Duration: 1st July – 31st July 2021
Number of books: 10
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection
F –
R –
I – The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
E –
N –
D – Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods
S –
H – Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
I –
P – Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr
Duration: 1st July – 31st July 2021
Number of books: 7
Hosted by: Crazy Challenge Connection
JULY SCAVENGER : INTERNATIONAL FRIENDSHIP DAY
DURATION : July 1 – 31, 2021
July 30 is International Friendship Day, so why not celebrate — and get to know a bit more about — our Goodreads friends?
Go to your Goodreads friends list, then complete the tasks as directed below. It will require sorting in a number of different ways, possibly some ways you never noticed before 🙂
1. Read a book by an author whose first or last initial appears in the name of the friend you most recently added; tell us the friend’s name and post a link to the author’s GR page (Bekele Hall)
2. Read a book whose page total includes at least one number from your number of friends; tell us how many pages and how many GR friends you have (74) – Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods (376 pp.)
3. Click on the letter that your first name begins with (can use your real name or your screen name). Read a book from any shelf of one of the friends on that list; tell us the friend and the shelf on which you found the book (Slavia mafia clan)
NOTE : If you have no GR friends whose names begin with the same letter as yours, go to the next letter in the alphabet; continue as needed.
4. Sort by “last status.” Read a book whose title begins with a letter in the first name on your list (disregard A, An and The in the book title); tell us the friend’s name (John Kerry) – Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
5. Sort by “date added” and scroll to the last name on the list (will be the first GR friend you added). Read a book originally published in the year you added that friend; tell us the year and the friend (2016)
6. Sort by “books added” and find the friend who has the most books on their shelf (should be the first name on the list). Read a book whose ISBN number contains at least two numbers from their total books; tell us the friend, the number of books on their shelf and your book’s ISBN (54,929) – A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods
7. Sort by “number of friends” and use the first name on the list. Read a book whose average GR rating contains at least one number from that person’s number of GR friends; tell us the rating, the friend’s name and their number of friends (5,091) – Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr (4.11 stars)
CHALLENGE RULES :
See this thread for more detailed rules for all CCC challenges.
PLEASE NOTE : When we ask for an item shown prominently on the cover, we should be able to see the item in the thumbnail, without having to click through to the book’s page.
♦ 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.
♦ Unless otherwise noted, books must be at least 150 pages long. (See the link above for rules regarding graphic novels. Please remember that ONLY graphic novels can be combined.) 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. If you listen to an audiobook, please be sure that the link you post indicates a page count for the book, even if that means linking to an edition different from the one you listened to.
♦ For each book you read, please post a link to the title, and indicate the author and the date you finished reading it. For the tasks that call for a specific author initials or name/s, you must include a link to the author’s name.
If you don’t know how to post a link to the book title or author, see the instructions here: Add a link to the book title and/or author
♦ When you complete the challenge, please copy and paste your entire list as a new message at the end of the challenge thread. If you do this while you still have the Edit window open, it will copy all of your links and formatting. If you don’t repost your list, with appropriate links, your name will not be added to the list of those who have completed the challenge. Please do NOT simply post a link back to your original post.
Duration: 1st July – 30th September 2021
Number of books: 28
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Let’s face it – after reading a bunch of fantasy, urban fantasy and paranormal books which may or may not (okay probably are) also romances you know exactly what you’d want in your perfect vampire. Well now is the time to build your own vampire just the way you want him/her. You have decisions to make about the final product and for each section you choose which characteristic you want and then complete the task that goes with it. You MUST choose one for the first 7 categories – after that you can choose to do all or only the ones you want.
1. What sex is your Vampire?
A: Male – Read a book where the MC is a male
B: Female – Read a book where the MC is female
C: Non-Binary (Gender Neutral) – Read a book where a character is gender neutral
Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
2. How old is your Vampire?
A: Under 25 years old – Read a book with an MPG of YA or NA
B: Over 25 years but under 100 years old – Read a book with an MC in that age range
