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Teaser Tuesday – 10 January 2012

Posted on January 10, 2012 by

This is a scheduled post.

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the name of the author and the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!

Affairs of Steak

Affairs of Steak (Julie Hyzy)

The teaser:

Truth was, I didn’t like it, either. Dark rooms were never inviting and I got a sudden tingling along the back of my neck
– from page 11, Affairs of Steak (Julie Hyzy)

Why I picked this book: Reading about Ollie and her staff in the White House kitchen has become a January tradition.

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Posted in Teaser Tuesdays, White House Chef series | Tagged | 2 Comments
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Review – Her Singapore Fling by Kelly Hunter

Posted on January 7, 2012 by
Her Singapore Fling

Her Singapore Fling (Kelly Hunter)

Title: Her Singapore Fling
UK Title: Red-Hot Renegade
Author: Kelly Hunter
UK ISBN: 978-0-263-87743-4
UK Publisher: Mills & Boon
UK Series: Modern Heat
N. A. ISBN: 978-0-373-52807-3
N. A. Publisher: Harlequin
Series: Harlequin Presents Extra #143; Bennett Family #5
Copyright: 2011; 184 pgs
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Summary: Jacob “Jake” Bennett and Jianne Xang married young. He was already raising four younger siblings and pursuing his dreams of winning a world title in martial arts. Though she tried to adapt, Jianne was ill-prepared for life in the Bennett household. Their personalities, their ways, and her own history played a part in her decision to leave. Twelve years later, Jianne finds herself back in Jake’s life. A rather insistent, and unwanted, suitor is trying to court her. He’s been sending her gifts and invitations, and has even followed her to Singapore. She believes that if it looks like she’s reuniting with her husband, then her suitor will give up and go back to Shanghai.

Comments: I’ve put off reading this because I know it is the last Bennett family book and I’m sad to see it end. I’ve enjoyed the series and I’ve become a fan of the author.

Red-Hot Renegade

Red-Hot Renegade

Jake and his failed marriage have been in the background throughout the series, so it was good to finally learn more about him and the woman he loved, and what drove her to leave him. Having read the other books featuring Luke, Pete and Tris, I can well imagine how overwhelmed Jianne must have felt.

Sometimes, I have a hard time articulating what I loved about a book and end up spending a lot of time trying to write it down, only to have wasted hours getting nowhere.  So, I’ve decided to pick two quotes from the book.  The first is Jianne, talking to Jake:

“I’m sorry I brought my problems down on you.  I’m so sorry for what this fight has cost you, body and soul.  But I’m thankful for everything that makes you what you are.  For your integrity, and your honour, and your strength that you so often put at other people’s disposal.  If Zhi Fu needs a reason as to why I could never love him, he need only to look at you.”

The second is Jake talking to Jianne.  It’s actually part of longer speech.

“I was their rock, you said, and maybe I was, but you were my rock, and things got a lot worse after you left.  For all of us.”  He took a deep breath.  “I’m sorry I neglected you.  I wish things had worked out differently.  Jianne, if there is one thing about your memory of our past that I would change it’d be your belief that you were a burden to me.  That you weren’t of any help to the family you were burdened with.  You did help.  More than you’ll ever know.”

Like the other books in this mini series, there are the light, funny moments and snappy dialogue, much of which involves Jianne’s new-found desire to shop for household items.

“We’re not talking about buying the man an island, Jianne.  We’re talking about buying him a couch.  And possibly a lamp.”

“A sideboard would work in that space too,” said Jianne.

All in all, a satisfying end to a fun series.

Start: 1 January 2012
Finished: 1 January 2012

Rating:

Loved It! Definitely a keeper! Likely to be re-read! This book really grabbed/spoke to/excited me! Living Library, all the way! Not likely to give away or swap. Get your own copy!

Loved It!

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The Maverick's Greek Island MistressHp Untameable Rogue

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Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
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Posted in 5 Stars, Contemporary Romance, Harlequin Presents, Kelly Hunter, Reviews | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments
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It’s Friday – 6 January 2012

Posted on January 6, 2012 by

Book Beginnings

Book Beginnings on Friday is hosted by Katy at A Few More Pages. How to participate: Share the first line (or two) of the book you are currently reading. Don’t forget to include the title and the author so others will what you’re reading. Optional: Share your thoughts about the lines (did you like them?). Post your link on the hostess’s blog.

