Chill Baby Chill 2010

Completed 3/19/10

The Chill Baby, Chill Challenge runs from 12/21/09 through 3/19/10 and is being hosted by Book Dragon at Book Dragon's Lair.

The rules are extremely easy...just read 6 books...they can be anything you want...other challenge books, new books, TBR books, etc. You don't have to list them early. If you review your books...post a link in the comment section. Then do a wrap-up post in March. That's all there is to it!!

I love the picture for this challenge, too cute. So, join in on the challenge, relax, and have fun!!

Here is my list of books with links to my reviews:

1. Trial by Fire - Jo Davis - 12/27/09
2. Naked in Death - J.D. Robb - 1/3/10
3. The Warrior - Sharon Sala - 1/6/10
4. Before Sunrise - Diana Palmer - 1/8/10
5. If He's Wicked - Hannah Howell - 1/16/10
6. The House on Tradd Street - Karen White - 1/19/10
7. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts - 1/21/10
8. Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods - 1/23/10
9. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler - 1/28/10
10. Satisfaction Guaranteed by Lucy Monroe - 1/29/10
11. Shadow Prey by John Sandford - 2/5/10
12. Night's Master by Amanda Ashley - 2/13/10
13. Coming Undone by Lauren Dane - 2/15/10
14. The Carpenter's Lady by Barbara Delinsky - 2/19/10
15. Release by Beth Kery - 2/21/10
16. Vision in White by Nora Roberts - 2/26/10
17. Zack: Armed and Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray - 3/1/10
18. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster - 3/1/10
19. Wild, Wicked & Wanton by Jaci Burton - 3/7/10
20. Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas - 3/8/10
21. Bound, Branded, & Brazen by Jaci Burton - 3/13/10
22. Sarah's Child by Linda Howard - 3/15/10
    

Young Adult Challenge 2010

Since I joined the Nancy Drew Challenge, I thought joining J-Kaye's Young Adult Reading Challenge would work out nicely. She has 4 levels to her challenge:

--The Mini YA Reading Challenge – Read 12 Young Adult novels.

--Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels.

--Stepping It Up YA Reading Challenge – Read 50 Young Adult novels.

--Super Size Me YA Reading Challenge – Read 75 Young Adult novels.

You can read the rest of the rules at her sign-up post.

I am thinking of going for Super Size Me. I want to read some other YA novels besides all of the Nancy Drew books I am going to read. (I still have to finish the Twilight series - LOL).

Here is my book list:

1. 
   

Nancy Drew Challenge 2010

I absolutely LOVE this challenge. The Nancy Drew Challenge is being hosted by Deborah at Books, Movies and Chinese Food. The idea is to read all of the 56 YELLOW hardback books. I used to collect these as a kid - I was so hooked on Nancy drew. I can't wait to revisit my old friends. There are several editions to these first 56 books - but the challenge is to read the yellow spine ones.

Other than the stipulation about the yellow spines...the rules are pretty easy. Challenge runs from 1/1/10 to 12/31/10 and you can skip over the books you've already read as a child. I am going to start from the first book and read/re-read all 56. It sounds like a lot of books, but they are really fast reads. Review and blogs are not required.

Here is the list of books in order:

