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March 2010 Reading Challenge

5/10
Stand-alone Books
1. American Gods
2. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
3. The Host
Anthologies
4. Blood Lite
5. Bite
Trilogy - St. Helen's
Rank among my siblings: 3rd

Stand Alone:
3.
Anthologies
1.Must love Hellhounds
2.Blood Lite
Trilogy
2.Eve of Destruction
3.Eve of Chaos
Sibling #1
Read:





To Read:




Also Read:





Stand Alone
1. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
2. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
Anthologies
Trilogy
9. Face the Fire by Nora Roberts
Sibling Rank: 1










Also read:








I've just finished Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters (★★★★) by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters. S&S&SM is, of course, a Quirk Classic parody of the classic Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen. These blends of the classics & the supernatural/monster have been sweeping the shelves of bookstores recently, starting with the best-seller, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Note that in a previous review I gave P&P&Z only two stars. S&S&SM is leagues (no pun intended) above P&P&Z. While P&P&Z was basically a very condensed version of P&P quite literally word for word, but with zombies here and there, S&S&SM creates an alternate Regency period universe where something has gone wrong with the ocean life, making all sea creatures a serious danger to the way of life. The story isn't at all condensed, but instead is almost elaborated upon. I also have to give it props for some very fun & funny illustrations, complete with synopsis descriptions, my favorite being - "At present her only concern was the crablike stinging horror that had crawled inside her helmet and attached one of its fearsome chelicerae directly into her neck."
If you detested the very concept of P&P&Z, you still won't enjoy this book. However, if you liked the idea of these parodies, then you'll be certain to enjoy the creative writing of S&S&SM.
Similar books are: Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen & Seth Grahame-Smith, Mansfield Park and Mummies by Jane Austen & Vera Nazarian, and Emma and the Werewolves by Jane Austen & Adam Rann.
Not Your Usual Series Challenge
Stand-alone Books:
1)
2) Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
3) TBD
Anthologies:
4)
5)
6) Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, et. al.
Trilogy:
7)
8) Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men (Jane Jameson Series #2) by Molly Harper - reading now
9) Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson Series #3) by Molly Harper
Sibling #1:
10) TBD









Stand Alones:
1. Tell Me What You See By Zoran Drvenkar



Anthologies:
4.Dead After Dark (Includes: Dark-Hunter, Related Books #10)
5.Stroke of Midnight



Trilogy:



First Born:

Also Read 6/6
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead

Stand-alone Books
1.
2.
3.
Anthologies
4. Everlasting Bad Boys
5.
6.
Trilogy: Nora Roberts Three Sisters Island
7.
8. Heaven and Earth
9. Face the Fire
Rank among your siblings #2
10.







Stand-alone Books:
1.
2.
3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith
Anthologies:
4.
5.
6.
--OR Charmed--
Trilogy: Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts
7. Dance Upon the Air
8. Heaven and Earth
9. Face the Fire
Rank in order of siblings: #1
10.












Stand Alone
1.
2.
3.
Anthologies
1.
2. Touch of Dead
3.
Trilogy
1.
2.
3. Jinx High by Mercedes Lackey
Sibling Order - 2nd Child
Also read:
Aunt Dimity Down Under
Death of a Gentle Lady

Stand Alone
1.
2. Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy
3. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Anthology
1. Wild Thing
2. Beyond the Dark
3. Hotter Than Hell
Trilogy
1.
2.
3. Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell
Only Child
1.
To Read:









Sandy did you enjoy the new Aunt Dimity book? I have it sitting waiting on me to get a little further into my reading list for this challenge to get to it. lol, problem is--I'm seeming to read everything BUT what I need to read for this challenge. :o)

Stand Alone Books
Anthologies
Trilogy
7-9. The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop
Rank Among Siblings (#3)









