Contents of blog copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2023
I've been gone a while. I started reading fanfiction to escape and I got sucked in an abyss.

I have no idea if someone else is hosting similar challenges. I just grabbed some of what I have hosted before.

Here's to a happy year of great reading
Jan2023: Not much has changed. Writing a fanfiction now O_o as well as reading but I bought 7 new books in December and hope to get those read soon. Crossing fingers about adding challenges (late!)

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Added to my Wishlist

As I was cleaning up some for my clutter challenge, I came across a few notes about books. All were found at christianbook.com


I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist
Norman L Geisler & Frank Turek

All worldviews-including atheism-require faith. But some belief systems are more reasonable than others! Geisler and Turek make the case that Christianity requires the least faith of all because so much evidence points toward the existence of God and the reliability of Scripture. an engaging, easy-to-follow defense for Christians and skeptics.

256 pages, softcover. Also four other formats










The Three Gifts of Christmas
Jennie Bishop

It's Christmas! But the king and queen have a problem-their precious daughter has become spoiled. So they decide that this year will be different. Their child will receive only three gifts. Will she share the treasures-or hoard them?

Ages 6-10. 32 pages, hardcover with audio CD




Also,

Think No Evil: Inside the Story of the Amish Schoolhouse Shooting...and Beyond

Amish Peace: Simple Wisdom for a Complicated World

90 Minutes in Heaven

Hinds' Feet on High Places
















copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Monday, January 17, 2011

Monthly Mix-up Mania Reading Challenge

Idea from Jen at Jen's Book Talk Monthly Mixer Mele but she isn't hosting it this year and I had a great time trying to finish the challenge so.......



Welcome to the
What: To read a book for each letter in the year. That's right, a title for the J in January and the A in January, etc.... 74 books total!

Start date: April 1, 2011, because we're fools to try this

End date: March 31, 2013, yes, two years, because well, we have other challenges to do ;)

Guidelines:
  • only one letter per book
  • books can be moved around if it fits better somewhere else after you've read it
  • the letter doesn't have to be the first word, just the first letter of a word in the title (a, an, and, the do not count-except for something like "And Then You Die")
  • reviews aren't necessary but a quick "I read for letter... it was about... I did/not like it" comment would be nice.
  • if you decide to join in, create a post on your blog telling others then come back and link up (to the actual post, not just your blog's home page)
  • a blog is not necessary, just comment on that month's post at the Lair
  • if you get stuck, an author's name will do in a pinch but try to have more titles than names
  • the most important thing is to have fun!

    3-12-11: WAIT! this challenge now has it's own blog! Check it out

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011
  • What are you Reading?


    Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books hosts this weekly meme. Link up and let us know what you've just finished and plan to read this week.


    Voice for the Silent by T.A. Chase reviewed
    Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas
    The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde
    Murder Past Due by Miranda James
    Bridge to Happiness by Jill Barnett - started
    Cupid Cats by anthology includes: Katie MacAlister, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Connie Brockway

    I've added a "Short list of TBR" list in my sidebar for challenge tbr books





    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Friday, January 14, 2011

    Reading Challenge Young Readers and Read to Me

    I love picture books! My "baby" may be over 20 years old now but I purchased a new picture book just last month. And yeah, he rolls his eyes when I say "my baby" ;)

    I have a perpetual challenge going and thought I'd add these two challenges to 2011 to help me with it.



    Young Readers
    Jan 1 to Dec 31
    2011

  • Read 12 Children's Books
    Think of this as referring to the "E" (Easy) and "J" (Juvenile or Junior) sections of the library.
  • You do not have to have a blog.
  • You may keep in touch and leave links to your reviews. *But* no reviews are required.
  • A list is not required. Choose what you like. Choose as you go. Or plan it all out now. Whatever you want.
  • Sign up by leaving a comment.



  • Read to Me
    January 1 to Dec 31
    2011

  • The objective of the Read to Me Challenge is to read with the kiddos in your life and/or enjoy picture books in general.
  • Books must be ones written expressly for children ages 9 and under. Board books, early readers, picture books, etc.
  • Print or eBook format is acceptable.
  • Anyone can join. You don’t have to be a blogger, and you don’t have to live in the United States. Open worldwide.
  • You do not have to have an blog to participate.
  • You can join at anytime. Deadline to join is November 20, 2011. (not 2010 you still have PLENTY of time to sign up!)




  • All of the books for "Young Readers" also count towards "Read to Me" but not the other way around! There are several levels for Read to Me and I choose to be Board Book and will read 12 books. The ones that don't count towards "Young Reader", plus any read over 12, will be listed from #13....

    1. Kekula
    2. A Bed Case of Stripes
    3. If You Give a Mouse a Cookie
    4. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
    5. If a Dog Could Blog
    6. The Bear Detectives
    7. Red in the Flower Bed
    8. Cookie's Week
    9. The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
    10. The Fire Cat
    11. Dinosaurs Before Dark
    12. The Knight at Dawn

    ~Both Challenges Completed~

    13. My Big Yard
    14. Let's Go!
    15. Who's Hiding?
    16.
    17.
    18.
    19.
    20.


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    A Smile for your Weekend





    found while jumping from link to link and wasting valuable reading time
    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Thursday, January 13, 2011

    Voice for the Silent by T.A. Chase


    Voice for the Silent
    T. A. Chase

    Publisher: Amber Quill Press
    format: ebook
    Release Date: Jan 2011
    pages: 55,000 words
    book info/purchase link

    from my personal shelves

    warning: this is an "alternative" lifestyles erotic novel



    from the publisher:
    Investigating and busting dog-fighting rings is what police officer Julio Herendez lives to do. Defending the innocent and vulnerable from monsters makes his day. So when he meets Paine “BB” Addison, Julio finds himself wanting to save the abused young man from the cruel world he’s also been forced to survive.

