Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion
Monthly Reading Challenges
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November 2009 Reading Challenge
Finished, with one book switched: Forbidden, which I was not expecting to be a paranormal, for Blue Bloods which can be bumped to next month’s challenge – shuffled Bengal’s Heart down to S so Forbidden could count for D. Phew, this was hard this month, thanks to all the holiday prep!1.
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9.
Forbidden was a pleasant surprise – I expected it to be a fluffy historical romance which I usually hate, but I needed a book on CD to listen to…but it was surprisingly heart-wrenching in dealing with themes of betrayal and hope. The fighting was intense and the last several chapters seriously suspenseful. Only three stars because the language was a bit stilted at times and they seemed to be falling out of their clothes in open fields an awful lot considering the time period was not the 1970s. This is the middle book of a trilogy so I’m adding at least the third to my TBR list cuz I definitely want to know what happens next.
Lover Enshrined was so good! Only thing I could have wished for was more about Phury & Cormia’s relationship (they were the actual heroes of this book, right?). Still I love the growing story of John Matthew and the changing dynamics in the Vampire culture. First BDB book that made me cry – right when my husband walked in, of course – and just about hyperventilate from the tension with the whole Lash & JM thing.
Bengal’s Heart was annoying!!! Lora Leigh drives me nuts, I feel she always has great story ideas but never really follows through satisfactorily. I felt like most of the book was cut-&-paste from previous paragraphs, including the sex scenes. However, it did make me want to find out what happens with that Dog character.
Update - November 28At the moment, we have 83 readers participating in this month's challenge:
Allison - 4 books read
Amelia - 8 books read
Amy - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Andrea - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Angie - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Ann in VA - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Anna - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Annvelwis - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Arcadia - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Assirahc
Barbara (Barbsis) - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
BJ Rose - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Carla - 7 books read
Cathy - 4 books read
Charlotte - 4 books read
Cherra - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
DarkHeart - 4 books read
Debbie - 3 books read
Elyssa - 2 books read
Emoore0916 - 4 books read
Erin - 8 books read
Felicia - 7 books read
FlibBityFLooB - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
*Gina - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Heather Jones (LonelyUnicorn) - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Heather (hso104) - 1 book read
Jennie - 7 books read
Jennifer
Jessica - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Josie - 6 books read
Kasey
Kat - 8 books read
Kelli - 4 books read
Kelly (DemonLover) - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Kristel - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Lara - 4 books read
Laura - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Lauren
Lazuline - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Lisa - 5 books read
LooLoo - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Lu
Lucie
Lucy - 6 books read
Lynn - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Martina - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Megan - 5 books read
Mel - 5 books read
Mel W (me) - 8 books read
Melinda - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Melissa - 6 books read
Michelle (in TN) - 1 book read
Michelle (karenshell) - 5 books read
Michelle (shelli_m) - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Michelle (funjewelz) - 7 books read
Michelle M - 5 books read
Mod_Lori - 1 book read
Mrs.soule - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Nancey - 5 books read
Natalia - 6 books read
Nichole - 7 books read
Nita - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Sabrina - 6 books read
Samantha (SparklyBluEyes) - 3 books read
Sandra - 2 books read
Sandy - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Sarah - 6 books read
Shanna
Shannon - 6 books read
Shannon (shannonleighd) - 4 books read
Shay - 6 books read
Shazzy - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Steph - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Tara - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Tiffany Rose - 7 books read
Token Female Gamer - 7 books read
Tonya - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Trish - 4 books read
Valerie - 3 books read
Valorie - 9 books read - Done! Congratulations!
Vicci - 8 books read
Wendy (Vhalkyrie) - 6 books read
Yz - 5 books read
*new since last update
Total books read so far this month: 505
31 readers have completed the challenge so far. Congratulations!!
You can sign up to the challenge anytime during the entire month.
Please note: To help with tracking, could you please re-post your official list with your progress after every update. Striking out the title and/or the date book read after the book's name will be best.
The next and final update will be December 1.
Happy reading!
Mrs.soule wrote: "Finished..."Yay for Mrs.soule!!
Congrats to everyone who finished. I am impressed. I will not be able to finish, I got caught up in a contemporary romance that just took forever to finish, so I know I won't be able to finish this challenge in 2 or 3 days. This is what I ended up with.....
3/9 done
1.
2. C/D/E:
3.
