March 2009 Reading Challenge

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Brandy wrote: "...can you tell me what is good about them?"

I'm assuming you don't mean the BDB books (although I could go on for hours about why they're so great. ;)

But yes, Hunting Ground, the second book in the Alpha & Omega series is due out in July. I think Briggs does a wonderful job of portraying the pack society in her books and has a real talent for writing wonderful, well developed characters. The Mercy series is one of my all time favorites, and I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes the Alpha & Omega one. I must admit that I liked the short story in On the Prowl more than Cry Wolf, but I still enjoyed the book.

[Brandy *Ahviel*]

no trust me I know how GREAT BDB are, I am on book 3 right now. and waiting for 4/5/6 to arrive. I hope to be done by april for when the next book is released

[Ann aka Iftcan]

speaking of BDB--that was a series that I'd heard so much about, I ordered all the books, and got about 50 pages into book 1 before giving up. And it took me FOUR DAYS to get that far in. I don't know why I didn't like them, but they just turned me off.

On the Mercy Books, I really like them. I have read all of the Mercy books and now the Alpha and Omega one. The only complaint I have about the cross-over is--Briggs needs to pay a little more attention to what happened between them. There were a few discrepencies between Alpha and Omega and Moon Called. But, its been 3 years since Moon Called, so maybe the details were a little hazy in her mind. Or maybe it was the famous "were-wolves guard secrets like they were gold" thing.

Well, gotta go set up the sewing machine to do some embroidery on one of the little fleece blankets I got yesterday. Gotta LOVE those embroidery machines. :o) I just set it up, turn it on and then I can read while it does its thing.

[The Flooze]

Embroidery machine. Ooooh, you lucky devil. How "no fuss, no muss" of you!

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Ann,
I had the same problem with Sookie Stackhouse. (Though I didn't buy all the books, thank heavens!) Everyone was raving about them so much, but I just couldn't get into it. I made two very valiant attempts (IMO), but it's just not for me. Guess that has to happen to everyone now and then...

[Yz the Whyz]

I guess, we all have a series or books that others rave about, but for some reason, we can get into.

Mine would be Kenyon's Dark Hunters series. I just can't get into the writing, but what's great about having so many books to choose from, we can always pick something else.

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

BDB - I enjoyed Dark Lover more upon the second reading, but it wasn't my first BDB book, so I was already hooked. And they remain my favorite series!

Sookie - I read the first one (and own the whole box set, having been told by everyone how great they are), but I wasn't wowed by it. However, I have been assured that the first book is the weakest, so I will get around to the rest of them soon.

DH - I do love these. Dream Hunters are the weakest of the lot, and I'm a sucker for the Were Hunters - but no one can touch Ash. Awesome!

[Jacalyn]

Michelle M - This cake is awesome. I love it!! It's the first one I've made. I haven't been to a shower in like three years. They didn't have one. The last shower I'd been to before that was in 1997 when I lived in Arizona. We were all poor enlisted military. No one put that much money into showers. We couldn't afford it. So somehow I missed out on this whole diaper cake phenom. I haven't been invited to a baby shower in like three years and I've got now three in 8 days. I'm kind of thinking about bagging the first one on Saturday. I don't know that girl very well at all and I have to do this shower later that afternoon. Save me a few bucks too. The gal next week I know a little better though still not well at all. But I've followed her adoption trials for the last year. And she came to the hospital last year (she works there) to visit Joram and give him pressies after he got bit by a copperhead snake and had to spend a day in the hospital. So I feel like I owe her. LOL

Crafts are fun :)

Diane: Good to know! I really am not keen on up front and extensive sex. I don't have the other books. In the effort to read the whole book... I will give this story a whirl. But I'll definitely watch out for the sex and I'll also keep in mind it's part of a soundingly extensive series so if I'm confused... won't hold it personal. LOL

I agree with what people say about series. Sometimes you get wowed, sometimes not. I gotta tell you I went into the bookstore in 2001. The first three Jim Butcher books were on the staff recommends. I loved thsi store. They always steered me well. I knew the staff. They were heavy readers. I'd often go in for my book club books and leave with four books to take to book club to choose from. (I miss book club. SIGH) Anyway, the three Jim Butcher books sounded AWESOME. They told there was already a fourth book. No one told me book 1 was abysmal. I bought all three. I nearly killed myself trying to read book one. The other two sat on my shelf all this time. I'm NOW reading book 2 and enjoying it. Boy was I surprised when in like 05ish people were RAVING about this series. I was like "Yeah I've got a couple on my TBR... been there forever." LOL *shrug*

[The Flooze]

Lady, it never rains but it pours. Three! Oye!
Bit by a snake! Aw, the poor little bit. Yeah, I, too, would feel obligated to go to the pressie giver's shower.

