Rawk: Troupe Theme Challenges Finished

Troupe Theme Challenges hosted by Rawk-A-Tiers on Goodreads.

These 4 challenges, one from each troupe in Rawk-A-Tiers were not all that easy to complete. Actually the water challenge from my own group was the most difficult maybe because it was so open.

FIRE Troupe Challenge
EARTH Troupe Challenge
WATER Troupe Challenge
AIR Troupe Challenge


FIRE Troupe Challenge:

A Fire's Life Cycle
DATES OF CHALLENGE
August 1 - September 30

The Elements:
1. Fire is a chemical reaction: Read a book where the MCs have explosive chemistry
2. Fire materials: Read a book with wood, straw, or any other item that could be used to make a fire on its cover
3. Kindling gets fire going: Read a book about a rekindled or second chance romance
4. Fire is fueled by oxygen: Read a book about survival or or where the plot/character/s was a breath of fresh air.
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (about the survival of Elantris)
5. Fire burns brightly: Read a book with the word Fire in the title or a bright light source on the cover.
A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter
6. Fire can be beautiful colors: Read a book with a Red, Orange or Yellow cover (must be 75% individually or combination of 3)

Flame Throwers get things started:
1. Arsonists love fire: Read a book with a main page genre of Mystery or Crime
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (main page mystery)
2. Chefs tend to like lots of flame: Read a book with a MC in culinary industry/profession
Country Heaven by Ava Miles
3. Pyrotechnics can enhance a performance: Read a book with a Musician MC or fire/fireworks on the cover
4. Cavemen were the original Flame Throwers: Read a book shelved as historical
5. Mother Nature throwing a flame: Read a book with lightning or a storm on the cover
6. Flame Throwers are very emotional: Read a book where a character expresses rage
Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad

Fire Fighters put a lid on it:
1. Are heros: Read a book with a firefighter MC or an MC who is rescued
Fire at Twilight by Lila Ashe
2. Usually get very close to the heat: Read a book that is a hot read--Must be rated over 2,000 times on GR
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (rated 899,309 times)
3. Can sometimes get burned: Read a book that is considered hot, shelved as Erotic on main page
4. Are pretty to look at and strong: Read a book that features a firefighter on the cover or has a cover model displaying muscles
5. Water usually puts out a fire: Read a book with water on the cover or is set near a body of water
The Return of Gabe McLeod by Joanne Hill
6. Campers should always observe fire safety: Read a book where someone goes camping, hiking or enjoys the great outdoors
Rasmus - Tales of a Utah Cowboy by Jay Anderson and Beth M. Stephenson

The Aftermath:
1. Ash/Charcoal is left behind: Read a book with a cover that is at least 75% grey, black or silver
2. Fire often scars or scorches: Read a book with an MC that has scars or has a cover with a scorched object
3. Food is cooked: Read a book in which the characters celebrates a holiday together.
4. Rebirth usually occurs after a long period: Read a book that spans at least a decade
5. Renewal can occur: Read a redemption story
6. Not everything survives: Read a book in which a character dies in the story
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson


Earn 20 points for completing the following
CR -- Choose 5 tasks--1 should be from each section
RR -- Choose 10 tasks--1 must be from each section
PR -- Choose any 15 tasks-- 2 must be from each section

or Participation Only:
CR -- # of tasks completed x 3
RR -- # of tasks completed x 1.5
PR -- # of tasks completed x 1 

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EARTH Troupe Challenge

For many of us, Kool-Aid was a child-hood favorite drink in the summer time, mixing the packet of powdery-goodness into a pitcher of water (sometimes adding less water than called for just to make it stronger!). The Earth Troupe brings you a fun summer-time challenge centered around the goodness that is Kool-Aid!

DATES OF CHALLENGE
August 1 - September 30

THE CHALLENGE
CRs - Choose 5 tasks
RRs - Choose 10 tasks
PRs - Choose 15 tasks

POINTS
Challenge Completion Points = 20
Participation Points - if not completed
CR = tasks x 3
RR = tasks x 1.5
PR = tasks x 1

TASKS
1) Cherry (one of original 6 flavors)- Read a book with a summer fruit on the cover or in the text (cherries, strawberries, watermelon, etc.) or that has a predominately red cover (at least 50%)

2) Grape (one of original 6 flavors)- Read a book that involves wine or some sort of alcoholic beverage anywhere in the text (can be a minor instance) or that is set in Italy or that has a predominately purple cover (at least 50%)
The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb (purple cover)

3) Lemon (one of original 6 flavors)– read a book where the average rating is 3.5 or lower or that has a predominately green cover (at least 50%)

4) Orange (one of original 6 flavors)– read a book set in a Tropical location or that has a predominately orange cover (at least 50%)
Fire Country by David Estes 


5) Watermelon – read a book that has a body of water on the cover, or that is predominately blue (at least 50%) 
Fire at Twilight by Lila Ashe

6) “Drink the Kool-Aid” – read a book with a serial killer or that has an actual/ ‘traditional’ weapon on the cover (knife, sword, gun, etc)

7) Kool-Aid Man’s phrase is “Oh Yeah!” – read a book with a Main Page Genre of Romance
The Return of Gabe McLeod by Joanne Hill

8) Deep Fried Kool-Aid Balls – in 2011 at the San Diego County fair, Deep Fried Kool-Aid balls were introduced. Read a book where the MC has some kind of medical issue (health/illness/etc) or works in the medical field (doctor/nurse/paramedic/etc) OR that has a Carnival/Fair indicated on the cover or referenced in the description (carnival ride/pie eating contest/etc)

9) Glass Pitcher - cover has a glass item on it

10) Add Ice Cubes - cover has snow/winter scene or is predominately white (at least 50%)
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson (white cover)

11) The commercial shows the Kool-Aid Man jumps through a wall into a house - Read a book that involves construction or destruction of some sort (can be anything, be creative!) either on the cover or in the text.