1. The Secret of the Old Clock
2. The Hidden Staircase
3. The Bungalow Mystery
4. The Mystery at Lilac Inn
5. The Secret at Shadow Ranch
6. The Secret of Red Gate Farm
7. The Clue in the Diary
8. Nancy's Mysterious Letter
9. The Sign of the Twisted Candles
10. The Password to Larkspur Lane
11. The Clue of the Broken Locket
12. The Message in the Hollow Oak
13. The Mystery of the Ivory Charm
14. The Whispering Statue
15. The Haunted Bridge
16. The Clue of the Tapping Heels
17. The Mystery of the Brass-Bound Trunk
18. The Mystery at the Moss-Covered Mansion
19. The Quest of the Missing Map
20. The Clue in the Jewel Box
21. The Secret in the Old Attic
22. The Clue in the Crumbling Wall
23. The Mystery of the Tolling Bell
24. The Clue in the Old Album
25. The Ghost of Blackwood Hall
26. The Clue of the Leaning Chimney
27. The Secret of the Wooden Lady
28. The Clue of the Black Keys
29. The Mystery at the Ski Jump
30. The Clue of the Velvet Mask
31. The Ringmaster's Secret
32. The Scarlet Slipper Mystery
33. The Witch Tree Symbol
34. The Hidden Window Mystery
35. The Haunted Showboat
36. The Secret of the Golden Pavilion
37. The Clue in the Old Stagecoach
38. The Mystery of the Fire Dragon
39. The Clue of the Dancing Puppet
40. The Moonstone Castle Mystery
41. The Clue of the Whistling Bagpipes
42. The Phantom of Pine Hill
43. The Mystery of the 99 Steps
44. The Clue in the Crossword Cipher
45. The Spider Sapphire Mystery
46. The Invisible Intruder
47. The Mysterious Mannequin
48. The Crooked Banister
49. The Secret of Mirror Bay
50. The Double Jinx Mystery
51. Mystery of the Glowing Eye
52. The Secret of the Forgotten City
53. The Sky Phantom
54. The Strange Message in the Parchment
55. Mystery of Crocodile Island
56. The Thirteenth Pearl

Genre Challenge 2010

I love reading many different genres, and I thought this challenge would fit in nicely next year.

This Genre Challenge is being hosted by 5Peasinapod over at 2 Many Good Books, 2 Little Time! For those who get stuck reading the same genre, this challenge will help you expand your horizons and experience new and exciting books.

I'm not sure how many books are required, she doesn't say in her sign-up post. So, I will commit to 12 books this year.

Here is my book list with links to my reviews:

1. POLICE - Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 1/3/10
2. ROMANCE - The Warrior by Sharon Sala 1/6/10
3. HISTORICAL - If He's Wicked by Hannah Howell 1/16/10
4. LAWYERS - Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods 1/23/10
5. DETECTIVE/SPY - "D" is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton 4/10/10
6. 
   

Sunset Bay - Susan Mallery

Title: Sunset Bay
Author: Susan Mallery
Publisher: Pocket
Published: 2009
Pages: 342
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Sunset Bay begins with Megan as a young girl of 18 caught up in a world with a doting father, hypochondriac mother, and estranged sister. She experiences her first love and devastating breakup. Always wanting to please her father, she gives up her dream of fashion design and becomes an accountant.

Fast forward 10 years and we see that Megan has the perfect life...handsome cardiologist fiance, the love and approval of her father, and a successful career. However, within a few weeks time, everything comes crashing down around her. And in the midst of all this turmoil, who shows up but her high school love - Travis. Amid the rubble of her life "lies the promise of a future Megan never realized - on that may turn out to contain everything she really needs."

Susan Mallery keeps her audience entertained throughout the entire book with twists and turns you never expect. The pages keep turning because you want to know how Megan will deal with the next crisis. The side stories are engaging and flow smoothly within the book.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.5
Pages: 342
Completed: 11/25/09

Countdown 2010

I really enjoyed working on this one in 08/09 and look forward to working on it again for 09/10.

The Countdown Challenge is being hosted by Michelle and runs from 09/09/09 to 10/10/10. The rules are simple...read the number of books first published in a given year that corresponds to the last digit of each year in the 2000s — 10 books from 2010, 9 books from 2009, 8 books from 2008, etc. until 2001. The total number of books required, therefore, is 55.

You don't need to make your list ahead of time...and it can change throughout the challenge. I am a little late signing up for this one...but I've kept a list of books that I have read, so I can go back through September and fill in those that count.

Here is my book list with links to my reviews:

2010
1. Coming Undone by Lauren Dane 2/15/10
2. Release by Beth Kery 2/21/10
3. Bound, Branded, & Brazen by Jaci Burton 3/13/10
4.
5.
6. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts - 5/4/10
7.
8.
9.
10.

2009
1. Sunset Bay by Susan Mallery 11/25/09
2. Black Hills by Nora Roberts 12/1/09
3. The Warrior by Sharon Sala 1/6/10
4. If He's Wicked by Hannah Howell 1/16/10
5. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler 1/28/10
6. Vision in White by Nora Roberts 2/26/10
7. Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas 3/8/10
8. Fragile by Shiloh Walker 3/25/10
9.

