Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
Monthly Reading Challenges
>
June 2009 Reading Challenge
It's gonna be close. The stars behind the completed ones are my ratings...1.
2.
3. Jewel Of Atlantis- Gena Showalter
4.
5. Dark Lover - J.R. Ward
6.
7. The Iron Hunt - Marjorie Liu
8.
9. Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward
Mod
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
Also read this month—
The Remarkable Miss Frankenstein by Minda Webber,
Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson et. Al,
Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
Guns will Keep us Together by Leslie Langtry
The Star Princess by Susan Grant
The Star King by Susan Grant
Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy
Married to the Mop by Barbara Colley
Reserved for the Cat by Mercedes Lackey
Knitting Bones by Monica Ferris
His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik
Stuck in Shangri-La by Kasey Michaels
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Stand by your Hitman by Leslie Lantry
The Serpent’s Shadow by Mercedes Lackey
I Shot You Babe by Leslie Lantry
Well, there you have it--my reading list thus far for the month of June. Just 1 or 2. :oP
As a fan of the Vampire Academy series, I already knew how awesome Richelle Mead was, but now that I've caught up with the Georgina Kinkaid series, I'm amazed that she can write two series so different and yet both so amazing. I haven't even started her Dark Swan series yet! ;) One more book to go!2. No Rest for the Wicked - Kresley Cole
[image error]
1. 2. Ink Exchange
3.
4.
5. Halfway to the Grave
6.
7.
8.
9. Greywalker--currently reading
Mod
1.
2. Holy Smokes by Katie MacAlister
3.
4.
5. Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
6. Witch Fire by Anya Bast
7. Marked by P.C. Cast
8. A Quick Bite by Lyndsay Sands
9.
Mod
June 26 update:
So far we have 44 participants.
Barbara(barbsis)
Kristen - 1 book done
Brenda
Michelle(shelli_m) - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
DarkHeart - 8 books done
Sarah - 2 books done
Angie - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Lauren - 8 books done
Lori - 1 book done
Uniquely Moi - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Shazzy - 6 books done
Melinda - 8 books done
Brandy - 5 books done
Mel - 7 books done
Annvelwis - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Charlotte - 8 books done
Ann - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Valerie - 4 books done
Melissa - 7 books done
Vicci - 1 book done
BJ Rose - 4 books done
Barbara(darkxhuntress) - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Diane
Michelle(karenshell) - 6 books done
Catherine - 7 books done
Amy
Kyle - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Jennifer
Adrienne - 6 books done
Valerie - 5 books done
PR
Ronelle - 8 books done
Jennie - 5 books done
colleen - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Gail - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Yz - 4 books done
K
Laura - 1 book done
LadyOzma - 6 books done
Clerah - 7 books done
Delitealex - 7 books done
Jamie
Jan - 9 books done - Complete - Congratulations!
Diana - 3 books done
No one had signed up since the last update.
Group's Running Total: 227 books read.
10 participants had completed all 9 books.
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.
Final update will be July 1.
Happy reading, everyone!
COMPLETED!!
It's gonna be close. The stars behind the completed ones are my ratings...1.
2.
3. Jewel Of Atlantis- Gena Showalter
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9. Lover Eternal - J.R. Ward
One more done, so at least I've passed the halfway mark, but definitely won't finish. I'm already into The Hollow and may finish that trilogy, but that will still leave two unread.
[image error]
[image error]
1.
2.
3.
4. Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
5.
6. The Dream Thief by Shana Abé
7.
8. The Hollow by Nora Roberts
9. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts
[image error]
[image error]
Also read this month: (no wonder I'm behind on this challenge!)
2* No Regrets by Michele Ann Young (only positive thing I can say is that it's finally off my TBR shelf)
5* Elizabeth and Mary Cousins, Rivals, Queens by Jane Dunn (great book but heavy reading)
3* Curveball by Kate Angell (cute and light which is what I needed at the time)
3* 74 Seaside Drive by Debbie Macomber
5* Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse (delightful!!)
3.5* Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (lots of short stories, some excellent, some not)
4.5* Second Glance by Jodi Picoult
4* Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (all my sympathy was for the 'monster', poor guy)
4* How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins (heroine's family has a curse on it - lighthearted fun)
4.5* Bridal Season by Connie Brockway (Con girl becomes bridal consultant in a small village - lovely characters!)