I haven't started Dresden yet, but remembering your long ago statement that I shouldn't judge it by the first book, I have the second sitting here in my pile. I'll let you know when I get to it!

And where's the promised pic of the almighty diaper cake? I gotta' see this sucker.

Nichole, I wrote a lil bravo note to Adrian Phoenix through Goodreads and she wrote back with the quickness! I got my little thrill for the day. And yes, she mentioned having to wait until 2010.

::pout::

All, I've taken a break from the challenge and started lightening the library loan load (look at those alliteration skills). Good luck to everyone still searching for books. This one definitely lived up to the title "challenge," but I found more authors to obsess over!

Now, back to reading Coraline...

[Yz the Whyz]

Yz's March Challenge List

1. Anthology
An Enchanted Season finished 2/6
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance
Atlantis Rising - Alyssa Day
3. Futuristic Romance
Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair finished 2/5
4. ShapeShifter Romance
Hostage to Pleasure - Nalini Singh
5. Time-Travel Romance
Dark Seduction - Brenda Joyce finished 3/11
6. Vampire Romance
Dark Curse - Christine Feehan
7. Romantic Fantasy
One Foot in the Grave - Jeanine Frost
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy
Dead to the World - Charlaine Harris
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy
Blood Bound - Patricia Briggs

Finished Dark Seduction by Brenda Joyce today. I'm not sure if I like this book at all. First, I find the heroine annoying. That alone kills it for me. The plot seems stilted, and the sex, i hate to use the word, tasteless...that's what I can come up with. Still, despite these flaws, I was able to finish the book, and might consider, though will not be in a hurry, to maybe try another book, just to check my reality of whether it was really bad or not..LOL.

[Yz the Whyz]

Time for an update:

Yz - 3 books done
Ann - 8 books done
Barbara
Melissa - 2 books done
Lori - 3 books done
DarkHeart - 1 book done
Shazzy - 4 books done
Lady Ozma - 2 books done
Angie - 3 books done
McKayla
Gail - 1 bookd done
Kristen
Dawn - 5 categories (8 books read)
Nicole - 4 books done
Michelle M - 8 books done
Diane - 3 books
Karen - 2 books done
Kenjii - 2 book done
Martina - 3 books done
Brandy - 1 book done

The following had signed up since last update.

Terri - 1 book done
Jamie

Group's running total: 56 books read.

Great start, ladies!

Signing up will remain open throughout the whole month.

Note: For ease of tracking, please repost your official list with your progress after every update. Striking out the title and/or a finished date after the book's name will be best.

Next update will be March 16.

[Jacalyn]

Michelle M -

Yeah, and I know there's probably 2 more showers in the next couple of months. One girl is a good friend and she's getting a shower even though it's her 4th. Her other three are GIRLS. This baby was one of those "SURPRISE" and then the BOY was a MEGA surprise! We're all shocked! HEHE The King's are finally getting a PRINCE! ;) Anyway... the other one is the wife of someone I've known a long time. She's not real friendly with me but I know her and my husband is assigned to visit their family every month - we go to church with them. So once more, that's one I feel obligated to go to. She's a sweet girl, just very private.

But I think after those two, I'll be done. Somehow I missed a lot of baby showers so I should count my lucky stars. I know people who have attended two dozen in one year. YIKES.

Yeah, Joram got bit by a copperhead last summer. Talk about a nightmare. We'd just found out we were getting evicted, our ac was broken, and life was real stressful. And then Joram goes snake wrestling and landed up on the loosing side of a fang. LOL BTW in case you want to know, antivenom is MEGABUCKS. So don't go snake wrestling. LOL This lady is in charge of the kids at church. So she's good about hitting the hospital if she finds out someone is there. She's such a bubbly and sweet girl. I'm glad they were able to get a baby! They had to adopt as well.

