Hosted by CPQ

1. Read books in series/trilogies/related by author. (Julie Garwood’s Lion’s Lady, Castles, The Gift are related.) For a series to count you must read each book in that series during this calendar year. (Rereads and audio books welcome!) If you previously started a series and do not wish to re-read, then only the titles read after 01/01/09 will count towards your total books read. You will not however get "credit" for total series read. Only series started and finished in 09 will count toward the prize for # of series read. For example I started Lynsay Sands Argeneau series this fall. For me to get credit for all 9 books I will need to re-read the first 3 sometime in 09. The series does not have to be read in order, or in succession to "count"! (so if I read #4-9 this spring and next fall re-read #1-3 then I get full credit. Otherwise ...I only get credit for the 5 books read, but not for reading the entire series.) I think I just made that about as clear as mud.

2. The Challenge will begin January 1st and last until December 31st 2009.

3. Post your list on your blog and link it back to this post. Please comment to this post when your link is up. Your list is not something, you need to decide in advance. Please add as you go!

4. Please rate and review each title on your blog. When you do so, please label it SRC or Serial Readers Challenge so we can all read your reviews and maybe be inspired to try a new series for ourselves.

5. There will be prizes! Woo Hoo! Some of the prizes may be simple online trophies, and some will be book give-aways. (Titles to be determined) Prizes will be given for most books read, most # series read, most pages read, and some maybe at random! (my favorite kind!! Yay!)

6. To wrap up the challenge next winter, comment to this post linking your wrap-up post by December 31! Prizes will be awarded January 2010!

Sign up early and spread the word!

The Bounty Hunter and the Heiress by Carol Finch

#4 Read a book from a genre you have not read yet
Rating: 5 stars

After bouncing around the genres trying to find something to read for this, I finally settled on a Western and for an added bonus a Harlequin. I haven't read Westerns in a while, with the exception of the Summer Challenge when I read Julie Garwood's For the Roses and the second set of books in that series. I have never read a Harlequin romance novel. I really don't know why I have thumbed my nose at the Harlequin series for so long... maybe it has something to do with the cover art. I am (blushing and hanging my head) one of those people who will buy or turn down a book strictly because of the cover. I am happy to say that I thoroughly enjoyed this book!!
Eva is a strong willed woman who thumbs her nose to societies dictates, refusing to conform and has been labeled an eccentric. She is hell bent on tracking down the shyster (Gordon) who deceived her sister,Lydia, and tried to turn her against Eva. She sets out to hire the highly capable and well known Bounty Hunter J.D Raven. Raven refuses to take on the case, no matter how much money this little woman says she will pay. He has just lost his beloved horse Buck to a shoot out while gathering up three outlaws for the Denver sheriff. He wants nothing more than to return to his secluded cabin in the mountains and start training another horse to take Buck's place. Eva poses as Raven's wife in order to travel with him on the stage coach without rousing the other occupants' suspicions. The entire journey Raven is still refusing to help Eva out, but can't help feel responsible for her the second the come under gun fire at two different stops along the stage line.
These two are at a constant battle of wits and banter constantly, but not to a point where you get tired of it. It is quite funny how they are constantly ruffling each others feathers. Their attraction is strong... which seems odd to Eva because she has sworn men off for the rest of her life, so how is this Half breed fast becoming the man of her dreams?
The Bounty Hunter and the Heiress is one funny, action pact, passion filled story!

The Lost Duke of Wyndham by Julia Quinn

#9. Title with an address or a place in it (city, state, river, lake, cottage)

Rating: 4 stars

I have only read a few of Julia Quinn's books, so I can't say what I was really expecting. I liked this book, but I there was something that didn't sit well with me and I just can't put my finger on it at the moment. Grace, the heroine, was just an average character. I admired her loyalty to Thomas and the grace in which she was able to deal with the antagonist (dowager Duchess) of the story. At the beginning I was a little miffed by her, she seemed really weak. She did end up growing on me a little more througout the story. Jack was a stronger character full of wit and charm. He definitely had his father's traits that the dowager Duchess seemed so fond of, just not in Jack who was constantly using them on her. I was brought to tears with the meeting between Jack and his aunt Mary. I didn't care for the epilogue. I will however pick up Mr. Cavendish, I presume and finish reading about this family. This was definitely not my favorite JQ book.

Charming the Prince by Teresa Medeiros

Fall Challenge #1. Title that reminds you of a fairy tale.
Rating: 5 stars

Willow is getting a new mother, her father a new bride with a large dowry. This story really did have a bit of a Cinderella feel to it. The new mother comes with a package of six horrid children who Willow is made nurse maid to. She is ridiculed and shunned, eventually losing her father's affection to the little monsters. So when Lord of Elsinore's man shows up asking for Willow's hand in marriage she eagerly accepts sight unseen.
Lord of Elsinore, Bannar the Bold, is a tried and true war hero, a favorite of King Edward. He has never feared more for his life than he does in his own home with his 12, yes that's right 12, children chomping at his heels at every turn. He has taken to locking himself in the tower for peace and sanity. He is desperate and sends his man in search of non-attractive wife and mother for his brats!
The shenanigans that the kids pull... Oh my! It's a wonder the man has not killed everyone of them or at least given them a good throttling! Willow is not what Bannor wanted at all! He uses his children to run her off, so he does not have to break the news to her himself and damage her pride beyond repair... you would think that this is in some way a noble thing to do...NOT hardly!
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the Cinderella-ish feel to it. The things the kids do made me want to scream. I actually teared up a couple of times while reading this book, my heart just went out to Willow!

