Danielle The Book Huntress ’s Comments (group member since Jan 27, 2010)

Danielle The Book Huntress ’s comments from the Dangerous Hero Addict Support Group group.

You did a good job, Netanella.

Thanks for participating, everyone!

Patricia wrote: "So... these books all need to have dangerous heroes?"

Not for this challenge. Any book is eligible so long as it meets the other requirements.

DHASG will be having a Back to School Challenge starting up in September. Go here to sign up:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DHASG will be having a Back to School Challenge starting up in September. Go here to sign up:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Way to go, Suzanne!

Class Roster

Maggie
Netanella
Danielle The Book Huntress
Amanda
Sandy
Candice
Patricia
Shona
SmittenKitten
Natalie
Suzanne
Michelle
Aimee
Laura

DHASG Back to School Challenge

Duration: September 1st to December 31st, 2014

Introduction: After a long summer, it’s time to buckle down and return to your studies. But we can help you do some studying on the DHASG. With reading! Let’s hit the books!

Explanations:

There will be several classifications of study available. The participants can put together their own degree plan for the semester (which will last 4 months).

Rules:

1. Any DHASG member can participate in the challenge. Sign up by posting on this thread, and post your final stats when you are finished (they should include the educational level you’re going for and each book that you read for the challenge and date read).
2. A book may only count once for each option of the challenge. You may overlap books between the Options A and B. Books read for other challenges on the DHASG can count for this challenge.
3. Books must be read between September 1st and December 31st, 2014.
4. For Option B, members can use the first letter of the book title, or the first or last name of the author to qualify for the “Spell it Out”.

Educational Levels:

Tertiary Education/Graduate Studies:
Option A- Read 14 or more books (including 4 advanced courses); Option B-Complete a degree of your choice by spelling out a word that is 14 or more letters.

Secondary Education:
Option A-Read 10-13 books; Option B-Complete a degree by spelling out a word that is 10-13 letters.

Primary Education: Read 7-9 books (Option A only).

Option A: Coursework (counts for primary and secondary education):

I. Music: Books that involve music (musicians) or audiobooks (you can count five of your books merely because they are audio books).

II. Language: Books that involve language study (one of the lead characters speaks another language that is not English or the lead character goes to another country for a period of the novel).

III. Arts: Read a book with a character who is an artist, or writer or who is in a creative profession. Or read a fantasy novel.

IV. Physical Education: Read a book that involves some physical activity or sport.

V. Science: A book that involves some sort of science or a character who works in science. Tertiary coursework includes a few higher science courses.

VI. History: Read a book that has a setting prior to the mid-20th Century.

VII. Social Studies or Government: Read a book that involves a person in public office or working in government, or the storyline involves government or public policy.

VIII. Mathematics: For math you can read a book that touches on this description of mathematics in a way that you can make it fit. Mathematics involves quantifying (numbers), Mathematicians explore patterns that exist in nature, and utilize abstraction, logic, counting, measurement, and calculation. It involves the study of shapes and motions of physical objects. For example: you could add a book to your collection or subtract a book from your tbr list to qualify for this part of the challenge.

IX. Religion or Philosophy: Read a book that touches on faith or exploration of life from the philosophical viewpoint. Fiction or non-fiction.


For those who are going for the tertiary level, you must include at least four of the advance courses by reading a book that meets the qualifications.

1. Engineering--read a science fiction or technological novel
2. Inorganic or Organic Chemistry--read a fantasy novel.
3. Physics--read an action-packed novel.
4. Anatomy and Physiology—read a paranormal romance novel.
5. Civil or Criminal Law—read a romantic suspense, suspense, or thriller novel (or even a legal thriller).
6. Ancient History—read a book set earlier than the 18th century (please specify time period in parentheses).
7. Microeconomics—read a book with a lead that is in the high powered businessworld.


Option B: You can declare a degree by spelling it out. To obtain the Tertiary Education, the word you spell out must be 14 or more letters. Any books you read between Sept 1 and December 31 can count for this part of challenge, regardless of genre. You may use the first letter of the book title (excluding A, An, The), or the first or last name of the author.

1. Environmental Design (18 words)
2. Aerospace Engineering (20 letters)
3. Kinesiology (12 letters)
4. Biochemistry (12 letters)
5. Jurisprudence (13 letters)
6. Journalism (10 letters)
7. Archaeology (11 letters)
8. Anthropology (13 letters)
9. Comparative Medicine (18 letters)
10. Advanced Mathematics (19 letters)
11. Psychology (10 letters)
12. Linguistics (11 letters)
13. Create your own degree that is 10 letters or more and is not listed.