Because of the semi surprise nature of this cake, I can't post a picture till after Friday. Mommy knows everywhere I could post a picture. :( But I will post a great picture after the shower on Saturday. *GRINS* She already posted a photograph of my "competition". Someone bought a professionally made diaper cake already! ACK!

I plan to put the finishing touches on my cake tomorrow night. I was having some issues with it kind of leaning, but I've fixed that now. So I can put the final touches with the ribbons and doodads. I also have to get a tray to put it on to do the final "flowers" (they are going to be stuffed socks and mittons)...

Keep me posted on Dresden. I'm now halfway through Book 2 and am enjoying it!! :)

[The Flooze]

Doesn't matter that someone else bought one. Yours was made with looovvve!

Snake wrestling...yeah I will PASS!

56 books, and it's only the 12th. Whoo hoo! Go, us.

[Jacalyn]

Hey I agree with yoU!!! Mine was made with love and mine is way creative. Mommy wants to cloth diaper. So I got her cloths. As well as loads of other stuff. The other one was made with disposables. Which have their place, even in a cloth home. I think mine is really cute. Especially now that I've fixed my problem with it leaning. I guess I didn't do a fantastic job of rolling each thing uniform in size. I mean it IS a ton of stuff, right? LOL But I've got these extra diapers and by folding them and tucking them in and whatnot, I'm able to level each "layer" of my "cake." Which of course makes it look way better! So my next goal is to finish the leveling, cut my ribbon and close it, and do the "fluffy" stuff. Get my pretty squiggly ribbons to hang right, get this thing onto a platter so I can do my socks/mittens... the final touches. I put a TON of hours and work into this thing and it really is a labour of love. So I think Mommy will be happy. :) When I post the photos, I'll let you know her reaction for sure! I wish I could go ahead and post... but no mommy seeing!! *GRINS*

Yeah I will pass on snake wrestling. I like snakes. But I don't like poison ones!!

I think 56 books is awesome!! We're rocking this month!! And my count is much higher, I just don't want to count them till I get a fair idea of how books will be falling. You know? We are rocking the book count as a group!!!


You think our group will read like 1000 books this year? That would be so cool!

[Martina the Book Fairy]

Martina's Update:

1. Anthology
The Magical Christmas Cat - 3/4
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance
Maybes: Divine by Blood by P.C. Cast or Dagger-Star by Elizabeth Vaughan
3. Futuristic Romance
Shadow Fires by Catherine Spangler - 3/7
4. ShapeShifter Romance
Fish out of Water by MaryJanice Davidson - 3/5
5. Time-Travel Romance
Time Transit by Kay Austin
6. Vampire Romance
Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward - 3/6
7. Romantic Fantasy
Princess of the Sword by Lynn Kurland - 3/11
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy
Hope's Folly by Linnea Sinclair - 3/14
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy
At Grave's End by Jeaniene Frost - 3/16

[Angie]

1. Anthology: Men of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance: Dream Warrior - Sherrilyn Kenyon
3. Futuristic Romance: Crimson Rogue - Liz Maverick
4. ShapeShifter Romance: Cry of the Wolf - Karen Whiddon
5. Time-Travel Romance: Warrior - Angela Knight
6. Vampire Romance: Kiss Me Deadly - Michele Hauf
7. Romantic Fantasy: Fire Study - Maria V Snyder
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy: Keeping It Real - Justina Robson
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy: Bone Crossed - Patricia Briggs

5 down, 4 to go.Am going away this weekend so no doubt will have a list change after all that waiting in the airport!

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

I was pleased to discover that Kelley Armstrong's series was still enjoyable even without Clay and Elena. Paige really grew on me and I like Lucas. I look forward to carrying on with this series.

