Teri-K’s Comments (group member since Mar 16, 2025)

Teri-K’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Serious Readers 2018 - Level 3 Part 2

250. Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs 7/10
251. Carry on, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse 7/10
252. Unexpected Dismounts by Nancy N. Rue 7/11
252. The High King by Lloyd Alexander 7/12
253. Too Far to Say Far Enough by Nancy N. Rue 7/12
254. Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs 7/12
255. Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews 7/12
256. White Hot by Ilona Andrews 7/13
257. Wildfire by Ilona Andrews 7/14
258. Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews 7/16
259. Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews 7/17
260. One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews 7/18
261. A Vicarage Reunion by Kate Hewitt 7/18
262. Veil of Night by Linda Howard 7/20
263. Born in Fire by Nora Roberts 7/20
264. Used-To-Be Lovers by Linda Lael Miller 7/20
265. Hidden Talents by Jayne Ann Krentz 7/21
266. Unspoken Words by Mary Anne Wilson 7/21
267. Flirting With Danger by Suzanne Enoch 7/22
268. Getting Rid of Bradley by Jennifer Crusie7/23
269. Broomstick Cowboy by Kathleen Eagle 7/23
270. Perfect Partners by Jayne Ann Krentz 7/23
271. Wildest Hearts by Jayne Ann Krentz 7/24
272. Up Close and Dangerous by Linda Howard 7/24
273. Sweet Fortune by Jayne Ann Krentz 7/25
274. Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd 7/25
275. Garrett by Linda Lael Miller 7/26
276. Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson 7/27
277. River Road by Jayne Ann Krentz 7/27
278. Plain Outsider by Alison Stone 7/27
279. Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie 7/28
280. Whose Body? by Dorothy L. Sayers 7/29
281. Once Upon Stilettos by Shanna Swendson 7/30
282. Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 7/31
283. Glory in Death by J.D. Robb 8/1
284. Immortal in Death by J.D. Robb 8/2
285. Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb 8/3
286. Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb 8/4
287. Damsel Under Stress by Shanna Swendson 8/5
288. The Girl Next Door by Cynthia Eden 8/6
289. The Marshal's Mission by Anna Zogg 8/6
290. Eleven on Top by Janet Evanovich 8/6
291. Doctor Who: The Legends of River Song by Jenny T. Colgan 8/6
292. Holiday in Death by J.D. Robb 8/7
293. Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb 8/9
294. The Road to Paradise by Karen Barnett 8/9
295. Don't Look Down by Suzanne Enoch 8/9
296. Shards of Honor by Lois McMaster Bujold 8/9
297. Barrayar by Lois McMaster Bujold 8/11
298. Memory by Lois McMaster Bujold 8/12
299. One Good Knight by Mercedes Lackey 8/13

I'm here!

Serious Readers 2018 - Level 3 Part 1

201. A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 6/7
202. Ozark Sweetheart by Helen Gray 6/8
203. Summer Half by Angela Thirkell 6/8
204. Trial by Fury by Craig Rice 6/8
205. The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie 6/9
206. Ozark Reunion by Helen Gray 6/9
207. Waiting for Dawn by Susan May Warren 6/11
208.The Witness by Nora Roberts 6/12
209. Murder in the Mews by Agatha Christie 6/11
210. Ozark Wedding by Helen Gray 6/13
211. The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis 6/15
212. Striding Folly: A Collection of Mysteries by Dorothy L. Sayers 6/15
213. Decision at Delphi by Helen MacInnes 6/16
214. Island of the Mad by Laurie R. King 6/17
215. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones 6/18
216. Appointment with Death by Agatha Christie 6/19
217. A Year on Ladybug Farm by Donna Ball 6/20
218. Manhunting by Jennifer Crusie 6/21
219. O Jerusalem by Laurie R. King 6/21
220. The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander 6/21
221. Bewildering Cares: A Week in the Life of a Clergyman's Wife by Winifred Peck 6/21
222. The Cut Flower Garden by Erin Benzakein 6/21
223. By the Pricking of My Thumbs by Agatha Christie 6/21
224. Plum Lucky by Janet Evanovich 6/21
225. Identity Withheld by Sandra Orchard 6/22
226. The Cater Street Hangman by Anne Perry 6/24
227. Five Little Pigs by Agatha Christie 6/24
228. The Next Always by Nora Roberts 6/25
229. An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter 6/25
230. Deceptions by Cynthia Eden 6/26
231. Flash by Jayne Ann Krentz 6/26
232. Still Writing: The Pleasures and Perils of a Creative Life by Dani Shapiro 6/27
233. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum 6/28
234. Around the Writer's Block: Using Brain Science to Solve Writer's Resistance by Rosanne Bane 6/28
235. Having Wonderful Crime by Craig Rice 6/29
236. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs 7/1
237. At the End of the Day by Betty Neels 7/1
238. Break In by Dick Francis 7/2
239. Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs 7/2
240. Right Ho, Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse 7/3
241. The Amazing Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 7/3
242. The Magic Of Living by Betty Neels 7/5
243. Partners in Crime by Agatha Christie 7/5
244. Wildfire by Zane Grey 7/5
245. The Luck Runs Out by Charlotte MacLeod 7/6
246. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs 7/7
247. Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs 7/7
248. Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs 7/8
249. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs 7/10

I finished the second half of this challenge, and will be moving on today.

