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, January 30, 2014

Winter's Respite Progress Report

A Winter's Respite
read-a-thon
Jan 27 - Feb 2


starts: Jan 27 at 12 a.m. CST
Ends: Feb 2 at 11:59 p.m. CST
(starts and ends 2 hours sooner for me)


Hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict at Seasons of Reading.

Twitter: #WintersRespite

for more information and to sign up, click here. This in only the sign up linky, there will be another for the starting line!

Basic Requirements: read, read, read.


I still don't have a list yet but there is a stack of review books, library books and new books waiting for me along with some re-reads so I have plenty to choose from.


To start:
  • Hope Flames by Jaci Burton is waiting by my water glass (starting on page 12)
  • Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh is on my phone
  • series: Midnight Matings (re-read) is on my laptop.

~ Books Read ~
  1. White Paws and a Dream by Stormy Glenn
  2. Splash and Elegance by Gabrielle Evans
  3. Myth and Mischief by Gabrielle Evans
  4. Whiskers, Mane, and a Biter by Joyee Flynn
  5. Sparkle and Purr by Stormy Glenn
  6. The Agent and the Model by RJ Scott
  7. Howl and Harmony by Gabrielle Evans
  8. Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods (ebook, started at 13%)
  9. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George 


Thursday update (before reading starts for the day):
1,460 pages read
8+ books
all ebooks
3 new
6 re-reads
books 1-5, and 7 are part of the Midnight Matings series



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Terrific Tuesday - Seaview Inn


Hosted at Bibliophile by the Sea
Every Tuesday, she'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of her current read. Why don't you join us?

Hannah Matthews prided herself on being sensible and responsible. A single mom and a public relations executive handling several very demanding but fascinating clients, she was the person to turn to in any crisis. She claimed there wasn’t a superstitious bone in her body, but she was beginning to wonder if there wasn’t something to the old adage that things happened in threes, especially bad things. She was also losing her faith that God never gave a person more than they could handle, because she was definitely on overload.

Not quite three months past her final chemo treatment for breast cancer and less than a month after her mother’s death from the very same disease, here she was back in a town she hadn’t been able to flee fast enough, standing in front of the bed-and-breakfast that had once been her much-despised home. Worse, she was facing the arduous prospect of trying to convince her stubborn eighty-five-year-old grandmother that it was time to move into an assisted-living community and sell Seaview Inn. Life couldn’t get much more stressful than this, or if it could, she didn’t want to find out how.

Seaview Inn
Sherryl Woods
#1 Seaview Key




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read Open to a random page
2. 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!
3. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

She could not fall for Luke Stevens a second time, only to have her heart broken again. If something was actually kindled between them this time, how could she possibly survive walking away? And walking away was inevitable because the life she wanted was in New York.

Then Luke lifted their hands to his lips and brushed a kiss across her knuckles. And in that second, it felt as if her world began and ended right here on this stretch of sand.

Seaview Inn
Sherryl Woods
#1 Seaview Key



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Monday, January 27, 2014

M/M Romance, page 2

M/M Romance
Reading Challenge
2014

hosted at Walkabout

for more information and to sign up, click here

Basic Requirements: Read male/male romance books. Any format/length, several levels to choose from.
I'm going for . . . Surprise Me! . . . because I have no idea how many I'll get to this year.


Continued from my Romance page (here)


26. Whiskers, Mane, and a Biter by Joyee Flynn
27. Sparkle and Purr by Stormy Glenn
28. The Agent and the Model by RJ Scott
29. Howl and Harmony by Gabrielle Evans
30. Fangs and a Wet Nose by Joyee Flynn
31. Fur and Flightless by Joyee Flynn
32. Leader and the Writer by Joyee Flynn
33. Spells and Bananas by Joyee Flynn
34. Officer and a Gardener by Joyee Flynn
35. Dragon Mine by Joyee Flynn
36. Dragon Ours by Joyee Flynn
37. Their Dragon by Joyee Flynn
38. Saint Returns by Amber Kell
39. Fire and Fang by Eden Cole
40. Apple Mead by West Thornhill
41. Fang and Fur by Stormy Glenn
42. Ty Hard by Laura Harner
43. Hold Tight by Laura Harner
44. Ty'd Down by Laura Harner
45. Taking Chance by Laura Harner
46. Hanging Chad by Laura Harner 
47. Burning Up the Ice by T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes
48. Malting by Sean Michael
49. Cody's Dragon by K. M. Mahoney
50. A Good Feeling by S. A. Meade 
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