    Paine exists in an environment where the weak and innocent are exploited for entertainment. The men who use him for their perverted pleasure and fight the dogs don’t care about the physical or emotional damage they inflict upon their victims, both animal and human. Paine lives from day to day, doing what he can to heal the wounds suffered by others, but unable to help or heal himself.

    When Julio and Paine meet, it triggers a chain of events that rocks both their worlds to the foundations. But can they also bring justice for the silent victims?


    My thoughts
    T. A. Chase does it again, just with a darker side. The sexual tension carries through the book but it is overshadowed by the story of pain & cruelty. I know it is a fictional story but I've seen enough news programs to see a kernel of truth. I want to rescue a dog. And a child. Maybe more than one. I cried at the helplessness and cringed at the squalor and felt real anger. Ms. Chase does a fabulous job of bringing us into the story and making the characters real. This story may start at a dog fight and involve the underbelly of humanity but it is ultimately a story of love, hope and survival.

    There is a bit of a cliffhanger at the end but this is, above all, a romance, so there has to be a happy ever after. Right?

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Tuesday, January 11, 2011

    Reading Challenge Memorable Memoirs



    Memorable Memoirs


    Hosted by Melissa at
    The Betty and Boo Chronicles

    2011



    This is a low-key challenge to encourage us to read memoirs. Or if we enjoy them, to read more!

    Anything that in your mind qualifies as a memoir will meet the challenge requirements. Letters, diaries, autobiographies, books on writing memoirs ... in my book, they all count as Memorable Memoirs.


    sign-up post


    1. If a Dog could Blog - review - while not your normal memoir, the author specifically states that she wanted to share the laughter and this is the result.

    2. Until Tuesday - The story of a wounded veteran and his service dog. The trials of life before they came together as well as the ups and downs they dealt with together.

    3. The Courage to Start - Classified under "The arts" but I feel it has so much of his own story in it, it counts. The author, John "The Penguin" Bingham, shares how he started running while encouraging us to "Waddle On" no matter how fast or how far we can currently run.

    4. One Silent Sleepless Night - review - The author writes about his trip through his memories as well as worry about the future during a pain filled, sleepless night after surgery.

    5. Repairing Rainbows - review goes live 8-25 - Lynda writes about losing her mother and siblings in a plane crash and what life was like afterwards and beyond. Wonderful book.


    ~Challenge Complete~
    August 1

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge TBR Dare


    Hosted by Ready when you are, C.B.
    January 1 to April 1
    2011

    I dare you to pledge you will read only the books in your TBR (To Be Read) stack for as long as you dare


    This one will be hard even though I've joined a similar challenge, I've got a book I'm itching to re-read. I'm going to count my review books since they are in my TBR pile and were received in 2010 but I'm not going to count my new non-mainstream ebooks.

    I pledge to read six books from my TBR pile

    I'd love to go the full four months but I re-read too much!


    Information post and participant list sign-up post


  • The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin
  • Voice for the Silent by T. A. Chase
  • The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde


  • March 8: read a new purchase


    short TBR list

  • Bread Alone
    Life in the Pit
    Home for the Holidays
    Zamora's Ultimate Challenge
    Traveler's Gift
    A Time Before Me

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge Romance



    Naida is hosting the 4th annual Romance Reading Challenge at The Bookworm The goal is to read five romance novels during 2011 and link your reviews.

    Here's a list of books read....I'm sure I can get five of them reviewed.

    The Christmas Clock - reviewed
    Voice for the Silent - reviewed
    The First Love Cookie Club - reviewed
    Duck! - finished Feb 19
    All of the Voices - finished Feb 20
    Black Swan - finished Mar 10
    Embrace My Reflection - finished Mar 10
    Why I Love Geeks - finished Mar 17
    Being a Green Mother - finished Mar 26
    A Modern Witch - finished Apr ?
    Hawks Landing
    Luke's Surprise
    Four Days with Jack
    Impossible to Resist
    Duty of a Beta
    The Shifter and the Dreamer
    Emeralds and Espionage
    Christmas Magic
    Multiple Organisms
    The Misfit of Supernatural High reviewed
    Cherry Pie
    Forever Blue
    When Tony Met Adam
    Mahina's Storm
    The Sword
    Taking Care of Charlie
    Rory's Last Chance
    Aftermath
    Shooting Star
    One Summer
    One Weekend reviewed


    ~Challenge Complete~
    August 7


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge ARC



    ARC*
    Challenge

    hosted by Teddy Rose at
    So Many Precious Books, So Little Time

    *any book a publisher or author gives you with the expectation that you review it, counts for this challenge.



    There are five levels and while I have enough books to go for Platinum, I'm going for Bronze b - review at least 12!

    The biggest change is that we don't need to list our review books on a "wall of shame" but I wanted to keep track online so I made my own Wall of Shame however I'm not going to embarrass myself any further by telling you when I received the book. ;)

    Title by author, date read, review date (link)
    (Jun 7: date read and review date? that didn't work!)

