STRANGERS by Chirag Upadhyay

Have you ever been overseas and wondered who the strangers you meet at the hotel, at the bar, swimming pool, and on the nine hour bus journey through the night really are? Danny Shah didn't. He should have.
Made redundant, Danny decides a holiday, specifically a visit to Machu Picchu, is in order. He joins an organised tour where he meets his fellow travellers, eight other strangers. All Danny wants to do is party. However, some of these strangers harbour secrets…A fugitive on the run. An undercover cop in pursuit.
Will Danny get the chance to experience sun, sex, sours and once-in-a-lifetime sites? Or will he be dragged into a story he wants nothing to do with?  From Goodreads.

This is one of the more confusing books I have read but I still kind of liked it. I chose it because it was set in Peru and the characters were going to visit Machu Picchu, which I visited many years ago. Unfortunately they never got there! I had no idea till the book told me at the end who was the bad guy and who was the undercover cop and I think that was really good.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Travel Around the World
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Locations A-Z

The Challenge Factory: The Incredible Challenge Factory Scavenger Hunt Part XVI - Finished

The Incredible Challenge Factory Scavenger Hunt Part XVI hosted by The Challenge Factory on Goodreads

I didn't quite manage to find all the words for this round and I have decided not to take part in the next as it is very time consuming to find all these words.

The List

1. Sarcasm
Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb  
Loc: 5372 ➜ A shadow of the Fool was in Golden's drawled sarcasm.

2. Debilitating Disease

3. Janitor
The Christmas Witch by Amanda M. Lee
Loc: 268➜ even though every kid in the school wants to lock her in the janitor's closet and forget her there every summer break.

4. Tea
Christmas in the Park by Laura Lockington
Loc: 100 ➜ I sipped my mint tea and wondered if I had in fact made a huge mistake.      
 
5. Something Bald (tire, eagle, man, etc)
STRANGERS by Chirag Upadhyay
Loc: 1378➜  He  Loc: 2956➜ My eyes focused on the spot where the moon reflected of the crown of his bald head.
 
6. Goatee
Prophecy of the Female Warrior by K.A. Young
Loc: 1378➜  He sported a very nicely trimmed goatee. 

7. Cookbook
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Pg 257 ➜ The shelves were filled with cookbooks, in French, English, Italian.

8. Emergency Room
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Pg. 32➜ The emergency room doctor had said the bite looked like a large dog's but Maia knew better.

9. Stuffed Animal other than a Teddy Bear
Life's a Witch by Amanda M. Lee
Loc: 1021 ➜ I'll win you another stuffed animal.
  
10. Candy Corn

11. Night Club/Dance Club
I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint
Pg: 163➜  No dance club

12. Puzzle
Life's a Witch by Amanda M. Lee
Loc: 4338➜ I knew we were missing a piece of the puzzle.
 
13. Deviled Eggs

14. A Vote
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews
Loc: 3078➜ I would need that unanimous vote more than ever.

15. An Operation (in a hospital)
Lost & Found in India by Braja Sorensen
Loc: 104➜ After several hours of surgery, I awoke in the intensive care unit of Apollo Gleneagles in Salt Lake, Calcutta.

16. Pins and Needle Feeling
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Pg 23➜ Pins and needles in my calves, I went as far as the landing 

17. Bingo
Poisoned by Elaine Macko
Loc: 3296 ➜ Maybe I'll cheat some more at bingo or better yet I've always wanted to rob a bank.

18. Men’s Dress Shoes
Love, Laughter, and Murder Ever After by Jeanine Spooner
Loc: 2688➜ He walked with a swagger, the thin black tie he wore pressed taut down his broad chest, and his polished dress shoes reflected the morning sun.

19. Ugly Christmas Sweater
Last Christmas by Lily Greene
Loc: 101➜ he revealed a bright festive jumper; a gleeful reindeer expanded the width of his torso and it stared at Ella with its two googly eyes, placed inappropriately over his nipples.

20. A Really Nice Person
Mattie: The Story of an Australian Convict Child by Sheila Hunter
Loc: 1255➜ She really is a nice girl, Percy.

