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, March 31, 2011

Purr-sday


a place to share the cute/funny/weird pictures I find while surfing....when I should be doing a whole range of things ;)







Someone has an actual meme for "Cat Thursday" so head over to The True Book Addict and see who else is sharing.






This time it's a litter of five kitties from Kitty Bungalow-Charm School for Wayward Cats. The Tortie mom and this litter of five was abandoned after an eviction. Now they are safe and warm at the Bungalow where they will stay until they are of adoption age. And don't forget about their Mama a real sweetheart!
Kitty Bungalow is a non-profit organization in Los Angeles, California, that is involved with the feral cat colonies. Catch and release as well as taming kittena for adoption in their forever home. The link goes to their Facebook page where there are lots more pictures and complete information.













copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Monday, March 28, 2011

Monday Mailbox/reading


Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Mailbox Monday was started by Marcia of The Printed Page. When Marcia was ready to move on from being the weekly host, she was kind enough to set up the Mailbox Monday Blog Tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month. March's host is Laura at I'm Booking It (blog link, not post link).

One more week at Laura's blog - thanks for hosting!

Received for Review:
Economic Meltdown: A Family Preparedness Plan for Disaster by Karen McHale
Bullet Work by Steve O'Brien





What are you Reading?

is 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, visit, visit! She has a comment contest going on each week tied to the meme.


Finished:
Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage
Being a Green Mother by Piers Anthony

Started, sort of reading:
Drawn to the Land
Killer Crab Cakes
What the Cat Dragged in
The Gathering Storm

Planning to start/re-read:
something from the Spring Reading Thing Challenge list
something from my "need to review" list

Reviewed:
Any Witch Way (review goes live 4-8)

Need to Review:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
P.A.C.E.
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Miracle in Sumatra
The Tallest of smalls
Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night
Second Chance
Red in the Flower Bed


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Thursday, March 24, 2011

Reading Challenge - Birth Year

now, where did I find this one....will have to come back and modify....
Birth Year Reading Challenge
2011
hosted by J.G. at Hotchpot Cafe

....as you can see, there are a lot of great books published in my birth year and I had tons of fun searching at Wikipedia. But think about it....can I really do this? Probably not so this is one challenge I'll have to save for next year. Check it out and just so you know, she has a way to complete the challenge with a different year if you find your birth year has nothing interesting to you. OH! There are prizes!

found so far with (notes) - even if I've read it, I love to reread my books and it wasn't read since before 2010.

~Completed~
June 21



Lloyd Alexander - The Black Cauldron (own)
Ray Bradbury - The Vintage Bradbury
Ian Fleming - The Man with the Golden Gun (own)
Frank Herbert - Dune (own/read)
James A. Michener - The Source

God Bless You Mr. Rosewater by Kurt Vonnegut
Hotel by Arthur Hailey

Dick Francis - For Kicks (own/read)
Dick Francis - Odds Against (own/read)

Kosmos by the Polish author Witold Gombrowicz

The Genocides (science fiction)by American author Thomas M. Disch

Understrike by John Gardner

The Outsiders is a coming-of-age novel based in 1965 by S. E. Hinton (does this one count?) (own/read)

The Doorbell Rang (Nero Wolfe detective novel) by Rex Stout

The Sterile Cuckoo by John Nichols

Stoner by the American writer John Williams

Gentle Ben (children's novel) by author Walt Morey

Don't Stop the Carnival by American writer Herman Wouk

Midnight Cowboy by James Leo Herlihy (gotta read this one!)

The Graveyard Shift by Harry Patterson

Backtrack (western) by Milton Lott

The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch (science fiction) by Philip K. Dick

Dr. Bloodmoney, or How We Got Along After the Bomb by Philip K. Dick (In 1965 he wrote the essay titled Schizophrenia and the Book of Changes)

Whisper of Glocken (children's novel) by Carol Kendall

In the Heat of the Night by John Ball (they call me Mr. Tibbs)

Fire in the Punchbowl is the ninth book in the Punchbowl Farm series of novels by Monica Edwards

The Flag is a novel written by author and actor Robert Shaw. It was published in 1965.

