March - Pick It For Me Challenge

[Penney]

Hi Debbie!
I finally have your pics ready, that was harder than I thought it would be. I hope there's something here you'll like...

Places I'm Going
1. Culture Shock ~ Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr; I've never seen this book before or the author, but it had a high rating and looked really interesting.
2. Airport Purchases ~ Masquerade by Melissa de la Cruz; C'mon, who wouldn't pick up something that cool.
3. Making Those Connections ~ One Foot in the Grave by Jeaniene Frost; You liked the first one, you'll love the second in the series.



Places I've Been
4. Going Back There For Sure ~ Irish trilogy collection by Nora Roberts; Nora always does such a beautiful job of describing the Irish countryside. Tears of the Moon was the beginning of a great trilogy.
5. Making Space in My Luggage ~ Outlander by Diana Gabaldon; I recommend this book on almost every PIFM challenge, but for very good reason. I just lent it out to a friend asking her to please make sure she return it, but I let her keep it after pre-ordering the 25th Anniversary Hardcover. I will say that it's not a romance novel, it's a Historical novel with romance and fantasy tendencies and It's worth every one of it's 850 pgs.
6. Heading Home ~ The Iron Duke or Passion; There're so many books I could choose here so I went with one on your TBR and one new to you. Passion is historical erotica and The Iron Duke is steampunk. Both were hard to put down.



Planning the Next Trip
7. Italy ~ Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips; I love SEP so how could we go wrong with this one.
8. Ireland ~ Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning; It's on your TBR and it's the start one of my favorite series. In fact, I'm such a fan I'd be willing to do a reread.



9. Bonus AudioBook ~ I happen to be a big fan of audiobooks, they're a great way to distract myself from chores, exercising, etc. Right now I'm listening to Archangel by Sharon Shinn. I bought it because it was on sale and seemed pretty good, but I have to say that I'm thoroughly enjoying it. I actually look for extra things to do just so I can continue listening.



HAPPY READING!

[Shelley]

Hi Valerie,

1. Culture shock: Speak. I've never heard of this book, but it looks really good.
2. Airport purchases: The Dream-Hunter (Dark-Hunter, #10). I liked this book alot. And the model on the cover is hot!
3. Making those connections: You gave Blood Brothers 5 stars so try Blue Smoke.
4. Going back there for sure: Black Ice. It takes place in France and everytime I read it I want to go there.
5. Making space in the luggage - Cry No More. Probably my most reread book I own.
6. Heading Home - The Help. Loved this book.
7. Country I chose: Fallen. I have his on my TBR as well. Looks good.
8. Country you chose: Nicholas. I think it takes place in Italy.
9. Audiobook - My Sister's Keeper. A different person for each point of view. Very well done.

I hope these work for you. Let me know if you want to do a buddy read!

[Katie]

Sandy wrote: "Katie wrote: "hey sandy!! i hope you find something good in here :)


Places I'm Going:
1. Culture Shock - Bloodlines - i just went with the highest rated book i've never heard ..."

great! let me know when you start and i'll read it with you :)

[Alara]

Do we have to read at least one book from the list my pairing recommends me?

[D.G.]

Cynthia wrote: "Do we have to read at least one book from the list my pairing recommends me?"

Yes. At least one.

[Alara]

Thanks for your answer. :)

I didn't understand this part also.

"3. Making Those Connections - pick a book that links to a book that they've read and rated highly (could be by author, series, theme etc)"

[Juana "Darkness"]

Macwolf01 [Elise], I would love to be your friend, thanks for asking.

[Dee]

When u are making your list of recommendations for your person provide them a recommendation of an author or series that they might have read in the past or a book in a genre they seem to enjoy

[Sue]

Inga wrote: "Sue, here are my picks for you!

Inga,

Thanks for the picks!

I am going to read Jane's Warlord since I've had it for a while and I do want to read it!

If I have time I also plan to read Frostbitten since I do really like the series.

Also, the book Queen of Shadows looks really interesting. Unfortunately my library doesn't have it. But I've put it on my wishlist on Amazon so if I do get a Kindle for my birthday (next month) I may be able to buy it with the gift cards I'm hoping to get!

Thanks for the great suggestions!

