tell :) I will update my progress in the Reading Challenges pages on my menu bar as I go.

Update: Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge 2011

2 Jan

Happy New Year, everyone! Well, I’m done with my 2011 reading challenges, and have surpassed my expectations – and those of the challenge rules – by quite a bit over the last year!

I read a lot of the mystery/thriller genre, so this challenge was ideal for me. Book Chick City‘s rules were:

  • Timeline: 01 Jan 2011 – 31 Dec 2011
  • Rules: To read TWELVE (12) mystery & suspense novels in 2011 (12 is the minimum but you can read more if you wish!)
  • You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
  • You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.
  • At the beginning of Jan 2011, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews. There will be a monthly prize too courtesy of the lovely Simon & Schuster – you must be signed up to the challenge and add the link to your review to be entered into the monthly prize draw.
Now, there are many different sub-genres of mystery and suspense – you can choose from the numerous sub-genres, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or romantic suspense written by the likes of Linda Howard, forensic crime such as those written by Kathy Reichs and even paranormal/supernatural suspense such as Kelley Armstrong. I’m sure this challenge will have something for everyone!

I was lucky enough to win one of the monthly prizes – Deadly Intent by Lynda La Plante, so thank you very much Book Chick City and Simon & Schuster for the prize.

So here are my books and the links to my reviews. I managed 22 for the year – 10 more than the challenge required – yay! I’m sure I probably read others that could have fallen into the category too if I had thought a bit harder about it.

2011 Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge books:

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke – Completed January 2, 2011

2. Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child – Completed January 14, 2011

3. 61 Hours by Lee Child – Completed January 16, 2011

4. Worth Dying For by Lee Child – Completed January 20, 2011

5. Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden – Completed January 26, 2011

6. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson – Completed February 6, 2011

7. Killing Floor by Lee Child – Completed February 17, 2011

8. Feed by Mira Grant – Completed April 14, 2011

9. Necrophenia by Robert Rankin – Completed April 17, 2011

10. Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux – Completed April 23, 2011

11. Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child – Completed April 26, 2011

12. The List by J.A. Konrath – Completed August 6, 2011

13. Echo Burning by Lee Child – Completed August 26, 2011

14. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb – Completed September 7, 2011

15. Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price – Completed October 13, 2011

16. Without Fail by Lee Child – Completed October 30, 2011

17. Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price – Completed November 2, 2011

18. Persuader by Lee Child – Completed November 8, 2011

19. Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke – Completed November 15, 2011

20. Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis – Completed November 18, 2011

21. Deadly Intent by Lynda La Plante – Completed December 2, 2011

22. Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke – Completed December 24, 2011

Looks like I’ll be signing up to this one again in 2012 :)

Where has the year gone? A challenge update

22 Dec

Well, crikey! It’s almost Christmas and I haven’t posted too many times in the last couple of months. Sorry about that, folks! So here’s an update on the Outdo Yourself challenge I signed up to via the The Book Vixen.

Last year, as you may recall, I read a total of 23 books in 2010.

Challenge Details:

  • Runs January 1, 2011 through December 31, 2011 (books read prior to 1/1/11 do not count towards the challenge).
  • The goal is to outdo yourself by reading more books in 2011 than you did in 2010. See the different levels below and pick the one that works best for you. Nothing is set in stone; you can change levels at any time during the challenge.
  • Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
  • Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are fine.
  • You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them. It is not required that you review the books you read for this challenge but feel free to do so.
  • Post this reading challenge on your blog so you can keep a list of the books you’ve read for this challenge.

Challenge levels:

Getting my heart rate up – Read 1–5 more books
Out of breath – Read 6–10 more books
Breaking a sweat – Read 11–15 more books
I’m on fire! – Read 16+ more books

I am well and truly on fire! Not only have I read more than last year, I have read five times more than last year!!! Because I am so behind in posting reviews here, I have added links to my Good Reads reviews from the latter part of the year.

