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2011 March Reading Challenge

In the wee hours of this morning, I finished reading the St. Helens trilogy by Jayne Castle (★★★★★). This is an older series originally published between 1996-1998, so they're a little different than the PNRs you see currently. They take place approximately 200 years after earthlings colonize a far-away planet. However, there's no longer any contact with Earth and shortly after arriving, the colonists discovered that there was something in the atmosphere of this new planet that was detrimental to anything brought along from Earth (except the colonists themselves apparently). Therefore, there's no technology as we know it and the colonists had to rebuild and re-create their society from the ground, up. This does explain a few of the cultural differences, though it's not exactly "good" science. But really, who expects good science in a PNR?
Outside of the location and a slight otherworldly & other-culture feel, the books are pretty straight romance - or more accurately, mystery romance. The colonists have developed various psychic powers, which often throws a wrench in things, but in each book the basic storyline is that of boy meets girl, boy & girl work together to solve a mystery, fall in love, have conflicts to overcome, but eventually have their HEA.
The one thing that bothers me now when reading these that didn't when I first read them (I was in my late teens back then) is that all three female protagonists are pretty much the same person with slightly different characteristics. Even more so, they're all virgins until they meet the hero. That didn't jump out at me at all back then, but now it just seems odd. Still, they're pretty fantastic books and if you like the Ghost Hunter series by Jayne Castle, then you'll see lots of similarities in this series, too. The St. Helens series is almost like Ghost Hunter "lite" - there's a lot of similarities, but the St. Helens world just isn't as well-developed as Harmony has become.
Readers of Robin D. Owens' "Heartmates" series and Patti O'Shea's "Jarved 9" series will also like this series.
Three-Word Titles:
1.
2. Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls (Ghost Hunter Mystery, #5) by Victoria Laurie - reading now
3.
Three-Name Authors:
4.
5.
6. Karen Marie Moning: Bloodfever (Fever, #2)
Trilogy:
7.
8.
9.
Third in a series:
10. Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3) by Gail Carriger











6/10 complete
Three Word Tittle
1 - Touch the Dark - K. Chance
2 -
3 -
Three Named Author
4 - Death Blows - D.D. Barant
5 -
6 - Burned - P.C. Cast
Trilogy
7 -
8 -
9 - The Reckoning
OR
7 - Poison Study - M.V. Snyder
8 - Magic Study - M.V. Snyder
9 - Fire Study - M.V. Snyder
Third book in a series
10 -










im just about to start reading


8/10 Done
Three Word Titles
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
Three Word Authors
Trilogy
Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
Third Book in a Series











1 -
2 -
3 - Touch of Surrender - Rhyannon Byrd
4 -
5 - Queen of Song and Souls - C.L. Wilson
6 -
7 - Haunted - Lisa Childs
8 - Persecuted - Lisa Childs
9 - Damned - Lisa Childs
10 -











2. Doomsday Can Wait - Lori Handelhand Finished 3/10
3. 20th Century Ghosts - Joe Hill Finished 3/18
4. Rise of the Poison Moon - Mary Janice Davidson
5. Found - Margaret Peterson Haddix
6. A Charmed Life - Dianna Wynne Jones Finished 3/11
7. Ghost Shadow - Heather Graham Finished 3/3
8. Ghost Night - Heather Graham Finished 3/7
9. Ghost Moon - Heather Graham Finished 3/8
10. Storm Breaking - Mercedes Lackey Finished 3/20

Read 8/10
Three word titles
Three word authors
5. Burning Alive - Shannon K. Butcher
6. Naked in Death - J.D. Robb
Trilogy
Third book in a series

March Paranormal Romance Reading Challenge
“The Power of Three”
1/10 Complete
Read three books that has three-word titles.
1. Seize the Night
2. Full Moon Rising
3. The Great Hunt
Read three books that were written by three-name authors.
4. Laurell K. Hamilton-The Laughing Corpse
5. J.R. Ward- Lover Unbound Currently Reading
6.
Read a trilogy.
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
8. The Girl Who Played with Fire
9. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Read a book that is the third book in a series.
10. Inkdeath
Read:

Currently Reading:

To Read:









2. -
3. - Loyalty In Death - JD Robb
4. - P.C. Cast - Awakened
5. - Dana Marie Bell - The Wallflower
6. -
7. - Entranced - Nora Roberts
8. - Captivated - Nora Roberts
9. - Charmed -Nora Roberts
10. -




The Power of Three
Read 5/10
Three word titles
Three word authors
Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study
N.K. Jemisin, The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms
Jayne Ann Krentz, Running Hot
Trilogy
Late for the Wedding
Third book in a series
Archangel's Consort











7/10 Read
1.
2.
3. Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
4.
5.
6.
7.
8. Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
9. Fire Study by Maria V. Snyder
10.
Unread:



