Jackie’s Comments (group member since Jul 10, 2011)

Jackie’s comments from the Nothing But Reading Challenges group.

Forest Green

#4



#7

Puzzle 2 - Forest Green

Puzzle 1 - Forest Green

Finished B:

BAY LEAF
B: Angels & Demons by Dan Brown - 7/21/13
A: An Undeniable Rogue by Annette Blair - 7/17/13
Y: Legend of the Jade Dragon by Yasmine Galenorn - 9/2/13
L: Death at La Fenice by Donna Leon - 8/3/13
E: Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings - 7/11/13
A: A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams - 8/21/13
F: Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler - 8/13/13

Finished.

Difficult Level

B Bitter Sweets by G.A. McKevett - 8/24/13
E Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler - 8/13/13
A The ABC Murders by Agatha Christie - 8/30/13
C Red Delicious Death by Sheila Connolly - 8/16/13
H Deadly Valentine by Carolyn G. Hart - 8/9/13


B The Amber Room by Steve Berry - 8/29/13
A A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams - 8/21/13
L Death at La Fenice: A Novel of Suspense by Donna Leon - 8/3/13
L Oracles of Delphi Keep by Victoria Laurie - 8/8/13

Puzzle 127 - Forest Green

Puzzles 123, 124, 125, 126 sent for Forest Green.

I'm going to join in with Option 2.

Books-in-a-Series Yahtzee Challenge
Duration: 9/1/13 - 8/31/14

Upper Section:
For each category, choose to read as many books as best fits until a maximum of five.

Aces: Only books #1 of a series counts
1. The Devil You Know by Mike Carey - 9/25/13
2. Haunting Jordan by P.J. Alderman - 10/27/13
3. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - 11/15/13
4. Opal Fire by Barbra Annino - 11/21/13
5. Bubba and the Dead Woman by C.L. Bevill - 11/26/13

Twos: Only books #2 of a series counts
1. A Deadly Cliché by Ellery Adams - 10/16/13
2. The Cluttered Corpse by Mary Jane Maffini - 10/25/13
3. The Second Summoning by Tanya Huff - 11/2/13
4. The Curse of Deadman's Forest by Victoria Laurie - 11/14/13
5. Unquiet Dreams by Mark Del Franco - 11/20/13

Threes: Only books #3 of a series counts
1. A Necessary End by Peter Robinson - 9/6/13
2. Old Haunts by E.J. Copperman - 9/10/13
3. Inkdeath by Cornelia Funke - 9/29/13
4. Chili Con Corpses by Ellery Adams - 10/1/13
5. Murder Under a Mystic Moon by Yasmine Galenorn - 10/18/13

Fours: Only books #4 of a series counts
1. The Seduction of the Crimson Rose by Lauren Willig - 10/10/13
2. Murder on the Flying Scotsman by Carola Dunn - 10/21/13
3. D is for Deadbeat by Sue Grafton - 11/23/13
4. I Am Half-Sick of Shadows by Alan Bradley - 12/10/13
5. The Body in the Vestibule by Katherine Hall Page - 2/20/14

Fives: Only books #5 of a series counts
1. Death Masks by Jim Butcher - 9/15/13
2. Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke - 1/11/14
3. Decaffeinated Corpse by Cleo Coyle - 1/17/14
4. Damsel in Distress by Carola Dunn - 4/7/14
5. Killer Market by Margaret Maron - 4/15/14

Sixes: Only books #6 of a series counts
1. Kissed a Sad Goodbye by Deborah Crombie - 10/12/13
2. Some Buried Caesar by Rex Stout - 11/29/13
3. The Laughter of Dead Kings by Elizabeth Peters - 12/16/13
4. The Corpse in Oozak's Pond by Charlotte MacLeod - 1/14/14
5. Sugar Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke - 5/15/14

Lower section
In the lower section, you read either five or zero books per category except for the Small Straight (4 books required).