Serious Readers Challenge - Level 2
150-200

150. Garden in the Hills by Elizabeth West 4/27
151. Laughter on the Stairs by Beverley Nichols 4/28
152. The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie 4/29
153. The New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change by Ken Druse 4/29
154. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters 5/1
155. Marrying Mary by Betty Neels 5/1
156. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander 5/2
157. The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey 5/2
158. In a Killer's Sights by Sandra Robbins 5/3
159. Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker 5/3
160. Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood 5/3
161. Along Came Love by Carrie Turansky 5/5
162. Bullseye by Virginia Smith 5/5
163. The Little Dragon by Betty Neels 5/5
164. Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood 5/6
165. Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/7
166. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 5/8
167. The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy N. Rue 5/9
168. The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters 5/9
169. A Love to Treasure by Irene Brand 5/9
170. Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front, 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys 5/10
171. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie 5/11
172. Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 5/11
173. High As the Heavens by Kate Breslin 5/12
174. The Art of Slow Writing: Reflections on Time, Craft, and Creativity by Louise DeSalvo 5/16
175. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard 5/16
176. Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer 5/17
177. Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling by Meathead Goldwyn 5/19
178. Where There's Smoke: Simple, Sustainable, Delicious Grilling by Barton Seaver 5/19
179. The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/21
180. The Big Four by Agatha Christie 5/21
181. Cat With a Clue by Laurie Cass 5/21
182. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 5/21
183. Escaping Into the Open by Elizabeth Berg 5/24
184. Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz 5/24
185. No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year by Virginia Ironside 5/24
186. Master of the Grill: Recipes, Techniques, Tools, and Ingredients that Guarantee Success When You Cook Outdoors by America's Test Kitchen 5/28
187. Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith 5/28
188. The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 5/29
189. The Under Dog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/29
190. Zorro by Isabel Allende 5/29
191. A Fatal Feast by Jessica Fletcher 5/29
192. Digging In by Loretta Nyhan 5/31
193. The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse 6/2
194. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie 6/2
195. They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie 6/3
196. There Came Both Mist And Snow by Michael Innes 6/4
197. The Golden Ball and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 6/5
198. The Officer's Secret by Debby Giusti 6/6
199. Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor 6/6
200. Devil May Care by Elizabeth Peters 6/6

Embrace Your Inner Child Challenge
Duration: June
Level: High-School: 16 to 20 books
Completed: 16/16

Option #1: Read! Read! Read!
Read any book from the list. In case of books in a series, any book from that series counts.
1. . The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis 6/15 (Narnia Series)
2. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones 6/18 (Howl's Moving Castle Series)
3. The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander 6/21 (Chronicles of Prydain Series)
4. Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren 6/26 (Pippi Longstocking Series)
5. Pippi in the South Seas by Astrid Lindgren 6/28 (Pippi Longstocking Series)

Option #3: Spell It!
Title, series, author, character’s first, last, or nick-name, narrator, translator; if a title starts with ‘A’, ‘An’, ‘The’, etc., you may skip it.
I'll spell my favorite:

L Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor 6/6
I Innes, Michael There Came Both Mist And Snow by Michael Innes 6/4
T Thirkell, Angela Summer Half 6/8
T Trial by Fury by Craig Rice 6/8
L Laurie R. King Island of the Mad 6/17
E Elizabeth Peters Devil May Care by Elizabeth Peters 6/6

W Wimsey, Lord Peter in Striding Folly: A Collection of Mysteries by Dorothy L. Sayers 6/15
O The Officer's Secret by Debby Giusti 6/6
M The Moving Finger by Agatha Christie 6/9
E Erin Benzakein The Cut Flower Garden 6/21
N The Next Always by Nora Roberts 6/25

Choose Your Own Adventure: Cat in the Hat
Duration: June-July
Level: Roguish, 16 - 20 books
Completed: 32/20 books

Option 1: Build Your Own Nonsensical Story
►With Covers and/or Titles, create your own Dr. Seuss inspired story.
My Story:
Once upon a time two people who Used-To-Be Lovers went to their Ozark Reunion and in One Fell Sweep they fell in love. For their honeymoon They Came to Baghdad and stayed at The Castle of Llyr. That night, while Learning to Walk in the Dark, they followed The Moving Finger to the Island of the Mad for an Appointment with Death, Manhunting The Cater Street Hangman, while wondering Whose Body? they had found. At the End of the Day these Partners in Crime made a Clean Sweep of the island, using their Hidden Talents to solve the mystery and then telegram back home "Having Wonderful Crime". Tired of Flirting With Danger, the couple decided to spend A Year on Ladybug Farm, working in The Cut Flower Garden as Perfect Partners.
To be continued...