1. Anthology
-- The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance
-- Dime Store Magic - Kelley Armstrong - 12 Mar ****
3. Futuristic Romance
--
4. ShapeShifter Romance
-- Second Skin - Cailtin Kittredge - 08 Mar ****
5. Time-Travel Romance
-- Morrigan's Cross - Nora Roberts
6. Vampire Romance
-- Ravenous The Dark Forgotten - Sharon Ashwood
7. Romantic Fantasy
-- Gideon - Jacquelyn Frank
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy
-- Grimspace - Ann Aguirre
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy
-- Desire Unchained - Larissa Ione

[Linnea]

For those of you having trouble figuring out or finding FUTURISTIC ROMANCE and ROMANTIC SCIENCE FICTION, maybe I can help (since they're my genres). Here are some suggestions, some of which you might find in your library or UBS:

Susan Grant:
The Scarlet Empress
My Favorite Earthling
Moonstruck
The Legend of Banzai Maguire
Contact
The Star Prince

Robin D Owens
HeartMate
Heart Thief
Heart Duel ...or any of her HEART series

Colby Hodge
Star Shadows
Shooting Star

Rowena Cherry
Forced Mate
Insufficient Mating Material

Catherine Asaro
Alpha

CJ Barry
Unmasked
Unearthed
Unleashed

And of course, my books: Linnea Sinclair

Hope this helps! ~Linnea
www.linneasinclair.com

[Jacalyn]

OK, here's my tentative try at putting my books into these categories:

1. Anthology: Blood Lite (Pearl Nominated)
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance:
3. Futuristic Romance:
4. ShapeShifter Romance: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs(Pearl Nominated)
5. Time-Travel: In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker
6. Vampire Romance: Dead Sexy by Tate Hallaway
7. Romantic Fantasy:
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy:
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs(Pearl Nominated)

I may be shifting these around... but hey. There's five. :) I'm reading Fool Moon by Jim Butcher and am just not real sure where I'm going to put that in at all! Maybe Fantasy/Magical? Oooh it is magical. LOL It's sort of Pearl since later books are nominated...

Good luck everyone!

[Jacalyn]

Linnea, what a great list of recommends! Thank you!!

I have Schism down by Catherine Asaro. She's fantastic. But i just realized there's TWO sections for scifi/futuristic. So I'm in a panic. YIKES!!! Guess I need to hit my shelves harder. I might be needing your fantastic recommendations here!!!

[Brandy *Ahviel*]

Ann wrote: "speaking of BDB--that was a series that I'd heard so much about, I ordered all the books, and got about 50 pages into book 1 before giving up. And it took me FOUR DAYS to get that far in. I don't..."

Give the book another try. Go through the whole chapter you will be amazed what you will see within the first chapter.

[Yz the Whyz]

Linnea wrote: "For those of you having trouble figuring out or finding FUTURISTIC ROMANCE and ROMANTIC SCIENCE FICTION, maybe I can help (since they're my genres). Here are some suggestions, some of which you mig..."


Linnea,

I just have to tell you I love Gabriel's Ghost. I think I have a major crush on Sully...LOL...

Thank you for sharing it with us. I will definitely continue reading the rest of the series.

[Brandy *Ahviel*]

1.On the Prowl -Read
4. Cry Wolf by Patricia Brigs- reading
7.Primal Needs by Susan Sizemore -read
8. Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood Series #1) by J. R. Ward -read

[Lori]

Finished Caressed By Ice. Another winner in the psi/changelings series. Ice man Judd got well and thoroughly defrosted by fiery wolf Brenna. My only complaint, which is the same with all of her books, is that I would have liked more details about the "deflowering" of a psi virgin. It was his first sexual experience and I wanted it to be more. I wanted to experience his amazement the first time he gets touched and tasted. We got to read about how wonderful SHE felt but I was more interested in what he was feeling and I felt cheated that I didn't get the details.

1. Anthology - Sexy Beast II Anthology
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance - The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé
3. Futuristic Romance - Caresssed By Ice by Nalini Singh
4. Shapeshifter Romance - Wolf Tales III by Kate Douglas
5. Time Travel Romance -Dragonfly in Amber by Diana Gabaldon
6. Vampire Romance- In The Blood by Adrian Phoenix
7. Romantic Fantasy - Bound by Blood by Jordon Lane
8. Romantic Science Fiction & Furturistic Fantasy - Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy - One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

Also read this month for my other challenges:
Tech Support & Snagged by Jet Mykles
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
Sexy Beast I Anthology
Not in Kansas by R.G. Alexander

[Linnea]

Thanks Yz! Sully said nice things about you too! ;-)

[Yz the Whyz]

Linnea,

Aww, now I'm blushing. Chaz is one lucky girl..LOL

Looking forward to reading more of your books. Thanks for sharing!