Standalone #1 - Shifting Plains by Jean Johnson
Standalone #2 -
Standalone #3 - Fairyville by Emma Holly
Anthology #1 - Huntress by Christine Warren, et al.
Anthology #2 -
Anthology #3 -
Trilogy #1 - In Over her Head by Judi Fennell
Trilogy #2 - Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell
Trilogy #3 - Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell
Sibling #1 - Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews

Stand-alone Books
1.
2.
3. Steamed By Katie MacAlister
Anthologies
1.
2.
3. Must Love Hellhounds by Charlaine Harris
Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
1. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs By Molly Harper
2. Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men By Molly Harper
3. Nice Girls Don't Live Forever By Molly Harper
1st Book in Series/Only Child










Other Books Read



Stand-alone
1.
2.
3.
Anthologie
1. Dark Dreamers
2.
3.
Trilogy
1.
2. Dance of the Gods
3. Valley of Silence
Birth order only child

Stand-alone Books
1. The Chosen Sinby Anya Bast
2.
3.
Anthologies
4. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes
5.
6. Shifter
Children of the Sea Trilogy - Virgina Kantra
7. Sea Witch
8. Sea Fever
9. Sea Lord
Sibling Rank #1
10.












3 Stand Alone Books
- Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
-
- Enchanted, Inc. by Shanna Swendson



3 Anthologies
-
- Dead of Night by J.D. Robb, et al
- Immortal: Love Stories with Bite by P.C. Cast



Trilogy - The Darkangel Trilogy by Meridith Ann Pierce
- The Darkangel
- A Gathering of Gargoyles
- The Pearl of the Soul of the World



Rank of Birth - 1st Born
-


Stand Alones
1)
2)
3)
Anthologies
1)
2)
3
Trilogy by Annette Blair
1)
2)
3)
No 7
Hidden Currents Drake Sisters

Stand Alone:
Anthologies:
Trilogy:
1. Nice girls dont have fangs
2. Nice girls dont date dead men
3. Nice girls dont live forever
Rank of siblings #3:
Also read:
Tanners Scheme by Lora Leigh
Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Heart of the Dragon by Gena Showalter
Darkness Unleashed by Alexandra Ivy
Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole

Just finished Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men (Jane Jameson, Book 2) by Molly Harper (★★★★). Librarian turned vampire is finally starting to feel adjusted to her new un-dead lifestyle. She has a job she loves in an occult bookstore with a boss she adores, she's going to be the best maid in her best friend's upcoming wedding to a werewolf, and she has a boyfriend in the guise of her vampire sire, Gabriel. What could go wrong? Everything! Her boss dies, there's trouble brewing between the families of the two lovebirds, and Gabriel is getting mysterious phone calls and going on long business trips. Won't Jane's unlife ever feel normal again?
I liked this book a bit more than the first. Jane is more of a problem-solver and less of a whiny wimp in this book and I really appreciated seeing her growth. It didn't rate five stars mostly because the mystery part of it was painfully obvious very early on in the book - even though Jane didn't figure it out until the very end. *sigh* Still, it was a fun read and I'm looking forward to the third book. :-)
Not Your Usual Series Challenge
Stand-alone Books:
1)
2) Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
3) Twist by Colby Hodge - reading now
Anthologies:
4)
5)
6) Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, et. al.
Trilogy:
7)
8)
9) Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson Series #3) by Molly Harper - reading now
Sibling #1:
10) TBD









5/10 Read
-Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
1)
Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
1)
2)
3)
Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
Read one whose order in the series matches your rank among your siblings.
-It depends on which parent, so I'm just putting down two books (for first born(mom) and second born(dad)).
1)
2)







Progress: 3/10
Stand-alone Books
1. Let the Right One In: A Novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist
2. Last Door by K. Raven Rozier
3. Garden of the Moon by Elizabeth Sinclair
Anthologies
4.
5. Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra
6. Beyond the Dark by Angela Knight, Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Diane Whiteside
Trilogy: Vampire/Werewolf Trilogy by Susan Krinard
7.
8. Dark Of The Moon
9. Come The Night
Rank Amongst My Sibs, #6
10.