Option 3: Cat in the Hat Spell-it-Out
Title, series, author, character’s first, last, or nick-name, narrator, translator; if a title starts with ‘A’, ‘An’, ‘The’, etc., you may skip it.

A Agatha Christie A Murder Is Announced 6/2
R Rosenblat, Barbra narrates A Palm for Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 6/7
T The Golden Ball and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 6/5
F Flash by Jayne Ann Krentz 6/26
U Unexpected Dismounts by Nancy N. Rue 7/11
L Lewis, C. S. The Magician's Nephew 6/15

I Innes, Michael There Came Both Mist And Snow 6/4
M Malone in Trial by Fury by Craig Rice 6/8
P Peters, Elizabeth Devil May Care 6/6
I Irene Delaney in Ozark Wedding by Helen Gray 6/13
S Summer Half by Angela Thirkell 6/8
H Helen Gray Ozark Sweetheart 6/8

Finished more than I expected.

Mostly May Idioms: ~ May Expresses Itself ~
This challenge is based on all things May: expressions, idioms, holidays, blessings, curses, and movie and song titles with the word “may” in them.

Levels: Heavy Gusts = 13-24 books.
Completed: 27/13

• “April showers bring May flowers.” - Read a book with flowers on the cover.
by Jane Garmey 5/16
• “Be that as it may.” - Read a book that has an author whose name (first or last) that begins with “B”.
Marrying Mary by Betty Neels 5/1
• “Cinco de Mayo.” - Read a book that is fifth in a series.
Cat With a Clue by Laurie Cass 5/21
• “Come what may!” - Read a book with a futuristic setting.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 5/21
• “Devil-may-care attitude.” - Read a book where the protagonist has this attitude. (i.e. Heedless of caution; reckless. Jovial and rakish in manner.)
The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters 5/9
• “He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.” - Read a book where someone gets bullied.
Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood 5/3
Selima is bullied by George.
• “How may I help you?” - Read a book where the protagonist helps someone out.
High As the Heavens by Kate Breslin 5/12
• “If I may be so bold...” - Reader’s Choice.
Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/7
• “It may account for...” - Read a book that is an account based on a true historical event.
Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front, 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys 5/10
• “I may be crazy, but...” - Read a book where the protagonist gets “Gaslighted”... or a little crazy, paranoid, spooked, or rattled.
Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 5/11
Lena is gaslighted at her job.
• “Let the chips fall where they may.” - Read a book that has the words from this expression found in the title, series name, or author’s, or character’s name [i.e. “let,” “chip(s),” “fall,” “where,” “they,” or “may”].
• Mae West. - Read a book with a black & white cover. Or is set in Hollywood. Or where the protagonist is a vamp.
• “May the better man win!” - Read a book where a competition takes place.
• “May Day!” - Read a book where the protagonist attends a fair.
Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz 5/24
• “May-December Relationship.” - Read a book with quite a gap in years between protagonists’ ages. This does NOT have to be a Romance book.
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 5/29
Mrs. Pollifax is in her 60s, Debbie in her 20s.
• “May the force be with you.” - Read a book that is set in outer space.
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey 5/2
• “May he rest in peace.” - Read a book where someone dies.
In a Killer's Sights by Sandra Robbins 5/3
• “May I be excused?” - Read a book that is written in the first person POV. (Point of View.)
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 5/8
• “May I count on you?” - Read a book with a number in the title. (Examples found on listopia’s Nothing But Numbers.)
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander 5/2
• “May I take a message?” - Read an inspirational book.
Escaping Into the Open by Elizabeth Berg 5/24
• “May I take your order?” - Read a book where the protagonist is a waitress, or short-order cook, or takes orders of some kind. (Just a few examples on listopia’s Waitress Heroine in Romance.)
• “May Pole” (AKA May Poll) - Read a book on a listopia list. Or is set in Poland. Or written by a Polish writer. Or won one of our BOM polls (past or current). (Examples found on listopia’s Best Polish Books.)
• “May the road rise to meet you...” - Read a book with a road on the cover. Or someone takes a road trip.
• “May you live in interesting times...” - Read a book where someone is cursed.
Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker 5/3
• “Maybe, maybe not.” - Read a book that you’ve been pondering for awhile.
The Little Dragon by Betty Neels 5/5
• “Mayday! Mayday!” - Read a book where someone makes or receives a distress call.
Bullseye by Virginia Smith 4/5
• “The merry month of May.” - Read a book that is humorous.
• “Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are.” - Read a book with a mirror or car on the cover.
by Nancy N. Rue 5/9
• “Seven Days in May.” - Read a book that is seventh in a series. Or has the word “day(s)” in the title, series, author, or character name. We will take the alternate spelling of “Daye,” as in the series October Daye.
• “Sticks and stones may break my bones.” - Read a book with a word in the title that rhymes with “may” -- or where the title rhymes alone. (Examples: Double Play (“play” rhymes with “may” -- or Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, where title is a rhyme itself.)
• “Terms & conditions may apply.” - Read a book that fits another challenge.
Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood 5/6
• “Things may look good on the surface...” - Read a book with an attractive cover.
by Irene Brand 5/9
• “To whom it may concern.” - Read a book of memoirs.
Merry Hall by Beverley Nichols 5/20
• “Try as I may.” - Read a book that was published any day in May, of any year.
Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer 5/17
• “Warning: May be hazardous to your health.” - Read a book where someone finds themselves in a precarious situation.
Along Came Love by Carrie Turansky 4/5
• “You may well ask!” - Read a book with an exclamation mark -- in the title.
No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year by Virginia Ironside 5/24