[Nicole]

Linnea,

Thanks for the recs! My problem is, literally, finding them. If you want time travel or supernatural, the local independent bookstores and Borders are all over that. But I've walked in with a list as long as your arm of futuristic romance, and they've got nothing!

I contemplated re-reading one of Sharon Shinn's novels, but that feels like cheating...

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Karen, for your futuristic book, might I recommend a brand new series that I just discovered as a result of this challenge? There are 3 books (so far) in the series, and I read #1 for the challenge. Its called "Your Planet or Mine" by Susan Grant. The third in the series is one of the "winners" (or maybe runner up) but since I decided that reading #3 of a series sucked (there is overlap of the characters) I read the first and still got #2 and #3. I'm TRYING to be good and not gobble them up before the April challenge is listed, since if I can use them for that I will. But I KNOW there is no way that I'm going to make it past April--and even waiting for APRIL is being a challenge.

I'm catching up on some of my mysteries in my tbr pile while waiting, but I really wish that April (or at least the challenge for April) would hurry up and get here.

[Yz the Whyz]

I see that there are still some who has problem with the futuristic or sci-fi romance category. I'm recommending Linnea Sinclair's books for such.

I just finished Gabriel's Ghost and I adore the hero. So, check her out for those still searching for a book for those categories.

[Jamie ~ Bad Boy Inspector]

Here is my edited list. Some one please tell me how to cross out things on my list.

1. Anthology: Dead After Dark
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance: The Dark Night by Gene Showalter - Finished
3. Futuristic Romance: GABRIEL'S GHOST by Linnea Sinclair
4. ShapeShifter Romance: Dragonswan by Sherrilyn Kenyon
5. Time-Travel Romance:
6. Vampire Romance: Lover Enshrined by J.R Ward
7. Romantic Fantasy: Fantasy Lover by Laura K Hamilton - Finished
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy:
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

[Ann aka Iftcan]

to cross out use put an S inside of <> then to end crossing out is put a slash in front of the S again inside of the brackets.

I didn't know either til I started this challenge. :o)

[Jamie ~ Bad Boy Inspector]

Thank you Ann!!

[Linnea]

Nicole wrote: "Linnea,

Thanks for the recs! My problem is, literally, finding them. If you want time travel or supernatural, the local independent bookstores and Borders are all over that. But I've walked in wit..."


Nicole, where are you located and what aisles are you checking? Borders was supposed to endcap and highlight my books this month. I should be shelved in romance, HOWEVER some of my backlist can be found in the SF aisle.

Susan Grant and Robin D Owens should be shelved in romance. Catherine Asaro is in SF.

I am offering a FREE PDF electronic copy (because it's quick and easy) if anyone wants one. I'm also in a lot of libraries and so are Susan Grant and Robin Owens. And I'm SURE Catherine Asaro is in libraries. She's uber-famous.

Let me know if you (or anyone) needs a PDF electronic copy. At least you can start reading while your local Borders orders a book (if they're sold out. I know FOLLY sold out in two days). ~Linnea

[Kristen]

Going way slow... here's my update... my only excuse is that my first book was 500 pages long.

1. ANTHOLOGY - On the Prowl

2. FANTASY/MAGICAL Romance - Evermore The Immortals, Book 1 by Alyson Noel *Just started

3. FUTURISTIC Romance - Not sure

4. SHAPESHIFTER Romance - Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

5. TIME TRAVEL Romance - The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning

6. VAMPIRE Romance- One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

7. Romantic FANTASY: Heart of Lightby Sarah A. Hoyt

8. Romantic SCIENCE FICTION & FUTURISTIC FANTASY - Not sure

9. Romantic URBAN FANTASY: White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

[Kristen]

Couldn't put Evermore down.. soooooo good! 2 down, 7 to go.

