6th Completed Challenge

WOW - another challenge completed. I really enjoyed this one and tried to make it a light, easy one for me. I met my goal of reading 7 books, most of them were novellas, but they were books that I had to read for other challenges.

1. Rules of Prey - John Sandford
2. Irish Thoroughbred - Nora Roberts
3. Irish Rose - Nora Roberts
4. Untamed - Nora Roberts
5. Sam's Letters to Jennifer - James Patterson
6. The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks
7. The Australian's Housekeeper Bride - Lindsay Armstrong

My original list of books with links to my thoughts on them can be found here.

MrsS over at Blue Achipelago decided it would be fun to answer a few wrap up questions.

1. Did you discover a new author?

Yes, I had never read anything by John Sandford before. I absolutely loved Rules of Prey. I also found out something interesting about another author - even though James Patterson is not a new to me author - I did read a book in a genre that I never knew he wrote - romance.

2. Where was the most unusual place you found yourself reading?

No place unusual this month. But I was up really really late trying to finish a couple of books.

3. Did you read more than usual?

No, 7 books is a good number for me when I am in school. I get a break in September, so I am hoping to increase that number and get back on track for my 100+ Books a Year challenge.

4. Did you give up anything in order to read more?

Yes, I gave up some study time - I should of had my nose in my school books and not my TBR stack. LOL.

5. If you won the Amazon voucher, what would you spend it on?

I would buy a few books off my wish list or get a couple of books for my kids to read.

6. Would you like to see a 2009 Book Blowout?

Yes, this challenge was great fun and I would definitely join another one.

Harlequin Presents - Lindsay Armstrong

The Australian's Housekeeper Bride was written by Lindsay Armstrong for Harlequin Presents. I read this book to fulfill the requirements for the Harlequin/Silhouette challenge. I love reading these books when I am having a rough day. I sit back in my recliner with a soothing cup of tea and get lost in a world of happily ever after.

Rhiannon runs a business where she organizes peoples' lives. Not only does billionaire Lee need to hire her to organize a party as well as his household, but he also wants her as his wife! After he sweeps her off her feet, Rhiannon agrees to the marriage. Soon, she realizes her husband has been keeping secrets...secrets that could destroy her trust in him.

This was a fun, quick read. The passion that sizzled between Rhiannon and Lee was intense. While this wasn't one of my favorite books by Lindsay Armstrong, it didn't disappoint!

Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 185
Completed: 7/30/08

The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks

What another totally awesome book by Nicholas Sparks. The Rescue is packed with tragedy, romance, forgiveness, and the day-to-day complexities of relationships. He embraces what it means to be a single parent of a disabled child.

According to his website - The Rescue was Sparks' first novel to reach No. 1 on the New York Times Best Seller List. He also struggled with writer's block on this novel. I read the "behind the book" blurb and found that this was his "most personal novel and was, the most challenging to write."

I can't say enough about this wonderful book. You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4.5/5

Pages: 278

Completed: 7/28/08

Sam's Letters to Jennifer - James Patterson

What a great "true love" romance story!! I can't believe it was written by James Patterson - the James Patterson of the Alex Cross and Women's Murder Club series. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it made me wish for a love like that.

Jennifer is called back to her home town for a family crisis. There she finds a series of letters addressed to her. As she reads these letters, her life is forever changed and she experiences an extraordinary love that could ever possibly be imagined.

You can read my full review here.

I am using this for my Novella challenge even though it is about 10 pages over the requirement. The print was a little large, so reducing the font would make this fit nicely into that challenge.

Rating: 4.5/5
Pages: 263
Completed: 7/21/08

Untamed - Nora Roberts

Untamed by Nora Roberts is another of her Silhouette Romances that she wrote in 1983. I am reading these for my Harlequin/Silhouette challenge.

Jovilette is a lion trainer with a traveling circus. Keane has just inherited this circus from his estranged father. When their paths cross, Jo has her claws bared ready to fight for what she loves most. She was certain Keane was there only to shut the circus down. However, she couldn't deny the attraction that sizzled between them.

This was another quick, light read. I didn't enjoy it as much as I did her Irish series, but I liked the background of the circus. It was fun to read about the behind the scenes happenings of a traveling circus. The tension between the two main characters was intense, and finding out what would tame Jo's heart was entertaining.

Rating: 3.5/5
Pages: 218
Completed: 7/20/08

Irish Hearts - Nora Roberts

Irish Hearts celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Silhouette by featuring two of Nora Roberts sizzling romances. It contains Nora's first book written for Silhouette, Irish Thoroughbred and its sequel Irish Rose.

Romance lovers will enjoy these quick, light reads that contain rugged, handsome heros and strong, beautiful heroines. From the lush hills of Ireland to the beautiful thoroughbred horse farms in Virginia - this is enthralling storytelling at its best.

You can read my full reviews here.

