February 2016 Mini Challenge

[Kellene]

Currently reading my 2nd and 3rd for the challenge, one as a paperback and one on the tablet. Enjoying both but moving through the paperback much faster.

[Erin L]

The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog has been pretty slow going, but I made it to about the halfway point yesterday.

[Carla]

Kellene wrote: "Currently reading my 2nd and 3rd for the challenge, one as a paperback and one on the tablet. Enjoying both but..."

Kellene, let me know what you think about , I have had it on my table for awhile, but have not really looked at it yet.

[Erin L]

Carla wrote: "Kellene wrote: "Currently reading my 2nd and 3rd for the challenge, one as a paperback and one on the tablet. E..."

I'm not Kellene, but I really enjoyed Louisiana Longshot. It made me seek out other books by the same author and I haven't been disappointed.

[Kimberly]

I also have read Louisiana Longshot, as well as another one called Trouble in Mudbug. I loved both of them and highly recommend them. :) I would love to read more by Jana Deleon (when my budget allows, of course).

[Carla]

Thanks for the endorsements, I will move them up on my TBR list.

[Julesy]

You guys are doing great during this month's mini challenge! Me, I started my first book, but it totally got derailed while I've spent the past 2 weeks trying to plan my vacation for this spring. Therefore, I am sooooo behind. I kind of wish we had another blizzard so that I can be snowbound for 5 days again and do nothing but read! :-D I am hoping to catch up this weekend as it is supposed to bitterly cold and I don't plan on going out ... even for Valentine's Day.

[Kellene]

Carla wrote: "Kellene wrote: "Currently reading my 2nd and 3rd for the challenge, one as a paperback and one on the tablet. E..."

Finished the other book so now I will be digging into Louisiana Longshot. Glad to know that so many have enjoyed it. Looking forward to getting it going.

[Brenda]

Hi Guys -
I have a quick question - if I read a book by an author whose name is actually a pseudonym for a brother and sister duo (both are writers: he does screenplays and she writes a newspaper column) does that satisfy the #1 challenge?

[Gary]

Brenda wrote: "Hi Guys -
I have a quick question - if I read a book by an author whose name is actually a pseudonym for a brother and sister duo (both are writers: he does screenplays and she writes a newspaper c..."

I don't see why not.

[Kellene]

Just finished Louisiana Longshot and it was as good as previous comments have said. Looking forward to reading more in the series.

And that's 3 of 5 for the challenge...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Nell wrote: "I'm also reading my 3rd book for the challenge. I didn't realize it had flowers on the cover until I looked more closely.

Is there a minimum page number for this challenge? One of the books I read..."


No, there are no page limits. Novellas and childrens' books count!

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Brenda wrote: "Hi Guys -
I have a quick question - if I read a book by an author whose name is actually a pseudonym for a brother and sister duo (both are writers: he does screenplays and she writes a newspaper c..."

They're writing under a second name, so yes, it would count.

[Brenda]

Heather L wrote: "Brenda wrote: "Hi Guys -
I have a quick question - if I read a book by an author whose name is actually a pseudonym for a brother and sister duo (both are writers: he does screenplays and she write..."
Thank you Heather - I was waiting for the official response from you before starting the book. Have a wonderful day!

[Kellene]

Just starting books 4 and 5 for the challenge, again with a paperback and one of the Kindle. Good choices so far and hoping these continue in that trend.

[Gary]

I just picked up your choice for book 4. I look forward to your comments on it.

[Kellene]

Gary wrote: "I just picked up your choice for book 4. I look forward to your comments on it."

Enjoying it great deal thus far. I'm about a third of the way through. It goes very quickly....

[Kimberly]

Question... Can scissors be counted as a weapon? I'm thinking yes, but thought I'd ask for other opinions as well. I was gonna use by Laura Childs for a book with a weapon on the cover. But, if not, I have another book in the wings with a dagger. :)

[Gary]

I don't know why not. I am either using the polearm weilded by Matt on the newer cover for The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan or the shuriken and time bomb on the cover of Mint Cookie Murder by Leslie Langtry.

[Gary]

4 down and one to go. Now to knock out the weapon cover.

[Mary (Biblophile)]

Finished the challenge with Murder at the Mansion.

As always, I find these challenges a change to go through my TBR and finally read some of the books that have been on the pile awhile.

[Kellene]

Completed 4th book for the challenge . Now down to the last one, an author by another name will still write a great book (I hope).

[Kellene]

Gary wrote: "I just picked up your choice for book 4. I look forward to your comments on it."

It was a good book, not one of my all time faves, but I would read the next one. Too much allusion to a backstory to suit me, especially in the first book of the series. Prequel in the works maybe???

[Gary]

I settled on Mint Cookie Murder for the weapon themed book. Now 12% through it and should finish it this weekend.

[Kellene]

Gary wrote: "I settled on Mint Cookie Murder for the weapon themed book. Now 12% through it and should finish it this weekend."

LOL! Saw this and immediately thought how fitting since it's Girl Scout cookie season. Visions of Brownies avenging those who don't buy the Thin Mints...

[Gary]

Girl Scout Cookie Month crossed my mind when I picked this book. Merry does teach her scout troop things that are outside the normal merit badge topics. She also finds the concept of selling cookies frightening. Can't sell cookies to her former co-workers at CIA HQ since they won't fill in their names and addresses on the order form.

[Lacey]

I just read by Jenn McKinlay who also writes as Josie Belle and Lucy Lawrence. It was another awesome book in the Hat Shop series! I still have 4 more books to go though and we're already mostly through February, I don't think I'll get them all done :(.