[Alara]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "When u are making your list of recommendations for your person provide them a recommendation of an author or series that they might have read in the past or a book in a genre they seem to enjoy"

Thanks. :) For instance s/he read Anita Blake's first 5 books, 6th and 7th book is on TBR list, so I choose one of them?

[Rebecca]

Melinda wrote: "Rebecca,
here are your picks. I hope you can find something you like.



Places I'm Going
1. Culture Shock: Highlander Untamed by Monica McCarty; I've never seen this book but every..."

Thanks Melinda, I have all these books except Never Say Die and Under the Tuscan Sun, But I am sure I can get hold of them.

[Fran, Moderator]

Cynthia wrote: "Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "When u are making your list of recommendations for your person provide them a recommendation of an author or series that they might have read in the past or a..."

Yes, that's it exactly. Or if they have read books by a certain author (could be stand alones) and they have another one by that author on their tbr. Or if they don't have any, then if they have read many historicals for example, and have another historical on their tbr, you can choose that.

[Alara]

Hi Heather!

Places I'm going
1. Culture Shock - Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale
2. Airport Purchases - Outlander - This is a book that I want to read too. Buddy read?
3. Making Those Connections - The Boleyn Inheritance - It seems you're reading a book of Philippa Gregory at the moment. Enjoy!

Places I've Been (Books you’ve read)
4. Going back there for sure - Robinson Crusoe - The only exotic located books I had read were Lord of the Flies and Robinson Crusoe. You've already read LOTF, then, I chose Robinson Crusoe.
5. Making space in the luggage – The Hunger Games - Even though it's a young adult book/series, everyone can read and enjoy this book. I liked the dystopia idea in this book, and I hope you enjoy it.
6. Heading home - Angels & Demons - This is my favourite Dan Brown book. If you haven't watched its movie yet, then do not watch it! The book is really exciting and it's perfect for long rides.

Both you and your selectee chose a country you would like to go to. Pick:
7. One book set in the country you chose. - Memoirs of a Geisha - I chose Japan. I haven't read this book yet, maybe we can pick it as a buddy read too.
8. One book set in the country they chose. - Vittorio: The Vampire - I LOVE this book! It's not a teen vampire crap. The book was written by Anne Rice, it takes place in Italy, in 1400s. The story is told like as a tale. It's also not too long, you can finish it max. two days.

[Katherine]

Hi Melinda!

Places I'm Going
1. Bad Blood by L.A. Banks

2. The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout

3. Queen of the Darkness by Anne Bishop

Places I've Been

4. If You Dare by Kresley Cole

5. Her Fearful Symmetry by Audrey Niffenegger

6. The Manhattan Hunt Club byJohn Saul

Planning The Next Trip

7. Jewels of the Sun by Nora Roberts

8. The Healer's War by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

I hope you can find something you'd like to read. I had a little difficulty with this set, so if you don't find anything appealing just let me know.

[Tania]

Okay, looking for some advice re Outlander... I've hunted out my old paperback copy from the box in which it hid, but am about to choose a new audio book with my audible credits this month. So my question is, given this is my first time reading Outlander do I go paper or audio? I'm hearing great things about both but what would you recommend for a first timer?

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Melissa wrote: "I was also wondering how you were liking The Night Hunterss Series?"

Glad you liked my picks Melissa! :) I'd be up for a buddy read of Tomorrow, When the War Began. They have already made a movie of the first book (or maybe first three books: released about Oct 2010 in Australia) but I'd like to read the book before I watch the movie...

I plan on reading Halfway to the Grave this coming month. Am really looking forward to it! I immediately thought of this series when I found I was picking for you!

[Pam]

Sue wrote: "Pam,

Places I'm going

1. Culture Shock - Listography Journal: Your Life in Lists - I love lists and this books looks interesting!
2. Airport Purchases - The Adoration of Jenn..."</i>

Sue-I am going to read [book:The Adoration of Jenna Fox but also purchase Listography Journal: Your Life in Lists to savor....

[Katherine]

Pollyanna wrote: "Hey Katherine, here are your picks:


Places I'm going
1. Culture Shock - Witch Fire by Anya Bast a pnr to start :)
2. Airport Purchases - [book:Some Girls Bite|4447..."



Thanks for the picks! I think I'm going to go with Darkfever.