2008
1. Trial by Fire by Jo Davis 12/27/09
2. The House on Tradd Street by Karen White 1/19/10
3. Night's Master by Amanda Ashley 2/13/10
4. Zack: Armed and Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray 3/1/10
5. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster 3/1/10
6.
7.
8.

2007
1. Satisfaction Guaranteed by Lucy Monroe 1/29/10
2. Wild, Wicked, & Wanton by Jaci Burton 3/7/10
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

2006
1. Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris 12/19/09
2. Dear John by Nicholas Sparks 12/19/09
3.
4.
5.
6.

2005
1. Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris 12/4/09
2. Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer 1/8/10
3.
4.
5.

2004
1.
2.
3.
4.

2003
1.
2.
3.

2002
1.
2.

2001
1.

A~Z Challenge 2010

I am going to be joining the A to Z Challenge again next year. It is being hosted by Becky again and here is the sign-up post.

I think I'll be able to complete the challenge next year because she is being very lenient on the hard to find letters. Here is what she says:

How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

So don't let those letters scare you away - it is doable!!

There are 3 levels to choose from:

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.

Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.

Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books

I like committing to 52 books and seeing if I can complete both titles and authors.

Here is my book list (it wall also be posted on my sidebar):

TITLES:


A -


B - Born in Fire - Nora Roberts 1/21/10 
C - Coming Undone - Lauren Dane 2/15/10
D - Dead in the Water - Stuart Woods 1/23/10
E -
F- Fragile - Shiloh Walker 3/21/10

I - If He's Wicked - Hannah Howell 1/16/10



N - Naked in Death - J.D. Robb 1/3/10









S - Satisfaction Guaranteed - Lucy Monroe 1/29/10

V - Vision in White - Nora Roberts 2/26/10 
W - The Warrior - Sharon Sala 1/6/10
Z - Zack: Armed and Dangerous - Cheyenne McCray 3/1/10




AUTHORS:

A - Ashley, Amanda - Night's Master 2/13/10
B - Burton, Jaci - Wild, Wicked & Wanton 3/7/10
C - 
D - Delinsky, Barbara - The Carpenter's Lady 2/19/10
F - Foster, Lori - Hard to Handle 3/1/10

P - Palmer, Diana - Before Sunrise 1/8/10

S - Sandford, John - Shadow Prey 2/5/10

T - Tyler, Stephanie - Hard to Hold 1/28/10

W - White, Karen - The House on Tradd Street 1/19/10

Series Season IV 2010

I have so many series started that I really need to join this challenge to get through some of them. This Series Season IV Challenge is being hosted by Kathrin over at Secret Dreamworld of a Bookaholic.

The rules are (taken from her post):

1) Pick a couple series you already started and now want to finish (meaning, you'll be all up to date with the series when it ends).

2) Read at least 4 books, more are also okay, of course!

3) Crossovers with other challenges are always okay.

4) Post your review of the books on your blog or in the comment section, no matter how long. If you post the review on your blog, please post a link to the review in the comment section so that everyone else can check out your review.

5) Have fun!

So there you have it...pull out those series that you've been wanting to finish and join in the challenge!!

Here are the series that I want to finish:

1. Debbie Macomber - Cedar Cove Series (6 books)
2. Charlaine Harris - Sookie Stackhouse (5 books)
3. Charlaine Harris - Harper Connelly (1 book)
4. Jayne Ann Krentz/Amanda Quick - Arcane Society (4 books)

Here are the books I read:

1). Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris 12/4/09 - Sookie Stackhouse #5
2). Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris 12/19/09 - Sookie Stackhouse #6
3). Night's Touch by Amanda Ashley 2/13/10 - Night Series #3
4).

New Author Challenge 2010

I love reading new to me authors and adding them to my ever-growing list. Finding new authors and discovering their backlists is like opening a treasure box!!

So I am joining this challenge for next year. The rules are pretty easy. Find an author you've never tried before...however, only a third of your authors can be from anthologies. You can pick 15, 25 or 50 authors depending on how adventurous you are. But don't take my word for it - you can read all about the challenge over at Literary Escapism.

