Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 - Finished

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

As I predicted in the midweek update I did not reach 5 books for this challenge. I read 3 books and that is still okay. I finished: Death on the Aegean Queen by Maria Hudgins (mystery), Boneland by Alan Garner and The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman  (horror)

I knew I wasn't going to read much over the weekend as I had to go to Copenhagen to see off some friends.

Lars and Suzi with their 2 children Tiuri (7 years old) and Liva (5 years old) are going to sail from Copenhagen in Denmark to Istanbul in Turkey in two Hobie kayaks. They have set aside 14 months for the project as they can't sail that far every day if the children have to enjoy the trip too.
Follow their trip on their website: Life is GOOD follow us. and also on Facebook.

April 2014 Update

I read 21 books in April, quite a few shorter ones which in total adds up to 5849 pages read. As always I have enjoyed taking part in Dewey's Read-a-Thon and I am already looking forward to October.
All posts for April are HERE.

List of books:

1. Hotter Than Hell edited by Kim Harrison
2. Hex Appeal edited by P.N. Elrod 
3. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs 
4. Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
5. Holidays Are Hell edited by Kim Harrison
6. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch
7. The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan
8. Alien Stars by C.J. Cherryh, Joe Haldeman, Timothy Zahn
9. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison
10. A Highland Home by Cali MacKay 
11. A Highland Heist by Cali MacKay
12. Baehrly Beginning by Elizabeth A. Reeves
13. Baehrly Breathing by Elizabeth A. Reeves
14. Baehrly Bitten by Elizabeth A. Reeves
15. Baehrly Alive by Elizabeth A. Reeves
16. How (Not) to Kiss a Were Bear by Elizabeth A. Reeves
17. Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison
18. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison 
19. The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint
20. The Bride wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump
21. A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 - Update

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

Well, it is not going to be much of an update. I had great plans for my reading Monday morning but the sad fact is that I haven't read anything. I have listened to 1½ hour of Boneland by Alan Garner today and that is it.

Hopefully I will get round to reading just a wee bit before the end of the week but I most likely won't reach 5 books read.

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 Start

Spring into Horror Read-a-Thon 2014 hosted by Michelle @ the true book addict.

It is time to start reading. My goal this time will be to read 5 books, how many scary ones I don't know yet. As usual I have a long list of books that I might not read.

My list of books:

1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman  (horror)
2. Eye of the Storm by Jack Higgins (thriller)
3. Dracula by Bram Stoker (Gothic)
4. Death on the Aegean Queen by Maria Hudgins (mystery)
5. First Frost by Liz DeJesus
6. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
7. Run by Patti Larsen
8. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
9. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
10. Moon Spell by Samantha Young

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 - End of Event Meme

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

I reached my goals as my goal was to read 500 pages and I reached 667.
Thank you to everybody who left comments on my blog during the Read-a-Thon, I have enjoyed all of them.

1. Which hour was most daunting for you? I think around hour 10 which was surprising as I was about to finish at that point
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a Reader engaged for next year? Of my books I enjoyed The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint best.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the Read-a-thon next year? No, you have done it very well again this year.
4. What do you think worked really well in this year’s Read-a-thon? You had the start of event meme up early, that was nice as it still take a bit of time to write it..
5. How many books did you read? 3 books.
6. What were the names of the books you read? The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint, The Bride wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump and A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes.
7. Which book did you enjoy most? The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint
8. Which did you enjoy least? The Bride wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump
9. If you were a Cheerleader, do you have any advice for next year’s Cheerleaders? N/A
10. How likely are you to participate in the Read-a-thon again? What role would you be likely to take next time? This was my sixth Read-a-Thon and I am sure I want to take part again. I will be a reader.