I finished my 25 - but barely. It took me forever to read Zorro, but I was determined to get through it for this challenge and I just did. :)

Read the Alphabet Yearly Challenge
Level: Librarian 18-25 Letters
Completed: 25/26
Started: June 2017
Finished: May 29, 2018

A Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery 7/21
B The Bookshop on the Corner by Jenny Colgan 6/27
C Cotillion by Georgette Heyer 6/18/17
D Death of a Ghost by Margery Allingham 1/10
E Earthly Delights by Kerry Greenwood 7/5
F The Fortunes Of Francesca by Betty Neels 6/9/17
G The Girl in Blue by P.G. Wodehouse 8/12
H The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters 6/6/17
I The Inspector and Mrs. Jeffries by Emily Brightwell 8/29
J The Jackal's Head by Elizabeth Peters 6/22/17
K Knitting Yarns: Writers on Knitting by Ann Hood 9/8
L Lord of the Silent by Elizabeth Peters 7/26
M Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews 6/4/17
N Naked Once More by Elizabeth Peters 9/6
O The Odyssey by Homer 7/11
P Pirate King by Laurie R. King 10/2
Q The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer 6/1
R A River in the Sky by Elizabeth Peters 6/24
S Seeing a Large Cat by Elizabeth Peters 6/10/17
T Tailing a Tabby by Laurie Cass 7/8
U The Unknown Ajax by Georgette Heyer 6/17
V Vision in White by Nora Roberts 7/15
W The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett 7/3
X
Y The Young Unicorns by Madeleine L'Engle 2/16
Z Zorro by Isabel Allende 5/29

Mostly May Idioms: ~ May Expresses Itself ~
This challenge is based on all things May: expressions, idioms, holidays, blessings, curses, and movie and song titles with the word “may” in them.