21. Mittens
A man called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Pg: 334 ➜   Hej Sonja, siger Parvaneh bag ham og vinker glad, så hendes store vanter glider af hænderne. (Pg: 273 ➜  Hi Sonja, says Parvaneh behind him, with a cheerful wave so that her big mittens slip off her hands.)

22. Cotton Candy
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater
pg 363➜ She was not unlike a miniature Persephone: mountainous white hair spun like cotton candy, 

23. Pastry of Any Kind
Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews
pg 343➜ She forced herself to eat some of the fruit and a small piece of some sweet pastry.  
 
24. Violin
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane SetterfieldPg 122➜ The doctor's wife. In the music room. With the violin.

25. Lemon
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
pg 87➜ How much lemon?

26. Maple Syrup
What Once Was Perfect by Zoe York
Loc: 146➜  Grandma lets us have as much maple syrup as we want.

27. Baking
Opening Hearts by Iona Findley
Loc: 885➜ We should get to work, brother, and leave the ladies to their baking, said Marcus.
 
28. Delivery
Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb
pg 194➜ Several lesser gates for delivery folk and servants had guards lacking in lace,
 
29. Scarecrow
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
Loc: 581➜  Grace decided to change the bulletin board and brought out the packet with a scarecrow, a black cat and a pumpkin patch.
 
30. Something Old
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
pg 75➜ I stared up at the tapestry critically. It was old and moth-eaten.
 
31. Something Borrowed
What Once Was Perfect by Zoe York
Loc: 1576➜  She smoothed a hand across her outfit, borrowed from Evie

32. Something Blue
I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint   
Pg: 307➜ He was wearing a shirt and tie and a dark blue tailored suit.
 
33. Something New
Activation by Chris PatonLoc: 239 ➜ Don't know, the hammer stilled as the maker picked up a new sphere of brass, bent it over the iron ball in front of him and began anew.

34. Christmas Card
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Pg 350➜ I thought of my father, opening the Christmas cards from my parent's few friends

35. Snow Flurries

36. Pumpkin Pie
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
Loc: 1502➜  and the twenty-pound turkey had been replaced by a small turkey breast and a store-bought pumpkin pie.

37. Autumn
I Need a Hero by Emma Bennet
Loc: 50 ➜ Its small front garden is beautifully tended, even in the grip of early autumn.
 
38. Vanilla
Christmas at Carol's by Nicola Yeager
Loc: 1518 ➜ Put a vanilla bean into the cream and add a teaspoon of dark rum for that Carol effect and we're done.
 
39. Tin
Don't Waste a Minute - A Story of Africa by Marilyn Randall
Loc: 848➜ It said on the tin that it washes off.
 
40. Tradition
Murder Half-Baked by Kathleen DelaneyLoc: 1544 ➜ It's become an Italian household to serve it on Christmas Eve.   
 
Bonus Words
1. Domestic Violence
Memories of the Blue Door by Neil Davis
Loc: 618 ➜ My new step-dad had not taken long to settle in and feel at home. I think it had taken only six or seven months for him to let loose his monsters on his new brood of three with his fists and feet. Yes, it hadn't taken long at all, before he had every one of us blinded and paralysed by fear

2. Someone with OCD or OCD tendencies

3. Someone Who’s Frustrated
Memory & Dream by Charles de LintPg: 37➜ Because someone has to publish you people, he'd told them once - Which frustrated Kathy no end,  
 
4. Someone Who’s Adopted
The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland and Kari Sutherland
Pg: 135➜ Keiko lives here, too? he asked. We adopted her last year, Zoe said. Yay.

5. Wicked Chemistry Between Two Characters
Carved in Stone by Donna McDonald 
Loc: 929 ➜ Mr. Larson was right. There's enough chemistry between them to blow up a science lab, she said happily.

6. Someone Takes a Mental Health Day

7. Naughty Character (can either be a bad person or naughty in the bedroom)
Memories of the Blue Door by Neil Davis
Loc: 618 ➜ take a bow, Mr. A, for you earned a tinged of respect from at least six naughty kids from the neighbourhood.

