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Hello, DHASGers!Our September monthly challenge is up. You are more than welcome to participate as a member of the group.
DHASG September Challenge
I am currently working on a Justice League Challenge. I will try to have that posted in the next week or so and I will post info when I have that done.
Happy September!
DHASG September Challenge
Duration: September 1- September 30, 2017
Introduction: September is here! Along with it comes the shorter days, back to school and work routine, and fall! Enjoy this time and the reading that comes your way this month.
Rules:
1. Any DHASG member can participate in the challenge.
2. Books must be read between September 1st and September 30th.
3. A book may only be used once in the challenge.
4. Please sign up and list your stats or link to the completed stats listing when you finish the challenge.
5. In your stats, include book title, author, date read, and how it represents the specific part of the challenge.
6. Enjoy and happy reading!
Levels:
1. Fall in Love With Books: Read 8-12 books.
2. School is In!: Read 5-7 books.
3. Turn Over a New Leaf: Read 3-4 books.
Categories:
1. Labor Day: The first Monday of September is Labor Day, a day set aside to celebrate workers of all kinds. Celebrate your labors by taking some time to read. Any book you read on this day will count towards the challenge.
2.Back to School: By this time, everyone who's in school is back to school. Celebrate by reading a book with a school setting, storyline, or involving a teacher or student.
3.Oh Hi, Honey!: September is Honey Month. Read a book that represents a fact about honey. Check this list for ideas: http://www.benefits-of-honey.com/hone.... You could also read a book that reminds you of honey in other ways, such as title, bookcover, or character name.
4.Be Positive: September 13th is Positive Thinking Day. To represent this holiday, read a book that has a title that sounds like a positive thinking affirmation or has a character who is very positive in their thinking and outlook.
5.Autumn Equinox Day: September 22nd is Autumn Equinox Day, the day in which there are 12 hours of day and 12 hours of night. Read a book set in the fall, or has a concept that represents the idea of equality between two forces or entities.
6.Ahoy, Matey!: September 19th is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. Read a book that includes a pirate character, setting or location. Here are some other pirate facts that might be helpful in relating your read to pirates. http://www.factinate.com/things/51-in...
7.Ask a Stupid Question Day: September 28th is a real day to ask all the stupid questions you were afraid to ask. Read a book that answers a question that you had but never had the courage to ask. Alternatively, you could use a book that has a stupid question phrase in its title.
8.Native American Day: September 4 is reserved to celebrate and honor the Native Americans, the first inhabitants of the New World. Read a book that celebrates or educates on aspects of a Native American tribe, person, society or their traditions.
9.Fight Procrastination Day: September 6 is a day to be proactive and cross those things out that list you never get around to. You can fight procrastination by reading a book that either you have been putting off reading or you have wanted to read for a while and recently acquired.
10.Classical Music Month: Classical Music is music that was either written before the 20th Century or harkens back to older traditions in music. You can read a book with a character or author who shares a name with a classical composer or has a title of a classical music piece, or has a title that has a music term. https://www.discogs.com/lists/The-50-... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_50_... http://www.classicalworks.com/html/gl...
11. Read a Book Day: September 6th is Read a Book Day. So you get to count any book you read this month.
12.Welcome Fall Bouquet: Here's an autumn posey of holidays for you, pick one that you want to read for the challenge--Grandparent's Day, Teddy Bear Day, 9/11 Remembrance Day, National Video Games Day, Working Parents Day.
Information about September Holidays taken from Holiday Insights page: http://holidayinsights.com/moreholida...
Challenge Participants
Story_girl
Suzanne
Camille
Angel
Natalie
Netanella
Susan (the other Susan) wrote: "I haven't commented in a while but when this thread came up I couldn't resist: James in Judith Ivory's classic "Sleeping Beauty" is brave and kind and beautifully written, as nearly perfect any her..."Hi, Susan. Good to see you posting. I have had this on my tbr list for a long time. I want to get back into reading historicals. I miss them.
Way to go, Suzanne. I will work on the challenge for September and try to get it posted tomorrow after work.
Aug 09, 2017 08:59PM
I can't believe it's been over a year since I last posted. Sorry about that long break. I've been so busy with school.