Levels: Heavy Gusts = 13-24 books.
Completed: 27/13

• “April showers bring May flowers.” - Read a book with flowers on the cover.
by Jane Garmey 5/16
• “Be that as it may.” - Read a book that has an author whose name (first or last) that begins with “B”.
Marrying Mary by Betty Neels 5/1
• “Cinco de Mayo.” - Read a book that is fifth in a series.
Cat With a Clue by Laurie Cass 5/21
• “Come what may!” - Read a book with a futuristic setting.
Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 5/21
• “Devil-may-care attitude.” - Read a book where the protagonist has this attitude. (i.e. Heedless of caution; reckless. Jovial and rakish in manner.)
The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters 5/9
• “He who fights and runs away may live to fight another day.” - Read a book where someone gets bullied.
Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood 5/3
Selima is bullied by George.
• “How may I help you?” - Read a book where the protagonist helps someone out.
High As the Heavens by Kate Breslin 5/12
• “If I may be so bold...” - Reader’s Choice.
Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/7
• “It may account for...” - Read a book that is an account based on a true historical event.
Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front, 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys 5/10
• “I may be crazy, but...” - Read a book where the protagonist gets “Gaslighted”... or a little crazy, paranoid, spooked, or rattled.
Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 5/11
Lena is gaslighted at her job.
• “Let the chips fall where they may.” - Read a book that has the words from this expression found in the title, series name, or author’s, or character’s name [i.e. “let,” “chip(s),” “fall,” “where,” “they,” or “may”].
• Mae West. - Read a book with a black & white cover. Or is set in Hollywood. Or where the protagonist is a vamp.
• “May the better man win!” - Read a book where a competition takes place.
• “May Day!” - Read a book where the protagonist attends a fair.
Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz 5/24
• “May-December Relationship.” - Read a book with quite a gap in years between protagonists’ ages. This does NOT have to be a Romance book.
The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 5/29
Mrs. Pollifax is in her 60s, Debbie in her 20s.
• “May the force be with you.” - Read a book that is set in outer space.
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey 5/2
• “May he rest in peace.” - Read a book where someone dies.
In a Killer's Sights by Sandra Robbins 5/3
• “May I be excused?” - Read a book that is written in the first person POV. (Point of View.)
A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 5/8
• “May I count on you?” - Read a book with a number in the title. (Examples found on listopia’s Nothing But Numbers.)
The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander 5/2
• “May I take a message?” - Read an inspirational book.
Escaping Into the Open by Elizabeth Berg 5/24
• “May I take your order?” - Read a book where the protagonist is a waitress, or short-order cook, or takes orders of some kind. (Just a few examples on listopia’s Waitress Heroine in Romance.)
• “May Pole” (AKA May Poll) - Read a book on a listopia list. Or is set in Poland. Or written by a Polish writer. Or won one of our BOM polls (past or current). (Examples found on listopia’s Best Polish Books.)
• “May the road rise to meet you...” - Read a book with a road on the cover. Or someone takes a road trip.
• “May you live in interesting times...” - Read a book where someone is cursed.
Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker 5/3
• “Maybe, maybe not.” - Read a book that you’ve been pondering for awhile.
The Little Dragon by Betty Neels 5/5
• “Mayday! Mayday!” - Read a book where someone makes or receives a distress call.
Bullseye by Virginia Smith 4/5
• “The merry month of May.” - Read a book that is humorous.
• “Objects in the rear view mirror may appear closer than they are.” - Read a book with a mirror or car on the cover.
by Nancy N. Rue 5/9
• “Seven Days in May.” - Read a book that is seventh in a series. Or has the word “day(s)” in the title, series, author, or character name. We will take the alternate spelling of “Daye,” as in the series October Daye.
• “Sticks and stones may break my bones.” - Read a book with a word in the title that rhymes with “may” -- or where the title rhymes alone. (Examples: Double Play (“play” rhymes with “may” -- or Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake, where title is a rhyme itself.)
• “Terms & conditions may apply.” - Read a book that fits another challenge.
Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood 5/6
• “Things may look good on the surface...” - Read a book with an attractive cover.
by Irene Brand 5/9
• “To whom it may concern.” - Read a book of memoirs.
Merry Hall by Beverley Nichols 5/20
• “Try as I may.” - Read a book that was published any day in May, of any year.
Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer 5/17
• “Warning: May be hazardous to your health.” - Read a book where someone finds themselves in a precarious situation.
Along Came Love by Carrie Turansky 4/5
• “You may well ask!” - Read a book with an exclamation mark -- in the title.
No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year by Virginia Ironside 5/24

Mother's Day Reading Challenge
Duration: 5/1/2018 - 6/30/2018
Progress: 20/21

Option # 1: Show your love

~Read a book that features a mother and daughter(s) character(s).
Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood 5/6

~Read a book with "Love" in the title.
Along Came Love by Carrie Turansky 5/5

~Read a book that shows a mom hugging her child(ren) on the cover.

~Read a book in which a son or daughter gives mom a present.
The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters 5/9
Ramses gave his mother flowers he picked in the park.

~Read a book where a character does something nice for someone else.
Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 5/11
Corinna does a lot of nice things for others, including giving a job to a homeless boy.

~Read a book in which a daughter misses her mother.
A Love to Treasure by Irene Brand 5/9

~Read a book that has a baby in the story.
No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year by Virginia Ironside 5/24

~Read a book with the word "mother " in the text.
The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey 4/2
"Everyone was right willing to discuss his Lady Mother Gemma with him..." pg 55

~Read a book in which a mother protects her family.
In a Killer's Sights by Sandra Robbins 4/3

~Read a book with a heart(s) on the cover.
by Jennifer Crusie 6/21

~Read a book with a flower(s) on the cover.
by Laurie Cass 5/21

Option # 2: Spell- it -Out
Use the first letter in the book’s title, series name, author’s first or last name, character’s first, last, or nick-name, or audiobook narrator's first or last name. Also translator's first or last name.

