A Million More Pages - Hogwarts: April Challenges - Finished

April Challenges hosted by A Million More Pages on Goodreads.

This month have 5 challenges starting and finishing within the month. Class of the month and Scavenger are repeats with new tasks / words.

Mash with Gryffindor  ☀ (Tracking post) - DONE
APR15 Gryff: First Frost--Alliteration mini  ☀ (Tracking post) - DONE
A Slytherin' s Series of Fortunate Events(April House Game)  ☀ (Tracking post) - DONE
Class of the Month - April - Hufflepuff  ☀ (Tracking post) - DONE
APR15 Scavenger Hunt  ☀ (Tracking post) - DONE

MASH With A Gryffindor - DONE

M* A* S* H*
(Random Number, put in 1 -4)For Each section. Read a book that starts with the Leter in ().You will read one book for each category.

BOYS
1.Harry Potter(H)
Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

CAREER
4.BagLady(B)
A Bag Of Moonshine by Alan Garner

CITIES
4.Hong Kong (H)
The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

VEHICLES
4.Hover Craft(C)
Chef Charming by Lyn Ellerbe

MASH
(H):House
The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson


I Live in a House with my boyfriend Harry Potter. We live in Hong Kong, Where I work as a Bag Lady that paid for my very own Hover Craft.

extra Bonus
picture and love note

Post your info, with books Read(Example, Boys:Draco Malfoy(D):Book:Dracula

At the end say what you ended up with:
I Live in a (MASH)with my boyfriend (Boy). We live in (city), Where I work as a (career) that paid for my very own (Vehicle).

Point Scale
1 point per task for a total of 5 points
1 extra point if you post a picture of your "boyfriend" with a love note in the common rooms.

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APR15 Gryff: First Frost--Alliteration mini - DONE

Dates: April 1 - 30, 2015
(You must post your HOUSE when you sign up)
***You MAY do up to 10 (TEN) of these***

ALLITERATION: noun
al•lit•er•a•tion \ə-ˌli-tə-ˈrā-shən\

DEFINITION:
1. the use of words that begin with the same sound near one another (as in wild and woolly or a babbling brook)

2. two or more words of a word group with the same beginning letter, as in John Jakes

The Gryffindor book for April's battle is First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen. This title and author just begged for an alliterative mini-challenge.

TASKS
1) ALLITERATIVE TITLE: Read a book with at least two alliterative words or sounds in the TITLE.
Link to a GR LIST: ALLITERATIONS

2) ALLITERATIVE AUTHOR: Read a book with an alliterative AUTHOR name; no initials allowed.

3) ALLITERATIVE MAIN CHARACTER: Read a book with an alliterative MAIN CHARACTER; no initials allowed.

RULES:
✪ Minimum Page Length: 125 (140 for YA)
✪ Are Rereads Allowed? No - new to you!
✪ Can I start a book before Challenge Start Date? No
✪ Children Allowed with restrictions: Yes
☛ Restrictions: must also have YA as Main Page Genre
✪ Posting Requirements when complete:
☛Book title/cover, author, main character name (if needed), date read, others as task specifies
✪ Are Audiobooks Allowed? Yes
✪ Manga, Comics, Beta, FanFict, Graphic Novels Allowed? No
✪ Can I Ignore A/An/And/In/On/The in Titles? Yes
☛Ask prior to reading if you are unsure
✪ Verification Required For FINAL Points: Yes

POINTS:
@TITLE .50 pts for each letter EX: Love’s Labor’s Lost = 1.50 pts
@AUTHOR .50 pts for each name EX: Sarah Addison Allen = 1.00 pt
@MAIN CHARACTER .50 pts for each name EX: Sookie Stackhouse = 1.00 pt
@@BONUS for any combo of TITLE – AUTHOR – MAIN CHARACTER = 1.00 pt

-->EX: First Frost by Sarah Addison Allen = 3.00 pts
☛(1.00: title + 1.00: author + 1.00: combo bonus = 3.00)
-->EX: Dead as a Doornail with Sookie Stackhouse = 3.00 pts
☛(1.00: title + 1.00: main character = 1.00: combo bonus = 3.00) 

List of books:

1.  Chef Charming by Lyn Ellerbe ☀ Title = 1 point
2.  Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon ☀ Title = 1 point
3.  Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky ☀ Title = 1 point
4.  Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke ☀ Title + Author + combo = 3 points
5. The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson ☀ Title = 1.5 point
6. A Little Love by Amanda Prowse ☀ Title + MC (Pru Plum)+ combo = 3 points
7. The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson ☀ Author = 1 point
8. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick  ☀ Title = 1 point

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A Slytherin' s Series of Fortunate Events(April House Game) -DONE

April House Slytherin Game

5 ways to Kill Harry Potter
As A Slytherin, you don't much care for Harry Potter(or anyone not in Slytherin), you Can't really kill him, or you would be kicked out of Hogwarts for good.
But you sure have imagined it......