    Drawn to the Land - reading
    The Gathering Storm - reading
    1. Any Witch Way, Mar 22, April 8 ~ reviewed
    2. If a Dog could Blog by Princess Lola ....aka Killer, Apr 1, Apr 1 (reviewed)
    Kekula by Johcolyn Russell Neiman, Apr 2, needs review
    A Modern Witch by Debora Geary, Apr 12, needs review
    3. The Misfit of Supernatural High by Schawn C. Sproatt, Jun 1 ~ reviewed
    4. Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa ~ reviewed
    5. Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman, 8-1 - review goes live 8-25
    6. The Tallest of smalls by Max Lucedo ~ reviewed
    7. Miracle in Sumatra by Jeanne McNaney ~ reviewed
    8. White Sleeper
    9. Telling Lies
    10. Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night
    11. Eyewall by H.W. "Buzz" Bernard
    12. Yellow Moon by Jewell Parker Rhodes
    13. P.A.C.E. by Al Sears, MD

    ~Challenge Completed~
    October 9




    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge Foodie's


    I'm not a snob about my food, or my reading, and don't consider myself a foodie but when my second book of the year has "cookie" in the title, I figured I'd give this one a try. After all, who doesn't love to eat?

    Challenge is being hosted by Margot of Joyfully Retired at Foodie's Reading Challenge.

    Should be fun and it looks like Margot has put a lot of thought behind the challenge. There are several food related levels, I'm going for Nibbler, and quarterly PRIZES!

    Check out the sign-up page for more information.


    1. The First Love Cookie Club - finished Jan. 14
    2. Killer Crab Cakes - finished Apr. 4
    3. Cookie Dough or Die - finished Apr. 23

    Challenge Completed

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge A to Z (titles)


    Third time's the charm? Completed in 2009 but not officially. Official in 2010 but not completed. Official in 2011 and hope to complete it also! I may need to re-read Zanna's Gift ;)

    Challenge has it's own blog so check out the sign-up page for rules and other instructions. This one is a lot of fun and I'm glad she's hosting it again.

    A - All of the Voices
    B - Being a Green Mother
    C - The Christmas Clock reviewed
    D - Duck!
    E - Emeralds and Espionage
    F - The First Love Cookie Club reviewed
    G - Ghost from the Past
    H - Hawk's Landing
    I - If a Dog Could Blog reviewed
    J - Four Days with Jack
    K - Kekula (need review & link)
    L - Luke's Surprise
    M - A Modern Witch (need review & link)
    N - From this Night
    O - Multiple Organisms
    P - Primal Passions
    Q - Quinn's Blessing
    R - Red in the Flower Bed reviewed
    S - Stitch Me Deadly
    T - Curiosity Thrilled the Cat reviewed
    U - Wait Until Dawn
    V - Voice for the Silent reviewed
    W - Any Witch Way reviewed
    X - Xone of Contention
    Y - My Big Yard
    Z - Zane: The Wild One



    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge Mental Illness Advocacy


    Amanda started the Mental Illness Advocacy (MIA) Reading Challenge in December 2010 in an effort to raise awareness, knowledge, and acceptance of mental illness when she was unable to find a current reading challenge to address the stigma faced by those suffering from mental illness.

    In spite of mental illnesses being recognized by the scientific community as diseases just like physical ones, many still think those suffering from one are at fault for their own suffering. I hope reading and reviewing books featuring characters struggling to deal with mental illness, whether their own or another person’s, will help remove the stigma faced on a daily basis by those with a mental illness. They already have to struggle with an illness; they shouldn’t have to face a stigma too.

    Challenge Levels:
    Acquainted–4 books
    Aware–8 books
    Advocate–12 books

    I'm going to start at Acquainted and see how I do. I'm trying not to purchase new books but know of three in my library that would fit.

    ~so much for not buying new books, both of these are new ;-)


    1. Until Tuesday: A Wounded Warrior and the Golden Retriever Who Saved Him by Fmr Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter
    Seventeen years of service. Two tours of duty in Iraq. A highly decorated Captain in the Army. Traumatic brain injury, cracked vertebrae, PTSD.


    2. Impossible to Resist by Em Woods
    An alternative short story. Due to a encounter with an ex-boyfriend, Max is now afraid of touch (Haptophobia). Just the act of walking down the sidewalk or riding the bus can be a trial. Along comes Miah, a man with enough love and patience to be able to reach him.


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011



    Teaser & Top Ten Tuesday

    Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:



    • Grab your current read
    • Open to a random page
    • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
    • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
    • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!
    "Every Christmas Eve from the time she was eight years old, Sarah Collier baked kismet cookies, slept with a handful under her pillow, and dreamed of her one true love.
    .....On the Christmas morning when she was fifteen years old, Sarah woke with the sweet taste of fantasy in her mouth. Smiling, she ran the tip of her tongue over her lips."
    The First Love Cookie Club
    Lori Wilde



    Top Ten Tuesday is an original feature/weekly meme created at The Broke and the Bookish. This meme was created because we are particularly fond of lists here at The Broke and the Bookish. We'd love to share our lists with other bookish folks and would LOVE to see your top ten lists!

    Each week we will post a new Top Ten list complete with one of our bloggers answers. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND post a comment on our post with a link to your Top Ten Tuesday post to share with us and all those who are participating. If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. If you can't come up with ten, don't worry about it---post as many as you can!


    1. read review books - I'm seriously behind in this

    2. review my review books - it looks like I'm cheating but I've read six of the review books and there is no review posted so I'm making it it's own resolution.