PNR Monthly Challenge
(Not Your Usual Series)
Stand-Alones
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Bloodline by Maggie Shayne
3/16
Vampire Viscount by Karen Harbough
Anthologies
Wild Thing
3/9
Eternal Lover
Dead After Dark
Trilogy
Nora Robert's Irish/Gallagher trilogy
Jewels of the Sun*
Tears of the Moon
Heart of the Sea
Sibling Rank - Only Child
Fool by Christopher Moore
(Not Your Usual Series)
Stand-Alones
The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Vampire Viscount by Karen Harbough
Anthologies
Eternal Lover
Dead After Dark
Trilogy
Nora Robert's Irish/Gallagher trilogy
Jewels of the Sun*
Tears of the Moon
Heart of the Sea
Sibling Rank - Only Child
Fool by Christopher Moore


Stand-alone Books
1.
2.
3.
Anthologies
4. Everlasting Bad Boys
5.
6.
Trilogy: Nora Roberts Three Sisters Island
7.
8.
9. Face the Fire
Rank among your siblings #2
10.







Stand Alones:



Anthologies:
4.Dead After Dark (Includes: Dark-Hunter, Related Books #10)
5.Stroke of Midnight



Trilogy:



First Born:

Also Read 6/6
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead
Sigh, I'd planned on spending the day stitching out pieces for my class for Sat and reading. Unfortunately, the migraine I woke up with decided otherwise. So, I'm not only behind in my reading--I'm behind in my stitching. :o(

Stand-alone Books
1.
2.
3. Steamed By Katie MacAlister
Anthologies
1.
2.
3.
Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
1. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs By Molly Harper
2. Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men By Molly Harper
3. Nice Girls Don't Live Forever By Molly Harper
1st Book in Series/Only Child










Other Books Read




as of 3/17:
8/10 complete (Click title for review)
3 Stand-alone Books
1. The Girl Most Likely To... by Susan Donovan
3 Anthologies
Trilogy The Lily Blood Trilogy by Julie Kenner
9. Turned
I'm kid # 5
TO READ


READ








Read all my reviews: Tara's read and reviewed

Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
2. Perfume by Patrick Süskind
3. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
4.
5. Dead After Dark (Includes: Dark-Hunter, Related Books #10) by Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Susan Squires, Dianna Love
6. Inked by Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, Eileen Wilks
Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
Vampire/Werewolf Trilogy
by: Susan Krinard
7.
8.
9. Come The Night
Series in Rank of Birth (#2)
10.

Stand-alone Books
1.) American Gods by Neil Gaiman
2.) Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
3.)



Anthologies
1.)
2.) No Rest for the Witches
3.) Holidays Are Hell



Trilogy (3)
1.)
2.)
3.)



Your rank among your siblings (#1)
1.)


I enjoyed it. There wasn't really that much of a mystery but I like the writting style and the characters. It was a quick read - I read it in one evening.

Stand Alones:



Anthologies:
5.Stroke of Midnight



Trilogy:



First Born:

Also Read 6/6
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead

1. Rosemary and Rue
2. Gentlemen Prefer Succubi
3. Awaiting the Moon
ANTHOLOGIES:
1. Weddings From Hell
2. My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
3.
TRILOGY:
1. Magic Bites
2. Magic Strikes
3. Magic Burns
Dates From Hell was good. The Kim Harrison story had Kisten (missing him). The Lyndsy Sands story was so-so. Kelly Armstrong's story show how Hope and Karl met. The Lori Handeland story was very sweet.

1. Rosemary and Rue . . . "
Sorry to be a bummer, Carolyn, but Rosemary & Rue isn't a stand alone, it's a first in series. The second book, A Local Habitation was widely available on March 2nd. :-( The third book, An Artificial Night will be out in September of this year and she has announced titles through book 6 on her blogs.