Read five books that contain a type of weapon somewhere in its title or Cover, to show ways you might have at least injured Harry Potter ....

List of books:

1.  Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon (gun on cover)
2.  THE CHRISTMAS KNITTING BEE by De-ann Black (knitting needles on cover)
3.  Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling (poisonous snake)
4.  Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs (gun on cover)
5.  Hollywood Assassin by M.Z. Kelly (gun on cover)

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April Class of the Month: Wizarding Wildlife 101: - DONE

April 1 - April 30

That's not your mum's cat in the forest. Be prepared! Here at Hogwarts, students are taught basic characteristics and behaviors of all Magical Creatures. Come learn about these amazing animals, from the common to the extremely rare.
NOTE: Hogwarts is not responsible for severed limbs.

#1) The Hippogriff
A Hippogriff is a magical creature that has the front legs, wings, the head of a giant eagle and the body, hind legs and tail of a horse. It is very similar to another mythical creature, the Griffin, with the horse rear replacing the lion rear. Hippogriffs have cruel, steel-coloured beaks and large, brilliantly orange eyes. The talons on their front legs are half a foot long and appear deadly. They are a very proud creature and require observance of a specific treating ritual. Pick one of the following tasks:

❖ Pick a book with a member of royalty; King, Queen, Prince or Princess. This can be any genre. (For example: Prince of Werewolf Clan, Fae Queen, King Henry V, Queen Mary, etc. )
❖ Read a book shelved Historical Fiction.
❖ Read a book featuring a dragon.

#2) Thestrals:
A breed of winged horses with a skeletal body, face with reptilian features, and wide, leathery wings that resemble a bat's. They are very rare, and are considered dangerous by the Ministry of Magic. Thestrals are, undeservedly, known as omens of misfortune and aggression by many wizards because they are visible only to those who have witnessed death at least once (and fully accepted the concept) or due to their somewhat grim, gaunt and ghostly appearance. Pick one of the following tasks:

❖ Read a book with a ghost in the story.
❖ Read a book with a "spooky" cover. (Tombstones, skeletons, scary night scene, etc.)
❖ Read a book shelved as "Paranormal" on the main page genre.

#3) Hedwig (Harry's Snowy Owl):
Hedwig was gifted to Harry from Rubeus Hagrid on his eleventh birthday. Owls are primarily used by wizards to deliver mail, but Hedwig also became an important companion to Harry. Pick one of the following tasks:

❖ Read a book that features 2 or more friends.
❖ Read a book that features something that flies on the cover. (Bird, plane, helicopter, etc.)
Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon (butterfly on cover)
❖ Read a book that shelved as "Travel" on the main page genre.

#4) The Chimaera
A vicious, bloodthirsty creature with a lion's head, a goat's body, and a dragon's tail. Because of their ferocity, Chimaeras are classified as very dangerous. There is only one recorded instance of a wizard killing a Chimaera, although the victory was soured when the wizard fell from his winged horse. Pick one of the following tasks:

❖ Read a book featuring a serial killer, stalker, or where some type of murder has taken place.
❖ Read a book with blood on the cover.
❖ Read a book shelved as Crime or Thriller, on the main page genre.
Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall and Per Wahlöö

#5) Sphinx:
A magical creature native to Egypt. It has the head of human, and the body of lion. Sphinxes are capable of human speech, and are known for their love of puzzles, riddles, and enigmas. Used for centuries to guard treasures, they are known to become violent when something threatens that treasure. Pick one of the following tasks:

❖ Read a book featuring a bodyguard, or where someone is in the witness protection program
❖ Read a book with the word "Riddle" in the title or series name.
❖ Read a book with "treasure" on the cover. Such as: jewelry, loose jewel stones, gold, coins, cash, etc

6 COMMENTS:
Gryffindor:
comment on Taryn ~Griffie~'s review of The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton 0.5 points
comment on Suzy Kennedy's review of The Halloween Tree by Ray Bradbury 0.5 points
comment on Katie's Review of Chasing Fire by Nora Roberts 0.5 points
comment on Kate's Review of The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman 0.5 points
Huffelpuff:
comment on Karin's review of Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn 0.5 points
comment on Elle's review of I am Legend by Richard Matheson 0.5 points

HOW THIS WORKS

✽Open to all Hogwarts students and headmistresses.

