Vanessa’s Comments (group member since Jun 15, 2017)

Vanessa’s comments from the Read, Reading, Planning to Read and More group.

Oh and extremely cold here!! Hate it!! ;-(

I haven't read Wicked Abyss yet. I forgot that I hadn't even purchased it. I'll have to add it to the TBR mountain.

I have been reading the ARC, A Meddle of Wizards.
I love "troop" adventures, and this one does not fail. There are snappy one-liners, sweet moments, and a great mix of species and characters. I'm loving it. I'm almost done and I don't want it to end.

Elizabeth wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Lab... Me too!! Snowing heavily and extremely windy, gale force winds. Carol and Liz are in the heavy snow swath too. Funny thing is that the wind is blowing the snow sideways and s..."

Liz... I watched most of a really good Netflix series too, Godless and it stars Jeff Daniels as an excellent horrible bad guy. He plays a pure evil character. It is a "western" and centers around a sheriff who is cowardly, (there is a reason for that), a woman with an Indian Mother-in-Law and a half breed son, and a young gunslinger who has escaped the Daniels character. Oh and the town is made up of mostly women because almost all of the town's men were killed in a mining accident. I'm not doing this series justice, but it is well written, the cinematography is good and the actors are fantastic.
How much snow did you get? I think that we got around 16 inches, but there are places in my yard where the wind blew it into drifts as high as my head, and where there is only a dusting up against my house in the front yard.

Kristi... Congrats on the selection, again!!

Holly... Congrats on the retirement. Do you have your craft area all set up? Besides reading, I suspect that you will have time for some of your favorite things, and because of the recent move, you won't need to spend gobs of time cleaning out, donating, and throwing away stuff. Happy Days!!

Glad the snow missed you Kristi. The wind is bad enough. I was going to suggest a name but I forgot all about it and I was happy that Sharon posted about it, I had forgotten to finish reading the chapter. I hope that you get proofreader status again!! :-}

Lab... Me too!! Snowing heavily and extremely windy, gale force winds. Carol and Liz are in the heavy snow swath too. Funny thing is that the wind is blowing the snow sideways and some parts of my yard hardly have any snow at all.

I just read the first installment of the Maud and Arland story, what a great beginning. I didn't see if there was a name yet. Did they pick one?

HappyBookWorm... I have to laugh, already, there are so many "ratings" for the Hamilton book. It used to be a favorite series, and I actually read more of it than most here did. I love some of the rants about this up coming book/series. Also, of note, the release date of this book was pushed back a whole year, (from 2017 to 2018), because she is having trouble writing. I guess that there are only so many sex scenes in one person's imagination. There have to be a couple of character types that haven't had sex with Anita yet.

For comfort reads, I like some historicals, Kleypas' Wallflowers & Hathaways, a couple of Scottish Highland books by Julie Garwood, and one of my favorite characters ever, The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie.

I also read Jennifer Crusie as a palate cleanser. I try to read a book every few months. She is one of the few writers of contemporary novels that I like.

My favorite find has been the T.S.Joyce books, they aren't great literature but I have been wrapped up in her shifters ever since I read the first one a couple of years ago. They aren't for everyone, they are kind of insta-love and smexy, and brutal and violent at times. But I feel like they are somewhat realistic. Throughout almost all of her series there is one link, an address of 1010, which is magical.

On kindle I am still making my way through the multi author series, All He Wants For Christmas: A Limited Edition Paranormal Alpha Shifter Holiday Bundle

On audio I finished Venom & Vanilla It is kind of chaotic and non-stop but I liked it enough to get the next 2 books. These are free on KU for both the kindle book and audio. It was also fantastic for my A-Z Challenge/species.

I started a new to me series, Her Royal Spyness I'm finding it clever and witty. It is set in London in the 1930's, just on the cusp of WWII.

For those who have read The Bear and the Nightingale. The second book in the trilogy came out December 5th. It is.... The Girl in the Tower, and is available on Audible. I checked out the reviews and I found a great reviewer and she is part of a literary review site.

http://www.fantasyliterature.com/

Their tagline is-
Fantasy Literature
Fantasy & Science Fiction Book & Audiobook Reviews
Life's Too Short To Read Bad Books

Lisa... I would have thought that if the symptoms were similar, that they would have to acknowledge that there was a chance that they were the same or a strain of a particular disease. There are multiple tick borne diseases, and we in the States have had recent outbreaks of others not common to here. In this global economy, disease and predatory insects are sort of commonplace. We have widespread decimation of native trees and wildlife because of this. My best advice is if you think that something is wrong, insist on further exploration and treatment. My friend wasn't diagnosed in a timely manner and it is slowly killing her. Our Center for Disease Control is a worldwide control for some of the deadliest diseases, and it has acknowledged Lyme disease since the 1980's. Not to lecture too much, but it is thought to have migrated and the bacteria evolved from a strain from Europe in the early 1900's.
End of lecture, no test required!! LOL!! :-}

Happy New Year!! May this year bring us all health, hope, joy, love, and time to enjoy books, family, and friends!!

