666 Paranormal Reading Challenge 2010

The 666 Paranormal Reading Challenge has changed somewhat this year. Instead of reading 6 books in 6 different categories (which I really enjoyed)...there are levels of reading that has to do with the number 6. There are 4 different levels to choose from:

6 Books – Shadow
12 Books – Wraith
18 Books – Ghoul
24 Books – Creature of the Night

Here are the Rules:

- You do not have to have a list of books prior to signing up.
- The books must be paranormal or horror, this includes things such as urban fantasy and paranormal romance.
- It can include ebooks and audiobooks.
- It can be a book that you have read before and are rereading because you love it.
- All books have to be started after December 31, 2009.

So, if you love paranormal books like I do...head on over to Morbid Romantic (who is hosting this challenge) and sign up for the fun!!!

I choose to do the Creature of the Night level and read 24 books!!

Here is my book list with links to my reviews:

1. Night's Master by Amanda Ashley - 2/13/10
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Themed Reading Challenge 2010

Wendy over at Caribousmom is hosting the Themed Reading Challenge. The challenge runs from 2/14/10 through 8/14/10. The rules have changed a little bit from last year:

1. Readers may join at ANY TIME between now and August 14th.
2. Books should be chosen from the reader’s TBR pile (this may be an actual physical pile or a virtual pile).
3. The goal is to read AT LEAST 5 books linked by theme.
4. Overlaps with other challenges are allowed.
5. Readers may change their list of books OR their theme(s) at any time.

Readers may choose from three different levels of participation:

1. Read at least 5 books which share the same theme.
2. Read at least 5 books which share TWO themes.
3. Read at least 5 books which share MORE THAN TWO themes.

I'm going to go with 5 books that share two themes. My two themes are female authors who write vampire books. (I know, the same as last year...not very original, but I enjoy the paranormal genre!!!).

Here is my book list:

1. Charlaine Harris - All Together Dead
2. Amanda Ashley - Everlasting Kiss
3. Lynda Hilburn - Dark Harvest
4. J.R. Ward - Dark Lover
   
5. Amanda Ashley - Night's Master
   

If He's Wicked - Hannah Howell

Title: If He's Wicked
Author: Hannah Howell
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 2009
Pages: 357
Genre: Historical/Paranormal
Series: Wherlocke Book #1

Hannah Howell has penned another great read as far as this reader is concerned. The suspense surrounding the hero develops to a final showdown that has you turning the pages to see how it ends. The relationship between Julian and Chloe grows each moment they are together until the passion can no longer be contained.

It all begins with a vision...Chloe has glimpses into the future that reveals to her the terrible plot against Lord Julian. Her psychic ability allows her to save Julian's newborn son from death, and warn Julian that sinister forces are indeed at hand.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.75/5
Pages: 357
Completed: 1/16/10

On the Porch Swing Challenge 2010

ON THE PORCH SWING! Yahoo Group Challenge

1. Read two books whose title contains the first letter of your first and last name - for example - for me - I would read "The History of Love" or "Land of a Thousand Hills. You can do it in either order HL or LH - or do two of the same - two HL's or two LH's.... (hope this makes sense!)

My two books would be...KT or TK

2. Read two books by an author whose first name begins with a "D" - this can be two male authors - two female authors - or one of each. Since I tend to read few books by male authors, I may try to do both of mine for this challenge as male authors.

3. Read one book by a female author whose first name is Mary

4. Read a biography about someone you have always been interested in - or just pick someone you have never heard much about

5. Read a book of short stories

AND - BONUS POINTS!

Alphabet Challenge - this challenge consists of keeping track of each book you read that fits the letters of the alphabet. Can you make all 26!! It will be fun to see what titles you all come up with for the letters "Q", "X", and "Z"!

You can see my progress of the Alphabet Challenge here.

Here is my book list:

Before Sunrise - Diana Palmer

Title: Before Sunrise
Author: Diana Palmer
Publisher: HQN
Published: 2005
Pages: 296 Hardcover
Genre: Romantic Suspense

This is only the second book that I have read by Diana Palmer, and I enjoyed it very much. It is one of those curl up and "feel good" reads that you need every now and then. The relationship between Jeremiah and Phoebe steam up a few windows, and the suspense is engaging.

In Phoebe's last year of college, she met and fell in love with Jeremiah while he was investigating some environmental sabotage. They made plans to meet in DC and continue their relationship, but 3 weeks after her graduation she receives a newspaper clipping in the mail - Jeremiah's wedding announcement!!

Three years later, Phoebe has picked up the pieces of her shattered heart and is now the curator of a Native American museum near a Reservation in North Carolina. One day she receives a phone call from an anthropologist claiming to have discovered a Neanderthal skeleton in a nearby cave. But before Phoebe can pursue the matter, the man turns up dead and the FBI sends in Jeremiah to investigate.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 296
Completed: 1/8/10

The Warrior - Sharon Sala

Title: The Warrior
Author: Sharon Sala
Publisher: Mira
Published: 2009
Pages: 427
Genre: Romance/Paranormal

Sharon Sala is one of my favorite authors. And The Warrior is going on my Top Ten list of 2010. I love books with heroes that are Native American and delve into the supernatural.

John Nightwalker has been roaming the Earth for over 500 years searching for the reincarnated soul of the man who destroyed his village and killed his people. He meets up with Alicia who is on the run from her father. A father that is trying to kill her. John realizes that it is her father that is the reincarnated soul - so he sets out to use her to get to him. What develops is a fast-paced story that has you turning the pages to see what happens next. Will Alicia forgive John for using her to track her father? Why does her father want her dead? and will he succeed?

