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!)

Thursday, May 31, 2012

Reading Project - Shelf Discovery

Read-Long!
Lizzie Skurnick's Shelf Discovery
June 4 to Aug 20

read a chapter, and a book from or related to that chapter. Or remember rather than read a book. Then discuss. Or just lurk.

more info, here


I've got my book. Can I start now? ;)

Don't know if I'll participate every week but it looks like fun!






copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, May 28, 2012

Happy Monday

As you may know, I'd rather read than clean house. Sigh, just as I'm getting started, I threw my back out. I did go to the chiropractor but.... now I've got to be "party" clean in three days. I could do it if I didn't hurt but I can hardly bend down to pick stuff up and can't lift it when I get down there!

Happy Memorial Day! We spend it with the family, here for a swim party. My brothers and their families are invited but I don't think they'll all come (out of town) but my in-laws will be here along with friends.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Cindy's Love of Books for hosting in April. May's host is Martha's Bookshelf (blog link, not post link).

Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:
ZeroWater pitcher from Compost Happens

from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
Stamped Out by Terri Thayer
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Lemon Tart by Josi S. Kilpack


kindle/ebooks (some titles were free or almost free):
Open Minds by Susan Kaye Quinn
Xenofreak Nation by Melissa Conway
Untraceable by Laura Griffin
...went shopping through the free section, added a bunch then clicked Pin It
(not finished pinning all of them)




What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
Town in a Blueberry Jam by B. B. Haywood
Stamped Out by Terri Thayer
Xenofreak Nation by Melissa Conway
Hard Tail by JL Merrow
Marathon Cowboys by Sarah Black

Reading:
Adam Orser: the Chronicles of Evolution
Town in a Blueberry Jam
Code Blood
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 
Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
Here Lies the Librarian by Richard Peck

Next up:


Reviewed:



Did Not Finish, may try again later:


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Sunday, May 27, 2012

The Sunday Salon

The Sunday Salon.com
Welcome to my first Sunday Salon. I thought to join way back when but I don't spend all day Sunday reading so thought the group was not for me. Decided to join later but I was too late (over 500 members!). Now that Sunday Salon is a Facebook Group, I can join up. You can too.

There are a whole lot of us. Not everyone posts each week and there is no way we could all comment meaningfully on everybody but it would be fascinating reading! I've included a blog roll at the end of this post.

I would love to be able to sit in a large library with a bunch of other people reading and talking books. I'm just as happy sitting in my favorite chair with a cat on my lap, a good book/laptop open, and a cold drink at hand. Taking breaks for TV/movies ;) I don't review everything I read but do post "finished reading" with a description, cover, publishing details and why I read it. These posts can be found at My Corner of the Matrix is a Library

Let me introduce myself. I'm a 40+ (yikes, closer to 50) SAHM that has run out of reasons to stay home but has no need for a job outside the home. I like to sew, quilt, scrapbook, crochet, do counted cross stitch, visit SparkPeople and participate in 5k races. All of which I'm not currently doing! I hate housework and laundry but love my washer and dryer. I have a brown thumb but like to play in the dirt. I have a love/hate relationship with the gym and the kitchen. I spend way too much time on Facebook playing games and even more time with my nose in a book.

I've been married for 26 years and we have two children, Daughter (25) and Son (22). At one point we had one dog, one cat, one rabbit, one fish and three turtles. We currently have two cats as our bunny know lives with Daughter.

Health wise, I have an undiagnosed sleep disorder and am bi-polar. I'm sure you'll notice one but not the other.

We recently had dinner with M's brother and partner. She asked what was new and I had to tell her that my live resolves around what books I'm reading. Most of my friends have moved and I'm not doing anything else exciting. Time to find out if there is more to life then books!

It's time to do something exciting.

for today, May 27, I'm trying to finish cleaning house so it's party ready. I procrastinated and when I started last Monday....I threw out my back. Doing my best to work through it but I won't be doing much of anything after tomorrow. Except going to the chiropractor again. And reading, duh ;)

We moved into this house during a May and as I looked around at all the moving boxes, my eyes went outside. Pool. Sparkly. Cool. So inviting. Let's have a party. So we invited our parents and siblings for a swim party on Memorial Day. Then we did it again the next year. Then we did it again the next year. :D Twenty years later....they're all coming tomorrow. Not everyone can make it as the kids have grown up and headed to school or married and are out of state.

Bring your own drinks and some food to share, come anytime after noon. Don't forget your towels and sunscreen.

Have a great week, remember Freedom isn't Free - thank a veteran.

Happy Reading!

Gina, a book dragon
because books are a treasure worth protecting
the script worked but man, it's a long list!...

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Friday, May 25, 2012

Reading Challenge Completed

Woot! This is really just a copy of my Mystery/Suspense challenge page. I'm so excited I completed this one. I was struggling with several cozies for a while and four that I started but haven't finished yet. I'm sure that now I'm finished with the challenge, I'll feel like reading cozies!