8. Christmas Carolers

9. Golden Ring
Last Christmas by Lily Greene
Loc: 1077➜ That's some tenth question, he said looking at the gold ring.

10. Gobble
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Pg: 21➜  And Helen Clarke will scream and gobble them.

Lost & Found in India by Braja Sorensen

Despite how entertaining or exotic one may find other books on India to be, they share the trait of being written by foreigners on a brief journey, an adventure, and consequently they all deliver an often incorrect view of a country that is impossible to understand from the surface.
Sorensen moved in, set up house, became a resident in a village on the banks of the Ganges River, and eventually called India home. Her writing swings from the depths of ancient culture, spirituality, and philosophy, through to drunk bathroom repair men and India's wedding season, and ties it all together with direction, grounding, and an easily-digested reality.
Its funny, outrageous, controversial, deep, witty, spiritual, philosophical, and damned entertaining: in other words, it’s India. From Goodreads.




I unfortunately didn't find this book funny, entertaining or interesting at all. The most interesting thing about the book is that I am Danish and she married a Dane and he is hardly mentioned. But I did finish it as I needed it for a challenge.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Travel Around the World
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Monopoly

Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb

'We are here, you and I, Fitz, to
change the world. Again.'
Fifteen years have passed since the end of the Red Ship War with the terrifying Outislanders. Since then, Fitz has wandered the world accompanied only by his wolf and Wit-partner, Nighteyes, finally settling in a tiny cottage as remote from Buckkeep and the Farseers as possible.
But lately the world has come crashing in again. The Witted are being persecuted because of their magical bonds with animals; and young Prince Dutiful has gone missing just before his crucial diplomatic wedding to an Outislander princess. Fitz's assignment to fetch Dutiful back in time for the ceremony seems very much like a fool's errand, but the dangers ahead could signal the end of the Farseer reign. From Goodreads.




Yes, I am continuing this story already. Fitz has lived his own life for 15 years but now he has to go back and help save the Kingdom yet again. It seems the Fool has a bigger role in this series and I am looking forward to see where that goes as I actually like him more than I like Fitz. I like that we are seeing more of the Witted.
I have ordered the next book in the series from the library.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Big Books Bonus Club
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe

Last Christmas by Lily Greene

Last Christmas Ella’s heart was broken.
She had been with sophisticated banker Robbie Newton for six years when they suddenly broke up on New Year’s Eve.
Robbie had left her heartbroken and hurt with nothing but a note explaining he had taken a job in Chicago.
This Christmas Ella is determined to bury her past and start afresh.
She focuses on her career as an artist and organises her debut exhibition in a swanky London gallery.
While shopping for her best friend, Libby Crosley, who is hosting her infamous Christmas party that evening, Ella bumps into a mysterious man in the supermarket.
After a series of awkward run-ins and chance meetings with this stranger, Fergus Lamb, Ella feels the pangs of love again.
Fergus is nothing like any man Ella’s ever dated.
He’s a quirky, smart, bold, and spontaneous war photographer who looks like James Dean.
Just as Ella’s luck is changing, Robbie shows up unannounced at the opening night of her exhibition.
Ella is faced with a choice when Robbie finally offers her what she always wanted…
Who will Ella choose? Her suave and successful ex-boyfriend who she finds so irresistible? Or the exciting new stranger who has just waltzed into her life?
Will this Christmas be a fresh start? Or will she be dragged back to the memories of Last Christmas?
‘Last Christmas’ is a heart-warming, witty and modern take on the classic love triangle story – the perfect romance to curl up to the fire with. from Goodreads.

An okay Christmas read that only took a few hours to read. It is of course predictable but a short fun, read.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
Rawk-A-Tiers: Twelve Days of Christmas
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Locations A-Z

Mattie: The Story of an Australian Convict Child by Sheila Hunter

Mattie aged 12 is convicted for petty theft, given the sentence of 7 years and is sent to Australia. She meets another convict woman who at her death gives Mattie a chance for a new life. Mattie makes the most of everything that comes her way. She earns her freedom, falls in love, marries and becomes a mother. Life is not kind to her. She meets bushrangers; moves to the Gold Fields in Bathurst and starts a store.
Mattie is the kind of woman that made
Australia what it is today. From Goodreads.

