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

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

Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015 - Finished

Word Search hosted by Wacky Reading Challenges on Goodreads..

This is another word search I have taken part in. I like that unfound words can be carried over to the next month. I will continue this challenge in 2016.

Below is the list of words to find. They can only be found within the text of the book - no covers, titles or authors, please. For each word you find, provide the book title, page or location, and the sentence containing the word. You can use one book to find all the words, or as many as you like.

***And if you don't find all the words this month, you are welcome to carry them over to next month's word search challenge.***

Challenge Rules:
Books should be at least 125 pages. All formats are acceptable. Re-reads are fine - just be sure to re-read the entire book. When updating your challenge with books you've read, please include a link to the book title, include the author's name, and the date you finished reading the book. 

September 2015 Word Search
DONE
September 1, 2015 - September 30, 2015
This month's word search is inspired by our August Group Read: God-Shaped Hole by Tiffanie DeBartolo
Important Rule: You CANNOT use this book when looking for the words. That would be just too easy.
Optional Words: This month I have included 5 optional words that are a little harder than usual. You can choose to look for them or leave them off your list...it's up to you.  
Words
jewelry:
Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb
Loc: 2422 ➨ She was not accustomed to wearing so much jewellery.
advertisement:
Born in Shame by Nora Roberts
Pg: 127 ➨ Is that doing pictures for advertisements?
apartment:
The Diving Pool: Three Novellas by Yoko Ogawa
Pg: 153 ➨ Everything he might need - the telephone, a box of tissues, the teapot and cups - had been brought from elsewhere in the apartment and arranged close to the bed.
notebook:
Iced Under by Nadine Doolittle
Loc: 1152 ➨ The detective flipped his notebook open.
abandon (or abandonment):
The Wild by Christopher Golden
Pg: 15 ➨ If he found gold, she would be able to keep her home, and to abandon the charlatanry of spiritualisme.
universe:
Fire Country by David Estes
Loc: 3477 ➨ It's the most powerful force in the universe.
metaphor:
Elantris by Brandon Sanderson
Loc: 4033 ➨ Perhaps he should have concentrated less on the theological metaphors of the trip, and more on keeping his mouth closed.
popcorn:
Touch of the Goddess by Maria Hammarblad
Loc: 1340 ➨ It was only a few minutes until the next showing, and Maria squeezed his hand, nibbled popcorn, and looked around with wide eyes.
film:
The Iron Traitor by Julie Kagawa
Pg: 226 ➨ An old bed stood in the corner next to a dresser, both rotting to pieces under a film of dust.
possibility:
Lady Falls by Renee Bernard
Loc: 1692 ➨ He stopped kissing her to lift his head, taking in the widening of her eyes, the flutter of her lashes in shock and the slow shift as a new heated possibility came to her.
vibe:
A Cottage by the Sea by Carole Matthews
Loc: 2514 ➨ The good-mood vibe has seeped away and there's a tension round the table that's palpable.
intense:
Bound by C.K. Bryant
Loc: 1692 ➨ The air grew thick and once again a bright light flashed, so intense that closing her eyelids barely made a difference.
apology:
Rasmus - Tales of a Utah Cowboy by Jay Anderson and Beth M. Stephenson
Loc: 1052 ➨ Jim sweeps his hat off his head and says to the fellow, My conscience got the best of me, sir, please accept my apology.
father:
Ship of Destiny by Robin Hobb
Loc: 612 ➨ My father gets angry with me for even speaking of Malta.
true love (must be together):
Divorced, Desperate and Delicious by Christie Craig
Loc: 3918 ➨ I knew your dad only five days when we got married, and he was the true love of my life.
Optional Words
bohemian
fortune-teller (with or without hyphen)
sushi:
Fire at Twilight by Lila Ashe
Loc: 428 ➨ It was a day off for me, and there's a sushi place we like there, so I went along for the ride, thinking I'd get a good laugh and some great baked scallop nigiri.
soulmate
Los Angeles: A Hidden Fire by Elizabeth Hunter
Loc: 742 ➨ Accepted to the graduate program in Information Studies at the University of California, Los Angeles.

October 2015 Word Search
October 1, 2015 - October 31, 2015
This month's word search is inspired by our September Group Read: The Silence of Bonaventure Arrow by Rita Leganski.
Important Rule: You CANNOT use this book when looking for the words. That would be just too easy. 