Stand Alone:
Anthologies
1.Must love Hellhounds
2.Blood Lite
Trilogy
2.Eve of Destruction
3.Eve of Chaos
Sibling #1
Read:






To Read:




Also Read:






Stand Alone Books
Steamed by Katie MacAlister
Anthologies
My Zombie Valentine
Trilogy
The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts:
Rank Among Siblings - First Born
READ:








TO BE READ:


ALSO READ:



I've gotten a bit distracted by other books instead of ones for the challenge! But I just picked up Voice of Dragons last night, so should get to that this week!
Stand Alone Books
2 - Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
3 - The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs
Anthologies
Trilogy
Rank Among Siblings (#2)
10 - Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (I think this is the third time I've listed this book for a challenge and still haven't read it. Hopefully I'll get around to it this time!)
TO READ:



READ:






ALSO READ:
Urban Shaman by C.E. Murphy
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Kiss of Midnight by Lara Adrian
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Cowgirl at Heart by Christine Lynxwiler







Here's my list:
1. Stand-alone Book #1: Coraline by Neil Gaiman
10. Birth Order (#1 - ha!): Dark Lover by J.R. Ward











stand alones:
1.
2.
3.
Anthology:
4.
5.
6.
Trilogy:
(by Lynsay Sands)
7.
8.
9.
Birth Order-middle:
10.
March Reading Challenge
7/10
Stand Alone books
1 Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
2 Steamed by Katie MacAlister
3 Mr. Knightley’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Anthologies
1 Really Unusual Bad Boys by MaryJanice Davidson
2 Four Dukes and a Devil by Cathy Maxwell et. al
3 Sugarplums and Scandal by Lori Avocato et. al.
Trilogy
1
2
3
Sibling Rank
(#2 of 4—er5) Blood Cross, a Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter
7/10
Stand Alone books
1 Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
2 Steamed by Katie MacAlister
3 Mr. Knightley’s Diary by Amanda Grange
Anthologies
1 Really Unusual Bad Boys by MaryJanice Davidson
2 Four Dukes and a Devil by Cathy Maxwell et. al
3 Sugarplums and Scandal by Lori Avocato et. al.
Trilogy
1
2
3
Sibling Rank
(#2 of 4—er5) Blood Cross, a Jane Yellowrock Novel by Faith Hunter

Stand-alone Books
1. The Chosen Sinby Anya Bast
2.
3.
Anthologies
4. The Unfortunate Miss Fortunes
5.
6. Shifter
Children of the Sea Trilogy - Virgina Kantra
7.
8. Sea Fever
9. Sea Lord
Sibling Rank #1
10.












I just finished Twist by Colby Hodge (★★★★★). It's a SHOMI book, SHOMI being a line of action romance with a touch of futuristic sci-fi/cyberpunk style mostly published in 2008.
Abbey is a poor college student majoring in architecture who is paying her tuition by "flipping" houses in the Chicago suburbs. While renovating she knocks down a wall to find a strange time twister than flings her 100 years into the future. . . a future where a plague has decimated a large chunk of the human population and those who survived are being preyed upon by vampire-like creatures.
I LOVED this book! It has it all - exciting adventure, a unique take on "vampires", a struggling romance, a just-realistic-enough-yet-still-kick-ass protagonist, and moments of both humor and heart. The blurb on the back kept me from reading it for awhile as it just didn't sound as interesting as the book actually IS. If you enjoyed the 2176 series or the Crimson City series (both led by Liz Maverick, who also wrote some of the other SHOMI books) then it's a good bet you'll like Twist, too.
Not Your Usual Series Challenge
Stand-alone Books:
1)
2) Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Grange
3)
Anthologies:
4)
5)
6) Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, et. al.
Trilogy:
7)
8)
9) Nice Girls Don't Live Forever (Jane Jameson Series #3) by Molly Harper - reading now
Sibling #1:
10) TBD










Stand Alone:
1.
2.
3.
Anthologies:
4.
5. Hot Nights, Dark Desires
6. Weddings From Hell
A Trilogy:
7.
8.
9. If You Deceive
First in a series for a first born:
10. If Angels Burn or Eternal SeductionThe Star Witch
read
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Stand Alone Books
1. The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
2. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger
3.


