February 2009 Reading Challenge

[Ann aka Iftcan]

I liked Blue Moon. It is a totally DIFFERENT type of book from Briggs, and is actually more horror than PR. But the writing was good and the story line really interesting. I've read the entire series, and have liked all of them, some, I will admit, more than others, but I've liked them none-the-less.

[Yz the Whyz]

Time for an update:

Yz
Nichole - 2 books done
Dawn - 2 books done
LondonGirl - 1 book done
DarkHeart- 3 books done
Tammy
Lori
Kenjii
Angie(US) - 1 book done
Angie(UK)
Lady Ozma - 2 books done
Jael

The following had signed up since last update.

Melissa - 2 books done
Ann - 3 books done
Sarah
Murrmaiyd
Melinda -1 book done
Gail

Hope everybody is having fun exploring new authors.

*Signing up will remain open throughout the month.*

P.S. A few changes in tracking our progress. Before, what we do is go back and edit our original list. However, as the thread gets longer and longer, I'm having difficulty wading through the discussion.

So, please, repost your official list with your progrss after every update I make. That will really make my job easy, because I will just start from the last update to see where everybody is in their reading. Striking out the title and/or a finished date after the book's name will be best

Hope that makes sense..LOL

Next update will be February 11.

[new_user]

Blue Moon is very Buffy-like, in that there's a lot of action-- but there isn't too much character growth. Which is why I liked her Doomsday book better. The characters are flawed and have a journey to undertake (personally and physically).

[Lori]

Just finished A Rush of Wings. I loved this book. It was a dark Urban Fantasy with a really damaged "hero" but it was a nice change of pace from all the PNR I've been reading lately. I'm looking forward to reading the sequel.

[Jacalyn]

Hmmm, well I think I'll keep Blue Moon on my list. Maybe I'll read it after this Vampires of Venice Beach that I started yesterday. It started off great, but I have gotten caught up in a project, so I am no further than I was yesterday morning! LOL I may have to give my book some love tomorrow ;)

[Angie]

Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
4 stars - my review

1. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison
2. Vampire Academy by Rachelle Mead ****
3. Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews
4. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
5. Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
6. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward ****
7. The Vampire's Seduction by Raven Hart
8. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
9. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

[Ann aka Iftcan]

Well, so far I'm at book 4 for the month. So far I have finished:

James D. Doss—The Shaman Sings

Susan Sussman—Cruising for Murder

P. C. Hodgell—God Stalk

Sarah Graves—The Dead Cat Bounce

This was a mystery, set in a small Maine town. I think it might be the first in a series, but haven't done any research to find out. I give it 3.5 stars out of a possible 4. Pretty good book, for a first book in a series.

PS--for you fellow cat lovers, the title of this book comes appearantly from a wall street saying about you can take a dead cat and throw it from a high building, it will bounce when it hits the ground, but that doesn't mean its still alive. This has something to do with companies that are either dead or dieing. Not totally sure which, since I'm not a wall street maven

[Ann aka Iftcan]

another book down--that's 5. #5 I got to read just because of the title. So far I have:

1) James D. Doss—The Shaman Sings

2) Susan Sussman—Cruising for Murder

3) P. C. Hodgell—God Stalk

4) Sarah Graves—The Dead Cat Bounce

5) Lenora Worth—The Wedding Quilt

I am a 5th generation quilter on 1 side of my family and a 3rd generation (that I can positively confirm) on the other side. So I buy books with "quilt" in their title or that might have something to do with a quilt, or that have quilt PATTERNS in them. I'm having trouble sleeping tonight (pain) so I decided to just knock out another book. This one was a quick read. Only about 2 hours or so.

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Lori wrote: "Just finished A Rush of Wings. I loved this book. It was..."

I'm glad to hear you liked it. You won't be disappointed by (In the Blood). I love the world Adrian has created and was immediately sucked in. She's quickly become one of my favorites.