Challenge 5: Cozy Mystery Challenge at it's own blog

Time Frame: April 1 thru September 30

Basic Requirements: a minimum of six cozy mysteries. Two of which must be for this challenge only! (page/book count challenges are okay to overlap).

sign-up here



Challenge 5:
1. Hiss of Death by Rita Mae & Sneaky Pie (this challenge only)
2. Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates (this challenge only)
3. Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly
4. Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
5. Town in a Blueberry Jam by B. B. Haywood
6. Stamped Out by Terri Thayer

~Challenge Complete~
May 25


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Challenge - Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book

 

Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book
Jan 1 thru Dec 31, 2012
hosted by me ;)



Official sign-up linky at bottom of main page

Details about the challenge are here



Wow, I never made a official "I'm in" post! Here it is



The Choices (cross off ones read)
Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
Arabella by Georgette Heyer
The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R. King
The Book Thief by Markus Zusak
Briar's Book by Tamora Pierce
The Cat Who series by Lilian Jackson Braun
The Christmas Box by Richard Paul Evans

A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens
The Daughter of Time by Josephine Tey
The English Patient by Michael Ondaatje
Fools Rush In by Janice Thompson
Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Anne Barrows and Mary Ann Shaffer
Happy All the Time by Laurie Colwin
Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowlings
The Hawk and the Jewel, The by Lori Wick
The Hobbit, The by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Hound of the Baskervilles by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
How to Make an American Quilt by Whitney Otto
The Inn at Lake Devine by Elinor Lipman
The Irish Country series Patrick Taylor
Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts
Le Grand Secret (The Immortals) by René Barjavel
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Mist of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
The Mitford series by Jan Karon
The Negotiator by Dee Henderson
The Night Watch by Sergej Lukianenko
North and South by Elizabeth Gaskell
Northern Lights by Phillip Pullman
The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
Persuasion by Jane Austen
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Phryne Fisher Mystery series by Kerry Greenwood
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Princess Bride, The by William Goldman
The Protector of the Small quartet by Tamora Pierce
Queen of the Damned by Anne Rice
Secret Garden, The by
Frances Hodgson Burnett
Spy Wore Red, The by Aline, Countess of Romanones
Stand, The by Stephen King
Stone and the Flute, The by Hans Bemmann
Tangled Web, A by L.M. Montgomery
Time Traveler's Wife, The by Audrey Niffenegger
Venetia by Georgette Heyer
Westing Game, The by Ellen Raskin
Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
Worthing Saga, The by Orson Scott Card

Books Read


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, May 21, 2012

Summer Reading Challenge

Another challenge I'm sure to fail ;) but thought you'd like to read about it!


Summer Reading Challenge
May 28, 2012 to August 31, 2012


Fulfill the categories in any order. Don't forget to share why you chose the titles you did. Also, share comments about the books you're reading! We invite conversations :) GOAL: Commit to completing 8 titles that you have never read before! (10 for a bonus.) CRITERIA: Choose any title in the following categories:

1. A book in an unfamiliar genre [Read outside your comfort zone!]

2. A book that is part of a series
Catching Fireflies
Sherryl Woods

3. A book that your friend or wider society has been raving about!

4. A book that ‘could’ [This category is open to your interpretation*]
Consent to Kill
by Vince Flynn

5. A book from the Modern Library's 100 Best Novels List. [See NY Times link]

6. A book that reminds you of your childhood.
 

7. A banned or contested book, OR a book that lied to us*
 

8. A book you judged by the cover. [For whatever reason, the cover attracted you.]

Forbidden Heat
by Opal Carew


9. Bonus: A blog turned book [OR a book turned blockbuster movie] 

The Blind Side
by Michael Lewis

10. Bonus: Free choice! 
Memorial Day
by Vince Flynn


REASONS:

8 - book I judged by the cover
Well? Look at it!


4 - espionage thriller, we'll never hear about it if it does but still. . .



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Monday

Have you read 50 Shade of Gray yet? How about Naked Came the Stranger....author dies ...interesting story at the NY Times.

Shelia at Book Journey. Pointed out this story.... Christopher Robin's house is for sale. I wonder if it could be made into a bed and breakfast? Would you go?

Wonder what the judge was thinking? Man freed on bond must write Book Reports.

Something to think about when traveling with animals, especially kittens.

Busy week cleaning house, catching up on laundry and reading for Bout of Books. Got some reading done but not much else!

Husband took a work trip in the middle of the week, always throws off my schedule.

Saturday was spent at RenFaire! Enjoyed the day with my husband, bought some nice things and came home hot, tired and sunburned. sorry, yesterday was the last day but they'll be back next year.

Books are Magic for several reasons, here's Suzanne's reasons

Spent some time with MIL Sunday (and Wednesday). She's doing really well after hip replacement surgery.

Guess this week was busy. Friday night saw us out to dinner with my parents, kids and brother Randy.

