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2016 Archived Challenges
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2016 Wacky Reading Challenges
First Quarter - New Zealand
Duration: January 1 - March 31, 2016
READ: 10/10
✔1. Larnach Castle: Built in 1871 by William Larnach, it is credited as the only historic castle of New Zealand.
☃ Read a book with a castle on the cover, a book tagged as historical fiction, or a book whose title ends in 'H'.
Dark Ruby - Lisa Jackson 1/20✔2. Otago Gold Fields: One of the oldest gold field mining centers in New Zealand, it was discovered approximately 140 years ago.
☃ Read a book with the numbers 1, 4 or 0 in the total number of pages, or a book with a gold cover.
Love Me to Death - Allison Brennan (480 pages) 1/25✔3. Te Waimate Mission House: Te Waimate Mission House is the only survivor of three mission houses founding in 1830 by Reverend Samuel Marsden on behalf of the Church Missionary Society. It was built in 1832.
☃ Read a book in which a church or religion plays a part, or a book between #18 and #32 on your TBR.
Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones 1/18✔4. Alberton: Originally a farmhouse built around 1863, it was later expanded to 18 rooms. During late 19th century, it was famous for its balls, hunts, garden parties and musicals.
☃ Read a book by an author whose first or last initial can be found in ALBERTON, or a book with a garden or flowers on the cover.
The Liar - Nora Roberts 1/13✔5. Thames School of Mines: Many schools for goldminers were built in the 1880's, and Thames School of Mines was the largest. The school later expanded to include curriculum for electricity, engineering, agriculture and pharmacy.
☃ Read a book with a character who is a student or where the story takes place at a school (or in which a school is a major part of the story), or a book in which the letters THAMES can be found in the book's title (any order).
The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires - Molly Harper 1/26✔6. Hurworth: Hurworth was a settlement established in 1850's. Originally there were six houses in the settlement, but 4 were destroyed in the New Zealand Wars, and 1 was lost to fire. Built in 1855 by pioneer settler Sir Harry Atkinson, this is the only remaining builing of the Taranaki settlement that flourished during the 1850's.
☃ Read a book that takes place in the 1800's, or a book recommended to you.
Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters (1879) 2/6✔7. Old St. Paul's: In the heart of Wellington's heritage precinct, you will find this beautiful wooden cathedral.
☃ Read a book with a beautiful cover, or a book you've been meaning to read for a long time.
Child of the Prophecy - Juliet Marillier 1/30✔8. Fyffe House: Located in the town of Kaikoura, Fyffe house is its oldest surviving building, and all that remains of Robert Fyffe's whaling station that was established in 1842.
☃ Read a book with an author or character named Robert, or a book with a body of water on the cover.
All I Want - Jill Shalvis 1/12✔9. Totara Estate: Once a grand estate of 15,000 acres, the Totara Estate is where New Zealand's first shipment of frozen mutton was prepared and sent out to the other side of the world on the SS Dunedin in 1882. This was the beginning of New Zealand's multi-billion dollar frozen meat industry.
☃ Read a book in which the title begins with 'T'or ends with 'A', or a book that takes place on or near a farm.
Tithe - Holly Black 1/7✔10. Brunner Mine Industrial Site: What was once one of New Zealand's most productive coal mines, with the north and south parts linked by an 1876 suspension bridge, today the site shows only the remains of coal mining and coke making structures from the late 1800's.
☃ Read a book with a bridge (whole or in part) on the cover, or a book with a black cover.
The Reluctant Vampire - Lynsay Sands 1/24CHALLENGE COMPLETE
First Quarter Spell - New Zealand Duration: January 1 - March 31, 2016
READ: 20/21
Te Waimate Mission House
T: The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities - Ann & Jeff Vandermeer 1/22
E: Ecstasy Bound - Ruth Kerce 2/27
W: Full Throttle - Julie Ann Walker 1/31
A: Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4
I: Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
M: The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly 1/2
A: Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
T: Tarnished Knight - Bec McMasters 1/31
E: England's Perfect Hero - Suzanne Enoch 3/18
M: Melting the Ice - Jaci Burton 2/13
I: Into Thin Air - Cindy Miles 2/7
S: Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon 1/6
S: Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29
I: If I Should Die - Allison Brennan 3/8
O: Odd Interlude - Dean Koontz 2/13
N: Night Probe! - Clive Cussler 1/10
H: An Ice Cold Grave - Charlaine Harris 2/10
O:
U: Under the Boardwalk - Carly Phillips 1/8
S: Shards of Hope - Nalini Singh 2/12
E: Wicked Charms - Janet Evanovich 3/26
January Mini Challenge
READ: 4/5
✔1. First Month of the Year:
January is the first month of the year. Read a book by a new to you author, OR start a new series.
Push - Sapphire 1/8✔2. Garnet:
The Garnet is the birthstone for January. Read a book with a red, orange, or yellow cover.
Dark Ruby - Lisa Jackson 1/203. Pink Carnation:
The pink carnation is January's flower. Read a book with the letters PINK found in the title of the book (any order).
Mindspeaker's Call - Gayle Greeno✔4. Zodiac Sign:
The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn (through January 18th) and Aquarius (January 19th, forward). Read a book with a goat as part of the story, OR with water on the cover.
Backlash - D.L. Thomas 1/15✔5. Spell Out
✔G: The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly 1/2
✔A:Love Me to Death - Allison Brennan 1/25
✔R: The Reluctant Vampire - Lynsay Sands 1/24
✔N: The Night Sister - Jennifer McMahon 1/13
✔E: Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones 1/18
✔T: Tarnished Knight - Bec McMasters 1/31
January Word Search 18/20 FOUND
✔Anticipation - Under the Boardwalk - Carly Phillips 1/8
(with all excitement and anticipation), p94
✔Balloons - Saint Odd - Dean Koontz 1/17
(swelling like balloons about to burst), p45
✔Bash - Night Probe! - Clive Cussler 1/10
(he'll probably bash my brains out), p396
✔Buffet - Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3
(arranged before it like a buffet), p14
✔Calendar - Under the Boardwalk - Carly Phillips 1/8
(marked it in her calendar), p2
✔Cheers - Backlash - D.L. Thomas 1/15
(cheers and encouragement), p117
✔Clock - Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3
(running out the clock), p58
✔Confetti - Tithe - Holly Black 1/7
(a shower of confetti on the water), p55
✔Countdown - Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29
(harder to forget the lethal countdown), p380
✔Extravaganza - Saint Odd - Dean Koontz 1/17
(Sombra Brothers extravaganza became too much for me), p146
✔Fireworks - Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3
(there's be fireworks), p186
✔Horn - The Great Zoo of China - Matthew Reilly 1/2
(like demonic horns), p4
✔Invitation - Beauty's Kingdom - A.N. Roquelaure 1/4
(accept this invitation), p45
Streamer -
✔Toast - Lost Highlander - Cassidy Cayman 1/16
(they toasted the bloody awful weather), p81
Optional Words
Auld Lang Syne -
✔Bubbly - Night Probe! - Clive Cussler 1/10
(California bubbly and plastic glasses), p86
✔Hangover - Born of Fire - Sherrilyn Kenyon 1/6
(straight into suicide with a hangover), p209
✔Times Square - Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3
(times square on New Year's Eve), p382
✔Twelve O'Clock - Vixen 03 - Clive Cussler 1/14
(it's after twelve o'clock he said), p166
February Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. Second Month of the Year:
February is the second month of the year.
Read the second book in a series, or the second book on your TBR.
Dark Emerald - Lisa Jackson 2/27✔2. Leap Year:
This is a leap year, which means February gains an extra day. Read a book in which the letters LEAP can be found in the book's title (any order).
The Penalty Box - Deidre Martin 2/21✔3. Violet:
The violet is February's flower.
Read a book with the color purple found on the cover.
Dragon Justice - Laura Ann Gilman 2/21✔4. Zodiac:
The zodiac signs for February are Aquarius (through February 18) and Pisces (from February 19, forward.)
Read a book with water or fish on the cover.
Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4---------------------------------------------------------------------
✔SPELL OUT:
M: Melting the Ice - Jaci Burton 2/13
A: Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
R: Ecstasy Bound - Ruth Kerce 2/27
D: The Dirt on Ninth Grave - Darynda Jones 2/12
I: Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
G: Go Big or Go Home - Will Hobbs 2/2
R: Rapture - J.R. Ward 2/28
A: An Ice Cold Grave - Charlaine Harris 2/10
S: Shards of Hope - Nalini Singh 2/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
February Word Search 18/20 FOUND
Applause - Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
(I finished to confused applause), p45
Audience - Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
(seemed to notice his audience), p172
Ax or Axe - Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
(the heavy ax at his belt), p166
Broken - Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
(it's just a broken cup), p164
Bullet - Go Big or Go Home - Will Hobbs 2/2
(you dodged a space bullet ), p6
Costume - Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
(I catalogued racks of costumes), p5
Gesture - Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
(to involve us is a gesture), p389
Graceful - The Dirt on Ninth Grave - Darynda Jones 2/12
(she wasn't the most graceful server), p13
Heal - Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
(he didn't always heal as quickly), p46
Illusion - Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
(both had an illusion of safety), p84
Razor - Heart of Iron - Bec McMasters 2/6
(a pair of razors tucked in his belt), p1
Skeptical - Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
(I was skeptical of what I'd find), p143
Stage - Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
(on the stage, the singer started), p49
Tiger - Go Big or Go Home - Will Hobbs 2/2
(behind the saber-toothed tiger), p6
Transformation - Bound to Darkness - Lara Adrian 2/2
(the coming surge of her transformation), p138
Optional Words
Cello -
(), p
Coffin - Odd Interlude - Dean Koontz 2/13
(with no coffins and no headstones), p126
Handcuffs - Iron & Velvet - Alexis Hall 2/5
(I bet you have handcuffs and everything), p47
Kohl -
(), p
Magician - Aunt Dimity and the Deep Blue Sea - Nancy Atherton 2/4
(grinning like a mad magician), p204
Previous Word Hunts
Streamer - Shards of Hope - Nalini Singh 2/12
(there's a glow, streamers), p399
Auld Lang Syne -
(), p
March Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. March:
Read a book published in March.
Sins & Shadows - Lyn Benedict (March 2009) 3/25
✔2. Third Month:
March is the third month of the year. Read the third book of a series, or book #3 on your TBR.
If I Should Die - Allison Brennan (#3 in Lucy Kincaid series) 3/8
✔3. Daffodil:
The daffodil is March's flower. Read a book with a yellow cover.
Wicked Charms - Janet Evanovich 3/26
✔4. Zodiac:
Zodiac signs for March are Pisces (until March 20th) and Aries (March 21st forward). Read a book whose title begins with 'P or 'A'.
Agnes and the Hitman - Jennifer Crusie 3/6
--------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELL OUT:
✔S: Sweep in Peace - Ilona Andrews 3/13
✔P: Possession - J.R. Ward 3/20
✔R: Revived - Cat Patrick 3/12
✔I: In Other Worlds - Sherrilyn Kenyon 3/20
✔N: Drowning Mermaids - Nadia Scrieva 3/12
✔G: Guardian - Jo Anderton 3/6
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
March Word Search 20/20 FOUND
✔banished - If I Should Die - Allison Brennan 3/8
(though banished, I cultivated my own people), p220
✔bitter - Guardian - Jo Anderton 3/6
(it was difficult to hold onto such bitter feelings), p293
✔braid - If I Should Die - Allison Brennan 3/8
(her long dark red braid), p7
✔carriage - My Lady Quicksilver - Bec McMaster 3/17
(a world of glittering carriages), p40
✔climb - Stud - Cheryl Brooks 3/2
(learn how to swim and climb trees), p78
✔escape - Stud - Cheryl Brooks 3/2
(how did you manage to escape), p165
✔gown - Viking in Love - Sandra Hill 3/3
(a nappy and a warm gown), p42
✔humility - Stud - Cheryl Brooks 3/2
(the greatest is his humility), p218
✔pendant - Sins & Shadows - Lyn Benedict 3/25
(a pendant on a long heavy chain), p107
✔potion - Stud - Cheryl Brooks 3/2
(it's a ritual not a potion), p235
✔rebellious - Drowning Mermaids - Nadia Scrieva 3/12
(acting like a rebellious youth), p101
✔skeleton - Congo - Michael Crichton 3/6
(the bleached skeleton), p289
✔tongue - Stud - Cheryl Brooks 3/2
(aiming the head towards her waiting tongue), p43
✔tower - Guardian - Jo Anderton 3/6
(from the rock to tower), p229
✔youth - Congo - Michael Crichton 3/6
(despite her youth), p12
Optional Words
✔convent - Viking in Love - Sandra Hill 3/3
(had stormed a convent), p14
✔gilded - My Lady Quicksilver - Bec McMaster 3/17
(sunlight gilded the burning copper of her hair), p137
✔parsley - Dragon Fall - Katie MacAlister 3/11
(nosed aside a bit of parsley), p157
✔plague - Viking in Love - Sandra Hill 3/3
(this feminine plague on his life), p62
✔quill - Viking in Love - Sandra Hill 3/3
(searching for a lost quill), p90
Missed Words
✔Cello - Depraved Heart - Patricia Cornwell 3/21
(to the slow sawing of a cello), p91
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Second Quarter Scavenger - Portugal
Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2016
READ: 9/10
1. Belem Tower:
Built between 1514 - 1520, this medieval tower is located on the bank of the River Tagus in Lisbon. ☀Read a book set in the 16th century, or a book with a beautiful building or tower on the cover.
✔2. Convent of the Capuchos:
Also known as the Convent of the Frairs Minor Capuchin, this convent was built in the isolated area of Sintra in the late 16th century, and was home to a small number of Franciscan monks. ☀Read a book in which religion plays a part, or book whose title begins with 'C'.
Silenced - Allison Brennan (revolves around a religious cult) 4/15
✔3. Lisbon Cathedral:
Built in the 12th century, the Lisbon Cathedral is one the city's oldest structures. ☀Read the oldest book on your TBR, or a book recommended to you.
The Library at Mount Char - Scott Hawkins 5/24
✔4. Silves Castle:
An imposing Moorish stronghold that once defended the surrounding Moorish settlement in the 12th and 13th centuries. Remaining highlights of the castle are its well preserved defensive walls, turrets and gates. ☀Read a book with a gate or wall on the cover, or a book in which theauthor's first and last initials can be found in SILVESCASTLE.
In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez 4/21
✔5. Cerro Da Vila:
This ancient Roman site houses the remains of a second or third century villa complex including baths and mosaics. ☀Read a series book #2 or #3, or a book set in Portugal.
Fatal Circle - Linda Robertson (#3) 4/11
✔6. Castelo de Almourol:
Used as a fortification sight since the Roman times, the castle that stands today was primarily built under the Knights Templar beginning in 1171 AD. ☀Read a book with a wealthy character, or a book with a red cover.
Double Fantasy - Cheryl Holt 5/22
✔7. Faro Archaeological Museum:
This beautiful museum has a collection of artifacts ranging from the prehistoric to the medieval including the Moorish. ☀Read a book with a Muslim or Moor character, or a book less than 200 pages.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman (178 pages) 4/7
✔8. Fortaleza De Sagres:
Closely connected to one of Portugal's most famous figures, Prince Henry the Navigator, it was built in the 15th century. ☀Read a book with a royal character, or one with a boat or ship on the cover.
Born of Shadows - Sherrilyn Kenyon (heroine is princess, hero is a prince) 4/13
✔9. Lisbon National Pantheon:
This pretty domed church is the burial site of many of Portugal's most prominent figures, ranging from Presidents of the Republic to artists. Construction on the current building began in the 17th century and was only completed in the 20th century. ☀Read a book that takes place between 1601 - 2000, or a book with a character who works with or deals in the art world.
