Monday, December 31, 2012

100 Books in a Year Challenge

2013 - 100 Books in a Year Reading Challenge



Hosted by: Book Chick City


Challenge Details
  • Timeline: 01 Jan 2013 – 31 Dec 2013
  • Rules: Read 100 books in 2013 (any genre)
  • You don’t have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.
  • You can join at anytime. All books read in 2013 count towards the challenge regardless of when you sign up.
  • At the beginning of Jan 2013, you will find a link to specific month to add your reviews.
  • To sign up go to The Book Chick City

2013 - 100 Books in a Year


1. “Weekend’s Required” By: Sydney Landon

2. “Not Planning on You” By: Sydney Landon 
3. “Beautiful Bastard” By: Christina Lauren
4. “Release Me” By: J. Kenner
5. “The Accidental Cougar” By: Tiffany N. York
6. “The Unidentified Redhead” By: Alice Clayton
7. “The Redhead Revealed” By: Alice Clayton
8. "Kiss of a Demon King" By: Kresley Cole
9. “Wild Burn” By: Edie Harris
10. “Hunter’s Season” By: Thea Harrison
11. "On the Plus Side" By: Tabatha Vargo
12. “The Tycoon’s Revenge” By: Melody Anne
13. “Where I Need to Be” By: Kimberly Knight
14. "Knight" By: Kristen Ashley
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16.   “Big Boy” By: Ruthie Knox
17. "Back on Track" By: Donna Cummings
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20. “All My Friends are Dead” By: Avery Monsen
21. “F in Exams” By: Richard Benson
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24. “Ink Lust” By: Jayne Kingston
25.   “Curve Ball” By: Charlotte Stein
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27.   “Bring Me Back” By: Karen Booth
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31. “Rocked Under” By: Cora Hawkes
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41.  "Until Fountain Bridge" By: Samantha Young

"The Officer Breaks the Rules" By: Jeanette Murray Review


The Officer Breaks the Rules
By: Jeanette Murray


Synopsis from Goodreads 
Captain Jeremy Phillips believes in doing his duty...both as a son and as a friend. This means that he should obey the "friend code" and stay away from his best friend's little sister. Too bad Madison O'Shay doesn't believe in his code and is ready to break all of the rules.
As a Navy nurse, Madison is finally stationed next to the man she's been dreaming about for years. And she's ready to launch a full-scale attack to show this thoughtful, handsome Marine that they belong together.
My Thoughts
    Jeanette Murray was the author of one of my favorite military romances of the year, The Officer Says I Do. I remember reading that story and thinking, if Timothy’s sister Madison and his hot friend Jeremy DON’T get together, I am going to be so angry! Well folks, I’m happy to say they finally do get together and the wait was sooooo worth it!
Jeremy is tired of his military life. He wants something more, and while he may not know what he wants now, he knows he wants something different. He’s tired of the lifestyle and is ready to do something different, specifically writing fiction. Beyond wanting this huge life change, Jeremy finds himself attracted to his best friend’s sister, Madison...a big no no!
Madison on the other hand is in love with her life. She loves her job, has awesome friends, has just moved into her own apartment and finds herself attracted to her brother’s best friend, Jeremy. Do you see where this is going? Oh yeah, definitely headed to the (insert air guitar sounds) Friend zone!
Perhaps what stuck with me most was the characters. Sure the romance was sweet and I wanted these two utterly different people to find one another, but they were always just so funny. Madison wanted Jeremy and she’d go to some crazy lengths to get him, which just makes you laugh. She seemed to stalk him like a lion and reading it was just plain fun.
He motioned with his head to the motorcycle. 
Again with the ear splitting shriek. “You’ll let me drive it? Your baby?” 
“It’s not my baby,” he grumbled. 
“Coulda fooled me.” She ran a hand reverently over the handlebars, and his skin tingled with the reminder of what those fingers felt like over his own body.  
“So that’s why we’re out here, in the empty lot.”  
“Always best to learn somewhere you can’t kill anyone.”
     I would be remiss if I didn't mention, Jeanette Murray does an excellent job of writing military romances realistically. She brings up the controversial issues and hardships of military life, such as base living, deployment and reenlistment. As Jeremy is trying to find out what he wants to do with his life, he finds himself wondering if he can leave behind the military life for good. It’s an agonizing decision and one excellently handled.
Murray’s newest book is an excellent addition to her military romance series and one hot tamale. I loved Madison and Jeremy and I’m gonna go out on a limb and say I may have liked it a bit more than The Officer Says I Do. I love this world she has created and the men she has populated the military base with. Her heroines are so confident and self-assured, I find myself enjoyin’ the kick butt feel of it all. Can’t wait for the next one!