[Tammy]

ok so i have changed my list a little. List is

1.zen and the art of vampire-katie macalister / done
2.witchline-yasmine galenorn/ done
3.the summoning-kelly armstrong/done
4.fantasy lover-sherrilyn kenyon/done
5.magic or madnesss-justine Larbalestier
6.moon called-patricia briggs
7.dead until dark -charlaine harris
8.la vida vampire -nancy haddock
9.season of the witch-natasha mostert

Of the books i have read so far my fav is fantasy lover and the one that really didnt grab me was zen and the art. 5 more to go . THis is great.

[Melissa]

Ann wrote: "Well, so far I'm at book 4 for the month. So far I have finished:

James D. Doss—The Shaman Sings

Susan Sussman—Cruising for Murder

P. C. Hodgell—God Stalk

Sarah Graves—The Dead Cat Bou..."

I've read all of the Sarah Graves "Home Repair is Homicide" books. They get to the point that you want to keep reading because you want to hear about the characters. The mystery in each book is decent, but sometimes outlandish. I've recommended these to several people and I'm the only one who continues reading the series. I like the characters and the writing a lot so if you liked the first one, I would recommend you keep going. Lots of twists and turns throughout the series that keep me coming back.

[Sarah]

1. Dark Lover by JR Ward
2. Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur

[Jacalyn]

Melissa, between you and Ann, I think I need to read these books now! :)

OK, is anyone else noticing the big problem with this challenge is their "I want that" list is growing exponentially?????

I wanted my TBR to go down... not double... again! HAHA

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

Lady Ozma - TOTALLY. I feel like there are too many books in the world and I just can't keep up. I want to read them all! I'm afraid I'm going to start having dreams where gigantic bookcases of books start falling on me until I'm totally buried...

[Jacalyn]

Nichole, I fear that dream myself....

Too many good books... not enough time!

[Ann aka Iftcan]

1) James D. Doss—The Shaman Sings

2) Susan Sussman—Cruising for Murder

3) P. C. Hodgell—God Stalk

4) Sarah Graves—The Dead Cat Bounce

5) Lenora Worth—The Wedding Quilt

6) Lois Richer--a Will and a Wedding

getting there, getting there. Only 3 more and I can go back and do some MORE reading from the new authors that I've decided I like. AFTER I find their books, that is. :o)

[Jacalyn]

Yeah, this new author thing is NOT good. HAHA It's totally making me go "HEY!"

Thankfully the Tate Halloway books are already on my shelf. Whew. But Mum, go ahead and look into getting the other books about these PI Twins. Trust me, you're gonna love them. Did I mention they are red headed and ride a hot pink Harley?

[Angie]

Ok - here's my update. I have deviated from my original list a bit though:
Have read:
1) Marked The House of Night Book 1 by P C Cast (on my original list)
2) Charmed and Dangerous by Candace Havens (on my original list)
3) Flood by Anna Clare (Not on my list)
Currently reading:
4) Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead (Not on my list)
5) You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister (On my original list)
Not sure which of my original ones I'll read next or if I'll even grab a couple that aren't on it! I've got that many books waiting to be read I'm always changing my mind which will be next!

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodelby Ronda Thompson
Witchlingby Yasmine Galenorn
Working for the Devilby Lilith Saintcrow
Pleasure UnboundBy Larissa Ione****
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
EnforcerBy Lauren Dane***
Be Mine Tonightby Kathryn Smith
Hell's Bellesby Jackie Kessler
I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley

[Melinda]

1. Patricia Briggs - Cry Wolf
2. Andrew Davidson - the Gargoyle
3. Carlos Ruiz Zafron - Shadow of the Wind
4. CT Adams - Touch of Evil
5. J.R. Ward - Dark Lover
6. Deidre Knight - Red Fire
7. Kresley Cole - A Hunger Like No Other
8. Alexandra Ivy - When Darkness Comes
9. Jacquelyn Frank - Jacob 2/5

A trip to the bookstore changed my list, I just don't know which book I'm replacing, but I've just finished it so for now:

10. Slave to Sensation - Nalini Singh 2/8

I really liked it. I'm always happy when I buy a book on a whim and love it. ;p

Reading The Shadow of the Wind right now, but it's not a quick read. Good so far though.

[Melissa]

Lady Ozma wrote: "Yeah, this new author thing is NOT good. HAHA It's totally making me go "HEY!"

