Funko Vamps – September 2021

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

description
Funko Vamps
Collect a Funko Vamp each month by completing at least 2 tasks from a set of 6.
A new set of tasks with a new Funko Vamp will be posted each month.

The dolls you collect will be in your Vampire Heart thread. Don’t have a thread? You can still do the challenge if you want 🙂

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

Get this Vampire Heart

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description

Read a book with an undead character – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Read a book with a necromancer OR bone witch
Read a book with a black OR white cover – Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Read a book with a male main character – Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr
Read a book with a 9 OR 3 in the page count – Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr (320 pp.)
Read a book with a title that begins with a letter in JACK

Monthly Challenge September 2021

Duration: 1st September – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 11
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession

september

Duration: September 1 through September 30

How It Works:
Ten books each month is a lot, so there will be 5 different levels. Pick which level you want to do and that’s how many items you will need to check off.

Levels:
Transitional – 2 books
Fledgling – 4 books
Vampire – 6 books
Master – 8 books
Vampire King or Queen – 10 books

1. September – Ninth Month of the Year
Being the ninth in line tends to come and go without much fanfare. A few vocal September dates are tired of being ignored. Show your appreciation to September by reading the 9th book on your TBR mountain or read a book with a title that starts with one of the 9 letters in SEPTEMBER or a book with ‘9’ in the page count.Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo

2. September 5 – Cowgirl Day
Western genres and cowgirl boots aren’t for everybody but the theme can be! Read a book with a female lead or a book where boots are worn or a book where horses (or horsepower, i.e. cars, motorcycles) are used.Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

3. September 8 – Date Nut Bread Day
Sometimes you just want to be literal. Read a book where a couple goes on a date, or book where bread is eaten (sandwiches count!) or a book title that begins with a letter in DATE-NUT BREAD.Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr

4. September 9 – Teddy Bear Day
Hmm… Brown bears are considered terrifying while Teddy Bears are synonymous with comfort. Read a book with a cover that makes you feel ‘comfortable’ or a book where someone needs comfort or a book with a bear shifter!Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot

5. September 12 – International Drive Your Studebaker Day
There aren’t many that still have Studebaker’s so somebody’s re-imagining it. Yea, they are, by reading a book with wheels on the cover or a book set in the past or a book where someone drives. It’s become a thing! – Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr

6. September 15 – 8-Track Tape Day
Ah, a blast from the past. Read the oldest book on your TBR mountain or a book that has 8 books in the series or a book with a musical theme.The Wanderer by Robyn Carr

7. September 22 – Autumn Equinox
First day of autumn seems to take a back seat to the first day of spring but it shouldn’t, it’s just as special. Say goodbye to official summer by reading the last book of a series, or reading a book with a ‘cool’ character or reading a book that has a bonfire.Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott

8. September 24 – Cherries Jubilee Day
A great welcome fall dessert is tasty cherries jubilee! Just gathering ingredients, like cherries, ice cream and a flame… or just read a book with a read cover or a book set in summer or a book with a ‘hot’ character. (if it’s hot to you, it’s hot to us!) – Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs

9. September 26 – Forget-Me-Not Day
Now is the perfect time to reread a favorite book or a book with a second chance romance or a book recommended as a favorite by a friend. – Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr

10. September 29 – International Coffee Day
Coffee starts many a day but some people drink it all day long, hence the need for coffeeshops and what good is a coffee shop without a barista?!? Read a book with a barista or a book where a coffee shop is drunk or a book with brown on the cover. – Expecting Better by Emily Oster

BONUS: September 1- No Rhyme, No Reason Day
Some things just are! No fault, no blame, no praise, no back pats and no excuses either! Read or listen to any book you want just because you can! – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

Fall Hat

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

description
absolute-joyful-font

I adore hats – hats of every kind and every color – so this challenge is in honor of Fall Hat Month

Duration
September 1st to 30th

Rules
Complete at least 2 tasks to get the vampire heart
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
No minimum page count
You must read a different book for each task

In some professions you wear a hat for your job (Pilot, rancher, construction, chef)
Read a book where the MC works in a profession that requires a hat – Stranger Ranger by Daisy Prescott (Ranger Daphne)
Conical Hat: Coolie and rice hat, as it is also called, conical hat is designed with the sun’s rays in mind
Read a book with a sun on the cover – Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr
Beanie: Its other names include stocking cap, knit cap and skully. It is a good choice during winter to keep you warm.
Read a book set in winter – An O’Brien Family Christmas by Sherryl Woods
Baseball Cap: It is famous throughout the world especially with the youth. It is worn in universities and colleges.
Read a book where the MC is in University/College or set at a University/CollegeHeart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
Cowboy: North Americans love this cap
Read a book set in North America or with a cowboy MCThe Wanderer by Robyn Carr
There are actually more than a hundred different types of hats worn around the world.
Read a book with a hat on the cover