Accident by Nicholas Mosley

The Painted Bird is a controversial novel by Jerzy Kosiński

The Fortunate Pilgrim by Mario Puzo

Sphereland: A Fantasy About Curved Spaces and an Expanding Universe is a 1965 novel by Dionys Burger

Father Hilary's Holiday by Scottish writer Bruce Marshall

Of the Farm by the American author John Updike

The Red and the Green by Iris Murdoch

A Tree Full of Stars by American author Davis Grubb

Lord Kalvan of Otherwhen (science fiction) by H. Beam Piper

A Vision of Battlements by Anthony Burgess

City of a Thousand Suns (science fiction)by Samuel R. Delany

Visa for Avalon Bryher

This Animal is Mischievous by David Benedictus

Cool Hand Luke by Donn Pearce

Peter Currell Brown is the author of the cult classic surrealist novel Smallcreep's Day

The Millstone by Margaret Drabble

The Ballad of Beta-2 (science fiction) by Samuel R. Delany

The Grange at High Force (children's novel) by Philip Turner

The Animal Family (children's novel) by American poet and critic Randall Jarrell

An American Dream is Norman Mailer 's fourth novel

Galahad at Blandings by P. G. Wodehouse, first published under the title The Brinkmanship of Galahad Threepwood

Bushbabies (children's novel) by Canadian author William Stevenson

Golden Checkerboard (biographical novel) by Ed Ainsworth

Manchild in the Promised Land (autobiographical novel) written by Claude Brown

Subspace Explorers (science fiction) by E. E. "Doc" Smith

The Squares of the City by John Brunner

The Tin Men by Michael Frayn

The Drought (science fiction) by British author J. G. Ballard

The System of Dante's Hell (short novel) by African American writer LeRoi Jones

Roseanna by Sjöwall and Wahlöö

A Deadly Shade of Gold is the fifth novel in the Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald

Bright Orange for the Shroud is a sixth novel in the Travis McGee series by John D. MacDonald

Desolation Angels (semi-autobiographical) byJack Kerouac

Ode to Gallantry by Jin Yong (Louis Cha)

Conquerors from the Darkness (science fiction) by Robert Silverberg

Airs Above the Ground by Mary Stewart

Kermit the Hermit (children's novel) written by Bill Peet

A Plague of Pythons (science fiction) by Frederik Pohl

At Bertram's Hotel Agatha Christi

The Drought (science fiction) by J. G. Ballard, an expanded version of The Burning World

A Suspension of Mercy (psychological thriller) by Patricia Highsmith

Today is Tonight written by Hollywood actress Jean Harlow

At Play in the Fields of the Lord by Peter Matthiessen

And Call Me Conrad Roger Zelazn

Stormbringer Michael Moorcock

The Arrows of Hercules (historical) by L. Sprague de Camp,

Frederica by Georgette Heyer

Bill, the Galactic Hero (satirical science fiction) by Harry Harrison

Outside the House of Baal Emyr Humphreys

Take Me Where the Good Times Are by Robert Cormier

Modesty Blaise (spy fiction) by Peter O'Donnell

The Arm of the Starfish (young adult) by Madeleine L'Engle

Cotton Comes to Harlem (Hardboiled Crime Fiction) by Chester Himes


A Green Tree in Gedde (New Edition). Richard Drew. 1987. Re-issue of Alan Sharp's 1965 novel.

The James Bond Dossier 1965, by Kingsley Amis , is a critical analysis of the James Bond novels

Caroline Anne Mather

The Mind Readers (crime novel) by Margery Allingham

The Mouthpiece of Zitu (science fiction) by John Ulrich Giesy

Palos of the Dog Star Pack (science fiction) by John Ulrich Giesy

Friends In Low Places is Volume II of the Alms for Oblivion by Simon Raven, published in 1965. It was the second novel to be published in The Alms for Oblivion sequence and is the third novel chronologically.


Lost Empires by J. B. Priestley

To Fear a Painted Devil by British writer Ruth Rendell

The Magus by John Fowles

Farnham's Freehold by Robert A. Heinlein

Gordon R. Dickson
1965 The Alien Way, sf novel
1965 Mission to Universe, sf novel
1965 Space Winners, young-adult sf novel

The Wizard of Lemuria is a fantasy written by Lin Carter

William S. Burroughs
a Valentine's Day Reading
Time

The Maker of Universes, Dare ISBN 1-600-10438-X Philip Jose Farmer

A Wrinkle In The Skin (aka The Ragged Edge) is a 1965 post-apocalyptic science fiction novel written by the British author Samuel Youd under the pen name of John Christopher

Sam Chance by Benjamin Capps

The Slow Natives by Australian author Thea Astley





copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Purr-sday




a place to share the cute/funny/weird pictures I find while surfing....when I should be doing a whole range of things :)







Someone has an actual meme for "Cat Thursday" so head over to The True Book Addict and see who else is sharing.











copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Monday, March 21, 2011

Mailbox Monday


Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Mailbox Monday was started by Marcia of The Printed Page. When Marcia was ready to move on from being the weekly host, she was kind enough to set up the Mailbox Monday Blog Tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month. March's host is Laura at I'm Booking It (blog link, not post link).