Any questions?

The Soldier And The Baby
Line Of Fire
Night Rescuer

The September challenge is up:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

The September challenge is up:

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

DHASG September Reading Challenge

Introduction:



September is here. School is back in, and the days will grow shorter and cooler. While summer is on its way out, we can celebrate the change of season and a promise of a happy, fun autumn.

Rules:

1. All members of the DHASG are welcome to participate in the challenge. Sign up by posting on this thread and post final stats when you finish the challenge.

2. A book may only be used once in the challenge.

3. Books must be read between September 1st and September 30th.

4. Enjoy!

Levels:

1. End of Summer To Do List: Read 9-12 books
2. Fall Lineup: Read 5-8 books
3. Back to School: Read 3-4 books

Categories:

1. Classics never get old!: In honor of Classic Music Month in September, read a book that has a title including any word typically used in a classic music title (Symphony, Ode, Major, Minor, Chord, Concerto, Cadence, Use any of the terms here); a classic book in the genre of your choice, or a book that has a classic theme, or even a historical romance.
2. Labor Day: September 1st is the day this year that we dedicate to hardworking people all over the place. No matter what job you do (even if it's raising children and taking care of your spouse), you get credit for a book this month.
3. Better Late Than Never: For September 5th, which is Be Late For Something Day, celebrate procrastination by reading a book you've been meaning to read forever, or starting a series you never got around to until now.
4.Read a Book Day: For September 6th, you can count any book you happened to be reading this day (but it can only count for one book in this challenge).
5.Swap Ideas Day: September 10th is the day that celebrates exchange of ideas and concepts. For this day, take a suggestion from someone else on what book to read for this part of the challenge.
6.National Stepfamily Day: September 16th honors blended families or stepfamilies. Read a book that includes a blended family or stepfamily.
7.Defy Superstition Day: September 13th is the day to thumb your nose at superstitions. Do this by picking a book that represents a superstition that you want to laugh in the face of. Please explain why you chose the book in parenthesis. List of Superstitions
8.Argh, Matey!!: In honor of International Talk Like a Pirate Day on September 19th, read a book that includes a pirate theme or somehow touches on pirate culture. You could read a book set in the Caribbean or on a ship, or any other way you can represent this day.
9.National Comic Book Day: You can represent September 2th by reading a single issue of a comic book or a graphic novel of your choice or a book based on comic books. You can count a book where a character reads or writes comic books. If you can find a storyline that reminds you of comic books, that would count as well.
10.Ask a Stupid Question Day!: September 28th is the day to feel free to let fly with the questions that you're afraid to ask. Read a book that has a title that sounds like it might be a stupid question. For example: Mama, Do You Love Me?. (No offense intended to anyone!!)
11.History 101: Since there are a few holidays this month that represent important events in history, you can choose a book that touches on history in some way. Of course, historical romance or fiction counts.
12.Improve Yourself: Since September is Self Improvement Month, you can read a self-help book or a non-fiction book or even a book whose title sounds 'self-improving' this month. You could read a book with a character who is on the path to self-improvement. Be creative and see what you can come up with.

Information on September Holidays taken from Holiday Insights webpage: http://www.holidayinsights.com/moreho...



Challenge Participants List

Kristina
Sandy
Maggie
Larissa
Netanella
Penelope
Tina Theresa
Danielle The Book Huntress
Laura

Yeah, Alexei is enjoying pushing Sullivan's buttons. He's manipulating Sullivan so he can learn how to destroy him.

Thanks for reading, Diane!

Thanks, Beverley. I'll look it up!