    3. no new books - I don't know how long this will last but I have a huge backlog of TBR books in addition to review books

    4. read my own books - this means no library or borrowed from a friend books, I've got plenty in the house already, thanks.

    5. meaningful, fun and quirky blog posts - don't do memes everyday and off-topic posts are just fine. Find pictures that Scott has taken.

    6. tour books - tragically failed in my duties as a blog tour stop. I have a pile of books that need to be forwarded. Find out where they are supposed to be.

    7. contest winners - I don't know if I ever mailed them their books, how awful is that?

    8. books in storage - I hate to do it but I have so many books, I've got to box some of them up and send them to storage. I'm entering them in Library Thing first with "file box #" as a tag so I can find them again.

    9, 10 & 11. visit, comments, blog hop - there are several blogs I like to visit and I want to do it more. Meaningful comments should be made. I like to jump to blogs from their blog roll.

    12. comment back - you've stopped by and taken the time to talk to me - I should talk to you too.




    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Monday, January 10, 2011

    Reading Challenge - Off the Shelf Challenge


    This fabulous challenge is being hosted by Bookish Ardour at her dedicated challenge blog. The plan? To whittle down that huge TBR pile! No fair buying a new book and adding it to the list!

    This one fits right along with my plan to read more of my own without having to give them away after.

    There are several levels to the challenge so check out the sign-up post and join us.

    I should choose Hoarder but don't want to commit to so many of my own books - there are too many news ones to read ;)

    I choose level......
    3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read

    I don't want the pressure of a higher number but am hoping that I add +11 to this total.

    1. The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin
    2. The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde
    3. A Constellation of Cats edited by Denise Little
    4. Emeralds and Espionage by Lynn Gardner
    5. Zane: The Wild One by Bronwyn Jameson
    6. The Man the the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming
    7. One Silent Sleepless Night by Spencer W. Kimball
    8. Forever Blue by Suzanne Brockmann
    9. Primal Fear by Caroline Burnes
    10.

    Jun: I think I set myself up to fail this one by choosing too high of a number!




    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    What are you Reading?


    Sheila at One Persons Journey Through a World of Books hosts this weekly meme. Link up and let us know what you've just finished and plan to read this week.



    The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin Read and reviewed
    Welcome to Harmony by Jodi Thomas
    The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde
    Murder Past Due by Miranda James
    Bridge to Happiness by Jill Barnett - started
    Cupid Cats by anthology includes: Katie MacAlister, Vicki Lewis Thompson, Connie Brockway


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Sunday, January 9, 2011

    interesting post found at.....

    Smart Money.....The Funny Thing about Lip Balm. The article was published in April so I'm crossing my fingers it will be around for a while.

    Do lip balm have addictive additives? Why are we so dependent on them? Do they really add fiberglass? "What's remarkable isn't the persistence of lip-balm conspiracy theories, but how common this line of thinking is." Google it, I got "About 4,150,000 results (0.11 seconds) ". See if you can find the Facebook group.

    Q: Do you use lip balm?

    Check out the ending and comment about how you feel this may relate the our reading. ;)

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Saturday, January 8, 2011

    The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin


    The Christmas Clock
    Kat Martin

    Publisher: Vanguard Press
    format: mass market paperback
    Release Date: Oct 2010
    pages: 172 plus extras

    from my personal shelves




    from the back cover:
    Teddy Sparks was eight years old that Christmas, too young to understand all the undercurrents swirling around him in the tiny Michigan town of Dreyerville.

    He wasn't able to value that Christmas for the miracle it truly was.

    Teddy only knew he wanted to buy the beautiful Victorian clock in the window of Tremont's Antiques as a gift for his grandmother, Lottie Sparks, a woman desperate to find him a home before her rapidly progressing Alzheimer's left him an orphan.

    Teddy didn't know that in trying to buy the clock he would meet Sylvia Winters and Joe Dixon, a couple, once in love, desperate to overcome the past. He didn't know he would form a friendship with his neighbors, Floyd and Doris Culver, two people struggling to revive their long-dead marriage.

    He didn't know that these people would fill his Christmas with magic and hope; that the love of his friends would change his world, and that he would forever change theirs.


    spoiler alert about the ending





    My thoughts
    I'll admit that I only picked it up because of the cover but the back was why I purchased. I'm a sucker for a feel-good Christmas story and The Christmas Clock did not disappoint. I even cried. Beware, if you're buying because of the author. There is a Q&A in the back and one of the questions starts with "...is a departure from your usual writing".

    This is a sweet story, heart wrenching at times, but the characters grow on you and you end up cheering them on as if they're your own neighbors. Ms. Martin has brought us a glimpse of what could happen to a loved one in our own lives but the ending leaves you feeling that all is right with the world.

    Jill Marie Landis, bestselling author herself, said it best. "...A lovely tale of finding family, love, joy and forgiveness all in one sweet package."




    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Books Read....

    I thought it would be easier to list my 100+ books if I did it a month at a time ;) then decided on Quarterly reports....then updated/changed again so this is "current" as of May 15....still not sure if I'm happy with it.


    January Recap

    1. The Christmas Clock by Kat Martin
    100+, +11 in '11 (reviews), 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, MMM, Off the Shelves, Romance (reviewed), TBR Dare, Where are you reading?