The black envelope fell out of my locker when I unlocked the door before lunch. I distrusted that envelope on sight. — Winging It (The Dragon Diaries #2) (Deborah Cooke)

Comment: Let’s the reader know the setting right away: Zoe is in school and at her locker.

~ & ~ & ~

Friday 56
Hosted by Freda (Freda’s Voice)
Rules:
♥ Grab a book, any book.
♥ Turn to page 56.
♥ Find any sentence that grabs you.
♥ Post it.
♥ Link it here.

Kids asked me to do this all the time, to embellish one of their notebooks
with a dragon. — pg 56, (Winging It ~ Deborah Cooke)

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Posted in Book Beginnings on Friday, Deborah Cooke, The Friday 56 | Tagged search | 7 Comments

Waiting on Wednesday – 4 January 2012

Posted on January 4, 2012 by

NOTE: This is a scheduled post.
Waiting on WednesdayWaiting on Wednesdays is a weekly event, hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine, featuring upcoming releases we’re eagerly anticipating.

Star Wars: Darth Plagueis

Darth Plagueis (James Luceno)

Title: Star Wars: Darth Plagueis
Author: James Luceno
Release Date: January 10, 2012 (LucasBooks)
ISBN: 978-0-345-51128-7
Series: Star Wars Expanded Universe
Genre: Science Fiction

From Goodreads.com: Darth Plagueis: one of the most brilliant Sith Lords who ever lived. Possessing power is all he desires. Losing it is the only thing he fears. As an apprentice, he embraces the ruthless ways of the Sith. And when the time is right, he destroys his Master—but vows never to suffer the same fate. For like no other disciple of the dark side, Darth Plagueis learns to command the ultimate power . . . over life and death.

Darth Sidious: Plagueis’s chosen apprentice. Under the guidance of his Master, he secretly studies the ways of the Sith, while publicly rising to power in the galactic government, first as Senator, then as Chancellor, and eventually as Emperor.

Darth Plagueis and Darth Sidious, Master and acolyte, target the galaxy for domination—and the Jedi Order for annihilation. But can they defy the merciless Sith tradition? Or will the desire of one to rule supreme, and the dream of the other to live forever, sow the seeds of their destruction?

Comments: I have a rule when it comes to hardbacks, especially adult fiction in general — wait for the paperback. I’m so far behind on reading, and hardbacks are expensive. There have been times in the past where the paperback has come out and I’m still not ready to read the book. There are exceptions to this rule.  The Harry Potter series, for instance. This is another one.

Darth Plagueis is a long time coming.  It was slated to be released years ago, then pulled from the publishing line-up.  When I saw that it was due to be released, I knew I’d be buying it in hardcover and read it when I got it in hand.  I love the way this author writes Darth Sidious/Palpatine.  Cloak of Deception and Labyrinth of Evil are two of my all-time favorites.

What book are you eagerly waiting for?

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Posted in Republic, Star Wars, Waiting on Wednesday | Tagged about | 6 Comments
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Teaser Tuesday – 3 January 2012

Posted on January 3, 2012 by

This is a scheduled post.

Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:

Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the name of the author and the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!

Please avoid spoilers!

Her Singapore Fling

Her Singapore Fling (Kelly Hunter)

The teaser:

“But, yes.  Bubble wrap’s a wonderful thing” said the salesman.  “Invented by the Americans, of course.  Apparently they were trying to make wallpaper.”
– from page 71, Her Singapore Fling (Kelly Hunter)

Why I picked this book: This is the last book about the five Bennett siblings.  Every book has had a bit of quirky humor and funny moments.  I’m sad to see it end.

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Posted in Kelly Hunter, Teaser Tuesdays | Tagged | 4 Comments
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Monthly Update – December 2011

Posted on January 1, 2012 by

December

Happy New Year!

In December, I participated in two events.  They were the Top 10 Week and the Wrapping  Up 2011 Read-a-thon.

The Top 10 Week was fun, but it was also a lot of work.  I had a difficult time picking what should be on some of the lists.  As a result, I never made a Favorite Character list and I didn’t get to visit as much toward the end as I did in the beginning of the week.  My lists:

The Read-a-thon was a success for me.  I really wasn’t sure how it would turn out since the only read-a-thons I’ve participated in were the 24-hour type.  I’m so glad I took the chance because I completed four books!