eBook RC part 2


eBook Reading Challenge
2014

hosted at Workaday Reads

For more information and to sign up, click here

Basic Requirements: Any length, any genre but only ebooks count for this one. There are seven levels to choose from. I chose "Human Brain" last year (2013) and made it in November. I'm hoping to read more from my print tbr shelf so I'm not doing that again. I'm going for . . . Server . . . and hope to read 100 ebooks during 2014. I can always move up a level :-)


continued from here


~ Books Read ~
26. Hunting Henry by Amber Kell
27. Inflaming Inno by Amber Kell
28. Judging Jager by Amber Kell
29. Keeping Kylen by Amber Kell
30. White Paws and a Dream by Stormy Glenn
31. Splash and Elegance by Gabrielle Evans
32. Myth and Mischief by Gabrielle Evans
33. Whiskers, Mane, and a Biter by Joyee Flynn
34. Sparkle and Purr by Stormy Glenn
35. The Agent and the Model by RJ Scott
36. Howl and Harmony by Gabrielle Evans
37. Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods
38. Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George
39. Fangs and a Wet Nose by Joyee Flynn 
40. Fur and Flightless by Joyee Flynn
41. Leader and the Writer by Joyee Flynn
42. Spells and Bananas by Joyee Flynn
43. Officer and a Gardener by Joyee Flynn
44. Dragon Mine by Joyee Flynn
45. Dragon Ours by Joyee Flynn
46. Their Dragon by Joyee Flynn
47. Saint Returns by Amber Kell
48. Fire and Fang by Eden Cole
49. Apple Mead by West Thornhill
50. Fang and Fur by Stormy Glenn

continued . . . 



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Happy Monday




Started by Marcia, Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Stop by the blog to see who else has posted. Just be prepared for the side effect of a growing TBR list/pile!







~ here are the new books in my house this week ~


The Guest Book by Marybeth Whalen (blog)
published July 2012

When Macy Dillon was five years old her father encouraged her to draw a picture in the guestbook of a Carolina beach house. The next year, Macy returned to discover a drawing by an unidentified little boy on the facing page. Over the next eleven years the children continue to exchange drawings ... until tragedy ends visits to the beach house altogether. During her final trip to Sunset, Macy asks her anonymous friend to draw her one last picture and tells him where to hide the guest book in hopes that one day she will return to find it—and him. Twenty-five years after that first picture, Macy is back at Sunset Beach—this time toting a broken family and a hurting heart. One night, alone by the ocean, Macy asks God to help her find the boy she never forgot, the one whose beautiful pictures touched something deep inside of her. Will she ever find him? And if she does, will the guestbook unite them or merely be the relic of a lost childhood?

Chocolate Chip Cookie Murder by Joanne Fluke
series: the first Hannah Swensen Mystery, published 2001
ebook $0.99! :-) 

This is a new edition of the very first Hannah Swensen mystery. It features a bonus short story and brand new, mouthwatering recipes.

Hannah already has her hands full trying to dodge her mother's attempts to marry her off while running The Cookie Jar, Lake Eden's most popular bakery. But once Ron LaSalle, the beloved delivery man from the Cozy Cow Dairy, is found murdered behind her bakery with Hannah's famous Chocolate Chip Crunchies scattered around him, her life just can't get any worse. Determined not to let her cookies get a bad reputation, she sets out to track down a killer. But if she doesn't watch her back, Hannah's sweet life may get burned to a crisp.



I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~ I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2014's books











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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!


Finished:
Play of Passion by Nalini Singh
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
A Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh
A Squeak and a Roar by Joyee Flynn
Scales and a Tail by Stormy Glenn 
Fire and Ash by Gabrielle Evans
Attracting Anthony by Amber Kell
Baiting Ben by Amber Kell
Courting Calvin by Amber Kell
Denying Dare by Amber Kell
Enticing Elliot by Amber Kell
. . . Yes, this is a series. Why do you ask? ;-)
Finding Farro by Amber Kell
Getting Gabe by Amber Kell
Hunting Henry by Amber Kell
Inflaming Inno by Amber Kell
Judging Jager by Amber Kell
Keeping Kylen by Amber Kell
White Paws and a Dream by Stormy Glenn

Books stacked by my reading chair:

My Familiar Dragon by Daniel Hood
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
. . . and about 20 unread library books

Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page . . .)
Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page . . .)
Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page . . .)
Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page 312/402)
Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page . . .)
A Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens (ebook - 42% read in 2013)




Latest Review Books:




Reviewed:



Did Not Finish, may try again later:



Happy Reading!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Sunday, January 26, 2014

Ready . . . Set . . . Start!