Words
bayou
forgiveness: 
 204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
Loc: 2091➜  I offered my forgiveness, too.

haunting: 
Prophecy of the Female Warrior by K.A. Young
Loc: 183 ➜ I could barely make out his eyes, yet they were haunting to me - they held my gaze so strongly that I had a hard time looking away.
heartbeat: 
What Once Was Perfect by Zoe York
Loc: 2331 ➜ His heartbeat was slow and strong, as always. 
listen:
A man called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Pg: 24 ➜   Du hører aldrig efter. (Pg: 24 ➜  You never listen.)
niche
peace:
Carved in Stone by Donna McDonald
Loc: 2730 ➜ That left all Saturday evening and the whole next day for Michael to enjoy the peace and quiet of having his house all to himself.
redemption
ritual:
Poisoned by Elaine Macko
Loc: 3277 ➜ The second stop was my house, where the ritual got repeated, and then home to finish off in their neighborhood.
rocking chair (must be together):
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
Loc: 3682➜  Olivia smiled, to find her ex-husband sitting in her rocking chair with their granddaughter in his arms.
root:
Don't Waste a Minute - A Story of Africa by Marilyn Randall
Loc: 1597 ➨ What sort of root problems?
secrets: 
 I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint 
Pg: 47➜  He'd always had secrets.
silence:
We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackson
Pg: 13 ➜  There was a little silence.
sparrow: 
I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint
Pg: 231➜  He touched a finger to the edge of one of the sparrow paintings.
vengeance:
204 Rosewood Lane by Debbie Macomber
Loc: 4000➜  Is it some sort of male pride? Or vengeance?

Optional Words
asylum:
I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint
Pg: 145➜  In Victorian times, we had the proliferation of women's diseases that kept us in our beds or in asylums.
crypt
kindred spirit (must be together)
matchbook:
The Menagerie by Tui T. Sutherland and Kari Sutherland
Pg: 198 ➜ He was about to light a match when a family came out of the woods nearby, and he had to quickly hide the matchbook in his hand.
voodoo
Optional Words carried over from September:
bohemian:
I'll Be Watching You by Charles de Lint
Pg: 145➜  The patio overlooked the river and was filled with a bohemian lunchtime crowd.
fortune-teller (with or without hyphen)
soulmate

November 2015 Word Search
  
 Words
brilliant
Memories of the Blue Door by Neil Davis
Loc 1273 ➜ Wayne was, of course, also brilliant at everything. 
bruise
Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews 
pg 177➜ A woman so refined, so delicate, should be shielded from the rigor of the world, so they don't bruise her.
bully
Life's a Witch by Amanda M. Lee 
Loc: 47➜  She was a bully, but Tillie was a bigger bully. 
desperate
I Need a Hero by Emma Bennet
Loc: 660 ➜  She was desperate to get out of the house and Ca,illa kindly picked her up and drove them to their writing group
glasses (won't accept glass)
Love, Laughter, and Murder Ever After by Jeanine Spooner  
Loc: 1476➜ revealing a stalky, bald man, whose glasses seemed to swallow his otherwise pinched face. 
headphones
The Dream Thieves by Maggie Stiefvater   
pg 132➜  his headphones still around his neck.
hospital
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Pg 429➜ The hospital, Opening the ambulance doors.
lake
Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews  
pg 371➜ The house perched on the green lawn next to a lovely lake.
ponytail
Christmas at Carol's by Nicola Yeager
Loc: 1827 ➜  accompanied by an equally tall designer-suited blond dude with his hair in a ponytail and a piratical earring in one ear.
pub
I Need a Hero by Emma Bennet 
Loc: 1349 ➜  Fancy a pub lunch?
sandwich
Opening Hearts by Iona Findley
Loc: 72 ➜ but she wondered if she had enough energy to head to the deli on the corner for a takeout sandwich.
software 
Christmas at Carol's by Nicola Yeager
Loc: 2152 ➜  He was having problems mastering two pieces of new software that the company had bought.
stash
Murder Half-Baked by Kathleen Delaney 
Loc: 3922 ➜  I'd just lug the box into the bedroom and stash it with all the rest of the stuff. 
uniform
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
pg 322➜ An old man in a much-decorated uniform sank heavily into a chair on the other side,
vacuum
Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews
pg 170➜ He had the kind of face that would make him a good vacuum salesman or a succesful serial killer:
Optional Words
duvet 
I Need a Hero by Emma Bennet
Loc: 2658 ➜ Bronte dragged her duvet downstairs onto the sofa.
flip-flops
Rolls-Royce
sequin
The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
Pg 8➜ No sparkle, no sequins, just a few dull and frayed patched,  
stock market (must be together)
Words carried over from October:
bayou
niche
Uprooted by Naomi Novik
pg 238➜ and only an ordinary oil lamp stood set in a rough niche in the wall.  
redemption
Optional Words carried over from October:
crypt
kindred spirit
Memory & Dream by Charles de Lint
pg 85 ➜ She met more kindred spirits in her first two weeks living there than she had in the whole nineteen years of her life up to that point.
voodoo
Optional Words carried over from September:
fortune-teller (with or without hyphen)
soulmate
I Need a Hero by Emma Bennet
Loc: 2614 ➜ He's your soulmate?