Aug 09, 2017 08:59PM
Chapter NineteenAlexei’s eyes never left Karina as he told her the truth as he promised to do. He saw the joy and the contentment that was something he had never seen in her until these few stolen hours. He hated that he had taken that from her, even more than kidnapping her and scaring her. And he felt a cold rage that Sullivan had made this theft necessary. His arms formed a barrier around Karina, afraid she would faint. They were relatively isolated, so if she started sobbing, the thick stone walls would mask the noise. He had chosen this beautiful, peaceful place deliberately. And he was so damn pissed that it would be marred from the memory of having to tell Karina the truth in this place.
Karina didn’t cry. She didn’t make a sound. She took the news stoically, and with a sense of acceptance. Her mossy eyes swelled with emotion that she didn’t release in any other way.
Alexei felt more sympathy and anguish for her than he’d allowed himself to feel in so many years. He’d forgotten how it felt to have that spear though his heart. He thought about the Bible verse he’d learned eons ago when his grand-mère had made him read the Bible to her. Jesus wept. The shortest verse in the Bible. So appropriate to this moment. “Moy dragotsennyy rebenok.” My precious baby. He drew her into his arms again, holding her tight. Karina shoulders shook minutely. It was so slight, someone with less observational skills might have missed it. It tore into him. Ever so subtle, but like a saber into the heart he had thought dead and cold as lead.
He whispered in her ear words in both Russian and French, the sweet nothings his mother had murmured to him as a young boy suffering from nightmares. When his possessive father had allowed her time with her son. He knew that they were worthless, but there were what little comfort he could offer Karina. And until he killed Sullivan, there wasn’t much else he could do. He didn’t say it to Karina, but he made a promise to himself that he would make Sullivan suffer when he killed him, for every tear Karina didn’t cry in his arms right now.
They say there in the cloister-like courtyard for long moments. Alexei wouldn’t take them away until he had given Karina time. The wound of her parents’ murder had never healed. And this was like ripping it open again. He knew it wasn’t fair to take her back to Sullivan’s house without knowing the truth, but it was also a risk because she needed to be able to go there and show a composure that must be nearly impossible. But he knew she could do it. Karina might be a young innocent who was too damn innocent for her own good, but she had depths of strength in her that she hadn’t known existed. Alexei had seen it in her. He had challenged her. Hell, he’d scared her and tested her in such a way that she was forced to show what a powerful woman she was. He needed her to know this about herself before she walked back into Sullivan’s house. Or it was all over. And like he’d told Byrne, he was sorely tempted to take her away and drop her off with Byrne and go and finish the job for himself. He’d just about made his mind up to do that when she pulled back, gently, but firmly, and out of his embrace.
When he looked down to see her face, she had a mask of composure that was solidly believable. Even down to her eyes. There was a bit of pain in them, deeply entrenched in those eyes that he could and had drowned in the few days he’d known her. But then Sullivan would expect that with her parents gone only a short two years.
Before he could question her, she said, “I’m ready.”
Alexei didn’t speak at first as he drove them back to Sullivan’s. He’d offered to take her to an early dinner, and Karina had said she wasn’t hungry. He probably would have ignored her and taken her anyway, but he didn’t want to subject her to a public dinner right now. Not after he’d given her that terrible news. He knew she was probably at her limits right now. He wasn’t that much of a bastard to put her though any unnecessary anguish right now.
Alexei glanced over at her a few times, and she wore a serene mask on her face. It wasn’t true, not any of it. That wasn’t the Karina he knew. But he wouldn’t make things hard for her now. He ached to take away the pain, and it made him so pissed off that he wanted to break something with his bare hands. So much for his much vaunted self control.
“Don’t worry,” she said softly. Her voice was controlled, but he could feel the effort she took to make it so. “I won’t let him know that I know he was behind my parents’ murder.”
Alexei was at a light, so he could look at Karina. “I know how important this is.”
Alexei’s hand clenched on the wheel. “This isn’t about me, Karina. Not anymore. I can take you away from here. I will get Sullivan. I don’t need you in danger to do it.”
“No, you won’t. We’ll finish this,” she said fiercely. She clenched her hand on his free one for emphasis.
“I want you to take me back.” Each word was a command.
Alexei swore under his breath. “Fine. I will, but you must do exactly what I say. He thinks that you are vulnerable and he wants to control you. He doesn’t view me as a threat.”
Karina smiled a bitter smile. “He’s so wrong about that.”
Alexei’s own smile was laced with menace. “Yes he is.”