✽Each Hogwarts player may select no more than two books to read for this class.

✽ The books are to be read as independent tasks. This is a "do your own work" assignment, so no buddy read points will be awarded for books posted as Class Schedule texts.

✽No re-reads are permitted. The book must be new to you.

✽The book may not be started before April 1, 2015.

✽Posting Requirements - Cover and Title, Rating, and Date Completed. If it is not evident from the book's main page blurb, please indicate how the book fits the class task.

✽Review Option - You may write and submit a review for additional credit. This review is to be submitted as a formal GoodReads review, not simply a thread posting. Include a link to your review with your book posting if you choose to take advantage of this additional opportunity.

✽Comments Option - As a final option, you may earn additional points for comments you make on other players' reviews. Your comments must indicate that you read the review in its entirety and contribute one of three things :
☞ An observation about your own experience with the book
☞ A question about the reader’s experience with the book
☞ Whether, based on this review, you might add or avoid this particular book.

✽Include all relevant points requests in a single post -- Your book or books, a link to your review, and links to any and all reviews comments that you make.

HOW TO GET YOUR POINTS

~ 2 points for the first book read that fits the class specs. 1 point for a second book.
~ 1 point for your review of your first book. .5 points for your second book review.
.25 points for comments on your own housemates' reviews.
.5 points for each comment on reviews by opponent houses.
☞ You may make as many comments as you like in any combination of points up to a total of 3 points. 

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APR15 Scavenger Hunt  - DONE

APRIL 1 - 30, 2015

1. DAISY
2. HUNGER
3. ARBOR
4. FOOL
5. CRUEL
6. POISON
7. JAZZ
8. ALLERGY
9. MARATHON
10. CUCKOO
11. INSECT
12. BIRD
13. FRESH
14. HATCH
15. SPRINKLE
16. BUD
17. AWAKEN
18. SPROUT
19. MERRY
20. GENTLE

List of books:
Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson
4. FOOL (pg. 85) You're being a FOOL, David, Roy said, coughing.

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick
1. DAISY (loc: 172) - How Gatsby loves DAISY so much but can't ever be with her no matter how hard he tries -

Stardust by Neil Gaiman
2. HUNGER (loc: 1669) Tristan - his HUNGER forgotten in his fear-

Legend by Marie Lu
6. POISON (loc:1895) She gives me a smile laced with POISON.

Roseanna by Maj Sjöwall, Per Wahlöö
13. FRESH (loc:1674) A tough, long-haired, FRESH guy?

Sing for Me by Penelope Reece
17. AWAKEN (loc: 1447) causing the butterflies to AWAKEN and stir.

Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon
9. MARATHON (loc:433) that had been blaring a late-night MARATHON of some reality show and crawled into bed.

Tastes Like Chicken by Johnny B. Truant
7. JAZZ (loc: 3656) She made JAZZ hands.

The Martian by Andy Weir
15. SPRINKLE (pg. 14) Then I can SPRINKLE the Earth soil on top

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky
8. ALLERGY (loc: 4245) Did he have an ALLERGY to clams and oysters or clams and crabs?

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling
18. SPROUT (loc: 4335) Harry thought even Proffessor SPROUT seemed distant with him -

Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke
11. INSECT (loc: 2943) like she had just discovered a disgusting INSECT in the middle of the floor.

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss
16. BUD (pg. 461) I needed to nip that thought in the BUD.

THE CHRISTMAS KNITTING BEE by De-ann Black
19. MERRY (loc: 2166) Two fools creating MERRY hell.

A Little Love by Amanda Prowse
3. ARBOR (loc:4096) and unlatched the door at the back of the ARBOUR.

THE TEA SHOP: Cakes, Ice Cream & Afternoon Tea by De-ann Black
14. HATCH (loc:115) tucked beside a serving HATCH by the time my heels had navigated the stairs.

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill
12. BIRD (pg 106) Every BIRD had long since hidden for the night.