A Winter's Respite
read-a-thon
Jan 27 - Feb 2


starts: Jan 27 at 12 a.m. CST Jan 26 at 10 p.m.
Ends: Feb 2 at 11:59 p.m. CST Feb 2 at 9:59 p.m.


Hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict at Seasons of Reading.

Twitter: #WintersRespite

for more information and to sign up, click here. This in only the sign up linky, there will be another for the starting line!

Basic Requirements: read, read, read.


I still don't have a list yet but there is a stack of review books, library books and new books waiting for me along with some re-reads so I have plenty to choose from.


To start:
  • Hope Flames by Jaci Burton is waiting by my water glass
  • Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh is on my phone
  • series: Midnight Matings (re-read) is on my laptop.




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Friday, January 24, 2014

The Winter's Respite read-a-thon is coming!

A Winter's Respite
read-a-thon
Jan 27 - Feb 2


starts: Jan 27 at 12 a.m. CST
Ends: Feb 2 at 11:59 p.m. CST


Hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict at Seasons of Reading.

Twitter: #WintersRespite

for more information and to sign up, click here. This in only the sign up linky, there will be another for the starting line!

Basic Requirements: read, read, read.


I don't have a list yet but there is a stack of review books, library books and new books waiting for me along with some re-reads so I have plenty to choose from.


Starting Line: click here
progress report: click here
Wrap-up:

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

VA-VA-VOOM Read-a-thon

VA VA VOOM

VA-VA-VOOM
Read-a-Thon
Feb 6 - 10

Starts: 12 a.m. on Feb 6 (your time zone)
Ends: 11:59 p.m. on Feb 10 (your time zone)

Hosted by The Book Nympho and Romancing the Dark Side

Twitter: #VaVaVoomRAT

for more information and to sign up, click here

Basically, read as many ROMANCE audiobooks, books and novellas as possible - novellas must be at least 100 pages. Any subgenres in romance are welcomed, from contemporary, erotica, historical, romantic suspense, paranormal romance, M/M to Young Adult. If it has romance in it, t counts!

THERE ARE PRIZES! so check it out


I'm on a paranormal streak right now but am crossing my fingers I can switch to the more romantic side for this.


Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens ~ paranormal
Hanging Chad by Laura Harner ~ cowboy, male/male
Burning Up the Ice by T.A. Chase and Devon Rhodes ~ sports (hockey/curling), male/male 
Hope Flames by Jaci Burton ~ contemporary (153 pages as of Sun Midnight)




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Thursday, January 23, 2014

Purrsday


 not all cats this week


just a place to share the cute/funny/weird pictures I find while surfing....when I should be doing a whole range of things ;) Don't forget to head over to The True Book Addict because Michele has a meme going. With links and everything!

~*~*~*~*~








copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Monday, January 20, 2014

Happy Monday




Started by Marcia, Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Stop by the blog to see who else has posted. Just be prepared for the side effect of a growing TBR list/pile!







~ here are the new books in my house this week ~

The Final Note by Kevin Alan Milne

Ethan never expected to meet the love of his life on a trolley near an artistic waste incinerator in Vienna, Austria, but that's what happened. Flat broke, finishing up a Master's thesis at the University of fMusic and Performing Arts, he is forced to play his guitar to ear enough money to live on until he returns to the states. After listening to one of his imprmptu concerts, Anna leaves a note instead of a tip between the strings of his guitar, and Ethan discovers that love, not Brahms, is the sweetest music. On their wedding day, along with "love, honor, and cherish," Ethan promises to write a song especially for her.

Neither of them are quite prepared for the music to stop and the nails on the chalkboard to commence when life suddenly intrudes on the idyllic world....When a final, unthinkable calamity happens, Ethan is devastated. Is it too late to finish the love song he began for his wife on the their wedding day? In this take of lose and heartbreak, love and forgiveness, Ethan is about to discover that the final note has yet to be written.




Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh
A Psy-Changeling collection, published 2013

Four novellas set in the Psy-Changeling world, two of which have never been published before.