The Brat by Lynsay Sands

Fall Challenge #6. Read a book by an author with a "S" name for September.

Read around the genre challenge-Historical

340 pages

Rating: 5 stars

Back Cover: WHO WOULD MARRY...

All the knights had heard tales of Lady Murie, King Edward III's goddaughter and much feted favorite. It was said she was stunningly beautiful, with bright blue eyes, golden hair and a sweet smile. It was also said that the king had doted on the girl and spoiled her rotten. Despite his need, when Sir Balan saw her howling and sobbing, Murie was the last person he wanted to wed.

...THE BRAT?

But all that glitters is not gold, and sometimes diamonds look very, very rough. There was more to Murie than met the eye, and Balan soon learned that he'd be lucky indeed to deserve such a bride. Yet he was not the only one to discern the truth, and the other hopeful hubby was not quite as honorable. A plot was afoot. Soon would come a reckoning, a time to show who was chivalrous, who was a cad... and who had won the love of a heart unspoiled.

My Review:

This is only my second book by Lynsay Sands and I enjoyed it more than the first. I just loved Murie who is not what the rumors say she is. She is rather sweet and compassionate once you get passed her facade. She cracked me up through out the book with her silly superstitions. These silly superstitions were also endearing. She manages to use and to place with them on a number of occasions. The wedding night had me rolling it was so comical. I really don't know what to say about Balan except that he is the big strong silent type! The passion between these two was hot, they couldn't seem to keep their clothes on, but it was not overwhelming. The suspenseful part (someone trying to kill Balan) through me for a loop too. I can't say much more than that with out giving it away.

This was a light and easy read that kept me turning page after page and is the only book thus far in the Fall Challenge that only took a day to read. I will definitely be looking for more books by Lynsay Sands!

Mesmerized by Candace Camp

Back Cover:

HER CROSS TO BEAR

All her life, Olivia Moreland has denied her clairvoyant abilities, working instead to disprove the mediums that flock to London. But when Stephen, Lord St. Leger, requests her help in investigating an alleged psychic, she can't ignore the ominous presence she feels within the walls of his ancient estate. Nor can she ignore the intimate connection she feels to Stephen, as if she has somehow known him before...

HIS GIFT TO TREASURE

The last time he'd lived in Blackhope Hall, Stephen had watched as his elder brother claimed both the family title and the woman he loved. Now, following his brother's death, Stephen reluctantly returns home and finds his family ensconced in scandal. Who is behind his brother's murder--a dark spirit or the psychic who claims to have channeled it? And what is it about the psychic investigator Olivia Moreland that awakens his long-dormant passion?

As they search for answers, Stephen and Olivia discover that the only way to fight a powerful evil is with a powerful love...

My Thoughts: I chose Mesmerized from the list of reviewed books during the Summer Readers of Romance challenge. I honestly could have read this book for the "Spooky" selection. Candace Camp is a new to me author, saying that I think I have found another author that I will have to pick up frequently.

I was totally gripped from the beginning with the shock to Olivia's system when she first lays eyes on Stephen, him experiencing the same shock. Olivia was totally offended by Stephen, who seems to have lost all of his manners while living in the Western United States. Stephen ends up hiring Olivia to investigate a medium who has her clutches in his mother.

They end up spending quite a bit of time together researching the "lost souls" of Blackhope Hall, all the while the connection between the two is growing and the tension could be cut with a knife.

I have to say that I think is probably the best paranormal book that I have read in a while. I was completely caught up in the ghosts and seances, my skin was crawling. I loved the flashbacks in time to another couple and their forbidden love. I loved this book!!

I do have a few hang ups with the description on the back cover though:

1. I don't know that Olivia really had any clairvoyant abilities, at least it did not seem that she did.

2. Rodrick's, Stephen's brother, death was not really explained at all. We don't know what caused his death. There was never any mention to trying to find his murderer throughout the novel. Rodrick did speak through the medium several times, often complaining of the unrest of all the souls trapped in Blackhope Hall, but never of his death.

