Winging It! by Shel Delisle

She Just Wants to Fly.
When the time comes to pick a vocation, Angel-in-Training Grace Lightbourne asks The Big Kahuna for His permission to go straight to Earth on a mission as a Guardian Angel.
The problem?
She never was a great student and now she won't finish her last three years of school. To make matters worse, Archangel Michael isn't happy about her special assignment, but Grace is convinced this will be the fast track to her wings. How hard can it be? She's working with humans, after all.
Winging It! is a light-hearted teen novel about Angels, Heaven and everything else that's divine. From Goodreads.

A fun and cute story. Trying to be a Guardian Angel when she hasn't done her homework. It seems it is nearly as hard to be an Angel in training as being a teenager. I will keep an eye out for the publishing of the second book in this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (287 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (angel)
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (287 pages)
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.com 11th of December 2012)

Old Before My Time: Hayley Okines' Life with Progeria by Hayley Okines, Kerry Okines, Alison Stokes

Hayley Okines is like no other 13-year-old schoolgirl.
In Old Before My Time, Hayley and her mum Kerry reflect on her unusual life. Share Hayley’s excitement as she travels the world meeting her pop heroes Kylie, Girls Aloud and Justin Bieber and her sadness as she loses her best friend to the disease at the age of 11.
Now as she passes the age of 13 – the average life expectancy for a child with progeria – Hayley talks frankly about her hopes for the future and her pioneering drug trials in America which could unlock the secrets of ageing for everyone... From Goodreads.

An interesting biography. One could say that Hayley is a very lucky girl as she has experienced more in her short life than most ordinary people will do in their lifetime - at a cost of course. But I can't help thinking about all the other children with serious illnesses who never get to experience all those exciting things. That is why, despite all the trials and tests Hayley has to go through, I still consider her lucky.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (224 pages)
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.com 19th of December 2012)
2013 Literary Exploration Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (224 pages)

Always the Designer, Never the Bride by Sandra D. Bricker

It 's taken Audrey Regan years to establish herself as a wedding dress designer, and to date she 's been roped into creating dresses for nine of her girlfriends. Request #10 follows her vow to Just say no and comes from her very best friend. She can hardly turn Carly down Audrey arrives in Atlanta early to perform all of her maid-of-honor duties along with final fittings for a one-of-a-kind dress. But Carly 's wedding is nothing short of an event, complete with Prince Charming, and the festivities make Audrey question whether there 's a prince of her own anywhere in her future. Enter the groom 's brother and best man. Shaggy-haired, tattooed bad boy J.R. Hunt couldn t be any more different from Prince Charming if he rode in on a Harley Davidson. Oh, wait. He actually did ride in on a Harley. From Goodreads

An okay, nice, cosy romance. This is the second in this series and if I see more of her books for free or cheap I will probably read more.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (304 pages)
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.uk 9th of November 2012)

Become by Ali Cross

Sixteen-year old Desolation Black wants nothing more than to stay in Hell where it’s cold and lonely and totally predictable. Instead, she’s sent back to Earth where she must face the evil she despises and the good she always feared.
When Desi is forced to embrace her inner demon, she assumes her choice has been made—that she has no hope of being anything other than what her father, Lucifer, has created her to be. What she doesn’t count on, is finding a reason to change—something she’s never had before—a friend. From Goodreads.

This is an interesting concept, a child of Lucifer who is supposed to be evil, but suddenly it turns out there is another choice. A classic fight between good and evil. This book seems to be the background story for future books.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Mythology Challenge
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (344 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (angel)
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.com 12th of January 2013)

Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder

Confronting The Past - Controlling The Future. With an execution order on her head, Yelena has no choice but to escape to Sitia, the land of her birth. With only a year to master her magic – or face death – Yelena must begin her apprenticeship and travels to the Four Towers of the Magician’s Keep. But nothing in Sitia is familiar. Not the family to whom she is a stranger. Not the unsettling new facets of her magic. Not the brother who resents her return. As she struggles to understand where she belongs and how to control her rare powers, a rogue magician emerges – and Yelena catches his eye. Suddenly she is embroiled in battle against good and evil. And once again it will be her magical abilities that will either save her life…or be her downfall. From Goodreads

I enjoyed this book. I like the description of Yelena's struggles to learn to work with others, but also the way she forged a friendship with the street children. I have already bought the third book and will most likely read it before long.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (magic)
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (425 pages)

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder

THEY DESTROYED HER WORLD. BUT SHE’S THEIR ONLY HOPE...
Avry’s power to heal the sick should earn her respect in the plague-torn land of Kazan. Instead she is feared. Her kind are blamed for the horrifying disease that has taken hold of the nation. When Avry uses her forbidden magic to save a dying child, she faces the guillotine. Until a dark, mysterious man rescues her from her prison cell. His people need Avry’s magic to save their dying prince. The very prince who first unleashed the plague on Kazan.
Saving the prince is certain to kill Avry – yet she already faces a violent death. Now she must choose – use her healing touch to show the ultimate mercy or die a martyr to a lost cause? From Goodreads

I am enjoying Maria V. Snyder's books. Avry is most likely the last of her kind and there is a death sentence for using her power. She is saved but in return has to heal a prince that she always thought was the enemy.  Another book where I already have the next book and want to read it soon.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (396 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (magic/zombies)
2013 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge (nr. 98 on the List)

Cross My Heart by Abigail Strom

When opposites attract...
The last thing Jenna Landry wants is to fall in love. The former rock musician is getting ready to start a new job and a new life in L.A., and she's only back in her hometown for the summer. Nothing could tempt her to stay any longer than that...not even the sexy doctor next door.
Michael Stone has a reputation for being as cold as ice. So what is it about his free-spirited neighbor that sets him on fire? The strait-laced M.D. has his hands full with his career and his teenage daughter, and even if he were looking for a relationship, he knows Jenna is all wrong for him.
So why does being with her feel so right? From Goodreads.