Finished Bout of Books Read-a-Thon yesterday, wrap up post here. Did way better than I thought I had.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Cindy's Love of Books for hosting in April. May's host is Martha's Bookshelf (blog link, not post link).

Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:


from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands
More Than Words anthology with Debbie Macomber, Brenda Novak, Meryl Sawyer
Circle of Seven by Bryan Davis


kindle/ebooks (some titles were free or almost free):
The Admiral's Mark by Steve Berry
Desperate Passage by Ethan Rarick
Just The Way You Are by Barbara Freethy
Must Love Dogs by Claire Cook
Love Bites by Lynsay Sands
...went shopping through the free section, added a bunch then clicked Pin It





What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.

Finished:
Candlestone by Bryan Davis
For the Attention Of by Kim DareRSVP by Kim Dare
Written Request by Kim Dare
Orders Enclosed by Kim Dare
Cordially Invited by Kim Dare
For His Eyes Only by Kim Dare
Yours Sincerely by Kim Dare
Be There by Kim Dare
By Hand by Kim Dare
Academic Pursuits by Lou Harper
Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston
Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands
Love Bites by Lynsay Sands

Reading:
Candlestone by Bryan Davis
Adam Orser: the Chronicles of Evolution
Micro
Town in a Blueberry Jam
Code Blood
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear 
Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke

Next up:


Reviewed:



Did Not Finish, may try again later:


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Sunday, May 20, 2012

Bout of Books Wrap-up




Gasp, it's over?
Nooooo!



My plans for the week were simple. Finish 4 challenge specific books and a couple just for kicks. I didn't have specific books listed, more along the lines of "read and review one cozy". Complete a couple of my reading challenges. So, how did I do?

Challenge Specific:
1. Micro for 50 States and Where are you reading (Hawaii)
2. Under a Vampire Moon for Vampire and Immortal
3. Love Bites for Vampire and Immortal (finishes the vamp section of Immortal) and ebook
4. When You Call My Name for ebook
5. Academic Pursuits for ebook (and finishes the challenge)

Just for Kicks:
Kim Dare has a series (Pushing the Envelope) of erotic short stories (m/m and BDSM)
1. For the Attention Of
2. RSVP
3. Written Request
4. Orders Enclosed
5. Cordially Invited
6. For His Eyes Only
7. Yours Sincerely
8. Be There
9. By Hand
(dang, #10 comes out in June)

still reading....
Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear
Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke


as for the rest,

Goal post? check
Twitter updates? some
Twitter chats? no
Two giveaways? check
Six Challenges? um, one late. one yes. four fail, hangs head in shame.
Check in with others? not enough



Watched a movie (Moneyball) and most of another (Die Hard 4). Checked off a couple of things on my To-Do list but not enough. Went out to dinner, "babysat" my MIL (hip replacement surgery), spent a morning at RenFaire!



Do it again? You bet! I'll want more specific goals, do more challenges, visit, visit, visit!



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Summer 2012 Book Challenge Check-in



Summer 2012 Book Challenge
Progress Check-in

There are several rules so check it out and sign-up here

This is my first check-in

15 points for reading a book in one calendar day

Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis (5-8)


so, um, yeah. That's it. Several of the books I have on this list are in storage and I don't think I'll be picking them up until June.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

Bout of Books Challenge Day Two

Read-a-Thon!
Day Two Challenge
at Nyx Book Review


Challenge comes in two parts. I Tweeted part one but part two is too long to tweet ;)





PART ONE: Share your most shocking, embarrassing or funny book related story.
tweeted this here
- Or -

PART TWO: Answer all of these "this or that" questions.

Physical book or eBook?
yes 

Paperback or Hardcover?
yes 

Reality or Make-believe?
more make-believe 

Adult or Young-Adult?
yes 

Dog ears or Bookmarks?
bookmarks 

Breaking the spine or Barely open the book? 
barely open the book 

Tea or Coffee?
tea 

Reading in bed or On the couch?
more on the couch 

 Series or Standalone?
yes 

Original or TV Adaptation?
original 

 Defy motion sickness or Audiobooks?
defy motion sickness 

Author crushes or Who-was-that-guy-again?
mostly who-was-that-guy-again

Interview or Guest post?
guest post


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, May 14, 2012

Happy Monday!



Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Cindy's Love of Books for hosting in April. May's host is Martha's Bookshelf (blog link, not post link).

Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:


from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
The Cozy Chicks Kitchen by the Authors of the Cozy Chicks Blog
AND autographed bookplate! with bookmarks for upcoming books
A Turn in the Road by Debbie Macomber
Always Room for One More by Sorche Nic Leodhas
A Taste of Murder by Claudia Bishop


kindle/ebooks (some most titles were free or almost free):
Already Home by Vickie Lewis Thompson
The Book of the King by Jerry B. Jenkins and Chris Fabry
My Life as the Ugly Stepsister by Juli Alexander
Simply, Mine by Jane Carrington
Breathless by Scott Prussing
Circle of Bones by Christine Kling
The Cat Manual by Michael Ray Taylor
Evelina and the Time Pirates by Rachel Donnelly
Murder One by Robert Dugoni
Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr
Damien by Jacquelyn Frank
The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes by Arthur Conan Doyle
Tangled Tides by Karen Amanda Hooper
The Changelings by Elle Casey
A Place Beyond The Map by Samuel Thews
Dream War by Stephen Prosapio
To Love a Witch by Debora Geary
ExtraNormal by Suze Reese





What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.



