December Challenge - It's the most wonderful time of the year

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Janine!

[Odette]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Odette! Glad you enjoyed the challenge :)"

Thanks, Brenda

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Well done Janine:)

[Dree]

Thats me done - finished A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (★★★) last night :)

✔ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Dark Matter by Blake Crouch (red cover) ★★★1/2
✔ Blue Christmas - Ice Station by Matthew Reilly (blue cover) (AA) ★★★★
✔ Winter Wonderland - Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell (Winter)★★★1/2
✔White Christmas - A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (Christmas)★★★



Thank you Brenda & mods for organising challenge once again!

[Sharon]

Finished my first one for this challenge: Blue Skies by Fleur McDonald 3★

[Li'l Owl]

Good Grief Moe! What are you doing up at 4:04 am!!???

[Maureen]

Ha - I get up early -my dad gets up at 0500 so I get up earlier for 'me time' --- He is 92 and going on 57 and I'll be 57 going on 92 - taking care of him!

[Li'l Owl]

Brenda wrote: "That's why we have the link of your name at the beginning Maureen. As you read your titles, click on your name then edit your original post to mark that you've read it. You can show your rating as ..."

Brenda wrote: "That's why we have the link of your name at the beginning Maureen. As you read your titles, click on your name then edit your original post to mark that you've read it. You can show your rating as ..."

Brenda wrote: "That's why we have the link of your name at the beginning Maureen. As you read your titles, click on your name then edit your original post to mark that you've read it. You can show your rating as ..."


Exactly! How do you think this particular Owl is just beginning to be a little wiser?? Wasn't born that way! Trust me! I've been asking quite a few questions myself. Just ask Brenda and Phrynne! =o)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Dree wrote: "Thats me done - finished A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (★★★) last night :)

✔ Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Dark Matter by [author:Blake Crou..."

Congratulations Dree - and you're very welcome :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Maureen wrote: "Ha - I get up early -my dad gets up at 0500 so I get up earlier for 'me time' --- He is 92 and going on 57 and I'll be 57 going on 92 - taking care of him!"

Goodness! Good for you with your spritely dad :)

[Valerie]

3 of 5 read, Mr. Wigg was a lovely book

1. Mary's Boy Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling ✔ 4 stars
(song and book title contain the word "child"
2. I'll be Home for Christmas
A Christmas Journey by Anne Perry ✔ 4 stars
Title of song implies a journey towards home
3. Let it Snow! Let it Snow! Let it Snow!
Hercule Poirot's Christmas by Agatha Christie
Snow on book cover
4. Carol of the Bells
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
Song title and book title both contain the word "carol"
5. Rocking Around the Christmas Tree
Mr Wigg by Inga Simpson Aussie Author ✔ 4 stars
Tree on cover

[MichelleG]

Hi all,

I finished my 12th (and second last) book :)

✔ Song (7): Blue Christmas - An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon (Cover is "Blue"). Rated: 5★ stars

[PattyMacDotComma]

On a roll - three 5★ books in this challenge so far! This is my "Silver Bells" book - Nicolas Rothwell's book of essays, Quicksilver.

He knows whereof he speaks, and he speaks well about European art, Russian literature, Australian Aboriginal art and history, and the growing interest in Australia's 'real' history.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Maureen]

Completed my 8th (and I'm pretty sure my last book)

Song: Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer- Book A Redbird Christmas by Fannie Flagg A very nice Christmas story - very enjoyable!
4 ★
my review : https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Zoey]

All finished for December


1. Blue Christmas - The Royals by Kitty Kelley (Blue Cover) 1.5★
2. I'll be home for Christmas - Murder in Christmas River by Meg Muldoon (MCs ex-boyfriend has moved back home at Xmas time) 4.5★
3. I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus - Secrets in Time by Alison Stuart AA (who Santa really is, is a secret) 5★

[MichelleG]

Well done everyone :D

[Li'l Owl]

Maureen wrote: "Ha - I get up early -my dad gets up at 0500 so I get up earlier for 'me time' --- He is 92 and going on 57 and I'll be 57 going on 92 - taking care of him!"

Yes, I understand. =o)
It's great that he has you, though. Unfortunately, that's not the case for many elders, sad to say. Stay strong Moe! You can message me anytime! Hugs =o)
Merry Christmas to you and yours!

[Chloe]

Two down, one to go!

1. Santa Claus is coming to town - Watching You
Santa sees when you're awake, he knows when you're asleep - he's watching!

2. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer - Sting READ 5 ★
Book has a RED title

3. Do you hear what I hear? - Blood Secret (AA) READ 4 ★
What can we hear? A secret!

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Maureen and Zoey!

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,

I finished my final book for this challenge :)

Challenge type: "Hard - 9+ carols"

It's The Most wonderful Time of The Year Challenge~ 13 / 13 Completed

✔ Song (1): Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon ("Snow in the title"). Rated: 5★ stars

✔ Song (2): Winter Wonderland- Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah ("Winter" in the title). Rated: 5★ stars

✔ Song (3): The Christmas Song - (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon ("Fiery aka Fire is needed for Roasting, right?!?) ;) . Rated: 5★ stars!!!

✔ Song (4): Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World) - Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood (AA) (MC runs a bakery and feeds the homeless - that's close to "the world"). Rated: 4★ stars

✔ Song (5): Mary's boy child - Son by Lois Lowry (Mary's boy - aka "Son") :). Rated: 5★ stars

✔ Song (6): Jingle Bell Rock -Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes ("Cave aka Rock" on the cover). Rated: 4★ stars

✔ Song (7): Blue Christmas - An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon (Cover is "Blue"). Rated: 5★ stars

✔ Song (8): I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus - Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter ("Kiss" in the title). Rated: 4★ stars

✔ Song (9): We three kings of orient are - A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin ("King" in the title). Rated: 5★ stars!!!

✔ Song (10): We three kings of orient are - Binding the Shadows by Jenn Bennett Shadow on the cover is looks like an Chinese dragon. Rated: 4★ stars

✔ Song (11): Joy to the World - Jealousy by Lili St. Crow (Joy = Couple on love/ joy on cover). Rated: 4★ stars

✔ Song (12): Silent Night - Night Broken by Patricia Briggs ("Night" in the title). Rated: 4★ stars

✔ Song (13): It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett (Looks like Christmas, reminds me of Christmas lights, which "Banishes the dark") ;). Rated: 4★ stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Michelle! Great job and just before Christmas too ;)

[MichelleG]

Brenda wrote: "Congratulations Michelle! Great job and just before Christmas too ;)"

Thank you. Yay! I just snuck in before Christmas... now I can relax next week :D

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

And read whatever you want ;) Have a great Christmas and New Year won't you :)

[Suzie]

Challenge completed. Song: Mary's boy child. Book: Boy he cry by Roger Averill, 2 stars (sorry no links from phone)

[Lisa - (Aussie Girl)]

I'll take easy - 4 Christmas Songs - 4/4. COMPLETED

1. I'll be home for Christmas Christmas in Destiny (Destiny, #7) by Toni Blake. Christmas in Destiny Characters return to their home town for Christmas. ★★★★ 12/14/16

2. Blue Christmas . Blue book cover. Duke of Pleasure Duke of Pleasure (Maiden Lane, #11) by Elizabeth Hoyt. Finished 12/1/16. ★★★★★

3. Santa Clause is coming to town. Naughty or Nice series. *Australian Author* No More Mr. Nice Guy No More Mr. Nice Guy (Naughty or Nice, #1) by Amy Andrews. Finished. 12/27/16. ★★★

4. Hark the Herald Angels Sing Book Title. The Angels' Share The Angels' Share (The Bourbon Kings, #2) by J.R. Ward ★★★ 12/11/16

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Suzie and Lisa!

[PattyMacDotComma]

Lucky me - I read four 5★ books for this. My last book is for Jingle Bells: the famous The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath.

Funny and harrowing, sometimes all at the same time. Depression and coming of age are each trying conditions. Put them together, and some people fare better than others.

My review
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Phrynne, Series Queen!]

Finished just in time:)

Forty Words for Sorrow by Giles Blunt. (Let it Snow - there is snow on the cover) 4 stars
The One-in-a-Million Boy (Mary's Boy Child - Jesus was definitely one in a million) 5 stars
C is for Corpse by Sue Grafton (Blue Christmas. - The cover is blue) 4 stars
Darkest Place by Jaye Ford (Silent Night. It is dark at night) AA 4 stars
Miracle and Other Christmas Stories by Connie Willis (Rocking around the Christmas tree.- there is a Chrstmas tree on the cover). 3 stars

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Phrynne! Squeaked in ;)

[Michelle_Mck]

And I'm finished, ended up with Moderate and 7 books read! YAY

Thanks for organising again, we appreciate your time and creativity.

Here are the books I managed to read.