    2. Pulling Away by Shawn Lane
    100+, ebooks

    3. Pulling Apart by Shawn Lane
    100+, ebooks

    4. Voice for the Silent by T.A. Chase
    100+, +11 in '11 (reviews), 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, ebooks, MMM, Romance (reviewed), TBR Dare

    5. The First Love Cookie Club by Lori Wilde
    100+, +11 in '11 (reviews), A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, Foodie, MMM, Off the Shelves, Romance (reviewed), TBR Dare, What's in a Name?, Where are you reading?

    6. Middle Man by Kate Steele
    100+, 52 in 52, ebooks

    7. I'll Run Away for the Holidays by Stephani Hecht
    100+, 52 in 52, ebooks




    February Recap

    8. Ghost from the Past by Carol Lynne
    100+, 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, ebooks, Where are you reading?

    9. Canine TLC by Deirdre O'Dare
    100+, ebooks

    10. Duck! by Kim Dare
    100+, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, ebooks, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed)

    11. All of the Voices by Bailey Bradford
    100+, 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, ebooks, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed)

    12. As Above, So Below by Mychael Black
    100+, ebooks

    13. Twists and Turns by Stevie Woods
    100+, ebooks, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed)

    14. From this Night by L.E. Bryce
    100+, 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), ebooks

    15. Dinner and a Movie by M. Durango
    100+, ebooks

    16. Where He Belongs by DC Juris
    100+, ebooks

    17. You Don't Need a Doctor by Julia Talbot
    100+, A to Z (titles), ebooks, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed)

    18. Some Good Doctoring by BA Tortuga
    100+, ebooks



    March Recap

    19. Long-Term by A. Sparrow & N. Brooks
    100+, A to Z (titles), ebooks, MMM

    20. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
    100+, +11 in '11 (reviews),52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, Cruisin' Thru the Cozies, MMM, What an Animal, Where are you reading?


    21. Black Swan by Willa Okati
    100+, Color Coded, ebooks, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed), What an Animal

    22. Embrace My Reflection by TA Chase
    100+, A to Z (titles), ebooks, MMM, Romance (needs to be reviewed), Where are you reading?

    23. Sheriff Found by Joyce Flynn
    100+, ebooks

    24. Wait Until Dawn by Bailey Bradford
    100+, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, ebooks

    25. Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee
    100+, 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Cruisin' thru the Cozies, MMM, What an Animal, Where are you reading?

    26. The Shifter and the Dreamer by Chrissy Smith
    100+, Alphabet Challenge, ebooks, MMM, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed)

    27. Why I Love Geeks by TA Chase
    100+, 52 in 52, ebooks, MMM, Romance (needs to be reviewed)

    28. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
    100+, 52 in 52, What an Animal

    29. Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage
    100+, 52 in 52, A to Z (titles), Alphabet Challenge, ARC, ebooks, MMM, Spring Reading Thing, What an Animal, Where are you reading?

    30. Being a Green Mother by Piers Anthony
    100+, A to Z (titles), Color Coded, MMM, Romance (needs to be reviewed), Spring Reading Thing, What's in a Name?

    31. Duty of a Beta by Kim Dare
    100+, ebooks, Paranormal/Fantasy Romance, Romance (needs to be reviewed), Spring Reading Thing


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Friday, January 7, 2011

    Reading Challenge - oops, CLUTTER Challenge

    looks like next year the challenge posts will not start with reading ;)


    I like to have a place for everything and everything in it's place. I know, if you've been in our home you won't believe me because I have TOO MUCH STUFF!

    When I was first married, there was one bedroom and no garage/storage, then three-bedrooms and a carport/storage. Now there are four-bedrooms and a two-car garage. Not only has the "stuff" expanded to fit the space - it is overflowing!

    How fortunate to see Melissa's post at The Betty and Boo Chronicles. Her comments about the frustration of putting "declutter" on your new year's resolution list, again and again, really struck home with me. She is going to do it this year and we get ring-side seats!

    She wants to "throw out, recycle, or donate" 2,011 things this year. Even if she doesn't make it, there will be a dent! Soda cans/bottles and last week's leftovers don't count but that homework paper from two years ago counts as one. So does the expired Border's coupon you didn't use. Cool, huh?

    I'll join in but I'm not going to list everything like Melissa is. Check out the specific post and see how she's doing.

    As I was telling my daughter about this, I called it an odyssey and then said, I didn't really call it that. She said I should have. I guess she's right. This will be a long eventful journey, often filled with hardships. ;)


    odyssey progress:
    so far...

    I've been carrying around an extra 52 pieces of paper between my wallet and purse. GONE! I'm just happy I didn't just toss them, I found $25 :grin: The flip side is that if the papers hadn't been there, the money couldn't hide....

    All the Christmas decorations, except the tree, are boxed up. Not exactly gone but at least they're "in their place"

    I have four books ready to donate

    recycled an unused planner calender from 2005 ...yikes!

    recycled a telephone directory for a planner size I no longer own

    finally, tossed the grocery bag of "office paper" in the recycle bin, paper bag too - going to count as one ;)

    three gift bags/boxes are now in their place ;)

    recycled the tissue paper, I don't need to count each piece do I?

    two more items put away

    three more papers recycle that would have been 'kept' before, not because I needed them just not 'tossed'

    recycled Ikea catalog.....from 2003!

    five more papers recycled

    17 more items recycled, filed, trashed or put away :)

    Feb. 16

    "filing" books and threw away about 20 pieces of paper/sticky notes being used as bookmarks

    sigh, threw away a book. Actually I recycled it - manual for a broken Palm

    hey - recycle the Palm! There is a e-waste Saturday so the broken Palm & CD player as well as a replaced TV goes, that's another 3 items :D

    recycled 3 odd size shipping boxes

    recycled 23 copies of a crossword puzzle for a family reunion (filed one)

    50 papers recycled. I do the bulletin for our Sunday services and each week required two papers. Why was I keeping these? I know I was, they were paper clipped together!