How to Pursue a Princess - Karen Hawkins (takes place in the 1800s) 5/16
✔10. Pena National Palace:
A picturesque palace set among 500 acres of beautifully maintained parkland and gardens, it was once a church and then a monastery. It was King Ferdinand II of Portugal who undertook the construction of the Palace at Pena beginning in 1838. It became one of the most prominent romanticist buildings of its time. ☀Read a book tagged "romance" or a book with a park scene on the cover.
The Hotter You Burn - Gena Showalter 4/3
Second Quarter Spell - Portugal Duration: April 1 - June 30, 2016
READ: 20/22
Lisbon National Pantheon
L: The Library at Mount Char - Scott Hawkins 5/24
I: Immortal Ever After - Lynsay Sands 4/27
S: Shadow Rites - Faith Hunter 5/10
B: Born of Silence - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/16
O: Obsidian Flame - Caris Roane 6/9
N: Night Marchers - Rebecca Gober 4/25
N: League of Dragons - Naomi Novik 6/20
A: Nightwalker - Allyson James 6/26
T: The Future Falls - Tanya Huff 5/19
I: Immortal - J.R. Ward 6/2
O: Play Dirty - Lorie O'Clare 6/12
N:
A: Stalked - Allison Brennan 6/30
L: Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend - Victoria Laurie 5/22
P: Fire Touched - Patricia Briggs 4/18
A: Pies and Prejudice - Ellery Adams 5/20
N:
T: The Target - David Baldacci 6/25
H: How to Pursue a Princess - Karen Hawkins 5/16
E: Jungle Freakn' Bride - Eve Langlais 5/17
O: One Lucky Vampire - Lynsay Sands 5/31
N: Nemesis - Catherine Coulter 5/26
April Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. April:
Read a book published in April.
Ghosts & Echoes - Lyn Benedict (pub April 2010) 4/28✔2. Fourth Month:
April is the fourth month of the year. Read the fourth book of a series or book #4 from your TBR.
Silenced - Allison Brennan 4/15✔3. Daisy or Sweet Pea:
April's flower is listed both as the Daisy and the Sweet Pea. Read a book with the name of a flower in the title, or a book with a white or pink cover.
Spirited Away - Cindy Miles 4/24✔4. Zodiac:
The zodiac signs for April are Aries (until April 20) and Taurus (April 21st forward). Read a book with an adventurous character or a character that is stubborn or strong-willed, OR a book in which the author's first or last name that begins with 'A' or 'T'.
The Wild Ways - Tanya Huff 4/7--------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELL OUT:
✔A: In Too Deep - Tracey Alvarez 4/21
✔P: Fire Touched - Patricia Briggs 4/18
✔R: Night Marchers - Rebecca Gober 4/25
✔I: If Walls Could Talk - Juliet Blackwell 4/11
✔L: Fatal Circle - Linda Robertson 4/11
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
April Word Search 16/20 FOUND
✔armoire - Wicked After Midnight - Delilah Dawson 4/29
(in Limone's armoire), p149
✔automobile - If Walls Could Talk - Juliet Blackwell 4/11
(peoples dependence on automobiles), p180
✔basket - The Hotter You Burn - Gena Showalter 4/3
(gathered her basket of meager supplies), p87
✔bicycle - Fatal Circle - Linda Robertson 4/11
(broad bicycle seats), p22
brandy -
(), p
✔coward - The Hotter You Burn - Gena Showalter 4/3
(he'd been a coward), p270
✔curfew - Night Marchers - Rebecca Gober 4/25
(give you a curfew), p172
✔enemy - Got Your Number - Stephanie Bond 4/5
(like I'm the enemy here), p10
✔generation - The Wild Ways - Tanya Huff 4/7
(hasn't been a Hunt for generations), p29
✔passageway - Fatal Circle - Linda Robertson 4/11
(through the mazelike passageway), p168
✔queue - Fire Touched - Patricia Briggs 4/18
(standing in the queue), p75
✔shutters - Spirited Away - Cindy Miles 4/24
(the shutters slammed shut), p27
✔soldier - The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman 4/7
(), p
✔suitcase - Got Your Number - Stephanie Bond 4/5
(a suitcase full of wigs), p9
✔village - The Wild Ways - Tanya Huff 4/7
(takes a village to raise a dragon), p 44
Optional Words
baguette
bookshop
✔pandemonium - Got Your Number - Stephanie Bond 4/5
(sensing that pandemonium was about to erupt), p36
✔propaganda - Feel the Burn - G.A. Aiken 4/13
(this isn't about propaganda), p3
wheelbarrow
May Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. May:
Read a book published in the month of May.
Invision - Sherrilyn Kenyon (May 3, 2016) 5/30✔2. Fifth Month:
Read the 5th book from your TBR or aSeries Book #5.
Born of Silence - Sherrilyn Kenyon 5/16✔3. Lily of the Valley:
Read a book with a white cover, or a book with an author or character named Lily.
How to Pursue a Princess - Karen Hawkins (heroine is named Lily) 5/16✔4. Zodiac:
May's zodiac signs are Taurus (through May 20) and Gemini (May 21st and forward). Read a book with the word "stubborn" found in the text, or a book that mentions twins.
The Future Falls - Tanya Huff (m.c.'s sister has twin boys) 5/19-------------------------------------------------------------------
SPELL OUT:
✔F: Devil's Bridge - Linda Fairstein 5/26
✔L: The Library at Mount Char - Scott Hawkins 5/24
✔O: One Lucky Vampire - Lynsay Sands 5/31
✔W: White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
✔E: Jungle Freakn' Bride - Eve Langlais 5/17
✔R: Born of Ashes - Caris Roane 5/11
✔S: Shadow Rites - Faith Hunter 5/10
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
May Word Search 18/20 FOUND
✔Accident -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(looks like an accident), p115
✔Anonymous -Bet Me - Jennifer Crusie 5/14
(it's anonymous he told himself), p234
✔Despair -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(ultimate express of despair), p145
✔Engagement -Born of Ashes - Caris Roane 5/11
(deep mind engagement), p104
✔Gloomy -Pies and Prejudice - Ellery Adams 5/20
(she slipped into the gloomy accompaniment of the organ), p95
✔Impression -Shadow Rites - Faith Hunter 5/10
(leaving me that impression), p38
✔Interview -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(they will desire an interview), p132
✔Journal -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(kept her journal), p122
✔Mouse or Mice -Born of Ashes - Caris Roane 5/11
(like three blind mice holding up their little paws), p124
Muslin -
(), p
✔Mysterious -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(is a fairly mysterious thing), p264
✔References -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(or references, she replied), p262
✔Signature -Born of Ashes - Caris Roane 5/11
(a bunch of power signatures), p114
✔Twilight -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(twilight was fading fast), p71
✔White -The First Sin - Cheyenne McCray 5/12
(like a spray of white liquid), p205
Optional Words
✔Brooch -Shadow Rites - Faith Hunter 5/10
(it was a brooch), p27
✔Housekeeper -White Night - Jim Butcher 5/4
(faerie housekeepers), p70
✔Likeness -Pies and Prejudice - Ellery Adams 5/20
(captured his precious birds likeness), p45
✔Luncheon -How to Pursue a Princess - Karen Hawkins 5/16
(it's a luncheon served outdoors), p126
Sketch-book -
(), p
June Mini Challenge
READ: 4/4
✔1. June:
Read a book published in June.
King - T.M. Frazier (pub June 2015) 6/21
✔2. Sixth Month:
Read the 6th book from your TBR or a series book #6.
Gates of Rapture - Caris Roane 6/10
✔3. Rose:
Read a book with an author or character named Rose (first or last), or a book with a yellow cover.
Last to Die - Tess Gerritsen 6/24
✔4. Zodiac:
June's zodiac signs are Gemini (until June 21) and Cancer (June 22 and forward). Read a book with double letters in a title word (valley, deed, etc), or a book with a crab found on the cover.