Finished:
Famine by T. A. Chase
Zero Day by David Baldacci
Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates
Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis
Bodyguards in Bed by anthology
Always Room for One More by Sorche Nic Leodhas
Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr


Reading:
Candlestone by Bryan Davis


Next up:
Adam Orser: the Chronicles of Evolution

Reviewed:
Bodyguards in Bed by anthology
The Gardner Heist


Did Not Finish, may try again later:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)
moved to blog widget.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Sunday, May 13, 2012

Bout of Books Read-a-Thon

Read-a-Thon!
Bout of Books
May 14, 12:01 am
to
May 20, 11:59 p.m.
(whatever time zone you're in)


hosted at it's own blog, sign up here



Plans for the week:
M will be gone for several days during the RaT and I hope to get a lot of books read as well as my to-do list of house & yard work :/

Hope to finish 4 challenge specific books and a couple of just for kicks books.

I'm close to completing several challenges that I'd like to finish up. Except, I haven't felt like reading much this last week, hope the RaT will give me back my desire. Even with a general list, I'll be picking up whatever sounds good!

Possible titles/genres:
Candlestone by Bryan Davis finished before RaT started
3 ebooks (to finish a challenge)
1 cozy read & reviewed (to finish a challenge)
2 other cozies (to finish a challenge)
Catching Fire & Mocking Jay
Princess Bride
2 vampire books
1 memoir
Murder of a Creped Suzette
To Kill a Mockingbird
Science Fiction
Fairy Tale - The Fairy Tales Detective
something from my 100 Best Novels list


Progress:
Kim Dare has a series of erotic short stories....Pushing the Envelope (m/m and BDSM)
1. For the Attention Of
2. RSVP
3. Written Request
4. Orders Enclosed
5. Cordially Invited
6. For His Eyes Only
7. Yours Sincerely
8. Be There
9. By Hand
(dang, #10 comes out in June)

Academic Pursuits by Lou Harper
Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston
When You Call My Name by Sharon Sala
reading...Noah by Jacquelyn Frank
reading...Seduced by the Wolf by Terry Spear
Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands
Love Bites by Lynsay Sands


Challenges:
Day 1, from Sarah Says Read:
So, here is your question topic to answer / discuss / muse over…
“What do you like best about readathons? Do you have any readathon traditions or rituals? If this is your first readathon, what do you like so far? Discuss away!”

Totally too late for this one! I spend a lot of time reading but love when I can tell my husband I'm in a read-a-thon and he gets it! I like making plans and seeing how close I follow them. No real traditions or rituals, just reading ;)


Day 2, from Nyx Book Reviews

I tweeted question 1 and did a blog post for question 2


Day 3, from Books Devoured

Re-Title challenge, total fail


Day 4, from Bookgoonie
Oh, I know one! I haven't dipped my toe into the waters of Zombies and only know the one (Pride and Prejudice and Zombies) because I remember my reaction when I saw it at Costco


Day 5, from The Reading Housewives of Indiana

Books and Shoes! Love this one....maybe I'll even get to it!


Day 6, from Smash Attack Reads

Spine Poetry!


Day 7, TWO giveaways
Not Now...I'm Reading! and Kelsey's cluttered Bookshelf


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Thoughts on...The Gardner Heist by Ulrich Boser

Just so you know, there is a story first.....

2009 was my first year book blogging and an introduction to reading challenges. I had a lot of fun reading stuff I wouldn't normally just because it fit a challenge, then 2010 came around and I saw Art History....

I don't know "art", I don't read artsy books. I signed up.

I scanned my shelves and found two then turned to amazon. The title got my attention (family name) but the tag line grabbed me. I went the whole year without reading any of the books on my list, failing the reading challenge.

The book still had my attention so in July of 2011, I broke down and purchased it. And there it sat on my shelf, waiting. Until another reading challenge. I needed a book who's title started with G. I'm sure there were many I could have chosen but this one was sitting on my shelf. Accessible now. Still interesting.
My search for the Gardner art would take me to four countries, a dozen states, and more cities and towns than I care to count. I would develop a deep and consuming zeal for the case.
That consuming zeal comes through in the writing of the book. His frustration and excitement bounced off the pages and carried me with him. I'm kicking myself for waiting so long to read this and if I didn't have to be somewhere in the morning, there is no way I'd put the book down! I expect to finish it before Monday ends.

Finished before Monday ends? How about before breakfast!