“I promise to do what you tell me to do. I won’t take any risks.”
“I’ll take you back then. We’ll do this my way.”
“Okay, Alexei.” she said.
There was little satisfaction in Karina’s subservience. Not knowing how it had come about. He wanted his sweet little owl back, from hours before. Happily pouring over that old text and mumbling a dead language. If only to see a genuine smile that touched her lips and those beautiful eyes of hers. He would do this work and then perhaps he could have her back then. Smiling at him in that sweet way of his that turned his dead heart into a throbbing beating instrument of need. For her.
“So you are going to say I do, like we discussed?” he asked. Alexei found himself holding his breath, anxious when he never got anxious, for the response.
“Yes,” she said without hesitation. His heart stuttered. Not grim satisfaction. He wasn’t going to lie to himself. A sick kind of joy that she’d be his wife. Even if it was just to get revenge on her parents’ killers. She’d still be his wife.
“That’s a good start,” Alexei murmured.
They arrived back at the house. Sullivan came out of his study when ostensibly he heard them being left in. Alexei made sure his arm was around Karina’s waist, matching their walks. It looked like a possessive display of a man for his fiancee’. It was about that, but moreso to steady and lend his strength to Karina. She was good. He barely felt her stiffen when she made eye contact with Sullivan.
“Hello, Liam,” she said in a voice that revealed none of the blistering hatred she felt for the man. Instead it was casual.
Sullivan walked over and planted a kiss on Karina’s cheek. She accepted it without a wince. Alexei thought she had a future on the Broadway stage perhaps. He wasn’t sure how he felt about his wife working, he thought sarcastically.
“You took a while.” Sullivan delivered the words with some feeling was beyond casual inquiry. Alexei knew that he had them followed. He didn’t try to lose the tail. The men kept a careful distance from them, but knew every stop they made. He suspected this was a test.
One that Karina passed. “Yes, we went to sign up for the license, and it all went very smoothly thanks to your assistance. And Alexei showed me around Dublin a little. Some places he liked the last time he’d come through.”
Alexei waved a hand. “It’s been a few years, but I’ll never forget my time in Dublin.” He was lying about the first part. He’d been to Dublin many, many times. So the second part was very true.
“Where did you go?” Sullivan asked. Alexei noted his words were carefully delivered. His jaw was slightly clenched. His blue eyes icy. Jealousy?
Karina answered honestly. “Alexei took me to get coffee, and a lovely park to drink it. Then he took me to Marsh Library.”
“Interesting,” Sullivan said. He gave Alexei a look that suggested this was an incongruous place for Alexei to be familiar with.
“I got lost after going to confession at St. Patrick’s and stumbled across the library after a few too many beers. I had the distinction of getting thrown out of it. But I knew my nerdy little woman would love it.”
Karina’s smile was briefly genuine, as if the fleeting joy at their visit was still in her heart. “He was right.”
“How lovely,” Sullivan said, tightly and coldly. Alexei knew the man was jealous. As if he had the right to be. He wanted to slit his throat and let him bleed all over his expensive hallway carpet. It would have been a capricious act, and he was too well trained to take the bait. Just like he’d told Karina, he’d stick to the plan.
“Well, Cook has just about finished dinner,” Sullivan said.
Alexei waited to take Karina’s lead. If she indicated she wanted an early night, he’d go up with her. If she acquiesced with dinner, that would be what they did.
Aug 09, 2017 08:55PM
Chapter EighteenKarina watched Alexei walk over to her. She could watch him walk all day, now that the shadow of fear of him had faded. Not that he wasn’t imtimidating. He was. He exuded danger. But she didn’t fear he’d hurt her any long, except maybe her heart. That was still very possible. His long legs ate up the space between them. He wore his clothes better than a male runway model. Every inch of him was coordinated muscle and agility.
He moved his head just slightly, but took in everything. She knew he had been watching over her, even while he spoke to that man who looked somehow familiar even though he shouldn’t have.
Alexei met her gaze as he stepped over to her. He smiled, his sensual lips drawing attention, making her think of the way he kissed her, as though there was nothing else in the world that had his focus. He extended his large hand and clapsed hers in it. Then he pulled her to her feet. “Ready to go, moya dorogaya?”
She shivered when he called her that. And now that he knew she knew Russian, it meant even more. Something told her that he didn’t use that endearment casually. She wouldn’t be surprised if she was the only woman he’d ever called that. “Yes,” she breathed out.