Read:








1. Three Word Title:
2. Three Word Title:
3. Three Word Title:
4. Three Name Author:
5. Three Name Author:
6. Three Name Author:
7. Trilogy Part One:
8. Trilogy Part Two:
9. Trilogy Part Three:
10. Third in Series:










Wow, I am actually done. This was my first monthly reading challenge. I was a bit intimidated to begin with. I didn't think I would get through all ten and here it is only the 21st and I am done. I found that since I had planned ahead and had my list of books it was easier to get through them. I was like a chain smoker, except with books... put one down pick up another.
Anyway enough rambling. I just wanted to express how thankful I am to have made a dent in my to be read list. Thanks for composing these challenges!
10/10 complete!
1. 3 word title - In Other Worlds, Sherrilyn Kenyon (3/3/11)
2. 3 word title - Many Bloody Returns, Charlaine Harris (3/9/11)
3. 3 word title - A Quick Bite, Lynsay Sands (3/12/11)
4. 3 word author - Undead and Unappreciated MaryJanice Davidson(3/21/11)
5. 3 word author - Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton (3/21/11)
6. 3 word author - Undead and Unemployed, MaryJanice Davidson (3/17/11)
7. Trilogy book 1 - Sleeping with the Fishes, MaryJanice Davidson (3/9/11)
8. Trilogy book 2 - Swimming Without a Net, MaryJanice Davidson (3/10/11)
9. Trilogy book 3 - Fish Out of Water, MaryJanice Davidson (3/11/11)
10. 3rd in series - Passion Unleashed, Larissa Ione(3/8/11)
Anyway enough rambling. I just wanted to express how thankful I am to have made a dent in my to be read list. Thanks for composing these challenges!
10/10 complete!
1. 3 word title - In Other Worlds, Sherrilyn Kenyon (3/3/11)
2. 3 word title - Many Bloody Returns, Charlaine Harris (3/9/11)
3. 3 word title - A Quick Bite, Lynsay Sands (3/12/11)
4. 3 word author - Undead and Unappreciated MaryJanice Davidson(3/21/11)
5. 3 word author - Guilty Pleasures, Laurell K. Hamilton (3/21/11)
6. 3 word author - Undead and Unemployed, MaryJanice Davidson (3/17/11)
7. Trilogy book 1 - Sleeping with the Fishes, MaryJanice Davidson (3/9/11)
8. Trilogy book 2 - Swimming Without a Net, MaryJanice Davidson (3/10/11)
9. Trilogy book 3 - Fish Out of Water, MaryJanice Davidson (3/11/11)
10. 3rd in series - Passion Unleashed, Larissa Ione(3/8/11)

Three Word Tittle
1 - Touch the Dark - K. Chance
2 -
3 -
Three Named Author
4 - Death Blows - D.D. Barant
5 -
6 -
Trilogy
7 -
8 -
9 - The Reckoning - K. Armstrong
Third book in a series
10 -











3. 3 word title - Would-Be Witch
6. 3 word author - Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder


Read:








Also Read:




Three Word Titles
The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld
Three Word Authors
Trilogy
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Third Book in a Series

2. Doomsday Can Wait - Lori Handelhand Finished 3/10
3. 20th Century Ghosts - Joe Hill Finished 3/18
4. Rise of the Poison Moon - Mary Janice Davidson
5. Found - Margaret Peterson Haddix Finished 3/21
6. A Charmed Life - Dianna Wynne Jones Finished 3/11
7. Ghost Shadow - Heather Graham Finished 3/3
8. Ghost Night - Heather Graham Finished 3/7
9. Ghost Moon - Heather Graham Finished 3/8
10. Storm Breaking - Mercedes Lackey Finished 3/20

three-word titles
three-name authors
a trilogy
9)Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
third book in a series

In the wee hours of this morning, I finished reading Ghouls, Ghouls, Ghouls (Ghost Hunter Mystery, #5) by Victoria Laurie (★★★★1/2). This is a paranormal mystery series with a bit of a romantic element. The series features M.J. Holliday, a medium & ghost-hunter and her friend/business partner/side-kick, Gilly. Each book has them up against some sort of ghostly problem and they seem to get more interesting & dangerous with each book. The books could stand alone, but they're better in order as there is a progression in the "missions" as well as the lives of the characters.
This particular book has M.J., Gilly, and friends filming a ghost-hunting TV show at a haunted castle in Ireland. However, things take a decidedly creepy turn when the producer of the show goes missing and a strong phantom tries to drive them over a cliff - literally! M.J. and her friend have to figure out a way past the phantom to save their producer and their lives.
In general, I really like this series, but this book might have even been the best so far! The storyline was by far the most interesting, I thought. The only downside is that Gilly, who is usually a comedic relief character was just sorta annoying & whiney this time around. His character just felt unbalanced in this story. I'm still looking forward to reading the next one, Ghoul Interrupted, which is due out December, 2011.
Three-Word Titles:
1.
2.
3.
Three-Name Authors:
4.
5.
6. Karen Marie Moning: Bloodfever (Fever, #2)
Trilogy:
7.
8.
9.
Third in a series:
10. Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3) by Gail Carriger











Three Word Titles
1.
2.
3.