Rise Above

Duration: 1st September – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 3
Hosted by: Bookworm Bitches

September 2021 – Rise Above
Duration: 9/1/2021-9/30/2021

There are 3 tasks, you only need to read three books to finish this challenge. Or pick one task and read 3 books for that one task.

1. Read a book with that stars a marginalized character (disabled, LGBTQ+, POC, etc.) – Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson
2. Read a book that discusses a difficult topic. – Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
3. Read a book where a character has a change of heart – Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Rules
~Books must be read during the selected time period.
~Post the date you finished the book.
~All books read for challenges can be used for more than one challenge.
~Books can be either Fiction or Non Fiction. Your choice.
~At the end of the challenge, it will be closed for commenting and moved to the archives folder
~Use the add book/author tool to tag your book within your challenge.

July 2021 Reading List

July 2021 horoscopes tarot reading for every star sign

July was a more settled month than what I’ve had lately. Everything started mellowing, but I constantly felt exhausted as well…. so whilst it was less insane, I was also able to read a little less than I would have liked. But we went on our first holiday in five years! To celebrate our tenth anniversary… wasn’t that sweet?

Non-fiction

Series

Standalones – Short stories

Image source: Cosmopolitan

The List of Definite Endings by Kaaron Warren

Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: The List of Definite Endings
Author: Kaaron Warren
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 27th July 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: With the thought of Joel a dull ache and Ken very much on her mind, Claudia walked down to the seawall, enjoying the wind on her face and the smell of the salt.

Synopsis

Claudia never really fit in when she was human… now that she’s a vampire… well, she still doesn’t quite fit in. But at least she has her list.

Thoughts

This was a nice, easy duck out of water kind of story. I’m still not totally sold on the vampire fad. But stories like this are kind of fun. I loved all the ways that Claudia didn’t fit in. Because it was probably some of the same reasons I felt that way at nineteen.

A lot of information was packed into this very short story. Not only did it give Claudia a great characterisation. Buy it also told of her relationships, friendships, turning and morals in life. A whole heap of information in very few pages. But told in such a fun way that I couldn’t help but smile.

I’ve read a few short stories by Kaaron Warren. And honestly, I’ve enjoyed every one. They’re light, easy, but with a great moral core at the very centre of the story. Even when the story features a vampire out of water.

<– Late BloomerBest Friends Forever ->

Image source: HarperCollins

The Majestic by Seressia Glass

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

Title: The Majestic
Author: Seressia Glass
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance
Dates read: 26th July 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Rinna pressed against him, running her hands over his back just above his kidneys.

Synopsis

Rinna has a past. One that she once ran from. But, now, at a night in The Majestic, she might just run towards a new future.

Thoughts

This was a nice and simple short story. And I liked it. I loved how the flash back was so seamlessly incorporated…. particularly since this short story was quite, well… short.

Rinna and Bale are a nice couple. And I like that they both acknowledged their need to be away from one another to grow. To find out if they really wanted one another. And in this, managed to find their way back to each other.

I genuinely really enjoyed the world building and story telling in this tale. I have NO idea whether these hybrids are based on real mythological creatures or not, but I loved the idea of paranormals feeding in adrenaline energy…

<- Eve of WarfareAnswer the Wicked ->

Image source: Amazon

The Ammonite Violin (Murder Ballad No. 4) by Caitlin R. Kiernan

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

Title: The Ammonite Violin (Murder Ballad No. 4)
Author: Caitlin R. Kiernan
In: Hauntings (Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Horror
Dates read: 26th July 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Tachyon
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: She wonders how it will affect the sound, those five ancient stones, how they might warp and alter this violin’s voice.

Synopsis

He’s a collector. The only thing? One collection is on public display… and then the other? Well, that one is just haunting.

Thoughts

You know that a story is going to be creepy when the lead character is called The Collector. And when the whole story is written from this eerie birds eye point of view. But, it was kind of much more intense than I had expected….

There is always something a bit eerie about Kiernan’s writing. Yet, I found this one particularly bad. Probably because The Collector is a serial killer. And you spend the whole time wondering who the next victim will be. And what the obsession with the violin is.