Statistics: At the bottom of this post are my usual statistics, but there are a couple that I want to mention that aren’t reflected in that information.

  • Of the 68 books I completed in 2011, 18 were published in 2011.  That means approximately 27% (26.5%) were new books.
  • This is the first year in a long while that I read more than 3 books by one author: Nalini Singh (7 books)
  • Two authors have three books each: Deborah Cooke and Thea Harrison
  • Four authors have two books each: Suzanne Collins, Christina Henry, Sharon Ashwood, and Lara Adrian
  • 1 Person, 3 names: Jennifer Ashley, Jennifer Gardner, Allyson James (1 book each)

2011 Challenges Wrap-up: I‘ve completed wrap up posts for all the challenges ending in 2011. Well, no I didn’t.  I realized, when I updated this post, that I overlooked a few. Probably because they were not listed on my Master Challenge list. I will do those when I wrap up the Christmas Spirit Challenge.

2012 Challenges Sign-up: I signed up for four more challenges.

Books Read:

Note: “Goodreads” means the book fit one or more of the challenges hosted by the various groups I joined. The link is to my tracking post on that site. “Personal” means the book fit one or more of the challenges I’m doing for myself (not hosted somewhere else). The link is to the master list under the “2011″ tab.
  • First Grave on the Right (Darynda Jones) {23 Dec 11}
  • Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins) {26 Dec 11}
  • A Countess by Christmas (Annie Burrows) {30 Dec 11}
  • Risky Christmas (Anthology) (Jill Sorenson/Jennifer Morey) {31 Dec 11}

Audiobooks:

Note: I will continue to count audiobooks toward “total pages read”, using the physical book’s page count. If I own a copy, the page number will be the page the story ends on (not counting any excepts, author’s notes, etc.). If I don’t, I will get the page number from a on-line source (Amazon, Goodreads, etc). Unless otherwise noted, the audiobooks count toward the two audiobook challenges only.
  • NONE

2010 – 2011 Backlogged Reviews:

Posted:

  • NONE

The Challenges:

Challenges Completed this month:
2nds Challenge: 12/12

Incomplete (Ended in December):
Audiobook Challenge: 5/20
Blogger Recommendation: 3/5
Contemporary Romance: 6/10
Cruisin’ Thru the Cozies:3/6
Harlequin/Silhouette: 2/6
Historical Fiction Challenge: 9/15
Retold Fairy Tales: 0/3
SF Romance: 2/5
Whisper Stories in My Ear (audio): 5/12

♥ = Will complete; ♠ = Maybe; X = Won’t

2011-2012 Challenges:
♥ The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge (2-4 books): 2/?

2012 Challenges:
By the Dozen (personal)
Harry Potter Reading Challenge
Men in Uniform Reading Challenge
Mount TBR Reading Challenge
Off the Shelf Reading Challenge
Sci-Fi Reading Challenge
What’s in a Name 5 Reading Challenge

2012-2013 Challenges:
Year of the Dragon Reading Challenge(personal/GoodReads)

Reading Has Its Rewards Challenge
Points as of XX XXX XX: 0

Perpetual Challenges:
101 Fantasy Challenge (Month): 0
101 Fantasy Challenge (Year): 2
Grand Total since 2009: 6
~~ & ~~
Georgette Heyer (Month): 0
Georgette Heyer (Year): 2
Grand Total since 2008: 4
~~ & ~~
In Death (Month): 0
In Death (Year): 0
Grand Total since 2010: 0

Totals (Monthly/Yearly)

Total Read (Month): 4
Total Heard (Month): 0
Grand Total w/o Audiobooks (Year): 68
Grand Total w/Audiobooks (Year): 73
~~ & ~~
Total Audio Hours(Month): 0
Total Audio Hours (Year): 63h, 26m
~~ & ~~
Total Pages Read (Month): 1,203
Grand Total w/o Audiobooks (Year): 22,254
Grand Total w/Audiobooks (Year): 24,077

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WU2011 Read-a-thon – Finish Line

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

Final update.

Somewhere along the way, I did the math wrong for number of pages read. I was off by 84 pages.  The error probably occurred when I was reading Catching Fire.  I may have even misread a page number due to the font Scholastic used for the book — zeros had a slash through them and if you looked too quickly, they looked like 8s.