This only just made it up to 3 polar Bears. It was okay and it was the description of the time period that pulled it up. The main character Mattie is a bit too perfect and I didn't understand why the author had to bring the subject of paedophilia into the book and then just use a page on it and really no consequences for the person trying to do it.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Travel Around the World
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe

Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews

Dina DeMille doesn’t run your typical Bed and Breakfast. Her inn defies laws of physics, her fluffy dog is secretly a monster, and the only paying guest is a former Galactic tyrant with a price on her head. But the inn needs guests to thrive, and guests have been scarce, so when an Arbitrator shows up at Dina's door and asks her to host a peace summit between three warring species, she jumps on the chance.
Unfortunately, for Dina, keeping the peace between Space Vampires, the Hope-Crushing Horde, and the devious Merchants of Baha-char is much easier said than done. On top of keeping her guests from murdering each other, she must find a chef, remodel the inn... and risk everything, even her life, to save the man she might fall in love with. But then it's all in the day's work for an Innkeeper... From Goodreads.




Another great series from Ilona Andrews. I was only a few chapters in when I suddenly realised that the Arbitrator George and his group of people are actually the very grown-up kids from The Edge, I loved this. I am already waiting impatiently for the next book in 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
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My

Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb

From an extraordinary new voice in fantasy comes the stunning conclusion to the Farseer trilogy, as FitzChivalry confronts his destiny as the catalyst who holds the fate of the kingdom of the Six Duchies...and the world itself.
King Shrewd is dead at the hands of his son Regal. As is Fitz--or so his enemies and friends believe. But with the help of his allies and his beast magic, he emerges from the grave, deeply scarred in body and soul. The kingdom also teeters toward ruin: Regal has plundered and abandoned the capital, while the rightful heir, Prince Verity, is lost to his mad quest--perhaps to death. Only Verity's return--or the heir his princess carries--can save the Six Duchies.
But Fitz will not wait. Driven by loss and bitter memories, he undertakes a quest: to kill Regal. The journey casts him into deep waters, as he discovers wild currents of magic within him--currents that will either drown him or make him something more than he was.... From Goodreads.


A great end to this trilogy. Fitz really has to go through a lot at great cost. There is magic, dragons and a mad Prince. And one of the very interesting characters is the Fool, I'm sure he is one of the good guys but he is weird.
If I wanted to read The Realm of the Elderlings in order the next books should be the Liveship Traders Trilogy but as I have read these already I will continue with the Tawny Man Trilogy.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Big Books Bonus Club
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Monopoly

Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb

Young Fitz, the illegitimate son of the noble Prince Chivalry, is ignored by all royalty except the devious King Shrewd, who has had him tutored him in the dark arts of the assassin. He has barely survived his first, soul-shattering mission, and returns to the court where he is thrown headfirst into the tumult of royal life. With the King near death, and Fitz's only ally off on a seemingly hopeless quest, the throne itself is threatened. Meanwhile, the treacherous Red Ship Raiders have renewed their attacks on the Six Duchies, slaughtering the inhabitants of entire seaside towns. In this time of great peril, it soon becomes clear that the fate of the kingdom may rest in Fitz's hands--and his role in its salvation may require the ultimate sacrifice. From Goodreads.

I am completely caught up in this story. I'm not too fond of spy and political books but the difference here is that this is also fantasy and that makes it likeable. I like Fitz, he has no choice in how his life turns out. He has sworn loyalty to the king and has to do everything in his power to help him.
I will continue straight away with the last book in this trilogy.


This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Big Books Bonus Club
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Monopoly

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

Clary Fray just wishes that her life would go back to normal. But what's normal when you're a demon-slaying Shadowhunter, your mother is in a magically induced coma, and you can suddenly see Downworlders like werewolves, vampires, and faeries? If Clary left the world of the Shadowhunters behind, it would mean more time with her best friend, Simon, who's becoming more than a friend. But the Shadowhunting world isn't ready to let her go — especially her handsome, infuriating, newfound brother, Jace. And Clary's only chance to help her mother is to track down rogue Shadowhunter Valentine, who is probably insane, certainly evil — and also her father.
To complicate matters, someone in New York City is murdering Downworlder children. Is Valentine behind the killings — and if he is, what is he trying to do? When the second of the Mortal Instruments, the Soul-Sword, is stolen, the terrifying Inquisitor arrives to investigate and zooms right in on Jace. How can Clary stop Valentine if Jace is willing to betray everything he believes in to help their father?
In this breathtaking sequel to City of Bones, Cassandra Clare lures her readers back into the dark grip of New York City's Downworld, where love is never safe and power becomes the deadliest temptation. From Goodreads.