Here are my books read to date:

2011 Challenge books:

1. Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke – Completed January 2, 2011

2. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris – Completed January 5, 2011

3. Covet by J.R. Ward – Completed January 9, 2011

4. Cosmopolis by Don DeLillo – Completed January 10, 2011

5. Gone Tomorrow by Lee Child – Completed January 14, 2011

6. 61 Hours by Lee Child – Completed January 16, 2011

7. Worth Dying For by Lee Child – Completed January 20, 2011

8. The Redhead Revealed by Alice Clayton – Completed January 22, 2011

9. Crave by J.R. Ward – Completed January 24, 2011

10. Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden – Completed January 26, 2011

11. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning – Completed January 27, 2011

12. Bloodfever by Karen Marine Moning – Completed January 28, 2011

13. Faefever by Karen Marie Moning – Completed January 30, 2011

14. Love in the Afternoon by Lisa Kleypas – Completed February 1, 2011

15.Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning – Completed February 4, 2011

16. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson – Completed February 6, 2011

17.Fallen Angel by Willa Cline – Completed February 8, 2011

18. Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning -Completed February 12, 2011

19. Killing Floor by Lee Child – Completed February 17, 2011

20. City of Bones by Cassandra Clare – Completed February 22, 2011

21. The Watson Brothers by Lori Foster – Completed February 25, 2011

22. Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris – Completed February 28, 2011

23. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater – Completed March 3, 2011

24. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson – Completed March 5, 2011

25. Black Wings by Christina Henry – Completed March 10, 2011

26. Unwritten Rules by M.A. Stacie – Completed March 14, 2011

27. Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice Davidson – Completed March 16, 2011

28. Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson – Completed March 17, 2011

29. Old Wounds by N.K. Smith – Completed March 22, 2011

30. Mistakes by A.M. Hayward and L.J. Holder – Completed March 24, 2011

31. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen – Completed March 27, 2011

32. Little Battles by N.K. Smith – Completed March 31, 2011 (advanced copy)

33. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – Completed April 1, 2011

34. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater – Completed April 3, 2011

35. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward – Completed April 7, 2011

36. Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davison – Completed April 9, 2011

37. Feed by Mira Grant – Completed April 14, 2011

38. Necrophenia by Robert Rankin – Completed April 17, 2011

39. Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian – Completed April 19, 2011

40. Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux – Completed April 23, 2011

41. Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child – Completed April 26, 2011

42. The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole – Completed April 27, 2011

43. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde – Completed May 6, 2011

44. Slave by Sherri Hayes – Completed May 12, 2011

45. Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning – Completed May 13, 2011

46. Hearts in Darkness by Laura Kaye – Completed May 15, 2011

47. Weight of the World by N.K. Smith – Completed May 19, 2011

48. 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover by Linda Wisdom – Completed May 26, 2011

49. Angels’ Blood by Nalini Singh – Completed June 1, 2011

50. Fifty Shades of Grey by E.L. James – Completed June 6, 2011

51. Caressed by Moonlight by Amanda J. Greene – Completed June 7, 2011

52. Undead and Unpopular by MaryJanice Davidson – Completed June 12, 2011

53. One Day by David Nicholls – Completed June 13, 2011

54. Connected by Kathryn Gayle – Completed June 14, 2011

55. Convergence by J.D. Watts – Completed June 16, 2011

56. The Darkness of Perfection by Michael Schneider – Completed June 16, 2011

57. Induction by J.D. Watts – Completed June 21, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

58. Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian – Completed June 22, 2011

59. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris – Completed June 27, 2011

60. You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister – Completed June 29, 2011

61. A Banshee’s Tale by Veronica Breville – Completed July 4, 2011

62. The Twisted Tale of Stormy Gale by Christine Bell – Completed July 8, 2011

63. Fifty Shades Darker by E.L. James – Completed July 16, 2011

64. Mocked by Faith by Michele Richard – Completed July 18, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

65. Blood Destiny by Tessa Dawn – Completed July 19, 2011

66. Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning – Completed July 21, 2011

67. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione – Completed July 22, 2011

68. Rock Hard by Olivia Cunning – Completed July 25, 2011

69. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness – Completed July 27, 2011

70. Fire Me Up by Katie MacAlister – Completed July 29, 2011

71. Where All Things Will Grow by N.K. Smith – Completed August 3, 2011

72. Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead – Completed August 3, 2011

73. Break Out by Nina Croft – Completed August 5, 2011

74. The List by J.A. Konrath – Completed August 6, 2011

75. Midnight Awakening by Lara Adrian – Completed August 10, 2011

76. Frostbite by Richelle Mead – Completed August 11, 2011

77. Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison – Completed August 16, 2011

78. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost – Completed August 19, 2011

79. Fallen by Lauren Kate – Completed August 21, 2011

80. The Last Keeper by Michelle Birbeck – Completed August 25, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

81. Echo Burning by Lee Child – Completed August 26, 2011

82. One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost – Completed September 2, 2011

83. Ghosts of our Pasts by Sophia Duane – Completed September 4, 2011

84. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb – Completed September 7, 2011

85. Second Son by Lee Child – Completed September 7, 2011

86. Wildefire by Karsten Knight – Completed September 7, 2011

87. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James – Completed September 11, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

88. Bel Ami by Guy de Maupassant – Completed September 13, 2011

89. The Lollypop Shoes by Joanne Harris – Completed September 15, 2011

90. At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost – Completed September 16, 2011

91. Healing the Faith by Michele Richard – Completed September 16, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

92. Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken – Completed September 18, 2011

93. Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost – Completed September 23, 2011

94. Wings of Fate by T.M. Hobbs – Completed September 24, 2011

95. Jenna and Jonah’s Fauxmance by Emily Franklin and Brendan Halpin – Completed September 27, 2011

96. Broker by Kathryn Gayle – Completed October 2, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

97. Cataclysm by C.L. Parker – Completed October 4, 2011

98. Gabriel’s Inferno by Sylvain Reynard – Completed October 7, 2011

99. Demon’s Fall by Karalynn Lee – Completed October 8, 2011

100. Seasons of Love by S. Hayes, J. Schmidt, C.M. Smith and L. Gray – Completed October 10, 2011

101. Unholy Ghosts by Stacia Kane – Completed October 11, 2011

102. Among the Living by Jordan Castillo Price – Completed October 13, 2011

103. Envy by J.R. Ward – Completed October 15, 2011

104. Three Daves by Nicki Elson – Completed October 17, 2011

105. A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole – Completed October 19, 2011

106. Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane – Completed October 23, 2011

107. Without Fail by Lee Child – Completed October 30, 2011

108. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione – Completed November 1, 2011

109. Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price – Completed November 2, 2011

110. Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione – Completed November 4, 2011

111. Persuader by Lee Child – Completed November 8, 2011

112. Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione – Completed November 9, 2011

113. Something About You by Julie James – Completed November 11, 2011

114. Strawberry Shortcake Murder by Joanne Fluke – Completed November 15, 2011

115. Shadow Kiss by Richelle Mead – Completed November 16, 2011

116. Get a Clue by Jill Shalvis – Completed November 18, 2011

117. Hounded by Kevin Hearne – Completed November 22, 2011

118. The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning – Completed November 23, 2011

119. My Only by Sophia Duane – Completed November 25, 2011 – advanced copy (review to come on publication)

120. A Lot Like Love by Julie James – Completed November 29, 2011

121. Deadly Intent by Lynda La Plante – Completed December 2, 2011

122. Sin Undone by Larissa Ione – Completed December 8, 2011

123. Hexed by Kevin Hearne – Completed December 13, 2011

124. North of Need by Laura Kaye – Completed December 19, 2011

125. Parasouls by Michele Richard – Completed December 20, 2011 - advanced copy (review to come on publication)

126. City of Ghosts by Stacia Kane – Completed December 21, 2011

127. Blueberry Muffin Murder by Joanne Fluke – Completed December 24, 2011

128. The Debutante’s Dilemma by Elyse Mady – Completed Decmber 26, 2011

129. Light My Fire by Katie MacAlister – Completed December 30, 2011

Wow! The covers looks really fabulous!