Summer Brides anthology

purchased for the Fool's Gold story





Scales of Justice by Daniel Hood
book 5 in the Fanuilh series

A wizard was found dead with a smile fixed firm across his face so wide, so hideous--it could only be the work of magic! Liam Rhenford and his faithful dragon familiar have been called to root out the source of the spell. But there's more to this case than meets the eye.





I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2013's books and 2014's books









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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!


Finished:
Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell
Blackberry Summer by Raeanne Thayne
Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh
Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh


Books stacked by my reading chair:

Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh
My Familiar Dragon by Daniel Hood
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
. . . and about 20 unread library books

Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page . . .)
Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page . . .)
Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page . . .)
Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page . . .)
Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page . . .)
A Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens (ebook - 42% read in 2013)




Latest Review Books:




Reviewed:
Lara by Bertrice Small ~ review


Did Not Finish, may try again later:



Happy Reading!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Friday, January 17, 2014

Lara by Bertrice Small

Lara
Bertrice Small
World of Hetar

Harlequin
978-0739454442

14+ (questionable consent)
459 pages
Fantasy

source: public library
grade: C+


from author's website:
Welcome, dear reader, to the world of Hetar. A land of Forest Lords, of Shadow Princes and Coastal Kings. A place that is both civilized and savage. Where the social classes know their place, but where anyone can, under the right conditions, advance to the highest pinnacle. This is a place where pleasure is not censured but encouraged; where the ends are justified by the means. And yet all is not as perfect as it may seem. The orderly, elegant veneer of refined Hetar cannot prevent the rebellion brewing in the Outlands, a dangerous place of both magic and mystery.

From the City that is the very center of Hetar, Lara, the beautiful half-faerie daughter of John Swiftsword, ventures forth on a journey that will take her into the heart of darkness and the depths of desire, as she learns the true meaning of love that will last an eternity -- a love that will change the destiny of Hetar forever.



My thoughts:
I need to start off by telling you I almost didn't finish this book. If it wasn't for the challenges it qualified for I wouldn't have. One of the problems is that the library has it filed under romance and it is a fantasy novel. The world is Hetar, not the United States as amazon claims. So I really got off of the wrong foot with this one.

The prologue starts with "She was naked." Fine, but the next two words are "the girl" and she's afraid. Now, I don't know about you but a romance novel that starts off like that does nothing for me and if she hadn't been talking to some kind of spirit in her necklace - and being talked back to - I would have closed the book and sent it back to the library.

Chapter 1 doesn't start off much better. "We must sell Lara, husband." Right because the stepmother who is only five years older can't help find another way.

grrrr

I'm not even sure why I continued reading, there must have been some train wreck fascination but learning that Lara was the naked girl and that her mother was a fairy was interesting enough that I kept reading.

There are giants, fairies, stuck-up-know-it-alls, Princes, and not so uncivilized outlaws. The landscape of Hetar is beautiful and the people varied.

We left Lara while she is on a quest. She's making friends and picking up traveling companions. We're learning about her world as she is. I don't know how much to tell you without giving the whole thing away but I have requested the next book in the series from the library.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Wednesday Weirdness

Turns out I've been blogging a lot longer than I thought! I have more than one email and found blogs connected to some of them. I'd like to clean things up but they aren't book related so what am I supposed to do? :-) I'm hoping to find something to tie the weirdness together as a header. . . for now, you'll be reading this over and over and over . . .

This one was an email. I have no idea if it is true but it is a great thing to keep in mind, no matter what faith you believe in.



Can You feel their Wings?


I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd. (Denver, CO), and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the "quickie mart " building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a Gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back (1 in a car seat), and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying " don't want my kids to see me crying," so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, "And you were praying?" That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said, "He heard you, and He sent me."

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fuelling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road. As I was walking over to my car, she said, "So, are you like an angel or something?"

This definitely made me cry. I said, "Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes God uses regular people."

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Monday, January 13, 2014

Bout of Books 9.0 wrap-up


Bout of Books 9.0
Read-a-Thon
wrap-up

hosted at the Bout of Books blog
check out the blog for more information
to sign up, click here
Twitter: #boutofbooks
questions: @boutofbooks


Official Blurb
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team



~ Progress ~
Official signing up post, here.
Tweeted my goals (1,000 pages), here
Book Buying Spree challenge at Bookish Comforts, here

  • Monday: Currently reading Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh (started after midnight)
  • Tuesday: finished Hostage to Pleasure, started Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
  • Wenesday: finished Branded by Fire, started Lara by Bertrice Small
  • Thursday: more Lara
  • Friday: Disneyland, doc apt, more Lara
  • Saturday: Finished Lara (early am), started Purrfect Mates series (1-5)
  • Sunday: started #6 (early am), finished Purrfect Mates sereis( 6-8) - sad the series ends without an ending to the conflict :-(