C: Over 100 years old – Read a book with an immortal MC
3. What is the skin tone of your Vampire?
A: Pale, White, or Bloodless – Read a book with a mostly white cover
B: Tanned, Ruddy or Dark – Read a book with a mostly dark cover
C: Green or Red – Read a book with a mostly green or red cover
The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 edited by Trisha Telep
4. Which type of Fangs does your Vampire have?
A: Retractable Fangs – Read a book where a character has retractable fangs
B: Serrated Teeth but no fangs – Read a book where you can see teeth on the cover
C: Fangs? What Fangs? – Read a book that is NOT tagged paranormal or fantasy
5. How was your Vampire made?
A: Born a Vampire – Read a book where the MC is a vampire
B: From a Bite – Read a book where a character is bitten by a vampire
C: From Consuming Vampire Blood after a Bite – Read a book with the word VAMPIRE in the title or series
Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
6. Can your Vampire go out in sunlight?
A: No – Read a book with a night scene on the cover
B: Yes but only for short periods of time or when they are very old – Read a book with an overcast/cloudy outdoor scene on the cover
C: Yes – Read a book with a sun on the cover
Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
7. Is the appearance of your Vampire
A: young, seductive and alluring – Read a book with an erotic tag
B: Hideous, demonic like – Read a book with a monster in it
C: Unearthly Beautiful – Read a book with a gorgeous person (same sex as your vampire) on the cover
D: Ordinary – Read a book where the MC is described as ordinary
Geekerella by Ashley Poston
8. Does your Vampire need an invitation to enter a home?
A: Yes – Read a book with a house, cabin, mansion on the cover
B: No – Read a book with an outdoor scene but no people or buildings on the cover
Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr
9. Does your Vampire have an aversion to holy symbols?
A: Yes it keeps them at bay but won’t kill them – Read a book with a religious character or symbol in the book
B: Yes it is a fatal weakness for them – Read a book where a character dies
C: No – Read a book where a character enters a church
Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr
10. Is your Vampire affected by garlic?
A: Yes – Read a book where your MC works in the food industry
B: No – Read a book with food on the cover
Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods
11. Can Your Vampire see their reflection?
A: Yes the reflection shows their true self – Read a book where the MC can or does disguise themselves
B: No – Read a book where the MC doesn’t like something about their appearance
C: Yes a faint reflection that disappears with age – Read a book with a mirror on the cover
The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin
12. Does your Vampire consume blood?
A: Yes only blood – Read a book with blood on the cover
B: Yes but can consume animal blood for short term – Read a book with an animal on the cover
C: Yes but vampire can also eat food – Read a book with food on the cover
Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr
13. If your Vampire’s maker is killed does your Vampire die?
A: Yes – Read a book where the MC is a father
B: No – Read a book with a child/baby on the cover
14: Does Silver hurt your Vampire?
A: Yes – Read a book where your MC is hurt badly
B: No – Read a book with something silver on the cover
15. Does your Vampire have enhanced strength?
A: Yes – Read a book with a character who has supernatural strength
B: No – Read a book where a character is unable to do something they want that is physical in nature
16. Can Your Vampire Fly?
A: Yes – Read a book where a character can fly
B: No but they can leap/jump so far it’s almost as if they can fly – Read a book with something on the cover flying
C: No – Read a book where a character flies but not under their own power (plane, carried by someone who can fly)
Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre
17. Can your Vampire Teleport?
A: Yes – Read a book tagged science fiction
B: No – Read a book tagged historical
The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
18. Can your Vampire Shapeshift?
A: Yes – Read a book where the MC can shapeshift
B: No – Read a book where no character can shapeshift
The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
19. Does your vampire have any Psychic powers (telepathy, ability to compel)?
A: Yes – Read a book where a character has any psychic power
B: No – Read a book where a character is compelled or manipulated into doing something
The Edge of Heaven by E.M. Lindsey
20. What body type does your Vampire Have?
A: Athletic – Read a book tagged sports
B: Muscular – Read a book where a character is described as muscular or buff
C: Slender – Read a book where your character is described as slender/skinny or small
Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr
21. How long is your Vampire’s Hair?
A: Long Hair – Read a book with long hair on the cover
B: Short Hair – Read a book with short hair on the cover
C: Bald – Read a book with a bald character on the cover
Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
22. What color is your Vampire’s Eyes?
A: Blue – Read a book with a blue cover
B: Green – Read a book with a green cover
C: Black – Read a book with a black cover
D: Brown – Read a book with a brown cover
E: Grey or Silver – Read a book with a grey cover
F: Red – Read a book with a red cover
On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle
23. What happens if your Vampire Bites You?
A: Hallucinations/Fever or Sick – Read a book where the MC gets sick
B: Creates a Connection – Read a book with a mating bond
C: Causes Memory Loss/Disorientation – Read a book where a character forgets something important
D: Causes sexual arousal – Read a book with an explicit sex scene
E: Is addictive or enslaves you – Read a book where a character has a substance abuse issue