12) Kool-Aid Jello - Read a book that involves a summer snack or drink on the cover or in the text or that has a dessert on the cover (cake/pie/cookie/etc).

13) Sugar-free Kool-Aid - Read a book with a character on a diet or trying to get in shape, or where someone is “carrying a heavy load” (literally of figuratively…be creative!)

14) The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test (A book about LSD spiked Kool-Aid) - Read a book involving some type of drug abuse or medication.

15) Kool-Aid Magic Twists drink mixes - Read a book from the fantasy genre. 
The Lost Prince by Julie Kagawa

16) Kool-Aid Singles - Read a book with a single person on the cover or a person not involved in a relationship or that has a single word title.
Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

17) Kool-Aid for SodaStream - Read a book with something homemade in the plot.

18) Kool-Aid can be used as a dye - Read a book with a bright or colorful cover (more than three colors)

19) Kool-Aid playdough - Read a book with a crafty or artistic character (writer/artist/musician/etc…be creative)
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Clary is very good at drawing)

20) Kool-Aid was invented by a chemist - Read a book involving a new invention or some kind of science, or with a Main Page Genre of Science Fiction
Touch of Goddess by Maria Hammarblad

21) Kool-Aid was first introduced in 1927 – read a book that was written prior to 1940, or has a setting before 1940, or that has Historical Fiction as a Main Page Genre, or that has at least one of the numbers 1,9,2,or 7 in the Year of Publication
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (published 2012)

22) The inventor of Kool-Aid was Edwin Perkins, and his Kathryn (Kitty)- Read a book with the book title starting with or author’s initials if E,P,or K (just one is fine, not all needed) or that has a ‘kitty’ on the cover (cat/lion/cougar/etc)
The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

23) The Kool-Aid creation/production/development has been done in several locations, moving as the product grew - Read a book set in Iowa, Nebraska, or Illinois.

24) Kool-Aid can be used to make lipstick or non-toxic hair dye – read a book with an MC that is in fashion or is a hairdresser, or where the cover shows the character obviously wearing makeup, or whose hair is a bright/non-natural color.

25) Based on research from one sales report, the highest sales of Kool-Aid were in Memphis, Tennessee; Little Rock, Arkansas; St.Louis, Missouri; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Jacksonville, Florida. - Read a book set in any of these states.

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WATER Troupe Challenge 

Duration: August 1, 2015 to September 30, 2015

★ Welcome aboard, Rawk-a-Tier Passengers❣ ★ The Water Troupe Cruise Ship is ready for all passengers to board. This summer our destinations will be the seven seas of the world. Pack your bags (do not forget your books) and enjoy a world-wide cruise. Make sure you grab the free ticket below. Peek at the terms & conditions.

❃ Terms and Conditions ❃

Below is a list of the seven seas. Each ocean destination has four options: three port activities and one on boat activity. To visit a port or take part part in a boat activity, you must pick the port or activity, read the information about the port or activity and then find a book relating to the information listed about the port or activity. Finishing a book is visiting the port or participating in a ship activity.

The Seven Seas Cruise Around the World Destinations

✿ The Arctic Ocean
✿ The North Atlantic Ocean
✿ The South Atlantic Ocean
✿ The Indian Ocean
✿ The North Pacific Ocean
✿ The South Pacific Ocean
✿ The Southern (or Antarctic) Ocean

As in any travels, keeping a written log of your trip is a must for looking back on your adventures! Please keep a post that you update with the ocean you are visiting, the port or activity you are completing, the book you chose, the justification for how the book connects to the port or on boat activity you are completing and the date you finished the book.

We have three different types of passengers joining us on our voyage:

✤ For our CR passengers, you need to pick a minimum of 5 port and/or boat activity options. Each option you chose needs to be from a different ocean destination

✤ For our RR passengers, you need to pick a minimum of 10 port and/or boat activity options. By the end of the trip, you will need to have visited each ocean destination at least once.

✤ For our PR passengers, you need to pick a minimum of 15 port and/or boat activity options. By the end of the trip, you will need to have visited each ocean destination at least once.

As with any good trip, postcards are a great way to capture your experiences. Every port or boat activity will have a postcard you can collect, mail home or show off to your friends at the end of your trip!

► Rawk-A-Tier Frequent Boating Reward Points ◄

At the end, of your trip please be sure to redeem your reward points for traveling with Water Troupe Cruise Line:

For Completion (Please see our "terms & conditions" and refer to your passenger class to determine how to complete challenge): All passengers are awarded 20 points for completing the challenge

For Participation (Completing some ports and activities but not in such a way as to complete the challenge):
✤ CR Passengers: # of ports/on boat activities X 3
✤ RR Passengers: # of ports/on boat activities X 1.5
✤ PR Passengers: # of ports/on boat activities X 1

Posting Task Completion Guidelines

Please make sure you list the following items in your posts below tracking your tasks completions:
1) Ocean Name
2) Port or On Boat Activity Name
3) Title of Book
4) Small justification for how book fits port or on boat activity
5) Date Book was Completed

★Bon voyage, Rawk-a-Tiers❣★

Ports and Boat Activities for Each Ocean of the World Listed in the Posts Below:  

1.The Arctic Ocean

Port 1: Greenland ~ Explore the Hot Springs of Uunartoq
Information: Hot springs are found throughout Greenland, but on the uninhabited island of Uunartoq, the springs are the perfect temperature for bathing. Here, three naturally heated springs merge into a small pool where you can immerse yourself surrounded by icebergs and stunning mountain peaks
The Wild by Christopher Golden   (set in the Arctic)

Port 2: Norway: Explore fjords and amazing scenery at Geirangerfjord
Information: The most famous tourist attractions in Norway are probably it fjords. Among the most beautiful of these fjords is Geirangerfjord, located in southwestern Norway near the coastal town of Ålesund. Stretching for more than 9 miles long, Geirangerfjord is a natural wonder of deep blue water surrounded by majestic cliffs and lush green mountains towering more than 3,500 feet high. Adding to the scenery are several stunning waterfalls and lush countryside dotted with picturesque farms.