I am enjoying this series, it is very clearly young adult but still good. I have ordered the next book from the library. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Pick One For Me
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My 

The Christmas Witch by Amanda M. Lee

It’s the winter of 1995, and the Winchester household is more doom and gloom than mistletoe and merriment.
Young Bay, Clove and Thistle are anything but happy. They’re facing their first Christmas without their fathers, and no matter how hard their mothers try, they just can’t seem to get the girls to embrace this festive time of year.
Between the lack of snow, which the girls firmly believe brings magic, and Hemlock Cove’s local Santa Claus going missing, things continue to go wrong instead of right.
Christmas has never been Aunt Tillie’s favorite time of year. She thinks the only thing snow is good for is plowing, and the only reason she likes Santa Claus is because he brings her presents. All of that changes when she’s forced to spend time with three miserable little girls – and the pall they’re casting over the entire town.
Instead of letting them wallow, Aunt Tillie decides to take them on an adventure. They’re going to find Santa. They’re going to make it snow. Oh, and Aunt Tillie is going to get what she wants for Christmas – even if her nieces keep saying no.
It’s Aunt Tillie to the rescue, and she’s bound and determined her family is going to have a happy holiday – even if she has to make everyone miserable during the process. From Goodreads.

This was fun and it was great having Aunt Tillie as the main character. All the books in this series describe Aunt Tillie as a mean, wicked witch who loves her family even when she pesters them. As this book shows, she loves being that wicked witch but it also shows she will do anything for her family. Aunt Tillie is still one of my favourite characters of this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015 

Memories of the Blue Door by Neil Davis

Allow us if you will to transport you back to a wonderful carefree time, where lifelong boyhood memories were made and adventure was abundant!
Back in Newcastle Upon Tyne in the 1980s close-knit relationships and unshakeable combined imaginations ruled. Remembering friendships forged together more than three decades ago, long before and out of reach of today’s busy modern world, of reality bites and virtual Xbox adventures, Paul and Neil will take you back to the notorious Cowgate Estate. Cowgate, which lies in their city's west end, was a place so barren and devoid of both hope and dreams that it seemed excitement and an overwhelming sense of brotherhood were never quite meant to happen!
Turn a page if you will and take the road back to an era we all just might remember, to that time and place where we had the greatest adventures of our lives! From Goodreads.


This was okay but I think you have to have grown up in that kind of British neighbourhood to really appreciate the stories.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Yahtzee Challenge
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
Rawk-A-Tiers: Twelve Days of Christmas
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint

Isabelle Copley, as the young student of the cruel, brilliant artist Vincent Rushkin, discovered that she could paint images so vividly real they brought her wildest fantasies to life. But when the forces she unleashed brought tragedy to those she loved, she turned her back on her talent and her dreams.
Now, twenty years later, Isabelle must come to terms with the shattering memories she has long denied and unlock the slumbering power of her brush. And, in a dark reckoning with her old master, she must find the courage to live out her dreams and bring the magic back to life.
This is a tale of love, courage, and the transforming power of imagination.
"The [Newford] books have all been written in such a way that you should be able to pick up any one and get a full and complete story. However, characters do reoccur, off center stage as it were, and their stories do follow a sequence." From Goodreads.

After having read a few Charles de Lint books I decided that I wanted to read the Newford books in order. Not that they can't be read on their own but there are characters that turn up in books more than once.
I listened to this on audio which was a problem for me, the narrator did well but it just took me too long to get through. If I had read this I would most likely have finished it in one or two sittings.
I really enjoy Charles de Lint's urban fantasies.They have quite a bit of magic just under the surface of normal life. Isabelle was a very complex person and she kept surprising me. I enjoyed going forward and backward in time.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Audiobook challenge
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Getting Acquainted
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Haunted House
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
The Christmas Spirit Read-a-Thon 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z
Crazy Challenge Connection: Monopoly
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My

Murder Half-Baked by Kathleen Delaney

A dead man in the cemetery, another in the bakery. Ellen McKenzie has to find the killer soon ... before another death puts a stop to her wedding. The groom is Dan Dunham, Santa Louisa’s Chief of Police. The guest list is growing and Ellen’s dreams of a small, intimate candlelight ceremony are rapidly disappearing. A major distraction is Ellen’s quest to find a new building for Grace House, a halfway house for needy women. Then she finds old Dr Sadler dead in the cemetery, his head bashed in by the arm of a marble angel. Every suspect is connected to Grace House. After it goes up in flames, all the residents, including one new-born, move in with Ellen and Dan. Will Ellen and Dan ever solve the murders and get their lives back? From Goodreads.
 