I finished Darkfever.!

[D.G.]

Tania wrote: "Okay, looking for some advice re Outlander... I've hunted out my old paperback copy from the box in which it hid, but am about to choose a new audio book with my audible credits this month. So my ..."

That's the book I recommended as my audiobook pick so I say audio all the way! Just make sure it's the unabridged version. :)

[Pam]

Tania-
I read the first three and listened to the fourth and then returned to paper for the rest. I don't have a long commute so it took me forever to listen to the book and I don't usually listen in the house. There are also many characters so I liked to be able to flip the pages back and forth. I like audiobooks but I definitely didn't enjoy the one I listened to as much.

[Dee]

another thumbs up for the audio - but make sure you get the unabriged version (narrated by Davina Porter) and not the abridged one done by Geraldine James

D.G. wrote: "Tania wrote: "Okay, looking for some advice re Outlander... I've hunted out my old paperback copy from the box in which it hid, but am about to choose a new audio book with my audible credits this ..."

[Skena]

Katie,here are my picks for you. hope you'll like it :)
1. Full Moon Mating by Stormy Glenn.
2. Divorced, Desperate And Dating by Christie Craig. it's cover and title are so catching.
3. . I noticed that you'd read the first 3 books in this series and rated it highly.

4. The Beach House by Jane Green.it certainly made me wanna visit Nantucket.
5. .I know you'd read it but it's an addictive series and the first book is one of my favorites :).
6. Thirty-nothing by Lisa Jewell.

7. Breathing Room by Susan Elizabeth Phillips(Italy)
8. Tea for Three by Anne Douglas (New Zealand)

[BJ Rose]

"Tania wrote: "Okay, looking for some advice re Outlander... I've hunted out my old paperback copy from the box in which it hid, but am about to choose a new audio book with my audible credits this ..."

Tania, I agree with D.G. & Delicious Dee about the unabridged audiobooks - Davina Porter does a fantastic job!

[Debbie]

Penney wrote: "Hi Debbie!
I finally have your pics ready, that was harder than I thought it would be. I hope there's something here you'll like...

Places I'm Going
1. Culture Shock ~ Wicked Lovely ..."

oooh Penney, I love the selection you have for me. I will have to get back to you on which one I am reading - there are so many good ones on the list. Thanks

[Debbie]

Amanda (Switzerland)
I haven't forgotten about you. Having trouble with internet connection will get back to it later tonight.

[Katie]

Skena wrote: "Katie,here are my picks for you. hope you'll like it :)
1.Full Moon Mating by Stormy Glenn.
2.Divorced, Despera..."

hey skena!

there are four there that sound really good to me. i think i'll go with Lover Revealed. if i have time i'll read Full Moon Mating, Divorced, Desperate And Dating, and Tea for Three. great picks this month!! thanks :)

[KarenF]

Hello Tanya (Scotland),

Here are my picks for you. This is the first time I've done this so if I go horribly wrong please let me know and I'll try again.

Places I'm Going - Your TBR
1. Culture Shock: Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride - There was a ton on your shelves that I hadn't heard of but this title caught my eye and it seems to have high ratings.
2. Airport Purchases: Confessions of a Prairie Bitch: How I Survived Nellie Oleson and Learned to Love Being Hated by Alison Arngrim - There's no way I could walk by that title, plus Little House on the Prairie!
3. Making Those Connections: Face the Fire by Nora Roberts - You rated the first two in the trilogy highly

Places I've Been - Books I've Read
4. Going back there for sure: I'm in New England in February so traveling around the Greek Islands with Bennett Day is OK by me: Scoundrel by Zoe Archer. I love this series, this is actually the second book but it could be read alone. If you're interested the first book is Warrior
5. Making Space in the Luggage: The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt. This is one of my very few "keepers". I love this story of the practical widow and the scarred earl and how they fell in love.
6. Heading Home: I picked two here. One from your TBR and one not. Not from your TBR is Bitten by Kelley Armstrong. I saw that you read the Mercy Thompson books but I didn't see this series. It's a different perspective on werewolves but I tore through it in one day while on vacation. From your TBR I picked The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson. It's meaty and gripping and would be great to pass a train ride.