I am going to choose 25 new authors for next year.

Here is my list of books:

1. The House on Tradd Street by Karen White - 1/19/10
2. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler - 1/28/10
3. Coming Undone by Lauren Dane - 2/15/10
4. Zack: Armed and Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray - 3/1/10
5. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster - 3/1/10
6. Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas - 3/8/10
7. 
   

Celebrate the Author 2010

A new year to celebrate some of my favorite authors!! Becky is hosting "Celebrate the Author" challenge again in 2010.

Here are the rules (copied from her post):

The challenge is designed to “celebrate” author birthdays. Choose one author for each month of the year. Read at least one book a month. 12 authors. 12 birthdays. If you like, you can read MORE than that. Read the books IN ANY ORDER YOU LIKE. As long as you've got one book representing an author birthday from each month of the year by the end, then you're good.

You can choose picture books, poetry books, early readers, chapter books, fiction for middle grades, fiction for teens, adult reads, nonfiction, whatever you want.

I usually choose to read an author in the month their birthday is celebrated.

Here is my list of Authors:

1. January - Stuart Woods - Dead in the Water - 1/23/10
   
2. February - John Sandford - Shadow Prey - 2/5/10
   
3. March - Hannah Howell
4. April - Sue Grafton - "D" is for Deadbeat - 4/10/10
5. May - Susan Wiggs
6. June - Linda Lael Miller
7. July - Sherryl Woods, Sharon Sala, Susan Mallery
8. August - Amanda Ashley, Barbara Delinsky
9. September - Jude Deveraux
10. October - Debbie Macomber, Nora Roberts
11. November - Charlaine Harris
12. December - Sherrilyn Kenyon
    

RYOB 2010

I did this challenge last year and was successful in reducing my ever growing TBR pile. So, I will join the bandwagon again next year and commit to reading 25 of my own books.

This challenge is being hosted by MizB and here is the post with the rules. She doesn't have a sign-up post yet - but I will create a link when she gets it up on her blog.

Here is my book list with links to my reviews:

1. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - 1/3/10
2. The Warrior by Sharon Sala - 1/6/10
3. If He's Wicked by Hannah Howell - 1/16/10
4. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts - 1/21/10
5. Hard to Hold by Stephaine Tyler - 1/28/10
6. Satisfaction Guaranteed by Lucy Monroe - 1/29/10
7. Shadow Prey by John Sandford - 2/5/10
8. Night's Master by Amanda Ashley - 2/13/10
9. Coming Undone by Lauren Dane - 2/15/10
10. The Carpenter's Lady by Barbara Delinsky - 2/19/10
11. Release by Beth Kery - 2/21/10
12. Vision in White by Nora Roberts - 2/26/10
13. Zack: Armed and Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray - 3/1/10
14. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster - 3/1/10
15. Wild, Wicked, & Wanton by Jaci Burton - 3/7/10
16. Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas - 3/8/10
17. Bound, Branded, & Brazen by Jaci Burton - 3/13/10
18. Sarah's Child by Linda Howard - 3/15/10
19. Fragile by Shiloh Walker - 3/21/10
20. Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis - 3/27/10
21. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts - 4/10/10
22. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts - 5/4/10
23. 
    

Thriller and Suspense 2010

I didn't do this challenge last year, but after reading the sub-genre list, I realized that I had read more Thriller and Suspense books than I imagined. So, I am going to join this challenge next year.

It is being hosted by Book Chick City, and here is the sign-up post. You only have to read 12 books and the list of sub-genres is extensive. She gives a detailed description of each genre at this post. So, go on a "thrill" ride in 2010 and sign-up today!!

Here is my book list:

1. Futuristic Thriller - Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - 1/3/10
   
2. Legal Thriller - Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods - 1/23/10
3. Police Procedural - Shadow Prey by John Sandford - 2/5/10
4. 
   

Library Challenge

I love going to our local library and checking out books. The kids and I go about once every two weeks and browse, play games on the computer, and check out books and movies. So I just have to join the Support Your Local Library Challenge!! In these tough times, I don't know what I would do without the ability to read my favorite books - and the library gives me that opportunity.

