December 2009 Reading Challenge

[Mistty]

Woot! Maybe I'll finally finish some of the books that havent fit into my previous reading challenge attempts! :)
1. Untamed-PC Cast
2. Hunted-PC Cast
3. Dark Lover-JR Ward
4. Lover Eternal-JR Ward
5. Lover Awakened-JR Ward
6. Lover Revealed- JR Ward
7. Lover Unbound - JR Ward
8. The Hollow-Nora Roberts
9. The Pagan Stone - Nora Roberts

Alternates:
1. Vision in White- Nora Roberts
2. Bed of Roses - Nora Roberts
3. Tarnsman of Gor - John Norman
4. The Laughing Corpse-Laurell K Hamilton
5. Circus of the Damned - Laurell K Hamilton
6. The Lunatic Cafe - Laurell K Hamilton

[Gemma]

Ok here is my list in no particular order

Top 9 books from TBR List

1.The Highlander's Touchby Karen Marie Moning
2.Kiss of the Highlanderby Karen Marie Moning
3. The Dark Highlanderby Karen Marie Moning
4.The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning
5.Spell of the Highlanderby Karen Marie Moning
6.Bit the Jackpotby Erin McCarthy
7Kitty and the Midnight Hourby Carrie Vaughn
8. Embrace the Nightby Karen Chance
9. Once Bitten, Twice Shyby Jennifer Rardin

Alternative TBR

1.Lyonby Elizabeth Amber
2. Blue Diabloby Anne Aguirre
3.Wolf at the Doorby Christine Warren
4.Bled Dry by Erin McCarthy
5.Sucker Bet by Erin McCarthy
6.Fallen by Erin McCarthy

[Mel]

Okay, here's my list:

My TBR List

1. Gil's All Fright Diner by A. Lee Martinez
2. Stray by Rachel Vincent
3. Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
4. Wicked Ties by Shayla Black
5. Living Dead in Dallas by Charlaine Harris
6. Strange Brew by P. N. Elrod, Karen Chance, etc.
7. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison
8. Bedeviled by Maureen Child
9. Night Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon



Alternates

1. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance
2. Claimed By Shadow by Karen Chance
3. Embrace the Night by Karen Chance
4. Curse the Dawn by Karen Chance
5. Midnight's Daughter by Karen Chance
6. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

[Charlotte (Buried in Books)]

I think I'm in. Problem I have is that I like to read what I feel like at the time - so I tend to have a lot on the go at one time. Plus I'm still pretty new to PNR, so my PNR TBR pile isn't that old (compared to the 4 bookcases that are)!!!

Have to think about this....

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I'm in, I'm in. Um, now, I have to spend some time sorting my tbr bookshelf(ves) into mystery, scifi, fantasy, PNR, UF. . . Then pick out what I want to read. Oh dear, oh dear (wringing hands) I'm also one of those who usually changes their books a dozen times during a challenge. Ok, Ok, I can do this (taking deep breathe, going OOOHHMMMMMMMMMM.) Will post a list some time in the next couple of days--well, maybe Monday, since hubby is going to be off for the next 5 days and I won't have time to do it while he's off.

[RogueHireling]

I love this challenge. My to read stack has been getting large and larger and I can't seem to keep up.

And so in no particular order:

Archange by Sharon Shinn
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Storm Born by Rishelle Mead
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
The People of Sparks by Jeanne DuPray
Evermore by Alyson Noel
City of Bones by Cassandra Clark
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause


My Alternates are:
Queen of Song and Souls by C.L.Wilson
Undead and Unreturnable by Mary Janice Davidson
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn
Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris
Wolf at the Door by Christine Warren
Unleashed by Kristopher Reisz

I'm super excited to get started and possibly down my huge stack of books a bit. =)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Hey Yz--what about waiting lists at the library? I've been waiting on some of the books I have on reserve there for MONTHS. :o)

[Yz the Whyz]

Ann wrote: "Hey Yz--what about waiting lists at the library? I've been waiting on some of the books I have on reserve there for MONTHS. :o)"

Hmm..as much as possible I would prefer the original list is composed of your own physical TBR, books that you owned, especially the ones you keep postponing to read. You can put your arriving library books in your alternate list, just in case, they arrived and you need to finish them before the month ends.

Fair enough?

[Gemma]

Mel, you haven't read White witch, Black Curse????? :o0

That was a good book!

[Mel]

Gem wrote: "Mel, you haven't read White witch, Black Curse????? :o0

That was a good book!"

Well I was waiting for The Hollows #8 to come out. I heard it was kind of a series filler...