7. Place I picked: Um, Kenya, not a lot of books that I found. I did find this one: The Winter Rose by Jennifer Donnelly
8. Place you picked: So many books set in Scotland from them all I picked The Wedding by Julie Garwood.

9. Audiobook: I never miss an opportunity to recommend the Amelia Peabody series by Elizabeth Peters as read by Barbara Rosenblat. The first in the series is Crocodile on the Sandbank. These books are great fun, they combine mystery, adventure and some romance. Barbara Rosenblat's narration is wonderful and now if I happen to read one of the books, it's still her voice I hear.

Happy reading!

[Regina]

Hi, Polina

I hope you like my recs!

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)

1. Teach Me
2. Tempted
3. This Side of the Grave

Places I've Been (Books you’ve read)

4. Hot in Here - there are some scenes in Tuscany very beautiful and hot!
5. Coming Undone - I love Brody Brown!
6. Crème Brûlée Upset - a delicious reading!

Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads)

7. Scotland - The Invasion of Falgannon Isle
8. Egypt - Crocodile on the Sandbank. There are also Passion Unleashed, but this is the third in a series (and a very good one by Larissa Ione).

[Melinda]

Thank you Katherine! I think I'm most interested in going with If You Dare, since I love Cole's IAD series. I'll have to see if I can get ahold of it. If I can't then i'm leaning towards Queen of Darkness as a back up choice.

[Lacy]

Hi Anja! I will have your rec's up no later than tomorrow evening.

[Ari]

Hey Erin!
Hope something appeals to your (spring) tastes if not, let me know!!

Places I'm going
1. Kissing the Virgin's Mouth: A Novel. Sounds shocking! xD.
2. Pigs in Heaven. The cover is fun so I’d at least pick this up and see what it was about.
3. Atonement. This is also a well done movie. (You might have seen it.)

Places I've Been
1. The Kite Runner. Vivid details of Afghanistan, makes me really want to learn more about the state it is in now.
2. I Capture the Castle. Such a “my classic.”=P
3. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. After the first hundred pages or so, it really becomes a great read.

Planning the Next Trip
7. The Namesake. They move from India to New York.
8. Galileo's Daughter: A Historical Memoir of Science, Faith and Love. These are letters written or something. It sounds marvelous. Or, maybe you want to read this The Leopard. Enjoy! =D

[Lacy]

This is my first time doing this and I have a question for anyone! On rec. numbers 4 through 9, Do they need to be on the person's TBR list or is that only for the first 3 recs?

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

No - they don't have to be on their TBRs. But if they are, then you can be sure they are interested in reading them! I would say if you are picking for someone with heaps of books on their TBR, then they may be pretty keen to whittle those books down, so maybe choose from their TBRs. If there aren't a lot of books listed, then they would probably be happy to hear some new recs. For my partner pick, I gave them a couple of choices between 'new' books and on their TBRs for each of the recs 4 and 6.

Having said all of that, part of the aim of this challenge is to suggest some new reads, so feel free to make all recs 4-9 as new recommendations!

Hope this makes sense... :)

[Lacy]

Thank you Jane. I was having trouble because I've only read about 2 of the books on their TBR list. So I wanted to make sure not to short change them by going off of what I like.

[Ann]

Michelle -

1. Surrender to Me by Shayla Black - I have never heard of this book, but it looks good.

2. The Season by Sarah MacLean - I had to add this one to my tbr because it looks (and sounds) great. I am hoping this is a series.

3. Where Dreams Begin by Lisa Kleypas - It looks like you have read a few books by Lisa Kleypas and given them 5 stars, so I thought maybe you would like this one.

4. Flat Out Sexy by Erin McCarthy - This book is set in North Carolina. I live in Minnesota, so this absolutely sounds wonderful right now!

5. The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton - This is not something I would typically read, but I absolutely loved it!

6. The Secret Life of CeeCee Wilkes by Diane Chamberlain - I love this author. When I start anything by this woman, I can't stop.

7. Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins - This is set in France. I have also seen this on many people's tbr lists, and it looks like the ratings are good, so hopefully you will like it if you choose this one!

8. Destiny Kills by Keri Arthur - I haven't heard of this book, but it is set in Scotland and looks good. :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Thank you for the picks AshleyAlexis!! I love audiobooks too! I am currently listening to Halfway to the Grave, so I can't use that for March. But I am enjoying it! =) I'm not sure which one I will pick, but I do have to ask - how did I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier change your life?