Irish Thoroughbred
Rating: 4/5
Pages: 205
Completed: 7/12/08

Irish Rose
Rating 4/5
Pages: 292
Completed: 7/17/08

Rules of Prey - John Sandford

What a fantastic start to the Prey Series!! I absolutely love Lucas Davenport. He is a loner and a ladies man, he invents video games, drives a Porsche, and doesn't always play by the rules. Rules of Prey is a thrill ride from start to finish.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4/5

Pages: 368

Completed: 7/8/08

5th Completed Challenge!

I completed my fifth challenge - Here Be Dragons!! This was hosted by Love at Stray Talk. The requirements of the challenge were to read 3 to 5 books about dragons.

I loved this challenge because it introduced me to a wonderful dragon series by Shana Abe. I am sorry to see this challenge end as Dragons are one of my favorite shapeshifters.

Here is a list of the books I read:

1. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling 2/8/08; Review
2. The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe 5/15/08; Review
3. The Dream Thief by Shana Abe 6/29/08; Review

Thanks, Love, for hosting such a great challenge!!!

The Dream Thief - Shana Abe

What an excellent read! This is the second book in Shana Abe's dragon series. The Dream Thief is a great example of Shana Abe's wondrous imagination, and her rich and evocative language. She is truly a gifted storyteller.

Zane, the ruler of London's criminal underworld, and Lady Amalia, the daughter of the clan's Alpha, set off on a journey to recover Draumr, the only gem with the power to enslave the drakon. With her ability to see into the future, Amalia is certain the Zane is her destiny but, can she trust him. With the diamond in his hand, Zane will have the power to control the drakon.

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4/5

Pages: 277

Completed: 6/29/08

What an Animal Challenge 2008

Here is another reading challenge that I just can't help joining. It is being hosted by Kristi at Passion for the Page. Here are the rules (copied from her page).

The rules are simple:

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of these requirements:
a. an animal in the title of the book
b. an animal on the cover of the book
c. an animal that plays a major role in the book
d. a main character that is or turns into an animal (define that however you'd like ;>)).

2. The animal can be any type of animal (real or fictitious)--dog, cat, monkey, wolf, snake, insect, hedgehog, aardvark...dragons, mermaids, centaurs, fairies, vampires...you get the idea...

3. Challenge runs from July 1, 2008 to June 30, 2009. You can still sign up after July 1st as long as you can get 6 books read by June 30th ;>).

4. Books can be fiction or nonfiction.

5. You may make a list of books at the beginning of the challenge or just list them as you find them.

6. Books may be swapped out at anytime (assuming you made a list to begin with).

7. Crossover books with other challenges is permitted and encouraged.

8. You don't have to blog or write a review, but you can if you want to.

I have a few books already on my list - later, I will update my post with the rest of them.

Here is what I have so far:

1. Rescuing Sprite by Mark R. Levin
2. Marley and Me by John Grogan
3. Chosen by a Horse by Susan Richards
4. COVER - Tallchief by Dinah McCall 2/8/09; Review
   
5. TURNS INTO - Heart of the Winter Wolf by Dani Harper 5/29/09; Review
   
6. 
   

I just love animal books (even the werewolf, vampire kind) and can't wait to get started on this challenge!!

Book Blowout Challenge 2008

Mrs. S at Blue Archipelago is hosting the Book Blowout Challenge. It runs from July 1 to July 31. Set yourself a target number of books. Post your completed list by August 7th to complete the challenge.

• Only read books through the month of July
• You can include re-reads as long as you read them during the month of July
• Books you abandon only count as half
• Include children's books that contain more than 100 pages
• You can include up to two graphic novels
• You can included up to two audio books unless you have a visual impairment
• Books read for other challenges are okay
• Start a book before July but finish it in July, you can count as half a book

May goal for July will be 7 books. This might not seem like a lot, but I am still going to school and have a lot of reading and projects due for this course.

1. Rules of Prey - John Sandford - 07/08/08 - Review
2. Irish Thoroughbred - Nora Roberts - 7/12/08 - Review
3. Irish Rose - Nora Roberts - 7/17/08 - Review
4. Untamed - Nora Roberts - 7/20/08 - Review
5. Sam's Letters to Jennifer - James Patterson - 7/21/08 - Review
6. The Rescue - Nicholas Sparks - 7/28/08 - Review
7. The Australian's Housekeeper Bride - Lindsay Armstrong - 7/30/08 - Review

I hope everyone does great on the challenge!!!

Talk Before Sleep - Elizabeth Berg

I Heard it Through the Grapevine Challenge is a great challenge because I get to read books recommended to me by my friends! Lezlie at Books N' Border Collies recommended this book to me and I am grateful that she did. Elizabeth Berg is fast becoming one of my favorite authors!!

Talk Before Sleep is a gripping story of how two best friends come to terms with the fact that one of them is dying of breast cancer. Bookreporter states that "Talk Before Sleep's heartfelt sincerity makes a lasting impression on all who have read it, and it remains one of her most popular novels to date."

Thank you so much Lezlie for recommending this poignant tale of friendship and courage!

You can read my full review here.

Rating: 4.5/5
Pages: 210
Completed: 6/25/08