[Brenda]

Finished - #22. Fun categories this month! Happy Valentine's Day cozy friends.

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

(3 / 5)

1. Get a Different Name Day:

2. American Heart Month / Valentine's Day: Agatha's First Case by M. C. Beaton (2/12/2016 - ★★★★)

3. Walking the Dog Day: Death Under Glass by Jennifer McAndrews (2/5/2016 - ★★★★)

4. Pistol Patent Day: Murder with a Chaser by Belle Knudson (2/14/2016 - ★★★★)

5. Floral Design Day:

[Gary]

Finished. Now to figure out what to read next

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Gary!

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

(4 / 5)

1. Get a Different Name Day: Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey Cates (2/14/2016 - ★★★★☆)

2. American Heart Month / Valentine's Day: Agatha's First Case by M. C. Beaton (2/12/2016 - ★★★★)

3. Walking the Dog Day: Death Under Glass by Jennifer McAndrews (2/5/2016 - ★★★★)

4. Pistol Patent Day: Murder with a Chaser by Belle Knudson (2/14/2016 - ★★★★)

5. Floral Design Day:

[Kellene]

Congrats to all who have finished. On my last one and hoping to get it completed today. Yet another snow day so not going to school...

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kimberly wrote: "Question... Can scissors be counted as a weapon? I'm thinking yes, but thought I'd ask for other opinions as well. I was gonna use Skeleton Letters by Laura Childs for a book w..."


They were in one of my favorite Kenneth Branagh movies. ;-)

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Oh, yes, I remember, Kenneth Brannagh and Emma Thompson. I enjoyed that film (tricky) a lot.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Am currently reading my last book for the challenge, which I should finish Tuesday. Yay -- all five this month!


1. February 13 is Get a Different Name Day — Read a book by an author who writes under more than one name.
Engaged in Murder by Nancy J. Parra (Who also writes as Nancy Coco and, according to the copyright page, is Julie Hyzy)

2. February is American Heart Month and February 14 is Valentine's Day — Read a book with a predominantly red or pink cover.
Florist Grump by Kate Collins

3. February 22 is Walking the Dog Day — Read a book with a dog on the cover. A Root Awakening by Kate Collins

4. February 25 is Pistol Patent Day — Find a book with some sort of weapon depicted on the cover (gun, rope/noose, knife, sword, etc -- think "Clue" here).
Grace Among Thieves by Julie Hyzy

5. February 28 is Floral Design Day — Read a book about flowers, or with flowers on the cover.
Grace Takes Off by Julie Hyzy

[Kellene]

Completed all 5 of 5. Great categories and enjoyed reading all of these book except the last one. Seriously did not care for this book. Oh well, can't love 'em all....

[Julesy]

Kellene wrote: "Completed all 5 of 5. Great categories and enjoyed reading all of these book except the last one. Seriously did not care for this book. Oh well, can't love 'em all.... "

Congratulations, Kellene! Don't worry, I did not like that book either! ;-)

[Kellene]

Julesy wrote: "Kellene wrote: "Completed all 5 of 5. Great categories and enjoyed reading all of these book except the last one. Seriously did not care for this book. ..."

Thanks, Julesy. I don't know why I feel so bad about giving a cozy a bad review. LOL

[Marisa, Cozy Mysteries Assistant Moderator]

Congrats, Kellene! I didn't finish the book at all.

[Nell]

Kellene wrote: "Completed all 5 of 5. Great categories and enjoyed reading all of these book except the last one. Seriously did not care for this book. Oh well, can't l..."

I wasn't fond of this one either. Liked the second one a little better.

[Carla]

Congratulations Kellene, I know how you feel, I hate giving bad reviews to anyone, but that is the way it goes.

[Erin L]

Kellene wrote: "Completed all 5 of 5. Great categories and enjoyed reading all of these book except the last one. Seriously did not care for this book. Oh well, can't l..."

I like them, but there's probably a reason the series ended after four books. Although, I read the first way back in 2010 and I'm just reading the rest this year so obviously I didn't love the series.

[Erin L]

3. February 22 is Walking the Dog Day — Read a book with a dog on the cover. The Snake, the Crocodile and the Dog (02/12)


Only 2 to go!

[Kimberly]

Congrats to all who've finished so far! :)

[Lacey]

I was able to cross another novel off this list I just finished which has a lovely blue rose on the cover, so that's 2 off the list 3 to go!

[Gary]

I was surprised at how quick I got through this months challenge. The shortness of Tracker helped I'm sure. A couple of the novels were very quick reads.

[Heather L , Cozy Mysteries Moderator]

Kellene wrote: "Delicious and Suspicious Seriously did not care for this book."

I tried starting that one a year or so ago and could not get into it. I've not yet gotten rid of it, as I figured I might give it another go some day, but it keeps being shuffled to bottom of Mount TBR. Congrats on finishing!

[Julesy]

Kellene wrote: "Completed all 5 of 5. Great categories and enjoyed reading all of these book except the last one. Seriously did not care for this book. Oh well, can't love 'em all.... "

I thought I had actually finished this book but I looked it up on GoodReads. It turns out it was a DNF for me. I indicated that I could not get into the characters. So, it's even worse than I originally thought! It seems to be a pretty common consensus that many did not like it.

[Valerie]

Finished.

Really enjoyed the Cheese Shop Mystery book, and sad that it is the last in the series...but, understandable.