Even with my long list last week, I still found a couple more ;)

Target:
Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett


Received for Review: (not all this week, catching up for the year)
Northlight by Deborah Wheeler
Ancient Awakening by Matthew Laube
Cloud Crash by Phil Edwards
Welcome to Town by Cate Adams
The Haunted eBook by JL Bryan
Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage
40+ and Fabulous: Moving Forward Fierce, Focused, and Full of Life! by Sondra Wright




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Sunday, March 20, 2011

Enduring to the End....

I'm talking in church on the 27th, subject is enduring to the end, and I was wondering what the phrase means to you.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - Spring Reading Thing

Spring Reading Thing
March 20-June 20
Hosted by Katrina at callapidder days

Make a list.
Link your post.
Enjoy!

Simple right? This is a low-to-no-pressure challenge. Change your list? Yes. Only two books on your list? That's fine. The two big rules are to have fun reading and sign-up by linking directly to your live post. Katrina's sign-up post has all the information you need and links if you still have questions. She also has prizes! While you can sign-up at anytime, you've got to have your list post linked by a deadline to be in the running for the prizes. check it out!


My list, at this time:

1. Mariposa by Greg Bear
2. Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn
3. Rotten to the Core by Sheila Connolly
4. How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale
5. A Crafty Killing by Lorraine Bartlett - started
6. Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett
7. Apple Turnover Murder by Joanne Fluke
8. Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage
9. Northlight by Deborah Wheeler I haven't received this one yet
10. The Haunted eBook by JL Bryan - started
11. Welcome to Town by Cate Adams
12. Cloud Crash by Phil Edwards
13. Ancient Awakening by Matthew Laube - started
14. 40+ and Fabulous by Sondra Wright
15. What the Cat Dragged In by Gilbert Morris
16. Homer's Odyssey by Gwen Cooper
17. A Time Before Me by Michael Holloway Perronne
18. Cries & Whiskers by Clea Simon
19. Zamora's Ultimate Challenge by MK Scott

Books Read:
1. Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage review
2. Being a Green Mother by Piers Anthony
3. If a Dog could Blog by Princess Lola LeDeaux review
4. Kekula by Joheolyn Russell Neiman
5. Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn
6. A Modern Witch by Debora Geary
7. Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson
8. Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowell
9. A Constellation of Cats edited by Denise Little
10. Hawk's Landing by Carol Lynne
11. Until Tuesday by Fmr. Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan with Bret Witter
12. Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee
13. Duty of a Beta by Kim Dare
14. Spin the Plate by Donna Anastasi
15. Luke's Surprise by Lavinia Lewis
16. Four Days with Jack by Kelli A. Wilkins
17. Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
18. Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey
19. Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey
20. Emeralds and Espionage by Lynn Gardner
21. Christmas Magic by Kallysten
22. The Misfit of Supernatural High by Shawn c. Sproatt
23. Multiple Organisms by Viola Grace
24. Primal Passions by Stephani Hecht
25. Zane: The Wild One by Bronwyn Jameson
26. A Feral Christmas by Stephani Hecht
27. Savage Awakenings by Stephani Hecht
28. My Big Yard by K. R. Knight
29. Let's Go!
by K. R. Knight
30. Who's Hiding? by K. R. Knight
31. Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
32. Carnal Intentions by Stephani Hecht
33. A Wicked Caress by Stephani Hecht
34. Ruthless Pursuit by Stephani Hecht
35. A Tempting Distraction by Stephani Hecht
36. A Shifter Christmas by Stephani Hecht
37. The Ireta Adventure by Anne McCaffrey
38. The Bear Detectives by Stan and Jan Berenstain
39. Get Off the Unicorn by Anne McCaffrey
40. The Courage to Start by John "The Penguin" Bingham


6-7: When do I consider the challenge complete? End date? I've already read 10+ more books than were on my list. Although I didn't follow my list ;-)

I guess I wait until the 20th?

~Challenge Completed~
June 20


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Monday, March 14, 2011

Reading Challenge - Addict!

Really, it's about time I join this challenge. Don't you think?I'm a Reading Challenge Addict
January 1 through December 31
Hosted by Cheryl and Gina at Reading Challenge Addict

There are four levels and you must complete the challenge to count it. That's where it gets hard for me.

Easy as Pie: 1-5 Challenges
On the Roof: 6-10 Challenges
In Flight: 11-15 Challenges
Out of This World: 16+ Challenges

I've already joined more than 16 challenges so I'm going for....

Out of This World

(4-24: just because I joined more than 16 challenges doesn't mean I'll be able to complete 16 challenges. I think I set myself up to fail this one!)


I have a page link up top that has a list with links to each of my pages about the challenge but here's a quick rundown.