Port 3: Russia: Visit Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow
Information: St. Basil’s Cathedral has some distinctive architecture. Designed to resemble the shape of a bonfire in full flame, the architecture is not only unique to the period in which it was built but to any subsequent period.
The Return of Gabe McLeod by Joanne Hill (male MC is an architect)

On boat activity: The Northern Light Festival
Information: In celebration of the The Northern Lights Festival which is held in Tromso, Norway, from January 26 - February 2. The festival features everything from opera, jazz, chamber music, audiovisual art. All while dancing the night away while watching the sky light up with different colours.

2. The North Atlantic Ocean

Port 1: Venezuela: Explore the cannons and the amazing view at Fortin de la Galera
Information: Crowning the hill just north of town is the Fortín de la Galera. These days little remains of the colonial fort (destroyed by the Spanish royalist army in 1817) other than some stone walls with a terrace and a refreshment stand, but it sees a steady trail of couples arriving in the late afternoon for a sweeping view of the sunset.

Port 2: Portugal - Wine Tasting in Douro Valley
Information: Scattered with terraced vineyards and hacienda-style wineries, the Douro Valley is punctuated by the Douro River that winds through the land. According to Cellar Tours (cellartours.com), Portugal’s finest wines come from Douro Valley. Depending on your personal preferences, you can choose casual wine tastings or guided walking tours of the area's vineyards.

Port 3: Nova Scotia -Peggy's Cove Lighthouse for Dolphin/Whale Watching or for those active folks take a hike on the Lighthouse Trial.
Information: Peggys Point Lighthouse (also known as Peggy's Cove Lighthouse) is in Peggys Cove and is an iconic Canadian image. It is one of the busiest tourist attractions in Nova Scotia and is a prime attraction on the Lighthouse Trail scenic drive. The lighthouse marks the eastern entrance of St. Margarets Bay and is officially known as the Peggys Point Lighthouse. Peggys Cove is a classic red-and-white lighthouse still operated by the Canadian Coast Guard. The light station is situated on an extensive granite outcrop at Peggys Point, immediately south of the village and its cove. This lighthouse is one of the most-photographed structures in Atlantic Canada and one of the most recognizable lighthouses in the world
Iced Under by Nadine Doolittle (set in Canada)

On Boat Activity: El Hatillo Music Festival
Information: An on-board "El Hatillo Music Festival" in honor of a music festival that takes place the last two weeks of October in Venezuela and celebrates a Venezuelan music mix of jazz, folk and rock. El Hatillo is a town ten miles south of Caracas. Venezuelan music and native food for all!

3. The South Atlantic Ocean

Port 1:Casablanca, Morocco
Information: Casablanca is the setting of the 1942 film of the same name starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. The film has achieved worldwide popularity since then. Nominated in eight categories, it won three Oscars.

Port 2:Gothenburg, Sweden
Information: The city has a number of star chefs – over the past decade, seven of the Swedish Chef of the Year awards have been won by Gothenburgers.
Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad (Author is Swedish)

Port 3:Rio de Janeiro (or Rio), Brazil
Information: Explore the second-largest city in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro will host the 2016 Summer Olympics and the 2016 Summer Paralympics—the first time a South American and Portuguese-speaking nation will host these events, and the third time the Olympics will be held in a Southern Hemisphere city.

On Boat Activity: Celebrate Copenhagen Cooking
Information: Copenhagen Cooking is one of the biggest food festivals in Northern Europe and is an open-source festival that profiles Danish gastronomy by paying homage to the food culture, Nordic cuisine and the players on the gastronomic stage. For ten days in August, you can take a bite of the New Nordic Cuisine and the Copenhagen restaurant scene. Naturally, the festival offers plenty of events held in English or with no language requirements, targeting international visitors.
Country Heaven by Ava Miles (female MC cooks for a living)

4. The Indian Ocean

Port 1: Madagascar ~ Ranomafana National Park
Information: The park is home to the endangered golden bamboo lemur, an animal whose diet includes bamboo shoots that contain doses of cyanide that would be lethal to other animals, yet the charming golden lemur feeds on the bamboo with no ill effects.

Port 2: Bali ~ Coast of Lovina
Information: Lovina is best known for the black volcanic sand of its 5-mile beach. The area is a popular spot for snorkeling and scuba diving adventures as the northern waters are calmer than those to the south. The calm sea is perfect for swimming and dolphin watching too, making the area an ideal vacation destination for families.
A Cottage by the Sea by Carole Matthews  (set on the coast of Wales)

Port 3: Kangaroo Island ~ Flinders Chase National Park
Information: Situated off the mainland of South Australia. Kangaroo Island is known for its diverse wildlife and nature reserves, visit Flinders Chase National Park and see kangaroos, wallabies, koalas and many bird species.
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (raven on cover)

On boat activity: Feria Oramena Carnival
Information: In celebration of the Feria Oramena held in Madagascar in June. The focus of this carnival is Madagascar favorite seafood, lobsters. Have fun trying a variety of fish dishes.

5. The North Pacific Ocean

Port 1: Sendai, Japan - Tanabata Festival
Information: The world’s most elegant festival of paper and bamboo in Sendai Tanabata Festival has been passed down through the generations as a traditional event that dates back to the era of Date Masamune, the first lord of Sendai Domain. Today, the festival is known nationwide for its elegance—derived from an ancient Japanese star festival—as well as its gorgeous decorations.
The Diving Pool: Three Novellas by Yoko Ogawa (set in Japan)

Port 2: Aleutian Islands, AK - Fort Schwatka Tour
Information: During World War II the remote Aleutian Islands, home to the Unangan (Aleut) people for over 8,000 years, became a fiercely contested battleground in the Pacific. This thousand-mile-long archipelago saw invasion by Japanese forces, the only American soil occupied in the war; a mass internment of American civilians; a 15-month air war; and one of the deadliest battles in the Pacific Theater.