Cleopatra's Needle - Steven Siebert 6/23
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
June Word Search 21/21 FOUND
✔Arrangement - Obsidian Flame - Caris Roane 6/9
(the arrangement is similar to Diallo's home), p220
✔Astonishment - The Darkest Torment - Gena Showalter 6/16
(trembling with astonishment and fear), p90
✔Candle - The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
(and lit the candle), p47
✔Confession -The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
(they contained my confessions), p120
✔Desolate - Devoted in Death - J.D. Robb 6/13
(a desolate spit of land), p2
✔Distress - Devoted in Death - J.D. Robb 6/13
(sensing Peabody's distress), p197
✔Document - Obsidian Flame - Caris Roane 6/9
(his purpose had been to document), p82
✔Escape - Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun - Victoria Laurie 6/5
(as part of the escape clause), p310
✔Evidence - Ghouls Just Haunt to Have Fun - Victoria Laurie 6/5
(MacDonald had other evidence to rely upon), p304
✔Forlorn -Immortal - J.R. Ward 6/2
(her voice sounded forlorn), p141
✔Misfortune - Obsidian Flame - Caris Roane 6/9
(the greater misfortune), p245
✔Motive - Dragon Soul - Katie MacAlister 6/7
(so many altruistic motives), p113
✔Nervous -The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
(understandably nervous), p29
✔Ominous - Gates of Rapture - Caris Roane 6/10
(I believe it will save your life. ominous), p286
✔Peril - Small Favor - Jim Butcher 6/14
(you crossed such men at extreme peril), p312
✔Secret -The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
(I think there is a secret in the study), p16
Optional Words
✔Chain of Events -The Wasp Factory - Iain Banks 6/6
(it can even set off a chain of events), p122
✔Conspiracy - Small Favor - Jim Butcher 6/14
(there's this huge conspiracy), p300
✔Resemblance - Devoted in Death - J.D. Robb 6/13
(doesn't bear much of a resemblance), p23
✔Resolution - Obsidian Flame - Caris Roane 6/9
(hopes for a permanent resolution), p75
✔Sitting Room -Dragon Soul - Katie MacAlister 6/7
(strewn around the sitting room), p 161
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Third Quarter Scavenger - Canada
Duration: July 1 - September 30, 2016
READ: 10/10
✔1. ATHABASCA PASS:
A high mountain pass in the Canadian Rockies. It was a major point on the fur trade route.
☀Read a book with the letters P, A, S, S found in the book title (any order), or a book with the word "fur" found somewhere in the text.
Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop 7/19
(fur sprang up on his chest),p97
✔2. BUTCHART GARDENS:
Butchart Gardens is a group of floral gardens in Brentwood Bay, BC located near Victoria and Vancouver Island.
☀Read a book with flowers found on the cover, or a book in which the author's first or last name begins with 'B'.
What Happens in London - Julia Quinn 7/3
✔3. NEUBERGTHAL STREET VILLAGE:
This is a living illustration of a Mennonite village on the Canadian Prairies.
☀Read a book in which religion plays a part, or a book with a title beginning with 'N'.
The Norse King's Daughter - Sandra Hill 7/11
✔4. PANTAGES PLAYHOUSE THEATRE:
A former vaudeville theatre and one of the finest ones built in Canada for live performances during this time.
☀Read a book with a character involved in the theatre or acting in general, or a book published prior to 1914.
Dead Heat - Linda Barnes (hero is an actor on stage) 8/11
✔5. HARTLAND COVERED BRIDGE:
This beautiful bridge is the longest existing covered bridge in the world at 1,282 feet. It consists of seven small Howe Truss bridges joined together on 6 piers.
☀Read a book with a dock or pier on the cover, or a book with the number 6 or 7 found in the total number of pages.
Soulless - T.M. Frazier (276 pages) 9/4
✔6. COLONY OF AVALON:
The Colony of Avalon is the best preserved English settlement in Canada.
☀Read a book set in England, or a book written by an English author.
Forged by Desire - Bec McMaster 7/2
✔7. CANSO ISLANDS:
The Canso Islands is a group of islands that served as an important fishing base for the French in the 16th century, as well as the British during the 18th century.
☀Read a book set in France, or a book that takes place between the years of 1501 - 1800.
Dark Passage - M.J. Putney 8/15
✔8. BANTING HOUSE:
Banting House is a yellow-brick house recognized as the site of the defining moment in the discovery of insulin by Frederick Banting.
☀Read a book with a yellow cover or with a brick structure on the cover, or a book with a character who is a doctor.
Matthew - Emma Lang 9/17
✔9. BILLY BISHOP BOYHOOD HOME:
The birth place and childhood home of First World War flying ace, Billy Bishop.
☀Read a book where someone travels by airplane in the story, or a book with double letters found in the title (book, meet, etc.).
Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8
✔10. L. M. MONTGOMERY'S CAVENDISH:
A cultural landscape near Cavendish that Lucy Maud Montgomery made famous in the Anne of Green Gables books.
☀Read a book by L.M. Montgomery, or a book tagged as young adult on the book's main page.
Ink and Bone - Rachel Caine 7/25
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Third Quarter Spell - Canada Duration: July 1 - September 30, 2016
READ: 26/26
Athabasca Pass
A: Allegiance of Honor - Nalini Singh 7/3
T: Tempt Me If You Can - Janet Chapman 7/4
H: The Pirate Bride - Sandra Hill 7/23
A: Dreamwalker - Allyson James 7/9
B: Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/15
A: All Wound Up - Jaci Burton 7/10
S: The Second Betrayal - Cheyenne McCray 7/21
C: Time Salvager - Wesley Chu 7/15
A: Stolen - Allison Brennan 7/20
P: Poison Princess - Kresley Cole 7/31
A: About a Vampire - Lynsay Sands 8/11
S: The Sea of Trolls - Nancy Farmer 8/3
S: Stone Cold Lover - Christine Warren 8/16
✔Banting House
B: The Beast - J.R. Ward 7/17
A: Seduction's Shift - A.C. Arthur 7/28
N: No Limits - Alison Kent 7/16
T: Tyrant - T.M. Frazier 7/5
I: The Immortal Who Loved Me - Lynsay Sands 7/11
N: Coraline - Neil Gaiman 7/6
G: Ghouls Gone Wild - Victoria Laurie 7/7
H: Heart of Stone - Christine Warren 7/5
O: Stiletto - Daniel O'Malley 7/14
U: Unbound - Angela Knight 7/9
S: Born of Defiance - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/28
E: Edge of Darkness - Christine Feehan 7/24
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. JULY: Read a book published in July.
Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon (July 2014) 7/15
✔2. Seventh Month: Read the 7th book from your TBR or a Series Book #7.
Cold Snap - Allison Brennan 7/30
✔3. Larkspur/Water Lily: Read a book with water found on the cover, or a book with a purple cover.
Tempt Me If You Can - Janet Chapman 7/4
✔4. Zodiac: Zodiac signs for July are Cancer (through July 21st) and Leo (July 22 and forward.
Read a book with the letters LEO found in the title (any order), or a book in which the author's first or last initial can be found in CANCER.