Book Details
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Date of Publication: January 1, 2013
# of Pages: 352
ISBN: 978-1402265433

Sunday, December 30, 2012

It's Monday! What Are You Reading??



It's Monday! -
What Are You Reading?
is hosted weekly on Mondays
by Sheila from
"One Person's Journey"

Post the books you read last week, books currently reading, and books you plan on finishing this week.






What I've Read This Week...
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir
Let's Pretend This Never Happened
By: Jenny Lawson, The Bloggess


Jenny Lawson realized that the most mortifying moments of our lives—the ones we’d like to pretend never happened—are in fact the ones that define us. In the #1 New York Times bestseller,Let’s Pretend This Never Happened, Lawson takes readers on a hilarious journey recalling her bizarre upbringing in rural Texas, her devastatingly awkward high school years, and her relationship with her long-suffering husband, Victor. Chapters include: “Stanley the Magical, Talking Squirrel”; “A Series of Angry Post-It Notes to My Husband”; “My Vagina Is Fine. Thanks for Asking”; “And Then I Snuck a Dead Cuban Alligator on an Airplane.” Pictures with captions (no one would believe these things without proof) accompany the text.

Lady Isabella's Scandalous Marriage
By: Jennifer Ashley

Six years ago, eighteen-year-old Lady Isabella Scranton scandalized all of London by eloping the night of her come-out ball with the notorious rake, Lord Mac Mackenzie. After three turbulent years of marriage, she scandalized London once again—this time by leaving him. 

Now Mac has resurfaced, every bit as charismatic, and with one goal: to seduce Isabella back into his life and his bed even if it means acting like a real gentleman. But when Isabella rises to the challenge of posing nude for Mac's erotic paintings, her pent-up hunger for the decadent rake is exposed as well, and she finds herself unable to resist the smooth strokes of an artist at work.

But someone's been watching them - dangerously close. This ingenious forger with designs on Mac's paintings also sets his sights on Isabella herself. Deciding to become Isabella's protector, Mac vows to never leave her side, whether his independent and proud lady likes it or not.

A Kiss for Midwinter
By: Courtney Milan

Miss Lydia Charingford is always cheerful, and never more so than at Christmas time. But no matter how hard she smiles, she can't forget the youthful mistake that could have ruined her reputation. Even though the worst of her indiscretion was kept secret, one other person knows the truth of those dark days: the sarcastic Doctor Jonas Grantham. She wants nothing to do with him...or the butterflies that take flight in her stomach every time he looks her way.

Jonas Grantham has a secret, too: He's been in love with Lydia for more than a year. This winter, he's determined to conquer her dislike and win her for his own. It all starts with a wager and a kiss...

Fool for Love
By: Eloisa James

Lady Henrietta Maclellan longs for the romantic swirl of a London season. But as a rusticating country maiden, she has always kept her sensuous nature firmly under wraps—until she meets Simon Darby. Simon makes her want to whisper promises late at night, exchange kisses on a balcony, receive illicit love notes. So Henrietta lets her imagination soar and writes...

A very steamy love letter that becomes shockingly public. Everyonesupposes that he has written it to her, but the truth hardly matters in the face of the scandal to come if they don't marry at once. But nothing has quite prepared Henrietta for the pure sensuality of... 

Simon has vowed he will never turn himself into a fool over a woman. So, while debutantes swoon as he disdainfully strides past the lovely ladies of the ton, he ignores them all...until Henrietta. Could it be possible that he has been the foolish one all along?

Your Wicked Ways
By: Eloisa James

Helene, the Countess Godwin, knows there is nothing more unbearably tedious than a virtuous woman. After all, she's been one for ten long years while her scoundrel of a husband lives with strumpets and causes scandal after scandal. So she decides it's time for a change -- she styles her hair in the newest, daring mode, puts on a shockingly transparent gown, and goes to a ball like Cinderella, hoping to find a prince charming to sweep her off her feet...and into his bed.

But instead of a prince, she finds only her own volatile, infuriatingly handsome...husband, Rees, the Earl Godwin. They'd eloped to Gretna Green in a fiery passion, but passion can sometimes burn too hot to last.

But now, Rees makes her a brazen offer, and Helene decides to become his wife again...but not in name only. No, this time she decides to be very, very wicked indeed

Tangled Up in You
By: Rachel Gibson

Maddie Dupree isn't in Truly, Idaho, looking for a husband, a boyfriend, or anything in between.