Witching Moon by Rebecca York
24. Is your Vampire an Alpha Type?
A: Yes – Read a book with an alpha characterB: No – Read a book where the MC is very emotional
Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs
25. Does your Vampire have a sense of humor?
A: Yes – Read a book tagged humor/funny/humorous
B: No – Read a book tagged dark
The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
26. Is your Vampire Romantic?
A: Yes – Read a book with an MPG Romance
B: No – Read a book that is NOT tagged romance
Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods
27. Is your Vampire Ambitious?
A: Yes – Read a book where the MC is rich
B: No – Read a book where the MC is struggling to support themselves
A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods
28. Does anyone else know that you have a Vampire?
A: Yes – Read a book where the supernaturals are “out” and people are aware of them
B: No – Read a book where the supernaturals are hiding and people are not aware of them
Duration: 1st July – 30th December2021
Number of books: 24
Hosted by: My Vampire Book Obsession
Duration
July 1st – December 31st
Rules
Complete at least 5 tasks to get the heart
No minimum page count
All genres welcome
Rereads welcome
A different book must be used for each task
Read a book where someone is called master – Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
Read a book whose title starts with the letter P – Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr
Read a book where a character is manipulated – Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Read a book where a character attends the theater – Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard
Read a book with double letters in one of the title words – Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in Master of Puppets – Sky of Ash by Rachel Madbury
Read a book with string or rope on the cover – What We Find by Robyn Carr
Read a book where the MC “pulls someone’s strings” – Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
Read a book with a controlling character – Honor Among Thieves by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre
Read a book with a verb in the title – Dawn’s Awakening by Lora Leigh
Read a book whose title starts with the letter S – Siege and Storm by Leigh Bardugo
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in “I’m Pulling Your Strings” – Witching Moon by Rebecca York
Read a book with a twist you didn’t see coming – The Bone Houses by Emily Lloyd-Jones
Read a book with the word mind or minds in the title
Read a book tagged Suspense
Read a book with a 3 word title – Wild Man Creek by Robyn Carr
Read a book with a psychologist/psychiatrist/behavioral therapist or similar profession in it – Moonlight Cove by Sherryl Woods
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in “Twisting Your Mind” – A Chesapeake Shores Christmas by Sherryl Woods
Read a book where the MC has/had their dreams smashed – Harvest Moon by Robyn Carr
Read a book where the MC has a dream/nightmare – The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu
Read a book with a night scene on the cover – Hopcross Jilly by Patricia Briggs
Read a book with the word “smash” or “smashing” in the text
Read a book whose title starts with the letter D – Driftwood Cottage by Sherryl Woods
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in “Smashing Your Dreams” – A Wild Life by Martin Hughes-Games
Read a book where the MC has a disability – The Edge of Heaven by E.M. Lindsey
Read a book where the MC doesn’t see someone for who they really are – Sunrise Point by Robyn Carr
Read a book with a pair of glasses on the cover – Up the Duff by Kaz Cooke
Read a book whose title starts with the letter B – Bring Me Home for Christmas by Robyn Carr
Read a book where two of the words in the title start with the same letter – The Girlfriend’s Guide to Pregnancy by Vicki Iovine
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in “Blinded by Me”
Read a book where a character is blindfolded or in a situation where they can’t see anything – Tower of Dawn by Sarah J. Maas
Read a book with a very plain cover – The Truths We Hold by Kamala Harris
Read a book with eyes on the cover – What to Expect When You’re Expecting by Heidi Murkoff
Read a book whose title starts with the letter Y – Your Coffin or Mine? by Kimberly Raye
Read a book where one of the five senses is in the title
Read a book whose author initials can be found in “You Can’t See A Thing” – The Clockwork Scarab by Colleen Gleason
Read a book with a proper name in the title – The Grendel Affair by Lisa Shearin
Read a book that has a character or author with the same name as you (first or last)
Read a book whose title starts with the letter J
Read a book where the MC makes an important phone call – Redwood Bend by Robyn Carr
Read a book with a four word title – The Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in “Just Call My Name” – Heart Berries by Terese Marie Mailhot
Read a book with an MPG of thriller or horror
Read a book where a character screams – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
Read a book with an ear on the cover – Dragonkeeper by Carole Wilkinson
Read a book with the word “scream” or a synonym of scream in the title (howl, screech, shriek, shrill, squall, squeal, yell, yelp)
Read a book that makes you want to scream because it’s so good or so bad – The Gap by Benjamin Gilmour
Read a book where the author’s initials can be found in “Cause I’ll Hear You Scream” – On What Grounds by Cleo Coyle
May was an interesting month. I started off the month with a major Burn Out. Then I got sick. But ultimately, everything in life started feeling like it was clicking into place. Not sure what that says about my reading for the month though…
Non-fiction
Series
Short story collections
Standalones – Novels
Standalones – Novellas
Standalones – Short stories
Title: A Man in a Kilt
Author: Sandy Blair
Series: Castle Blackstone #1
Rating Out of 5:Â 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Scottish romance, Time travel
Dates read: 20th – 22nd May 2021
Pace:Â Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher:Â Zebra Historical Romance
Year:Â 2004
5th sentence, 74th page:Â He knew that Angus and Douglas would insist on following him.