December 2015 Word Search:
 
Words

Carol
Last Christmas by Lily Greene
Loc: 2225 ➜ She listened to Christmas Carols that were playing on the radio. 
Dance
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews
Pg. 263➜  She wasn't expected to dance but once or twice, but Sophie would enjoy it.
Dove
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews
Pg. 322➜  Angelia bent over the sink, weeping like a hysterical dove.
Drum
Lost & Found in India by Braja Sorensen
Loc: 1222 ➜ There's usually a lot of big bass drum beats there,
French
Mattie: The Story of an Australian Convict Child by Sheila Hunter
Loc: 2501 ➜ there were a number of french windows opening out onto the verandah,
Four
Deathly Still by Elizabeth A. Reeves
Loc: 1574 ➜ You were four years old? 
Gold
STRANGERS by Chirag Upadhyay
Loc: 138 ➜ Give me your green gold.
Laying*
Terra Incognita: Travels In Antarctica by Sara Wheeler
Pg. 50 ➜  It hadn't worked out as planned, and I got the feeling she was back laying ghosts to rest.
Lord
Mattie: The Story of an Australian Convict Child by Sheila Hunter 
Loc: 275 ➜ Dear Lord, may we stay together?   
Maid
Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb
Pg. 14➜ Lady Patience and her maid Lacey
Ninth*
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Pg. 31➜ When he broke her arm in ninth grade, she ran away from home,
Pear
Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews
Loc: 2611 ➜ half-hidden by the enormous prickly pear the Hendersons refused to trim, 
Pipe
Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb
Pg. 89 ➜ apparently watching me as his two partners discussed some problem they were having with a pipe.
Swim
City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare
Pg. 387➜ Because they can swim?
Twelve
Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews
Pg. 20 ➜ So far you've shot your own dog and wasted twelve bullets.
*No variations accepted for these this month.

Words carried over from previous months
flip-flops
Rolls-Royce
stock market (must be together)
bayou
redemption
Terra Incognita: Travels In Antarctica by Sara Wheeler
Pg. 80 ➜  Two of the sleeping bags were proclaimed beyond redemption and tossed overboard,
Mattie: The Story of an Australian Convict Child by Sheila Hunter 
crypt
Terra Incognita: Travels In Antarctica by Sara Wheeler
Pg. 186 ➜  It was pointing to the stone steps which led to the crypt.
voodoo
fortune-teller (with or without hyphen)
Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb
Loc: 3646 ➜ I'd seen them used by fortune-tellers in Chalcedean towns.

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

Deathly Still by Elizabeth A. Reeves

Antigone Baehr is almost eighteen when her life takes a bizarre turn. All those feelings she'd had her whole life that she was different from all of her peers were actually true-- she is something called 'unlife'.
Now forced to face Death face-to-face, Annie finds herself caught up in a future she never wanted for herself-- is she fated for Death?
Or to be Death? From Goodreads.

I have read all the Cindy Eller and the Goldie Locke and the Were Bears books and this new series is a continuation in that world. This book is about Goldie Locke's daughter. As with all these books, this was a fun quick read. A bit different as it is about her training with Death to become either a reaper or the new Death. I am looking forward to continuing this series.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
Romance Readers Reading Challenges: Word Hunt 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Travel Around the World
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Vampires, Witches & Ghosts, O My

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

Steel's Edge by Ilona Andrews

The Edge lies between worlds, on the border between the Broken, where people shop at Wal-Mart and magic is a fairy tale—and the Weird, where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny…
Charlotte de Ney is as noble as they come, a blueblood straight out of the Weird. But even though she possesses rare magical healing abilities, her life has brought her nothing but pain. After her marriage crumbles, she flees to the Edge to build a new home for herself. Until Richard Mar is brought to her for treatment, and Charlotte’s life is turned upside down once again.
Richard is a swordsman without peer, future head of his large and rambunctious Edger clan—and he’s on a clandestine quest to wipe out slavers trafficking humans in the Weird. So when his presence leads his very dangerous enemies to Charlotte, she vows to help Richard destroy them. The slavers’ operation, however, goes deeper than Richard knows, and even working together, Charlotte and Richard may not survive... From Goodreads.

I liked how this book also placed the characters from the previous books in quite important roles at the same time as there is a new main couple. Charlotte and Richard are perfect heroes going after the slavers. The young boys, now teenagers, George and Jack are back and they learn something about their past.
The only thing is that the main enemy from the last three books, the Spider and the Hand, is fixed in about half a page. I think there should have been a bit more about that.

This book qualifies for:
Goodreads Reading Challenge 2015
I love Library books 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Word Search 2015
Wacky Reading Challenges: Mini Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
A Million More Pages: Scavenger 2015
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Dragon Nursery
A Million More Pages Hogwarts: Hogwarts Scavenger Hunt
Wacky Reading Challenges: Character Names, A-Z

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 

Terra Incognita: Travels In Antarctica by Sara Wheeler

Sara Wheeler was the first woman selected by the American government to be the Writer in Residence at the US South Pole Station. She spent six weeks at the pole. In this book she reveals how people live on the bases and how the landscape affects them. From Goodreads.

This was only just okay. There were a lot of interesting historical bits and some funny episodes during her time in Antarctica. Unfortunately, it was also boring and felt quite drawn out.

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
Rawk-A-Tiers: Scavenger Hunt
Rawk-A-Tiers: Companion Challenge 2015
Rawk-A-Tiers: Travel Around the World
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

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  

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