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
20. GENTLE (loc: 1583) It wasn't the GENTLE slow trot her usual mount had, either.

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick
5. CRUEL (pg. 225) If the situation hadn't been so serious, I might have wished I'd invented something a lot more CRUEL and demeaning.

Hollywood Assassin by M.Z. Kelly
10. CUCKOO (loc: 1294) The bastard's deader than a bird in a CUCKOO clock. 

RULES:
1. Must read at least 3 books.
2. NO Audiobooks, Children's, Manga, Fan Fiction, or Beta reads.
3. Page minimums: All = 125 pp; YA = 140 pp
4. Items found in reading, not in title or on cover.
5. No more than 5 items per book.
6. In your post, list TITLE, PAGE #, and SENTENCE where the item can be found.
7. For non-fiction the caption texts are not allowed, however, anything within the main text would be allowed.
8. For e-readers, use LOC#.
9. Words not found will ROLLOVER to the next month.

POINTS
+.05: Each book read (finishers & non-finishers)
+1: Participation (only for non-finishers)
+5: Completion (only for finishers)
*Part. & Comp. CANNOT be claimed together

POSTING PROCEDURES as follows:
1) Make a final "I'm done".
2) Include HOUSE, LINK to original post, TOTAL PTS.
3) Post in your HOMEWORK BOX as usual.
This will allow any MOD to verify as needed.

Hollywood Assassin by M.Z. Kelly

Things could be worse for LAPD Detective Kate Sexton. Okay, so her ex-husband cheated on her and the DVD of his indiscretions made the rounds of the entire department, she’s broke and living above an appliance store with her canine partner Bernie who is a sexual predator, her British friend Natalie has a vocabulary that would make Howard Stern blush, and her mother is hallucinating about having sex with a dead president.
But things could be worse . . . like Kate could be stalked by a sadistic serial killer while she tries to solve a thirty year-old murder and save the life and reputation of a cop wanted for the crime. Come to think of it, maybe things couldn’t get any worse because this is Kate’s life.
Can Kate Sexton elude the killer, solve the cold case, keep Bernie's sexual wanderlust in check, keep her best friend under control, save a cop from death row, and find love again? Only time, loads of trouble, and tons of laughs will tell. Hollywood Assassin has more twists and turns than a car chase on Sunset Strip with a Hollywood starlet at the wheel.  From Goodreads.

This was okay. There were interesting bits in it and there were also funny episodes but there was also too much violence and people getting away with crime for thirty years. Though this was okay it did not make me want to continue the series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members

A Bag Of Moonshine by Alan Garner

Stunning new CollinsVoyager edition of Alan Garner's collection of folklore. From Goodreads.

22 fairy tales rewritten by Alan Garner. I had of course read a lot of these before from other places but Alan Garner still manages to make the stories interesting.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Zodiac
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Barreling Through
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List

Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

A SACRED OATH
A FALLEN ANGEL
A FORBIDDEN LOVE
Romance was not part of Nora Grey's plan. She's never been particularly attracted to the boys at her school, no matter how hard her best friend, Vee, pushes them at her. Not until Patch comes along. With his easy smile and eyes that seem to see inside her, Patch draws Nora to him against her better judgment.
But after a series of terrifying encounters, Nora's not sure whom to trust. Patch seems to be everywhere she is and seems to know more about her than her closest friends. She can't decide whether she should fall into his arms or run and hide. And when she tries to seek some answers, she finds herself near a truth that is way more unsettling than anything Patch makes her feel.
For she is right in the middle of an ancient battle between the immortal and those that have fallen - and, when it comes to choosing sides, the wrong choice will cost Nora her life. From Goodreads.

I didn't like this book much. I don't understand why the male protagonist has to be a horrible, arrogant jerk and then end up being the extreme good guy. None of the characters in this book were the least bit interesting. There is no way I will continue this series. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Pass The Parcel
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: All About the Stars
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Holding out a Hero
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick Your Fate Adventure Challenge 

Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

The Alpha and Omega novels transport readers into the realm of the werewolf, where Charles Cornick and Anna Latham embody opposite sides of the shifter personality. Now, a pleasure trip drops the couple into the middle of some bad supernatural business...
For once, mated werewolves Charles and Anna are not travelling because of Charles's role as his father's enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal - or at least it starts out that way . . .
Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous Fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The Fae's cold war with humanity is about to heat up - and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire. From Goodreads.