M Marrying Mary by Betty Neels 4/1
O The Officer's Secret by Debby Giusti 6/6
T Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/7
H Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood 4/3
E E. D. Baker Unlocking the Spell 4/3
R Rue, Nancy The Reluctant Prophet 5/9
S Smith, Virginia Bullseye 5/5

D Dennys, Joyce Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front, 1939-1942 5/10
A Alexander, Lloyd The Book of Three4/2
Y A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 5/8

I think I'm done. I got all but the first task, and it doesn't look like I'll be finding that one tomorrow. :)

Marvelous March
Level: Luck of the Irish - 8+ books
Completed: 14/8

Tasks
◄ March is Irish American Month. Read a book that takes place in Ireland, or was written by an Irish author.

◄ March is Women’s History Month. Read a book by a new to you female author.
A Family For Easter by Lee Tobin McClain 3/4

◄ March is said to come in like a lion and go out like a lamb. Read a book that starts out strong and wimps out to the end.
No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer 3/25
Loved the first half, hated the rest. :(

◄ The flower of March is the daffodil. Read a book where the first letter of the title can be found in DAFFODIL.
Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb 3/15

◄ March was named for Mars, the Roman god of war. Read a book with a red cover.
by Janet Evanovich 3/14

◄ March: to walk in a military manner with a regular measured tread. Read a book where a character is very determined with moving towards their goal.
Sweet Fortune by Jayne Ann Krentz 3/2
Hatch never loses sight of his goal.

◄ March splits Pisces and Aries for zodiac signs. Read the first book in a series.
The Murder at the Vicarage by Agatha Christie 3/4
First in Miss Marple series.

◄ March Madness is the college basketball tournament performed each Spring in the US. Read a book featuring a sports team or someone who plays a sport.
Towards Zero by Agatha Christie 3/8

◄ March 2nd is Old Stuff Day. This is a day to try something new, break out of your routine, make a change! Read a book from a new genre or author. Break out of your reading rut!
Explosive Alliance by Susan Sleeman 3/11
New Author

◄ March 9th is Panic Day. Rather than freak out, read a book that calms you down! Alternatively, read a book that raises your blood pressure and makes you uncomfortable.
Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs 3/9
The identity of the bad guy freaked me out.

◄ March 12th is Girl Scout Day. Read a book where a character does community service.
Emily of Deep Valley by Maud Hart Lovelace 3/10

◄ March 14th is Pi Day, a day that celebrates Pi, the number that never ends. It’s often abbreviated to 3.14. This year is ultimate Pi Day because the first 5 numbers of Pi are 3.1415 which corresponds to this date. It’s also Albert Einstein’s birthday. Read a book with an average rating of 3.14 or higher.
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich 3/9
Rated 4.11

◄ March 17th is Saint Patrick’s Day. Read a book where the main cover color is green.
by Missy Tippens 3/17

◄ March 20th is the first day of Spring in the United States. Spring represents ideas of rebirth, rejuvenation, renewal, resurrection and regrowth. Read a book where the main character undergoes a transformation of some kind.
Grand Passion by Jayne Ann Krentz 3/8
Max

◄ March 29th is National Smoke and Mirrors Day. Read a book where something isn’t as it seems or where the main character is hiding something.
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs 3/4
Both.