[Gemma]

I can see why it could be considered a filler, but thee is some really nice twists in the book.

[Steph]

I'm in, I'm working on my list. Will post soon after all group's monthly challenges are revealed.

Yz, just to clarify (sorry, it's late here and I'm feelin' kinda slow ...) I have a TON of books TBR that aren't listed on my GR's TBR list - are those ok to use in this challenge? Or are we only able to pull from our literal GR TBR list?

[Yz the Whyz]

Steph,

Yes,you can. In fact, that is the idea. Make a dent on your actual physical pile that is in your possession. The GR TBR is only a back-up if you don't have 16 books at home lying around.

[Gemma]

I haven't got all my books on my GR list yet. lol! If I did that I wouldn't get any reading done

[Levi]

I'm in! Great challenge Yz!
My TBR List:-
1)Dark Challenge
2)Dark Fire
3)Dark Legend
4)Hunting Ground
5)Moon Called
6)Blood Promise
7)White witch, Black curse
8)Dead until dark
9)Masquerade
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Alternates:-
1)stray
2)Raven's Shadow
3)Blue Moon
4)The awakening
5)Dark Dreamers
6)Tempted
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[Gemma]

@ Levi:- I've read Moon Called (LOVE this series) White Witch, Black Curse (could be called as a filler, but I loved it) and Dead until Dark (If you have seen the Tv series True Blood you will know most of the story)

[Michelle B]

I'm in too! I just need to go through my books now and also wait to see what I dont finish on this months challenge.

Michelle(karenshell)

[Jessica]

1. Damienby Jacquelyn Frank
2. 1984by George Orwell
3. Storm Frontby Jim Butcher
4. Wolfsbane and Mistletoeby Charlaine Harris
5. Blood Noirby Laurell K. Hamilton
6.Skin Tradeby Laurell K. Hamilton
7. Soullessby Gail Carriger
8. A Hunger Like No Otherby Kresley Cole
9. Full Moon Risingby Keri Arthur

Alternates
1. Dracula by Bram Stoker
2. Princess Brideby William Goldman
3. Beyond the Highland Mistby Karen Marie Moning
4. Tempting the Beastby Lora Leigh
5. Night Pleasuresby Sherrilyn Kenyon
6. Bittenby Kelley Armstrong

[Annvelwis]

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Main

1. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione
2. Me and My Shadow by Katie MacAlister
3. Soulless by Gail Carriger
4. Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
5. Frostbitten by Kelley Armstrong
6. Santa Olivia by Jacqueline Carey
7. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
8. Succubus Dreams by Richelle Mead
9. Cat Of A Different Color by Dana Marie Bell



Alternative

1. Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione
2. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
3. Leader of the Pack by Karen MacInerney
4. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
5. Crouching Vampire, Hidden Fang by Katie MacAlister
6. Frostbite by Richelle Mead

[Tara]

Wow, putting a list together is difficult! Maybe we could do this challenge for a few months! I also realized that so many of the books facing me aren't pnr or uf, which is which is why they haven't made it off the shelf yet...

:/

[♥Lynn ♥]

Gem H wrote: "Mel, you haven't read White witch, Black Curse????? :o0

That was a good book!"

LOVED that book!!!

[♥Lynn ♥]

Happy Thanksgiving all!

[Gemma]

Lynn wrote: "Gem H wrote: "Mel, you haven't read White witch, Black Curse????? :o0

That was a good book!"

LOVED that book!!!

"

Was a bit disapointed about the reveal on who killed that other character though. Apart from that I loved it. I really felt sorry for Rachel

[Barbara ★]

I'm so in for this one. I must have 100 books -newest in series (hell some of them are three books back in the series) - that I just haven't gotten around to reading due to other challenges and miscellaneous issues.

TBR Clean-Up Challenge
1. Coyote's Mate by Lora Leigh
2. Mercury's War by Lora Leigh
3. Bengal's Heart by Lora Leigh
4. Edge of Desire by Rhyannon Byrd
5. Highland Outlaw by Monica McCarty
6. Highland Scoundrel by Monica McCarty
7. What A Dragon Should Know by G.A. Aiken
8. Prey by Melina Morel
9. Red Kiss A Gods of Midnight Novel by Deidre Knight

Alternates
1. Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
2. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
3. The Immortal Hunter by Lynsay Sands
4. The Renegade Hunter by Lynsay Sands
5. Skin Trade by Laurell K. Hamilton
6. Dark Slayer by Christine Feehan

[Kristen]

This is the perfect contest for me! Let's hope I can make it. The Alternates were a great idea!