Vinity... I think that I am the same as you, I intend to keep track of my books, but it all falls apart a month or so into it. I do wish that Goodreads would add all of my audio books to my list as I finish them.

I started another A-Z Reading Challenge for 2018. I hope to see you all there!

I've have a very busy past few days. We had a benefit for my friend who has chronic Lyme disease and who is undergoing treatment in Arizona, (we live in Connecticut). This is a last ditch effort to save her. For years she has tried main stream medicine and homeopathic methods to no avail. (The cells cluster together, the Lyme forms a hard shell, and antibiotics and nutrients cannot penetrate this shell, therefore no recovery). Between the silent auction, the raffle baskets, a huge breakfast, and donations, we raised over $7400.00. I am proud of the groups that came together to make this a success. So obviously I haven't had much time to read. I have been reading the short stories in the All He Wants For Christmas: A Limited Edition Paranormal Alpha Shifter Holiday Bundle. Some of these are pretty good, some are dull and predictable, but all are quick and that is what I need right now.

I am doing Titles as my 1st A to Z challenge:

A- A Muddle of Magic, Alexandra Rushe
B- Blood Fury, J. R. Ward
C- Curses and Cupcakes, Michelle M. Pillow
D- Dearest Ivie, J.R. Ward
E- Eight Simple Rules for Dating a Dragon, Kerrelyn Sparks
F-For the Heart of an Outlaw, T.S. Joyce
G- Going Wild, C. M. Owens
H- Her Royal Spyness, Rhys Bowen
I- Iced, Karen Marie Moning
J- Jinn's Dominion, Shannon Mayer
K- Shadow Keeper, Christine Feehan
L- Lake Silence, Anne Bishop
M- Miss Frost Braves The Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery, Kristen Painter
N- The Newcomer, Robyn Carr
O- One Tequila, Tricia O'Malley
P- The Pearl Thief, Elizabeth Wein
Q- Dark Queen, Faith Hunter
R- The Rejected Writers' Book Club, Suzanne Kelman
S- Shadow Hunt, Melissa F. Olson
T- The Husband List, Janet Evanovich, Dorien Kelly
U- The Utterly Uninteresting and Unadventurous Tales of Fred, the Vampire Accountant, Drew Hayes
V- Venom & Vanilla, Shannon Mayer
W- Whispering Rock, Robyn Carr
X- The Unexpected Mrs. PollifaX
Y- Year One, Nora Roberts
Z- A Meddle of WiZards, Alexandra Rushe

I am doing Authors as my 2nd A to Z challenge:

A- Ashley, Kristen, Rock Chick
B- Briggs, Patricia, Burn Bright
C- Carr, Robyn, A Virgin River Christmas
D- Davis, Miranda, His Lordship's Last Wager: A Regency Romance Between Bitter Enemies
E- Evanovich, Janet, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
F- Fenton, Maggie, The Alabaster Hip
G- Griffin, Melanie Chasing the Light: A Benefit Anthology of Speculative Fiction, "What's Your Year, Darlin'?"
H- Harper, Molly How to Date Your Dragon
I- Ilona Andrews, Magic Triumphs
J- Joyce, T.S., For the Heart of the Warmaker
K- King, Lydia, A Beautiful Poison
L- Laurenston, Shelley, Hot and Badgered
M- Mayer, Shannon; Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
N- Neill, Chloe: Slaying It (Chicagoland Vampires)
O- Owens, C.M., Becoming A Vincent
P- Painter, Kristen, Miss Frost Braves The Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 5)
Q- Quinn, Julia, The Viscount Who Loved Me
R- Rushe, Alexandra, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic Book #1)
S- Sparks, Kerrelyn, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
T- Turner, Jennifer, Eternal Seduction
U- Ursula K. Le Guin, No Time To Spare: Thinking About What Matters
V- Vivian Shaw, Strange Practice: Dr Greta Helsing #1
W- Ward, J.R., Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
X- AleXandra Rushe, A Muddle of Magic
Y- Jodi Taylor, Just One Damned Thing After Another:The Chronicles of St Mary's Book 1
Z- Zoe Chant, Tropical Tiger Spy: Shifting Sands Resort