1. ANTHOLOGY - On the Prowl

2. FANTASY/MAGICAL Romance - Evermore The Immortals, Book 1 by Alyson Noel

3. FUTURISTIC Romance - Not sure

4. SHAPESHIFTER Romance - Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs

5. TIME TRAVEL Romance - The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning

6. VAMPIRE Romance- One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

7. Romantic FANTASY: Heart of Lightby Sarah A. Hoyt

8. Romantic SCIENCE FICTION & FUTURISTIC FANTASY - Not sure

9. Romantic URBAN FANTASY: White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison

[Barbara ★]

1. Anthology Immortals: The Reckoning -Nash/Ashley/Popp
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance Magical Bites - Ilona Andrews 3/9
3. Futuristic Romance Memory in Death - J.D. Robb 3/14
4. ShapeShifter Romance Howl at the Moon - Christine Warren
5. Time-Travel Romance Dark Victory - Brenda Joyce 3/1
6. Vampire Romance Highland Thirst - Hannah Howell/Lynsay Sands
7. Romantic Fantasy City of Bones - Cassandra Clare
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy Kushiel's Dart - Jacqueline Carey
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy Heart of Stone - C.E. Murphy

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

I think I'm going to withdraw from this month's challenge. I'm reading loads, but the books aren't fitting this challenge very well. I'll jump back in next month. =)

[Brandy *Ahviel*]

the rest of this months books will be delivered tuesday so let the reading begin again then

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Well, I got 2 books read yesterday. Unfortunately, I can't make either of them fit into the one category I have left. However, I WILL recommend that anyone who hasn't read any Diana Wynn Jones does so. Some of her stories have romance, some don't, and quite a few are labeled "Young Adult" but she tells a ripping good story, with a lot of humour in it. She IS an English author, so if you "don't get" English humour (which I know a lot of you do) you might want to give her a miss.

The 2 books I read--Conrad's Fate and The Pinhoe Egg are both in her "young adults" or possibly "teens" section. both are about 314 pp or so, but the story moves right along.

They are both part of her Chrestomanci series, and neither is the first in the series. I'd personally advise reading "The Lives of Christopher Chant" first and then "Charmed Life" While she didn't exactly WRITE them in order, there is a kind of order to them, and I think that those 2 should be the first ones read.

Right now I'm trying to convince myself to start on my last book for the challenge, but after the 2 Chrestomanci books, I'm really in the mood for another humourous book, ya know? :o)

[Dawn]

UPDATE

1. Anthology: Dead of Night by J D Robb

2. Fantasy/Magical Romance: You Slay Me by Katie MacCalister

3. Futuristic Romance: A Taste of Crimson by Majorie M Lie

4. ShapeShifter Romance:
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs
Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

5. Time-Travel Romance: Rough and Ready by Sandra Hill

6. Vampire Romance:
A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands
Bite Me if you Can by Lynsay Sands

7. Romantic Fantasy: Kiss of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon

8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy:
Eternal Pleasure by Nina Bangs

9. Romantic Urban Fantasy:
Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood
Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

[Jacalyn]

Here's my latest update:

1. Anthology: Blood Lite (Pearl Nominated)
2. Fantasy/Magical Romance: Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (Technically not a Pearl but others in the series are, so I'm claiming it a pearl.)
3. Futuristic Romance:
4. ShapeShifter Romance: Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs(Pearl Nominated)
5. Time-Travel: In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker
6. Vampire Romance: Dead Sexy by Tate Hallaway
7. Romantic Fantasy:
8. Romantic Science Fiction/Futuristic Fantasy:
9. Romantic Urban Fantasy: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs(Pearl Nominated)

Also read from the PEARL list:
Wolfsbane and Mistletoe - Too bad I can't fit it in somewhere. LOL

So This month I've read:
5 PEARL books (counting Dresden)
2 non Pearl Books
For 7 books in total, 6 for the challenge! :) Now... what next? Hmmm

[Jacalyn]

I want to second Ann's recommendation of Diana Wynn Jones... she's FANTASTIC!!!!!!!!!!

Everyone is doing well!!! :)

Darkheart, I'm sorry you weren't reading books to fall into the categories well. I hope you join in next month!!

Let's keep up the good work! I'm going to go see if I can find another PEARL book on my stack and hopefully it will fit into one of my last three categories. OK, I don't think I have any of the scifi/future type ones so maybe I'll see for that Romantic Fantasy. I was going to read On the Prowl next but I gave it to my husband to read. HEHE He just finished the last Dresden book and was like "WTH am I supposed to read now?" Here, try Mercy's world. HAHAHA

BTW he was highly unamused to find out he was reading a book (Small Favor by Butcher) that was up for an award for Paranormal Romance. ;)

[Nicole]

Lori wrote: "Finished Caressed By Ice. Another winner in the psi/changelings seri..."