Three-Of-A-Kind: Read 3 books of a series with same number plus another 2 books in a series.
1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle - 11/29/13
#1 in Time Quintet
2. Novena for Murder by Carol Anne O'Marie - 11/30/13
#1 in Sister Mary Helen
3. Murder at Longbourn by Tracy Kiely - 12/8/13
#1 in Elizabeth Parker Mystery
4. Path of the Wicked by Jennifer Stanley - 12/2/13
#2 in Hope Street Church Mystery
5. Southern Poison by T. Lynn Ocean - 12/28/13
#2 in Jersey Barnes Mystery

Four-Of-A-Kind: Read 4 books of a series with same number plus any other book in a series.
1. The Sword Of The Templars by Paul Christopher - 12/13/13
#1 in Templar
2. Shadows at the Fair by Lea Wait - 12/21/13
#1 in Antique Print
3. You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister - 12/25/13
#1 in Aisling Grey: Guardian
4. The Doctor Digs a Grave by Robin Hathaway - 12/30/13
#1 in Dr. Fenimore
5. Fablehaven by Brandon Mull - 12/22/13
#1 in Fablehaven

Full House: Make a full house with series numbers.
1. Miss Julia Takes Over by Ann B. Ross - 1/13/14
#2 in Miss Julia
2. Poltergeist by Kat Richardson - 1/20/14
#2 in Greywalker
3. Merry, Merry Ghost by Carolyn Hart - 2/3/14
#2 in Bailey Ruth
4. The Last Templar by Raymond Khoury - 2/5/14
#1 in Templar
5. Thus Was Adonis Murdered by Sarah Caudwell - 2/13/14
#1 in Hilary Tamar

Small Straight: Read a chain of 4 books. They don't need to be part of the same series nor read in order.
1. Cat in an Indigo Mood by Carole Nelson Douglas - 11/27/13
#10 in Midnight Louie
2. Evan Blessed by Rhys Bowen - 12/18/13
#9 in Constable Evans
3. Where There's a Will by Rex Stout - 5/8/14
#8 in Nero Wolfe
4. No Nest for the Wicket by Donna Andrews - 12/4/13
#7 in Meg Langslow

Large Straight: Read a chain of 5 books. They don't need to be part of the same series nor read in order.
1. The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog by Elizabeth Peters - 9/21/13
#7 in Amelia Peabody
2. The Hippopotamus Pool by Elizabeth Peters - 10/31/13
#8 in Amelia Peabody
3. Aunt Dimity: Snowbound by Nancy Atherton - 9/23/13
#9 in Aunt Dimity
4. Catch as Cat Can by Rita Mae Brown - 10/7/13
#10 in Mrs. Murphy
5. The Old Contemptibles by Martha Grimes - 10/15/13
#11 in Richard Jury

Yahtzee: Read 5 books of a series with the same number.
1. Unzipped by Lois Greiman - 1/10/14
#1 in Chrissy McMullen
2. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik - 1/25/14
#1 in Temeraire
3. Orchestrated Death A Mystery Introducing Inspector Bill Slider by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles - 1/29/14
#1 in Bill Slider
4. The Hound of Rowan by Henry H. Neff - 1/30/14
#1 in The Tapestry
5. The Alehouse Murders by Maureen Ash - 2/1/14
#1 in Templar Knight Mystery

Chance: Read five books from any series number.
1. Aunt Dimity and the Next of Kin by Nancy Atherton - 12/7/13
#10 in Aunt Dimity
2. Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett - 1/4/14
#3 in Discworld
3. Triple Witch by Sarah Graves - 1/7/14
#2 in Home Repair Is Homicide
4. Over My Dead Body by Rex Stout - 12/20/13
#7 in Nero Wolfe
5. Long Hot Summoning by Tanya Huff - 2/8/14
#3 in Keeper Chronicles

Sent Puzzle 122 for Forest Green.

Finished another term.