TBR Clean-Up Challenge
1. Ballad The Gathering of Faerie
2. Ice
3. The Demon King
4. Devil's Kiss
5. Liar
6. Firespell
7. Swoon
8. Wings
9. Bone Crossed
10. Cry Wolf



Alternates
1. Lost Worlds
2. The Awakening
3. The Guidance
4. Lipstick Apology
5. Cleopatra's Daughter
6. Wicked Witch & Curse

[Gemma]

Do you have to finish the book to declare it as a complete?

[Yz the Whyz]

Gem H wrote: "Do you have to finish the book to declare it as a complete?"

Yes...only books you have completely finished reading are counted for the challenge. If you have abandoned it in the middle of reading, it won't count. That's why an alternate list is provided, since you can't change your list for this specific challenge.

[Yz the Whyz]

Okay, here's mine. Not sure how much time I will have for reading for December, but I'm hoping to finish a few that has been on my shelf for quite some time.

PNR Monthly Challenge
(TBR Clean-up)

Main List:
Dead After Dark (Includes Dark-Hunter, Related Books #10)(anthology)
Covet by JR Ward
Mistletoe & Magic (anthology)
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card
Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione
Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle
Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher

Alternates
Bloodline by Maggie Shayne
Addicted by Lydia Parks
Captive Dreams by Angela Knight
Wild Thing (anthology)
Eternal Lover (anthology)
Beyond Magic (anthology)

[Gemma]

Yz wrote: "Yes...only books you have completely finished reading are counted for the challenge. If you have abandoned it in the middle of reading, it won't count. That's why an alternate list is provided, since you can't change your list for this specific challenge. ..."


thanks that clears things up for me. SO i need to clear at least 9 off of my TBR pile

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Ok, so far I only have a couple picked out. I really NEED to get these 3 read before the NEXT one comes out. So, here's what I have so far:

“clean up the TBR bookshelf(lves)”

First Choice

1) Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowen
2) Fanged and Fabulous by Michelle Rowen
3) Tall Dark and Fangsome by Michelle Rowen
4)

Back-ups

Ann in VA (I will put more time into figuring out the others as soon as I feel better.)

[Charlotte (Buried in Books)]

On second thought - I think I'll skip this month.

I think I need to read something different (some grisly murders or something), just take a break from all the romance, the mean and moody vamps.

Seems like months since I read something different!!!

[Steph]

I'm in


TBR Clean-up List
Status: 6/9

1. Mona Lisa Awakening by Sunny 12/1 5★
2. Mona Lisa Blossoming by Sunny 12/1 5★
3. Stargazer by Claudia Gray 12/1 3★
4. Tithe by Holly Black 12/3 4★
5. Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Jennifer Rardin
6. Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
7. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
8. Hotter After Midnight by Cynthia Eden 12/7 4★
9. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward 12/3 5★



6 Alternate Options, if needed

[Rebecca (Bec)]

Okay.. I'm going to do one of these for the very first time. I Don't know how well I will go with this though and my alternate's have some that I am hoping I'll get for Christmas!

1. Kissing SinBy Keri Arthur
2. Tempting EvilBy Keri Arthur
3. Dangerous GamesBy Keri Arthur
4. Swallowing Darkness (Meredith Gentry, #7) By Laurell K Hamilton
5. Guilty Pleasures By Laurell K Hamilton
6. The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #2) By Laurell K Hamilton
7. Circus of the Damned (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #3) By Laurell K Hamilton
8. Destined for an Early Grave By Jeanie Frost
9. Frostbite (Vampire Academy, #2) By Richele Mead

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ALTERNATIVES
1. Lover Avenged By J R Ward
2. Covet By J R Ward
3. Divine Misdemeanors Laurell K Hamilton
4. Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) Richelle Mead
5. Hunter's Moon Lori Handeland
6. TwelveBy Jasper Kent




I was planning on reading some of these anyway and I am hoping to get the JR wards for Christmas. Lets see how I do!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Charlotte--I just read the challenge books FIRST--then, starting on the 10th or 11th I go to other categories. Yeah, speed reader, what can I say. And I'm having a heck of a time trying to pare down my (3packed full) tbr shelves to the 15 for December. Sigh, sooo many books, so little time.