Thankfully the Tate Halloway books are already on my shelf. Whew. But Mum, go ahead and look into getting the other ..."


I adore the books by Jennifer Colt. There are so many laughable moments and they are clever mysteries. Love the twins and their and Aunt and cousin. I keep checking for a new one, but nothing coming out soon.

[Ann aka Iftcan]

1) James D. Doss—The Shaman Sings

2) Susan Sussman—Cruising for Murder

3) P. C. Hodgell—God Stalk

4) Sarah Graves—The Dead Cat Bounce

5) Lenora Worth—The Wedding Quilt

6) Lois Richer—A Will and a Wedding

7) Janet Tronstad—A Bride for Dry Creek


well, that's how many I've read so far. The last 3 will probably go to my Mum next time I go down there, since they are the kind she likes. Now, what to read next? So many books/authors, so little TIME. And, since I only have 2 more books for this challenge to read, do I want to go back and read the NEXT books in the series for the ones I've read already? Or do I want to just keep reading til I get my 9 out of the way. Or maybe, I'll get the 9 out of the way, and then finish off the REST of the new authors I have sitting in my tbr pile and just keep listing them. Hum, what to do, what to do.

[Dawn]

Lady Ozma and Ann,

I would still read Blue Moon but it was not a fav because there were to many small holes that I found irritating that I will not say because they would become spoilers and there were some portions that had poor editing.

I will say that I liked the overall plot and while the end was predictable it was still interesting. Not to mention I liked the fact that she did not know werewolves existed and the story had a Native Americans in it. Not to mention that I thought it was very funny in some parts and an easy read.

[Barbara ★]

1. Greywalker - Kat Richardson
2. Betrayed - Jamie Leigh Hansen (2/10) **
3. The Magic Knot - Helen Scott Taylor 2/13 *****
4. Ravenous - Sharon Atwood 2/15 ****
5. Phanton's Touch - Julie Leto 2/16 ***
6. The Vampire's Seduction - Raven Hart
7. Scandalous Spirits - C.B. Scott 2/16 ****
8. Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews
9. Kiss of Fire - Deborah Cooke

Can't wait to get started.

[Melissa]

9 Author's New to Me:

1. Larissa Ione - Pleasure Unbound * * * *
2. Emma Bull - War For The Oaks * * * *
3. Deborah Cooke - Kiss of Fire * * * *
4. J.R. Ward - Dark Lover
5. Nalini Singh - Slave to Sensation
6. Mark Del Franco - Unshapely Things
7. Jocelynn Drake - Nightwalker
8. J.F. Lewis - Staked
9. Terri Garey - Dead Girls Are Easy

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

Four down, and one non-list book (darn those addicting Vampire Academy books!)


1. Vulnerable The First Book of the Little Goddess Series - Amy Lane - 07 Feb *****
2. Blood Memories - Barb Hendee
3. Marked - P.C. Cast
4. Vampire Academy - Richelle Mead - 01 Feb ****
5. Pleasure Unbound - Larissa Ione - 03 Feb ****
6. When Darkness Comes - Alexandra Ivy
7. Greywalker - Kat Richardson
8. Working for the Devil - Lilith Saintcrow
9. The Becoming - Jeanne C. Stein - 05 Feb ****

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

4 down... That's pretty good for the first week, right?
I haven't started Witchling yet but I'm hearing it's not so great, so I may switch that one for Heaven Sent by Jet Mykles since I read that whole book in one sitting the other night simply because I couldn't help myself.

1. Moon Called by Patricia Briggs *2/8
2. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione *2/5
3. Witchling by Yasmine Galenorn
4. Working for the Devil by Lilith SaintCrow *2/8
5. Wicked Ties by Shayla Black
6. Victorious Star by Morgan Hawke *2/1
7. A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
8. Shadow Game by Christine Feehan
9. Witch Fire by Anya Bast

[Unapologetic_Bookaholic]

1. Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost
2.Deathbringer Bryan Smith (2/09)
3. Dark Lover J R Ward
4. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
5. Working for the Devil by Lilth SaintCrow
6. Shifter antho. feat. Angela Knight
7. Count on Love Melinda Curtis
8. Marked Joely Skye
9. Risen J Smith

[Ann aka Iftcan]

ok, I've been "bad" I decided to read a few of the other books in the new series I've discovered. :o) But I only have 2 more books to read and there are still 18 days in the month.