Good to be back in Mercy's world. This is the fourth book in the Alpha & Omega series about Anna and Charles and these books can't be read out of order.
Again Anna shows the strength an Omega wolf possesses and Charles shows he will do everything to protect Anna and all other wolves including their families, even if they are not in his own pack.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hugh Jackman
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Holding out a Hero
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
Crazy Challenge Connection Read your age
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Spring Into Horror 2015
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2015

The Woman In Black by Susan Hill

Arthur Kipps, a junior solicitor in London, is summoned to Crythin Gifford to attend the funeral of Mrs Alice Drablow, and to sort through her papers before returning to London. It is here that Kipps first sees the woman in black and begins to gain an impression of the mystery surrounding her. From the funeral he travels to Eel Marsh House and sees the woman again; he also hears the terrifying sounds on the marsh.
Despite Kipps’s experiences he resolves to spend the night at the house and fulfil his professional duty. It is this night at Eel Marsh House that contains the greatest horror for Kipps. Kipps later discovers the reasons behind the hauntings at Eel Marsh House. The book ends with the woman in black exacting a final, terrible revenge. From Goodreads.





Another Horror book that I didn't find particularly scary. At least it was slightly scarier than The Haunting of Hill House and I felt sorry for Arthur that the ghost followed him.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: All About the Stars
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Crazy Challenge Connection Read your age
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Spring Into Horror 2015
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2015 

The One Hundred-Year-Old Man Who Climbed Out The Window And Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson

After a long and eventful life Allan Karlsson is moved to a nursing home to await the inevitable. But his health refuses to fail and as his 100th birthday looms a huge party is planned. Allan wants no part of it and decides to climb out the window... Charming and funny; a European publishing phenomenon.
Sitting quietly in his room in an old people's home, Allan Karlsson is waiting for a party he doesn't want to begin. His one-hundredth birthday party to be precise. The Mayor will be there. The press will be there. But, as it turns out, Allan will not . . .
Escaping (in his slippers) through his bedroom window, into the flowerbed, Allan makes his getaway. And so begins his picaresque and unlikely journey involving a suitcase full of cash, a few thugs, a very friendly hot-dog stand operator, a few deaths, an elephant and incompetent police. As his escapades unfold, Allan's earlier life is revealed. A life in which - remarkably - he played a key role behind the scenes in some of the momentous events of the twentieth century. From Goodreads.

I wasn't wild about this book. The part in present day was okay and interesting though it at times was a bit too unrealistic and fantastical. I didn't like the historical part about Allan meeting all these different Heads of States and making himself invaluable to them, it seemed a bit too easy for him to get near them. A bit too political for me.

THE TEA SHOP: Cakes, Ice Cream & Afternoon Tea by De-ann Black

Jayne's job is to find suitable pop-up shops for businesses looking for temporary premises on the beautiful West Coast of Scotland.
Rich and handsome Brodan McBride, a master baker, becomes one of her new clients and opens a pop-up tea shop selling cakes, ice cream and afternoon tea in one of the busy seaside towns. She also meets Fergus, a gorgeous bespoke tailor who makes Brodan's expensive suits. Jayne's friend and hairdresser, Ceard, isn't sure that she should become romantically involved with either of them.
Although Jayne is attracted to Brodan, is he the man for her? Or is Fergus and his well-cut suits a better fit? Then again, has she been friends with the man who was meant for her all along?
In the busy seaside town, with its lovely little tea shop, gossip, cakes and ice cream, there's only one thing for sure -- Brodan McBride grinds his own nuts. From Goodreads.




Another short, cute romance from De-ann Black. I seem to be returning to her books at the moment when I need something easy, very light and fluffy to read and I like that her books are set in Scotland.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Zodiac
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Traveling Hogwarts Style
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter: The Ultimate Series Tour
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Spring Into Horror 2015
Dewey's Read-a-Thon April 2015

A Little Love by Amanda Prowse

Everybody needs a little love in their lives...
Pru Plum is the celebrated owner of a famous Mayfair bakery. She wears Chanel and her hair is expensively cut. Few would believe that this elegant woman turned sixty-six last year.
But Pru is not the confident, successful businesswoman she appears. She has done shameful things to get to where she is today. And she will do anything to protect the secrets of her past - especially when, for the first time in her life, she has finally fallen in love...
From bestselling author Amanda Prowse, this is a story about love, loss and lies - and finding happiness before it's too late. From Goodreads.