As they walked out of the park, she asked the question that had been nagging at her since she’d first seen the man. “Who was that? I feel like he’s familiar to me. But I don’t know why.”
Alexei gave her a sideways smirk. “Byrne would be very disappointed.”
“Why?” Karina realized even after she asked that the man was Byrne. His disguise was really flawless. But somehow, she’d recognized him. Not enough to definitively say it was him until Alexei had reminded her. But now, it clicked.
Alexei still watched their surroundings, even though he looked casual, as if he had nothing more on his mind than a stroll with his girlfriend, as they left the park entrance and ambled towards the car. “He prides himself on his ability to disguise himself.”
“It’s very good,” Karina assisted. “I probably would have missed him if he wasn’t talking to you. But I kept looking and kept thinking I knew him.”
Alexei clicked the key fob and opened the passenger door, assisting Karina into the car. He closed the door and walked to his side and got in. He shot Karina rueful that had a hint of humor. “Do me a favor and don’t let him know you recognized him. I won’t hear the end of it.”
“I won’t bring it up,” Karina promised. It wasn’t like she was going to be hanging out with Byrne anyway when this was over. And that made her feel strangely bereft at the thought of not being around Alexei either.
“I need to talk to you about something. I would rather we not have that discussion at Sullivan’s place,” Alexei said in a voice that revealed nothing.
Yet, Karina’s stomach twisted into a tight knot. He must have found something out from Byrne. Almost as if he read her mind, Alexei’s hand came out and covered hers. He squeezed it gently.
Karina swallowed the lump in her throat. “Okay.”
“We’ll go to a place that I am rather fond of. I try to visit when I am in Dublin.
Alexei took Karina to Marsh Library, the oldest public library in Ireland. She was a bit surprised that he would have such an interest, but when she walked into the building, she could feel the magic. He wouldn’t tell her where he was taking her, only giving her an enigmatic smile. “You’ll like it.”
Karina liked seeing him look at her that way. He was gentle and teasing. More like a boyfriend or lover than even his sensual touches and displays of affection had indicated. She’d never expected to have that kind of moment with a man. Greatly surprising was it to be with Alexei, an assassin.
Marsh Library was in a part of Dublin called St. Patrick’s Close, near St. Patrick’s Cathedral. Alexei took her hand and they walked into the building that dated from the beginning of the 18th Century. One of the things about Europe that had fascinated Karina endlessly was how old the buildings were. Of course, America’s lands were old, but the buildings didn’t come anywhere close to the age of many of the still operating buildings in parts of Europe.
She gaped at the architecture that was centuries old, including the seating and shelves. There were even bullet holes in some of the bookshelves dating from an event called the Easter Rising.
Alexei and Karina sat down at a table. He had pulled a string or two, although hadn’t told her how he’d managed to get her entrance into the Reading Room, where she was able to take a look at a manuscript written in Aramaic, a language that Karina had begun studying shortly before she left school when her parents were killed. Alexei patiently let her look at the carefully preserved document, seemingly content at the pleased smiles she shot him occasionally. She was sure a couple of hours went by and each time she looked up to check on Alexei, he didn’t look bored or annoyed. He smiled at her, even with those dark, fathomless eyes.
They stayed at the Marsh Library for hours. Karina reluctantly surrendered the manuscript, thanking the librarian profusely.
When they walked outside the library, Karina turned around and spontaneously hugged Alexei. His large, hard warm body felt strong and welcoming against her as his arms went around her.
“Thank you so much, Alexei. That was incredible.”
Alexei chuckled. “I had a feeling you would like it, Malen'kaya sova.” Karina didn’t even mind that he had called her “little owl” in Russian. Probably because she was bookish, so it wasn’t an insult, since it was true.
She pulled back enough to meet his amused, lazily smiling gaze. “You were right.”
Karina moved sideways so they could walk towards the car. Instead of taking her to the car, he steered her around the building and towards an ancient looking metal gate.
Opening it, Alexei escorted her through and closed it behind him. There was a lovely courtyard surrounded by an old stone wall on all but one side, covered with ivy and another plant with small white blooms. It was small and cozy. Utterly charming, Just big enough for the two of them.
Alexei led her to a stone bench and they sat down. He cupped her face, and it was such a gentle thing. Karina held her breath, expecting one of his fiery kisses. But he didn’t do that. Instead he took a deep breath, mumbling in Russian, but so low she couldn’t make out the words.