Apple
A Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie - 7/4/13
P The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters - 7/31/13
P Shroud For A Nightingale by P.D. James - 7/26/13
L Oracles of Delphi Keep by Victoria Laurie - 8/8/13
E Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings - 7/11/13

Finished!

Summer Camping Reading Challenge
Duration: June 21, 2013 - September 21, 2013
Levels: Survivor - Read 15+ Books
17/17

S: Shroud for a Nightingale by P.D. James - 7/26/13
T: Test of the Twins by Margaret Weis - 7/8/13
A: Why Didn't They Ask Evans? by Agatha Christie - 7/4/13
R: With Friends Like These... by Gillian Roberts - 7/13/13

C: Dreaming of the Bones by Deborah Crombie - 7/3/13
H: Nine Lives Last Forever by Rebecca M. Hale - 7/29/13
A: Angels & Demons by Dan Brown - 7/21/13
R: Greywalker by Kat Richardson - 8/10/13
T: Too Many Cooks by Rex Stout - 7/23/13


C: Deadly Valentine by Carolyn G. Hart - 8/9/13
A: An Undeniable Rogue by Annette Blair - 7/17/13
M: Bitter Sweets by G.A. McKevett - 8/24/13
P: The Last Camel Died at Noon by Elizabeth Peters - 7/31/13
F: Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler - 8/13/13
I: If Books Could Kill by Kate Carlisle - 8/1/13
R: Red Delicious Death by Sheila Connolly - 8/16/13
E: Demon Lord of Karanda by David Eddings - 7/11/13

Sent Puzzles 118 & 121 for Forest Green.

Sent Puzzle 119 for Forest Green.

I'll be participating, Viscountess Viridian. I'm already doing several challenges here including the A Book a Day challenge. Can the books we read be used for our private challenge as well as the team one?

Finished a term.

Bread
B Angels & Demons by Dan Brown - 7/21/13
R With Friends Like These by Gillian RobertsGillian Roberts - 7/14/13
E Goose in the Pond by Earlene Fowler - 8/13/13
A A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams - 8/21/13
D Dreaming Of The Bones by Deborah Crombie - 7/3/13

Puzzles 116 & 117 sent for Forest Green.

Chapters 23-29

34. Wow! In this section we discovered what witchwater is. Water was expelled from all over her body. What are your thoughts on the advantages/disadvantages to this power? Does she have to be in a sad state and able to cry to use this power?
That is some scary power! It's interesting that when she's angry, she generates fire, and when she's sad, she generates water. She has got amazing powers but she has got to learn to control them.

35.At the end of Chapter 16 Matthew is staring at the print of The Goddess of the Hunt and reciting a poem. When Ysabeau and Diana go out to ride, Ysabeau allows Diana to watch her hunt and kill. During this excursion Ysabeau calls Diana "the goddess of the hunt" Is there some kind of connection or hint of something we are yet to understand or find out about Diana?
Again it feels that the book is hinting that Diana is so much more than she appears. I'm beginning to really want Diana to explore her abilities.

36.What are your thoughts and feelings about Matthews past(being married,a father,how he became a vampire)?
It makes me wonder whether Matthew might really have preferred to die but of course, he had no choice in the matter. He still seems to feel deeply the loss of his wife and child after all this time.

37.While Matthew was gone Diana went snooping through his desk. She found some things that she probably shouldn't have been messing with. What do you think Matthew's reactions will be to her when he finds out? Should she have been snooping?
I doubt he will be pleased but probably not surprised. He seems to understand Diana better than she understands herself. As far as Diana's motives are concerned, she is trying to learn more about Matthew and his secrets.

38.Diana talked Matthew in to letting her go hunting with him. After the hunt,with blood still present around his mouth, he kissed her. What were your reactions to this?
A little grossed out to be honest. That whole hunting thing would be a huge turnoff for me.

39.Matthew warned Diana to be careful of his mother. Why?
Ysabeau is a dangerous vampire and she hates witches.