After they’d gone back, Karina admitted defeat to her meal, saying she was still a bit tired from traveling. When Sullivan asked where they’d come from, Karina invented a railroad trip around western Europe. She could easily answer questions he might have, since that was one of the first things she’d done when she arrived in Europe two years ago. Alexei played along, peppering Karina’s answers with observations about things they’d seen and done in their travels. He also made suggestive comments about how much time she’d spent in bed instead of sightseeing. Karina hit his hard thigh and told him to hush, playfully. The whole time, she felt Sullivan’s eagle eyes on the body language between Alexei. She was glad that Alexei was so free with her body in the sense that he had created an obvious intimacy between them that only the more carefully observant person highly attuned to sexual cues would presume that only lovers would possess. Although Alexei touching her was something she was far from blasé about, she understood it was necessary. Although the quirk on the side of Alexei’s mouth and his black eyes told her, he was enjoying it as much for other reasons.
She allowed Sullivan to give her suggestions on honeymoon venues as he dug and asked where she hadn’t been before. She knew he was probing, trying to get information on where she’d hidden herself the past two years. Karina kept her answers as general as possible, pretending to be inexperienced at traveling and unfamiliar with many places and spaces. Alexei, as a European, was easily able to fill in the blanks.
Sullivan came right out and asked the 10,000 question. “So how did you meet Alexei?”
Alexei had coached her on this, absolutely certain the question would come up. “At the Louvre,” she answered. “But not in front of a Manet or the Mona Lisa. The lines are horrendous to that,” she added.
“She was standing in line at Le Comptoir du Louvre in the Pyramid in the Louvre Museum,” Alexei cut in. He chuckled self-consciously. “I have a sweet tooth, and that café has the most delicious flans pâtissier. I like to go in there just to munch during the day when I’m in Paris.”

“How romantic,” Sullivan said insincerely.
“Oh, it wasn’t very. I made a fool out of myself over her. I claimed to have lost my wallet and conned her into paying for my flans pâtissier and cappuchino, just so I could insist I owed her a dinner to make up for it. I think she would have told me to get lost, had I not insisted on how hungry I was.” He gave Sullivan a conspiratorial look, “Cara’s a bit of a soft touch.”
“I am not,” she said. Karina schooled her features to show a fond look of remembrance, while inwardly she marveled at Alexei’s facile handling of falsehood. “It was a delicious pastry.”
“I insisted on sharing it.”
“I’m glad,” she said. “That way I didn’t feel guilty about buying a second one.” In reality, she had eaten two of the egg custard tarts at that very café because they were so good, but that was long before she had actually met Alexei. She’d never forget the bittersweet pang of enjoying those pastries in Paris, France, with her parents so recently dead. Tears had choked her throat and she’d had to drink some bottled water. But she’d made herself calm down and reasoned that her parents would want her to be happy her first time in Paris. It had barely kept her sane to rationalize every minute that she enjoyed some small thing, such as the view of the Eiffel Tower for the first time. Or touring an authentic French chateau, remembering how her mother had loved French architecture. Because her parents were in heaven, and they were probably praying to God that she was safe and happy somewhere, even with the way they had died.

She whispered the words, but Alexei heard them clearly. Despite so many years around loud and high powered weaponry, his hearing was still very good. “It’s too late for that. Sullivan needs to die,” he insisted firmly, coldly. He took her face in his hands and leaned forward. “That slippery snake will find a way out of this situation. He had money and power in several governments. You must have kept up with him in the news since you left. His company is a number one contractor for several governments’ militaries.”
“Yes, with my father’s technology.” Karina’s words were as cold as he’d ever heard them.
“Yes. He gained power from your father’s death. Leverage to keep him from seeing a day in court for the dirt he’s done. He can’t be made to pay through the legal system. You must understand that.”
His own voice was lethal and sharp as the stone his eye color mirrored. “But I will make him pay.”
“We’ll go to hell for this,” Karina said. She met his gaze with eyes that were anguished but also shimmered with rage.
Alexei shook his head. “Not you. Perhaps me.”
Karina touched his face. “I don’t want you to burn for my sins.”
“I have plenty of my own to pay for.” It was true. He was raised to believe in the forgiveness of each and every sin offered by the savior who died on the cross for the sins of mankind. But did that mean he could keep sinning, killing deliberately? He didn’t think so.
“My parents believed in forgiving others.” Alexei could feel her hurt, and her desolation in believing she was going against something so fundamental to her family’s well-ingrained ethics. He didn’t want that for her.
“I’m glad they taught you that, Karina. And I wouldn’t want you to abandon that. But in this, we have to do it my way,” he said, his words implacable.
He knew that if she wouldn’t go along, he’d find a way to remove her from the situation before he killed Sullivan. He held her gaze, praying that she wouldn’t test him in this. Part of him regretted that he didn’t have the heart to intimidate her anymore like he’d done originally. But the other part him knew he never wanted Karina to be afraid of him that way again. He wanted her to trust him, because then she might come to love him.
He felt deep relief flood him when she eventually whispered an “Ok.” Impulsively, he hugged her. What the hell? He asked himself almost immediately afterward. He wasn’t a man who gave reassuring hugs. But his instincts had acted in his stead.
Before they got ready to walk back, he said, “I know your parents would want me to keep you safe from Sullivan. And that is what I intend to do.”
Karina looked at him. “Thank you for that. And for what it’s worth, my father would have respected you. He might not have agreed with what you’ve done in your past, but he would have respected that you are essentially a man who does what you believe to be right.”
Alexei cocked his head and considered Karina’s words. He wasn’t foolish enough to believe that he had anything in common with Aidan Bridgestock, except a desire to keep his daughter safe. But he didn’t think that Karina would lie about something like that. He had to trust she knew her father well enough to believe what she was saying. In that moment, he was glad that Karina had not seen him at his worst. He didn’t have many regrets. He’d killed some wretched people who truly didn’t deserve to live, but seeing someone take a life that way was a distressing thing, even if they were killing a truly evil person. And it changed a person.
Even knowing he wasn’t good enough for Aidan Bridgestock’s daughter, he refused to let her go. He’d have to make sure that Karina didn’t have to see the darkest parts of himself, but he was keeping her. And he knew at the least his deceased soon to be father-in-law would be happy to know his daughter was safe with him.
He knew that Karina had opened herself up to him emotionally to say something like that. The last thing he wanted was to slap her down. In reply to Karina’s words, he merely said, “It’s not in me to be maudlin, dorogaya, but that means a lot.”
Karina nodded, and there was a change between them. A lightness. She had shown him a different part of herself, and he had given her something he’d never given anyone else.
He stepped back from her, confident enough to create physical distance between them since he knew that there a deeper connection now. He offered a hand. “Okay now?”
Karina tilted her chin with determination. “Not really, but I will be. I am ready to go back now.” She took his hand, tucking her small, soft hand into his, showing a measure of trust he didn’t even think she recognized she felt for him. But he was gratified.
Alexei tucked her into his side and started walking back towards Sullivan and the house, and the game of shadows he had signed up to play.