This was good and it was quite enjoyable that the MC was in her sixties. This also meant she had a past and that comes back to haunt her when she finds the love of her life. Pru and her cousin Milly has done what they needed in their youth to get to where they are now.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Arrival
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Barreling Through
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: I Solemnly Swear
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Crazy Challenge Connection Scrabble, anyone?
Spring Into Horror 2015

The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson

The classic supernatural thriller by an author who helped define the genre. First published in 1959, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House has been hailed as a perfect work of unnerving terror. It is the story of four seekers who arrive at a notoriously unfriendly pile called Hill House: Dr. Montague, an occult scholar looking for solid evidence of a “haunting;' Theodora, his lighthearted assistant; Eleanor, a friendless, fragile young woman well acquainted with poltergeists; and Luke, the future heir of Hill House. At first, their stay seems destined to be merely a spooky encounter with inexplicable phenomena. But Hill House is gathering its powers—and soon it will choose one of them to make its own. From Goodreads.

This is defined as horror, but this book is not horror for me. Yes I can imagine the creepiness of a house like that and would probably not like to stay there but reading this book doesn't scare me at all.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter Bingo
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Who is ... The Death Eater?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: the 50 States Amazing Book Hunt
Spring Into Horror 2015

The Man in the Crowd by M. Sydnor Jr.

Every young players dream, their first major goal in pursuit of a basketball career, is to be part of the High School State Championship Game. The event where all eyes are on the main stage, focused on the dedicated players from each team who pour their heart, soul, sweat, blood and tears onto the court. This is the day where stars become Legends.
All-American Jeremiah Pierce has finally led his St. Bishop Knights to the California State Championship Title Game after three years. Before the start of the game, he gets a call from an unknown voice threatening him to lose the game or else. From Goodreads.

I like the story and the struggle Jerimiah has with himself after being threatened, which is what pulls this book up to 3 stars. I did not like the ending. I guess the author wants the readers to decide what those last few lines mean but I like the end of a standalone book to be neat or at least give the answers to who the bad guy was but this didn't.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Pass The Parcel
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter Bingo
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Who is ... The Death Eater?
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly
Spring Into Horror 2015

THE CHRISTMAS KNITTING BEE by De-ann Black

Tilsie is hired by Agnes to help with the marketing of her knitting shop in Edinburgh. Tilsie is a marketing consultant who also loves to knit, and becomes involved in the shop's Wednesday night knitting bee.
The knitting bee members are busy knitting woolly hats, gorgeous wraps, scarves, festive jumpers, tea cosies, cosy blankets and lots of things for Christmas, as well as gossiping about men and romance.
Having had her heart broken, Tilsie has decided to put romance on the back burner and concentrate on her work. But when she meets, Ewan, the handsome owner of a beautiful home accessories shop near Agnes' knitting shop, and rich businessman Stewarton, Tilsie wonders if she's made the right decision.
The Christmas Knitting Bee is filled with knitting, romance, gossip and fairytale vintage dresses, and a mischievous Santa with a wonky squeaker. From Goodreads.

 

Like the other De-ann Black books I have read, this was a sweet and cosy romance and a quick read. Tilsie is nice but it is the ladies of the Knitting Bee that are fun to observe. I will continue to read books by De-ann Black.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter: The Ultimate Series Tour
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly

The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

In The Wise Man's Fear, Kvothe searches for answers, attempting to uncover the truth about the mysterious Amyr, the Chandrian, and the death of his parents. Along the way, Kvothe is put on trial by the legendary Adem mercenaries, forced to reclaim the honor of his family, and travels into the Fae realm. There he meets Felurian, the faerie woman no man can resist, and who no man has ever survived...until Kvothe.
Now, Kvothe takes his first steps on the path of the hero and learns how difficult life can be when a man becomes a legend in his own time. From Goodreads.