7/7 books read

1. Sleigh Ride
Holding by Graham Norton 4.5 ★
Word match in song "Holding your hand"

2. It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas
Behind Closed Doors by B.A. Paris 3★
Word match in song, "on your own front door"

3. 12 (twelve) Days of Christmas
Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber 4 ★
titles match

4. Blue Christmas
You Know Me Well by Nina LaCour 4.5 Stars ★
Blue on the cover

5. I'll be home for Christmas
Christmas at Lilac Cottage 3.5★
Christmas in Title, home/cottage

6 The Little Drummer Boy
The Boy Is Back by Meg Cabot 4★
Boy in the song and book title

7. Mary's boy child
The Mothers by Brit Bennett 4★
Mary is a Mother

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Michelle! Great job :)

[Kathryn]

I just crossed the line for this one today as well. I managed 7 books.

1. Mary's Boy Child - Sidney Chambers and The Forgiveness of Sins by James Runcie - because forgiving sins is kind of what Jesus came to earth to do - 4★ - My review

2. The Christmas Song - The Christmas Candle by Max Lucado - because the titles are almost the same - 3.5★ - My review

3. We Three Kings of Orient Are - A Gift to Remember by Melissa Hill - because the wise men brought gifts to the baby Jesus - 4★ - My review

4. Winter Wonderland - Winter Journey by Diane Armstrong (AA) - because both titles are wintery - 4.5★ - My review

5. Blue Christmas - Tears of the Moon by Di Morrissey (AA) - because if the moon is crying, it must be feeling a bit blue - 4★ - My review

6. The Holly and the Ivy - No Holly For Miss Quinn by Miss Read - "holly" in both titles - 3.5★ - My review

7. Hark The Herald Angels Sing - Murder and Mendelssohn by Kerry Greenwood (AA) - because the music for this carol was an adaptation of a cantata written by Mendelssohn - 3★ - My review

[Kathryn]

Valerie wrote: "3 of 5 read, Mr. Wigg was a lovely book

1. Mary's Boy Child
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling ✔ 4 stars
(song and book title ..."

I picked up Mr Wigg from the library today - can't start it until after Sunday though - it's for some challenges next year! Glad you enjoyed it though, Valerie - I've seen some good things about it from lots of Aussie Readers so I'm hoping I enjoy it as well!

[Kathryn]

Michelle_Mck wrote: "And I'm finished, ended up with Moderate and 7 books read! YAY

Thanks for organising again, we appreciate your time and creativity.

Here are the books I managed to read.


7/7 books read

1. Sle..."

I thought Behind Closed Doors sounded like it would be gripping but it seems that reviews are a bit mixed...

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Kathryn! Great job :)

[Michelle_Mck]

Kathryn, it has a great ending so it's worth it but some of it I was shaking my head

[MichelleG]

Hi everyone,

Just a quick update, I'm still working my way through some of the songs and trying to fit them to books... Hopefully the reasoning isn't too far fetched (if so please just let me know) ;)

I completed the "Hard - 9+ carols" :)

It's The Most wonderful Time of The Year Challenge~ 23 / 23 Completed

✔ Song (1): Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow! - A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon ("Snow in the title"). Rated: 5★ stars
✔ Song (2): Winter Wonderland- Winter Garden by Kristin Hannah ("Winter" in the title). Rated: 5★ stars
✔ Song (3): The Christmas Song - (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire) - The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon ("Fiery aka Fire is needed for Roasting, right?!?) ;) . Rated: 5★ stars!!!
✔ Song (4): Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World) - Devil's Food by Kerry Greenwood (AA) (MC runs a bakery and feeds the homeless - that's close to "the world"). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (5): Mary's boy child - Son by Lois Lowry (Mary's boy - aka "Son") :). Rated: 5★ stars
✔ Song (6): Jingle Bell Rock - Gathering Darkness by Morgan Rhodes ("Cave aka Rock" on the cover). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (7): Blue Christmas - An Echo in the Bone by Diana Gabaldon (Cover is "Blue"). Rated: 5★ stars
✔ Song (8): I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus - Last Kiss Goodnight by Gena Showalter ("Kiss" in the title). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (9): We three kings of orient are - A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin ("King" in the title). Rated: 5★ stars!!!
Hard Challenge complete.