I feel unsatisfied but I think it is because of all the work and nothing to show for it. The foot dragging, the not interested atmosphere, there are more important things to worry about search/work ethic. Maybe it's just because the book ended. There is no solution. Lots of work and overtime and it all ends with nothing. The writing is strong and the frustration came off the pages.

If you're interested in true crime or art, I feel you'd like this book. Let me leave you with a quote by Art detective Harold Smith
When art is stolen, there are hundreds of thousands of people who would be deprived of seeing it. Art theft isn't just a crime against the owner. It's a crime against the American people.



Disclaimer: This title is from my personal library. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of publisher/amazon


The Gardner Heist
The True Story of the World's Largest Unsolved Art Theft
by Ulrich Boser


publisher: Harper Paperbacks ...HarperCollins
published: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0061451843
format: Trade paperback
genre: True Crime/Art History
age range 18+ per publisher (I'd let my 8th grader read it)
272 pages (includes index, etc)


Product Description:
Shortly after midnight on March 18, 1990, two men broke into the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum in Boston and committed the largest art heist in history. They stole a dozen masterpieces, including one Vermeer, three Rembrandts, and five Degas. But after thousands of leads—and a $5 million reward—none of the paintings have been recovered. Worth as much as $500 million, the missing masterpieces have become one of the nation's most extraordinary unsolved mysteries.

After the death of famed art detective Harold Smith, reporter Ulrich Boser decided to take up the case. Exploring Smith's unfinished leads, Boser travels deep into the art underworld and comes across a remarkable cast of characters, including a brilliant rock 'n' roll thief, a gangster who professes his innocence in rhyming verse, and the enigmatic late Boston heiress Isabella Stewart Gardner herself. Boser becomes increasingly obsessed with the case and eventually uncovers startling new evidence about the identities of the thieves. A tale of art and greed, of obsession and loss, The Gardner Heist is as compelling as the stolen masterpieces themselves.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, May 8, 2012

Thoughts on...Bodyguards in Bed

The book, Bodyguards in Bed, is just what the title implies. Romance and danger with a healthy dose of sex.

Three bodyguards. Three stories. Two of which I thoroughly enjoyed. Sorry, Miss Denton, Alyssa was too flaky for me, especially after reading the first story, I didn't make it through chapter two. Maybe I'll get to it but don't count on it.

Lucy Monroe's "Who's Been Sleeping in My Brother's Bed" starts us off. Danusia has a little trouble at her apartment that requires getting a new door. Instead of getting a hotel room she packs up her thesis research and heads to her brother's empty apartment.

Only it's not.

And boy does she remember Max.

I felt a little like I fell into the middle of a series but it wasn't enough to distract me from following the story.

Max works in security. Danusia is working on her doctorate theses. She's young, smart, sexy and confused. The info she's reading isn't matching the results she expected and when her apartment is broken into again, Max goes into protection mode.

Our third story is Elizabeth Naughton's "Acapulco Heat. This is a new author and I won't hesitate to read her again.

Bodyguard Finn is in rotation with another watching over Lauren at a photo shoot in Mexico. Beach, white bikini, sexy  and trusting model spells trouble with boys in the crowd as well as Finn's sanity. Things really heat up at a dance club when the party crashers start shooting and calling for her.

This story is run-for-your-life paced and really got my adrenaline pumping. There is a little Aztec Mythology as a great twist and no, that's not really a spoiler.

Overall, the danger in the two stories is believable, so in the sex/relationship. It's all a bit fast but you have to considerate the story length. Each one packed a lot of information and action into a small package.

Worth reading.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of publisher and Barnes & Noble


Bodyguards in Bed
by anthology (Lucy Monroe, Jamie Denton, Elisabeth Naughton)

Kensington
978-0758210333
Trade Paperback
May 2011
Contemporary Romance
18+
275 pages

Grade: C+



Product Description:

There’s just one cardinal rule when it comes to being a bodyguard: no matter how tempting it may be, never, ever get romantically involved with the person you’re protecting. But as these sensual novellas prove, even the most important rules are made to be broken—again and again and again. Join acclaimed authors Lucy Monroe, Jamie Denton, and Elisabeth Naughton as they open the files on an undercover operative who finds a sexy surprise under his covers, a hot case involving mixed messages and mistaken identities, and a mission impossible protecting a provocative beauty who lives to love dangerously. Yeah, it’s a hard job, but someone’s gotta do it.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, May 7, 2012

new challenge? Summer 2012 Book Challenge

I'm sure to fail this one but thought you'd like to read about it!

Summer 2012 Book Challenge
May 1, 2012 to September 1, 2012

There are several rules so check it out and sign-up here

This challenge has several requirements and you receive points for reading each requirement. We're competing for a guest post at Semi-Charmed Kind of Life. - 3 winners!