A sweet, fun, short romance. A quick and easy read. It is number two in a series but it is no problem to read it without having read the others.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (184 pages)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (184 pages)
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.uk 1st of January 2013)
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge

Twist by Dannika Dark

Months after moving to the mysterious city of Cognito, Silver is developing her gifts as a Mage, and learning how to live under new laws. Forced to give up her old life, she must now live in secret among the humans. She finally has hope of leading an ordinary life . . . until Logan Cross walks into it.
Their chance meeting leads her close to discovering the identity of the nameless Mage who once stole her light and discovered the unique power she possesses. That knowledge poses an unimaginable threat to Silver, fueling her search to find out who he is, before he finds her first.
Lives are at stake. Truths are revealed. And an unexpected passion ignites. From Goodreads.

I like the continuation of this series and Silver is getting used to being a paranormal. There are a lot of different paranormal creatures in it which I like. I am looking forward to reading more in this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (283 pages)
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (magic)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 ( 283 pages)

A Different Witch by Debora Geary

Witch Central welcomes everyone. Or does it?
Twenty months ago, Jamie and Lauren crashed a coven meeting in Chicago - a visit they barely remember. For Beth Landler, it was the moment that fractured her circle and awakened her need for an entirely different kind of magic.
The kind only found in Witch Central. If she can dig up the courage to go.
A Different Witch is book five of the top-rated A Modern Witch series. Light contemporary fantasy with a good dose of humor, a little romance, and characters you won't want to leave. From Goodreads.

This last year I have been enjoying the Modern Witch series and I am glad it hasn't finished. Now I will just have to wait for the next book to be published. It is also nice to see Nell isn't as perfect as she has always seemed in the earlier books. In the meantime I should start reading the Witches in Flight series as the characters from there start popping up in this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (witch)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (230 pages)
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (230 pages)

Exclusively Yours by Shannon Stacey

When Keri Daniels' editor finds out she has previous carnal knowledge of reclusive bestselling author Joe Kowalski, she gives Keri a choice: get an interview or get a new job.
Joe's never forgotten the first girl to break his heart, so he's intrigued to hear Keri's back in town--and looking for him. Despite his intense need for privacy, he'll grant Keri an interview if it means a chance to finish what they started in high school.
He proposes an outrageous plan--for every day she survives with his family on their annual camping and four-wheeling trip, Keri can ask one question. Keri agrees; she's worked too hard to walk away from her career.
But the chemistry between them is still as potent as the bug spray, Joe's sister is out to avenge his broken heart and Keri hasn't ridden an ATV since she was ten. Who knew a little blackmail, a whole lot of family and some sizzling romantic interludes could make Keri reconsider the old dream of Keri & Joe 2gether 4ever. From Goodreads.


Exactly what can be expected from a nice cosy romance. No more, no less. It was okay.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 1st In A Series Challenge
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Women Challenge
2013 Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge (free on Amazon.uk 19th of January 2013)
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (318 pages)

January 2013 Update

I have read 18 books in January, that is one more than last January. This is partly thanks to Michelle, The True Book Addict who hosted A winter's respite Read-a-Thon. Also thanks to the two mini-challenges in the Tower Teams Read 2013.
To reach my goal of 130 books this year I have to read nearly 11 books a month, I am well ahead of my target.

List of books read in January:

1. The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi
2. Moon dance by J.R. Rain
3. Sterling by Dannika Dark
4. A Nomadic Witch by Debora Geary
5. The Sagan Diary by John Scalzi
6. Wild Swans: Three Daughters of China by Jung Chang 
7. To Have and To Code by Debora Geary
8. De Novo Syndrome by Jim Buckner, David Mark Brown 
9. The Scourge by A.G. Henley
10. The Dog Stars by Peter Heller 
11. Dogs Don't Lie by Clea Simon 
12. Legend of the White Dragon: Legends by Melanie Nilles 
13. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
14. The Bell Jar by Sylvia Plath 
15. My Familiar Stranger by Victoria Danann
16. Shadowmagic by John Lenahan 
17. Deadly Legacy by Alison Bruce
18. Vampire Moon by J.R. Rain

All my January posts are HERE

Vampire Moon by J.R. Rain

Mother, wife, private investigator...vampire. Six years ago federal agent Samantha Moon was the perfect wife and mother, your typical soccer mom with the minivan and suburban home. Then the unthinkable happens, an attack that changes her life forever. And forever is a very long time for a vampire.
Now in VAMPIRE MOON, sequel to MOON DANCE, private investigator Samantha Moon finds herself hunting down a powerful crime lord and protecting an innocent woman from her ruthless ex-husband — all while two very different men vie for her heart. And as the stakes grow higher and her cases turn personal, Samantha Moon will do whatever it takes to protect the innocent and bring two cold-blooded killers to justice — her own brand of justice. From Goodreads.






I am not sure I like the direction of this book. Samantha used to be a federal agent and now she is turning into the villain, taking the law into her own hands. I will keep reading this series as I have all six books. I know the character is a vampire but I am hoping she won't become an evil vampire.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads 2013 Reading Challenge
Tower Teams Read 2013
Serious Readers 2013
2013 Ebook Challenge
2013 Sequel Reading Challenge
Quick fix Challenge 2013 (262 pages)
2013 A-Z Reading Challenge
2013 Paranormal Reading Challenge (vampire)
Finishing the Series Reading Challenge 2013
Let Me Count the Ways Reading Challenge 2013 (262 pages)