Three Word Authors
4. Death Threads by Elizabeth Lynn Casey
5. When Blood Calls by J.K. Beck
6. TBD


Trilogy
7.
8.
9.



Third Book
10.


The Power of Three Challenge
Read 7/10
Three word titles
Three word authors
Maria V. Snyder, Poison Study
Trilogy, Lake/March
Late for the Wedding
Third book in a series
Archangel's Consort











PNR The Power of Three Challenge
March 1 - 31, 2011
Completed: 5/10
3 books with three-word titles
1. Night's Cold Kiss, Tracey O'Hara, 3-3-11
2. Goddess of Spring, P.C. Cast, 3-14-11
3. Death on Demand, Carolyn G Hart, 3-13-11 (*non-para)



3 books with three-name authors
4. Faefever, Karen Marie Moning, 3-6-11
5. Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen, 3-20-11
6. Beyond the Highland Mist, Karen Marie Moning, 3-22-11



3 books in a trilogy
7. Heart of Stone, C.E. Murphy, 3-21-11
8. House of Cards, C.E. Murphy, currently reading
9. Hands of Flame, C.E. Murphy

third book in a series
10. Midnight Crystal, Jayne Castle (3rd in dreamlight trilogy), 3-1-11


Three Word Tittle
1 -
2 -
3 -
Three Named Author
4 - Death Blows - D.D. Barant
5 -
6 -
Trilogy
7 -
8 -
9 - The Reckoning - K. Armstrong
Third book in a series
10 -










about to start reading Death Blows

1/10
Three Word Titles
1.
2.
3.
Three Name Authors
1.
2.
3.
Trilogy
1.
2.
3.
Third in a Series
1.


Three Word Titles
The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld
Three Word Authors
Trilogy
The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Third Book in a Series

Three books with three word titles
Three books by three-named authors
Read a trilogy
Read a book that is 3rd in a series
10. Elizabeth's Wolf by Lora Leigh










Also Read:



9/10 Done
Three Word Titles
Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison changing it to The Perfect Play
Three Word Authors
Trilogy
Third Book in a Series











March Reading Challenge.
Completed 5 of 10
1. Three Word Title: The Professor's Assistant by Bren Christopher ~DONE~
2. Three Word Title: Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks ~DONE~
3. Three Word Title: Master of None by Sonya Bateman
4. Three Name Author: FE Heaton, Hunter's Moon
5. Three Name Author:
6. Three Name Author:
7. Trilogy Part One:
8. Trilogy Part Two:
9. Trilogy Part Three:
10. Third in Series: Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs ~DONE~




I'm doing MUCH better than I'd thought I would this month. Even the 2 weeks that I did no reading isn't really affecting this challenge (my 350+ books for the year challenge--now THAT took a hit.) I just need to find 1 more 3 name author. lol, but that's the problem. I am looking in my tbr pile, my arr (all ready read) pile and not seeing anything. Sigh, and I don't have any more books coming in this month that I've pre-ordered and would have time to finish. Sigh, well, back to work on my quilt, then I'll have to see what I can find to read.
March 2011 PNR
“The Power of Three”.
DURATION: March 1 - March 31, 2011
9/10
The categories are:
1 - 3 Three-word titles.
1. Looking for Trouble by Erin Kern
2. My Blood Approves by Miranda Hocking
3. Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren
4 - 6 three-name authors
4. Bear Necessities by Dana Marie Bell
5. No Rest for the Wtiches by Mary Janice Davisdon et. al.
Trilogy
7 Smoke and Shadows by Tanya Huff
8 Smoke and Mirrors by Tanya Huff
9 Smoke and Ash by Tanya Huff
10. Read a book that is the third book in a series.
10. The Demon You Know (Book 3, The Others) by Christine Warren
March 2011 PNR
“The Power of Three”.
DURATION: March 1 - March 31, 2011
9/10
The categories are:
1 - 3 Three-word titles.
1. Looking for Trouble by Erin Kern
2. My Blood Approves by Miranda Hocking
3. Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren
4 - 6 three-name authors
4. Bear Necessities by Dana Marie Bell
5. No Rest for the Wtiches by Mary Janice Davisdon et. al.
Trilogy
7 Smoke and Shadows by Tanya Huff
8 Smoke and Mirrors by Tanya Huff
9 Smoke and Ash by Tanya Huff
10. Read a book that is the third book in a series.
10. The Demon You Know (Book 3, The Others) by Christine Warren

6. 3 word author - Storm Glass by Maria V. Snyder

Read:









Also Read:




√
√
√
√
√
6. 3 word author - Lover Eternal
√
√
√
10. 3rd in series - Lover Awakened

Read 9/10
Three word titles
Three word authors
6. Naked in Death - J.D. Robb
Trilogy
Third book in a series


10/10 Done
Three Word Titles
Three Word Authors
Trilogy
Third Book in a Series










Also read:







If you don't mind a recommendation, I'd suggest giving the Eve Dallas series a try. The series has a great combination of good mysteries with romance and character growth.