Well, back to reading. Keep up the good work everyone.

[Melinda]

Ann, I've been bad too. ;p but I'm only on my 3rd novel for this challenge. I couldn't help continuing to read other books I got a craving for.

[Jacalyn]

I've been bad. Just had a lot to do so haven't been reading. I'm only halfway through book 3!

[Sarah]

1. Dark Lover by JR Ward in progress
2. Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
3. Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd in progress

[Jael ~ *~ Syhren ~* ~]

update
Confessions of a Werewolf Supermodelby Ronda Thompson
Witchlingby Yasmine Galenorn
Working for the Devilby Lilith Saintcrow****
Pleasure UnboundBy Larissa Ione****
Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
EnforcerBy Lauren Dane***
Be Mine Tonightby Kathryn Smith
Hell's Bellesby Jackie Kessler
I'm the Vampire, That's Why by Michele Bardsley

[Nichole (DirrtyH)]

I've found that coming down with an extremely nasty bug of some kind and being stuck in bed for about five days really helps you get through these challenges in a hurry....:) I think I'm about halfway through with mine.

[Jessa]

I saw a couple people had mentioned Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost.

I thought I'd share my experience. I read the second Cat & Bones/Night Huntress book (One Foot in the Grave) first, which normally I would never do since I like to read in order. I LOVED it, so of course I went back for the first book. Which I also loved, but I think I was happy that I'd read the second book first. I don't want to spoil the story to explain why. I was wondering if anybody else has had that experience with this series or any others.

[Jacalyn]

OK, I have just been busy. This week is not turning out productive on the reading side of things, but my house is happy and it's been fun to get out and about!

Anyway, I just finished my book three for this challenge!!! AND I LOVED IT!

I highly recommend it. The other two in the series are now on my "must get and read" list. It was the Vampires of Venice Beach book and man I love it! I wish I knew how I got a hold of this book, that's still a mystery. But this book had me laughing out loud! I LOVED IT! Did you get that? Just in casae you missed it: I LOVED IT!

It's not real vamps (Ok so maybe it is real life vamps as opposed to real fiction vamps?) but it's so worth it.

Mum, I'll put it in my van so next time I see you I can pass it over. You'll tear through it. It's awesome!

I have picked up Blue Moon. I'm going ahead with it. :)

[Ann aka Iftcan]

well, I've knocked off 4 books in one of the new series that I discovered because of this challenge. I have one book that I'm dieing to read--I've waited for about 4 years for the author to finally come out with it. Its Grave Sins by Jenna Maclaine. I found the first one (Wages of Sin) that was basically a self-published book. She was trying to find a "real" publisher for the series, and finally found it. So I re-bought the first book (now I have the "real" first edition and a first edition mass market) and now, book 2 is finally here. So I'm going to read that before I get down to my other books in the challenge

[Sarah]

1. Dark Lover by JR Ward
2. Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
3. Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd

[Yz the Whyz]

Yz's February Challenge List

1. Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frost
2. Witchling by Yasmine Galehorn
3. A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
4. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
5. Working for the Devil by Lilth SaintCrowfinished 2/11
6. Addicted by Lydia Parks
7. Damned, Delicious and Dangerous by Delilah Devlin, et.al.
8. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance
9. You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

[Yz the Whyz]

Time for an update:

Yz - 1 book done
Nichole - 4 books done
Dawn - 2 books done
LondonGirl - 3 books done
DarkHeart- 4 books done
Tammy - 4 books done
Lori - 1 book done
Kenjii - 1 book done
Angie(US) - 2 books done
Angie(UK) - 3 books done
Lady Ozma - 3 books done
Jael - 2 books done
Melissa - 3 books done
Ann - 7 books done
Sarah - 2 books done
Murrmaiyd
Melinda -2 books done
Gail

The following had signed up since last update.

Barbara - 1 book done
Karen - 2 books done

Hope everybody is having fun exploring new authors.