Stiletto - Daniel O'Malley 7/14
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SPELL OUT:
✔L: The Immortal Who Loved Me - Lynsay Sands 7/11
✔A: Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop 7/19
✔R: Menagerie - Rachel Vincent 7/6
✔K: Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8
✔S: Seduction's Shift - A.C. Arthur 7/28
✔P: The Pirate Bride - Sandra Hill 7/23
✔U: Unbound - Angela Knight 7/9
✔R: White Trash Zombie Gone Wild - Diana Rowland 7/7
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
July Word Search 19/20 FOUND
✔collapse - Allegiance of Honor - Nalini Singh 7/3
(it was possible she might collapse), p372
✔ comic - White Trash Zombie Gone Wild - Diana Rowland 7/7
(like a friggin comic book superhero), p87
✔eleven - What Happens in London - Julia Quinn 7/3
(even at eleven, you wold have done something), p151
✔epidemic - What Happens in London - Julia Quinn 7/3
(the epidemic took her beloved father), p191
✔famous - What Happens in London - Julia Quinn 7/3
(if not famous, famous enough), p216
✔flu - Cocaine Blues - Kerry Greenwood 7/10
(in the flu epidemic), p45
✔insufficient - Time Salvager - Wesley Chu 7/15
(if you have insufficient numbers), p208
✔knife - Heart of Stone - Christine Warren 7/5
(and threw the knife, p286
✔ photographer - Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8
(best damn crime scene photographer), p42
✔ station - Menagerie - Rachel Vincent 7/6
(back into the sheriff's station), p117
✔survival - Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/15
(grab his survival pack), p40
✔tattoo - Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/15
(there was her league dagger tattoo), p52
✔territory - Born of Fury - Sherrilyn Kenyon 7/15
(covers a lot of territory), p125
✔ twilight - Frostbitten - Kelley Armstrong 7/8
(make out only shapes in the twilight), p26
✔wildflowers - Allegiance of Honor - Nalini Singh 7/3
(a white shift dress with wildflowers on it), p323
Optional Words
✔ caravan - Menagerie - Rachel Vincent 7/6
(a caravan full of cryptids), p368
paperweight -
(), p
✔prophet - Vision in Silver - Anne Bishop 7/19
(the only way a blood prophet could remember), p16
✔Shakespeare - What Happens in London - Julia Quinn 7/3
(everyone reads Shakespeare), p198
✔ symphony - White Trash Zombie Gone Wild - Diana Rowland 7/7
(no symphony or chorus), p242
August Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. AUGUST:
Read a book published in August.
Draykon - Charlotte English (pub August 31, 2011) 8/22
✔2. EIGHTH MONTH:
Read the8th book of a series or the 8th book from your TBR.
Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong 8/2
✔3. GLADIOLUS OF POPPY:
The Gladiolus and Poppy are the flowers that represent the month of August. Read a book in which the letters GLAD or POPPY can be found in the book's title (any order).
Holiday Games - Jaci Burton 8/31
✔4. ZODIAC:
Zodiac signs for August are: Leo (until August 21st) and Virgo (from August 22 forward). Read a book with the word Leo or Virgo found in the book's text.
Known - Kendra Elliot 8/6
(hang on, Leo), p292
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SPELL OUT:
✔G: Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls - Victoria Laurie 8/14
✔L: Dead Heat - Linda Barnes 8/11
✔A: Marked in Flesh - Anne Bishop 8/7
✔D: Dead Heat - Patricia Briggs 8/5
✔I: It's a Wonderful Wife - Janet Chapman 8/13
✔O: Of Silk and Steam - Bec McMaster 8/20
✔L: Lawless - T.M. Frazier 8/12
✔U: The Ultimate Treasure - Heather Graham 8/13
✔S: Stone Cold Lover - Christine Warren 8/16
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
August Word Search 19/20 FOUND
✔Apple - The Sea of Trolls - Nancy Farmer 8/3
(the apples on father's tree), p38
✔Blanket - The Sea of Trolls - Nancy Farmer 8/3
(like a soft blanket), p42
✔Butterfly - Dead Heat - Patricia Briggs 8/5
(not the butterfly bush), p215
✔Camera - Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong 8/2
(like a camera flash had gone off), p25
✔Cruise - Zero Hour - Clive Cussler 8/6
(he could see that half the cruise ship was submerged), p 12
✔Fairy Tale - Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong 8/2
(early life conditions us to a fairy tale world), p182
✔Freezer - Dead Heat - Patricia Briggs 8/5
(an ice locker or commercial freezer), p 115
✔Grief - Bound by Flame - Anne Windsor 8/10
(grief over the loss of her own), p 79
✔Knitting - Dead Heat - Patricia Briggs 8/5
(working on her current knitting project), p 121
✔Noodles - Born of Betrayal - Sherrilyn Kenyon 8/18
(she twirled her fork in the noodles), p 189
✔Organized - Known - Kendra Elliot 8/6
(her notes were organized and legible), p 148
✔Professor - The Ridge - Michael Koryta 8/8
(you remember that college professor), p 81
✔Research - Dead Heat - Patricia Briggs 8/5
(focused on research), p 265
✔Tradition - Stone Cold Lover - Christine Warren 8/16
(so much for tradition and symbolism), p 282
✔Winter - The Sea of Trolls - Nancy Farmer 8/3
(in preparation for winter), p38
Optional Words
Orchard -
(), p
✔Peasant - Dark Passage - M.J. Putney 8/15
(I know I'm a peasant compared to you), p 278
Patriotic - The Perfect Stranger - Alison Kent 8/27
(his patriotic duty), p 43
✔Telegram - Marked in Flesh - Anne Bishop 8/7
(if they didn't want to send a telegram), p87
✔Warehouse - Personal Demon - Kelley Armstrong 8/2
(could be a warehouse), p23
September Mini Challenge
READ: 4/5
✔1. SEPTEMBER:
Read a book published in September
Shadow Play - Iris Johansen (September 2015) 9/11
✔2. NINTH MONTH:
Read a the 9th book of a series or the 9th book from your TBR.
Blood Game - Iris Johansen 9/17
3. FORGET-ME-NOT:
One of the flowers that represents September is the Forget-Me-Not.
Read a book with the word "forget", "me" or "not" in the book title.
✔4. ZODIAC:
Zodiac signs for September are: Virgo (through September 21st) and Libra (September 22 and forward). Read a book whose author's first or last name begins with "V", or a book that deals with justice in some way.
Ghoul Interrupted - Victoria Laurie 9/15
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SPELL OUT:
✔F: Soulless - T.M. Frazier 9/4
✔O: The Wicked Game - Olivia Fuller 9/4
✔O: If the Slipper Fits - Olivia Drake 9/5
✔T: Thirty-One and a Half Regrets - Denise Grover Swank 9/23
✔B: Born of Legend - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/9
✔A: Alien Tango - Gini Koch 9/4
✔L: Beast Behaving Badly - Shelly Laurenston 9/28
✔L: Silent Mercy - Linda Fairstein 9/24
September Word Search 20/20 FOUND
✔barrel - Alien Tango - Gini Koch 9/4
(letting him have it with both barrels), p247
✔cage - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(a gilded cage was still a cage), p37
✔captain - Alien Tango - Gini Koch 9/4
(are you sure she can do this Captain Tucker), p1
✔enchanted - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(that enchanted him), p22
✔fort - Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files - Jim Butcher 9/11
(you fort up here and I'll go), p80
✔grown-up - Best Laid Plans - Allison Brennan 9/2
(I've grown up), p173
✔island - Soulless - T.M. Frazier 9/4
(I had buried on the island), p146
✔lost - Alien Tango - Gini Koch 9/4
(because I always got lost), p36
✔mist - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(a red mist appeared), p125
✔monster - Born of Legend - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/9
(he wasn't the freakish monster they made him out to be), p409
✔profanity - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(with a string of profanity), p132
✔runaway - Soulless - T.M. Frazier 9/4
(she was a runaway turned whore), p18
✔scar - Best Laid Plans - Allison Brennan 9/2
(he had a scar on his head), p187
✔snort - Best Laid Plans - Allison Brennan 9/2
(Dunbar snorted and looked away), p214
✔thief - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(the head of its thief), p18
Optional Words
✔abomination - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(we are an abomination), p195
✔playground - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(it's a bitch at the playground), p183
✔pixie - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(what kind of pixie are you), p11
✔silhouette - The Curse of the Wendigo - Rick Yancey 9/5
(we could see Hawk's hunkered silhouette), p97
✔warrior - Dragonmark - Sherrilyn Kenyon 9/3
(I just want to be a warrior on my own), p14
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Fourth Quarter Scavenger - Historical Landmarks of Italy
Duration: October 1 - December 31, 2016
READ: 9/10
✔1. Tower of Pisa:
The Tower of Pisa is the freestanding bell tower known worldwide for its unintended tilt. It's height is 183 feet on the low side, and 185 feet on the high side.
☀Read a book with the number 3 or 5 found in the total number of pages.
The Sleeping Beauty - Mercedes Lackey (345 pages) 10/11
✔2. St. Peter's Basilica:
An Italian Renaissance church in Vatican City, it is one of the largest churches in the world.
☀Read a book over 400 pages, or a book in which religion plays a part.