4. I/J/K:
5. L/M/N:
6. O/P/Q:
7. R/S/T:
8. U/V/W:
9.
also read: (maybe it should be) read instead:
7 of 9 complete1.A/B-Argeneau Marguerite-Vampire Interrupted-Lynsay Sands
2.C/D/E-Sinsar Dubh-Darkfever-Karen Marie Moning
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
READ
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CURRENTLY READING
With 2 days left I don't think I'm going to make it. It was fun though.
I might not finish this challenge. :(I have an anatomy test monday and I just can't get into this book.
Here's my list as of today:Progress: 7 of 9
1. A/B: Bones -
2. C/D/E: Dearn -
3. F/G/H: Helen -
4. I/J/K: Sebastien Kattalakis --
5. L/M/N: Lucien -
6. O/P/Q: Paige Winterbourne -
7. R/S/T: Tanner, Scheme -
8. U/V/W: Bert Vaughn - Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #1)
9. X/Y/Z: Lucivar Yaslana - Daughter of the Blood --Currently reading 11/28
7/9 completed4. I/J/K -Katya Haas (Blaze of Memory)
6. O/P/Q -Paenthers (Passion Untamed)
READ
6/9 completed3) F/G/H - Victoria G ardella The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
6) O/P/Q - P hil Jones Forbidden Nights with a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
7) R/S/T - T oni Davis All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
To read:
Read:
Read 7/9
1. A/B Destined for an Early Grave-Bones
2. C/D/E
3. F/G/H
4. I/J/K
5. L/M/N
6. O/P/Q
7. R/S/T Succubus Dreams -Seth
8. U/V/W
9. X/Y/Z
Read: [image error]
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Currently Reading: [image error]
Moving to December challenge:
Raided my daughter's bookshelf and found my "Z" character book - might get this challenge finished after all!8/9 read
9. X/Y/Z: Zoey Redbird from Marked by PC Cast
Mel, how did you like Kiss of a Demon King?
9/9 Finished! 
1. A/B: Blanche The Fairy Godmother
2. C/D/E: Danika Ford The Darkest Pleasure
3. F/G/H: Grace Carlyle Heart Of The Dragon
4. I/J/K: Joy Randall A Girl's Guide to Vampires
5.L/M/N: Legion The Darkest Whisper
6.O/P/Q: Phury Lover Enshrined
7. R/S/T: Tristan ar Malik The Pleasure Slave
8.U/V/W: Victoria The Faerie Door
9.X/Y/Z: Xhex Lover Avenged
7/91.A/B-
2.C/D/E– D ulcinea Macgregor Craven, The Wages of Sin by Jenna Maclaine
3.F/G/H –
4.I/J/K – K itty Norville, Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
5.L/M/N –
6.O/P/Q -
7.R/S/T -
8.U/V/W –
9.X/Y/Z –
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9/9 - FINISHED!
1.A/B:Armond-The Dark One-Ronda Thompson
2.C/D/E:Eidolon-Pleasure Unbound-Larissa Ione
3.F/G/H:Grace-Shiver-Maggie Stiefvater
4.I/J/K:Katniss-Catching Fire-Suzanne Collins
5.L/M/N:Luke-Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception-Maggie Stiefvater
6.O/P/Q:Quinn - Kiss of Fire - Deborah Cooke
7.R/S/T: Ryu - Tempest Rising - Nicole Peeler
8.U/V/W: Ven - Atlantis Awakening - Alyssa Day
9.X/Y/Z: Zach - Barely Bewitched - Kimberly Frost
1.A/B:Armond-The Dark One-Ronda Thompson
2.C/D/E:Eidolon-Pleasure Unbound-Larissa Ione
3.F/G/H:Grace-Shiver-Maggie Stiefvater
4.I/J/K:Katniss-Catching Fire-Suzanne Collins
5.L/M/N:Luke-Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception-Maggie Stiefvater
6.O/P/Q:Quinn - Kiss of Fire - Deborah Cooke
7.R/S/T: Ryu - Tempest Rising - Nicole Peeler
8.U/V/W: Ven - Atlantis Awakening - Alyssa Day
9.X/Y/Z: Zach - Barely Bewitched - Kimberly Frost
I am throwing in the towel with 6/9 completed I was just too busy this month and most of the books I did read just weren't that great so that always slows me down.1. A/B - Argeneau, Marguerite - Vampire, Interrupted by Lynsay Sands
7. R/S/T - Sands, Greer - Eye of the Beholder by Shari Shattuck
8. U/V/W - Willan, Samantha - The Rogue Hunter by Lynsay Sands
Congratulations: Erin, Sabrina & Kat!