5* The Pleasure Trap] by Elizabeth Thornton (historical romantic-suspense involving The Sight)
3.5* Legend in Green Velvet by Elizabeth Peters (how can a girl not fall for a Bonnie Prince Charlie lookalike?)
3.5* Magyk by Angie Sage (first of the Septimus Heap series)
5* Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
4* The Stranger by Albert Camus (I'm still trying to figure out why I liked this!)
4.5* A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle - this is where Dr. Watson first met Sherlock Holmes
5* A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
5* Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
1.2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
1. 2.
3. Kiss of A Demon King by Kresley Cole
4.
5.
6. Murder Game by Christine Feehan
7.
8. The Demon You Know by Christine Warren
9.
1.BENEATH A BLOOD RED MOON---FINISHED 6/282.UPON THE MIDNIGHT CLEAR --- FINISHED 6/20
3.BEYOND THE HIGHLAND MIST---FINISHED 6/9
4.GODDESS OF THE SEA----FINISHED 6/25
5.RED FIRE A GODS OF MIDNIGHT NOVEL--FINISHED 6/16
6.DEAD AFTER DARK ---FINISHED 6/3
7.PASSION UNLEASED---FINISHED 6/6
8.THE IMMORTAL HIGHLANDER---FINISHED 6/12
9.CLUB DEAD---fINISHED 6/19
YAY I FINISHED THEM ALL
Just one left, which i should finish tonight...1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.Angels' Blood
7.
8.
9.
Also read:
Dark Legend
Fire Me Up
Light My Fire
Holy Smokes
Alphas' Mate
Updates: Finally, all done!
1. Weddings From Hell - Kathryn Smith, Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost - done, 06/01/2009
2. Undead and Unwed (Undead Series, Book 1) - MaryJanice Davidson - done, 06/08/2009
3. One More Bite (Jaz Parks, #5) - Jennifer Rardin - done 06/06/2009
4. Undead and Unappreciated (Undead Series, Book 3) - MaryJanice Davidson - done, 06/09/2009
5. Undead and Unreturnable (Undead Series, Book 4) - MaryJanice Davidson - done 06/07/2009
6. Undead and Unpopular (Undead Series, Book 5) - MaryJanice Davidson - done, 06/11/2009
7. Undead and Uneasy (Undead Series, Book 6) - MaryJanice Davidson - done, 06/10/2009
8. Dark Challenge (Carpathians, #5) - Christine Feehan - done 06/28/2009
9. Bitten to Death (Jaz Parks, #4) - Jennifer Rardin - done 06/04/2009
Is it just me, or is "Dark Challenge", a really tedious book? This is my first time reading Christine Feehan and frankly, I can't see how she is a bestselling author. This Carpathian business does not appeal to me. And the conflicts in the novel feel so contrived, even for a fantasy romance book.
Ronelle, I haven't read that particular Carpathian book, having only read the first two in the series. She's hugely popular and the series has a strong following. I must admit though, it wasn't my favorite. I found the males to be too overbearing and chauvinistic for me to really enjoy it. And even though it's set in modern times, they felt more historical to me for some reason (probably the antiquated actions of the males). But hey, I've read the first in her GhostWalkers series, and enjoyed it.
One more to go - I might just make it! The stars behind the completed ones are my ratings...1.
2.
3. Jewel Of Atlantis- Gena Showalter
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Clerah wrote: "if you don't get your books in time the replacements that you chose won't leave you disappointed. I just read them and completely understand why people are hooked on the "Warden"Clerah, I'm so hooked after the first two that I changed one of my picks for July so I can read the 3rd installment!
DarkHeart wrote: "Ronelle, I haven't read that particular Carpathian book, having only read the first two in the series. She's hugely popular and the series has a strong following. I must admit though, it wasn't m..."I'm the same - just couldn't connect with the Carpathians but love the GhostWalkers and the Drake Sisters.
Mod
However, because I have become so familiar with everybody and has gotten engrossed on the overall plotline, I just have the urge to keep reading and find out what happens next. Still I refused to read Feehan's books consecutively because I find the prose flowery.
On the other hand, I'm crazy about her Ghostwalkers series. Love the characters, love the action. Buying each book as they come out.
Haven't read her Drake sisters series, and just read two out of her Leopard series, which is just okay with me.
I agree with Yz. Some are better than others and they're not really the kind made for consecutive reading. I'd have to add that if you didn't like one, you're not going to like any of them. She definitely has the same structure to each story. Personally, I love them, but I like the mushy soul mate concept in romances.
Wow...I got one book read for this challenge. Yay for me! LOL. I just could not get in the mood to read the books I picked even though they are all books I do eventually want to read. I'm just in a M/M mood and that's all I want to read at the moment. Next month's challenge will be MUCH better.
Updated 29/06 - 8 out of 98. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Books also read this month:
Out of Sight 1/6
On Thin Ice 2/6
Hot Ice 3/6
Edge of Danger 4/6
Edge of Fear 5/6
Edge of Darkness 6/6
White Heat 7/6
Night Fall 8/6
Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick 13/6
Killer Christmas from Red Hot Santa by Kelsey Roberts 14/6
The Duke by Gaelen Foley 16/6
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas 22/6
Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen 23/6
Light In Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz 27/6
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (re-read) 28/6
UPDATED - 29th JuneAll Done!!!!!
[image error]
[image error]
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
There was only one that I didn't enjoy all that much and it was Sookie, but I'll carry on with them.
The Lords of the Underworld were awesome (as were Jaz and Vayl).
I've never read so many books in one month!!!!
1.2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Final Update7/9 completed
5. A Rush of Wings - Adrian Phoenix
9. Kiss of Fury - Deborah Cooke
I'm calling it quits now. I got caught up in a new to me mystery series this month and spent my time reading the first 8 books in the series instead of the rest of my challenge books. I couldn't help myself! Atleast I got them out of my system before the next challenge starts!
Mod
Carol O'Connell (Kathleen Mallory novels)She writes about an ice queen, NYPD Detective with a colorful past. The writing is amazing. The cases she and her partner work on are unique and I've never guessed the ending completely correct yet. There are several people in her life and the book is mostly written from their point of view but focusing around her. It's hard to explain, but so cool. I have been completely absorbed in these books to the point my hubby and kids have been making fun of me! There are 9 in the series and I blew through the first 8 and I'm waiting on the 9th to be returned to the library. I'm not sure if 9 is the end or if she's writing more. I've searched the web and can't find that out. She has two stand alone novels as well. I'll be reading those soon too.
9/9 DONE!!!1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
I'll have to settle for 7/10 this month. Just finished The Hollow but that's it for this month - it's vacation time! Taking The Pagan Stone with me - have to finish that trilogy
[image error]
[image error]
1.
2.
3.
4. Dark Possession by Christine Feehan
5.
6. The Dream Thief by Shana Abé
7.
8.
9. The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts
[image error]
[image error]
Also read this month: (no wonder I'm behind on this challenge!)
2* No Regrets by Michele Ann Young (only positive thing I can say is that it's finally off my TBR shelf)
5* Elizabeth and Mary Cousins, Rivals, Queens by Jane Dunn (great book but heavy reading)
3* Curveball by Kate Angell (cute and light which is what I needed at the time)
3* 74 Seaside Drive by Debbie Macomber
5* Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse (delightful!!)
3.5* Return of Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (lots of short stories, some excellent, some not)
4.5* Second Glance by Jodi Picoult
4* Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (all my sympathy was for the 'monster', poor guy)
4* How to Abduct a Highland Lord by Karen Hawkins (heroine's family has a curse on it - lighthearted fun)
4.5* Bridal Season by Connie Brockway (Con girl becomes bridal consultant in a small village - lovely characters!)
5* The Pleasure Trap] by Elizabeth Thornton (historical romantic-suspense involving The Sight)
3.5* Legend in Green Velvet by Elizabeth Peters (how can a girl not fall for a Bonnie Prince Charlie lookalike?)
3.5* Magyk by Angie Sage (first of the Septimus Heap series)
5* Far From the Madding Crowd by Thomas Hardy
4* The Stranger by Albert Camus (I'm still trying to figure out why I liked this!)
4.5* A Study in Scarlet by Arthur Conan Doyle - this is where Dr. Watson first met Sherlock Holmes
5* A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King
5* Temptation Ridge by Robyn Carr
4* Light on Snow by Anita Shreve
Time for an update from me. I've got one day and one book to go. And this challenge is super frustrating because I pulled out a Michele Bardsley book that I knew I could finish... but I can't seem to find it on the list. But there's others in that series on the list. I like the thought behind this month's challenge but the ability to easily find books is a tad bit frustrating because it's not easily searchable. I tried to do it fast by doing a "find on page" and for whatever reason it wasn't always finding this author's other books.I don't know if I will finish or not. It's my fault for getting distracted trying to set up my photography website and painting my house. Both very useful things but not helpful towards the challenge.