Or, if you'd like a bit more humor, check out Bobbie Faye. The series reminds me a bit of Stephanie Plum (except Bobbie Faye has even worse luck).


Three Word Tittle
1 -
2 -
3 -
Three Named Author
4 -
5 -
6 -
Trilogy
7 -
8 -
9 - The Reckoning - K. Armstrong
Third book in a series
10 -











“The Power of Three”
2/10 Complete
Still kicking it. Off for three days now, so I'm hoping I get some good reading time in, and catch up on my challenges!
Read three books that has three-word titles.
1. Seize the Night
2. Full Moon Rising Currently Reading
3. The Great Hunt
Read three books that were written by three-name authors.
4. Laurell K. Hamilton-The Laughing Corpse
5.
6.
Read a trilogy.
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
8. The Girl Who Played with Fire
9. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Read a book that is the third book in a series.
10. Inkdeath
Read:


Currently Reading:

To Read:








3 Word Title
3 Named Author
Let the Right One in John Ajvide Lindqvist
Gil's All Fright Diner A. Lee Martinez
Among the Living Jordan Castillo Price
Trilogy
*Griffin's Daughter Trilogy by Leslie Ann Moore*
3rd in Series











PNR The Power of Three Challenge
March 1 - 31, 2011
Completed: 9/10
3 books with three-word titles
1. Night's Cold Kiss, Tracey O'Hara, 3-3-11
2. Goddess of Spring, P.C. Cast, 3-14-11
3. Death on Demand, Carolyn G Hart, 3-13-11 (*non-para)



3 books with three-name authors
4. Faefever, Karen Marie Moning, 3-6-11
5. Garden Spells, Sarah Addison Allen, 3-20-11
6. Beyond the Highland Mist, Karen Marie Moning, 3-22-11



3 books in a trilogy The Negotiator Trilogy
7. Heart of Stone, C.E. Murphy, 3-21-11
8. House of Cards, C.E. Murphy, 3-24-11
9. Hands of Flame, C.E. Murphy



third book in a series
10. Midnight Crystal, Jayne Castle (3rd in dreamlight trilogy), 3-1-11


Three Word Titles
The Last Days by Scott Westerfeld
Three Word Authors
Trilogy
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson
Third Book in a Series

7/10
Three Word Titles



Three Books by triple names Authors



Read a Trilogy



Read 3rd in a series


√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
√
10. 3rd in series - Lover Awakened

10/10 completed
three-word titles
three-name authors
a trilogy
third book in a series

“The Power of Three”
3/10 Complete
Read three books that has three-word titles.
1. Seize the Night
2.
3. The Great Hunt
Read three books that were written by three-name authors.
4. Laurell K. Hamilton-The Laughing Corpse
5.
6.
Read a trilogy.
7. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
8. The Girl Who Played with Fire
9. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest
Read a book that is the third book in a series.
10. Inkdeath
Read:



Currently Reading:

To Read:







DURATION: March 1 - March 31, 2011
10/10 Done
read











1. 3 word title - The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
2. 3 word title - The Dark One by Ronda Thompson
3. 3 word title - The Untamed One by Ronda Thompson
5. 3 word author - Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
6. 3 word author - Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward










Books mentioned in this topic
Among the Living (other topics)Griffin's Destiny (other topics)
Iron Crowned (other topics)
Griffin's Shadow (other topics)
Gil's All Fright Diner (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Jayne Ann Krentz (other topics)N.K. Jemisin (other topics)
Brenda Joyce (other topics)
J.R. Ward (other topics)
Kathy Love (other topics)
More...
Progress: 3 to 10
Three-Word Titles:
1.
An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire--Read 03/082.
Burning Up Flint by Laurann Dohner--Read 03/203.
The Starlight Rite by Cherise Sinclair--Read 03/17Three-Name Authors:
4. A Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson
5. Dying Bites by D.D. Barant
6. Lover Unleashed by J.R. Ward
Trilogy - Tales of an Urban Werewolf by Karen MacInerney
7. Howling at the Moon
8. On the Prowl
9. Leader of the Pack
Third Book in the Series - Succubus Diaries
10. My Fair Succubi by Jill Myles