A Lonely Laird
Duncan MacDougall, the laird of Blackstone, was cursed centuries ago to wander as a ghost wihtin the echoing walls of his island castle – and only one woman can free him. Can it be the new mistress of Blackstone, just arrived from over the sea? Duncan has heard that pretty Miss Elizabeth Pudding is no more than a cook – and she haisl from a barbarous land called the Bronx. But she must learn the ways of a lady all the same – and she must stay at Blackstone for six long months to inherit. ‘Tis time enough to teach her – and time enough to woo her…
An Enchanting Lady
Beth has seen the handsome spectre from the day she crossed the threshold of Blackstone. Duncan MacDougall is a tall, translucent figure with black hair and piercing blue eyes. Yet a mist separates him from the land of the living… a mist as strong as cold steel. It is said that only love can dissolve it – and bring the man of her dreams to warm, breathing life…
The blurb of this book made me have certain.. expectations. And what I ended up getting was wholly unexpected. And seriously fun and enjoyable. Every twist and turn in this was a surprise and left me feeling very happy.
I thought there would be a bit more intensity in the time travelling aspect of this story. I mean, it’s been sitting on my shelves for this exact reason. It probably belongs I’m the historical romance shelf though. I mean, the ghost and time travel are both paranormal. But all of the setting and storyline… purely Scottish, historical fiction.
Almost all of the romances I read feature a strong woman who is also beautiful. I love that Beth is considered plain throughout and there are no hints of her being a particularly good looking woman. That, and the fact that one of the vipers in this story is the ridiculously good looking woman. There’s also the fact that although she is a virgin, there’s pretty much no fuss made about it. Rather, it’s a plot line to indicate her trust issues.
Duncan is dense. The combination of Beth and Rachael constantly bringing him to task honestly had me laughing loudly and for a long time. I mean… we women do have a tendency to run our men ragged at times, and I love the loving fear that they instill I their men. That, and the great combination of past and present in this incredibly cute romance.
| <- More Sandy Blair | A Rogue in a Kilt -> |
Title: Death by Diamonds
Author: Annette Blair
Series: A Vintage Magic Mystery #3
Rating Out of 5:Â 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Chic lit, Cozy mystery, Mystery
Dates read: 18th – 20th May 2021
Pace:Â Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher:Â Berkley Mystery
Year:Â 2010
5th sentence, 74th page:Â “You get me in the stupidest trouble.”
The latest entry sparkles in national bestselling author Annette Blair’s enchanting series starring Madeira Cutler and her charming Vintage Magic boutique. This time Maddie needs to find out why a famous actress faced her final curtain call…
Madeira loves her vintage clothing store, but the visions she gets from the garments can be hard to handle, especially when she knows the garment’s owner. At first she’s thrilled to receive a package containing the beautifully bejewelled dress she designed for actress and old friend Dominique DeLong while in fashion school. But the dress comes with a disturbing note from Dominique, who it seems took her last bow under very mysterious circumstances. Now Maddie needs to use her second sight to shine a spotlight on the actress’s entire entourage – including a bitter ex, a rival ingenue, and a very catty “best friend” – and make sure that this was the killer’s final act.
I love a good cozy mystery. They have all the intensity and joy of a good thriller or crime novel. Just none of the horror, can’t sleep at night feelings that my other crime novels inspire. Which, thinking about it is a little weird… Death by Diamonds still has a murder, and it should be scary. But mostly it’s just enjoyable.