A Dance With Dragons - George R.R. Martin (1125 pages) 10/10
3. Colosseum:
The Colosseum (also known as the Flavian Amphitheatre) is an oval amphitheatre located in the center of Rome, Italy.
☀Read a book set in Italy, or a book with a beautiful building on the cover.
✔4. Sistine Chapel:
The Sistine Chapel is a chapel in the Apostolic Palace (official residence of the Pope) in Vatican City. It was restored by Pope Sixtus IV between 1477 and 1480.
☀Read a book whose title has either 4 or 7 words (all words count).
What a Ghoul Wants - Victoria Laurie 10/8
✔5. Pompeii:
Pompeii was an ancient Roman town near Naples. Pompeii, Herculaneum and many other surrounding areas were destroyed by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in AD 79.
☀Read a book tagged historical fiction or one by an author whose first or last name begins with "P", "H" or "V".
The Dreaming: A Novel of Australia - Barbara Wood 11/5
✔6. Dolomites:
The Dolomites are a mountain range in northern Italy. Most peaks are higher than 10,000 feet. It is very popular with skiers and snowboarders in the winter, and hikers, climbers and mountain bikers in the summer.
☀Read a book with a winter or summer scene on the cover.
North Pole Reform School - Jaimie Admans 11/23
✔7. Pantheon:
One of Rome's best preserved monuments is the Pantheon. Originally built to be a pagan temple, it was later converted to a church.
☀Read a book in which the first letter of each title word (all words count) can be found in PANTHEON.
Hide Away - Iris Johansen 11/16
✔8. Galleria Borghese:
A beautiful art gallery that houses a substantial part of the Borghese collection of paintings, sculpture and antiquities, begun by Cardinal Scipione Borghese. The villa was built by architect Flaminio Ponzio, using sketches by Scipione Borghese. Scipione Borghese used it as a party villa at the edge of Rome. The Borghese villa was eventually sold to the Italian government in 1902, along with the entire Borghese estate, surrounding gardens and parkland.
☀Read a book in which the story takes place after 1902, or a book found on your TBR between #1 and #19.
A Confidential Source - Jan Brogan (#17) 11/24
✔9. Vatican Museums:
The Vatican Museums are the museums of the Vatican City and are located with the city's boundaries. Founded by Pope Julius II in the early 16th century, is the sixth most visited art museum in the world.
☀Read a book whose title begins with "V" or ends with "N", or a series book #1 or #6.
Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan (#6) 10/2
✔10. Florence Cathedral:
The Florence Cathedral was begun in 1296 and structurally completed in 1436. The Gothic interior is vast and gives an empty impression. Above the main door is the colossal clock face with fresco portraits of four Prophets by Paolo Uccello. The clock shows the 24 hours of Italian time, a period of time ending with sunset at 24 hours. This was the timetable used until the 18th century.
☀Read a book with a clock shown on the cover, or one in which the number 1, 2, 9 or 6 is found in the total number of pages
The Lazarus Gate - Mark A. Latham 11/9
Fourth Quarter Spell - Italy Spell Challenge Duration: October 1 - December 31, 2016
READ: 14/15
P: 14th Deadly Sin - James Patterson 10/7
O: One Snowy Knight - Deborah MacGillivray 11/25
M: Beauty and the Werewolf - Mercedes Lackey 11/18
P: Not Always a Saint - Mary Jo Putney 11/24
E: Deadly Lies - Cynthia Eden 11/27
I: Insidious - Catherine Coulter 11/7
I: Hide Away - Iris Johansen 11/16
P: Priceless - Shannon Mayer 12/27
A: The Aeronaut's Windlass - Jim Butcher 10/1
N: No Ghouls Allowed - Victoria Laurie 11/13
T: Thirteen - Kelley Armstrong 11/10
H: She'll Never Know - Hunter Morgan 11/23
E: Mine - Katy Evans 11/30
O:
N: Crash - Nicole Williams 11/11
October Mini Challenge
READ: 4/4
✔2. 10th MONTH:
Read a series book #10 or the 10th book from your TBR.
Prince of Magic - Linda Winstead-Jones 10/24
✔3. CALENDULA:
The Calendula is the flower for October.
Read a book whose title begins with "C" or ends with "A".
Chainsaw Jane - Marie-Jo Fortis 10/21
✔4. Zodiac:
Zodiac signs for October are: Libra (until October 21) and Scorpio (from October 22).
Read a book by an author whose first or last name begins with "L" or "S".
Bear Meets Girl - Shelly Laurenston 10/5
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SPELL OUT:
✔L: Mister X - John Lutz 10/3
✔I: Quicksand - Iris Johansen 10/26
✔B: The Aeronaut's Windlass - Jim Butcher 10/1
✔R: Rocked by Love - Christine Warren 10/16
✔A: The Art of Duke Hunting - Sophia Nash 10/13
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
October Word Search20/20 FOUND
✔Adrenaline - Hearts in Darkness - Laura Kaye 10/2
(her body unexpectredly flooded with adrenaline), p49
✔Crime Scene - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(we'd stumbled upon a crime scene), p347
✔Curls - Hearts in Darkness - Laura Kaye 10/2
(hand landed in a pile of silky curls), p33
✔Detective - Mister X - John Lutz 10/3
(he watched the detectives trail from the office), p97
✔Drowning - What a Ghoul Wants - Victoria Laurie 10/8
(one or two drownings credited to her), p5
✔Evidence - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(we have no evidence he was involved), p83
✔Investigation - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(compromise our investigation), p261
✔Leash - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(clipping Gracie to her leash), p81
✔Lighter - Captive Spirit - Anne Windsor 10/7
(lighter and darker), p302
✔Mailbox - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(showed up frequently in my mailbox), p33
✔Neighbor - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(the neighbors were not pleased), p19
✔Orchid - Chainsaw Jane - Marie-Jo Fortis 10/21
(orchids, roses, carnations), p290
✔Stalked - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(that Brenda had stalked me), p231
✔Therapist - Bear Meets Girl - Shelly Laurenston 10/5
(I'm not really a therapist), p268
✔Uniform - The Sleeping Beauty - Mercedes Lackey 10/11
(liveried footmen in uniforms), p86
Optional Words
✔Affirmation - Hearts in Darkness - Laura Kaye 10/2
(exploded at the affirmation his words provided), p67
✔Blackout - Bear Meets Girl - Shelly Laurenston 10/5
(I didn't even blackout), p128
✔Campsite - Bear Meets Girl - Shelly Laurenston 10/5
(returning to a Malone campsite), p22
✔Volcano - Captive Spirit - Anne Windsor 10/7
(all the force of a volcano), p306
✔Ziploc - Ready, Scrap, Shoot - Joanna Campbell Slan 10/2
(dividing beads into ziploc bags), p147
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. Eleventh Month of the Year:
November is the eleventh month of the year and has 30 days. Read a book published in November OR a book where the total page number ends in 1 or 0 (ex. 211, 330).
Cold Days - Jim Butcher (pub Nov 2012) 11/22
✔2. Thankful for Books:
Read a book you currently own OR a book recommend to you by a friend or family member.
The Fire Kimono - Laura Joh Rowland (I've had this book for a long time) 11/14
✔3. Chrysanthemums or “mums”:
The Chrysanthemums is November’s flower and brings an array of color into an autumn garden. Read a book with the author’s first and last initial found in the word Chrysanthemums OR a book with an orange cover.
The Keeper of Lost Causes - Jussi Adler-Olsen 11/19
✔4. Zodiac Sign:
The zodiac signs for November are Scorpio (through November 22nd) and Sagittarius (November 23rd, forward). Scorpio’s element is water and Sagittarius’ is fire. Opposites attracting sounds like a romance novel. Read book in the romance genre, OR a book with water or fire on the cover.