40.Diana and Matthew are now pronounced husband and wife(in a sense). I thought at this point we were going to finally see the "Sparks Fly" but instead we got bundling LOL Were you disappointed and what do you think about this?
I find it interesting that Matthew is delaying the consummation of their "marriage." Are these old fashioned ideas or is their a deeper motive? I'm not sure.

41.Under vampire terms they are officially married. What happens if one or the other changes their mind? Is there a vampire divorce?
I doubt it. How do you end a relationship with a vampire if it's not desired on both sides. It's probably until 'death do us part.'

42.I wondered what kind of child they would have but we learned that they can't have children the "traditional" way. Diana seems to be ok with this as their children can be "made". Do you think she will ever regret not bearing children? Will she become a vampire so that she can live as long as Matthew and the made children if there are any?
I've wondered the same thing. Even if she's okay with having no children (the traditional way, at least), how can she grow old while Matthew remains the same age? If their love is really predestined, would it not be destined to last forever as well?

43. Diana has been captured and we meet Satu. We have also learned that Gillian is dead. What did you think about this chapter and what do you think will happen next? Will she escape on her own using her powers or will Matthew come to the rescue and save her?
It's really starting to get interesting. I think Matthew will rescue her but it's also time for Diana to learn her true abilities. It's believed that she is a very powerful witch so the longer she can't control her magic, the more dangerous things will become for her.

Chapters 18-22

25. Not alot of action in this section, but we get to meet Ysabeau and Marthe and explore that amazing home! I was wondering about Marthe... she remains a servant and her hands are described as old and wrinkled. I wonder why someone would want to live forever as an aged servant. I hope we get to find out more about her. First impressions of this very unusual family?
I'm assuming that when a person is turned into a vampire, he remains the same age as long as he lives. So I guess Marthe was quite old when she was turned. But vampires are stronger and faster than humans so even though she appears quite elderly, she is still very strong and active.

26.I am finding Diana more and more childlike, and Matthew is taking on a parental role with her (telling her she has to eat before going to sleep, buying her clothes, dictating when she is to wear them etc.). Have your impressions of either of these characters changed?
It seems that as Diana is becoming more physically and emotionally attracted to Matthew, her personality is being over-ridden by Matthew's.

27.I googled Occitan and it is a romance language spoken in southern France. Do you think they speak in this language out of habit, or in order to preclude Diana from certain conversations?
To exclude Diana. They have secrets and knowledge that Diana is probably not ready to absorb.

28. The description of the library was amazing. If you had access to something like that, what book would you love to see? Personally I'd love to see original manuscripts of some of my favourite books from Tolstoy or the Bronte sisters.
To be able to see manuscripts of the great philosophers would be fascinating.

29. Diana has started having vivid dreams and visions. I had to re-read the visions a few times as they seem to be past events, but with Matthew in them. What are your thoughts? Are these past or future images?
I'm not sure. The past and the future seem to be meshing. This makes me think that their relationship is predestined or that they have been lovers in other lives?

30. Ysabeau (pronounced ee zah BOH) seems to be warming to Diana and at one point during the dance scene says to Matthew "be careful with her". Was that just a warning about their dancing or something more?
I think she sees danger where Diana is concerned both to Diana and to Matthew. I also think she sees Diana's vulnerability and is warning Matthew.

31. There have been a few references to a literary Queen Diana, and then in the manuscript Diana reads we get a bit of detail about the Moon Queen and the Sun King. I can't help but wonder if this is all connected somehow with Diana and Matthew. Do you get the feeling they have a spiritual/past world/supernatural connection?
Yes, definitely get that feeling.

32. I had a bit of a laugh at the almost sex scene recalling Kristin's comment about if it would be possible for Diana to set Matthew alight accidentally! Are you (still) enjoying the romance angle? Would you like to see them stay together?
Yes, I'm beginning to want them to be together.

33. Domenico's introduction reminded me a bit of Twilight when Edward tries to protect Bella from other vampires (just from the movie, I have never actually read the books). What are your thoughts on this scene and Matthew's quick get-away? He keeps saying Diana has "a lot to learn about vampires". I think we do too!
I think we're just beginning to scratch the surface in learning about vampires and witches as well.