 Requirements & point value:

5 points: Read a book chosen for the U.S. 2012 World Book Night. (see challenge page for link)
Possibility: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part Time Indian
or The Lovely Bones 
or Because of Winn-Dixie 

10: Read a book you were supposed to read in school, but either bailed on or Cliff-Noted. (If you were super studious and never did this, then read a book most people were assigned to read in high school but you weren’t.)
Possibility: To Kill a Mockingbird
or Catch-22
or Brave New World

10: Read a memoir or narrative nonfiction book. (Examples: Friday Night Lights, When the Game Stands Tall, The Devil in the White City, etc.)
Possibility: The New York Regional Mormon Singles Halloween Dance
or Betty White and Friends
90 Minutes in Heaven

15: Read a book in one calendar day. (Must be at least 150 pages long.)
 ~not 24 hours, but one calendar day, :(
Forbidden Heat by Opal Carew (5-31)

15: Read a book that you've always wanted to read but haven't gotten around to yet.
The Blind Side by Michael Lewis (5-22)

20: Read a pair of books that have antonyms in the titles. (For example: The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and The Boy in the Suitcase, or The Unbearable Lightness of Being and Heart of Darkness, etc..)
Memorial Day by Vince Flynn (7-24)
The Long Stitch Good Night by Amanda Lee (7-30)

20: Read a book that is set in a place you've never been but want to visit.

25: Find a book written the year you were born that was later made into a movie. Read the book and watch the movie; compare. Or find a movie released the year you were born that was based on a book. Do the same thing.
Possibility (60's): To Kill a Mockingbird
or 2001: A Space Odyssey 
or Chitty Chitty Bang Bang 
or The Autobiography of Malcolm X ('65)
or The Year of the Horse ('65)
or Blackbeard's Ghost ('65)
or The Black Cauldron ('65)

25: Go into a bookstore or library. Pick any bookshelf. Read the third book from the left on the fourth shelf from the top. (If it's not at least 200 pages, pick the next book to the right.)

25: Read a book about which you’ve heard bad things. (Hey, you can’t knock it ‘til you’ve tried it, right? And I’m upping the points to make it worth your while.)

30: Read a trilogy (or any three consecutive books in a series). Total page count for all three books together must be at least 500 pages. (Remember, you can’t have read any of the books before! Suggestions: The Robert Langdon series, The Hunger Games, Twilight...)

Midnight Promises by Sherryl Woods
Catching Fireflies by Sherryl Woods
Where Azaleas Bloom by Sherryl Woods


No re-reads and page count will do me in on this one!

Happy Monday!

Houseboat is a type of house! That's important because it completes another challenge, What's in a Name?  I didn't think I'd ever get this one completed, I didn't feel like reading any of my type of house books!

A Beautiful post about Time

One of the bloggers I follow is part of a Ragnar Relay team. One of her teammates posted a great photo of the team.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Cindy's Love of Books for hosting in April. May's host is Martha's Bookshelf (blog link, not post link).

Received for Review:


Giveaway/Contest/Gift:


from Author:


Purchased/delivered:
My First Cat
went to Target and only two books jumped into my cart ;)
Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates
Copycat Killings by Sofie Kelly


kindle/ebooks (some titles were free or almost free):
I went shopping in amazons "free" section and came away with 40 titles! Everything from picture books to psychological suspense with mystery, romance, and memoirs thrown in.
25 more free titles, mostly fantasy.




What are you Reading?


A weekly Monday meme hosted by Shelia at Book Journey. Post what you read last week and what you're planning to read this week then link to Shelia's post. Then visit, visit,visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.



Finished:
Bubblegum Princess by Scott Gordon
Houseboat on the Nile by Tinnean
War by T. A. Chase
Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly



Reading:
Probability of Murder by Ada Madison
A Graceful Death by Ann Summerville
Stay at Home Dead by Jeffrey Allen
The Book Lover by Maryann McFadden
Asgard Park by Ronald Simonar
Murder of a Creped Suzette by Denise Swanson


Next up:


Reviewed:
The Gardner Heist goes live this week


Did Not Finish, may try again later:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)
moved to blog widget.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Magical Cats Mystery series

Everyone thinks their cats are special—but Owen and Hercules have powers that go far beyond an adorable look or an irresistible purr. Along with their owner, librarian Kathleen Paulson, they have an uncanny instinct for solving crimes...

 Book 1: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat

Obsidian
February 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0451232496

When librarian Kathleen Paulson moved to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, she had no idea that two strays would nuzzle their way into her life. Owen is a tabby with a catnip addiction and Hercules is a stocky tuxedo cat who shares Kathleen's fondness for Barry Manilow. But beyond all the fur and purrs, there's something more to these felines.

When murder interrupts Mayville's Wild Rose Music Festival, Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect. More stunning is her realization that Owen and Hercules are magical-and she's relying on their skills to solve a purr-fect murder.







Book 2: Sleight of Paw 
Obsidian
September 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0451234537

Mayville Heights, Minnesota librarian Kathleen Paulson never wanted to be the crazy cat lady. But after Owen and Hercules followed her home, she realized her mind wasn't playing tricks on her-her cats have magical abilities.