~ Books Read ~
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Lara by Bertrice Small
Here Kitty, Kitty by Joyee Flynn
My Little Kitty by Joyee Flynn
Our Sexy Tiger by Joyee Flynn
My Angel Cheetah by Joyee Flynn
Kitty in the Middle by Joyee Flynn
Cheetah in Charge by Joyee Flynn
My Feisty Kitten by Joyee Flynn
My Spotted Dream by Joyee Flynn
and 48% of Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell (didn't include in page count)


~ Pages Read 2,026! ~ 

That's twice what I was going for which is great on the reading end but not so great on the exercise end. I did go to Disneyland Friday and we didn't ride the tram from or to the parking garage but still, I've got to walk every day.

All but two were re-reads. Lara was a new author and for the 101 Fantasy Project challenge. My Spotted Dream was #8 and the last title in the series except a major conflict weaving through all 8 books was left unresolved. There were also several brothers left unmated so it could go on. . .

edit: Seducing Cinderella is also a new read


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Happy Monday




Started by Marcia, Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home; print, electronic and audio. Stop by the blog to see who else has posted. Just be prepared for the side effect of a growing TBR list/pile!







~ here are the new books in my house this week ~

Pecan Pies and Homicides by Ellery Adams
A Charmed Pie Shoppe Mystery, published 2014

Her Charmed Pie Shoppe is open for business, but baker Ella Mae LeFaye is about to discover solving a murder is not as easy as pie…

Owning the Charmed Pie Shoppe and serving enchanted treats in the magical town of Havenwood, Georgia, seemed like a little slice of heaven for Ella Mae LeFaye. But now her hopes for both a lasting romance with Hugh Dylan and business success are starting to seem like pie in the sky, and Ella’s left wondering: Where has the magic gone?

When an enchanted grove is set ablaze, Ella realizes she has more grave problems. With her magic waning, she’s going to have to sleuth from scratch to stop an arsonist who has no respect for sacred ground—or human life…



Playing with Fire by J. J. Cook
A Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade Mystery, published 2014

Welcome to Sweet Pepper, Tennessee. Nestled in the Great Smoky Mountains, it’s home to the hottest and sweetest peppers in the world—as well as at least one ghost and a hotbed of secrets…

Fire Chief Stella Griffin is working to solve the mysterious death of her predecessor, Eric Gamlyn—who also haunts her cabin. Yet the more she learns, the more burning questions she must answer. Just as Stella thinks she has a lead from Deputy Chum, someone snuffs her hopes—and the lawman.

Adding fuel to the fire, Stella’s parents soon arrive—with her ex-boyfriend—hoping to persuade her to return to Chicago. Now Stella is torn between the life she left behind and uncovering what happened to her ghostly friend. But she’d better think fast or more than her investigation could go up in flames…


Hope Flames by Jaci Burton
A Hope Novel, published 2014

When it comes to love, they already know the rules…by heart.

Thirty-two and finally setting up her veterinary practice in the town she once called home, Emma Burnett is on her own and loving it. Independent and driven, she’s not letting any man get in the way of her dreams. Not again.

That’s fine with Luke McCormack. Divorced and hardly lacking in female company when he needs it, he’s devoted to the only faithful companion in his life—his police dog. Still, there’s something about Emma he can’t shake.

When a series of local break-ins leaves Emma vulnerable, she seeks help from the first man to spark her desire in years. And now they’re giving each other something they thought they’d lost forever…hope.

Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan
a Carpathian Novel, published 2014

Skyler Daratrazanoff always recognized the miracle that was Dimitri Tirunul, a man beyond any dream that had ever engaged her nights. But she was human. Vulnerable. He was Carpathian. Nearly immortal. She was nineteen. He was an ancient. Yet she held half his soul, the light to his darkness. Without her, he would not survive. Caught between the two warring species, Dimitri has spent centuries hunting the undead to keep his people free, and humans safe. He had survived honorably when others had chosen to give up their souls. But now, marked for extermination by the Lycans, Dimitri found himself alone, and fearing for his life. But salvation was coming…

No Lycan would ever suspect someone like Skyler to dare mount a secret rescue operation. A teenage girl. A human of untested abilities. But she had something no one else had. She was predestined for Dimitri—as he was for her. And there was nothing stronger for Skyler than her desire to see her life-dream come true. Whatever the risk.



King's Cure by Daniel Hood 
Fanuilh series

Liam Rhenford has traveled to the royal capital of Torquay to investigate new trade routes for hte Duke. But Liam hasn't been told his true mission: to deliver a magical remedy to King Nicanor IV. That's why Liam is surprised when he discovers people will kill to get their hands on the package he's carrying. And when someone is murdered, Liam is blamed. Now on the run, Liam and his dragon familiar, Funuilh, must somehow prove his innocence, deliver the potion, and discover the traitor--all before Liam is captured and hanged for a crime he didn't commit...


~ Review Book ~

When the Rogue Returns by Sabrina Jeffries
Dukes' Men series, release date: Jan 21

Victor Cale never imagined his sweet, shy wife, Isabella, would use her talent for creating exquisite imitation jewels for criminal pursuits. But there’s no denying it was Isa’s handiwork that turned up in the brazen heist of the Dutch royal family’s diamonds after she disappeared into the night.

Ten years later, still reeling from her betrayal and enraged that her duplicitous side was so undetectable, the sexy investigator heads to Edinburgh, where his cousin Maximilian has landed him a job tailing a wealthy baron’s bride-to-be. Simple enough—until the “fiancée” in question proves to be Isa, masquerading as an alluringly eligible young widow.

No longer the meek and mild girl he once knew, the bold woman vehemently asserts that it was Victor who abandoned her. Piecing together the past to prove Isa’s innocence reawakens a volatile passion, hotter than ever. With a decade of secrets between them, Victor and Isa must trust each other in order to bring the scheming thieves to justice–without getting burned themselves.



I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2013's books and 2014's books









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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!


Finished:
Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Lara by Bertrice Small
Here Kitty, Kitty by Joyee Flynn
My Little Kitty by Joyee Flynn
Our Sexy Tiger by Joyee Flynn
My Angel Cheetah by Joyee Flynn
Kitty in the Middle by Joyee Flynn
Cheetah in Charge by Joyee Flynn
My Feisty Kitten by Joyee Flynn
My Spotted Dream by Joyee Flynn

Books stacked by my reading chair:

A Cowboy for Christmas by Lori Wilde 
Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Lara by Bertrice Small
. . . and about 20 other unread library books

Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page . . .)
Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page . . .)
Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page . . .)
Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page . . .)
Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page . . .)
A Lady Chosen by Stephanie Laurens (ebook - 42% read in 2013)
√ Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh (ebook - 85% read in 2013, finished in 2014)



Latest Review Books:




Reviewed:



Did Not Finish, may try again later:



Happy Reading!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Just in case you review your picture books


I Love Picture Books Reviews

2014






copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Thursday, January 9, 2014

I Love Library Books Reading Challenge Review Linky






I Love Library Books
Reading Challenge
Reviews!










Here you go Melissa!



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

You Read How Many Books? Review linky



and you review too?

Tell us about them!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Wednesday Weirdness

Turns out I've been blogging a lot longer than I thought! I have more than one email and found blogs connected to some of them. I'd like to clean things up but they aren't book related so what am I supposed to do? :-) I'm hoping to find something to tie the weirdness together as a header. . . for now, you'll be reading this over and over and over . . .

This one was an email

The 113th Monkey Movement

If you start with a cage containing five monkeys and inside the cage, hang a banana on a string from the top and then you place a set of stairs under the banana, before long a monkey will go to the stairs and climb toward the banana.

As soon as he touches the stairs, you spray all the other monkeys with cold water.

After a while another monkey makes an attempt with same result ... all the other monkeys are sprayed with cold water.

Pretty soon when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put the cold water away. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one.

The new monkey sees the banana and attempts to climb the stairs.

To his shock, all of the other monkeys beat the crap out of him.

After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys, replacing it with a new one.

The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment...... with enthusiasm, because he is now part of the "team".

Then, replace a third original monkey with a new one, followed by the fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.

Now, the monkeys that are beating him up have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs. Neither do they know why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey.

Finally, having replaced all of the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys will have ever been sprayed with cold water.

Nevertheless, not one of the monkeys will try to climb the stairway for the banana.

Why, you ask? Because in their minds...that is the way it has always been!

This, my friends, is how Congress operates... and this is why, from time to time:

ALL of the monkeys need to be REPLACED AT THE SAME TIME.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Tuesday, January 7, 2014

RC: Reading Outside the Box


Reading Outside the Box
Reading Challenge
2014

hosted at Musings of a Book Lover
for more information and to sign up, click here

Basic Requirement: Read a book for each requirement. There are several levels. There are a couple of categories I'm not sure about and I'm sure I could read "Outside in" if reviews are required.
I'm going for . . . I'm a little Scared . . . and hope to read 3 - 4 books.

Categories
  1. Classics are the new black – read a classic novel
  2. It’s a serial thing – you’ve read the first in a series (or even three of them), it’s time to read another!
  3. Lost in translation – time to read a book that was first written in another language and then translated.
  4. It’s about time! – read a book that has been sitting on your shelf for at least two years! (and haven’t read it yet!)
  5. By the numbers – read a book with a Number in the title
  6. Weird Science! – read a book that features some form of science – and maybe discover an untapped passion.
  7. I just love a good Duet – a book written by more than one author.
  8. New Guy in Town – read a Debut book written by a new author.
  9. Almost Human – read a book from the perspective of an animal – or an alien – or a robot! (at least feature an ‘almost human’)
  10. Chunkster-time! – read a book that is longer 500 pages. (Time to dust off War and Peace)
  11. Random Rescue – go to a used book store and RANDOMLY pick a book! (could even be from a grab-bag)
  12. Under-Aged Writer – read a book by an author who is not yet 21.
  13. Time for exercise – read a book that is set in or around a sport or exercise activity (like yoga or baseball). This can be fiction or nonfiction!
  14. Make-Believe - This category is just for YOU! (and anyone who wants to try it!) Here is your chance to let others know what would get you outside of your Comfort Zone!

possibilities:
#10 - Winter's Tale by Mark Helprin (743!)
#12 - Eragon by Christopher Paolini

~ Books Read ~
  1.  
  2.  Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh
  3.  
  4.  Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9. The Dalai Lama's Cat by David Michie
  10.  
  11.  
  12.  
  13.  
  14.  
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

RC: Book Bingo

Book Bingo
Reading Challenge
2014

hosted at Reading in Winter
and Creativity’s Corner

for more information and to sign up, click here

Basic Requirements: read what is required to cross off the boxes. Think the bingo game. corner to corner, vertical, blackout, you get the idea. Once a book is used for a square it can not later be changed to something else. The FREE SQUARES are not totally free. You still need to read a book, just that you can read any book/any genre.

Twitter #BookBingo2014

Question: If I re-read a classic can it count for the classic square? Yes

TBR
√ One book - Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
√ Two books - A Tangle of Need by Nalini Singh, Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh
√ Three books - Play of Passion by Nalini Singh, Seaview Inn by Sherryl Woods, Heart Fortune by Robin D. Owens
Four books -
Five books -

Mix It Up
non-fiction
classic
√ reread - Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh
free square
contemporary - Zero Day by Mark Russinovich

Series *Woo Hoo* ;-)
√ One book -  My Spotted Dream by Joyee Flynn
√ Two books - Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh, Blackberry Summer by Raeanne Thayne
√ Three books - Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh, Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh, Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
√ Four books - Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh, 61 Hours by Lee Child, Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh, Wednesdays in the Tower by Jessica Day George
√ Five books - Seducing Cinderella by Gina L. Maxwell, Tuesdays at the Castle by Jessica Day George, Sweet Laurel Falls by RaeAnne Thayne, The Affair by Lee Child, The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan

Genres
√ fantasy - Lara by Bertrice Small
free square - The Forgotten by David Baldacci (suspense)
historical fiction
mystery
√ romance - Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by RaeAnne Thayne

New Releases
One book - Hope Flames by Jaci Burton
Two books -
Three books -
Four books -
Five books -

possibility: Hope Ignites by Jaci Burton

~ Books to choose from ~
The Dalai Lama's Cat by David Michie
Dead Man's Deal by Jocelynn Drake
61 Hours by Lee Child












copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

The Dark Series/Carpathians Challenge information and to sign up


The Dark Series
Reading Challenge
July 2014 - June 2016

Hosted here at the Lair
 
Ms. Feehan says that each book can stand alone, reading the books in order gives a much richer vision of the Carpathian world. I'm challenging myself to read the complete series from start to finish. The series starts with Dark Prince and ends, for now, with Dark Blood (September 2014).



 Details/Rules

Would you like to join me?
  • You don't need a blog to participate. As long as wherever you link to is public, or just leave a comment that you'd like to join us.
  • Reviews are not necessary (but there will be a post so you can link up)
  • Any format (print, ebook, audio)
  • Challenge crossovers are encouraged




. . . and for those who need it


Ready? Let's Go!



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

RC: Carpathians


The Dark Series
Reading Challenge
July 2014 - June 2016

For more information and to sign up, click here

I received Dark Wolf in the mail today. Not only has it been forever since I read the first book Dark Prince, Dark Wolf is #25!

While Ms. Feehan says that each book can stand alone, I like to read a series in order. Luckily, doing so in this case will give "a much richer vision of the Carpathian world".

~ Books in order ~
Dark Prince
Dark Desisre
Dark Gold
Dark Magic
Dark Challenge
Dark Fire
Dark Dream
Dark Legend
Dark Guardian
Dark Symphony
Dark Descent
Dark Melody
Dark Destiny
Dark Hunger
Dark Secret
Dark Demon
Dark Celebration
Dark Possession
Dark Curse
Dark Slayer
Dark Peril
Dark Predator
Dark Storm
Dark Lycan
Dark Wolf
Dark Blood


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Terrific Tuesday: 1st Paragraph and Teaser


Hosted at Bibliophile by the Sea
Every Tuesday, she'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of her current read. Why don't you join us?

If he had to listen to "The Little Drummer Boy" one more time, he was going to ba-rum-bum-bum-bum somebody right in the gut.
Dylan Craine huddled over a whiskey at the crowded bar of The Speckled Lizard, about two seconds and one more damn Christmas carol away from yanking the jukebox plug out of the wall.

Christmas in Snowflake Canyon
RaeAnne Thayne




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read Open to a random page
2. 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!
3. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

He would rather go back to living in a tent where the sand seeped into every available crevice, wearing seventy-five pounds of gear in a-hundred-twenty-degree weather without showering for weeks, than endure this torture his wicked sister had planned for him

Christmas in Snowflake Canyon
RaeAnne Thayne


I fell in love with the cover plus it is a Christmas book and I was sold.
Back of the book: No one has ever felt sorry for Genevieve Beaumont. After all, she has everything money can buy. That is, until she discovers ehr fiance has been two-timing her and she's left with two choices: marry the philanderer to please her controlling father or be disinherited and find a means to support herself.

Genevieve's salvation appears in the most unlikely of prospects: Dyland Caine, a sexy, wonded war vet whose life is as messy as hers. Dylan's struggling to adjust after his time in Afghanistan, and the last thing he needs is a spoiled socialite learning about the real world for the first time. True, she may have unexpected depths and beauty to match. But he knows he could never be the man she needs...and she knows he could never be the man she thinks she wants. So why are they each hoping that a Christmas miracle will prove them both wrong?



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Monday, January 6, 2014

RC: Reading Challenge Addict

Reading Challenge Addict

Proud to be a
Reading Challenge Addict!

For more information, click here.
To sign up, click here.

A list of my challenges can be found here.

I'm going for . . . Out of this World . . . and hope to enter and complete 16+ reading challenges.

~ Challenges I Gave Up On ~
there's always at least one
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

~ Challenges I Failed ~
this is a given
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

~ Challenges Completed ~
woo hoo!
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Bout of Books 9.0 Update Post


Bout of Books 9.0
Read-a-Thon
Jan 6 - Jan 12

hosted at the Bout of Books blog
check out the blog for more information
to sign up, click here
Twitter: #boutofbooks
questions: @boutofbooks


Official Blurb
The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team



~ Progress ~
Official signing up post, here.
Tweeted my goals (1,000 pages), here
Book Buying Spree challenge at Bookish Comforts, here

Monday: Currently reading Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh (started after midnight)
Tuesday: finished Hostage to Pleasure, started Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Wenesday: finished Branded by Fire, started Lara by Bertrice Small
Thursday: more Lara
Friday: Disneyland, doc apt, more Lara
Saturday: Finished Lara (early am), started Purrfect Mates series (1-5)
Sunday: started #6

~ Books Read ~
Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh
Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Lara by Bertrice Small
Here Kitty, Kitty by Joyee Flynn
My Little Kitty by Joyee Flynn
Our Sexy Tiger by Joyee Flynn
My Angel Cheetah by Joyee Flynn

114 - Kitty in the Middle by Joyee Flynn


~ Pages Read Goal ~ 
352 + 368 + 459 = 1,179 
91 + 93 + 112 + 112 + 114 +



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014
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.