1. ~13~ +11 in 11: 11 more REVIEWS than in 2010 haven't decided yet
2. ~100~ 100+
3. ~26~ A to Z: use title words
4. ~26~ Alphabet Challenge: use character names
5. ~?~ ARC: read my review books
6. ~7~ Chronicles of Narnia, read-a-long - failed
7. ~6~ Cozy Mystery Challenge: 4-1/9-30
8. ~7-12~ Cruisin' thru the Cozies
9. ~3~ Foodies: food related somehow
10. ~1~ Memorable Memoirs
11. ~4~ Mental Illness Advocacy - abandoned
12. ~72~ Monthly Mix-up Mania: two-year challenge title words for month letters
13. ~30~ Off the Shelves: reading the TBR books I already have - abandoned
14. ~52~ Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks
15. ~12~ Read to Me: 9 & under books
16. ~5~ Romance (read & reviewed): any kind of romance
17. TBR Dare - failed
18. ~4~ What an Animal IV: title/major role/cover/main character
19. ~50~ Where are you Reading?: book's setting
20. ~12~ Young Readers: reading from the juvenile section
21. ~9~ Color Coded: specific requirements, color in title
22. ~50~ E-Books
23. ~5~ Harlequin/Silhouette: specific requirements
24. ~12~ Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
25. ~1-3~ Non-Fiction: different subjects

25? I knew numbering them was a bad idea, I'm not finished joining yet. Yikes, that's 600+ books! Good thing so many can overlap, I'd better be done joining challenges. Oh, wait, what about R.I.P?

25. Spring Reading Thing: 3-20/6-20
26. BEDA
27. Mystery & Suspense
28. Birth Year
29. 52-52-52: 6-1-11/6-1-12
30. Anne McCaffrey
31 ALA's Ten Most Frequently Challenged Books in 2010



Challenges Completed:

1. What an Animal IV
2. Foodies
3. BEDA
4. Anne McCaffrey
5. Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
6. Read 52 Books in 52 Weeks
7. What's in a Name?
8. Birth Year
9. Spring Reading Thing
10. Read to Me
11. Young Readers
12. eBooks
13. Harlequin/Silhouette
14. +11 in '11
15. Memorable Memoirs
16. 100+


May 31: Four Down & Twelve to Go
June 5: Six Down & Ten to Go
July 25: Oh my gosh! Only two colors (yellow and white), three reviews and seven books needed to complete three more challenges, which completes this one!

~Challenge Completed~
August 1


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - Harlequin/Silhouette

The Harlequin/Silhouette Challenge
January 1 thru December 31
Yvonne from Socrates' Book Reviews at a dedicated blog


Yvonne is back! This challenge runs all of 2011 and you only have to read five books. The twist is two-fold. Each books must meet one of the requirements AND only books from Harlequin/Silhouette count! Now, this also includes Luna and Mira so check out the Harlequin bookstore online to get the general idea of just how many books you have to chose from.

For complete information or to sign-up, click here

Four of the books must have one of the following in the title....

1. Relationship (mother, father, brother, sister, etc.):
2. Weather Condition (rain, snow, storm, etc.):
3. Occupation (cop, nurse, doctor, etc.):
4. Name (Mary, Sam, etc.):

Last book requirement....

5. The Author's name (first or last) must begin with a "C":



My Books:
1. Relationship
A Daddy for Christmas by Laura Marie Altom

2. Weather Condition
Mahina's Storm by Tawny Stokes

3. Occupation
What's a Housekeeper to Do? by Jennie Adams

4. Name
Zane: The Wild One by Bronwyn Jameson

5. Author's name "C:
Primal Fear by Caroline Burnes


~Completed~
July 13

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - Non-Fiction

Non-Fiction Challenge
January 1 thru December 31
Hosted by Jamie at The Broke and the Bookish

There are three levels and a twist to this challenge. Not only do you need to read non-fiction (not my favorite) but you need to choose subject matter too! Reading four books doesn't bump you up a level if two are about the same subject. For clarification(!) and/or to sign-up, click here. It's not as hard as I made it sound ;)

I'm going for "Master of Trivial Pursuit" and will choose 1 - 3 books from the follow subjects....

Culture:
Art
The Courage to Start
by John "The Penguin" Bingham
(796.42)

Food:
Medical
P.A.C.E. the 12-Minute Fitness Revolution
by Al Sears, MD
(lung health!)
Travel:
Memoir/Biography
Until Tuesday
by Fmr. Capt. Luis Carlos Montalvan
with Bret Witter
Money:
Science/Nature:
History:

~Challenge Completed~
October 9


Is "Homer's Odyssey" a memoir or travel book? amazon says memoir
What about "Inconceivable", medical or memoir? Library of Congress says memoir
Guess I better go look them up!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - Color Coded

The Color Coded Reading Challenge
January 1 thru December 31
Hosted by Bev at My Reader's Block

Bev noticed an early trend her reading, decided to run with it and came up with a challenge for the rest of us. She wants us to join her in reading nine different books this year with a color in the title. Seven specific colors plus one other and a word that implies color, such as rainbow or plaid.