When the body of elderly do-gooder Agatha Shepherd is found near Kath's favorite local café, she knows Owen's talent for turning invisible and Hercules's ability to walk through walls will give the felines access to clues Kathleen couldn't get without arousing suspicion. Someone is hiding some dark secrets-and it will take a bit of furtive investigating to catch the cold-hearted killer.






Book 3: Copycat Killing
Obsidian
May 2012
ISBN-13: 978-0451234537

It's been raining cats and dogs in Mayville Heights. The small town's been deluged, and now the local artists' co-op is on the verge of flooding. Kathleen has been up all night helping her friends move their creations to the safety of the upstairs studio.

The artwork survives, but when controversial mask maker Jaeger Merrill is found drowned in the co-op basement, Kathleen questions whether the death was accidental. After she discovers the artist was using an assumed name, she realizes she can't actually assume anything about him. With the help of handsome detective Marcus Gordon—and her cats' extraordinary powers of detection—it's up to Kathleen to unmask a killer.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Reading Challenges Update



I knew I needed to have some kind of update post when I realized I had read 65 books so far :)

I started 2012 with three open challenges from 2011.

I've completed four read-a-thons and have plans to participate in three more.

I'm working on 11 perpetual reading challenges.

As I love reading and reading challenges are fun, I signed-up for Reading Challenge Addict, again, and hope to complete 16 RCs this year.

There are 51 (51? yikes!) other reading challenges for 2012 that I am officially participating in. I know I'll fail some of them but I love to try. Also, small readership or not, I like to advertise the challenges.

~Challenges Completed~
Around the Stacks in How Many Ways
Mixing it Up
four Romance type challenges
Nightwalkers
Paranormal (no vamps)
Pern
ebooks
ALA's Top Ten Banned/Challenged Books for 2010
Spring Reading Challenge
Girl Power
What an Animal V
Harlequin/Silhouette
Read Your Own Books
Reading Challenge Addict
Off the Shelf
Free Reads

~Challenge Progress~
150+ . . . read 65 out of 150+
ebooks . . . read 13 out of 25
One Million Pages Read (unofficial, this is a GoodReads group) . . . 15,800
Where are you Reading? . . . 30 out of ?
50 States . . .  26 out of 50
Cozy (reviews) . . . 0 out of 3
Cruisin' thru the Cozies . . . 3 out of 7-12
Cozy (Apr-Sep) . . . 1 out of 6
Criminal Plots . . . 1 out of 6
Mystery & Suspense . . . 9 out of 12
Dystopia . . . 1 out of 5
Read Dystopia . . . 1 out of 1-3
12 in 12 . . . 9 out 12
The Eclectic Reader . . . 8 out 12
Memorable Memoirs . . . 2 out of 5 to 9
Vampires . . . 0 out of 1-5
Immortal . . . 8 out of 12
Harry Potter . . . 0 out of 7
Chronicles of Narnia . . . 0 out of 7
Dean Koontz . . . 0 out of 3
Game of Thrones . . . 0 out of 5
Mt. TBR . . . 21 out of 25
The Unread Book . . . 27 out of ?
Why Buy the Cow? . . .  5 out of 12
Color Coded . . . 3 out of 9
What's in a Name? 5 . . .  5 out 6
Foodies . . . 4 out of 4-8
ALA's Top Ten Banned/Challenged Books of 2011 . . . 0 out of 1
Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks . . . 18 out of 52 (one a week)
A to Z . . . 22 out of 26
ARC . . . 0 out of 10
Alex Awards . . . 0 out of 1
Getting Lost in a Comfortable Book . . . 0 out of 5
Spring Reading Thing . . . 23 out of ?
Monthly Mix-up Mania . . . out of 74 (all E title words)
52-52-52 . . . no idea

~Perpetual Challenges~
100 Best Novels . . . 0
101 Fantasy . . . . 1
Cedar Cove . . . . 0
Cardathon (Orson Scott) . . . 1
Disney Lit . . . . 0
Landover . . . 0
Banned Books . . . 1
PB&J . . . several
Prey . . . 0
Redwall . . . . 0

~Challenges Failed~
The TBR Double Dare


Looks like I'm close on several and haven't started on too many but I've got time still :) I know I'll fail 50 States simply because it's hard. I have several more books picked out for it, I just have to be in the mood to read them! Some I'll count completed at the end of the year if I've met the minimum goal.

Am I nuts? ;)

How are you doing with your reading challenge goals?