AlbertaJenn, I'm sorry I haven't got your picks up yet! I was on the road last night and spent the morning getting ready for the big storm heading our way (they are forecasting between 2 and 3 feet of snow this weekend!) and the afternoon with my hubby at the doctors. I am working on them now and should have them up tonight.

[Autumn]

Hello Rachel(china)! Let me just say that i had sooo much fun browsing through your shelves. You have so many interesting books!!! ok, so here go my recs. hope you like some of them.

Places im going:

-Culture Shock: i have read contemporary Gena Showalter,but never have in the paranormal genre.
The Darkest Whisper From Lords of underworld was a nice surprise.


-Airport Purchases: I saw many attractive covers and tittles in your TBR. Addicted it has such goth/decadent cover,and plot that i felt drawn to it.The cover is of great graphical resemblance to the story. another cover that i particular feel partial to is Vision in White. I noticed you like Nora Roberts,and the Bridal-Quartet series are very light enjoyable reads.


Making Those Connections: i saw how much you have enjoyed the Hunger Games series. The Giver is one of the most beloved books on the YA genre. its a lovely read. Paulo Coelho is another Author that has high ratings on your list. The Alchemist is a classic of his works,and a favorite of mine.


Places I've Been :

-Going back there for sure this is perhaps one of the finest historical romance i have laid my eyes on,part of its charm was the setting. As You Desire Is set in Victorian Egypt. Its definitely worth looking over. :)


-Making space in the luggage Ok, there are many books that would be difficult to leave behind. One of the fav books in my collection include: Lisa Kleypa`s Secrets of a Summer Night.Lk is an auto buyer author of mine. You seemed to like again the magic,which is sort of prequel to the wallflower series. is a GREAT one!.Another series that i want to introduce you to,and did not see in your TBR pile is the Hunter Series. you like paranormal genre, and i think you either dont know about this series, or you dislike them. either way i wanted to hint it here,because they are among my favorite PNR series. Halfway to the Grave has the hottest vamp yet!!


Heading home :

Heading home ok, so books that get us through a long ride.. I will again introduce you to another series that are among my favorites. The Tumble Creek series are fun,quirky and very sexy.Talk Me Down would definitely accomplish that. I also saw in your TBR a couple of Neil Gaiman books! and i cant tell you how much i enjoy his books. Good Omensis downright hilarious! and Neverwhere is a really creative story in the English underworld. you like WardJ.R.First Grave on the Right is a new release that was highly recommended by her.



Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads) :

My Country of choice : Japan. Memoirs of a Geisha Is an incredible memoir of becoming a Geisha the gripping story of this culture is really amazing.




Your country of choice :China. Dragon Keeper is a great Y/A book. and Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China seems like a very interesting book to check out.



Aditonal book: sorry, I don't do audiobooks.However,I have heard great things about .The Truth about Forever is a fav Y/A book.



I hope you find something worth reading this month ;)
it was a pleasure picking for you!

Autumn ;)

[Debbie]

Amanda (Switzerland) Ok, I am back and going to try to get you some selections to choose from.

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - A Hopeless Romantic - Never heard of it, but this one sounds really cute.
2. Airport Purchases - The Smoke Thief - this one looks really good both the cover and the synopsis.
3. Making Connections - Changeless - We have both read the first in the Parasol Protectorate and enjoyed it, so maybe we should read the second one too.

Places I've Been: (Books you’ve read)
4. Going back there for sure - The Bride - not super exotic locale, but I always like to read English/Scottish Historical Romance, and I just finished this one not to long ago and remember the Highlands in it well.
5. Making space – Garden Spells - this one has a magical twist to it and is one of my favorites.
6. Heading home - Maybe This Time - I like the supernatural and this one has a great mix of supernatural and romance.

Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads)
7. my country - Jewels of the Sun - Ireland
8. your country - Not Even for Love - Switzerland

Optional Pick
9. Audio book - Naked in Death - I have read one of the In Death series books and I have listened to one, the narrator did pretty good at keeping my attention.



Well, again I am sorry it took me so long to get this up for you. I hope you find something that interests you.