    10 items: 8 papers, a 13 page bound booklet (8.5x11), and 1 large envelope to hold it all. Small potatoes? It was a uncompleted survey from middle school - the kid is 21!

    22 papers for BSA summer camp, from 2007

    105 miscellaneous receipts, notes, and catalogs.

    And the grocery sack they were in.

    1 late bill paid


    I think I'm liking this challenge, 300+ items tossed, recycled, filed, donated, or paid! I really don't know if it would all have been done this soon after Jan 1st if not for the challenge. Thanks Melissa!

    April 30:

    48 more books to donate
    25 pages of book notes/lists
    51 misc papers; receipts, homework, statements of closed accounts...

    May 3:

    1 more book
    2 catalogs
    37 misc papers/sticky notes

    May 4:
    2 directories (80 & 97 pages)
    57 misc papers/sticky notes

    5-17/22:
    1 bookmark found and put away
    1 fabric sample tossed (from 4 years ago?)
    26 misc papers/receipts


    Important note. I went to the grocery store on Saturday and not only did I NOT save the grocery list, I threw away the receipt! Usually these get tossed in my purse then on a table next month then maybe a box before being thrown away. I know it was only three papers but it is an important step.

    7-14:
    sigh, we have a water leak. The plumber is going to be working on the pipes tomorrow so the space had to be cleared. He needs the wall behind a dresser that has stuff all over it! While moving stuff out of the way....

    tossed 2 pens
    a strip of coupons (expired 9-2010)
    2 batteries
    10 magazines (didn't even flip through them!)
    "happy meal" bucket (Halloween! I haven't eaten at MickeyD's in years)
    deflated balloon (??)
    3 votive candles that no longer smell like banana nut muffins
    a, at one time, very nice hard sided gift bag
    and....an empty cardboard dip package that was hiding under the
    angel food cake (still moist) that we served on Memorial Day
    put away the pot the cake was hiding under ;-)

    Yea, another 24 items!

    update: 9-3
    total so far is 575 items
    I know there are more because I lost a list but I'm so happy with my progress so far.
    later on 9-3: cleaned out my purse and was able to toss 24 notes, coupons and/or receipts

    Dec 15: another 124 notes, receipts, sales circulars, expired coupons! Eleven more papers and 9 magazines
    total so far.....743. Too bad most of these a papers. I'm mean, I'm glad they are gone but I need bigger stuff!

    Cleared out craft drawers but there is no way to figure out number of items :-(

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Thursday, January 6, 2011

    housekeeping...


    oh, the shame of it and to think, I started off so organized!

    People have been wonderful about sending me books to review but I have fallen more and more behind in my reviews. It's really sad when I read the book within the week of receipt and still don't have a review up!

    I do not know what order the books will end up in on the list. I do know that several of the agents would rather I read/review the newest first since the campaign for the older ones is over. sigh

    And to top it off....I received an ebook today for review!

    Now, to go through my pile and make my list.

    2 in the Hat
    18 Billion
    18 Minutes (Nov11)
    40+ and Fabulous (Feb11)

    Across the Endless River
    Agony Hill
    The Alphabet Challenge
    Ancient Awakening (Feb11)
    Any Witch Way (Mar11)
    The Art of Meaningful Living

    Bayou Moon
    Before I Fall (Nov11)
    Benny & Shrimp
    The Big Ten of Grammer
    Billy Boy (Sep11)
    Bodyguards in Bed (Jun11)
    Boneman's Daughter
    Bridge to Happiness (Jan11)
    Bring Me Home for Christmas (Nov11)
    The Brimstone Murders
    Broken Evolution (Dec11)
    Bullet Work (Mar11)
    Burn
    But Then Again I Could Be Wrong
    By The Time You Read This I'll Be Dead

    Children of Dust (niece borrowed)
    The Choice (Aug11)
    A Circle of Souls
    Citizen Dick
    Cloud Crash (Feb11)
    The Clouds Roll Away
    The Cold Room
    Conflicts with Interest
    Code Blood (Oct11)
    The Cost of Dreams
    Counting from Zero (Jun11)
    The Culture of Excess

    Dancing With Ana
    Dancing with My Father
    The Dark Divine
    Deadfall (Apr11)
    Defenders of the Scroll
    Dino Vicelli Private Eye
    Dirty Little Angeles
    Divine Intervention (Jun11)
    A Dog Named Slugger
    Drawn to the Land

    Economic Meltdown: A Family Preparedness Plan for Disaster (Mar11)
    Eyewall (Jul11)

    Falling into the Sun
    Fearless
    The First Day After Life (Apr11)
    Freedom's Sword (Apr11)
    The Future Perfect (Jul11)

    The Gathering Storm
    The Girl Made of Cool
    Gone (Apr11)

    The Haunted eBook (Feb11)
    He Stopped Loving Her Today (Jul11)
    Health Beyond Medicine
    Heirs of Mars (Jul11)
    The Hole in Our Gospel
    The Hunt for Atlantis

    I, Robot (not that one)
    If a Dog Could Blog (Mar11)

    Janeology
    Jockeys and Jewels (Jul11)