Rainshadow Road - Lisa Kleypas 11/20
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SPELL OUT:
✔N: North Pole Reform School - Jaimie Admans 11/23
✔O: One Snowy Knight - Deborah MacGillivray 11/25
✔V: The Ghoul Next Door - Victoria Laurie 11/1
✔E: Rogue with a Brogue - Suzanne Enoch 11/17
✔M: Rogues - George R.R. Martin et al 11/13
✔B: Beauty and the Werewolf - Mercedes Lackey 11/18
✔E: Deadly Lies - Cynthia Eden 11/25
✔R: Floating Staircase - Ronald Malfi 11/3
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
November Word Search 20/20 FOUND
✔Brother - Insidious - Catherine Coulter
(but what about your brother), p116
✔Celebrity - Floating Staircase - Ronald Malfi 11/3
(it's like having a celebrity in the neighborhood), p145
✔DNA - Floating Staircase - Ronald Malfi 11/3
(DNA proved the blood on the stairs was his), p143
✔Estate - Insidious - Catherine Coulter 11/7
(cut off some of Blinker's prized real estate), p229
✔Failure - The Down Home Zombie Blues - Linnea Sinclair 11/5
(from years of training: failure drill), p171
✔Haircut - Ultimate Weapon - Shannon McKenna 11/19
(had an expensive haircut), p40
✔Humiliation - The Fire Kimono - Laura Joh Rowland 11/14
(relived the shame and humiliation), p241
✔Medal or Medallion - The Lazarus Gate - Mark A. Latham 11/9
(in his dress uniform, medals, sabre, and hat he cut a fine figure), p21
✔Memory - The Lazarus Gate - Mark A. Latham 11/9
(are true insofar as my memory allows), p15
✔Rage - Wolf with Benefits - Shelly Laurenston 11/7
(rage ripped through Toni's system), p242
✔Reckless - Crash - Nicole Williams 11/11
(that was either very reckless and wrong or very situationally appropriate), p95
✔Silence - The Ghoul Next Door - Victoria Laurie 11/1
(perfect opportunity to silence her), p316
✔Son - Wolf with Benefits - Shelly Laurenston 11/7
(father-son bonding), p89
✔Tyrant - The Lazarus Gate - Mark A. Latham 11/9
(no matter how much of a tyrant he is), p301
✔Violence - Floating Staircase - Ronald Malfi 11/3
(a history of violence), p366
Optional
✔Genealogy - Insidious - Catherine Coulter 11/7
(so I set MAX digging into genealogy records), p312
✔Granny - Wolf with Benefits - Shelly Laurenston 11/7
(Granny Reed would call that karma), p32
✔Paparazzi - No Ghouls Allowed - Victoria Laurie 11/13
(the paparazzi heard I was in town), p233
✔Scotland - The Ghoul Next Door - Victoria Laurie 11/1
(passports from Scotland), p118
✔Tabloid - Floating Staircase - Ronald Malfi 11/3
(that tabloid celebrity smile), p369
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Mini Challenge
READ: 5/5
✔1. Twelfth Month of the Year:
December is the twelfth month of the year and has 31 days. Read a book published in December OR Read the last book in a series.
Men of the Otherworld - Kelley Armstrong 12/31
✔2. December 21, 2016:
It is the winter solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, where it is the shortest day of the year. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is the summer solstice and the longest day of the year.
Read a book from this list Winter Reads OR Read a book from this list One Day Best Summer Reads
Web of Lies - Jennifer Estep (#423 off Summer list) 12/21
✔3. Holly/Narcissus:
December has two flowers the Holly and Narcissus (paperwhite). The Holly has red berries while the paperwhite Narcissus that grows in winter is named for its color. Both flowers symbolize hope.
Read a book you meant to read earlier this year OR Read a book with a white or red cover.
Jason - Laurell K. Hamilton 12/30
✔4. Zodiac Sign:
The zodiac signs for December are Sagittarius (through December 21st) and Capricorn (November 22nd, forward). The ruling planet of Sagittarius is Jupiter and Saturn is the ruling planet of Capricorn. Read a book that begins with the letter "J" or "S" OR Read a book where the authors first or last initial is a "J" or "S."
Nightwalker - Jacquelyn Frank 12/29
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SPELL OUT:
✔D: The Witch Is Dead - Shirley Damsgaard 12/16
✔E; Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
✔C: The Current Between Us - Kindle Alexander 12/26
✔E: Restless Heart - Emma Lang 12/5
✔M: Magic Binds - Ilona Andrews 12/28
✔B: Bite Me - Shelly Laurenston 12/24
✔E: The Rocky Road to Romance - Janet Evanovich 12/25
✔R: Tutu Deadly - Natalie Roberts 12/12
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
December Word Search 20/20 FOUND
✔Brave - Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
(that sounds very brave), p56
✔Castle - Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
(I dunnae sit in my castle), p61
✔Clever - Night and Day - Iris Johansen 12/4
(she was manipulative and clever), p84
✔Dagger - Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
(if that's why you're glaring daggers at Adam), p73
✔Fireside - Tutu Deadly - Natalie Roberts 12/12
(Eternal Mate Fireside you would love), p161
✔Handsome - Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
(handsome as sin), p2
✔Haste - The Girl from Everywhere - Heidi Heilig 12/25
(a letter I'd written in private, in haste), p381
✔Journey - Cold, Cold Heart - Tami Hoag 12/3
(began her journey to recovery), p11
✔Nose - Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
(go about with her nose in the air), p55
✔Princess - One Moonlit Night - Samantha James 12/6
(and you princess, are very beautiful), p125
✔Pumpkin - Wicked Witch Murder - Leslie Meier 12/10
(maple syrup, pumpkins and cider), p269
✔Rose - Night and Day - Iris Johansen 12/4
(looked down at the small rose garden below), p80
✔Slipper - Hangman - Michael Slade 12/9
(and lose a glass slipper), p191
✔Treasure - Night and Day - Iris Johansen 12/4
(hunting for that treasure chest), p4
✔Vanity - Cold, Cold Heart - Tami Hoag 12/3
(all over the vanity and onto the floor), p58
Optional
✔Enchantment - Crooked Kingdom - Leigh Bardugo 12/17
(an ugly enchantment), p58
✔Gardener - One Moonlit Night - Samantha James 12/6
(aye said the gardener), p12
✔Ogre - Cold, Cold Heart - Tami Hoag 12/3
(with the ogre of his father), p278
✔Once Upon a Time - Mad, Bad, and Dangerous in Plaid - Suzanne Enoch 12/2
(if once upon a time she dreamed), p81
✔Stepmother - Jason - Laurell K. Hamilton
(nordic-looking like my father and stepmother), p5
CHALLENGE COMPLETE
The Year 1915Duration: November 1, 2015 - October 31, 2016
READ: 12/12
✔1. Women's Right to Vote (Jan 12):
House of Representatives rejects proposal for women's right to vote.
✤Read a book by a female author, OR a Series/TBR #1.
Temping Is Hell - Cathy Yardley (female author AND #1) 11/21✔2. Edward Stone (Feb 17):
Edward Stone, first US combatant to die in WWI is mortally wounded.
✤Read a book in which a war takes place, OR a Series/TBR #2.
Samurai Game - Christine Feehan 11/21✔3. Stanley Cup (Mar 26):
Vancouver Millionaires sweep Ottawa Senators.
✤Read a book with something related to hockey either on the cover or in the story, OR a Series/TBR #3.
Child of the Prophecy - Juliet Marillier (Sevenwaters #3) 1/30✔4. 19th Boston Marathon (Apr 19):
Edouard Fabre of Canada wins the Boston Marathon with a time of 2:31:41.
✤Read a book set in Canada, OR a Series/TBR #4.
The Enchantment Emporium - Tanya Huff 12/12✔5. Babe Ruth (May 6):
Red Sox Babe Ruth pitches debut and 1st home run.
✤Read a book with a character that plays (or played) baseball, OR a Series/TBR #5.
For the Love of Magic - Janet Chapman (Spellbound Falls #5) 11/22✔6. Girl Scouts (June 10):
Girl Scouts founded.
ETA: Girl Scouts incorporated, and fist Girl Scout Convention held in Washington, D.C.
✤Read a book with a young girl as a main character, OR a Series/TBR #6.