I am doing Names as my 3rd A to Z challenge:

A- Alena Budrene, Venom & Vanilla, (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
B- Brefreton, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
C- Caroline Maxwell, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
D- Dani "Mega" O'Malley, Iced: Fever Series Book 6
E- Elias "Dancer" Garrick, Feversong
F- Francine Duncan, Angel's Peak
G- Gertie, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
H- Hades, Hisses and Honey
I- Indy Savage, Rock Chick
J- Jack Culhane, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
K- Karis Dunway, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
L- Lee Nightingale, Rock Chick
M- Merlin, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
N- Novo, Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
O- Odin Nelek, Eternal Seduction (Darkness Within #1)
P- Peyton, Blood Fury: Black Dagger Legacy
Q- Quesnel, Dark Queen
R- Rick Sudder, Paradise Valley
S- Stoker, A Treacherous Curse, (A Veronica Speedwell Mystery)
T- Theseus, Fangs and Fennel
U- Urien, Planet Dragos
V- Veronica Speedwell, A Treacherous Curse
W- Wellesley, Burn Bright (Alpha and Omega)
X- Xai, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
Y- Yaya, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
Z- Zared, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)

I am doing Locations as my 4th A to Z challenge:

A- Alabama, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
B- Boulder, CO, Shadow Hunt: Disrupted Magic Book 3
C- Colorado, Denver, Rock Chick
D- Darby, Montana, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
E- Everlasting, ME, Total Eclipse of The Hunt
F- Finlara, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
G- Gambillia, Dungaria, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
H- Hubb NE, Lake Silence
I- Isle of Moon, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
J- Jemez Springs, What's Your Year, Darlin'?
K- Key, Tequila, One Tequila
L- London, England, Her Royal Spyness
M- Moscow, Russia, The Girl in the Tower
N- Newport, Rhode Island, The Husband List: A Novel (Culhane Family Book 2)
O- Oregon, Thunder Point, The Wanderer, Thunder Point Book 1
P- Perthshire, Scotland, The Pearl Thief
Q- Quill, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
R- Rhyacia, Planet Dragos
S- Seattle, WA, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
T- Tandara, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
U- Under Mountain Palace, A Court of Thorns and Roses
V- Virgin River, CA, Virgin River
W- Woodwyn, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
X- River StyXx, Shades Of Wicked: A Night Rebel Novel
Y- Y's, The Chosen, Amid the Winter Snow
Z- Zorbash, A Muddle of Magic, Fledgling Magic #2

I am doing Species as my 5th A to Z challenge:

A- Alligator Shifter, How to Date Your Dragon
B- Birds, Stymphalian, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
C- Centaur, Total Eclipse of The Hunt: A Cozy Paranormal Mystery (The Happily Everlasting Series Book 5)
D- Drakaina, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
E- Eagle Shifter, Eight Simple Rules For Dating A Dragon
F- Frost King, The Girl in the Tower: A Novel (Winternight Trilogy)
G- Grizzly Shifters, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
H- Hydra, Hisses and Honey (The Venom Trilogy Book 3)
I- Ice Giant, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
J- Jackal Shifter, Hot and Badgered
K- Kolyagga, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
L- Lady of the Lake, Water Elemental, Lake Silence
M- Minotaur, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
N- Naga, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
O- Ograk, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
P- Polar Bear Shifters, For The Heart of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters #3)
Q- sQuirrel Shifter, For the Soul of an Outlaw (Outlaw Shifters Book 5)
R- Rhino Boys, (Fae), Feverborn
S- Satyr, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
T- Troll, A Meddle of Wizards (Fledgling Magic #1)
U- Undine, The Deathsniffer's Assistant
V- Vampire, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
W- Werewolf, Venom & Vanilla (The Venom Trilogy Book 1)
X- foX shifter, Dead But Not Forgotten
Y- Yeti, Miss Frost Braves The Blizzard: A Nocturne Falls Mystery (Jayne Frost Book 5)
Z- Zombie Hyena's, Oracle's Haunt: Desert Cursed Series

In an attempt to carry on a fine tradition, I want to start another year's challenge. The rules are simple, you decide the categories that you want to challenge yourself to fill for 2018 and you decide how you are going to fill them in.
This is the template to complete...