A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes

Bubble... Bubble...
June Heal has nothing to lose when she relocates her homeopathic cure shop, A Dose of Darla, from the flea market booth in her home town, to a quaint shop in the cozy but unusual little town of Whispering Falls, Kentucky. Or so it seems.
Cures and trouble...
Whispering Falls has a lot of secrets. From talking snow globes to whispering animals not to mention a few sprinkles of fairy dust, June realizes Whispering Falls is more magical than she thought. . .literally.
Magic stirs...
June discovers she was born into a family of psychics, and her homeopathic cures truly are magical. Unfortunately, they are not magical enough to save her from being the number one murder suspect when a member of the community that she had just had a disagreement with shows up face down in the lake with June’s lucky charm in the victim’s grasp.
And troubles double...
Add to that an attraction to her high school best friend, Sheriff Oscar Park and Mr. Prince Charming, her cat, is stealing charms from Belle’s Baubles, June is forced to clear her name in more ways than murder. After all, they don’t have cauldrons in jail. From Goodreads.

It was okay, a cute and cosy mystery. I hadn't actually figured out who had done it which is a plus. If there actually is a snack called Ding Dong, I hope the author gets paid to put it in her books as it is mentioned on just about every page.
Unfortunately another series I will only continue if they are free.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Ebook challenge
Eclectic Reader Challenge 2014
2014 Read Your Freebies! Reading Challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Crazy Challenge Connection Chinese New Year Challenge
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (S-muskox)
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 - Last Update

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

I have finished my third book and it also, unfortunately, concludes my Read-a-Thon. All in all I have read 667 pages which is above my goal. I still wish I could continue reading but not this time. I hope to be back for a complete 24 hours of Read-a-Thon in October.
I will fill out the end of meme when I get back tomorrow after the Read-aThon has finished

A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes. It was okay, cosy and cute. If there actually is a snack called Ding Dong, I hope the author gets paid to put it in her books as it is mentioned on just about every page.
Will I read the next book in this series? Yes if it is free.
I also had a problem with the length of the book. One place says 320 another 164 so I found a word count for the book at 53390 words which is more like 213 pages.

The Bride wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump

Life couldn’t be more perfect for Candace Woodrow. Her gourmet gift basket company is thriving, and she’s set to marry steady, dependable Barry. There’s just one wrench in the fairytale. Two weeks before her wedding she wakes up in the wrong man’s bed. Candace thinks she’ll be able to run out the door and forget all about Michael Vogler, but the Boston millionaire has other plans for the jittery bride.
As the wedding approaches, Candace’s life is further complicated by a thrill-seeking grandma and a meddlesome mother whose marriage track record rivals Elizabeth Taylor’s. She attempts to drown her sorrows in chocolate, but with a sexy bachelor appearing on her doorstep at every turn – she finds herself wondering if there’s enough of the sweet stuff in the world to stop her heart from racing every time he comes near.
The Sweet and Savory Romances will make you laugh, cry, and rev up your appetite with their hunky heroes. As a special addition, satiate your hunger—for food that is— with tried-and-true recipes written by the characters inside. From Goodreads.

This was okay. Very predictable and apart from a not very nice mother-in-law to be, all characters were nice. It is full of recipes that I don't think I'll try.  I will only read more from this series if they are free.

This book qualifies for:
2014 Ebook challenge
Color Coded Reading Challenge 2014
2014 Read Your Freebies! Reading Challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
The Challenge Factory - R2: Team Challenge SS?
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (S-muskox)
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 - Update 2

 Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

My second book finished which means I have read 454 pages and nearly reached my goal of 500 pages. This time I have chosen to read books that are quite quick reads.

A sweet predictable romance. I am not going to hurry out to get the next book in the series but it was okay.

Another jump in genres. Back to the paranormal, add a bit of cosy mystery and most likely also some romance.
A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes

The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint

A young woman locked in rage yet seeking magic, Ash is drawn into a wondrous Otherworld of totems and dryads, living tarots and mystic charms. At the same time, Ash's cousin Nina is stalked by an Otherworld demon-a manitou who can force her mind and soul into the bodies of beasts. Ash must find the strength to overcome her own anger, learn the full power of magic, and save Nina before she becomes the manitou's weapon, turning the faerie realm into an arctic wasteland. De Lint fans will relish this urban and otherworldly fantasy, partially set in the author's trademark Newford. From Goodreads.