Maddie is determined to uncover the untold story about the town's sordid past--her past. As a child, Maddie lost everything, and now she's back at the scene of the scandal--a local establishment that's always belonged to the Hennessys--determined to uncover the truth, and nothing is going to stand in her way. Especially not a black-haired, blue-eyed Hennessy.

Everyone in Truly knows that the Hennessy men are irresistible, and the current owner, Mick, is no exception. His late father was a skirt-chasing heartbreaker who ended up causing disaster for two families. So far, Mick's managed to keep the ladies in line, but when he claps eyes on Maddie, with her luscious curves and tempting lips, he can't resist getting tangled up with her.

But Maddie is keeping secrets, not the least of which is her true reason for being in town. And when Mick discovers what`s really going on, there is going to be a whole lot of trouble in Truly.

I guess that's it for 2012! 
In total I read 189 books, which was well over my goal of 150.    
May 2013 treat you well and finding delicious reads all year round.
See ya next year, love, the Brunette Librarian

2013 Immortals After Dark Reading Challenge




2013 Immortals After Dark Reading Challenge




The books in the Immortals After Dark series by Kresley Cole are:
  • The Warlord Wants Forever (Book #1)
  • A Hunger Like No Other (Book #2)
  • No Rest for the Wicked (Book #3)
  • Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night (Book #4)
  • Dark Needs at Night's Edge (Book #5)
  • Dark Desires After Dusk (Book #6)
  • Kiss of a Demon King (Book #7)
  • Deep Kiss of Winter (Book #8)
  • Pleasure of a Dark Prince (Book #9)
  • Demon from the Dark (Book #10)
  • Dreams of a Dark Warrior (Book #11)
  • Lothaire (Book #12) 
  • MacRieve (Book #13) - expected release in 2013 
This will also include the new spin-off series, The Dacians:

  • Shadow's Claim (Book #1)


Immortals After Dark Reading Challenge

Here are the challenge details:

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2013 to December 31, 2013. You can join the challenge at any time, whether you haven't yet started the series or are already halfway through. As the challenge host, I reserve the right to extend the challenge period!

2. You can join the challenge at any time! All books read in 2013 count for the challenge, regardless of when you sign up.

3. This challenge can cross-over to your other reading challenges. 

4. All formats of books are acceptable: Bound copies, e-books, and audiobooks (as long as they are unabridged). 

5. There are four levels for the challenge:a. Level 1 "Just A Drop":Read 1-4 books in the series.
b. Level 2 "A Small Bite":Read 5-8 books in the series.
c. Level 3 "So Thirsty": Read 9-12 books in the series.
d. Level 4 "Hungry For More": Read 13-14 books in the series!

6. When you write your sign-up post, you must choose your level. You can go up but you cannot go down! 

I'm going to read "A Small Bite" or 5-8 books this year.


2013 Immortals After Dark Reading Challenge
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2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge

2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge


Hosted By: The Book Vixen


Reading Challenge Details:
  • Runs January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013 (books read prior to 1/1/2013 do not count towards the challenge). You can join at anytime.Sign up on The Book Vixen’s blog.
  • The goal is to read at least 10 contemporary romance novels
  • Books can be any format (bound, ebook, audio).
  • Novellas that are at least 100 pages in length, as well as full-length novels, will count for this reading challenge.
  • Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.

2013 Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge
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2013 Library Books Reading Challenge



2013 Library Books Reading Challenge




I am going to be signing up for "Middle Grades" or reading at least 18 books from my library.

Hosted by Gina at Book Dragon's Lair

 Rules & Regulations:
  • choose a level - you may move up as needed, just not down.
  • check books out of the library
  • books may overlap with other challenges
  • any format allowed (print, ebook, audio)
  • reviews are not necessary but a list of books read is.
  • a blog is not necessary, just comment that you want to join in

2013 Library Books Reading Challenge 
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2013 E-Book Challenge


2013 E-Book Challenge

Hosted by: Work A Day Reads


January 1, 2013 – December 31, 2013


The 2013 Ebook Challenge. Encouraging readers to expand past just physical books to embrace ebooks in all forms, whether on Kindle, Kobo, computer, or any other reader.