Anthologies
5. Bite
6. My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon



The Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts
7. Morrigan's Cross
8. Dance of the Gods
9. Valley of Silence



Only Child

I need 1 more standalone book and I'm done.
Ok I'm changing my Trilogy for Nora Roberts Circle Trilogy I just couldn't get into the Gemma Doyle Trilogy.

Stand Alone Books
Steamed by Katie MacAlister
Anthologies
Trilogy
The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts:
Rank Among Siblings - First Born
READ:









TO BE READ:

ALSO READ:



Currently, we have 65 readers participating in this month's challenge:
Ahrcadia - 3 books read
Amber M - 3 books read
Angie - 2 books read
Ann aka Iftcan - 7 books read
Annvelwis - 8 books read
Barbara - 2 books read
Barbara "Mihsery"
Brenda -7 books read
Carolyn F - 1 book read
Charlotte (Buried in Books)
Chelle - 8 books read
Colleen (colleenFL) - 10 books read Done! Congratulations!
Crystal - 4 books read
Emily - 6 books read
Erin - 7 books read
Eva
Felicia - 5 books read
FlibBityFLooB - 7 books read
Gem H
Gina - 6 books read
Jaime - 4 books read
Jason - 1 book read
Jen (jlkish) - 8 books read
Jennifer - 1 book read
Jessica - 6 books read
Jo - 2 books read
Kallie - 10 books read Done! Congratulations!
Katie - 10 books read Done! Congratulations!
Kelley Anne - 7 books read
Laura Lulu
Laurie - 6 books read
Lily
Lizz - 7 books read
LooLoo - 10 books read Done! Congratulations!
Lynn (Brokhen) - 9 books read
Mandy - 7 books read
Marlon - 2 books read
Martina - 6 books read
Mel W - 7 books read
Melissa
Michelle B - 5 books read
Natalie - 6 books read
Nita - 6 books read
Rachel - 6 books read
Rae
Rebecca (BeccaMarie)
Sandy - 8 books read
Sara - 5 books read
Shannon (Savhage Temptress) - 3 books read
Shay - 6 books read
Shazzy - 7 books read
Shelleyrae - 4 books read
Stacie
Stacyann
Tara - 8 books read
Token Female Gamer - 6 books read
Toni - 3 books read
Tracy - 6 book read
Valorie - 4 books read
Vicci - 6 books read
Yz - 2 books read
Zoey
3 new readers have signed up since the last update:
Cherra - 3 books read
Mrs.soule - 3 books read
Rachelle - 4 books read
You can sign up at anytime throughout the month.
Four readers have completed all 10 categories of the challenge so far this month. Congratulations and well done!
Total books read by the group so far this month: 290
**Note: For ease of tracking, please RE-POST your official list with your progress after every update. Striking out the title and/or a finished date after the book's name will be best.
The next update will be March 23.
Good luck, everyone!

Stand Alones:



Anthologies:



Trilogy:



First Born:

Also Read 6/6
Tantalize by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
One More Bite by Jennifer Rardin
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, #3) by Richelle Mead
Books mentioned in this topic
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (other topics)American Gods (other topics)
Perfume: The Story of a Murderer (other topics)
American Gods (other topics)
The Thief of Always (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Vicki Pettersson (other topics)Anne Bishop (other topics)
MaryJanice Davidson (other topics)
Carolyn Turgeon (other topics)
J.F. Lewis (other topics)
More...
Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
Benighted by Kit Whitfield
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia14-03 ***Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon by P.N. Elrod et al.02-03 ****Prom Nights from Hell by Meg Cabot et al.06-03 **Heart of Darkness by Gena Showalter07-03 ****Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan04-03 ****Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughan05-03 ****Warlord by Elizabeth Vaughan05-03 ****Rank Among Siblings (#2)
Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh02-03 *****