[Heather]

Hey Cynthia!!

Great picks! I am already committed to Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale for a different challenge this month. I also might be reading Angels & Demons if my buddy picks it.

I think I want to try out Vittorio if you are up for rereading it with me. I've never read Anne Rice, but I think I need a good vampire book, since Twilight didn't give me the best impression of the genre.

So, technically I might be reading three of your picks, but Vittorio is my official pick.

Thanks! I'm excited!

[Cathy]

Katie, here are my picks for you. I hope you find something you like.
Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - Pick a book from their TBR that you've never heard of or don't know much about. Stolen by Lucy Christopher
2. Airport Purchases - Pick a book that you would buy at an airport because the cover caught your eye as you were walking past The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
3. Making Those Connections - pick a book that links to a book that they've read and rated highly (could be by author, series, theme etc) The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley I see you’re reading the Once and Future King right now so I’m guessing you like Authurian legend.

Places I've Been (Books you’ve read)
4. Going back there for sure - pick a book in an exotic locale that has made you want to pack your bags and travel to where the book is set Outlander by Diana Gabaldon is an amazing book and makes me yearn to see Scotland some day.
5. Making space in the luggage – mid way through a trip you need to get rid of some luggage weight. Pick the book you could never leave behind even if you knew you could get another copy back home. Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett
6. Heading home - pick the book that's going to help you get through an eight hour train / plane ride in economy seats. Lost in Austenland by Shannon Hale This is an adult novel vs teen but one of my favorites by her
Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads)
(It’s expected that if the person you’re picking for selects one of these that you’ll read it as well)

Both you and your selectee chose a country you would like to go to. Pick:
7. One book set in England: Mansfield Park by Jane Austen
8. One book set in the Netherlands. In Lucia's Eyes by Arthur Japin

[Lacy]

Anja,
Here are my picks for you! Happy reading!

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - According to Jane by Marilyn Brant - I thought this sounded like a good read and I like the cover. I read Pride and Prejudice this past year and I enjoyed it, so this sounds like an interesting spin off from it. I am adding this book to my bn.com wish list!
2. Airport Purchases - Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning - This cover caught my eye, plus I have heard great things about this series.
3. Making Those Connections - Devil In My Bed (Runaway Brides #1) by Celeste Bradley - you seem to like this author.



Places I've Been (Books you’ve read)
4. Going back there for sure - The Third Heiress by Brenda Joyce
The setting: London, present day and early 20th century. This was a great book!
5. Making space in the luggage - Outlander (Outlander #1) by Diana Gabaldon
The main characters, Jaime and Claire, are one of my favorite couples of all time.
A *sigh*worthy read!
6. Heading home - I would probably take these to books since 8 hours is a loooong time!
The You I Never Knew by Susan Wiggs: which is a great book that I have already reread once or twice.
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward: The first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series and it is hot! Great story, great characters and great sex scenes.



Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads)
7. One book set in the country you chose - I love this series and I love rereading it, so my pick for this would be: Jewels of the Sun (Gallaghers of Ardmore/ Irish Trilogy #1) by Nora Roberts. My second pick would be Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern
8. One book set in the country they chose - I’m sorry, but I couldn’t find any books that take place in the French Polynesia Islands so I went with France. To be different, I decided to pick a classic called Bel-Ami by Guy de Maupassant. It takes place in Paris, France in the late 1800’s. I really enjoyed reading this book. It was a nice change having the antagonist be the main character and still be drawn into his life.



Optional Pick
9. Audio book -
I’ve never listened to an audio book before, so instead I am going to recommend a series that I really loved by an author that is not on your list. Based on your book lists I think you would really like this series.
To Pleasure a Lady (Courtship Wars #1) by Nicole Jordan

[Amanda]

Debbie wrote: " Amanda (Switzerland) Ok, I am back and going to try to get you some selections to choose from.

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - A Hopeless Romantic ..."

You did a great job, Debbie! I'm already going to read The Smoke Thief for the March Monthly challenge, so picking it seems like a total waste. So instead, I'm going to pick The Bride and if time allows, Garden Spells, too!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here you go AlbertaJenn! I hope you find something you like!