Challenge Guidelines:
  1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2013 – Dec 31, 2013.
  2. Anyone can join, you don’t need to be a blogger. If you don’t have a blog, feel free to sign-up in the comments. You can post reviews to any book site (i.e. Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, Goodreads, etc.).
  3. Any genre or length of book counts, as long as it is in ebook format.
  4. You can plan your books in advance or as you read them.
  5. When you sign up in the linky, put the direct link to your post about joining the E-Book Reading Challenge.
  6. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
  7. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2013, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
Levels:
  1. Floppy disk – 5 ebooks
  2. CD – 10 ebooks
  3. DVD – 25 ebooks
  4. Memory stick – 50 ebooks
  5. Hard drive – 75 ebooks
  6. Server – 100 ebooks
  7. Human brain – 150 ebooks
The level I'm going to aim for is "Server" - 100+ E-books

2013 E-Book Challenge

2013 New Adult Reading Challenge

NA Banner
2013 New Adult Reading Challenge

This year I have found myself reading a ton of "New Adult" romance, so why not join a challenge?

Hosted by: Danya at A Tapestry of Words, Basia at Basia's BookshelfTara at Tater’s Tall Tails and Victoria at Confessions of a Twenty Something Fiction Writer


I am going to set a goal for "Moving Out" or reading a minimum of 10 this year.

Rules & Regulations:

  • The book must feature a protagonist who is past the average age for graduation from high school (18 in most places) and under 30. If they’re exactly 18, you can make the judgment call based on content. (If the majority of it is set in high school, it’s probably YA.)
  • They don’t have to be contemporaries! Fantasy, dystopian and paranormal fans rejoice, your books count too. As long as the characters fall into the comparative age group on whatever planet or in whatever world, it works.
  • You don’t have to have a blog to participate, but you must post your reviews somewhere accessible online (like Goodreads).
The Levels:
  • Just Graduated: Read a minimum of 5 New Adult books
  • Moving Out: Read a minimum of 10 New Adult books
  • Living On Your Own: Read a minimum of 20 New Adult books
  • Fully Independent: Read a minimum of 30 New Adult books

2013 New Adult Reading Challenge
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Friday, December 28, 2012

"Leave Me Breathless" By: Cherrie Lynn Review


Leave Me Breathless
By: Cherrie Lynn
Leather and lace don't strike sparks. Or do they?

It's Valentine's Day, but Macy Rodgers isn't feeling the love. Aside from a torrid, one-night fling in a backseat a few months back, her love life has been sorely lacking, but fortunately she has devious friends who feel like playing Cupid. Wouldn't they be shocked to learn that the match they've made for her is the same one that steamed up the back of that '69 GTO...

Seth "Ghost" Warren has just returned to town after an extended absence. Between his grandmother's failing health, his job as a tattoo artist, his band's gigs, and a crazy ex that won't leave him alone, he's stretched thin. Cautious cowgirl Macy is the last thing he needs thrown into the mix.

She's all country, he's all heavy metal—and Macy knows that if anyone can propel her out of her rut, it's Seth. But when their worlds collide, it's anyone guess if they'll survive with their hearts intact.

My Thoughts

     Everyone in the blogosphere was talking about Leave Me Breathless so I decided to jump on the bandwagon and try out Cherrie Lynn. A cute story that is pretty much the epitome of opposites attract, I found myself drawn to Ghost. A hottie who has a troubled past and tattoos, yum! Now Macy, she’s where I found myself withering a bit and wanting to smack my head into a wall once in awhile.
     So up front, I have not read the other two books in the series. After finishing the story, I promptly went to Barnes and Noble and bought the other two, but I did go into this book blindly. That said, it didn’t bother me at all to pick up on these other characters stories as the third in the series. One note though, apparently Macy and Ghost had a very brief one night fling in the second book, so this story takes up a little while after that.
    Macy is a fairly insecure 20-something who enjoys the rush of life Ghost gives her when she is around him. She rode horses as an adolescent and now cares for her parents business, so she’s pretty much responsibility personified. She views Ghost as everything that she isn’t, irresponsible, unruly, a lawbreaker. Ghost sees Macy as stability.
    The romance is sweet and comes together fairly quickly, yet I was still a little disappointed. I don’t know if I was just hoping this book was going to rock my socks or what, but Macy just drove me crazy. She was so insecure about different aspects of her life and at times it just seemed so contrived. She wanted to be with him, she was attracted to his rebellious attitude, yet didn’t want to get too involved for fear of what could be. I guess those are realistic problems but during the course of the story they just didn’t work with me, it just seemed like to much back and forth.
     All in all Leave Me Breathless is an ok story with a fun romance but somewhat crazy people. I know I’ve dogged the characters a bit but I liked the story so much as to buy the other two in the series, so it wasn’t that bad. The heroine drove me a little crazy but beyond that, I enjoyed how the sexy tattoo artist fell in love with the rodeo queen.


Book Details
Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Date of Publication: November 6, 2012
# of Pages: 276
ISBN: B008Z436F4