    Kekula (Mar11)
    Kiss Her, Kill Her (Aug11)

    Lady Carliss
    The Lake (Jun11)
    The Lie
    Life After 187
    The Little Known
    The Lost Child
    Love.com (Jul11)

    Magic Strikes
    The Male Factor
    The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
    The Manufactured Identity
    A Map Across Time (in the mail)
    The Masonic Myth
    Miracle in Sumatra
    The Misfits of Supernatural High (Apr11)
    Mr. Darcy Broke My Heart
    A Modern Witch (Apr11)
    Moonstone
    Most Likely (Jul11)
    Mother-Daughter Duet
    Multiple of Six (Aug11)

    Nibble and Kuhn
    Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night
    Nitt Witt Hill (Dec11)
    No Alibi (May11)
    Northlight (Apr11)
    A Note from An Old Acquaintance
    The Noticer

    Of All the Stupid Things
    On the Edge
    Only in New York, Darling!

    P.A.C.E.
    The Paperboys Club (Jul11)
    Peace, Love, & Murder (Apr11)
    Playing House
    Possible Futures
    The Price of Revenge
    Primitive
    Prince Harming Syndrome
    Prophecy (Apr11)

    Rainbow in the Night
    Raising Dragons
    Raven's Ladder
    The Recipe Club
    Red Alert (Nov11)
    Red in the Flower Bed
    Repairing Rainbows (May11~Aug tour)
    Reveange (Jun11)
    Right Side of the Tracks

    Saving Max
    Second Chance
    The Secret Year
    The Silent Gift
    Skirting the Gorge (Jul11)
    Soft Spots
    Solace
    A Songbird in My Heart
    Speak to Our Desires
    Spin the Plate
    The Sportscasters Guide to Watching Football
    Stepmonster
    Still Life Paintings (Jul11)
    The Survivor (Jun11)

    The Tallest of smalls
    Telling Lies (Jul11~Sep tour) goes live later this month
    Thirsty
    Thumbing through Thoreau
    To the Edge
    Too Near the Edge (Apr11)
    True North
    Tuesday Night Miracles (Dec11)

    Unwelcome (Nov11)

    Verita (Jul11)
    Voice of the Undead (Jun11)

    Wait Until Twilight
    Water Witch
    Welcome to Town (Feb11)
    When Mermaids Sing
    Whiskey Gulf
    White Sleeper (Apr11)
    Wired (Jun11)
    Without Reproach (Jul11)
    The Wolf of Tebron

    Yellow Moon
    You Never Know (Jun11)
    Your Legacy of Love




    1-9-11: This look very bad. Several of these have been read and I know I'm missing some!

    3-18-11: Added current ones but still missing some!

    5-29-11: Whew! I'm only missing one now that I know of. My daughter's reading it ;) Got it!





    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Great idea

    I ran across an interesting Facebook group. I don't remember what I was originally looking for but when I saw this, I had to share.

    Remember the corner bookstore that isn't there anymore? How about the donut shop? The Hardware store? I'm sure we all have favorite small businesses. They may not even be independently owned bookstores!! I remember a great ice cream shop that's gone now. It wasn't super local so we didn't go much, apparently no one else did either :(

    I haven't done more than a surface check but really, is it too much to shop at a small business a bit now so it will still be there next time you want to go?

    If you don't have a FB account, don't worry, head to the website. It looks easy to do, just pick three small, locally-owned businesses you'd like to stay in business and spend $50. Next month, do it again. Sure, one of the sponsors is American Express Open and they're big business but it's still a sound idea.

    Check it out then help save a local business.


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Reading Challenge - oops, FITNESS Challenge



    I so need this one and I love how Ellie has it set up. This is a year-long challenge so head to the Sign-up post to check out all the details then join us.

    Now to figure out how I want to update.....new page weekly, monthly, update here.....

    365 - Sundays /400 miles = less than 1 mile a day!

    What counts:
    mile for mile-walking/jogging/running outside or inside on a treadmill, biking outside or inside on a recumbent, spin or stationary bike. WATP Mile DVD's: 1 mile walk, 2 mile walk etc.

    15 min. equals 1 mile-
    cardio, step aerobics, swimming, weight lifting, workout videos, exercise classes

    Minutes and miles can roll over:
    If you only walk for 3/4 mile, or exercise for 10 minutes, you can add those minutes/minutes to the next day.

    Want to join me and get fit in 2011? We can do it!!


    UPDATE: Shanae at Triumph and Tears is our new host!


    May: I have been working out, just wish I would do it more often and remember to tell you about it :( I've added the challenge button to link back here, maybe it will be a reminder?

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Tuesday, January 4, 2011

    Teaser Tuesday

    Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:



    • Grab your current read
    • Open to a random page
    • Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
    • BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
    • Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


    "I didn't know that in trying to buy the clock, I would meet the people who would change my world, and my life would never be the same."
    The Christmas Clock
    Kat Martin



    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Challenges for 2011

    Welcome to my 2011 Challenge page
    Each name is a link to my post about the challenge. That is where you'll find where it is hosted, what the requirements are, the time frame and my progress/list of books. Or a link to wherever my book list is.