Here is my very late, Latest Installment

Chapter Sixteen Continued

Something died in him that day. That ability to feel other than the respectful affection for his Grand-mère , and a distant sort of camaraderie for his soldier compatriots several years later when he ran off and joined the Russian Army, barely of legal age. He hadn’t enjoyed killing, not really. He felt a sense of satisfaction when his work ended someone who needed to be dead. And after he left official government service, he used his skills in a way that was unhindered by red tape. He didn’t justify his actions. He knew what he was. A killer. He might have killed bad people, but he was still a killer. He had accepted that and the fact that feeling deeply was beyond him.
That had changed the day he met Karina. Something long deadened had come to life. Which was why he’d been so pissed when he thought she’d betrayed him. But as soon as he’d had her in his arms, so vulnerable, he knew instinctively he could never hurt her. That she would belong to him, then and there.
Now he stared into her eyes. “Instincts count for a lot. Feelings count when they are strong when before you felt nothing. A fool feels everything all the time. But a calculated, collected man knows that when his gut twists, he gets that sinking feeling in his stomach, that he should listen. Especially a man who doesn’t allow feelings to get in the way of anything.”
He could tell when Karina knew he was talking about himself. The knowledge filled her expressive, beautiful eyes. “I knew that when I met you, my life was changing forever.”
When a man like him feels something, it’s worth trusting. Feelings hadn’t played a huge role in his life for a long, long time. The emotion that this woman had brought to life in such a distressingly short period of time was like the feeling returning to his extremities after frostbite had set in.
Karina broke eye contact. “I don’t need to this. I can’t do this right now.”
Alexei knew he was pushing her too much. But selfishly he didn’t care. He wouldn’t allow her to deny what was between them. He was a bastard and he knew it. He placed his large, long-fingered hand against the side of her face, seeing how it dwarfed the shape of her head. “I know, dorogaya,” he said softly. “There’ll be time later for this.” He intended to keep the promise. He wouldn’t’ die, couldn’t. Not when he had so much to settle between Karina and himself.
He said nothing else for a while. Merely letting Karina get control of herself. He felt her relax, her shuddery breaths calm down as she looked out at nothing in particular. She didn’t pull away, even as his hands brushed her short tight curls, then the back of her neck. She jumped a bit then, because he knew she was very ticklish. But she didn’t avoid his touch. That was telling in the extreme.
While he wanted to stay here in this oasis for many hours, he knew they had to go back soon. Or Sullivan would come looking, and Karina wouldn’t want him to see her this way. “Karina, we should go back.”
Karina seemed to gather herself with his words. Her hazel eyes hardened slightly. She reminded him of his grandmother in that moment. A small, slight, fragile-looking woman with a backbone of titanium. She could speak sweetly, but her words carried the weight of authority. Even when he’d started to slide into rebellion shortly after his parents died, she had kept control of him, just with a certain look or a careful phrase. And she also knew he’d respond to the occasional glimpses of her own grief at the loss of her beloved only child. She wasn’t afraid to use that. In that sense, he was like his grandmother. He could be manipulative when it was called for. Which was why he said the next words. “Your parents would be so proud of you, Cara Bridgestock.”
The words clicked something into place into Karina. “They would. You’re right.” She looked down. “But not the killing. My parents weren’t like that.”
“Of course not.” Alexei had no doubt that her parents would have done everything they could to keep their only daughter away from a man like him. He probably went against everything they believed. But he wouldn’t let that be an obstacle against a future with Karina. Nothing would. “But they would want you safe. And in that, I am honoring them.”
Karina’s fingers brushed nervously against the silk cuff of his shirt. It was unconscious, but he preened inside that she was touching him so casually. “Is there no legal way to get Sullivan?”