Nothing about this story is comfortable. But it was intriguing. And I loved that uncomfortable feeling that lingers at the end. Truly haunting.

<- Nothing Will Hurt YouHaunted ->

Image source: Amazon

Late Bloomer by Suzy McKee Charnas

Overview
Image result for teeth ellen datlow terri windling book cover

Title: Late Bloomer
Author: Suzy McKee Charnas
In: Teeth: Vampire Tales (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 26th July 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Harper
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Writing verses (what was he thinking? Now he was really going to be killed in the boys’ bathroom) – with Freaky Frye!

Synopsis

Josh is from a family of artists and creators. He’s spent his whole seventeen years trying to figure out what his “talent” is. The moment he finally discovers it… well, it might just be too late.

Thoughts

I found Josh to be a bit of a whiney fool throughout this. So wrapped up in his ideas of being “great” that he didn’t stop and smell the roses. But, he kind of got his poetic justice / karmic justice in the end. That made me happy.

I did enjoy the idea of brain chemistry being unchanging when turned into a vampire. Particularly the fact that as a teenager, the brain is not fully formed. And being turned as a teenager? It means that you’ll be forever not fully formed. It’s a bit disturbing when you truly think about the consequences… but it was a very cool and dark idea. One I seriously enjoyed.

All in all, I pleasantly enjoyed this story. It may not have been a ground-shaking, earth-quaking tale that I’ll necessarily read again. But it was fun and unique. Which, honestly is all I want in a short story some days.

<- Vampire WeatherThe List of Definite Endings ->

Image source: HarperCollins

Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr

Overview
Harvest Moon – RobynCarr

Title: Harvest Moon
Author: Robyn Carr
Series: Virgin River #13
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 21st – 26th July 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Mira
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She’s right outside.

Synopsis

Return to VIRGIN RIVER with the books that started it all…

The recipe for happiness:
making it up as you go along

Rising sous-chef Kelly Matlock’s sudden collapse at work is a wake-up call. Disillusioned and burned out, she’s retreated to her sister Jillian’s house in Virgin River to rest and reevaluate.

Puttering in Jill’s garden and cooking with her heirloom vegetables is wonderful, but Virgin River is a far cry from San Francisco. Kelly’s starting to feel a little too unmotivated… until she meets Lief Holbrook. The handsome widower looks more like a lumberjack than a sophisticated screenwriter – a combination Kelly finds irresistible. But less appealing is Lief’s rebellious stepdaughter, Courtney. She’s the reason they moved from LA, but Courtney’s finding plenty of trouble even in Virgin River.

Kelly’s never fallen for a guy with such serious baggage, but some things are worth fighting for. Besides, a bratty teenager can’t be any worse than a histrionic chef… right?

Thoughts

One of the things that I love about the Virgin River series is that there is always a bit of a brief hint or introduction to the romance in the next story. It just makes you want to pick up the next book so much more – because you’ve already begun to feel partly invested within the relationship in the first place. You knew that Kelly and Lief were going to be a match at some point – they had their little stunning moment of realisation in Wild Man Creek. It was subtle, but it was enough to draw me in and leave me feeling somewhat intrigued.

Pulling in a struggling teenage daughter and the death of a mother really helped to raise the stakes in this story. In fact, I found it a little hard at moments to read this. I seriously felt for Courtenay and Lief – they’d not only lost someone, but were struggling to find their new way in the world. I loved that Carr was able to write from both perspectives – you understand why Lief is so confused and hurt by Courtenay’s decisions and actions. But you also get why she’s acting the way that she is. And, ultimately, she’s a teenager – they’re not exactly the most well balanced of people.

Reading this story honestly made me hungry. Food was such a centre point of Kelly’s life that every moment made you want to… well, eat. It was filled with so much delicious morish-ness that I honestly needed a snack for most of the reading of this. And, I kind of need one now that I’m writing my review the morning after finishing this…

I probably didn’t quite connect to Lief and Kelly as much as some of the other Virgin River couples (hence the fact that it lost 0.5 stars for me). But I did still love and enjoy them. I liked how their challenges were totally unique to the others within this series. normally by the thirteenth book in a series, it starts to feel a little same, same, but that isn’t the case with the Virgin River series. Every relationship, every romance, every challenge feels new and fresh.

<- Wild Man CreekBring Me Home for Christmas ->

Image source: Robyn Carr