Erin, how did you like the Blue Sword? It's one of my favorites - I read it in middle school and reread it every few years. I love how strong Harry's character is.
Mod
Done! Third month in a row that I've finished! Woo!1. A/B =
2. C/D/E =
3. F/G/H =
4. I/J/K =
5. L/M/N =
6. O/P/Q =
7. R/S/T =
8. U/V/W =
9. X/Y/Z =
8 of 9 complete1.A/B-Argeneau Marguerite-Vampire Interrupted-Lynsay Sands
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
READ
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CURRENTLY READING
With 2 days left I don't think I'm going to make it. It was fun though.
It's over, I'm not going to finish. So close... I love these. I'm not setting my expectations real high for December's read. With all the running and things to do.
Mel wrote: "Mel, how did you like Kiss of a Demon King?"Loved it! Sabine cracked me up :) Has your copy arrived yet?
Made it!9/9 read - All done!
5/91.
2.
3.
4. I/J/K: Jacqueline - Storm of Visions
5.
6. O/P/Q: Opal Cowan - Sea Glass
7. R/S/T: Raphael - Angels' Blood
8.
9. X/Y/Z: Yu, Lily - Night Season
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5/9A poor showing by me this month, but maybe I'll do better in December. Oh, and of course Mercy was fabulous! ;)
1. A/B: Adrien English - A Dangerous Thing by Josh Lanyon Currently Reading
2. C/D/E: Cal Leandros - Nightlife by Rob Thurman
4. I/J/K: Jaz Parks Bite Marks by Jennifer Rardin - Currently Reading
8. U/V/W: Victor Bayne - Criss Cross by Jordan Castillo Price
Mrs.soule wrote: "Erin, how did you like the Blue Sword? It's one of my favorites - I read it in middle school and reread it every few years. I love how strong Harry's character is."I think I actually read it for the first time in middle school as well and it's been a favorite of mine ever since. I discovered an audiobook of it on my library's website and couldn't resist a re-read. It's still as enjoyable as ever and I really liked the narrator. Harry is definitely a favorite character of mine. I think it might be time to pull out The Hero and the Crown for a re-read as well. I love Robin McKinley in general and it's always nice to revisit an old favorite.
A/B--Betsy Taylor-Undead and Unemployed F/G/H--Connor Grey-Unshapely things
I/J/K--Jill Kismet-Night Shift
Michelle (karenshell)
8/9 completed6. O/P/Q -Paenthers (Passion Untamed)
READ
I Finished!!!1. A/B:
2. C/D/E:
3. F/G/H:
4. I/J/K:
5. L/M/N:
6. O/P/Q:
7. R/S/T:
8. U/V/W:
9. X/Y/Z:
I squeezed one more in at the last second.I didn't complete the challenge, but I had fun trying.
4/9 done
1.
2. C/D/E:
3.
4. I/J/K:
5. L/M/N:
6.
7. R/S/T:
8. U/V/W:
9.
also read: (maybe it should be) read instead:
8/9
C/D/E: Halfway to the Grave Cat Crawfield
F/G/H: Into the Wild Firepaw
I/J/K: Cast in Shadow Kaylin
L/M/N: Goddess of Spring Lina
O/P/Q: Stolen Phedre
R/S/T: Moon Called Mercy Thompson
U/V/W: Archangel Abel Vashir
X/Y/Z: Magic Study Yelena
I had to exchange my last book Black Sun Rising for Archangel since it was just so incredibly engrossing I couldn't put it down. Which means next month I will have to read an alternative instead.
Loved Archangle btw, was a fabulous romantic sci fi story. Incredibly well written. =)
Read 8/9 So close!
1. A/B Destined for an Early Grave-Bones
2. C/D/E
3. F/G/H
4. I/J/K
5. L/M/N
6. O/P/Q
7. R/S/T
8. U/V/W
9. X/Y/Z
Read: [image error]
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I did bad :(5/9 read
1. A/B Alexia Tarabotti in Soulless by Gail Carriger
4. I/J/K Jamie Fraser in Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
6. O/P/Q Pritkin in Touch the Dark by Karen Chance (re-read)
7. R/S/T Sanders, Faythe in Stray by Rachel Vincent
read:
]
also read:
currently reading:
Finally getting the Mercy-hype! to read:
(and I didn't add them to my Dec list, damn!)transfering to December challenge:
Mel, I'm glad you liked it! I heard Sabine is really funny, can't wait. I've made the order last week (24th) but I haven't heard anything yet. Should I be getting a mail saying 'we've sent the order to your local postal company who will send it to you' or something? Hmm I just tracked it and it says 'processing' behind it. I hope it's normal. Cause I'm paying 37,05 for 6 books! Normally I buy 3 for 30 euros!