Update for 31 December 2011:

  • Number of hours: 1 1/2
  • Number of pages: 80
  • Number of Books Completed: 1

Read-a-thon Totals:
Total Number of Hours: 22
Total Number of Pages: 854 938
Total Number of Books Completed: 4

Books Completed:
First Grave on the Right (Darynda Jones) {23 Dec 11}
Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins) {26 Dec 11}
A Countess by Christmas (Annie Burrows) {30 Dec 11}
Risky Christmas (Anthology) (Jill Sorenson/Jennifer Morey) {31 Dec 11}

Wrap-Up:
This turned out to be a great event for me. I didn’t think I was going to do well because I was only reading a few hours a day, and I didn’t read for two days there in the middle.  I think I enjoyed this more than the 24 hour read-a-thon.  Had I not skipped a few days, I would have read over 24 hours and I could have finished one more book.

I put aside Bespelling Jane Austen in favor of reading Christmas-themed books, so I still feel I met my goal.  I was more concerned with finishing the other two books.  Bespelling Jane Austen is an anthology, so I can pick it up again at any time to read the other stories.

I would definitely participate in more of this type of read-a-thon in the future.

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Connie Willis Mini Challenge – Completed

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

What: Connie Willis Mini Challenge
When: 1 October 2010 – 30 November 2011
Who: Becky (Mini Challenges Hosted by Becky)
Rules: Read two books by the author. Confirmed that audiobooks are allowed.

I listened to:

  • Bellwether (AUDIO) { 16 – 19 Nov 10}
  • To Say Nothing of the Dog (AUDIO) {15 Feb – 11 Mar 11}

~ & ~

I held off posting this as completed because I had planned on listening to Doomsday Book — and not because I haven’t written a review for the audiobook of To Say Nothing of the Dog (which I absolutely love — in both forms).  I loved the experience of listening to these two books and I will listen to Doomsday Book — and if Passage is available at Audible.com, I will definitely add it to my wishlist.

I haven’t picked up her Blackout and All Clear, and I should probably add them to my wishlist as well.

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2011 2nd in Series Reading Challenge – Completed

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

What: 2011 2nd in Series Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Katy (A Few Pages More)

A full plate – Read 12 books that are 2nd in a series or the second time you’ve read the author.
01. Silk & Scandal 2: Paying the Virgin’s Price (Merrill, Christine) {12 Mar 11}
02. Witch Hunt 2: Persecuted (Childs, Lisa) {27 Mar 11}
03. Bigtime 2: Hot Mama (Estep, Jennifer) {15 Apr 11}
04. Psy/Changeling 2: Visions of Heat (Singh, Nalini) {12 May 11}
05. Ice #2: Cold as Ice (Stuart, Anne) {4 Jul 11}
06. Elder Races #2: Storm’s Heart (Harrison, Thea) {5 Aug 11}
07. Mercy Thompson #2: Blood Bound (Briggs, Patricia) {13 Aug 11}
08. Captain Lacey #2: A Regimental Murder (Gardner, Ashley) {27 Aug 11}
09. Midnight Breed #2: Kiss of Crimson (Adrian, Lara) {8 Sep 11}
10. Meg Langlow #2: Murder with Puffins (Andrews, Donna) {20 Sep 11}
11. Madeline Black #2: Black Night (Henry, Christina) {29 Oct 11}
12. The Hunger Games #2: Catching Fire (Collins, Suzanne) {26 Dec 11)

~ & ~

Completed, with less than a week to spare. I’m not signing up for this one in 2012. I would like to focus on catching up a few series, which means I probably have a backlog of 2nds in a Series come January 2013. I started several new series and I’m sure I’ll start several more in 2012.

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2011 Incomplete and Abandoned Challenges

Posted on December 31, 2011 by

I decided to save myself some time and just do one post. As the title states, these are the challenges that I did not read the required number of books. I also didn’t complete my personal challenges, but those will be covered separately.

Looking back, I should have chosen lower reading levels. I know I had good intentions to read more historical and non-paranormal contemporary this past year, but I got more involved with a Goodreads Group challenge and end up reading more paranormal than anything else this year.


What: 2011 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Jennifer (Reading for Tequila)
Rules: Based on the level you choose, read the required number of books from this list.