Night Resurrected - Joss Ware 11/30✔7. Australia Commonwealth Lighthouse Service (July 1): Australia begins the Australia Commonwealth Lighthouse Service.
✤Read a book with a lighthouse or some source of light on the cover, OR a Series/TBR #7.
Don't Cry, Tai Lake - Xiaolong Qui 11/28✔8. 1915 Galveston Hurricane (August 17):
Hurricane strikes Galveston, Texas, killing 275 people.
✤Read a book in which a storm takes place, OR a Series/TBR #8.
Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones 1/18✔9. Raggedy Ann Doll (Sept 7):
John Gruelle patents his Raggedy Ann Doll.
✤Read a book with a red, white OR blue cover, OR a Series/TBR #9.
Lifelines - C.J. Lyons 11/26✔10. Ford Motor Company (Oct 12):
Ford Motor Company manufactures is 1 millionth Model T.
✤Read a book with a car on the cover, OR a Series/TBR #10.
Kiss of Snow - Nalini Singh (Psy-Changeling #10) 11/13✔11. Theodore W. Richards (Nov 12):
Theodore W. Richards is the 1st American to win the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
✤Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in THEODOREWRICHARDS, OR a Series/TBR #11.
In a Sunburned Country - Bill Bryson 12/29(theodorewrIChArdS)
✔12. President Woodrow Wilson (Dec 10):
President Woodrow Wilson marries Edith Galt.
✤Read a book in which a marriage takes place, OR a Series/TBR #12.
Big Sky Wedding - Linda Lael Miller 11/8CHALLENGE COMPLETE
Favorite Album - Sweet Baby James Duration: January 1 - February 29, 2016
READ: 9/10
.
1. Sweet Baby James:
Sweet Baby James is the second studio album by singer-songwriter, James Taylor.
♬Read a book a book with a character names James, or with the words "sweet" or "baby" in the title.
✔2. James Taylor:
James Taylor was born March 12, 1948.
♬Read a book published in March, or one published between1948 - 2008.
Dark Ruby - Lisa Jackson (March 1998) 1/20✔3. Fire and Rain:
One of Taylor's earliest single success - "Fire and Rain" was featured on the album.
♬Read a book with the word "and" found in the title, or one with fire or rain found on the cover.
The Care and Feeding of Stray Vampires - Molly Harper 1/26✔4. Billboard Album Charts:
The album reached number 3 on the Billboard Album Charts.
♬Read a book with the number 3 found in the total number of pages.
Full Throttle - Julie Ann Walker (352 pages) 1/31✔5. Producer:
The album was produced by Peter Asher.
♬Read a book by an author whose first and last initials can be found in PETERASHER.
The Dragon Keeper- Robin Hobb 1/23✔6. Released:
The album was released in February 1970.
♬Read a book set in the 1970s, or a book published in February.
Melting the Ice - Jaci Burton (pub Feb 2014) 2/13✔7. Rolling Stone:
The album is listed at #103 on Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest of All Time.
♬Read book #103 from your TBR, or a Series Book #1.
A Potion to Die For - Heather Blake 1/21✔8. Cover:
The cover of the album features a young, soulful looking Taylor.
♬Read a book in which something sad happens in the story, or one with a male featured on the cover.
Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs 1/3✔9. Label:
The album was released on the Warner Bros. label.
♬Read a book in which the first letter of each title word can be found in WARNERBROS.
Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29✔10. Length:
The album is 31 minutes, 51 seconds long.
♬Read book #31 or #51 from your TBR.
The Thackery T. Lambshead Cabinet of Curiosities - Ann Vandermeer (#51) 1/22
Winter Fun Seasonal Challenge Duration: December 1, 2015 - February 29, 2016
READ: 22/20
✔❆ Visit a Ski Lodge: Read a book that takes place in the mountains, in a cabin or lodge or where the characters go skiing.
Haunted - Kay Hooper (set in the Appalachian mountains) 2/24✔❆ Roast Chestnuts: Read a book whose author's first and last initials can be found in the word CHESTNUTS.
You Can Run... - Carlene Thompson 1/9✔❆ Bundle Up: Read a book with a coat, mittens, gloves, scarf, hat or boots on the cover.
One in a Million - Jill Shalvis 12/18✔❆ Find a Craft Fair or Bizarre: Read a book that has a character that is crafty (i.e. knits, sews, quilts, etc).
Protecting What's His - Tessa Bailey (heroine creates decoupage furniture) 12/13✔❆ Host a Cookie Exchange: Read a book with double OO's or an X in the title or in the author's name.
The Highlander Next Door - Janet Chapman 12/2✔❆ Make a List - Check it Twice: Read a book from your TBR list that was added before January 1, 2015. Tell us when you added it. If you have joined GR within the last year read something from the first page of your TBR sorted by date added.
The Grove - Jean Johnson (added Dec 2012) 12/8✔❆ Hang a Wreath: Read a book with either a door or a circular shape on the cover.
Parasite - Mira Grant 12/16✔❆ Sit on Santa's Lap: Read a book by an author or with a character named Nicolas, Nick, Nicole or any other variation of the name.
Dragon Justice - Laura Ann Gilman (character named Nick) 2/21✔❆ Light a Candle: Read a book that received glowing reviews on GR with a 4 star or higher average rating on its home page.
Library of Souls - Ransom Riggs (4.18 rating) 1/3✔❆ Trim a Tree: Read a book with a tree, star or anything that could be considered an ornament on the cover.
The Family Trade - Charles Stross 2/25✔❆ Attend a Worship Service: Read a book that has a religious theme or a book that has a religious service of some sort in it.
Forbidden Fruit - Erica Spindler 12/31✔❆ Sing a Carol: Tell us your favorite carol or holiday song and read a book that has one of the song title words in the book title.
All I Want - Jill Shalvis 1/12(All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth)
✔❆ Celebrate the New Year: Read a book that was published in January of any year.
Saint Odd - Dean Koontz (pub Jan 8, 2015) 1/17✔❆ Watch the Super Bowl: Show your team support by reading a "next in series" from one of your favorite authors. You cannot start a new series for this one - it must be #2 or higher.
Dragonbane - Sherrilyn Kenyon (#26) 12/15✔❆ Observe Groundhog's Day: Do a re-read of a book you have read before or read a book that has a title that begins with one of the letters in GROUNDHOG.
Dreams of Gods & Monsters - Laini Taylor 12/26✔❆ Send a Valentine: Read a book with a romantic gesture in it (flowers are given, marriage proposal, etc). The book does not have to be considered a romance. Tell us what the gesture was.
Steam & Sorcery - Cindy Spencer Pape (marriage proposal) 12/31✔❆ Leap for Leap Day Read book #29 on your TBR or a book that has either a 2 or 9 listed in the total number of pages.
Eighth Grave After Dark - Darynda Jones (293 pages) 1/18✔❆ Wrap Yourself in the Colors of the Season: Read a book with each of the following colors on the cover (should be at least 50% of the cover). Each color counts for one task.
✔White: An Ice Cold Grave - Charlaine Harris 2/10
✔Red: Dark Ruby - Lisa Jackson 1/20
✔Green: Shield of Winter - Nalini Singh 1/29
✔Blue: Under the Boardwalk - Carly Phillips 1/8
✔Purple: A Potion to Die For - Heather Blake 1/21
Barbara's Challenges & Reading Lists
Books mentioned in this topic
To Catch Her Death (other topics)King of Scars (other topics)
Darkness Raging (other topics)
Iron and Magic (other topics)
Fighting for Flight (other topics)
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Miscellaneous Challenges
50 States Challenge
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Classic Television Shows Challenge
Cozy Mystery Challenge
Favorite Album - American Beauty
Favorite Album - Hysteria
Favorite Album -Simon & Garfunkel's Greatest Hits
Favorite Album - Some Hearts
Favorite Album - Sweet Baby James
Favorite Album -A Trick of the Tail
The Ghost and Mrs. Muir
Nooks & Crannies
Once Upon a Time
The Show Must Go On
Snakes and Ladders
Splash & Splatter Color Challenge
Summer Fun Bingo
Winter Fun Seasonal Challenge