This was long but I didn't feel it was too long. There was so much going on. Kvothe travelled a long way, learned a lot and achieved a lot just not what he wanted. I kept forgetting how young Kvothe was, he was only 15 at the start of this book. To me the end is quite a cliffhanger and I am looking forward to the next book in the series and I really hope there is some kind of twist to that ending.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
I love Library books 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter: The Ultimate Series Tour
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: I Like Big Books Bonus Club
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me
Novel Books & Reading Challenges - Baby Got Book
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly

Maids of Misfortune by M. Louisa Locke

It's the summer of 1879, and Annie Fuller, a young San Francisco widow, is in trouble. Annie's husband squandered her fortune before committing suicide five years earlier, and one of his creditors is now threatening to take the boardinghouse she owns to pay off a debt.
Annie Fuller also has a secret. She supplements her income by giving domestic and business advice as Madam Sibyl, one of San Francisco's most exclusive clairvoyants, and one of Madam Sibyl's clients, Matthew Voss, has died. The police believe his death was suicide brought upon by bankruptcy, but Annie believes Voss has been murdered and that his assets have been stolen.
Nate Dawson has a problem. As the Voss family lawyer, he would love to believe that Matthew Voss didn't leave his grieving family destitute. But that would mean working with Annie Fuller, a woman who alternatively attracts and infuriates him as she shatters every notion he ever had of proper ladylike behavior.
Sparks fly as Anne and Nate pursue the truth about the murder of Matthew Voss in this light-hearted, cozy historical mystery set in the foggy gas-lit world of Victorian San Francisco. From Goodreads.

Historical fiction is not one of my preferred genres but this was mystery mixed with romance and it was surprisingly good. Annie is a strong MC who knows a lot about the financial world of the time, but, as this is not appreciated, she has to give her advice disguised as a fortune-teller. When one of her clients dies she gets involved in finding his killer. 
I was sure I had guessed the killer about midway in the book but I was way wrong and I really like it when that happens.  

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Professor Trelawney
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Arrival
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Traveling Hogwarts Style
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: I Solemnly Swear
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter: The Ultimate Series Tour
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by J.K. Rowling

The summer holidays seem never-ending and Harry Potter can't wait for the start of the school term. It is his fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and there are spells to learn and (unluckily) Potions and Divination lessons to attend. But Harry needs to be on his guard at all times - his worst enemy is preparing a horrifying fate for him. From Goodreads.

Yes, I have read this book several times, but it is still great. I greatly admire J.K. Rowling for the fantasy and imagination she must have. The series is now becoming even darker and there are several killings in this one. Harry is forced to take part in the Triwizard Tournament against students much older than himself and every body including Ron hates him for it. Ron and Harry has a falling out over it but of course they are back to best friends before the end of the book and Hermione is changing from a girl to a young lady.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Professor Trelawney
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Arrival
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter Bingo
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter: The Ultimate Series Tour
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: I Like Big Books Bonus Club
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick Your Fate Adventure Challenge
Novel Books & Reading Challenges - Baby Got Book

Girl's Guide to Witchcraft by Mindy Klasky

Jane Madison has a problem. Or two. Or three. She’s unhappily working as a librarian. She has a crush on her oblivious Imaginary Boyfriend. And she just learned she won’t receive a well-deserved raise; instead, she can live for free in a cottage on the library grounds.
When Jane settles into her new home, she discovers a hidden chamber lined with ancient books about witchcraft. Her first spell awakens a feline familiar. Her second makes her irresistible to men. Those magical workings attract a sexy magical warder, and Jane’s life is quickly turned upside down.
Does Jane have what it takes to become a real witch?  From Goodreads.

This was a funny book. Jane, not knowing she is a witch and without trying to, awakens her familiar. A cat turned human, Neko is quite a character and he of course loves fish and milk. Jane has some problems after making herself irresistible to men, especially the caretaker of the library is taken with her. I also like her friendship with Melissa.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: A Trip To Hogwarts
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Professor Trelawney
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Traveling Hogwarts Style
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Barreling Through
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Finding Ginny
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: I Like Big Books Bonus Club
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me

The Martian by Andy Weir

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him & forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded & completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive—& even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills—& a relentless, dogged refusal to quit—he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him? From Goodreads.




This was good. All the technical stuff could easy have made this incredibly boring but it didn't and it was explained in a way so it was understandable. Mark is a very likeable character and I was rooting for him the whole book. There was so many times he nearly got himself killed but he just keep working out a solution. I want to watch the film later this year.  