Level I – 5 books
The list below is not final (and obviously more than 5):

  • Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) {6 Apr 11} ♥
  • Touched by an Alien (Gini Koch) {30 Jun 11} ♥
  • Mind Games (Carolyn Crane)
  • Magic Lost, Trouble Found (Lisa Shearin) {21 May 11} ♥
  • My Soul to Take (Rachel Vincent)
  • Inside Out (Maria V. Snyder)
  • The Iron King (Julie Kagawa)
  • The Demon in Me (Michelle Rowen)
  • Wings (Aprilynne Pike)
  • Wicked Lovely (Melissa Marr)

~~ & ~~

What: 2011 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Romance Book Maven
Rules: Read 10 contemporary romance books. For details, go here.

A tentative list of authors I plan to read this year. It’s last year’s list, but without the book titles:

  • Not Without Her Family (Andrews, Beth) {24 Jan 11}
  • Just the Sexiest Man Alive (James, Julie) {2 Jun 11}
  • Red Heat (Bruhns, Nina) {22 Jun 11}
  • Cold as Ice (Stuart, Anne) {4 Jul 11}
  • The Brain and the Beauty (Eliot, Betsy) {6 Oct 11}
  • Risky Christmas (Anthology) {31 Dec 11}

~~ & ~~

What: 2011 Cruisin’ thru the Cozies Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Yvonne (Socrates’ Book Reviews)
Rules: Chose a level. Books can be any format (audio, paper, e-book). Up front list not required. For book ideas, visit Cozy-Mystery.com. For more details about the challenge, go here.

I’m doing Level 1 – Snoop (1-6). Here’s a tentative list:

  • Donna Andrews – Murder with Puffins (Meg Langslow #2) {20 Sep 11}
  • Ashley Gardner – A Regimental Murder (Captain Lacey #2) {27 Aug 11}
  • Georgette Heyer – TBA
  • Julie Hyzy – Buffalo West Wing (White House Chef #4) {16 Jan 11}
  • Julie Hyzy – Grace Under Pressure (Manor House #1)
  • Victoria Thompson – Murder in Washington Square (Gaslight #4)

~ & ~

What: 2011 Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Yvonne (Harlequin/Silhouette Romance Reading Challenge)
Rules: Read a total of five books in twelve months. Below are the requirements for the challenge. For details, go here.

1. A relationship in the title (mother, father, brother, sister, etc.)
2. A weather condition in the title (rain, snow, storm, etc.) – Cold as Ice (Stuart, Anne) {4 Jul 11}
3. An occupation in the title (cop, nurse, doctor, etc.)
4. A book with the author’s first or last name beginning with “C” – Christine Merrill – Paying the Virgin’s Price {12 Mar 11}
5. A name in the title (Mary, Sam, etc.)

~ & ~

Historical Fiction Challenge

What: 2011 Historical Fiction Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Historical Tapestry
Rules: Pick a level and read the require number of books. For details and sign up, go here.

Note: all historical fiction is acceptable per the hostesses (fantasy, romance, young adult, mystery)

  1. Undoubtedly Obsessed: 15 books

01. The Painted Lady (Metzger, Barbara) {10 Jan 11}
02. The Lord and Wayward Lady (Allen, Louise) {30 Jan 11}
03. Paying the Virgin’s Price (Merrill, Christine) {12 Mar 11}
04. Sylvester (Heyer, Georgette) {10 Jul 11}
05. Heiress in Love (Brooke, Christina) {20 Aug 11}
06. A Regimental Murder (Gardner, Ashley) {27 Aug 11}
07. His Majesty’s Dragon (Novik, Naomi) {17 Sep 11}
08. Passions of a Wicked Earl (Heath, Lorraine) {24 Sep 11}
09. A Countess by Christmas (Burrows, Annie) {30 Dec 11}

~~ & ~~

Retold Fairy Tales

What: 2011 Retold Fairy Tales & Enchanted Cousins Challenge
When: 1 January – 31 December 2011
Who: Among the Muses
Rules: Pick a level. Read the required number of books.

Dreamer: 1 -3 retold fairy tale reads

  • A Curse Dark as Gold (Elizabeth C. Bunce) — Rumplestilskin
  • Before Midnight (Cameron Dokey) — Cinderella

The questionables:

  • My Fair Godmother (Janette Rallison) — the book description states that the fairy godmother sends her charge “back in time to the Middle Ages, first as Cinderella, then as Snow White”.
  • The Sea of Monsters (Percy Jackson #2) — Greek mythology. I think it fits the “Enchanted Cousins” category.

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