Serious Readers Challenge - Level 2
150-200

150. Garden in the Hills by Elizabeth West 4/27
151. Laughter on the Stairs by Beverley Nichols 4/28
152. The Murder on the Links by Agatha Christie 4/29
153. The New Shade Garden: Creating a Lush Oasis in the Age of Climate Change by Ken Druse 4/29
154. The Mummy Case by Elizabeth Peters 5/1
155. Marrying Mary by Betty Neels 5/1
156. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander 5/2
157. The White Dragon by Anne McCaffrey 5/2
158. In a Killer's Sights by Sandra Robbins 5/3
159. Unlocking the Spell by E.D. Baker 5/3
160. Heavenly Pleasures by Kerry Greenwood 5/3
161. Along Came Love by Carrie Turansky 5/5
162. Bullseye by Virginia Smith 5/5
163. The Little Dragon by Betty Neels 5/5
164. Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood 5/6
165. Three Blind Mice and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/7
166. A Year in Provence by Peter Mayle 5/8
167. The Reluctant Prophet by Nancy N. Rue 5/9
168. The Deeds of the Disturber by Elizabeth Peters 5/9
169. A Love to Treasure by Irene Brand 5/9
170. Henrietta's War: News from the Home Front, 1939-1942 by Joyce Dennys 5/10
171. Cat Among the Pigeons by Agatha Christie 5/11
172. Cooking the Books by Kerry Greenwood 5/11
173. High As the Heavens by Kate Breslin 5/12
174. The Art of Slow Writing: Reflections on Time, Craft, and Creativity by Louise DeSalvo 5/16
175. The Writing Life by Annie Dillard 5/16
176. Murder on the Blackboard by Stuart Palmer 5/17
177. Meathead: The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling by Meathead Goldwyn 5/19
178. Where There's Smoke: Simple, Sustainable, Delicious Grilling by Barton Seaver 5/19
179. The Harlequin Tea Set and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/21
180. The Big Four by Agatha Christie 5/21
181. Cat With a Clue by Laurie Cass 5/21
182. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick 5/21
183. Escaping Into the Open by Elizabeth Berg 5/24
184. Absolutely, Positively by Jayne Ann Krentz 5/24
185. No! I Don't Want to Join a Book Club: Diary of a Sixtieth Year by Virginia Ironside 5/24
186. Master of the Grill: Recipes, Techniques, Tools, and Ingredients that Guarantee Success When You Cook Outdoors by America's Test Kitchen 5/28
187. Stuck in the Middle by Virginia Smith 5/28
188. The Elusive Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 5/29
189. The Under Dog and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 5/29
190. Zorro by Isabel Allende 5/29
191. A Fatal Feast by Jessica Fletcher 5/29
192. Digging In by Loretta Nyhan 5/31
193. The Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse 6/2
194. A Murder Is Announced by Agatha Christie 6/2
195. They Came to Baghdad by Agatha Christie 6/3
196. There Came Both Mist And Snow by Michael Innes 6/4
197. The Golden Ball and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 6/5
198. The Officer's Secret by Debby Giusti 6/6
199. Learning to Walk in the Dark by Barbara Brown Taylor 6/6
200. Devil May Care by Elizabeth Peters 6/6

Serious Readers Challenge - Level 2
101-149

101. Twisted Threads by Lea Wait 3/21
102. Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb 3/22
103. The Lyre Thief by Jennifer Fallon 3/22
104. The Promise of Home by Kathryn Springer 3/24
105. No Other Will Do by Karen Witemeyer 3/25
106. Caught in the Middle by Gayle Roper 3/25
107. The Bachelor Baker by Carolyne Aarsen 3/27
108. Poirot's Early Cases by Agatha Christie 3/29
109. The Witness for the Prosecution and Other Stories by Agatha Christie 3/29
110. Caught in the Act by Gayle Roper 3/30
111. Size Matters by Alison Bliss 3/31
112. At Bertram's Hotel by Agatha Christie 4/1
113. While Still We Live by Helen MacInnes 4/1
114. A Year Down Yonder by Richard Peck 4/2
115. Blue Ridge Reunion by Mia Ross 4/2
116. The Man in the Brown Suit by Agatha Christie 4/3
117. Elephants Can Remember by Agatha Christie 4/3
118. And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie 4/4
119. The Witch of Blackbird Pond by Elizabeth George Speare 4/5
120. Ozark Reunion by Helen Gray 4/5
121. The Outlaw's Secret by Stacy Henrie 4/5
122. Longing for Home by Kathryn Springer 4/5
123. Murder, Plainly Read by Isabella Alan 4/6
124. Ozark Wedding by Helen Gray 4/7
125. The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax by Dorothy Gilman 4/8
126. Betrayal in Death by J.D. Robb 4/9
127. A Pocket Full of Rye by Agatha Christie 4/9
128. Ordeal by Innocence by Agatha Christie 4/10
129. Once More a Family by Lily George 4/10
130. The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck by Bethany Turner 4/10
131. No Farm, No Foul by Peg Cochran4/10
132. Lord of Scoundrels by Loretta Chase 4/11
133. Seduction in Death by J.D. Robb 4/11
134. These Healing Hills by Ann H. Gabhart 4/14
135. Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters 4/15
136. Amelia Peabody's Egypt by Elizabeth Peters 4/16
137. The Arrangement by Mary Balogh 4/16
138. Soulless by Gail Carriger 4/17
139. Merry Hall by Beverley Nichols 4/19
140. Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey 4/19
141. The Blue Castle by L.M. Montgomery 4/19
142. Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey 4/20
143. Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie 4/21
144. The Virginian: A Horseman of the Plains by Owen Wister 4/24
145. N or M? by Agatha Christie 4/25
146. Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey 4/25
147. Twenty-One Days by Anne Perry 4/26
148. Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers 4/26
149. Wouldn't It Be Deadly by D.E. Ireland 4/27

Finished yesterday. Am I supposed to repost them all here or just move on to level 2?

Several people have mentioned having difficulty with Bran's absence. I did, too, until we got to the end. Then I thought he explained why he had to leave, and why he had to leave everything up to Charles, and I was OK with that.