For more information or to sign-up, click here

I have no idea how I'm going to do on this one, there aren't many color related books on my TBR list, but here goes. ummm, still need a "brown"...


1. Blue: Forever Blue by Suzanne Brockmann
2. Red: Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
3. Yellow: Yellow Moon by Jewell Parker Rhodes
4. Green: Being a Green Mother by Piers Anthony
5. Brown: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?
by Bill Martin Jr & Eric Carle

6. Black: Black Swan by Willa Okati
7. White: White Sleeper by David R. Fett & Stephen Langford
8. any other color: The Man with the Golden Gun by Ian Fleming
9. implies color: Repairing Rainbows by Lynda Fishman


Not bad, two down, seven to go and only one more to find. Four or five books are for review and two are re-reads (years ago).
6-21: Four read (one was a review book!). Three planned (two are review books!) and one still to find (How Now Brown Cow?)
6-28: I've found all nine titles, with alternates on some. Brown's planned title was The Fall of Maggie Brown but I was cleaning out the closet and found a box of children's books :D The three colors left are all review books and one MUST be reviewed on 8-25.

9-8: WooHoo! Only one more title to read. Of the 8 books read so far, 4 of them have been, or in the process of being, reviewed!


~Challenge Complete~
October 8

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance
January 1 thru December 31
Hosted by Jamie at Nitty Gritty Romance and Erotica Reviews
(blogspot directs you to a content agreement page first)


The idea is to read 12 Paranormal/Fantasy Romance books this year. Check your shelves, TBR list or hit the library/bookstore and come join us!

Ghosts and Shape-shifters and fantastic worlds, right?

1. Duck! by Kim Dare
2. All of the Voices by Bailey Bradford
3. Twists and Turns by Stevie Woods
4. Black Swan by Willa Okati
5. Sheriff Found by Joyee Flynn
6. Wait Until Dawn by Bailey Bradford
7. The Shifter and the Dreamer by Chrissy Smith
8. Being a Green Mother by Piers Anthony
9. Duty of a Beta by Kim Dare
10. Luke's Surprise by Lavinia Lewis
11. A Modern Witch by Debora Geary
12. Christmas Magic by Kallysten
Primal Passions by Stephani Hecht

~Challenge Completed~
June 1, 2011



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - eBooks


E-Book Reading Challenge
January 1 to December 31
Hosted at The Ladybug Reads

There are seven levels to choose from, anywhere from Curious (3) to Monomaniacal (100). Guess which one I choose? Actually, you may be wrong, I don't know if the "sip" or "Amber Kiss" stories count. These are novella or longer....

1. Voice for the Silent by TA Chase
2. Middle Man by Kate Steele
3. I'll Run Away for the Holidays by Stephanie Hecht
4. Ghost from the Past by Carol Lynne
5. Duck! by Kim Dare
6. All of the Voices by Bailey Bradford
7. Long-Term by A. Sparrow & N. Brooks
8. Black Swan by Willa Okati
9. Embrace My Reflection by TA Chase

Looks like I better choose "Possessed" and read 50 books.

Woo Hoo! The short stories count, as long as they have their own ISBN...

10. Pulling Away by Shawn Lane
11. Pulling Apart by Shawn Lane
12. Thigh to Thigh by A. Sparrow & N. Brooks
13. Canine TLC by Deirdre O'Dare
14. As Above, So Below by Mychael Black
15. Dinner and a Movie by M. Durango
16. Where He Belongs by DC Juris
17. You Don't Need a Doctor by Julia Talbot
18. Some Good Doctoring by BA Tortuga
19. Twists and Turns by Stevie Woods
20. Dude Looks Like a Lady by Jack Green
21. From this Night by L.E. Bryce

continuing in order.....

22. Sheriff Found by Joyee Flynn
23. Wait Until Dawn by Bailey Bradford
24. The Shifter and the Dreamer by Crissy Smith
25. Why I Love Geeks by TA Chase

half-way there

26. Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage
27. Duty of a Beta by Kim Dare
28. A Modern Witch by Debora Geary
29. Hawk's Landing by Carol Lynne
30. Impossible to Resist by Em Woods
31. Tell Me Now by Jambrea Jo Jones
32. Spin the Plate by Donna Anastasi
33. Luke's Surprise by Lavinia Lewis
34. Four Days with Jack by Kelli A. Wilkins
35. Christmas Magic by Kallysten
36. The Misfit of Supernatural High by Shawn C. Sproatt
37. Multiple Organisms by Viola Grace
38. Primal Passions by Stephani Hecht
39. A Feral Christmas by Stephani Hecht
40. Savage Awakenings by Stephani Hecht

OMG! All I need to do is read the review books I have in ebook format and the challenge is complete!