I like the way Charles De Lint mixes the real world and the spirit world. His characters always have some dealings with the spirit world. This is the second book in the Newford series and I have decided to read them all in order. Though I am not sure this is necessary as most of them are individual stories. 

This book qualifies for:
2014 TBR Pile Reading Challenge
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Sequel Spring Reading Challenge
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 - Update 1

 Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

I have finished The Dreaming Place and I enjoyed it. I have read other of Charles De Lint's Newford books but decided I want to read them in order and this is the second it the series.
I like the way he mixes the real world and the spirit world.

Now for something completely different, a contemporary romance.
The Bride wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 - Start

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

 
It is time to start and I have decided to start with The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint. Happy reading everyone.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 Introductory Questionnaire

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

1) What fine part of the world are you reading from today? Like last year I am reading from my sister's house in Øster Snede, Denmark

2) Which book in your stack are you most looking forward to? I have had difficulties deciding on books this year and I am only going to read for approximately 10 hours. But I think The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint.

3) Which snack are you most looking forward to? A tub of ice-cream.

4) Tell us a little something about yourself! I still love to go canoeing and reading in the wilderness.

5) If you participated in the last read-a-thon, what’s one thing you’ll do different today? If this is your first read-a-thon, what are you most looking forward to? This is my sixth RaT and this time I am only able to take part the first 10-11 hours which will be very different from my previous years.

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 goals

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

Dewey's RaT April 2014 is about to start and I am ready with my goal and list of books. As I am only taking part for about 10 hours it is a bit difficult to know how much I am going to read but I hope at least 500 pages.

List of books: As usual I don't know if I will read from the list or not.

1. The Dreaming Place by Charles De Lint
2. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison
3. Into the Woods: Tales from the Hollows and Beyond by Kim Harrison
4. First Frost by Liz DeJesus
5. The Bride Wore Chocolate by Shirley Jump
6. A Charming Crime by Tonya Kappes
7. Run by Patti Larsen
8. Darlings of Urban Fantasy by Chrissy Peebles, Kaitlyn Davis 

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014 Sign up

Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2014.

This is going to be my sixth Dewey's RaT. Unfortunately it will be the first time I will not be able to take part in the whole thing. My usual goal is to last the 24 hours but as I have to go out on Sunday and be awake I will only be reading the first 10 hours.

Like last time I will be at my sister's place and we will have a cosy time.

I haven't quite decided what to read yet but I will have a list ready for the start.

Paranormal Addicts & Newbies - Paranormal Creatures Seasonal Challenge

Paranormal Creatures Seasonal Challenge hosted by  Paranormal Addicts & Newbies on Goodreads.

Paranormal Creatures Seasonal Challenge

This challenge is worth up to 10 Points, with the possibility of another 3 Bonus Points! For this challenge, read a book with each type of creature featured in it. (It does not need to be the main character by any means.)

✔ Vampire (Can be Out in Daylight) 
✔ Vampire (Out at Night Only) 
✔ Werewolf
✔ Shifter (Non-Wolf)
✔ Fae 
✔ Angel/Demon 
✔ Magic User/Witch 
✔ Descendant/Deity
✔ Zombie 
✔ Ghost

*Bonus* 
✔ Dragon 
✔ Clairvoyant
✔ Troll/Pixie/Elf/Gnome

Time Frame: April 1st - June 30th (Books must be started on or after April 1st and must be done by June 30th.)

This challenge was just put up on the 20th of April but books since 1st of April count. Paranormal and fantasy are my favourite genres so an easy challenge for me. My goal is to complete this challenge within the time frame.