So I’m going to sign up to do the 2012 challenge. I might manage another couple of books this year yet, so my goal is going to be more than about 130 books… that sounds daunting! Lucky I’m a Kindle addict :)

Kiss of Crimson, by Lara Adrian

19 Jul

Format: Kindle Edition, 320 pages
Published: December 1, 2010 (first published May 29, 2007)
Publisher: Robinson
Back cover blurb:
With one reckless, irresistible kiss, Dante binds Tess to himself for eternity.

He comes to her more dead than alive, a huge black-clad stranger mortally wounded and rapidly losing blood. As she struggles to save him, vet Tess Culver is unaware that the man calling himself Dante is no man at all but one of the Breed, vampire warriors engaged in a desperate battle. But in a single erotically-charged moment Tess is plunged into his world – a shifting, shadowed place where bands of Rogue vampires stalk the night, cutting a swathe of terror.Haunted by visions of a dark future, Dante lives and fights like there is no tomorrow. Tess is a complication he does not need – and yet his touch has awakened in her hidden gifts and desires and a hunger she never knew she possessed – and bonded by blood, Dante and Tess must work together to overcome the deadliest of enemies.

My review:
I loved this much more than Lucan’s story, so I’m gonna give it five cupcakes. Dante was just yummy, and I loved Tess and the dog… actually, I’m a bit worried about the dog. It wasn’t seen again after Tess ran into Rio in the infirmary, was it? LOL, I hope he didn’t eat him!

The plot involving Crimson and the drugged-up Darkhaven vampires was nicely done, with great suspense and likeable secondary characters in Chase and Elise. I see the next book features Elise and Tegan, who had a lovely moment in this book to set that all up. I’m really keen to see how she unfreezes the scary warrior ;)

I thought Lucan’s book was very like the BDB, and this had its moments too, but while Dante and Tess reminded me of Vishous and Jane (the visions/her medical occupation) they were sufficiently different for me to not keep thinking this was a JR Ward ripoff. I also love the cover – that colour is gorgeous. I’ll definitely be reading book 3 soon.

My rating: 5/5

Kiss of the Highlander, by Karen Marie Moning

20 May

Format: Kindle Edition, 416 pages
Published: May 20, 2008 (first published September 4, 2001)
Publisher: Dell
Back cover blurb:
A laird trapped between centuries…

Enchanted by a powerful spell, Highland laird Drustan MacKeltar slumbered for nearly five centuries hidden deep in a cave, until an unlikely savior awakened him. The enticing lass who dressed and spoke like no woman he’d ever known was from his distant future, where crumbled ruins were all that remained of his vanished world. Drustan knew he had to return to his own century if he was to save his people from a terrible fate. And he needed the bewitching woman by his side….

A woman changed forever in his arms…

Gwen Cassidy had come to Scotland to shake up her humdrum life and, just maybe, meet a man. How could she have known that a tumble down a Highland ravine would send her plunging into an underground cavern — to land atop the most devastatingly seductive man she’d ever seen? Or that once he’d kissed her, he wouldn’t let her go?

Bound to Drustan by a passion stronger than time, Gwen is swept back to sixteenth-century Scotland, where a treacherous enemy plots against them … and where a warrior with the power to change history will defy time itself for the woman he loves….