[Iriana]

To be read:
1. Everlost By Neal Shusterman
2. Silver Pigs
3. The truth about forever by Sarah Dessen
4. Anne of green gables by L.M Montogomery
5. Pretty little devils by Nancy Holder
6. Pretty little liars by Sara Shepard
7. The lost boy by Dave Pelzer
8. The island of blue dolphins by Scott O'Dell
9. Have a little faith by Mitch Albom

ALTERNATIVES:
1. The secret garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
2. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
3. Black Hills by Nora Roberts
4. Across five aprils by Irene Hunt
5. Halloween Party by R.L. Stine
6. The perfect date by R.L. Stine

[Martina the Book Fairy]

I just read the title of this challenge out loud to my husband and he's SO EXCITED that I won't be buying new books in December! I have over 150 books on my TBR bookcase and most of them qualify for this challenge!

I'll have to wait until I'm done with my last November book before I put the Dec list together, though.. :-)

[Charlotte (Buried in Books)]

Ok Ann, you talked me into it - I've packed my alternates with non-PNR. I've got to mix things up. I'm not a very fast reader and not particularly competitve. Reading's a stress releaver for me and I tend to get rather obsessive with these challenges (although I've now convinced myself it's not the end of the world if I don't finish them). Some of these books have been on my shelves for years....

So here goes:


1) I'm a Believer by Jessica Adams - Chick lit with a twist
2) If Only It Were True by Marc Levy
3) The Host by Stephenie Meyer
4) The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout
5) Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
6) Hogfather by Terry Pratchett - Gotta have something festive, afterall it's Christmas!!!
7) Dracula by Bram Stoker
8) Black Magic Woman by Justin Gustainis
9) The Laughing Corpse (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #2) by Laurell K. Hamilton

Alternates


1) Deadly Décisions by Kathy Reichs
2) Deal Breaker by Harlan Coben
3) The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
4) The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
5) The Dante Club A Novel by Matthew Pearl
6) Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

[Archer]

I'm going to do one of these for the very first time. And hope that I get the new Laurell K. Hamilton book in time.

1. Kitty and the Midnight Hour (Kitty Norville, Book 1) *Reading Now*
2. Destiny Kills (Myth and Magic, #1)
3. The Darkest Whisper (Lords of the Underworld, #4)
4. Covet (Fallen Angels, #1)
5. Apocalypse Happens (Phoenix Chronicles, #3)
6. Born of Night (The League, #1)
7. Jacob (Nightwalkers, #1)
8. Divine Misdemeanors (Meredith Gentry - #8)
9. All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire (2008)



Alternate:

1. The Warlord Wants Forever (Immortals After Dark, #1)
2. A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, #2)
3. No Rest for the Wicked (Immortals After Dark, #3)
4. Marked (House of Night, #1)
5. Queene of Light (Lightworld/Darkworld, #1)
6. Cry Wolf (Alpha & Omega, #1)

[Shannon]

I think the hardest part about this challenge is not being able to change your books! This might be the toughest one yet ...

1. The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine
2. Frostbite by Richelle Mead
3. Red Fire: A Gods of Midnight Novel by Deidre Knight
4. Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine
5. Enchanting the Lady by Kathryne Kennedy
6. Night Lost by Lynn Viehl
7. Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
8. Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry
9. Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher

Alternates:
1. Evermore by Lynn Viehl
2. Dark Needs At Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
3. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
4. Feast of Fools by Rachel Caine
5. Nicholas by Elizabeth Amber
6. Thorn Queen by Richelle Mead

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[Ann aka Iftcan]

I know Shannon--every single time I've posted a book list at the start of a challenge--its been re-worked on an almost daily basis after that. That's part of why I'm being so SLOW with getting Dec's list posted. Not being able to change is gonna be super dooper hard.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

ok, I've gotten a few more books added to my list (mostly because the library told me I couldn't check them out again--I guess they figured I'd had them long enough, because they kept getting pushed to the back of the bookshelf)

Here is what I have so far:


“clean up the TBR bookshelf(lves)”

First Choice

1) Stakes and Stilettos by Michelle Rowen
2) Fanged and Fabulous by Michelle Rowen
3) Tall Dark and Fangsome by Michelle Rowen
4) Darkfever
5) Dreamfever
6) Faefever
7) Bloodfever
8)

(need 2 more)


Back-ups


(Need 6)

[Sandy]

Here's my list for December

1. Dog Days by John Levitt
2. Unclean Spirits by M.L.N Hanover
3. Salt and Silver by Anna Katherine
4. Vicious Circle by Linda Robertson
5. Eve of Darkness by S.J. Day
6. Redemption Alley by Lilith Saintcrow
7. On the Edge by Ilona Andrews
8. Tall Dark & Fangsome by Michelle Rowen
9. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Alternates
1. Speak of the Devil by Jenna Black
2. Cape Storm by Rachel Caine
3. The Wrong Side of Dead by Jordan Dane
4. Truly, Madly: A Novel by Heather Webber
5. Child of Fire by Harry Connoly
6. Souless by Gail Carriger