This was okay. There was a lot going on which might have been easier if I had read the three first books in this series but it wasn't too bad and I don't think I missed anything. I liked that it had interesting side characters. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Haunted House
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
Rawk-A-Tiers: Twelve Days of Christmas
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015 
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe 
The Christmas Spirit Read-a-Thon 2015  

Christmas in the Park by Laura Lockington

30-something Sarah has finally decided to start her own business.
After years of 5 a.m starts, running around a busy television studio, she has decided to hand in her resignation, and begin her dream of running her own cake making business.
Swapping her stylish clothes for tracksuits and an apron she gets to work, and is thrilled when the local café agrees to start selling her treats.
And – even better – she starts to get to know the handsome and single owner, David.
Working from home also means she can finally do one other thing she couldn’t do with her hectic job – get a puppy.
Deciding she wants a rescue dog, Sarah heads off to the local dog’s centre, and tries not to say yes to adopting the whole lot.
One beautiful little Dachshund with adorable amber eyes immediately takes a liking to her.
And Sarah knows there is no turning back.
She bundles Malteaser up and takes him home, and before long he is helping her to meet new people in her local park.
But Malteaser can be more than a bit of a handful. And Sarah knows she is no good at disciplining him...
So when fellow dog-walker Nick steps in to give her hand she knows she should take his advice. But does he just want to help her out, or is he interested in something else?
With an excitable puppy, and lots of orders to bake for the café, could Sarah be taking on too much?
And could there be something there with David – or Nick?
With Christmas on the way, and the café suddenly coming under threat, things get even crazier.
And Sarah has to find a way to create a magical Christmas in the Park...
‘Christmas in the Park’ is a warming festive novella, full of sweat treats, doggy disasters and snippets of romance.  From Goodreads.

This was okay. A nice, cosy, romantic Christmas read. Perfect for reading on a cold, dark evening.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: The Shorts Stack
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
The Christmas Spirit Read-a-Thon 2015
Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge 2015 

Opening Hearts by Iona Findley

Pregnant and alone at 35!
Jessalyn O'Donnell returns from her best friend's wedding with a surprise of her own. She knows how it happened -- three sex-filled nights with a smokin' hot guy, known only as Sam -- but she has no way to get in touch with him.
When smokejumper Sam Ricci returns to his hometown after the annual firefighting season ends, he has no plans for fatherhood. His lifestyle is too risky, and he loves his job -- almost as much as he loves women. Everything changes when he runs into Jessalyn again and discovers her plans for single parenthood.
Sam doesn’t want to be tied down. Jessalyn would rather go it alone than deal with an absent husband. So why, when a twist of fate brings them together again, does it feel so right?  From Goodreads.




This was okay but no more. Though it was nice with a mature strong woman who could make decisions on her own.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Haunted House
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?

Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews

Audrey Callahan left behind her life in the Edge, and she's determined to stay on the straight and narrow. But when her brother gets into hot water, the former thief takes on one last heist and finds herself matching wits with a jack of all trades...
Kaldar Mar-a gambler, lawyer, thief, and spy-expects his latest assignment tracking down a stolen item to be a piece of cake, until Audrey shows up. But when the item falls into the hands of a lethal criminal, Kaldar realizes that in order to finish the job, he's going to need Audrey's help... From Goodreads.