I almost bought Caressed by Ice yesterday! I'll keep it in mind for the future.

[Lori]

Nicole wrote: I almost bought Caressed by Ice yesterday! I'll keep it in mind for the future.

Nicole, have you read the first two in the series? If not, these are best read in order or I'm afraid you'll be terribly lost. Her world can be a little complicated and I can't imagine starting in on the third book.

[Nicole]

Okay! I finally found my futuristic romance!

1. ANTHOLOGY - Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day and Virginia Kantra (so far, so good!)

2. FANTASY/MAGICAL Romance - Dinah McCall's Dreamcatcher.

3. FUTURISTIC Romance - Dah-dah-dah-DAH!!! I found my book! It's Susan Kearney's "The Challenge". (Linnea, I went to the more distant, larger Borders and they had tons of your books, just so you know. Although their shelves in general are alarmingly bare - anyone placing bets on when they are going to go belly-up?)

4. SHAPESHIFTER Romance - Soul Song by Marjorie M. Liu

5. TIME TRAVEL Romance - Legend by Jude Deveraux

6. VAMPIRE Romance - Lover Revealedby J.R. Ward Butch is my favorite character, so I thought I'd like this one the best of the series, even though I read many complaints about it. It was...not bad, but not as good as the first three books in the series. Hope the next one is better! Still, it was the best book this month so far.

7. Romantic FANTASY: Susan Wright, To Serve and Submit

8. Romantic SCIENCE FICTION & FUTURISTIC FANTASY - Spider and Jeanne Robinson's The Stardance Trilogy omnibus of Stardance, Starseed and Starmind

9. Romantic URBAN FANTASY: Matthew Thomas, Before and After

[The Flooze]

Oh, Ann. You must stop adding to my TBR list! Christopher Chant got a 4.29 and sounds great-it's been added.

So, on an unrelated note, I just read The Man with the Golden Torc and it was quite good. Takes about 50 pages or so to hit its stride and then it's action action (brewing romance) action. Thought I'd mention it since Ann commented on British humour and this certainly fit the bill. It's by Simon R. Green.

[Jacalyn]

Nicole: If your borders is like mine they aren't a book store. Hope yours is selling loads of CDs and DVDs!!! That's what mine pushes, and their coffee. It's more like 'Oh yeah, and we have some books'.

BTW I was looking at my stack and there's a book I needed to read for a podcast I do. So I picked it up thinking if it didn't work out at least it was short. I'm just pages away from the halfway point, loving it, and it works for SF Romance or Future Romance. (It's on an alien planet but humans are on it so I figure it can go either way.) Yay!!!!!!

It's called Heroes Arise. I interviewed the author, Laurel Anne Hill, last year and it is almost time to use her interview for the podcast. I really wanted to be able to read it before i posted so I could make some remarks on it. :) It's a debut novel by some independent publisher. I'll keep you guys posted.

[Jacalyn]

Nicole: If your borders is like mine they aren't a book store. Hope yours is selling loads of CDs and DVDs!!! That's what mine pushes, and their coffee. It's more like 'Oh yeah, and we have some books'.

BTW I was looking at my stack and there's a book I needed to read for a podcast I do. So I picked it up thinking if it didn't work out at least it was short. I'm just pages away from the halfway point, loving it, and it works for SF Romance or Future Romance. (It's on an alien planet but humans are on it so I figure it can go either way.) Yay!!!!!!

It's called Heroes Arise. I interviewed the author, Laurel Anne Hill, last year and it is almost time to use her interview for the podcast. I really wanted to be able to read it before i posted so I could make some remarks on it. :) It's a debut novel by some independent publisher. I'll keep you guys posted.

[Jacalyn]

Michelle M. You won't be sorry! The Chrestamanci books are great!!! I read them as a kid. Mum and just realized there were like two more stories and were so excited!! I have the first four books in a two duos.

My favourite was the one called Witch Week. :) It was freaking hillarious! All these kids in school in a world where magic is banned and they still burn witches turn out to be witches! :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

She also loved the book "The Ogre Downstairs" and also "Archer's Goon". Both are really GOOD books for the junior members of the family--or, arctually for you too. :o)