[Ms.soule]

Initial Nine, most of which are on my shelves:
1.Bad Moon Rising
2.The Royal Treatment
3.Thorn Queen
4.Lover Avenged
5.Full Moon Rising
6.Blue Bloods
7.The Sandman Vol. 1 Preludes and Nocturnes
8.Enchanted
9.The Rest Falls Away

Back-up Six:
1.To Tame a Highland Warrior
2.Ravenous
3.Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
4.Kiss of Midnight
5.Embrace the Night
6.No Rest for the Wicked

[Anna]

Nice challenge that one!
1.Hush hush
2.Poison study
3.Lost symbol
4.Catching Fire
5.Emma
6.Born of Fire
7.Evermore
8.Rumours
9.Envy

Alternatives
1.Little Women
2.Shadow kiss
3.The lunatic cafe
4.Bloody Bones
5.Rebecca

[Ann aka Iftcan]

ah man--I was really BAD yesterday. I went to the library to pick up ONE book--and they were having a book sale. A bag of books for $1. And yes (hanging head in guilt) I DID buy an entire bag of books. Well, 14--which, while not a full BAG--was 14 more than I really needed. Now if I can just figure out where to stick them, since all 3 of my "TBR" shelves are already full.

[FlibBityFLooB]

Ann - naughty, naughty! I know I can't resist a library sale, and a $1 a bag would be too hard to pass up :)

[Wendy]

Great idea Yz. I'm in. With it being December, I don't know how far I'll get.

TO BE READ
1.Darkness Unleashed Alexandra Ivy
2.Born to be Bad Sherrilyn Kenyon
3.Seduce the Darkness Gena Showalter
4.Red Handed Gena Showalter
5.Bedeviled Maureen Child
6.Blacklisted Gena Showalter
7.Born of Night Sherrilyn Kenyon
8.The Rogue Hunter Lynsay Sands
9.The Immortal Hunter Lynsay Sands


ALTERNATE
1.Kiss Me Deadly Michele Hauf
2.Born of Fire (The League, #2) Sherrilyn Kenyon
3.Touch the Dark Karen Chance
4.The Renegade Hunter Lynsay Sands
5.Let the Right One In Lindquist
6.Intertwined Gena Showalter

[Melinda]

This was a fabulous idea for a challenge. I have 3 shelves of books that I haven't read yet - some bought well over a year ago. . .
It took awhile to put together a list though.

First Choice
1. Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon
2. Karma Girl by Jennifer Estep
3. Murphy's Law by Sandy James
4. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr
5. Fragile Eternity by Melissa Marr
6. The Summoning by Kelley Armstrong
7. The Awakening by Kelley Armstrong
8. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
9. Born of Fire (The League, #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon


Alternates
1. Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop
2. Lilith's Brood by Octavia Butler
3. Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey
4. The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
5. A Kiss of Shadows (Meredith Gentry, #1) by Laurell K Hamilton
6. The Host by Stephanie Meyer

[Tonya]

This is a great challenge and I agree that it's going to be hard not changing books for something different. I have changed my list every month I have participated, but I have decided for the month of Dec. I am going to try and finish all the series I have started and not finished (will see how long that lasts). Having said that here is part of my list:

0/9 Completed

1.Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
2.Dark Needs At Night's Edge by Kresley Cole
3.Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole
4.Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole
5.Mona Lisa Blossoming by Sunny
6.Mona Lisa Craving by Sunny
7.Mona Lisa Darkening by Sunny
8.Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning
9.To Tame a Highland Warrior by Karen Marie Moning



Alternates:

[Felicia (Ferishia)]

I'm in! I really need to clear up my TBR pile. It took me a while to decide, but I have my selections

0/9

1. Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
2. Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank
3. Elijah by Jacquelyn Frank
4. Damien by Jacquelyn Frank
5. Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
6. If You Dare by Kresley Cole
7. The Fury by Sloan McBride
8. A Vampire's Claim by Joey W. Hill
9. I Burn for You by Susan Sizemore






Alternate choices

1. Warrior by Cheryl Brooks
2. Blue Moon by Lori Handeland
3. Killing Moon by Rebecca York
4.& 5. Heat of the Night by Emma Holly
(Includes stories Hunting Midnight & Night Owl)
6. Dark Thirst by Sara Reinke

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