I am doing ......... as my A to Z challenge:

A-
B-
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D-
E-
F-
G-
H-
I-
J-
K-
L-
M-
N-
O-
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Thanks for the concern. Luckily, I need to catch up on all of the computer training and have payroll log me in before I can go out to work. It makes for a really long day.

Doug... I know what you mean. It is kinda crazy!! ;-)

I asked on the reading main discussion if people would be interested. I'm glad to see that you folks are willing to do it again in 2018. So, even if it is only 3 of us, let's form another A-Z challenge.
:-}

Well all good(?) things must end. I return to work after months of recovering from shoulder surgery. I sure can pick them, it's going to be the coldest it's been in a long time tomorrow. It's a whopping 8 degrees right now. If not for the constant battle with the short term disability insurance company, (who chose to not pay me on a regular basis), I might have enjoyed my time off more. All of the worry about Dr and P.T. information constantly being requested by the Disability folks certainly didn't help my recovery. The funny thing is, my medical insurance people had no trouble with paying for all of the P.T. and Dr visits.

On to books... I have been listening to Venom & Vanilla This is quite a crazy book. The book opens with the h, Alena, suffering from a lethal virus and dying in the hospital. In walks
"Merlin" and she is given the opportunity to be changed into a supernatural. After much convincing, she gives him the go ahead and wakes up taller, beautiful, with beauty queen attributes, and no idea what kind of Supe she is. Add in mythological gods, a cheating husband who get everything once she is changed, and numerous "heroes" trying to kill her and this book gets crazy.

On kindle I have been reading Christmas short stories from various collections that were free on KU.

Also, is anyone interested in doing an A-Z challenge for next year? Melindeeloo do you have the template?

Vinity... I downloaded mine today, so I'm OK. Thanks for the info though.

Doug... I read the first 12 Kingdoms book, so I think that I will wait until I get caught up before I read the short story.

Hi Everyone, I hope that your Christmas holiday was relaxing. Mine was extremely busy and I was quite a few posts behind when I checked. I have been listening to The Secret Diaries of Miss Miranda Cheever I really liked the h, she was intelligent, bold, had a quick wit and was outspoken. All things that are highly unusual for an historical heroine. The H is her best friend's older brother and the h has been in love with him since she was 11 years old and he came to her rescue and talked to her like she mattered. He was a bit of a jerk, but he was recovering from a traumatic event, and I cut him a tiny bit of slack on that one. All in all it was a 4* read.

I have quite a few new books, including His Lordship's Last Wager
Also, When Birdie Babysat Spider: A Jayne Frost Short which is from the Jayne Frost spin-off of the Nocturne Falls series.

I have the 2 latest in the Happily Everlasting series, Total Eclipse of The Hunt and Curses and Cupcakes .

I also read both Grace Draven's and Thea Harrison's stories in Amid the Winter Snow and loved both stories. I am not all caught up on the Irin Chronicles books, should I catch up before I read Elizabeth Hunter's story? Also, has anyone read Jeffe Kennedy's story? Do I need to read her series for the story to make sense?

Wow, I finally finished all of my categories. It took me all year but I did it. I couldn't find a "U" author that I had any interest in reading and I just finished a Julia Quinn book and used the U in her last name. I have had the same problem with the U for an author for the last couple of years. I'm going to have to start the year looking for an author with that letter next year, (that is if we do this again).
Good luck everyone.

Happy... First of all, I hope that you will be warm and safe this Christmas, no heat is awful. My furnace went in the winter a few years back and it was scary. Luckily a friend and his brother-in-law installed a new furnace within a couple of days. Have you read The Duke's Tattoo? I love her humor and her next book will be out at Christmas.

Have you read the Miss Fortune series? It is excellent on audio, but I'm sure that it is a good read. The first book is Louisiana Longshot

Also there is a multi author series about a mythical Maine town, (Everlasting), that is light and humorous. Dead Man Talking is the first book. These are all loosely connected and all have a mystery attached.

Good Luck and happy reading.

Douglas wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "Hey Doug, I know all about car troubles. I marked the A Meddle of Wizards as a want to read. I love her books and I hope tha..."

Doug I requested A Meddle of Wizards on Netgalley and I just received notice that she accepted my request, so I'll be reading that soon.

Liz... I liked the TS Joyce Christmas story, it was sweet and made me like Trigger even more. A Very Outlaw Christmas I think that you will like it too.