There are different levels to this challenge:

--The Mini – Check out and read 25 library books.

--Just My Size – Check out and read 50 library books.

--Stepping It Up – Check out and read 75 library books.

--Super Size Me – Check out and read 100 library books.

This one is also being hosted by our esteemed J-Kaye and here is the sign-up post. Once again, you don't need to post reviews or even need a blog. Anyone can participate.

I am going for the "Just My Size" which is 50 books. That way I can still grab some from my TBR pile at home.

Here is my book list with links to my reviews:

1. Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer - 1/8/10
2. Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods - 1/23/10
3. The House on Tradd Street by Karen White - 1/19/10
4. Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods - 1/23/10
5. "D" is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton - 4/10/10
6. 
   

100+ Book Challenge 2010

Once again I am going to try and read 100 books for the year 2010. J-Kaye has graciously decided to host this challenge again next year, and I am really looking forward to participating and reaching my goal.

The rules are simple...read 100 or more books in the year 2010. You don't have to review them, you don't even need a blog. Anyone can join. Audio, eBooks, YA, Young Reader, Nonfiction, Fiction, etc. all count. Crossovers with other challenges are fine. And the best part, you don't have to list your books in advance!!!! Here is the sign-up post.

I think I am going to try and stay away from challenges that require you to make a list of books prior to starting the challenge. This locks me in to reading certain books, and I am a reader that "flys by the seat of my pants" and chooses books by what ever mood I am in at the time.

Here is my list of books.

1. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb - 1/3/10
2. The Warrior by Sharon Sala - 1/6/10
3. Before Sunrise by Diana Palmer - 1/8/10
4. If He's Wicked by Hannah Howell - 1/16/10
5. The Playboy Sheikh's...by Sharon Kendrick - 1/18/10
6. The House on Tradd Street by Karen White - 1/19/10
7. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts - 1/21/10
8. Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods - 1/23/10
9. Hard to Hold by Stephanie Tyler - 1/28/10
10. Satisfaction Guaranteed by Lucy Monroe - 1/29/10
11. Shadow Prey by John Sandford - 2/5/10
12. Night's Master by Amanda Ashley - 2/13/10
13. Coming Undone by Lauren Dane - 2/15/10
14. The Carpenter's Lady by Barbara Delinsky - 2/19/10
15. Release by Beth Kery - 2/21/10
16. Vision in White by Nora Roberts - 2/26/10
17. Zack: Armed and Dangerous by Cheyenne McCray - 3/1/10
18. Hard to Handle by Lori Foster - 3/1/10
19. Wild, Wicked & Wanton by Jaci Burton - 3/7/10
20. Rewriting Monday by Jodi Thomas - 3/8/10
21. Bound, Branded, & Brazen by Jaci Burton - 3/13/10
22. Sarah's Child by Linda Howard - 3/15/10
23. Fragile by Shiloh Walker - 3/21/10
24. Bride, Bought and Paid For by Helen Bianchin - 3/22/10
25. Laid Bare by Lauren Dane - 3/25/10
26. Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis - 3/27/10
27. Broken by Shiloh Walker - 4/8/10
28. "D" is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton - 4/10/10 
29. Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts - 4/10/10
30. 
    
31. 
    
32. 
    
33. 
    
34. 
    
35. 
    
36. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts - 5/4/10
37. Something About You by Julie James - 5/7/10
38. Love in Bloom by Sheila Roberts - 5/11/10
39. The Girl on Legare Street by Karen White - 5/17/10
40. Naked Edge by Pamela Clare - 5/19/10

I'm Back

After months of being over-committed with family issues, health issues, and a HUGE reading slump, I am finally back in the swing of things!!! My reading has picked up, I'm feeling better, and family life has settled down a bit.

I am giving up on the challenges this year...just concentrating on enjoying my reading without having to meet any deadlines. But that isn't stopping me from gearing up for next year's challenges. I am going to start posting about the upcoming events and sign up for them. I don't think I am going to join as many as I did last year, but you never know - LOL!!!

Thank you so much for remaining followers through my madness!! I promise that reviews will start back again soon!!!