The thing that frustrates me most is I know I could finish it because I have so many books I COULD read that probably fit the bill, but I've had a heck of a time going through that list. :( Like this Michele Bardsley. I saw two other books from this series on the first 20 pages... but I either missed this one or it's not on there. Talk about frustrating!
My finished list:
1. Because Your Vamp Said So by Michele Bardsley
2. Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway
3. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
4. Undead and Unwelcome by Mary Janice Davidson
5. Dead if I do by Tate Hallaway
6. You Slay Me by Katie Maxwell
7. Hunter's Moon by Lori Handeland
8. Fire Me Up by Katie Maxwell
OK. This month has been way BUSY for me and I only read 4 books. Maybe next challenge I will be able to read all 9 books?.[image error]
Not quite going to make it.1.
2.
3.
4.
5.Vampire Academy Vampire Academy 1 - Richelle Mead pg.12
6.Holy Smokes Aisling Grey Guardian Book 4 - Katie MacAlister pg.3
7.
8.
9.
Also read this month:
Mod
1. 2. Ink Exchange
3.
4.
5. Halfway to the Grave
6.
7.
8.
9.
Ok, didnt finish this challenge but did complete 7 out of 9! I know i cant finish the last two books today so i'm going to save them for the july challenge!
PR wrote: "This is my June list thus far. I've got e-books mixed into the list b/c I do book reviews, too. So 'work' is play for me. :-)"
I knew when the library didn't come thru with Dead and Gone and Magic Strikes that I would not complete the June challenge. I'm pleased with the end result. It was fun :-)
Ann wrote: "Michelle, who wrote the series? What's it called? Give us some titles, links, ANYTHING (getting onto knees to beg) Please, please, please? Pretty please with sugar on top? How about whipped cr..."This was my reply,silly! :)
Carol O'Connell (Kathleen Mallory novels)
She writes about an ice queen, NYPD Detective with a colorful past. The writing is amazing. The cases she and her partner work on are unique and I've never guessed the ending completely correct yet. There are several people in her life and the book is mostly written from their point of view but focusing around her. It's hard to explain, but so cool. I have been completely absorbed in these books to the point my hubby and kids have been making fun of me! There are 9 in the series and I blew through the first 8 and I'm waiting on the 9th to be returned to the library. I'm not sure if 9 is the end or if she's writing more. I've searched the web and can't find that out. She has two stand alone novels as well. I'll be reading those soon too.
1 - Mallory's Oracle
2 - The Man Who Cast Two Shadows
3 - Killing Critics
4 - Stone Angel
5 - Shell Game
6 - Crime School A Mallory Novel
7 - Dead Famous
8 - Winter House
9 - Find Me
Mod
I'm the same way at my library. It never fails that my library is missing one or two books in a series and so I have to do the interlibrary loan thing. I hate waiting!I plan on reading her two stand alones as well. I hope you like the books. I was so completely absorbed in them. I loved all the characters.
YAY I FINISHED!!!!1. Because Your Vamp Said So by Michele Bardsley
2. Romancing the Dead by Tate Hallaway
3. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
4. Undead and Unwelcome by Mary Janice Davidson
5. Dead if I do by Tate Hallaway
6. You Slay Me by Katie Maxwell
7. Hunter's Moon by Lori Handeland
8. Fire Me Up by Katie Maxwell
9. Like a Charm by Candace Havens
And I have like three hours to spare!!!! Now, do I just hold off and start July's challenge later tonight/in the morning or do I peel open Evanovich's 15? LOL You know I wanna read that one, but I really don't know that it can in any way fall in with July... LOL
Lucky for me, in July, I don't have any huge house projects. I should because of kids going out of town for various camps, but I need to do some other things. So mostly it's just some light cleaning in a couple of rooms that need some thinning out. Which means I should be good to go. Of course, I also have a bunch of photo gigs so whatever. HAHAHAHA
I'm so happy that I fnished!!!