I still don't get (view spoiler)[why he didn't give the financial records to Charles to go through in the first place. Or later when he suspected Leah. Why keep information away from Charles that could have helped him? If it was explained I guess I missed it. (hide spoiler)]

Shannon wrote: "It served no purpose to the story...."

Well, we can't tell that yet. Because the story isn't finished. Who knows what will happen later that ties into all of this?

I appreciate an author who will sometimes make a character I like really suffer, or turn a good person bad. Because it means I can't make assumptions as I read that "Everyone will be all right". It's like when Beth dies in Little Women. As a young girl reading it for the first time I no longer felt they lived in some enchanted bubble, so I cared more deeply about the characters who were left. (view spoiler)[And Asil started out as something of a jerk. He really upset Anna at their first meeting and constantly bates Charles. But because we're seeing the hurt he's suffered in the past and now, we learn to care a lot about him more all the time. (hide spoiler)]

I love a book where the bad guy isn't always the most despicable person in the story. Those are too predictable to really engage me. And this book engaged me fully while I read it.

Claudia wrote: "Can we talk about how my disturbed i was by the conversation Charles and Anna had regarding Bran and Mercy...."

I agree with everything you said. Where is that coming from? I didn't ever see it any of the other books, and I've read all the Mercy ones, too. I decided in my own head to ignore it, because it didn't make any sense. lol I hope it gets dropped after this...

Plus (view spoiler)[I dislike the trend of having every UF heroine be wanted by every man in the book. I don't care how awesome they are, there's no way every guy they meet can really want them. Life just doesn't work that way.

I really hope this gets dropped and nothing comes of it.

And can I just say I loved Sage. I'm so bummed that she's turned out to be bad. Darn. :( (hide spoiler)]

Laura wrote: " ..."Ok, so I 'm not a big fan of Leah and she isn't portrayed as a nice character but... (I'm in chapter 4 somewhere)

I thought I remembered in one of the books that we learn that Bran mated Leah to keep his wolf happy, and picked her because he couldn't love her like he did Charles' mother. He doesn't want to love like that again. But Leah thought she was getting a real mating, and was hurt by that. Did I dream that?

Anyway, I agree she's not nice and she doesn't try to be, but if you've ever been part of a relationship where you were fully committed and wanted a real partnership and the other person didn't feel that way, you know how much it hurts.

And Leah has pride. I'd hate having the whole pack know my mate didn't love me that way. It would probably hurt every day. That most of them only tolerate her because she's the Marrok's mate won't help.

She could be nicer, but still. Most people don't react to being hurt by being all sweetness and light. :) We do get to know her a lot better in this book.

I've finished it now and really liked it. I gave it 5 stars. I think there's less action but lots of fascinating characters, and I loved really getting to know them instead of just seeing tiny glimpses. Though the final revelation was tough to take.

Laura wrote: "Favorite quote..."

I like that quote, too. I think it shows one of the things Briggs does well - she thinks through the realistic ramifications of her stories. Most writers have super long-lived characters who are perfect at everything. Briggs gives them this logical flaw, if you want to call it that. So the characters become someone we can relate to, even if they are very different. It's intelligent, well-thought out writing that makes her books so good.

I'm now on page 256 and I think I know who the bad guy is. And I'm not happy. :( I really like that character. Oh no, now part of me doesn't want to finish...

I managed to get the last available copy from the library yesterday. I went 15 minutes early and waited outside till it opened. There were three other people waiting, all men, and I kind of eyed them thinking they probably weren't there to snag this book for themselves. But for a wife or friend? Maybe. lol

Then when the doors were unlocked they said, "Ladies first" and I smiled, said "Thank you", and headed straight for the new releases shelf. Last copy in the system.

I told my son I'm a good person to get it, though, because I'll have it finished and returned in a day or two and then somebody else can have it, right? Unlike those folks who grab the new releases and keep them over the two week mark before they return them. growl

I'm in the middle of chapter 7. Unlike some others here I feel like the book is a little slower, less going on. But I'm loving it. I like the fact that it seems to me we're getting to know more about the characters involved and the general situation in Montana. I think we'll come out understanding Leah better, too.

Very minor minor spoiler here from chapter 7: (view spoiler)[Anna loves NCIS! :) (hide spoiler)] I always knew I liked that girl. ha

Loriidae wrote: "PS: Have you read Jane Yellowrock? Skinwalker Jane discovers her Cherokee history over the course of the series. ..."

I tried one but didn't like it. I should perhaps try again. It's been a while and I honestly don't remember what I didn't like about it. My tastes have been known to change and sometimes I'm just not in the right mood, too.

I do really like the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, as well as the Edge books and the Burn for Me series by them. I haven't found any other UF-type series I like as well as these. Though I'm always open for suggestions. :)