41. Red in the Flower Bed by Andrea Nepa
42. Carnal Intentions by Stephani Hecht
43. A Wicked Caress by Stephani Hecht
44. Ruthless Pursuit by Stephani Hecht
45. A Tempting Distraction by Stephani Hecht
46. A Shifter Christmas by Stephani Hecht
47. Cherry Pie by Samantha Kane
48. A Daddy for Christmas by Laura Marie Altom
49. When Tony Met Adam by Suzanne Brockmann
50. Mahina's Storm by Tawny Stokes

~Challenge Completed~
July 3


51. Taking Care of Charlie by Amber Kell
52. Rory's Last Chance by Bailey Bradford
53. Shooting Star by Carol Lynne
54. Aftermath by Bailey Bradford




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Mailbox Monday


Mailbox Monday is a place to share all the wonderful books that have come to live in your home– including paper books, e-books and audio books. Mailbox Monday was started by Marcia of The Printed Page. When Marcia was ready to move on from being the weekly host, she was kind enough to set up the Mailbox Monday Blog Tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month. March's host is Laura at I'm Booking It (blog link, not post link).


I went to Borders, again this week, so my list is unusually long.

From Amazon: (for a gift but it stays in the house)
Massacre at Mountain Meadows

Costco:
Still Alice Lisa Genova
Blood Game by Iris Johansen
Dead or Alive by Tom Clancy

Borders:
Buzz Off by Hannah Reed
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken
The Dragon in the Library by Kate Klimo
Firebird by Mercedes Lackey
Radiance by Alyson Noel
Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder
Mariposa by Greg Bear
The Accidental Sorcerer by K.E. Mills
The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
Tumbling Blocks by Earlene Fowler
Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett
Edge of Sight by Roxanne St. Clare
Obsidian Prey by Jayne Castle
Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here by Christine Warren
The Secret Wedding by Jo Beverley
Too Rich and Too Dead by Cynthia Baxter
Rotten to the Core by Sheila Connolly
The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacey
Fundraising the Dead by Sheila Connolly
Tombs of Endearment by Casey Daniels
The Sword by Jean Johnson
The Cat by jean Johnson
Cat's Claw by Amber Benson
Promise Canyon by Robyn Carr
Pathfinder by Orson Scott Card
Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn
The Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
Murder on Monday by Ann Purser
Sorrow on Sunday by Ann Purser
Scones and Sensibility by Lindsay Eland
Double the Pleasure, anthology
The Accidental Family by Rowan Coleman
A Drunkard's Path by Clare O'Donohue
Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis
The Journal of Curious Letters by James Dashner
Silent Nights by Anne Perry (two stories)
Glimmerglass by Jenna Black
Divine by Mistake by P.C. Cast
Inconceivable by Carolyn & Sean Savage


Yikes!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Sunday, March 13, 2011

Reading Challenge - Alphabet Challenge


The Alphabet Challenge
January 1 through December 31
Host by Haley at The Life (and lies) of an inanimate flying object



I'm keeping track of my ABCs using title words, now I need to use characters' names. Characters? Yes! Use the name of a main or key supporting character. There are three different levels so you don't have to find an X character but I'm going for the whole she-bang!

Check out Haley's post and join us!


A - Ari (Misfit of Supernatural High)

B - Bart (Emeralds and Espionage)

C - Chris (Wait Until Dawn)

D - Devon (Stitch Me Deadly)

E - Ellie (Cookie Dough or Die)

F - Farli (Dragondrums)

G - Grimm (Any Witch Way)

H - Hercules (Curiosity Thrilled the Cat)

I - Isabella (Primal Fear)

J - Julio (Voice for the Silent)

K - Katy (The Sheriff and the Dreamer)

L - Lauren (A Modern Witch)

M - Matt (All of the Voices)

N - Natasha (Being a Green Mother)

O - Ori (Duck!)

P - Paulian (Black Swan)

Q - Qualin (A Constellation of Cats)

R - Rio (Ghost from the Past)

S - Sarah (The First Love Cookie Club)

T - Teddy (The Christmas Clock)

U - Ursula (100 Cupboards)

V - Vapor (Ruthless Pursuit)

W - Welladay (Get Off the Unicorn)

X - Xenia (Murder of a Bookstore Babe)

Y - Yanus (Dragonsong)

Z - Zane (Zane: The Wild One)


~Challenge Completed~
September 17



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - What an Animal IV


What an Animal Reading Challenge IV
March 1, 2011 and end on February 29, 2012

1. Read at least 6 books that have any of the following requirements:


a. there is an animal in the title of the book

b. there is an animal on the cover of the book

c. an animal plays a major role in the book

d. a main character is (or turns into) an animal (define that however you'd like).


There are other rules/guidelines so check out the challenge post and sign-up!