Admittedly I’m not one for fashion. But I do appreciate all of the intricacies that are around for people who are. And, honestly, after reading this, I kind of wish that I was into vintage fashion. There are so many beautiful nuances throughout this book.
Dom is maybe my favourite murder victim ever. Whoch is supremely weird, I know. But from the very beginning, she is manipulating and twisting things in a way that is kind of humorous. I love the gumption of the woman and the pizzaz that she shows, even from beyond the grave. It gives you a hint of the woman that you never get to meet within the storyline. And I loved it.
I have most definitely got a favourite leading man in this series… Weiner. Nick is not bad, per se, just “eh”. Which meant that I was incredibly happy to have Weiner take a little more centre stage in Mad’s attentions. Hopefully in the next book this relationship will start to develop more!
| <- Larceny and Lace | Skirting the Grave -> |
Title: Bloodcircle
Author: P.N. Elrod
Series: Vampire Files #3
Rating Out of 5:Â 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves:Â Gangsters, Paranormal fantasy, Vampire noir
Dates read: 18th – 19th May 2021
Pace:Â Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher:Â Ace Fantasy
Year:Â 1990
5th sentence, 74th page:Â His pockets were turned out and a few stray coins littered the floor.
Detective-cum-vampire Jack Fleming’s quest for the mysterious woman who made him a vampire takes him to the palatial estate of a wealthy widow, where a two-hundred-year-old gigolo tries to throw him off the trail. Reissue.
I forgot about how much I enjoy P.N. Elrod’s writing. It did take me a little while to get into Bloodcircle, partly because I spent a lot of time trying to place who people were and the politics of the whole story line. But once I got everything straight in my mind’s eye… I couldn’t stop thinking about it. And I most definitely couldn’t stop turning the pages.
I love this vampire noir feeling throughout this story. Not that I’ve read many noir stories or tales which are set in this time. But with the vampire twist… this is just amazing. I’m transported into a world that I rarely get to spend much time in. One that I’m kind of eager to rejoin again.
I love that this story is a quest for Jack Fleming’s lost love. A quest for answers that he really needs. I feel a lot of Bobbi in this, because I have a lot of hope for them as a couple in the future. But it also shows how much care Jack has for those he loves.
This is a fantastic mystery that will hook you quickly. It may have taken me about 3 chapters to get hooked, but once I did… it was almost impossible to look away. Just what I want in a good mystery / noir genre novel.
| <- Vampires Prefer Blondes | Art in the Blood -> |
Title: Beyond the Dark
Author: Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 4th – 18th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: No, I’ll just… I’ll just…
Go beyond your wildest fantasies.
Go beyond your most forbidden dreams.
Go further than any woman has ever dared to go…
Four bestselling authors of paranormal romance and erotic thrills take readers into a seductive midnight world of demons, mages, vampires, and knights, of queens with devilish secrets, and of devils with secret desires. Going this far is so dangerous, so exciting, so captivating, you may never want to come back down to earth.
I really, really enjoyed this collection. It was full of romance, fun and lust. A little more intensely erotic than some of my romances. But also not overbearingly so. The perfect balance for the type of stories that I enjoy.
I did buy this because at the moment I’m devouring the Breeds series by Lora Leigh. However, it did get bumped up my wishlist because I know and thoroughly enjoy the other three authors. I also like that the story by Emma Holly is also part of a series that I’m already half reading. Then the other two novellas were beautifully pleasant standalones.
This collection was darkly sensual and seriously wonderful. I loved jumping into these four worlds and being swept away. A collection that I will definitely read again.
Title: The Sin-Eater’s Promise
Author: Michele Hauf
Series: Of Angels and Demons #1.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance
Dates read: 18th May 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: The sin-eater was female.
She’s a sin-eater and he ferries the dead to their final destination. But sometimes the job gets in the way of romance… And romance gets in the way of the job.
I liked this story. I’ve vaguely heard of sin-eaters before, but never really known much more than the title. It was incredibly amazing and fun to read a story that featured such a creature. The fact that it also had demons and all other sorts of horrors in it… well, that just made it all that much better.
The romance aspect of this story really didn’t take centre stage. At least, not for me. For me, this whole tale was about the role of a sin-eater and the debate of morals. It is a great story that shows you that sometimes what you think is right, isn’t necessarily correct.
I love the discussion of morals and what is actually right and wrong throughout this story. The idea that consequences exist for every decision. Regardless of what the motives behind such a choice are…
Earth and Skye 