Mod
Characters Alphabet Parade Challenge
A/B -
C/D/E -
F/G/H - Faythe Sanders Rogue
I/J/K -
L/M/N -
O/P/Q -
R/S/T - Raphael Angels' Blood
U/V/W -
X/Y/Z -
I knew I wouldn't finish, but I think 7 books is decent enough.
Congrats to everybody who finished.
Mel wrote: "Mel, I'm glad you liked it! I heard Sabine is really funny, can't wait. I've made the order last week (24th) but I haven't heard anything yet. Should I be getting a mail saying 'we've sent the orde..."I presume you ordered from The Book Depository? I don't recall getting an email about it being sent, just kept checking status until it said dispatched. I do remember that taking a couple of days though.
9/9 FINALLY! Hard month for me!A/B:
C/D/E:
F/G/H:
I/J/K:
L/M/N:
O/P/Q:
R/S/T:
U/V/W:
X/Y/Z:
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Done!
1. A/B -
2. C/D/E -
3. F/G/H -
4. I/J/K -
5. L/M/N -
6. O/P/Q -
7. R/S/T -
8. U/V/W -
9. X/Y/Z -
Mel W wrote: "Mel wrote: "Mel, I'm glad you liked it! I heard Sabine is really funny, can't wait. I've made the order last week (24th) but I haven't heard anything yet. Should I be getting a mail saying 'we've s..."Well, I'll just patiently keep waiting :)
C/D/E Cassandra Palmer Claimed By Shadow by Karen Chance
F/G/H Grant, Kent No Escape Shannon Butcher
X/Y/Z Zoe Martinique Wraith by Phaedra Weldon
Lesson learned: Don't try 3 challenges at once....or you might not get them all finished.
Well, no where near finished. I started reading Special Forces and got so completely sucked in that I couldn't bear to read anything else til I finished. Now I have a pile of late library books!6/9
1. A/B:
2. C/D/E:
3. F/G/H:
4. I/J/K:
5. L/M/N:
6. O/P/Q
7. R/S/T
8. U/V/W:
9. X/Y/Z
7/9 total completed for the Nov. Challenge. That’s not bad for me- considering that I work and have a toddler!!6) O/P/Q - P hil Jones Forbidden Nights with a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
7) R/S/T - T oni Davis All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks
Did not get to (but are alternates in the Dec. Challenge):
Read:
9 down, 0 to go! 1. A/B: Aphrodite, Betrayed (done)
2. C/D/E: Dante, Kiss of Crimson (done)
3. F/G/H: Grace Alexander, Fantasy Lover (done)
4. I/J/K: Kiyo, Storm Born (done)
5. L/M/N: Lucan, Kiss of Midnight (done)
6. O/P/Q: Parthenopeaus, Acheron - Night Pleasures (done)
7. R/S/T: Tegan, Midnight Awakening (done)
8. U/V/W: Volusian, Thorn Queen (done)
9. X/Y/Z: Zoe, Marked (done)
Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy
Books mentioned in this topic
The Undead Next Door (other topics)How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (other topics)
The Rest Falls Away (other topics)
Be Still My Vampire Heart (other topics)
A Touch of Dead (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kresley Cole (other topics)P.C. Cast (other topics)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)
Jackie Kessler (other topics)
Sherrilyn Kenyon (other topics)
More...
1. A/B - Anita Blake - The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #2) by Laurell K. Hamilton
2. C/D/E - Eric - Untamed by P.C. Cast
3. F/G/H - Heath - Chosen by P.C. CastCompleted 15th October * * *4. I/J/K - Kaderin - No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley ColeCompleted 4th October * * *5. L/M/N - Lauren - If Only It Were True by Marc Levy
6. O/P/Q - Jazz Parks - Bite Marks byJennifer Rardin
7. R/S/T - Rose - Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) by Richelle MeadCompleted 9th October * * * * *8. U/V/W - Vasilisa Dragomir - Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead
9. X/Y/Z - Zsadist - Lover Awakened by J.R. WardCompleted 28th October * * * * *Absolutely loved Lover Awakened. Z is awesome. This book nearly had me in tears a couple of times. I still can't get the picture of him scrubbing his wrists raw out of my head. Definately a 5 out of 5.
That's it for this month, maybe I'll have more luck next month. I really need to take a break from the vamps (which is why I've loaded next months challenge with non-pnr).