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Pass The Parcel
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: The Zodiac
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Professor Trelawney
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hugh Jackman
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: MARCHing Through Time
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick Your Fate Adventure Challenge
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly

Tastes Like Chicken by Johnny B. Truant

It's been six months since fast-food-addicted Reginald Baskin was turned into a vampire too fat to live peacefully amongst the glamorous undead -- six months in which Reginald and his two-thousand-year-old maker Maurice have learned that power doesn't equal popularity. Sure, Maurice is now calling the shots, but the Council is up to new and dirty tricks, threatening to once again upset the balance…
But when the Vampire Nation faces genocidal violence at the hands of an unstoppable force and the very future of vampirekind is threatened, Reginald, Maurice, and Nikki must find their allies elsewhere… buried deep underground in a foreign land.
As is the case for the follow-up to any epic tale, Fat Vampire 2 isn't afraid to ask (and answer) the truly important questions in literature and in life:
* Where did vampires come from, and can they possibly survive a force that bests them at every turn... that may even know them better than they know themselves?
* Is there a war coming... and if so, who will ally with whom?
* Why is Wilford Brimley in Reginald's kitchen?
and
* Is that an incubus in your pocket, or is it just really damn cold in here?
You'd better read on and find out, because the big questions never seem to answer themselves. From Goodreads.

This wasn't as good as the first book in the series but it was still okay and funny. Again they have to fight for survival, this time not only their own but the survival of all vampires. As Reginald is the one with the brains he has to figure out how to convince the enemy that they should be allowed to survive as a species.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Professor Trelawney
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Traveling Hogwarts Style
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Harry Potter Bingo
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick Your Fate Adventure Challenge

Louisiana Longshot by Jana Deleon

It was a hell of a longshot...
CIA Assassin Fortune Redding is about to undertake her most difficult mission ever--in Sinful, Louisiana.
With a leak at the CIA and a price on her head by one of the world's largest arms dealers, Fortune has to go off grid, but she never expected to be this far out of her element. Posing as a former beauty queen turned librarian in a small, bayou town seems worse than death to Fortune, but she's determined to fly below the radar until her boss finds the leak and puts the arms dealer out of play.
Unfortunately, she hasn't even unpacked a suitcase before her newly-inherited dog digs up a human bone in her backyard. Thrust into the middle of a bayou murder mystery, Fortune teams up with a couple of seemingly-sweet old ladies whose looks completely belie their hold on the little town. To top things off, the handsome local deputy is asking her too many questions. If she's not careful, this investigation may blow her cover and get her killed.
Armed with her considerable skills and a group of old ladies referred to by locals as The Geritol Mafia, Fortune has no choice but to solve the murder before it's too late. From Goodreads.

I am really starting to enjoy reading cosy mysteries. Books where anybody but the police actually knows what is going on, and often a group of old ladies that are nothing like the average elderly person. Fortune Redding, CIA assassin, is always getting involved in things and is now in hiding. But the small town of Sinful is anything but a quiet sleepy town. I liked most of the quirky characters in this book.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Traveling Hogwarts Style
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Diagon Alley Supply List
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Meet a Million Members
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick Your Fate Adventure Challenge

Sing for Me by Penelope Reece

CHLOE HASKELL, a university student and runaway diva, is determined to never sing again. After escaping a life in the spot light, she wants only to have a normal life. But when an old flame comes to town, Chloe must decide if she’s willing to forget the past in order to fall in love with the man who broke her heart.
RHYS RYTHER, a Broadway composer, has been hired as a substitute professor at the university. There, he’s surprised to learn that his ex girlfriend, the girl he left without an explanation, is a student at the same university. What's even more surprising is that he still has feelings her.
When Chloe unintentionally gets cast in the school’s production of The Phantom of the Opera, unexplained events start to happen. She sees shadows everywhere. A ghost haunts her dreams. And someone is watching her. But is it all in her mind or has a dead man come back to claim her?
As Chloe and Rhys get closer, he learns that she’s been keeping a secret. It’s a secret so dark that could very well tear them apart. And when the impossible happens, can Rhys overcome Chloe’s dark past in order to save her from an even darker future? From Goodreads.

This was better than expected. It is a romance, but just as much a thriller and quite scary. At the same time it was a quick and easy read. I find books with stalkers and abusive people more scary than gory bloody books.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory - R6: Team Challenge SSS
Novel Books & Reading Challenges Wheel-A-Thon II
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: April Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: A Trip To Hogwarts
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Student Club Roster
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Finding Ginny
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Guess Who?
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: 2015 Reading Challenge!
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Who is ... The Death Eater?
Crazy Challenge Connection Monopoly