Port 3: San Diego, CA - Gaslamp Segway Tour
Information: This is the very best way to explore San Diego's soaring views, exhilarating paths, and famous sights—What more could anyone ask for? On this Segway Tour you will glide through the Historic Gaslamp Quarter, the beautiful Embarcadero waterfront, and the famed Balboa Park, our 1,200-acre urban cultural park.

On Boat Activity: Crossing the International Date Line Ceremony
Information: The International Date Line (IDL) is an imaginary line on the surface of the Earth that runs from the north to the south pole and demarcates the change of one calendar day to the next. It passes through the middle of the Pacific Ocean, roughly following the 180° longitude but deviating to pass around some territories and island groups. More information at Crossing the Line Ceremony.

6. The South Pacific Ocean

Port 1: Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
Information: Fiji is known for it's amazing topography. A perfect example of this is located in the Mamanuca Islands, a string of islets that stretch for miles northwest of Vitu Levu, the largest Island of Fiji. One of the highlights: Monuriki, the island Tom Hanks made famous in Castaway.

Port 2: Bora Bora, French Polynesia
Information: Majestic mountains sculpted by ancient volcanoes, a shimmering lagoon and a barrier reef dotted with tiny motu, or islets Bora Bora is perhaps the most stunning island in the South Pacific. Only 4,600 people live a seemingly idyllic lifestyle in the main villages of Vaitape, Anau and Faanui. No wonder those generations of travelers - including novelist James Michener - regarded Bora Bora as an earthly paradise.

Port 3: The Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, Australia
Information: The Great Barrier Reef is the world’s largest and healthiest coral reef system, longer than the Great Wall of China. The Great Barrier Reef is the only living structure on earth that can be seen from outer space. Made up of nearly 2900 individual reefs, 600 continental islands and 300 coral cays, it’s the world’s largest single structure comprised of living organisms. Diving around the 350,000 kilometre square reef is simply incredible. You’ll spot dugongs, green turtles, dolphins, reef sharks, more than 1500 species of fish and 4000 types of mollusks, including giant clams.
The Mad Ship by Robin Hobb (most of the book takes place on water + seaserpent  on cover)

On Boat Activity: Heiva I Tahiti
Information: The Heiva I Tahiti is a spectacular month-long celebration of Polynesian culture. It’s the largest and most popular festival of its kind in French Polynesia, showcasing the very best in traditional dancing, artistry and athleticism.

7. The Southern or Antarctica Ocean

Port 1: Antarctica: get up close to some penguins on Paradise Bay
Information: The most popular tourist attraction in Antarctica, hands down. There aren’t too many places in the world where you can be at arm’s length from thousands of penguins. You can walk among the massive colonies and even see penguin chicks during the right time of year!

Port 2: Antarctica: Port Lockroy Museum
Information: If you stop by make sure to send yourself a cool postcard stamped from Antarctica. The Port Lockery museum used to be the British Base but is now a full time post office. It is a cute little structure from which you can send yourself mail stamped with Antarctica’s stamp!
Lady Falls by Renee Bernard  (set in Britain) 

Port 3: Antarctica: Iceberg Calving
Information: These ice breakers are mid-sized ships that help break ice formations that have grown quite large in the Antarctica. Witness this fascinating phenomenon of the moment an iceberg breaks off the main chunk of ice.

On Boat Activity: Get Your Icestock On
Information: Every year a stage is set up for around 6 hours for everyone who wants to sing or perform music or even do stand-up comedy. Enjoy a night between passengers who want to have a fun fill night showing off their hidden talents. Or settle in to enjoy watching with drinks and snacks.

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AIR Troupe Challenge  

SCATTERED TO THE FOUR WINDS
Air Troupe Theme Challenge
August 1 - September 30 

In ancient Greek religion and myth, the Anemoi (Greek: Ἄνεμοι, "Winds") were wind gods who were each ascribed a cardinal direction from which their respective winds came, and were each associated with various seasons and weather conditions. They were sometimes represented as mere gusts of wind, at other times were personified as winged men, and at still other times were depicted as horses kept in the stables of the storm god Aeolus, who provided Odysseus with the Anemoi in the Odyssey. The Spartans were reported to sacrifice a horse to the winds on Mount Taygetus. Astraeus, the astrological deity sometimes associated with Aeolus, and Eos, the goddess of the dawn, were the parents of the Anemoi, according to the Greek poet Hesiod.

Of the four chief Anemoi, BOREAS was the purple-winged god of the North Wind and bringer of cold winter air. He often appears on old maps as a gust blowing head with bloated cheeks up among the clouds. The Aurora Borealis are named after him. ZEPHYRUS was the god of the West Wind and bringer of light spring and early summer breezes. He is often depicted carrying a basket of unripe fruit. NOTOS, the god of the South Wind, was responsible for the desiccating hot wind of midsummer, the bringer of the storms of late summer, and was feared as a destroyer of crops. EURUS, the god of the East Wind, was associated with the season of autumn and was thought to bring warmth and rain. His symbol was an inverted vase, spilling water.

Scattered To The Four Winds : If a group of things or people are scattered to the four winds, they go or are sent to different places that are far away from each other. This phrase first appears in literature around 520 BC in the book of Zechariah in the Hebrew Old Testament. It references Jehovah God's intention to scatter the tribes of Israel to the "four winds" and appears nine times in the biblical Old Testament.

Some Biblical theologians believe that this verse is a reference to the conquering of Alexander the great from the four corners of the world in the 330's BC, and that the ultimate result of this scattering was a world where virtually every family of people on earth consider themselves to be the recipients of God's favor. They usually designate themselves by a title to indicate this, especially to themselves. The Germans call themselves Herrenvolk. The Japanese call themselves "sons of heaven." China calls itself "the good earth," and Americans, "God's country."