Additional:
✔ Song (10): We three kings of orient are - Binding the Shadows by Jenn Bennett Shadow on the cover is looks like an Chinese dragon. Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (11): Joy to the World - Jealousy by Lili St. Crow (Joy = Couple on love/ joy on cover). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (12): Silent Night - Night Broken by Patricia Briggs ("Night" in the title). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (13): It's Beginning to Look a Lot like Christmas - Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett (Looks like Christmas, reminds me of Christmas lights, which "Banishes the dark") ;). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (14): Frosty the Snowman - Frozen Tides by Morgan Rhodes(Frosty aka Frozen in the title). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (15): As with gladness men of old - The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa(Ash (MC on cover) is a centuries old Immortal Prince of the Fae - that qualifies as "old" in my book). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (16): Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer - Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead ("Red" writing on the cover). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (17): All I Want For Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth - Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor(Title is covering mouth and Book is # Two in the series). Rated: 3★ stars
✔ Song (18): Do you hear what I hear? - Night of Cake & Puppets by Laini Taylor (Mik (MC) or “Violin Boy” - aka "hear" the voilin). Rated: 3★ stars
✔ Song (19): The holly and the Ivy - Shadow Heir by Richelle Mead (Ivy leaves on the cover). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (20):Hark the Herald Angels Sing - Library of Souls by Ransom Riggs (Angel wings on the cover). Rated: 4★ stars
✔ Song (21): O little Town of Bethlehem - Dreams of Gods & Monsters by Laini Taylor (Bethlehem known in the Bible as the birthplace of Jesus, the son of God - "God in the title"). Rated: 3★ stars
✔ Song (22): The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Parts 1 & 2 by John Tiffany (Boy child on the cover). Rated: 3★ stars
✔Song (23): I'll Be Home for Christmas - Home Improvement: Undead Edition by Charlaine Harris("Home" in the title). Rated: 3★ stars

*I will add more as time permits.

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

You are totally amazing Michelle! You have gone above and beyond that's for sure! Very impressive :)

[MichelleG]

Thanks Brenda, I've really enjoyed this challenge :D

HUGE thanks again to you and all the mod's for yet another fantastic challenge :)

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

MichelleG wrote: "Thanks Brenda, I've really enjoyed this challenge :D

HUGE thanks again to you and all the mod's for yet another fantastic challenge :)"

This one was Sally's lovechild! We nominated her as she loves Christmas so much. And I agree - she came up with a brilliant challenge!

[Michelle_Mck]

I bow down to you Michelle! Amazing!

[Carolyn]

Finished my third book:

3. I saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus (underneath the mistletoe): The Mistletoe Murder: And Other Stories by P.D. James 4★

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Carolyn]

MichelleG wrote: "Hi everyone,

Just a quick update, I'm still working my way through some of the songs and trying to fit them to books... Hopefully the reasoning isn't too far fetched (if so please just let me know..."

Wow! I'm speechless!! Very Impressive!

[Chloe]

Finished! Some great reads too :)


1. Santa Claus is coming to town - Watching You READ 4.5 ★
Santa sees when you're awake, he knows when you're asleep - he's watching!

2. Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer - Sting READ 5 ★
Book has a RED title

3. Do you hear what I hear? - Blood Secret (AA) READ 4 ★
What can we hear? A secret!

[Nicola]

Done 5 so calling it complete for me...
1. I saw 3 ships come sailing in – all about ships
Venetian Navigators / Andrea di Robilant 3*
2. We three kings of orient are - travel and kings
The Riddle and the Knight: In Search of Sir John Mandeville, the World's Greatest Traveler / Giles Milton 3*
3. Hark the Herald Angels Sing – angel
A Gothic Christmas Angel / Anna Erishkigal4*
4. Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow – set in Norway and the Shetland Isles, snowed in all winter
Wolfskin / Juliet Marillier 3*
5. Blue Christmas – blue cover (and they celebrate Christmas in the book)
Last Chance Cafe / Liz Byrski3*

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Congratulations Chloe and Nicola :)

[Carolyn]

Here's the review for my second book:
1. Hark the Herald Angels Sing: Stalking the Angel by Robert Crais 3★

review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[MichelleG]

Thanks Michelle & Carolyn - I've had some time off for Christmas, so i've had a bit more time than usual for reading :)

[Mell]

COMPLETE!

1. Do They Know It's Christmas? (Feed the World)
Unexpected Fate ✔ 8.12.16 ★★★★
Setting: Hope Town

2. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town
The Life and Adventures of Santa Claus ✔ 29.12.16 ★★★★★
Title: Santa Claus

3. Blue Christmas
No More Mr. Nice Guy Australian author ✔ 29.12.16 ★★★★★
Cover: Blue

4. I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus
Bleeding Love ✔ 29.12.16 ★★★★★
Genre: Romance

[Brenda, Aussie Authors Queen]

Well done Melissa!