My review:
Add Drustan MacKeltar to my ever-growing list of fictional boyfriends. Rawr! There’s nothing like a big man in a kilt, who likes purple, who’s brave and strong but with that little bit of vulnerability. And as for the image of him in those jeans… *fans self*

I enjoyed this book far more than I probably should have, and really wish I had read it before the Fever series so I could have had a better picture of the Keltar in those books. This story had a lot of the Jamie Frasers about it – a woman from the future falling through a stone circle to be with her Highland true love from centuries past – but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Gwen was a fiesty modern woman who coped remarkably well being thrown back in time. A few things niggled me, but the twists and turns kept me so gripped I couldn’t put this down.

I haven’t read the first three books in this series, but I’ll definitely be picking up the next three – from what I hear they only get better.

My rating: 4/5

Reading Challenges Update: April

3 May

Another month gone and I am amazed at how many books I have read this year so far! April was another good month, and I can see I’m going to have to extend these challenges because I’ve almost completed both of them now.

         

In the Outdo Yourself Challenge, hosted by the Book Vixen, I aimed to read 1-5 books more than the 23 I read during 2010. I surpassed that figure on March 5, and by the end of that month I had completed 32 books.

In April I read a further 10 – wow! – bringing my total for the year to date to 42. That means I am currently 19 books ahead of last year’s total, or according to The Book Vixen’s categories “I’m on Fire!”.

Full details of the Outdo Yourself Challenge 2011 HERE.

Challenge books read in April:

33. Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr – Completed April 1, 2011

34. Linger by Maggie Stiefvater – Completed April 3, 2011

35. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward – Completed April 7, 2011

36. Undead and Unreturnable by MaryJanice Davison – Completed April 9, 2011

37. Feed by Mira Grant – Completed April 14, 2011

38. Necrophenia by Robert Rankin – Completed April 17, 2011

39. Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian – Completed April 19, 2011

40. Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux – Completed April 23, 2011

41. Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child – Completed April 26, 2011

42. The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole – Completed April 27, 2011

In the Mystery & Suspense Challenge, hosted by Book Chick City, after a poor showing in March I’ve managed to read four books this last month. My total is now 11/12, and I STILL have heaps of Lee Child books next to my bed (my husband’s Christmas gifts). It’s looking good for an early completion of this challenge too.

Full details of the Mystery & Suspense Reading Challenge HERE.

Challenge books read in April:

8. Feed by Mira Grant – Completed April 14, 2011

9. Necrophenia by Robert Rankin – Completed April 17, 2011

10. Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux – Completed April 23, 2011

11. Bad Luck and Trouble by Lee Child – Completed April 26, 2011.

Cut & Run, by Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux

26 Apr
Format: Kindle Edition

Published: September 29, 2008

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press

Back cover blurb:

A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He’s cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he’s paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it’s hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic cliché: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again – this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer’s knife.

My review:

The gals over at the BDB discussion group on GoodReads recommended this series a while back, so I picked this up when I needed something involving law enforcement and an m/m storyline to fulfil one of their reading challenges.

Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are FBI agents with troubled backgrounds who don’t play well with others but are nevertheless partnered together to solve a serial murder case which looks like it was perpetrated by one of their own. Only a handful of agents know why they are on the case, which made it pretty clear to me after only a chapter or so who the killer would turn out to be. The elaborate methods of killing and the theme linking them all was an interesting premise but we never discover the motivation behind it, which would have made this book more satisfying for me.

I was also mildly irritated at the way Ty and Zane took turns getting hurt – it seemed too pat – and the obvious ineptitude of the doctors who let them walk away without adequate treatment.

The romance, however, was very realistic and satisfying. I love UST, and the first few chapters are tantalising as you begin to realise their verbal sparring is actually foreplay. I also loved their boss, Dick Burns (great name for slash!), and suspect he knows there’s more to their partnership than just the job.

There are a couple more books in the series which I will no doubt read. I’m invested in them now, and I think I will need to check in to find out how Ty and Zane are getting along.

My rating: 3.5/5


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