***

THE CHALLENGE

CRs - Choose one option from each task (5 tasks total)
RRs - Choose two options from each task (10 tasks total)
PRs - Choose three options from each task (15 tasks total)

POINTS
Challenge Completion Points = 20
Participation Points - if not completed
CR = tasks x 3
RR = tasks x 1.5
PR = tasks x 1
THE TASKS

Task 1 = Scattered
Option 1 - Rainbow (scatters light)
~ Read a book with a rainbow on the cover or a book with a rainbow colored cover (all six rainbow colors obviously visible)
Option 2 - Scatterbrained
~ Read a book with a confusing, twisty plot or a book with mental health as a main page genre.
Option 3 - Shattered and Scattered
~ Read a book with something on the cover that would scatter if broken. Examples (glass, beads on a necklace, a flock of birds, etc.)
or
~ Read a book with something on the cover or in the plot that can be symbolically shattered or shattering. Examples (a heart, a career, a family, a death etc…)
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson (Sarene arrives to marry her prince and learns that he has died) 
Option 4 - Scattergories
~ Read a book that has an image that fits the topic and a word in the title that begins with one of the letter selections.
Topic : Wind, Breeze, or Flight
Letter: A, I, R
The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (Wings on cover - Raven in title)


Task 2 = Four
Option 1 - Read a book with a 4 in the page count.
Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder (400 pages)
Option 2 - Read a book with a 4 in the publication year.
The Return of Gabe McLeod by Joanne Hill (first published September 19th 2014)
Option 3 - Read a book published in April (the 4th month of the year)
Option 4 - Read a book that is #4 in a series.


Task 3 ~ The Winds
Option 1 : BOREAS
~ Read a book with a purple cover or a book by an author whose FIRST initial is "B."
The Alloy of Law by Brandon Sanderson
Option 2 : NOTOS
~ Read a book with a thunderstorm on the cover or a book by an author whose FIRST initial is "N."
Born in Shame by Nora RobertsOption 3 : EURUS
~ Read a book with a autumn leaf colored cover (brown, red, gold, yellow, orange) or a book by an author whose FIRST initial is "E." 
A Hidden fire by Elisabeth Hunter
Option 4 : ZEPHYRUS,
~ Read a book with a fruit or vegetable on the cover or a book by an author whose FIRST OR LAST initial is "Z."


Task 4 = The Compass Directions
Option 1 : North
~ Read a book with the word "North" in the title or one that takes place north of the equator.
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig (set in USA)
Option 2 : South
~ Read a book with the word "South" in the title, Southern Literature as main page genre, or one that takes place south of the equator.
Option 3 : East
~ Read a book with the word "East" in the title or one that takes place in the eastern hemisphere (Africa, Europe, Asia, Oceania).
The Diving Pool: Three Novellas by Yoko Ogawa (set in Japan, Asia)
Option 4 : West
~ Read a book with the word "West" in the title, western as a main page genre, or one that takes place in the western hemisphere (North, South, or Central America).


Task 5 ~ The Israelites : Flee from the land of the north,” saith the Lord; “for I have spread you abroad as the four winds of the heaven,” saith the Lord. ~ Zechariah 2:6
Option 1 - Read a book with Religion, Spirituality, Theology or Faith as a main page genre.
Option 2 - Read a book with the word God or Goddess in the title or subtitle.
Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad 
Option 3 - Read a book with a Jewish or Hebrew main character. 
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare (Simon is Jewish)
Option 4 - Read a book with Literature-Jewish or Cultural-Israel as a main page genre. 

The Wild by Christopher Golden

The world knows Jack London as a writer who lived his own thrilling, real-life adventures. But there are parts of his life that have remained hidden for many years, things so horrifying even he couldn’t set them down in writing. These are the Secret Journeys of Jack London.
We meet Jack at age seventeen, following thousands of men and women into the Yukon Territory in search of gold. For Jack, the journey holds the promise of another kind of fortune: challenge and adventure. But what he finds in the wild north is something far more sinister than he could ever have imagined: kidnapping and slavery, the murderous nature of desperate men, and, amidst it all, supernatural beasts of the wilderness that prey upon the weakness in men’s hearts. From Goodreads.

I like fantasy but it was not what I expected of this book and that is the reason it doesn't get a higher rating. I wanted more of the adventure and hardship in the cold climate around the Yukon river which was what the first part of the book was like. It became too mythical with the Wendigo and Lady of the forest. Just the thought of Yukon though makes me look forward to next summer when I am going back there to paddle the Yukon River.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Getting Acquainted
Rawk-A-Tiers: House Games
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
A Million More Pages: Summer cAMMP BINGO
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z
Crazy Challenge Connection: Monopoly
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?

Lady Falls by Renee Bernard

Raven Wells is no ordinary girl. Plucked from an orphanage by a scheming earl, she has been raised like a thoroughbred, groomed for one purpose: Revenge. Unfortunately, the Earl of Trent never let her in on the plan, so when she meets the man of her dreams, Sir Phillip Warrick, she has no idea that every lesson, every tutor and every impulsive inch of her was crafted for his seduction and destruction. What she does know is that love is the prize she wants most and that nothing should stand in a woman’s way to getting what she wants.
Phillip Warrick is simply trying to recover his friendship with the earl, unaware that the man has spent years laying the foundation for destroying Phillip’s peace of mind. What he does know is that the earl’s ward, Raven Wells, is mesmerizing, fascinating and apparently without reserve. Witty, beautiful, impulsive and impossible—she is like a siren beckoning him to forget the rules and seize only the pleasures of the moment.
Together, their love will set in motion a series of events that no one can foresee. Revenge creates more than one victim, but also more than one winner. Raven Wells will be transformed into a force of nature the likes of which Victorian London has never experienced before. LADY FALLS is the birth of the Black Rose and the end of innocence. From Goodreads.