“Karina, I must tell you something.” Alexei said.
Karina stiffened. Something in his tone told her to be on alert.
She waited, watching his face. He had a stony look like he was trying to keep emotions at bay. The look was closer to the man she’d met in the church, but he didn’t lack a sense of humanity like that man. Instead, he looked as though he was armoring himself emotionally.
“What is it?”
Alexei brushed her face with hands that felt so tender, despite the calluses on the palm of his hand. One of those hands moved and took hers. Then he spoke.
“Byrne gave me some information. I wish that I didn’t have to tell you this, but I won’t lie to you,” Alexei said. “Ever.”
Karina looked into Alexei’s black eyes and felt dread but an incongruent sense of trust. “Tell me.”
Alexei took a deep breath and told her. “Sullivan had your parents killed.”
Don't think I've read Hidden Fires, Alex. What do you like about Jared?
I liked Zane too. But Wolf is still my fave, Angel.
DHASG August Challenge
Introduction: August is here. The summer break is almost over. This time of year is considered the dog days of summer because of the intense heat. Stay cool and read some good books to round off a fun summer.
Rules:
1. Any DHASG member can participate in the challenge.
2. Books must be read between August 1st and August 31st.
3. A book may only be used once in the challenge.
4. Please sign up and list your stats or link to the completed stats listing when you finish the challenge.
5. In your stats, include book title, author, date read, and how it represents the specific part of the challenge.
6. Enjoy and happy reading!
Levels:
1. Hot Stuff: Read 8-12 books.
2. Heat Wave: Read 5-7 books.
3. The Heat is On: Read 3-4 books.
Categories:
1. Dog Days of Summer: July 3rd to August 11 is considered the dog days of summer because they are the hottest, steamiest days of the year. Read a book that represents that heat, either with a cover that features fire or heat, a book set in a hot location, or with a title that indicates heat or hot. You could also read about one of these activities to cool off: take a dip in the water, go to the beach, drink a cool drink, turn on the A/C.
2.International Clown Week: August 1-7 is International Clown Week, a time to appreciate/celebrate clowns. Read a book that represents an aspect of clowns. If you're coulrophobic (fear of clowns), it could be a horror book or scary book.
3. Simplify: Week 1 is National Simplify Your Life Week. Simplify your life by reading a book you've had on your tbr pile for at least six months. You could also read a book where the character simplifies their life.
4.Friends To The End:Week 3 of August is Friendship Week. Read a book about a strong friendship that is integral to the storyline.
5.You're a Peach!: August is Peach Month. Read a book that represents a fact about peaches. You can find peach info here: http://www.gapeachfestival.com/fuzzfa...
6.National Girlfriends Day: August 1st is the day to appreciate one's girlfriend, and make her feel special. Read a book where a character makes an effort to love/cherish/pamper their own girlfriend.
7.Book Lover's Day:August 9th is the day to celebrate being a bibliophile. You can count any book you read this month for this part of the challenge.
8.Dog Love: August 26th is National Dog Day. Let's celebrate dogs by reading a book that has a prominent dog character or in which a lead character has a dog.
9.Southpaw: August 13th is Left Hander's Day. To celebrate, read a book that represents left-handed people in some way. Here's a list of facts: https://www.factretriever.com/left-ha...
10.What About August?: This part of the challenge looks at the month specifically. Read a book that represents an aspect of this month. Here's a link to some August facts: https://popculturemadness.com/Trivia/...
11.Kiss and Make Up: August 25th is Kiss and Make Up Day. Read a book where the main characters have a fight and make up in a memorable fashion. Let us know what they do.
12.Grab Bag: Pick one of these holidays to read a book for--Women's Equality Day, Frankenstein Day, Global Forgiveness Day, Son and Daughter Day, National Thriftshop Day.
Information about August holidays taken from Holiday Insights page: http://holidayinsights.com/moreholida...
Challenge Participants
Suzanne
Welcome, Melanie!
Looks like it, Heather. Thanks for participating!
I just watched a movie with a character who does some awful things and is honestly a bad guy, but I felt so bad for him and I admit I loved him anyway despite his weakness. It brings me to the question.This thread is to discuss heroes you know you should hate but don't.
List some of those heroes and tell us why you should hate them but why you don't.