List of books:

1. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs (Shifter (Non-Wolf)
2. Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews (Werewolf)
3. Broken Homes by Ben Aaronovitch (Magic User/Witch)
4. The Demigod Diaries by Rick Riordan (Descendant/Deity)
5. White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (Ghost)
6. Baehrly Breathing by Elizabeth A. Reeves (Dragon)
7. Baehrly Bitten by Elizabeth A. Reeves (Vampire (Out at Night Only)
8. Baehrly Alive by Elizabeth A. Reeves (Zombie)
9. How (Not) to Kiss a Were Bear by Elizabeth A. Reeves (Fae)
10. Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison (Vampire (Can be Out in Daylight)
11. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison (Troll/Pixie/Elf/Gnome)
12. A Perfect Blood by Kim Harrison (Angel/Demon)
13. Angel by L.A. Weatherly  (Clairvoyant)

Pale Demon by Kim Harrison

Condemned and shunned for black magic, Rachel Morgan has three days to get to the annual witches' conference and clear her name, or be trapped in the demonic ever-after . . . forever after.
But a witch, an elf, a living vampire, and a pixy in one car going across the country? Talk about a recipe for certain disaster, even without being the targets for assassination.
For after centuries of torment, a fearsome demon walks in the sunlight--freed at last to slay the innocent and devour their souls. But his ultimate goal is Rachel Morgan, and in the fight for survival that follows, even embracing her own demonic nature may not be enough to save her. From Goodreads.

Much better than the last one. There is still a lot of politics in it but a lot more fighting. As usual when Rachel has to help protect Trent he doesn't tell her everything so this time they are fighting a new demon, assassins and the witches who are still trying to get rid of Rachel. The next book is ready for me in the library.

This book qualifies for:
I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014
2014 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Color Coded Reading Challenge 2014
CCC A-Z Book Titles 2014
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Crazy Challenge Connection Chinese New Year Challenge
Sequel Spring Reading Challenge
Paranormal Addicts & Newbies - Paranormal Creatures Seasonal Challenge
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (K-muskox)
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison

Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter - and lived to tell the tale. But she's never faced off against her own kind...until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment - at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.
It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price. From Goodreads.

This is the book I have liked the least of this series till now. Rachel has been shunned by the witch community and now the witch council wants to put her in witch-jail for using black magic. I think what I don't like about this is that it is political. The main witches of the council want to control Rachel and use her for their own agenda and they don't care who they have to sacrifice to do that. I like the plain good versus bad fight better.
I will continue this series and hope it turns back to Rachel fighting the bad guys with the help of her friends and others whose help she doesn't really want.

This book qualifies for:
I Love Library Books Reading Challenge 2014
2014 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge
Color Coded Reading Challenge 2014
You Read How Many Books? Reading Challenge 2014
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: 2014 Chubby Chunkster (487 pages)
Sequel Spring Reading Challenge
The Challenge Factory - R2: Team Challenge SS?
Paranormal Addicts & Newbies - Paranormal Creatures Seasonal Challenge
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2014
Nothing but Reading Challenges - Spell it Out - Animal Alphabet (R-leopard)
Crazy Challenge Connection Bard of Avon

Stuck in a Rut Challenge Finished

Stuck in a Rut Challenge hosted by ~Annia~Cupcake~ at Goodreads Nothing but Reading Challenges.

I have finished this challenge. It took 31 books to complete the Die Hard level I had chosen to do. 

HERE are all the posts for this challenge.

Duration: 1 year from the day you start
Rules: No re-reads, you can use any media (audio, ebook, graphic novel, book, etc.)