SIX books....

....Title/Main Character: Duck! by Kim Dare dang, February book

1. Title: Look What the Cat Dragged in - reading
1. Title: Black Swan by Willa Okati
3. Cover: A Crafty Killing - reading
4. Cover: Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee
5. Major Role: Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage - review coming
5. Major Role: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly - reviewed
6. Main Character: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede

Final List:
1. Title: Black Swan by Willa Okati
2. Major Role: Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly - reviewed
3. Cover: Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee
4. Main Character: Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
5. Major Role: Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage - reviewed
6. Title/Cover/Main Character: If a Dog could Blog by Princess Lola LeDeaux - reviewed

Challenge Completed!


Title: Look What the Cat Dragged in - reading
Cover: A Crafty Killing - reading




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Reading Challenge - Two Cozies!

I love reading cozy mysteries! There are two challenges going on right now and I joined both ;)

Challenge 1: Cozy Mystery Challenge is hosted by Kris at Not Enough Books but has it's own blog.

Challenge 2: Cruisin' thru the Cozies is hosted by Yvonne at Socrates' Book Reviews




Challenge 1
April 1 through September 30

Read 6 cozies, of which 2 must be for this challenge only.

There are other rules and PRIZES so check out the blog and join us!








1. Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn
2. Murder of a Bookstore Babe by Denise Swanson
3. Cookie Dough or Die by Virginia Lowell
4. How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale
5. Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett
6. Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley

~Challenge Completed~
September 7





Challenge 2
January 1 through December 31

There are three levels of participation and a full year to read 1+ cozies!

I'm going for "Investigator" and plan to read 7 - 12 books.

There are other rules so check out the blog and join us!


1. Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly
2. Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee
3. Killer Crab Cakes by Livia J. Washburn
4. How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale
5. Chapter & Hearse by Lorna Barrett
6. Mind Over Murder by Allison Kingsley
7. Thread Reckoning by Amanda Lee
8. Sleight of Paw by Sofie Kelly
9. The Pumpkin Muffin Murder by Livia J. Washburn
10. Beaglemania by Linda O. Johnston
11. The Square Root of Murder by Ada Madison
12. Button Holed by Kylie Logan


~Challenge Completed~
October 25


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Saturday, March 12, 2011

Reading Challenge Monthly Mix-up Mania

The goal for this challenge is to read a book for each letter in the year. That's right, a title for the J in January and the A in January, etc.... 74 books total, YIKES! This is a two-year challenge: April 1, 2011 to March 31, 2013.

I am hosting but the challenge has it's own blog so posts don't get lost. Why don't you check out the rules and join me?

J - Four Days with Jack
A - All of the Voices
N - From This Night
U - Until Tuesday
A - Any Witch Way
R - Impossible to Resist
Y - My Big Yard

F - The First Love Cookie Club
E - Embrace My Reflection
B - Being a Green Mother
R - Ruthless Pursuit
U - Get Off the Unicorn
A - Savage Awakenings
R - Red in the Flower Bed
Y - Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See?

M - A Modern Witch
A - The Ireta Adventure
R - Rory's Last Chance
C - The Christmas Clock
H - Hawk's Landing

A - I'll Run Away for the Holidays
P - Spin the Plate
R - Repairing Rainbows
I - If a Dog could Blog
L - Why I Love Geeks

M - Murder of a Bookstore Babe
A - Pulling Away
Y - If You Give a Mouse a Cookie

J - Janeology
U - Wait Until Dawn
N - Nine Things Nathan Noticed at Night
E - Emeralds and Espionage

J - The Ladybug Jinx
U - Wait Until Dawn
L - Luke's Surprise
Y - Yellow Moon (reviewed)

A - Aftermath
U - Wolf Unexpected
G - Ghost from the Past
U - Under the Willow
S - Stitch Me Deadly
T - Curiosity Thrilled the Cat

S - The Shifter and the Dreamer
E - A One-Eyed Horse in a One-Horse Town
P - Primal Passions
T - Tell Me Now
E - Christmas Eve in Friday Harbor
M - The Misfit of Supernatural High
B - The Bear Detectives
E - In Pursuit of Eliza Cynster
R - The Square Root of Murder

O - Multiple Organisms
C - Killer Crab Cakes
T - A Tempting Distraction
O - Zane: The Wild One
B - Black Swan
E - Elijah
R - Viscount Breckenridge to the Rescue

N - One Silent Sleepless Night
O - The Little Old Lady Who Was Not Afraid of Anything
V - Voice for the Silent
E - Tombs of Endearment
M - Christmas Magic
B - Forever Blue
E - Edge of Forever
R - Cody's Revelation