Rating: 5

Frustrated

We bought my daughter an Ipod last year. She had it for less than a month when it started acting up. The darn thing would only play 30 seconds of any song. It didn't matter where we got the music from, whether Itunes, a CD, or another music website, they all did the same thing. I called Apple about it and they said that I needed to take it into an Apple store to have it fixed. Of course my daughter was heading to spend the summer with her dad so I asked if he could get it done while she was up there. It was never taken in. She somehow managed to get it working properly without having to go in. Well it kept happening and she kept figuring out how to get it to work... then came the time when she could no longer get it to work. My husband and I went out and bought her the Zune. This has been a wonderful player for her. We have had no problems and it actually holds more for a little less.
My husband, being the sweetheart that he is, took the kids out and bought me one for Mothers Day. I had been talking about wanting something to download books to. With my new car having a MP3 player jack it would work great when the kids decided that they wanted to watch movies in the back (fortunately the novelty has worn off). A MP3 player for downloadable books would work for my gym workouts as well. To my frustration the Microsoft Zune is not compatible with any book formats. It keeps telling that it is not from the Zune store and therefore is not compatible. I am wishing now that I had taken it back and got another IPod. The only reason I really wanted it for was the books and now I cant even use it for that. Occasionally I can find a book on CD that I can upload to the computer and transfer over to my Zune, which is great, but it is not often. I also worry about Copy Right laws. I have heard from some people that it is technically illegal.
I just found my Zune in my desk collecting dust. I added some more music to it, maybe I will eventually start using it. Right now it is a waste of $200.

Realm of Shadows by Shannon Drake

Fall Challenge #8. For Halloween a Spooky book.

Reading Around the Genres: Vampire

396 pages

Rating: 4 stars

Realm of Shadows is the fourth in Shannon Drake's Vampire series. I unfortunately started with the second in the series and have been bouncing around. All of them have been really good. I do however recommend reading them in order if possible, there are few characters that show up consistently throughout the series!

Tara has traveled to France to visit with her cousin, Ann, and her ailing grandfather Jaques. Ann tells Tara that she believes their grandfather is losing his mind. He is obsessed with an ongoing archeological dig in their little village outside of Paris. Jaques convinces Tara to wonder down into the crypt to gain as much information as possible from the professor in charge of the dig.

She comes face to face with one of the diggers at the exact moment they hear a blood curdling scream. The digger, Brent Malone, runs back towards the newly discovered coffin while Tara runs in the opposite direction fearing for her life. Everywhere she turns she runs into Brent Malone. Her grandfather is convinced that there are evils that go bump in the night and is eagerly trying to convince Tara into believing also, he has help now... Brent Malone.

I have to say that this was not one of Shannon Drake's best books, especially not for this series. There were a few editting issues that distracted me a little, no big deal in the grand scheme of things. I think that SD tried to incorporate too many characters and side plots, all having a great deal to do with the story line, but it made the story lag in areas. I hated the Epilogue... I understand that you want to know what is happening with the characters and tie everybody in, but it just seemed kind of dumb. What it lacked in romance it definitely made up in suspense and spookiness. On a more positive note, it was a page turner and I was always engrossed in the story. I would recommend reading Realm of Shadows, it is just not as highly recommended as When Darkness Falls and Deep Midnight.

Mystic Rider by Patricia Rice

Rating: 5 Stars!!
384 pages
Paranormal Romance

Back cover:
Chantal Deveau has applied her musical gift to writing impassioned anthems for the French Revolution. But now that the mob has imprisoned her family, she seeks to buy their freedom with her one valuable possession: a jeweled cup. When a tall, dark stranger enters her home and demands she give him her prize, her outrage is nothing compared to her powerful sensual response to his presence...and her startling conviction that their lives ware irrevocably entwined.
Ian recognizes Chantal as the intended mate revealed to him in a vision long ago. But even he is astounded by the lightning-swift attraction he feels fro a woman not of his world. Now he must choose between duty and desire- and open his heart to possibilities that even he could never have forseen.
My Thoughts:
This is the second book in the Mystic Isle series. I hate that I had to wait a year in between reading the first one, Mystic Guardian, and this one. PR did an exceptional job again!
For some reason while reading Mystic Guardian I did not picture Ian as such a hunk... he seemed more, I don't know nerdy. I was pleasantly surprised when my first thoughts about this man were proved totally wrong.
Ian is Aleynn's sky rider, he is able to read minds and tell the future. He has seen his amacara while searching the sky for the missing chalice. He believes the Gods are telling him that he must leave the island to retrieve the chalice and bring home his intended mate.
He arrives in France during the revolution. He fears for his mate, Chantal. There is an instant pull between these two. The sparks fly almost immediately. In order to protect his amacara Ian must save her family. His life has just become a lot more complicated than he had inticipated. Aelynns are not allowed to speak of there homeland nor are they allowed to interfere with the "Others". Ian must find a way to convince his amacara to leave her home and her family, find the chalice which seems to have a life of it's own, and capture Murdoch ( who was previously thought to have had his powers stripped and was banned from Aelynn).
Mystic Rider was chop full of passion and action. There was plenty of fighting without taking away from the story. Chantal was another strong heroine equally paired with a strong hero. I really enjoyed this book and can't wait until next summer for the release of Mystic Warrior.

AAR Top 100

After sitting down and reviewing the titles listed in the AAR Top 100 list, I have found:

that I have read 10
I have on my TBR shelf (at home) 2
I have ordered from PBS 2

I have a long ways to go to complete the full 100.