I remember being slightly disappointed in book two because this series is not about the same main characters in each book, though the main character is a person we have met in a previous book. This has changed as I find it quite interesting to read about a person who was a minor character earlier. Kaldar Mar is the main character but Georgie and Jack, who we met in the first book, are also important and I like them. I am continuing this series and already have book 4 ready.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
Rawk-A-Tiers: Twelve Days of Christmas
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Autumn Fun
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My

Uprooted by Naomi Novik

“Our Dragon doesn’t eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. We hear them sometimes, from travelers passing through. They talk as though we were doing human sacrifice, and he were a real dragon. Of course that’s not true: he may be a wizard and immortal, but he’s still a man, and our fathers would band together and kill him if he wanted to eat one of us every ten years. He protects us against the Wood, and we’re grateful, but not that grateful.”
Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.
Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.
The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.
But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose. From Goodreads.

I enjoyed this very much and wished it was part of a series so I could return to this world. This was pure fantasy nearly without romance and it was quite refreshing. Nothing is like Agnieszka expects after she, surprisingly, has been chosen to serve The Dragon - the wizard, who protects her people.
I've had the first book in the Temeraire Series for years but not gotten around to reading it, I will definitely push it up my TBR list after reading this book by Naomi Novik.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
I love Library books 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016
Crazy Challenge Connection: Monopoly
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My

Life's a Witch by Amanda M. Lee

Life's a witch ... and then you die.
Bay Winchester is living the witch part – literally. She’s hoping to avoid the dying part.
The Winchester world is full of trouble when great-aunt Willa and cousin Rosemary come to town. It’s clear they’re up to something, but no one can figure out what.
Aunt Tillie is loading for bear. She’s declared war on her sister, and she’s not taking prisoners – or looking to skirt collateral damage.
When a young man’s body shows up at Hollow Creek, Bay’s attention is divided thanks to a morose ghost who blames her for ending “party time” and Aunt Tillie’s refusal to back down.
FBI Agent Landon Michaels enjoys watching the show, although he’s worried the dead man’s ties to the local drug trade could put the Winchesters in danger due to Aunt Tillie’s “glaucoma medicine” side business.
Local kids are trying to steal from the property, Aunt Willa is trying to undermine everyone and Aunt Tillie has a secret that she’s dying to spill – that is when she’s not protecting her land with a shotgun.
Bay is determined to find answers, even if she dies in the process. From Goodreads.

As usual a fun, quirky, cosy read about Bay and her family. This time Aunt Tillie's sister turns up and makes trouble, but of course Aunt Tillie sorts everything out in her special way. This also has a darker side with drug and sexual abuse and revenge in the mix that Bay has to sort out. 

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
2015 Witches & Witchcraft Challenge
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Haunted House
Rawk-A-Tiers: Travel Around the World
Rawk-A-Tiers: Twelve Days of Christmas
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
Crazy Challenge Connection: Pick a Theme 2015-2016
Wacky Reading Challenges: Locations A-Z
Crazy Challenge Connection: Scrabble, anyone?
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My 

Love, Laughter, and Murder Ever After by Jeanine Spooner

When cake kills…
Kitty Sinclair lives for love. A bold and bubbly woman just shy of thirty, Kitty has opened her own wedding planning business in elegant Greenwich, Connecticut where the blooming spring flowers and lusciously rolling hills are the perfect setting to tie the knot. If only Kitty herself could find love…
Her store Happily Ever After opens with a kick when the daughter of the notorious Duke von Winkle accepts a grand proposal from an equally wealthy suitor. It seems Kitty is in the throws of planning the wedding of the century. Finally her dream has come true.
But when the bride's father suddenly drops dead in her store, Kitty's true talents emerge. A lemon custard cake, a bottle of poison, and questions that seem to never end, Kitty follows the trail of clues, determined to solve the mystery before the bride and groom can say I do.
If she succeeds her store will thrive. If she falls short her business will be in peril. The choice is easy and her determination is strong, but one man stands in her way…
Detective Sterling Slaughter has a funny way with women. Resist though she does, his charm can be distracting… From Goodreads.

I didn't like this book. I found the main character unbelievable, I expect that in a cosy mystery but this was too much, and all in all just too silly. I am glad this was free and I am not looking for more books in this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
The Challenge Factory: Scavenger Hunt Part XVI
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Haunted House
Rawk-A-Tiers: Reading by the Numbers
Rawk-A-Tiers: Twelve Days of Christmas
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Backpacking Around The Globe
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Locations A-Z
Nothing but Reading Challenges: 50 States Challenge