I liked both Raven and Phillip but for a historical romance I thought they jumped into bed with each other a bit  fast, as in two days after they met! Also the way their first sexual encounter is described doesn't quite fit with the end of the book. But I liked the story and I am interested in reading the continuation of it.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Getting Acquainted
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House 

A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter

A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mysterious manuscript he's hunted for over five hundred years. He never expected a young student librarian could be the key to unlock its secrets, nor could he have predicted the danger she would attract.
Now he and Beatrice De Novo follow a twisted maze that leads from the archives of a university library, though the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation hundreds of years in the making. From Goodreads.

An interesting vampire story. Though in this one most of the myths of how to kill a vampire don't work and the vampires also have different powers connected to earth, wind, water and fire. It is centred around books and the search for 500 year old books that has been thought destroyed. I might return to this series at a later date.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Get Ready for Autumn!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Campfire Cookout
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad

Drinking and flying is a bad combination. Stephan Forks learns this the hard way when he rams another ship in spite of the vastness of space. A moment later, a strange woman stands on his bridge, looking around with a frown. She's clearly a figment of his imagination. Nothing in his colorful past of smuggling and smaller crimes prepared him for people appearing out of nowhere.
Maria Callaway has carried more names and appearances than she can keep track of, and she's bored beyond belief. When she runs into Stephan, he seems to be an amusing pastime. He's interesting, disorganized, pursued by pirates, and handsome. A little too handsome, actually. Maybe she should leave?
Neither of them can foresee the chain of events set in action from their meeting. Adventure and danger go hand in hand during the upcoming days, and the collision resonates not only through their own lives, but changes the destiny of the world as they know it.
"Touch of the Goddess" is the first book in a series of three, mixing mythology, science fiction, and romance. from Goodreads.

This was quite funny, a 2000 year old goddess who falls in love with a 40ish year old genetically engineered human. Stephan wants to protect Maria but a 2000 year old goddess really doesn't need a lot of protection. This is their adventure. I might just continue this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: House Games
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
Wacky Reading Challenges: Favorite Album - Away From the Sun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Iced Under by Nadine Doolittle

Stunned by the abrupt end to her marriage, Sara Wolesley abandons her comfortable life in Toronto and with her two daughters, takes possession of a rundown cottage in Quebec. A frozen lake stretches outside their door like green-black cellophane, ice as clear as rain. They can look down to air bubbles frozen in perfect milky orbs and reeds blowing beneath their feet.
But this new secluded life and the cottage do not offer Sara the relief she was seeking. Unable to find a job or keep the plumbing from freezing, she is broke and close to a breakdown when she falls while crossing the ice. In despair, Sara decides to let the cold take her when she sees something moving in the water below.
They got lucky, the police said later. One of them, the older one, said the ice hadn't been that clear in twenty years. He knew Hennessy Lake pretty well but they got lucky. If there'd been snow they might never have found her body.
But they did find her even after Sara lost her bearings and couldn't remember exactly where she saw the little girl floating beneath her feet. They found her caught in a reed bed, her blonde hair drifting about her head, her eyes open and her mouth parted as if to say something. Her name was Oralee Pelletier and she had been missing for five months. From Goodreads.

This was okay but no more. The main character is just too naive and I just didn't connect with her. The most interesting character was Gil Hennessy, a recluse who is rumoured to have killed his entire family decades ago.
The answer to the mystery of the missing girl is basically given 50% into the book and all there is left to uncover is the details. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Crazy Challenge Connection A-Z Locations - 2014
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 201
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson

Elantris was built on magic and it thrived. But then the magic began to fade and Elantris began to rot. And now its shattered citizens face domination by a powerful Imperium motivated by dogged religious views.
Can a young Princess unite the people of Elantris, rediscover the lost magic and lead a rebellion against the imperial zealots?
Brandon Sanderson's debut fantasy showed his skill as a storyteller and an imaginer of baroque magical systems to be fully developed from the start. From Goodreads.

I enjoy Brandon Sanderson's fantasy books and this is no exception. Both Sarene and Raoden are very likeable characters. I liked that even though their marriage was arranged for political reasons they had communicated a lot and were looking forward to meeting each other. All the characters are interesting and have hidden traits and secrets. Even Sarene's dad who seems like a good king has secrets and he is just a small side character.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Yahtzee Challenge
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Big Books Bonus Club
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Campfire Cookout
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016 

Fire at Twilight by Lila Ashe

Grace is a fixer. She's good at it, too. In her acupuncture practice, she fixes the community of Darling Bay, and in her personal life, she's rescued her sister too many times to count. Her love life, though . . . Grace doesn't think she needs help, especially not from a man whose very nickname is unhealthy.
Tox Ellis is the hazmat expert at the Darling Bay Fire Department, and he knows about harmful substances. He knows what gases to keep apart to prevent explosions. Why, then, can't he seem to stay away from Grace, the woman who seems to think he needs fixing?
Is Darling Bay ready for the chemical reaction Grace and Tox generate whenever they're in the same place at the same time? And who will be standing by to put out the flames?
From Goodreads.





This was okay and also funny in places. I wasn't wild about Grace who seem to think she needs to fix everybody that includes telling them what is healthy or not all the time. She pushed both her sister and Tox away before she finally realised she had to let them live their own way.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: House Games
A Million More Pages: Campfire Cookout
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
A Million More Pages: Summer Games
A Million More Pages: Summer Song Shuffle
Wacky Reading Challenges: Favorite Album - Away From the Sun 
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?