*Signing up will remain open throughout the month.*

P.S. A few changes in tracking our progress. Before, what we do is go back and edit our original list. However, as the thread gets longer and longer, I'm having difficulty wading through the discussion.

So, please, repost your official list with your progrss after every update I make. That will really make my job easy, because I will just start from the last update to see where everybody is in their reading. Striking out the title and/or a finished date after the book's name will be best

Hope that makes sense..LOL

Next update will be February 16.

[Jacalyn]

Holy cow, good job everyone!!!!

BTW I did a count... that's 46 books read between us! That's a lot of reading and a lot of new authors to people.

This is just an awesome challenge!!! :)

Once more, YZ. Thanks for all your hard work!

[DarkHeart "Vehngeance"]

I've fallen off the wagon this week, having failed to read any new authors yet. Instead, I read Frostbite, Shadow Kiss (Vampire Academy, Book 3) and Bone Crossed. And now, in a genre swap with my husband, I'm reading Glasshouse because he read the first Mercy books.

[Gail]

Well, pfft. Haven't been by to update.

Haven't read much in PNR, but have read a few, and one is even a new author to me. I'm going to count all the books, though...

This month, I've read:

1. Stay the Night by Lynn Viehl
2. My Immortal Protector by Jen Holling (those are PNR, and Holling is new to me)

then I've also read:
3. Baby Be Mine by Eve Gaddy
4. The Single Dad's New-Year Bride by Amy Andrews
5. A Bride for his Convenience by Edith Layton

And I'm currently in the middle of
6. The Right Mr. Wrong by Cindy Myers

I'll finish that one tonight, so I'm going to go ahead and count it.

While these other books aren't PNR, three of them (all but Layton) are authors new to me. (I may have read Eve Gaddy before, but it was so long ago, I can't be sure.)

So there. I have 6 books down for this month.

Oh. And I've written 21 pages of my next book, so Yay me.

[Tammy]

so i finished all books my last two were moon called-i very much enjoyed.dead until dark charleaine harris -no to bad. I read season of the witch by natasha mostert. It was diff not sure on that one. My favs were The summoning-kelly armstrong
moon called-patrica Briggs
fanatasy lover-sherrilyn kenyon

I have been able to read day and night if i want,cause im off work with bad back. SO thats what i do cause i love to read.Yay

[Yz the Whyz]

Great job, Tammy.

Can you repost your completed list?

[Tammy]

ok this is my completed list

witchling-yasmine galenorn
fantasy lover-sherrilyn kenyon
dead until dark-charlaine harris
moon called-patricia briggs
season of the witch-natasha mostert
zen and the art of vampires-katie macalister
la vida vampire-nancy haddock
the summoning-kelly armstrong
magic or madness-justine larbalestier

[Lori]

I'm changing one of the books on my list to a new author and an entire new genre I just discovered, Science Fiction Romance...how cool is that!

A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
Dark Protector by Alexis Morgan
The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
The Smoke Thief by Shana Abé
Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
Moon Called by Partricia Briggs
Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
Gabriel's Ghost by Linnea Sinclair

[Ann aka Iftcan]

wow Tammy--you've finished all 9 of your books? That's so cool. I have to finish 1/2 of a book in yet another of the new authors that I discovered series, then I'm going to read the book from Ozma (the vampires of venice beach one) which will be my 8th. But first--sorry, but I'm in the mood for a comedy, so I'm going to watch Princess Diary 1 & 2. (Weather is changing and my arthritis is acting up really badly)

[Sarah]

1. Dark Lover by JR Ward in progress
2. Full Moon Rising by Keri Arthur
3. Scent of Darkness by Christina Dodd
4. Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

[Yz the Whyz]

Yz's February Challenge List

1. Halfway to the Grave by Jeanine Frostfinished 2/14
2. Witchling by Yasmine Galehorn - currently reading
3. A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix - currently reading
4. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
5. Working for the Devil by Lilth SaintCrowfinished 2/11
6. Addicted by Lydia Parks
7. Damned, Delicious and Dangerous by Delilah Devlin, et.al.
8. Touch the Dark by Karen Chance - currently listening
9. You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister