Slider by Reed Farrel Coleman

Overview
Murder and Mayhem in Muskego: Jordan, Jon & Ruth, Phillips, Gary,  Richardson, Kat: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Slider
Author: Reed Farrel Coleman
In: Murder and Mayhem in Muskego (Jon & Ruth Jordan)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime
Dates read: 6th August 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Down and Out Books
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: I got a shield to prove it and everything.

Synopsis

A body washes up on the shore, sparking memories of a time long ago. As the tale unravels, the past and present combine.

Thoughts

I loved the disjointed nature of this story. It had “chapters” that were incredibly short (sometimes only 2 sentences). But they added to this feeling of multiple stories, multiple tales that pull you in.

This whole story has an incredibly vague, hazy feel to it. Even when you find out who the culprit is, you’re not entirely sure if it’s the “true” culprit. The one that actually did it. Things aren’t often tied up in a neat little bow… and this story really drives that fact home.

I really enjoyed how everything pulls together at the end of this story. And how you just have so many questions (and much enjoyment) when you turn that final page. Definitely intriguing and engaging.

<- Pattern RecognitionUndying Love ->

Image source: Amazon

The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 edited by Trisha Telep

Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2
Author: Trisha Telep, Jackie Kessler, Ava Gray, Shirley Damsgaard, Nathalie Gray, Gail Carriger, Moira Rogers, Elissa Wilds, Karen Chance, Sonya Bateman, Sherri Browning Erwin, Michele Hauf, Sharon Ashwood, Lara Adrian, Helen Scott Taylor, S.J. Day, Seressia Glass & Kim Lenox
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 7th February – 5th August 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: His low voice cut her off.

Synopsis

Love is the drug

Paranormal romance was never going to be content with just vampires and werewolves. The fantastic stories in this new collection lay claim to much, much more: paranormal serial killers, gaslight Victorian rendezvous, and the urban mayhem of fantasy and steampunk.

Here you will find bestselling authors writing under new pseudonyms, fresh stars and steadfast favorites, together offering a feat of mind-bending subgenres.

Paranormal romance will never be the same again.

Thoughts

Admittedly it took me quite a while to read this. As much as I love paranormal romance, I think I just in general tend to prefer the full length versions. There’s just more time to connect to and love the characters and the relationship… but, it’s still fun getting a taste of the different authors in the genre.

I enjoyed writing the reviews for each of these stories. They were fun to write and read. Plus, I have a few new series to add to my wish list and shelves now… because I really needed more books to add to the pule… I mean, will I stop when my house explodes? Probably not.

This was a fun adventure to go on. I’d definitely pick up this collection again, but I might just take a while to make everything feel like new again…

<- The Dream CatcherTo Hell With Love ->

Image source: Amazon

Henry and Booboo by Elanor Dymott

Overview
Image result for xo orpheus book cover

Title: Henry and Booboo
Author: Elanor Dymott
In: Xo Orpheus (Kate Bernheimer)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mythology
Dates read: 5th August 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Penguin Books
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She did up the last of her buttons and she dropped to the floor and put her head down to tie her laces and still he thought it would be all right and she’d turn and walk away, but then suddenly he couldn’t hold his breath anymore and it came out in a kind of a grunt, and she flicked her head back and saw him.

Synopsis

It would be eight years before he told her he’d killed them. Or at least, before he told her he held himself responsible for their deaths, which at the time were put down to natural causes: dehydration, the heat of the sun, overexertion.

Thoughts

This was both kind of brilliant and super disturbing… I enjoyed the reading of it. But there comes a certain point when you feel…. seriously uncomfortable about what’s happening in the story line.

What I found most difficult about this story was the open ended nature of the tale. The fact that the bad guy really didn’t get his comeuppance (which I like). But there is definitely a hint of it…

The little bit at the end about the original story and how these themes were intertwined. But it was completely brilliant. Just not for the faint of heart.

<- The Veiled ProphetModern Coyote ->

Image source: Goodreads

Haunted by Joyce Carol Oates

Overview
Hauntings: Datlow, Ellen: 9781616960889: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Haunted
Author: Joyce Carol Oates
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow) & Demons and Dreams (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Horror
Dates read: 5th August 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Mother didn’t like Mary Lou visiting with me when no one else was home in our house: she didn’t trust her, she said.

Synopsis

Adulthood gives us many moments to reflect on the past. But there are some ghosts that should maybe stay buried.

Thoughts

This story had so many horrible layers throughout it. Like, seriously disturbing layers. It made me very uncertain as to the amount of liking I feel for this short story.

This was brilliantly written. An adult reflecting on their childhood in that broken way we all have. After all, memories are just functions of our mind and never truly “true”.

This was a seriously not okay story. Don’t get me wrong, I seriously enjoyed it… but it was still very much disturbing and not okay.

<- The Ammonite Violin (Murder Ballad No. 4)The Have-Nots ->

Image source: Amazon

Best Friends Forever by Cecil Castellucci

Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: Best Friends Forever
Author: Cecil Castellucci
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 5th August 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She didn’t want to, it just happened, in an alley in New York City.

Synopsis

They met by chance – the dying girl and the one who was already dead. But that’s not what cemented them together in friendship.

Thoughts

This was actually a ridiculously sweet vampire story. There is something about friendship and that depth of love that I think gets missed in stories a lot. But Castellucci managed to capture it perfectly.

I love how this story took you on the adventure of forming an everlasting friendship. Not just that moment of connection… but also that moment when you realise that that friendship you’ve formed… its something special.

I loved this story about friendship. But what I loved the most was how it ended. It was kind of sad. But seriously sweet, all at the same time.

<- The List of Definite EndingsSit the Dead ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Answer the Wicked by Kim Lenox

Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Answer the Wicked
Author: Kim Lenox
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Historical romanceParanormal romance
Dates read: 5th August 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Her crisply issued instructions echoed in the cavernous space.

Synopsis

Malise is a nurse for the elderly, a career she chose in no small part due to the fact that she could hide. But, when her favourite patient reveals his hidden past, she might find that she can no longer hide from the world… it could be the best outcome ever though.

Thoughts

This started put a little slow. And I also couldn’t quite figure out where the “romance” fit in. And, honestly, even at the end, I’m not entirely sure where the romance factor supposedly fits. But, all in all, it wasn’t a bad story.

I did like the mystery and fast pace of this story. I enjoyed how Malise managed to weave in bits of her own past while we canoned into the future. It was a good way to constantly keep the story engaging and entertaining.

All in all, this was an easy read to finish the The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 collection on. It certainly wasn’t my favourite, but I did enjoy it, and would maybe even read it again.

<- The MajesticThe Mammoth Book of Perfect Crimes & Impossible Mysteries ->

Image source: Amazon

Higher Education Terminology Spell Challenge

Duration: 1st September – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 8
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

S Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Y

L

L

A
Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
B
Beach Lane by Sherryl Woods
U

S
Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr

September 2021 SPELL – Higher Education Terminology
Timeframe: 9/1/21 to 9/30/21

To go along with Suzanne’s scavenger challenge this month, choose one or more of these words to spell out in September. You may use the first letter of the first word in the book’s title (excluding A, An and The) OR the author’s first or last initial. (middle names or initials can NOT be used).

college
cum laude
dean
Dean’s List
graduation
honor
laude system
magna cum laude
major
matriculate
minor
practicum
provost
registrar
semester
summa cum laude
syllabus
transcript
undergraduate
university

CHALLENGE RULES:
♦ Please sign up by posting at least a partial list of the challenge requirements. This gives us a post to link you to, which you can use to update your books as the challenge progresses.

♦ Unless otherwise noted, books must be at least 150 pages long. (See the link here for rules regarding graphic novels.) Books may only be used for one task in this challenge, but cross-challenge posting is encouraged 🙂 Re-reads are allowed, as long as you read the entire book and not simply skim through it.

♦ For each book you read, please post a link to the title, and indicate the author and the date you finished reading it.
* If you don’t know how to post a link to the book title, cover or author, see the instructions here:
Add a link to the book title, book cover and/or author

♦ When you complete the challenge, please post your entire list as a new message to make it easier for everyone to see what you’ve read 🙂 If you don’t repost your list, your name will not be added to the list of those who have completed the challenge.

Higher Education Terminology Scavenger Challenge

Duration: 1st September – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 10
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection

September 2021 Scavenger Challenge : Higher Education Terminology
September 1 – 30, 2021

Choose any seven of the following ten tasks. You may choose before you start, or choose as you go along. And, of course, you are welcome to complete more than seven tasks!

1. A College is an institution of higher education that grants undergraduate degrees. In some cases these are independent institutions, like Berea College or College of the Holy Cross. Other colleges are not independent, but are parts of a university: for example, Case Western Reserve University includes 8 different colleges in areas such as nursing, arts/sciences, law, medicine and more.
🎓 Read a book whose title starts with a letter in COLLEGE (ignore a|an|the) OR read a book with a character who values their independence; tell us who. – Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo (Alina)

2. A university is an institution of higher education that awards both undergraduate and graduate degrees and/or that includes multiple colleges and schools. A college (or school) focuses on similar academic areas.
🎓 Read a book that is “higher” on your TBR (anything above the halfway point); tell us your TBR total and your book’s position OR read a book whose author’s first and last initials (ignore middle initials) may be found in UNIVERSITY.

3. A Major is the primary focus of study in a 4-year degree – i.e. Biology or Philosophy. A minor is designated as a specific number of credit hours in a secondary field of study.
🎓 Read a book whose title contains the word “MAJOR” or “MINOR” or read a book whose original publication year contains a “4;” tell us the year. – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward (2014)

4. The head or president of a college or university is called a Dean. The Dean’s List is a regularly issued list of students who have achieved high academic excellence. Qualification for the Dean’s List varies from school to school.
🎓 Read a book in which a character receives an award or honor of some kind; tell us who and the nature of the award OR read a book that is on a “best of” type list; tell us which list and the year awarded. – Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

5. A Provost, sometimes called the vice president of academic affairs, is a senior academic administrator who works closely with academic deans, department deans and faculty to ensure the quality of academic programs.
🎓 Read a book in which a character serves in a leadership position; tell us who and their position OR read a book with a title word (4 or more letters) that contains a single vowel (the vowel may be repeated, as in the “O” in provost).Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr (Tom Cavanaugh – boss)

6. To matriculate means that a student is admitted, registered for classes, and in good academic standing at a college or university.
🎓 Read a book in which a main character is attending college or university OR read a book whose title contains a word at least 10 letters long.Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

7. A Syllabus is a general summary of a course handed out to students at the beginning of a semester.
🎓 Read a book in which the main character is starting something (significant) new; be as creative as you wish, but do tell us who and what OR read a book that follows a very generic “syllabus” (formula). – Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

8. A Registrar is a specialist tasked with handling several administrative and logistical areas of academia. The registrar’s office is responsible for registering students for classes, preparing student transcripts, preparing class schedules and analyzing enrollment statistics.
🎓 Read a book whose MC’s first name starts with an “R;” tell us who OR read a book with a character you believe has an analytical mind; tell us who and why. – Expecting Better by Emily Oster

9. A Practicum is a practical application of theory learned in the classroom. Often a requirement for programs in Education, Social Work or other clinical fields.
🎓 Read a book in which someone is an educator of some kind; tell us who and their profession OR read a book in which someone is an intern or apprentice; tell us who and their field of study. – Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott (Daphne)

10. The Laude System recognizes three levels of honor for graduation:
— Cum Laude (with praise) is generally awarded to the top 25-35% of the class and requires an average GPA of around 3.5-3.7.
— Magna Cum Laude (with great honor) is generally given to students in the top 10-15% of their class and the estimated average GPA would be 3.8-3.9.
— Summa Cum Laude (with highest honor) is generally given to students in the top 1-5% of their class and is sometimes reserved for students with perfect grades (4.0+).
🎓 Read a book whose title contains a comparative (better, faster) or superlative (best, fastest) adjective OR read a book whose total page count is between 350 and 400 pages; remember to tell us how many pages. – Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr

CHALLENGE RULES

See this thread for more detailed rules for all CCC challenges.

♣ If you want to participate in this challenge, please sign up by posting at least a partial list of the challenge requirements. This gives us a post to link you to, which you can use to update your books as the challenge progresses.

♣ For each book you read, please indicate the title, the author and the date you finished reading it. If a challenge task gives several options, please make it clear which option you’ve chosen. If the task calls for an item on the cover, include a link to the book cover.* If it’s not obvious from the book title or cover, be sure to explain how your book fits the task. If you don’t, you won’t get credit for completing that task.

♣ Unless otherwise noted, books must be at least 150 pages long. (See the link above for rules regarding graphic novels.) Books may only be used for one task in this challenge, but cross-challenge posting is encouraged 🙂 Re-reads are allowed, as long as you read the entire book. You must read at least half of the book AFTER the challenge begins in order to count it for this challenge.

♣ Books may only be used for one task in this challenge, but cross-challenge posting is encouraged!

♣ If you want the challenge moderator to check your progress as you make updates, please copy/paste your update into a new message . We don’t have time to scroll back through the entire thread looking for “message #15,” or to follow links back to an original post.

♣ When you complete the challenge, please post your entire list as a new message to make it easier for everyone to see what you’ve read. If you don’t repost your list, you won’t be included in the list of those who have completed the challenge.

*If you don’t know how to post a link to the book title or cover, see the instructions here: Link Instructions

Moonlight Serenade – September 2021

Duration: 1st September – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 6
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

description
Moonlight Serenade

Duration: September 1 – 30

Rules
Complete at least two tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count

M

1. Sept 3rd is College Colors Day: Listen to a book with a MC who is a college student or a book set at a college/university – Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
2. Sept 6th is Labor Day: In honor of all your hard work Listen to any book you want – Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
3. Sept 24th is National Coloring Day: Listen to a book with a colorful cover or a colorful character – Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr
4. Sept 18th is National First Love Day: Listen to a book where the MC meets their first love or is reunited with their first loveSunrise Point by Robyn Carr
5. Sept 20th is Respect for the Aged Day: Listen to a book with an MC or important secondary character who is 65 or older (Can be supernatural) – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
6. Sept 22nd is Hobbit Day: Listen to a fantasy book or listen to a book whose title starts with an HSiege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Night Spawn Bingo

Duration: 1st September – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 9
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession


description
September
description

Welcome to Night Spawn BINGO. Each month a new BINGO game will be posted with new tasks to complete. Get three in a row (Horizontal, Vertical, or Diagonal) to receive your Vampire Heart.

Rules:
Complete three tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count
One book per task

Read 3 books that have one of the following (Must be in a Horizontal, Vertical, or Diagonal pattern).

Top Row:

Story takes place in the Big City~ Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Story takes place out in the Country~ Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
Story takes place in the Burbs

Middle Row:

MC is a single parent~ Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr
Focus is on a family~ Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
MC is unmarried/no kids~ Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

Bottom Row:

MPG of Romance~ Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr
MPG of Urban Fantasy ~ Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
MPG of Mystery

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