The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa

IN THE REAL WORLD, WHEN YOU VANISH INTO THIN AIR FOR A WEEK, PEOPLE TEND TO NOTICE
After his unexpected journey into the lands of the fey, Ethan Chase just wants to get back to normal. Well, as "normal" as you can be when you see faeries every day of your life. Suddenly the former loner with the bad reputation has someone to try for-his girlfriend, Kenzie. Never mind that he's forbidden to see her again.
But when your name is Ethan Chase and your sister is one of the most powerful faeries in the Nevernever, "normal" simply isn't to be. For Ethan's nephew, Keirran, is missing, and may be on the verge of doing something unthinkable in the name of saving his own love. Something that will fracture the human and faery worlds forever, and give rise to the dangerous fey known as the Forgotten. As Ethan's and Keirran's fates entwine and Keirran slips further into darkness, Ethan's next choice may decide the fate of them all. From Goodreads.


I enjoyed this. I feel a bit sad about the way Keirran is turning out but I guess you always need a bad guy. I like the way Ethan and Kenzie's relationship is slowly getting stronger and how Kenzie is quite strong despite of or maybe because of her illness.
I am looking forward to reading the next book when it comes out in November.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Get Ready for Autumn!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Summer cAMMP BINGO
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7 
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016 
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Rasmus - Tales of a Utah Cowboy by Jay Anderson and Beth M. Stephenson

Enjoy the true and less true adventures of a real wild west cowboy, Rasmus Anderson. As a Mormon boy forced into manhood before his whiskers sprouted, he lived at the end of his rope. Whether herding wild mustangs or defending life and limb, his lasso was his lifeline. So curl your bedroll around the campfire and settle in for some yarn spinning like you never had the sense to hope for. From Goodreads.

I wasn't that taken with these cowboy adventures and it was also a bit too religious for my taste. In the epilogue it states that these stories are fiction but they are written around a real person, Rasmus who was a second-generation pioneer. The most interesting for me was that the family originated from Denmark.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Crazy Challenge Connection A-Z Locations - 2014
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Get Ready for Autumn!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
A Million More Pages: Summer Games
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Fire Country by David Estes

In a changed world where the sky bleeds red, winter is hotter than hell and full of sandstorms, and summer's even hotter with raging fires that roam the desert-like country, the Heaters manage to survive, barely.
Due to toxic air, life expectancies are so low the only way the tribe can survive is by forcing women to procreate when they turn sixteen and every three years thereafter. It is their duty as Bearers.
Fifteen-year-old Siena is a Youngling, soon to be a Bearer, when she starts hearing rumors of another tribe of all women, called the Wild Ones. They are known to kidnap Youngling girls before the Call, the ceremony in which Bearers are given a husband with whom to bear children with.
As the desert sands run out on her life's hourglass, Siena must uncover the truth about the Wild Ones while untangling the web of lies and deceit her father has masterfully spun. From Goodreads.


I like the way this was written from Siena's point of view but it was a well-known male dominant world. Girls and women are treated whichever way the man of the house decides and at a call they are given to whoever the village elders, who are all male, decide. It is also about wanting to do anything to stay alive and in power and not in a good way.
I liked it but I am not convinced I will continue this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Get Ready for Autumn!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: House Games
A Million More Pages: Campfire Cookout
A Million More Pages: Summer Song Shuffle
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7 
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016

Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig

Live . . . Laugh . . . Read . . . with New York Times bestselling author Christie Craig . . .
“Readers who enjoy Jenny Crusie and Janet Evanovich will fall head over heels for Divorced, Desperate and Delicious . . .” —New York Times Bestseller Dianna Love
Ever since photographer Lacy Maguire caught her ex playing Pin the Secretary to the Elevator Wall, she's been content with her dog Fabio, her three cats, and a vow of chastity. But all of that changes when the reindeer-antlered Fabio drags in a very desperate, on-the-run detective who decides to take refuge in her house—a house filled with twinkling lights and a decorated tree. (Okay, so it's February, but she has a broken heart to mend, a Christmas-card shoot to do, and a six-times divorced, match-making mother to appease.) For the first time in a looooong while, Lacy reconsiders her vow. Because sexy Chase Kelly, wounded soul that he may be, would be an oh-so-delicious way of breaking her fast. Now, if she can just keep them both alive and him out of jail . . .  From Goodreads.

This was cute and a bit of fun. The description of Lacy and her animals in Christmas attire was hilarious. I think she took to Chase a bit fast but it was okay. It is a feel good book that of course ends well. I will read more books by Christie Craig.  

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Get Ready for Autumn!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
A Million More Pages: Summer cAMMP BINGO
A Million More Pages: Summer Song Shuffle
Wacky Reading Challenges: Favorite Album - Away From the Sun
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7  
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

The Diving Pool: Three Novellas by Yoko Ogawa

The first major English translation of one of contemporary Japan's bestselling and most celebrated authors. 
From Akutagawa Award-winning author Yoko Ogawa comes a haunting trio of novellas about love, fertility, obsession, and how even the most innocent gestures may contain a hairline crack of cruel intent.

A lonely teenage girl falls in love with her foster brother as she watches him leap from a high diving board into a pool--a peculiar infatuation that sends unexpected ripples through her life.
A young woman records the daily moods of her pregnant sister in a diary, taking meticulous note of a pregnancy that may or may not be a hallucination--but whose hallucination is it, hers or her sister's?
A woman nostalgically visits her old college dormitory on the outskirts of Tokyo, a boarding house run by a mysterious triple amputee with one leg.
Hauntingly spare, beautiful, and twisted, The Diving Pool is a disquieting and at times darkly humorous collection of novellas about normal people who suddenly discover their own dark possibilities. From Goodreads

 

Unfortunately I found these three novellas boring and uninteresting. I only finished them because they were so short. They stories are twisted but neither beautiful nor darkly humorous as described in the blurb. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Crazy Challenge Connection A-Z Locations - 2014
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Rhyme Time
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Getting Acquainted
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: House Games
A Million More Pages: Summer Games
Wacky Reading Challenges: Favorite Album - Away From the Sun
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Wacky Reading Challenges: Animal House
Crazy Challenge Connection: Read your age