Lady Ozma,I just finished Finger Lickin Fifteen this afternoon. Love that Lula! Go ahead and read it! It's always so much fun!
FINISHED!!!1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
6/17
8.
9.
Snap, I didn't finish this challenge but I did complete eight out of nine! I'll still try to finish the last book (about a third of the way through), but I so want to get started with July's challenge. And since I should be done moving by next "weekish", I should be able to finish. Keepin' my fingers crossed! :) 1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Midnight Awakening by Lara Adrian
9.
[image error]
A bit delayed at finishing this challenge, as I was tryng to complete a few more for my RRR challenge. Finished up my last book at 1130 last night though, just in time! Definitely one of my favorite challenges so far! =D
[image error]
Also Read:
Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine
City of Glass by Cassandra Clare
Interstitial by Ann Somerville
Weddings From Hell Anthology
Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Stranded by Lori Foster
Sadly i didn't get to finish this month , altho i wasn't that far behind. I think it was because I'd marked books to read then chopped and changed them a number of times. Also i got side tracked by a few other books.
I did it! Talk about down to the wire, but I finished 6/301.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
Well, I only got 7 out of 9 done. But it was still enjoyable!1.
2.
3.
4.
5. Biting the Bullet by Jennifer Rardin
6.
7.
8. Nightwalker by Jocelynn Drake
9.
Also read this month:
Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews *****
Final update 30/6 - 8 out of 9Didn't finish but I did read a lot of other books this month which would probably have fit into this challenge :)
8. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Books also read this month:
Out of Sight 1/6
On Thin Ice 2/6
Hot Ice 3/6
Edge of Danger 4/6
Edge of Fear 5/6
Edge of Darkness 6/6
White Heat 7/6
Night Fall 8/6
Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick 13/6
Killer Christmas from Red Hot Santa by Kelsey Roberts 14/6
The Duke by Gaelen Foley 16/6
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas 22/6
Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen 23/6
Light In Shadow by Jayne Ann Krentz 27/6
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian (re-read) 28/6
Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian 29/6
My husband and daughter say that I spend too much time reading. When I look at some of the lists people post - I do not feel bad at all.
Mod
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
Also read this month—
The Remarkable Miss Frankenstein by Minda Webber,
Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson et. Al,
Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Crusie and Bob Mayer
Guns will Keep us Together by Leslie Langtry
The Star Princess by Susan Grant
The Star King by Susan Grant
Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy
Married to the Mop by Barbara Colley
Reserved for the Cat by Mercedes Lackey
Knitting Bones by Monica Ferris
His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik
Stuck in Shangri-La by Kasey Michaels
Finger Lickin’ Fifteen by Janet Evanovich
Stand by your Hitman by Leslie Lantry
The Serpent’s Shadow by Mercedes Lackey
I Shot You Babe by Leslie Lantry
Phoenix and Ashes by Mercedes Lackey
The Wizard of London by Mercedes Lackey
Legally Dead by Edna Buchanan
Tatting Patterns by Lyn Morton
French Braid Quilts by Jane Hardy Miller
There ya go Val--next time the complain, just print out THAT list and then dare them to say another word. :oP
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
The Demon's Daughter (other topics)Holy Smokes (other topics)
Kiss of a Demon King (other topics)
Witch Fire (other topics)
Zen and the Art of Vampires (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Lara Adrian (other topics)Gaelen Foley (other topics)
Lisa Kleypas (other topics)
Amanda Quick (other topics)
Kim Harrison (other topics)
More...
1. Dark Lover by JR Ward10/62. Kiss of Crimson by Lara Adrian
3. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson15/64. Night Game by Christine Feehan18/65. The Dark Highlander by Karen Marie Moning26/066. Conspiracy Game by Christine Feehan20/67. The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe22/68. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
9. Witching Moon by Rebecca York12/6Books also read this month:
Out of Sight 1/6
On Thin Ice 2/6
Hot Ice 3/6
Edge of Danger 4/6
Edge of Fear 5/6
Edge of Darkness 6/6
White Heat 7/6
Night Fall 8/6
Late for the Wedding by Amanda Quick 13/6
Killer Christmas from Red Hot Santa by Kelsey Roberts 14/6
The Duke by Gaelen Foley 16/6
Secrets of a Summer Night by Lisa Kleypas 22/6
Crazy Hot by Tara Janzen 23/6