Have you run across any romantic suspense where the hero is military/Black Ops but not American. Please let us know.

I'm finally getting a chance to update my stats on this challenge. Despite the delay, I read all these before August 1st.

Update: 8/20
Level: Cupcake Champion
Completed: 19/22
DONE!!

DONE 1. Red Velvet Cupcake—read a book set in the United States South.--Slash and Burn by Matt Hilton 4/9
DONE 2. Chocolate—read a dark-themed romance or a thriller or suspense novel.--Sight Unseen 7/22
DONE 3. Vanilla—read a traditional style romance (contemporary or historical).--The Game and the Governess by Kate Noble 6/27
4. Carrot Cake--read a book with a lead character who is into healthy living.
5. Green Tea/Macha—read a book set in Asia or involving any Asian culture(s).
DONE 6. Lemon--read a “tangy” or angsty (makes you cry) book.--Fables, Vol. 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham
DONE 7. Mocha—read a book with a lead(s) who is in law enforcement.--Death Rejoices by AJ Aalto
DONE 8. Peanut Butter and Jelly—read a book with a dynamic duo. --The Burning Sky by Sherry Thomas 6/24
DONE 9. Marble/Swirl Cupcake—read a book with an interracial or cross-cultural romance (two characters from different ethnic or racial backgrounds.)--Until I Saw Your Smile by JJ Murray
DONE 10. Tiramisu—read a book that involves Italian culture or is set in Italy. --A Vengeful Passion by Lynne Graham 6/14
DONE 11. Apple Pie—read a book with a member of the United States military service. --Captain America and Black Widow by David Bunn 6/26
DONE 12. Banana Cream Pie—since bananas are naturally radioactive and most bananas we eat are clones of one original strain, read a science fiction or sci-fi romance novel. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey 6/5
DONE 13. Rocky Road /S’Mores—read a rocky road to romance book or a book that involves camping or surviving against the elements. (Rocky Road to Romance)--Captives of the Past by Robyn Donald 7/13
DONE 14. Salted Caramel—read a book with a main character who is ‘salty’ or grumpy.--The Punisher, Vol. 1 by Greg Rucka 7/4
DONE 15. Cherry—read a book with a lead who is a virgin. --Ready Player One by Ernest Cline 7/30
DONE 16. Oreo Cookie--Read a book where opposites attract (like cookies and cream). Hearts In Ruin by JC Conway 7/4
DONE 17. Coconut Cream—read a book set in an exotic location, preferably an island setting.--Date With the Devil by Olivia Rupprecht 7/17
DONE 18. White Chocolate Raspberry—read a book set with an upscale, high class setting or characters (if historical any novel involving the Ton or royalty will count).--The King by JR Ward 4/21
DONE 19. Nutella/Hazelnut—Since Nutella has a ‘smeared’ reputation, read a book with a main character who has a bad reputation. How to School Your Scoundrel by Juliana Gray 4/24
DONE 20. Dreamsicle/Orange Cream—read a fantasy or fantasy romance novel. -- In the House of the Wicked by Thomas E. Sniegoski 7/21
DONE 21. Rainbow/Sprinkles—read a children/middle grade book or a book with children as main characters.--The Screaming Staircase by Jonathan Stroud 7/9
22. Pumpkin Pie—read a holiday or seasonal (the holiday is your pick) romance.

~★Kimberly★~ wrote: "I guess I'll change it to 100"

Okay.