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich. The title of this one was what attracted me, hard for me to pass up a book with midwife in the title, since I am one.
2. Airport Purchases - Blood Song by Cat Adams orThe Dragon's Bride (Three Heroes Trilogy, #2) by Jo Beverley. The cover of either of these books would have caught my eye if I was walking by.
3. Making Those Connections - The Chase by Erin McCarthy. This one is sort of cheating since it isn't out yet, but it is on your TBR and does come out on the first. You rated the ones before it in the series highly. I can't wait to read it myself!

Places I've Been (Books you’ve read)
4. Going back there for sure - Pursuit by Elizabeth Jennings. I loved this book and San Luis sounded so peaceful and pretty.
5. Making space in the luggage – It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips. I noticed you seem to like Nascar, how about football?! I love this whole series!
6. Heading home - Kiss of the Highlander by Karen Marie Moning. Probably the most romantic books I have ever read! I could lose myself in this book and the trip would fly by.

Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads)
7. One book set in the country you chose. Ireland Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning. I waited until all of the books were out before I even thought about starting this series, now I just need to get it bumped to the top of the list.
8. One book set in the country they chose. England - A Hint of Wicked by Jennifer Haymore. I'm sort of cheating again. I need to read this one for a discussion...

Optional Pick
9. Audio book - I really enjoy audiobooks - I live in the boonies and even going to the grocery store involves almost an hour in the car. Several of the books I recommended above are great in audio too - It Had to Be You was wonderful in audio. Anna Fields is such a great narrator! After listening to her narrating the Chicago Stars series, I wanted her to narrate my life. And Kiss of the Highlander was pretty dreamy in audio, Phil Gigante could read the phone book and it would sound good. But one of my recent favorites in audio and as a book was Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen. It has two narrators and both were wonderful! When I finished that book, I was left with such a warm, fuzzy feeling.

[Debbie]

glad you could find something you wanted to read. I may have to look for Hopeless Romantic and Smoke Thief myself (so grows the TBR) Hope you enjoy whatever you decide to read.

[AlbertaJenn]

MountainKat wrote: "Here you go AlbertaJenn! I hope you find something you like!

Places I'm going (Books from their TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - The Midwife of Venice by Roberta Rich. The title of ..."

Thank you MountainKat! I will have to take a good look and think which one(s) I will read. So many good choices. :-)

[Alara]

Heather wrote: "Hey Cynthia!!

Great picks! I am already committed to Hush: An Irish Princess' Tale for a different challenge this month. I also might be reading Angels & Demons if my buddy picks it.

I think I wa..."

I'm glad that you're happy about my recommendations. :)
I haven't been recommended books yet but I'd love to read Vittorio again in the end of month, if I can.

[Cathy]

Katie wrote: "Hey Cathy!
I loved all of your picks for me. I wish I had time to read them all this month. I'm definitely adding some new things to my to be read shelves.
As for the book I'm actually going to p..."


That book was hard for me to put down. One of my all time favorites. Did you happen to see the mini-series? It stayed pretty true to the book but I think I would have had a hard time making some of the connections if I hadn't read the book.

[Cathy]

Sarah

I've been hearing a lot about Karen Marie Moning and the synopsis on Beyond the Highland Mist
sounds great so I'll definitely read that one. Have you already read it or do you want to do it together?

[Miss]

Hi Lacy,

Places I'm going (Books from your TBR shelf)
1. Culture Shock - The Pillars of the Earth (i've added this to my wishlist after finding it in your tbr)
2. Airport Purchases - If I Stay
3. Making Those Connections - Pale Demon (can't wait to read this one myself)

Places I've Been (Books I’ve read)
4. Going back there for sure - Anna and the French Kiss (a beautifully written book, loved it)
5. Making space in the luggage – The Name of the Wind (my favourite fantasy read so far)
6. Heading home - Unearthly (this one grabbed me from the beginning, really enjoyed it)

Planning the Next Trip (buddy reads)
7. One book set in the country I chose - Australia - Night in Eden
8. One book set in the country you chose - Ireland - Darkfever

Optional Pick
9. Audio book - The Last Kingdom - loved, loved, loved the reader here, he did voices and it was so easy to follow the story even though it was a complex one

[Dee]

i'm hoping Charlotte didn't get lost in my bookshelves!!! we might have to send a rescue team