Easy Climb - Complete any 1 task
Middle of the Road - Complete any 2 tasks
Die-Hard - Complete all 3 tasks

TASK ONE: A Mix of Old and New
* Read 1 X complete Trilogy
* Read 2 X books that have your Favorite Color on the cover
* Read 3 X books from your Favorite Author/s
* Read 4 X Different New to You Authors
* Read 5 X Different Genres

TASK TWO: Books of All Sizes
* Read 2 X Short Stories (Less than 100 pages)
* Read 2 X Novella's (Less than 200 pages)
* Read 2 X Novels (200-400 pages)
* Read 2 X Chunky books (More than 400 pages)

TASK THREE:
* Read a complete series from book 1 through to the last published book at the time of the challenge

TASK ONE: A Mix of Old and New

* Read 1 X complete Trilog: Bend-Bite-Shift Trilogy by Olivia Hardin

1. Witch Way Bends
2. Bitten Shame
3. Shifty Business

* Read 2 X books that have your Favorite Color on the cover (purple)

1. An Imperfect Witch by Debora Geary
2. Sleigh Bells in the Snow by Sarah Morgan

* Read 3 X books from your Favorite Author/s

1. A lost Witch by Debora Geary
2. Good Husband Material by Trisha Ashley
3. The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan

* Read 4 X Different New to You Authors:

1. Daughter of Dragons by Kathleen H. Nelson
2. Frey by Melissa Wright
3. Déjà Dead by Kathy Reichs
4. Eternal Vows by Chrissy Peebles

* Read 5 X Different Genres

1. Moon Child by J.R. Rain (Paranormal)
2. A Kestrel for a Knave by Barry Hines (Classics)
3. Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson (Non-fiction)
4. Magnificent Devices by Shelley Adina (Steampunk)
5. Life of Pi by Yann Martel (Philosophy)

TASK TWO: Books of All Sizes

* Read 2 X Short Stories (Less than 100 pages)

1. To Love a Witch by Debora Geary
2. Matchmakers 2.0 by Debora Geary

* Read 2 X Novella's (Less than 200 pages)

1. To Kill a Warlock by H.P. Mallory (198 pages)
2. Fins by Ashley L. Knight (174 pages)

* Read 2 X Novels (200-400 pages)

1. Cursed by Casey Odell (334 pages)
2. The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel by Deborah Moggach (287 pages)

* Read 2 X Chunky books (More than 400 pages)

1. Ship of Magic by Robin Hobb (834 pages)
2. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton (466 pages)

TASK THREE:

* Read a complete series from book 1 through to the last published book at the time of the challenge

1. How (Not) to Kiss a Toad by Elizabeth A. Reeves 
2. How (Not) to Kiss a Prince by Elizabeth A. Reeves
3. How (Not) to Kiss a Beast by Elizabeth A. Reeves
4. How (Not) to Kiss a Ghost by Elizabeth A. Reeves 
5. How (Not) to Kiss a Gargoyle by Elizabeth A. Reeves
6. How (Not) to Kiss a Were Bear by Elizabeth A. Reeves

Shifter Challenge 2014 Finished

Shifter Challenge 2014 hosted by Parajunkee.

THE RULES:

1. The Shifter Challenge runs from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014
2. The challenge is to read 10 books that have a SHIFTER as a main, or supporting character
3. Books can be in any format and should be at least 100 pages. Short stories do not count. You can also post about rereads.
4. Post about this challenge on your blog stating that you are participating or create a shelf via Goodreads, Booklikes etc. That post or shelf is the link that you will include in the link-up below. The link should be the post link not just your direct blog link. Please be courteous and include a link back to this post.
5. Post your reviews on the Review Post: Click here to log your reviews!

My goal was to read at least 10 books with shifters as either main or supporting character and I have reached my goal. I will continue to read a lot of paranormal books even after finishing this challenge.

All posts for this challenge is HERE.

List of books:

1. Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews  
2. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews 
3. Brazen by Kelley Armstrong  
4. The Rising by Kelley Armstrong 
5. Curran POV Collection by Gordon Andrews  
6. Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews 
7. Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews  
8. Night Broken by Patricia Briggs 
9. Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
10. Baehrly Bitten by Elizabeth A. Reeves
11. Baehrly Alive by Elizabeth A. Reeves
12. How (Not) to Kiss a Were Bear by Elizabeth A. Reeves