The Warrior is filled with suspense, intrigue, passion and the supernatural. I loved the two main characters in this story...each with their own destiny, how they look past their differences and learned to love each other. One thing the story doesn't tie up at the end is whether Alicia ever comes to believe John about his past. I guess it is not important...but this reader would love to know.

You can read my full review here.



Rating: 4.5/5
Pages: 427
Completed: 1/6/10

Colorful Reading Challenge 2010

THE COLORFUL READING CHALLENGE

I don't know if I will be able to complete this challenge - but I am going to give it a go. The Colorful Reading Challenge is being hosted by Rebecca at Lost in Books.

The idea behind this challenge is to read 9 different books with 9 different colors in the title. Having trouble coming up with titles?? She posts a list of suggestions that might help you in your selection. The contest runs January 1st through December 31st, 2010.

Here is my book list:

1. Vision in White by Nora Roberts - 2/26/10
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National Just Read More Novels Month

NaJuReMoNoMo encourages people all over the world to take some time and curl up with a good book.

The guidelines are:

1. Must Be A Novel. Works of fiction only, please. Memoirs, non-fiction, how-to books, and Garfield collections don't count.
2. Memoirs Aren't Novels. No matter how made up the story, anything ostensibly true isn't a novel. Also known as The James Frey Rule.
3. Start and Finish in January. I guess if you got some cool books for Christmas, Hanukkah or some other gift-giving event and jumped the gun, you can't be blamed. But I only count books I start and finish within the 31 day window.
4. Re-reading Doesn't Count. Try something new. Read something by your favorite author or try an entirely new author or tackle that novel you have always wanted to read.
5. Have Fun. Nobody is grading you or paying you or judging you. Read what you like and like what you read.

There are cute little badges that you can earn depending on how many books you read during the month of January. This will be my first year in joining this challenge...I really enjoy the "no pressure" aspect of it - LOL!!

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. 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
    

2010 TBR Challenge

Here is another TBR challenge that I joined last year and would like to continue again this year. The 2010 TBR Challenge is being hosted by Avid Book Reader. Last year she had different suggestions each month on what type of book to read. You had the choice of either doing the suggestion or just pulling a book from your TBR stack and read it.

There are only two rules...post your review on the designated day...and try to read books that have been on your TBR stack the longest (although this one isn't mandatory).

If she is doing themes again this year...I will post them as soon as she gets them up on her blog.

Here is my book list:

1. CATEGORY ROMANCE - The Playboy Sheikh's Virgin Stable-Girl by Sharon Kendrick - 1/18/10
2. HERO IN PURSUIT - Release by Beth Kery - 2/21/10
3. MYSTERY - Fragile by Shiloh Walker - 3/21/10
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Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge 2010

What an awesome list of books to choose from!! The 2010 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge is being hosted by Reading with Tequila. All you have to do is choose a level of participation and read that many books from the Book Blogger Recommendation List. There are 234 books to choose from...so I know you can find at least 5 (Level I) that interest you!!!

Level I - Read 5 books from the 2009 Book Blogger Recommendation List
Level II - Read 10 books
Level III - Read 15 books
Level IV - Read 20 books
Level V - Read 20+ books

Go over to the List Post and discover new books that you would like to read...then head on over to the Sign-Up Post and join in the fun!!!

Here is my book list:

1. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
2. Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson
3. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
4. Marley & Me by Josh Grogan
5. The Lucky One by Nicholas Sparks

There are a few others that I want to read but don't want to lock myself into reading a lot of "pre-chosen" books. If the mood strikes, and I read more...I will increase my level to Level II.

Awesome Author Challenge 2010

I have been wanting to participate in a challenge like this for a while now. Giving credit where credit is due when someone recommends a fantastic author for me to try!!! The Awesome Author Challenge will allow me to do just that. "The idea behind this challenge is to read works by authors who have been recommended to you time and again, but you haven't gotten around to reading them yet."

The challenge is being hosted by Alyce over at At Home with Books. There are 4 levels of participation:

Easy: Choose three authors and read at least one title from each author.

Moderate: Choose six authors and read at least one title from each author.

Challenging: Choose ten authors and read at least one title from each author.

Over-Achieving: Anything over ten authors.

I am going to join the Moderate level of reading six authors.

Here is my book list with links to my reviews:

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2010 Pub Challenge

I joined this the past 2 years and have really enjoyed reading the newly published books of the year. The 2010 Pub Challenge is being hosted by 3M at 1morechapter.com.

The rules of the challenge are as follows:

1. Read a minimum of 10 books first published in 2010. You don’t have to buy these. Library books, unabridged audios, or ARCs are all acceptable. To qualify as being first published in 2010, it must be the first time that the book is published in your own country. For example, if a book was published in Australia, England, or Canada in 2009, and then published in the USA in 2010, it counts (if you live in the USA). Newly published trade paperbacks and mass market paperbacks do not count if there has been a hardcover/trade published before 2010.
2. No children’s/YA titles allowed, since we’re at the ‘pub.’
3. At least 5 titles must be fiction.
4. Crossovers with other challenges are allowed.
5. You can add your titles as you go, and they may be changed at any time.

So head on over there and start reading some great books published in 2010.

Here is my list of books:

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. Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts - 5/4/10
5.