Happy Reading!
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Spring into Horror RaT Wrap Up

The Spring into Horror RaT is over :(

I wasn't able to get near the books read that I hoped but did better than I thought once I started checking for page count. PLUS I was able to get in one "horror" book :)

My beginning list was huge and as far as progress on it, :razz  only two books were crossed off the list but one was a DNF. The other was fantastic. I didn't do any visiting or mini-challenges :(

End of RaT report:

reading three books.
DNF one book
finished six books
one review posted

Reading:
Town in a Blueberry Jam by B.B. Haywoo
Asgard Park by Ronald Simonar
Murder of a Creped Suzette by Denise Swanson

DNF:
Edenville Owls by Robert B. Parker

Read:
Nobody's Safe by Richard Steinberg - espionage, conspiracy, fantastic, area 51
Ancient Awakening by Matthew Bryan Laube - horror, comedy, first in a trilogy
Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank - paranormal romance
Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank - paranormal romance
My Little Pet Dragon by Scott Gordon - picture book
Holiday Hideout by Lynette Eason

Reviewed:
Ancient Awakening

 Final page count (finished only):
~1,658~



So I guess I didn't do to bad. See you next Spring!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Books Read in 2012. . .

Wow, nothing like three read-a-thons in the same month to boost the book count! I'm sure I won't be able to keep this up but I'm hoping for my 12. Also want to close out a couple of challenges.

May Recap

66. Houseboat on the Nile by Tinnean
150+, One Million Pages, ebooks, Criminal Plots, What's in a Name, Mystery & Suspense, Spring Reading Thing

67. Pestilence by T. A. Chase
150+, One Million Pages, ebooks, Where are you reading?, Spring Reading Thing

68. War by T. A. Chase
150+, One Million Pages, ebooks, Where are you reading?, Spring Reading Thing

69. Copycat Killing by Sofie Kelly
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, A to Z, Read & Review, Cozy (rev), Cozy (Apr-Sep), Cruisin thru the cozies, Criminal Plots, Mystery & Suspense,

70. Brownies and Broomsticks by Bailey Cates
150+, One Million Pages, Foodies, Cozy (Apr-Sep), Spring Reading Thing 

71. Zero Day by David Baldacci
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, 52 in 52, A to Z, Criminal Plots, Mystery & Suspense, Mt TBR

72. Famine by T. A. Chase
150+, One Million Pages, Where are you Reading?, ebook, Spring Reading Thing

73. Bodyguards in Bed by anthology
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, ARC

74. Raising Dragons by Bryan Davis
150+, One Million Pages, PB&J, Spring Reading Thing, ARC

75. Always Room for One More by Sorche Nic Leodhas
150+, One Million Pages, PB&J

76. Nate's Deputy by Lavinia Lewis
150+, One Million Pages, ebook

77. Damien by Jacquelyn Frank
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, The Unread Book, Immortal, Vampire, Spring Reading Thing

78. 28 Days to Hope for Your Home by Dana White
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Spring Reading Thing, The Unread Book

79. The Candlestone by Bryan Davis
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Mt. TBR, The Unread Book, 52 in 52

80. Academic Pursuits by Lou Harper
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Bout of Books RaT

81. Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Bout of Books, 50 States, Where are you reading, Mt TBR

82. Under a Vampire Moon by Lynsay Sands
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Bout of Books, Where are you reading, The Unread Book, Immortal, Vampire, other challenges... 

83. Love Bites by Lynsay Sands
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Bout of Books, The Unread Book, Immortal, Vampire, ebook

84. The Blind Side by Michael Lewis
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, 50 States/Where are you reading, The Unread Book, Mt TBR

85. Devil's Food Cake Murder by Joanne Fluke
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Cruisin thru the Cozies, Cozy (rev), Cozy, Foodie, The unread book, Criminal Plots

86. Town in a Blueberry Jam by B. B. Haywood
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Cruisin thru the Cozies, Cozy, Foodie, The Unread Book, Color codedother challenges... 

87. Stamped Out by Terri Thayer
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, The Unread Book, Cruisin thru the Cozies, Cozy (Apr-Sep)

88. Xenofreak Nation by Melissa Conway
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Read Dystopia, Dystopia, 12 in 12, The Eclectic Reader, the Unread Book, A to Z

89. Hard Tail by JL Merrow
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Where are you reading,

90. Marathon Cowboys by Sarah Black
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing

91. One Small Thing by Piper Vaughn & M.J. O'Shea
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, 

92. The Second Door by T.C. Blue
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, ebook, The Unread Book 

93. Tombs of Endearment by Dasey Daniels
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, 50 States/Where are you reading, Cruisin' thru the Cozies, The Unread Book, MMM 

94. Sub-Mission by Sage Marlowe
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, ebook

95. One Night in a Dungeon by Samantha Cayto
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, ebook

96. Forbidden Heat by Opal Carew
150+, One Million Pages, Spring Reading Thing, Mt TBR, The Unread Book, Summer Book Challenge, Summer Reading Challenge

97. For the Attention of by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

98. RSVP by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

99. Written Request by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

100. Orders Enclosed by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

101. Cordially Invited by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

102. For His Eyes Only by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

103. Yours Sincerely by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

104. Be There by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books 

105. By Hand by Kim Dare
150+, One Million Pages, ebook, Bout of Books  



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012
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.