Chapters 13-17

16. Matthew has taken Diana to the lab. While at the lab Diana has made the decisions to have her blood tested. Do you think she really wants to know what the test results will reveal? Do you think it might give insight about the death of her parents?
I think with the appearance of all the creatures and the unusual activity, Diana is beginning to realize that she can't hide from her magic any longer. She is beginning to realize that she needs to understand more about herself.

17. And there's more wine drinking. Since the discussion about wine in the last section I have really been paying attention to the wine. When Matthew takes Diana to All Souls College they take a detour to an area below ground full of wine and private wine cellars. What are your thoughts on why any human creature would need that much wine?Is there something significant about the wine?
Since vampires don't consume food ordinarily, I believe that wine provides the tastes, odors, textures that they miss. Perhaps a vintage wine is the equivalent of a gourmet meal.

18. The relationship between Matthew and Diana is stepping up a little and getting more intimate. What are your thoughts about their relationship now.
I feel that they are destined to be together. There is an growing attraction that neither can resist.

19. We know that Diana is a reluctant witch. She wants to accomplish things on her own without using her power but we have learned that her power has always taken a role in her accomplishments. She states "I don't want to look back on a life where I took everything rather than earned it." Matthew responds with "So you earn everything twice over. First you earn it by not simply taking it, and then you earn it again through work and effort. The advantages of being an otherworldly creature don't amount to much,do they?" This made me think about our past comments about wishing we could be like Samantha on bewitched and twinkle our noses to get things done. Does Matthew's response to being otherworldly make you change your mind about wanting special powers? Do you really think it would be all that great?
I understand Diana's feelings but I believe I could come to grips with having that power. I really hate housework!

20. What were your reactions on the confrontation between Matthew and Knox when Diana tried to revisit Ashmole 782? Do you think Knox will make good on his threats to Diana?
I think Knox is extremely dangerous and Diana is in very real danger.

21. Now we know why Matthew referred to Diana's parents in the present tense. What do you think the motive is behind the envelope that was sent to Diana?
To scare and intimidate Diana.

22. Matthew's history is starting to unfold more and more. Up until this point I didn't really care one way or the other for Matthew. With the revelation of the relationship between Matthew and Marcus my fondness for him has really grown. What are your thoughts on this relationship and his feelings towards Diana? Has it changed the way you feel towards Matthew?
It made me like Matthew more. I believe we're just beginning to see glimpses of the real Matthew.

23. Throughout this section we keep seeing this phrase:"Bad things happen to witches who keep secrets" Why? Is Diana harboring secrets that we don't know about? If so what could they be?
She may not be consciously keeping secrets but it's becoming apparent that she has them. And apparently the witches are worried about what Diana knows and about the depths of her powers.

24. Wow!!! A lot of things are starting to happen. Is there anything you would like to share or have thoughts on?
The book started to become more interesting as it felt very slow to start to me.

I read a lot of books with animals so I'm going to try this and leave it open-ended.

Pet Names Alphabet Reading Challenge A-Z
Duration: 8/19/13 - ??

A. -Anubis - The Snake, the Crocodile & the Dog by Elizabeth Peters - 9/21/13
B. -
C. - Captain Haviland - A Killer Plot by Ellery Adams - 8/21/13
D. - Diamante -Bitter Sweets by G.A. McKevett - 8/24/13
E. -
F. -
G. -
H. -
I. -
J. -
K. -
L. - Lucy - The Amber Room by Steve Berry - 8/29/13
M. - Mister - Death Masks by Jim Butcher - 9/15/13
N. -
O. -
P. -
Q. -
R. -
S. - Samantha -Legend of the Jade Dragon by Yasmine Galenorn - 9/2/13
T. Tee Tucker - Catch as Cat Can by Rita Mae Brown - 10/7/13
U. -
V. -
W. -
X. -
Y. -
Z. -