    December 10: Open Challenges
    52-52-52, into 2012
    ALA's Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010, into 2012
    Fall into Reading 9-23/12-22 (one more book!)
    Monthly Mix-up Mania, two years!
    Where Are You Reading? & 50 States


    December 2: Open Challenges
    400 Mile Fitness Challenge ~no way, will try again next year
    Declutter Challenge ~oh, please
    52-52-52, into 2012
    ALA's Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010, into 2012
    Christmas Spirit, Nov 21 to Jan 6 ~completed
    Fall into Reading 9-23/12-22
    Holiday Read-a-Thon Dec 2-4 ~completed
    Monthly Mix-up Mania, two years!
    Snowy Days Read-a-Thon, Dec 5-7 ~completed
    Where Are You Reading? & 50 States




    Original List
    400 Mile Fitness Challenge
    Declutter Challenge


    +11 in '11 ~completed~
    52-52-52, into 2012
    J. Kaye's 100+ ~completed~
    A to Z, titles ~completed~
    ALA's Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books of 2010, into 2012
    Alphabet Challenge, characters ~completed~

    Anne McCaffrey Challenge ~completed~
    ARC Challenge ~completed~
    The Art of the Novella August only ~completed~
    BEDA ~completed~
    Birth Year Reading Challenge ~completed~
    The Chronicles of Narnia, read-a-long ~failed~

    Color Coded ~completed~
    Two Cozy Mystery Challenges ~both completed~
    E-Book Challenge ~completed~
    Fall into Reading 9-23/12-22
    Foodie's Reading Challenge ~completed~
    The Harlequin/Silhouette Reading Challenge ~completed~

    Jane Austen
    Memorable Memoirs ~completed~
    Mental Illness Advocacy ~abandoned~
    Monthly Mix-up Mania, two years!
    Mystery & Suspense ~completed~

    The Non-Fiction Challenge ~completed~
    Off the Shelves ~abandoned~
    Outdo Yourself ~completed/abandoned~
    Paranormal/Fantasy Romance Challenge ~completed~
    R.I.P. VI ~completed~

    Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks ~completed~
    Read to Me ~completed~
    R.Y.O.B. Read-a-Thon ~completed~
    Reading Challenge Addict ~completed~
    Romance Reading Challenge ~completed~
    Spring Reading Thing, Mar 20-Jun 20 ~completed~

    The TBR Dare to April 1st or six books minimum ~Failed~
    Toss Me a Frosty One! Jun 21-Sep 22 ~completed~
    What an Animal IV ~completed~
    What's in a Name 4 ~completed~
    Where Are You Reading? & 50 States

    Young Readers ~completed~




    not bad, first week of January and I'm only at 1 read-a-long and 5 challenges ;)

    The month isn't even half over and I'm up to 17 book challenges! Good thing I can overlap my reading.

    3-12-11: found more! I've linked a couple but only started to list the ones I'm still thinking about :D

    3-24-11: I should quit while I'm ahead but I just know there will be some great summer/fall/winter challenges I'll want to do

    4-2-11: sigh, joined another one
    4-30: and another!
    May... two more but one I was able to say no to ;)

    September: THREE more! Two are repeats and one almost duplicates another challenge so I should be good to complete them also

    Almost made it...."hosting" one!




    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Read-a-long The Chronicles of Narnia

    I've been meaning to re-read the series for several years and Whitney has given me the perfect reason not to wait....a read-a-long!



    Check out her post to learn about dates then sign up and join us! We won't start until February so you've got time to find your kid's copy, check it out at the library or purchase a copy of your very own. Hey, read it with the kids!


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

    Monday, January 3, 2011

    Reading Challenge Where Are You Reading?

    There is a lot of information to do with challenge so you'll need to see Shelia's post. Basically, you use google maps to mark your book's location. Cool, huh?

    Since I'm not going to purchase new books for a while, I thought this would be an interesting challenge to do. Now, to figure out how to do the map part..... not too hard - asked son ;)

    My unmodified map is here


    I give up and am going to do this the less-tech way until I can get some help




    Another "where" type challenge is being hosted by Tasha at Book Obsessed

    Alabama -
    Alaska -
    Arizona -
    Arkansas -
    California - A Modern Witch
    Colorado -
    Connecticut -
    Delaware -
    Florida - Primal Fear
    Georgia - Eyewall
    Hawaii -
    Idaho - Incoming Freshman
    Illinois - Murder of a Bookstore Babe
    Indiana -
    Iowa -
    Kansas - 100 Cupboards
    Kentucky -
    Louisiana - Embrace My Reflection
    Maine - Mind Over Murder
    Maryland - Cookie Dough or Die
    Massachusetts - The Square Root of Murder
    Michigan - The Christmas Clock
    Minnesota - Curiosity Thrilled the Cat
    Mississippi -
    Missouri -
    Montana -
    Nebraska -
    Nevada -
    New Hampshire - Chapter & Hearse
    New Jersey -
    New Mexico - If a Dog could Blog
    New York - Until Tuesday
    North Carolina - Cherry Pie
    North Dakota -
    Ohio -
    Oklahoma - A Daddy for Christmas
    Oregon - Stitch Me Deadly
    Pennsylvania - Any Witch Way
    Rhode Island -
    South Carolina - Forever Blue
    South Dakota -
    Tennessee -
    Texas - The First Love Cookie Club
    Utah -
    Vermont -
    Virginia -
    Washington - Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor
    West Virginia - I Call Death Dad
    Wisconsin -
    Wyoming - Ghost from the Past

    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011
    Disclaimer

    In accordance to the FTC guidelines, I must state that I make no monetary gains from my reviews or endorsements here on Book Dragon's Lair. All books I review are either borrowed, purchased by me, given as a gift, won in some kind of contest, or received in exchange for an honest review.