D - Duck!
E - Running on Empty
C - Cookie Dough or Die
E - Extreme Measures
M - The Man with the Golden Gun
B - Duty of a Beta
E - The Edge of Desire
R - Virgin River

WHEW!


possiblities:
The Secret Year
Remodeled to Death
The River Path
Calamity Jayne
Nibble and Kuhn
Janeology
The Year of the Lucy
Voice of the Undead
Ancient Awakenings
Always Looking Up
The Unvited Guest
An Unlikely Countess
In the Mind's Eye
Repairing Rainbows
Chance Encounter
Raising Dragons
To the Edge
Too Near the Edge
On the Edge
Culture of Excess
Cold Room
By the Time You Read this I'll be Dead
Across the Endless River
Bullet Work
Rainbow in the Night
Raven's Ladder
A Love that Endures
An Enduring Love
The Haunted Ebook
Only in New York, Darling!
No Alibi




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Tuesday, March 8, 2011

Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly


Curiosity Thrilled the Cat
Sofie Kelly

Publisher: An Obsidian Mystery (Penguin Group)
format: mass market paperback
Release Date: Feb 2011
pages: 324
Series: A Magical Cats Mystery, book 1

from my personal shelves

from the back cover:
Small-town librarian Kathleen Paulson feels good about letting two adorable cats help themselves to her home. But as she's about to find out, it's their help she needs....

When Kathleen Paulson leaves her life in Boston and moves to Mayville Heights, Minnesota, she has no idea that two strays will nuzzle their way into her life. Owen is a tabby with a catnip addiction, and Hercules is a stocky tuxedo cat who shares Kathleen's fondness for Barry Manilow. But beyond all the fur and purrs, there seems to be something more to these felines.

When murder interrupts Mayville's Wild Rose Summer Music Festival, Kathleen finds herself the prime suspect. More stunning is her realization that Owen and Hercules are truly special -- perhaps even magical. Suddenly she's relying on their skills to solve this crime and save her reputation. With a little legwork from her four-legged friends, Kathleen may be able to solve this purr-fect murder....


My thoughts
Cozy mystery? check. Cats? check. 25% off? check. Not sure if I would have purchased the book if it wasn't on sale. I would have added it to my wish list and may have forgotten about it. I'm very glad it ended up in my shopping cart.

The back copy just doesn't do the story justice. There is the library renovation going on and a contractor that never answers his phone or seems to be around when the accidents start happening. The music conductor that gives "snob" a new definition. Wisteria Hill, abandoned home and now home to a feral cat colony. Rebecca, a midsixties retired hairdresser and Owen's "supplier". And that's just a start!

There are a few loose ends and while it wasn't a can't-put-it-down type of book, every time I did, it wasn't long before I was picking it up again. I fell in love with Mayville Heights and the quirky characters. The cover said "First in a Brand-New Series!" and I'm looking forward to more.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Book-buying Ban is officially over!

I was doing so well this year. Only purchased a few ebooks (not available in print) for all of January. Okay, I did buy a textbook but I don't think you want to hear about that one ;) February came and I was adding a book I found on someone's blog to my wish list at amazon. Dang that "recommended" link! I was good, resisted the lure...until I went to Target :( ...then one of the Borders Books that is being closed is the one I go to..... I'm sure you can understand my dilemma.

Here's a list of books purchased so far this year. Once I figure out the scanner and have access to the other computer, I'll get graphics up.

Curiosity Thrilled the Cat by Sofie Kelly - This is the first in the "A Magical Cats Mystery" series.

Another first in a series, How to Wash a Cat by Rebecca M. Hale

An Invitation to Sin, an anthology with Jo Beverley and three others.

and one more in my purse..... Stitch Me Deadly by Amanda Lee. This is book two in the series. I loved book one and this one seems just as promising.

plus three by favorite authors...

Live to Tell by Lisa Gardner.
Fairy Tale Weddings by Debbie Macomber (Cindy and the Prince and Some Kind of Wonderful bound together)
Death Echo by Elizabeth Lowell. How in the world did I miss this in hardcover?

Not too bad. Then I went to Borders....

Six by Christine Feehan, from GhostWalkers: Ruthless Game, Street Game, Murder Game. From Drake Sisters: Water Bound and Hidden Currents. Plus a Carpathian novel, Dark Slayer

Three by Sarah Graves: Trap Door, Nail Biter, and The Book of Old Houses, all part of the A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery series.

Hidden Empire by Orson Scott Card
Play of Passion by Nalini Singh
Here to Stay by Catherine Anderson
Luck of the Wolf by Susan Krinard
Midnight Kiss, an anthology with Robyn Carr and two others.


YIKES! and to think, I put half of the books back! All in all, I got off light!

I don't know when I'll get to these but it's nice to be mostly caught up with books available in a series. Maybe I better work on my school work ;)





copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011
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.