Born in Shame by Nora Roberts

Three modern sisters bound by the timeless beauty of Ireland...
Shannon's life is rocked by an emotional earthquake when she learns the identity of her real father: Thomas Concannon.
Obeying her late mother's last wish, American Shannon travels to County Clare, Ireland, to meet the sisters she never knew she had. Warmed and comforted by the bond that grows between her and her sisters, her heart is lured by the charm of the Irish countryside and tempted by the attraction of horseman Murphy Muldoon.
Murphy takes one look at Shannon and knows that she is the woman he's waited for all his life. But Shannon is a practical woman. Will she open her heart and mind to the timeless, magical bond that connects them? Or will she reject fate's plan and leave Murphy to return to her life in America?
And amid the lush Irish landscape, she discovers the possibility of a love that is meant to be. From Goodreads.



I have really enjoyed this Born In trilogy of Nora Roberts. Shannon experiences the loss of her parents that she loved and the loss of her identity as her mother reveals that her father was not her biological father. I like that though these books of course have a happy ending, the characters have to struggle with loss and work their way through it. It also shows that you can get past the loss but it will always stay with you. 
Finally Murphy falls in love with the extremely lovely, nearly too nice, young man, who has been part of all the books. I will definitely read more of Nora Roberts' books.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: I Spy
Rawk-A-Tiers: Get Ready for Autumn!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Getting Acquainted
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: House Games
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
A Million More Pages: Summer cAMMP BINGO
Wacky Reading Challenges: Favorite Album - Away From the Sun
Wacky Reading Challenges: Book Tag Challenge #7
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?

Taste of Darkness by Maria V. Snyder

Powerful healer Avry knows hardship and trouble. She fought a plague and survived. She took on corrupt King Tohon and defeated him. But now her true love, Kerrick, is missing and Avry fears he’s gone forever.
Yet she faces a more immediate – and deadly – threat. The Skeleton King plots to claim the Fifteen Realms for his own. With the territories’ armies in disarray and the dead not staying dead, Avry’s powers are needed now more than ever.
Torn between love and loyalty, she must choose her path carefully. For the future of Avry’s world depends on her decision…  From Goodreads.

I enjoyed the end to this series and as usual Maria V. Snyder keeps me turning the pages. There is war and chaos and I am pleased I read it so soon after the second book as there were a lot of characters to remember. I liked the bond part of the story and the happy ending though I think too many of the good guys survived compared to all the bad guys dying.
I have read a lot of her books and I just found out she has written a new book in the Study series but it also says it ends on a cliffhanger so I will just wait with that till the next book is released next year and then maybe even reread the 3 first books in the series. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Reading Under The Stars
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?

The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater

“There are only two reasons a non-seer would see a spirit on St. Mark’s Eve,” Neeve said. “Either you’re his true love . . . or you killed him.”
It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore. From Goodreads.

This was okay and I enjoyed it. I like the magic in it and Blue's special skill of being able to enhance her mother and aunt's powers. I like that I am not completely sure whether the ley line magic is good or evil or if it is a good idea to wake it. I will continue this series and have already ordered the next book from the library.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Crazy Challenge Connection A-Z Locations - 2014
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me

Country Heaven by Ava Miles

A down-on-her luck cook uses food’s magical properties to tame a beastly country singer after he hires her under false pretenses to restore his image.
When famous—and infamous—country singer Rye Crenshaw saunters into the diner where she cooks, Tory Simmons is certain she’s got him pegged. He’s a bad boy who indulges himself in all things, women included. But while she couldn’t care less about country music or arrogant men, Rye makes her an offer she can’t refuse when he asks her to be his private chef on his multi-city concert tour. The job is the answer to all her prayers: it will clear out her debt and finance the fresh start she desperately needs.
Rye is certain his sassy new cook is the last woman who’d ever tempt him, but spending time with the wholesome girl next door will do wonders for his damaged public image, whether she likes being forced into the spotlight or not. Her food also happens to be the best he’s ever eaten, both comforting and seductive. But spending time with Tory on the road shows him a new side to her—one that’s as impossible to resist as her food. And when an emergency in his family whisks him home, he does the one thing he’s never risked: he lets a woman into his heart…
Soon the emotions Rye faked for the tabloids become all too real, but will the country heaven he’s found in Tory’s arms survive in the real world? From Goodreads.

I enjoyed this one and the character Rory had me crying. Rye is a private person and has a lot of problems with missing his family who has disowned him. Tory gets mixed up in it when she has the job to cook for him. There is more to this than just the romance between Rye and Tory, the problems in his family with the slight mention of spousal abuse. I will look into more of Ava Miles' books.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XV
Rawk-A-Tiers: Pack Your Picnic Basket
Rawk-A-Tiers: Words With ... Myself!
Rawk-A-Tiers: Troupe Theme Challenges
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Campfire Cookout
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt 

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman

Elizabeth has a new job at an unusual library - a lending library of objects, not books. In a secret room in the basement lies the Grimm Collection. That's where the librarians lock away powerful items straight out of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales; seven-league boots, a table that produces a feast at the blink of an eye, Snow White's stepmother's sinister mirror that talks in riddles.
When the magical objects start to disappear, Elizabeth embarks on a dangerous quest to catch the thief before she can be accused of the crime or captured by the thief.
Polly Shulman has created a contemporary fantasy with a fascinating setting and premise, starring an ordinary girl whose after-school job is far from ordinary and leads to a world of excitement, romance and magical intrigue. From Goodreads.





This was a fun read, for a younger audience but still good. There is a lot of interesting stuff that can be borrowed from the library but some of the more special ones are the stuff from the Grimm collection. It is full of magic and yes the princess can only be "woken up" by her true love. 

This book qualifies for:
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