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!)

Monday, January 30, 2012

Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon Wrap-Up


A Winter's Respite
Read-a-Thon
January 23 - 29
hosted by Michelle at the True Book Addict

sign up here



Rules:
RaT starts at 12:00 CST on the 23rd and ends at 11:59 CST on the 29th
There will be (a) mini-challenge(s) and a giveaway
book length: Novellas/Novels
Young Adult or Adult (no children's books)

Twitter #WintersRespite
me at Twitter #bookdragonslair

The Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon is over. I had a list of three books when I started. One for a specific date review (finished), one print and one ebook, both for fun and challenges. I may not have purchased The Deacon but it sounded good and was a free download. The other, A Cookie Before Dying is book two of a series. I thoroughly enjoyed book one and was looking forward to book two.

So, my Original list:
The Deacon (kindle on my laptop)
Nitt Witt Hill (print)
A Cookie Before Dying (print)


last post's Current Status list, modified:
The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240
Nitt Witt Hill (print) - finished (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 173
Time Slice (print) page 63
A Three Dog Life (print) - finished
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563
Virgin River (print) - finished (Fri early am)
Hidden Summit, page 109
Great Short Poems, jumped around...Purple cow anyone?



Mini-Challenges: kept forgetting about them
Tweets: remembered some

Won a book!

Planned to finish three.
Started 9, finished 3. Not the same 3 as I started with but still finished 3 books. A couple more hours and I'll have Hidden Summit finished ;)

Thanks Michelle, that was fun. I hope to do it again next year, and remember the mini-challenges!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Happy Monday!

It feels like it's been a blah week, maybe only because of the weekend but other than a couple of dinners out I don't think anything happening here.

Did participate in the Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon and that was fun. Lots of update posts. Need to blog Blogged about The Month of Letters, which is silly, I'll be away from the internet and snail mail for a week during the month! I'm still excited about it.

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

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. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Jenny Q at Let Them Read Books for hosting in December. January's host is Alyce at At Home with Books(blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:
To Touch a Sheikh by Olivia Gates
Cowboys Like Us by Vicki Lewis Thompson
Tails of Love, anthology edited by Lori Foster


kindle/ebooks:
lol...OMG!: What Every Student Needs to Know About Online Reputation Management, Digital Citizenship and Cyberbullying
Happy Animals. A Children's Animal Picture Book
Busy Bees 123
Interpreter for the Dead
Rider
Drawing Mentor 14, Fantasy Drawing
Murder in Store
plus 8 others







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:
A Three Dog Life
Virgin River
Nitt Witt Hill


Reading:
A Cookie Before Dying
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Nitt Witt Hill
Murder on Monday
Time Slice
Always
The Deacon
book of 150+ "Great Short Poems"
Hidden Summit

Still Reading Unread from 2011:
Nitt Witt Hill
Before I Fall
Redwall
52 Small Changes

Next up:
Time Slice (Feb blog tour)
A Place to Die (Feb blog tour)


Reviewed:


Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Sunday, January 29, 2012

Challenge - The Month of Letters


The Month of Letters Challenge
February 2012
hosted by Mary Robinette Kowal
I have a simple challenge for you.
1. In the month of February, mail at least one item through the post every day it runs. Write a postcard, a letter, send a picture, or a cutting from a newspaper, or a fabric swatch.

2. Write back to everyone who writes to you. This can count as one of your mailed items.

All you are committing to is to mail 24 items. Why 24? There are four Sundays and one US holiday. In fact, you might send more than 24 items. You might develop a correspondence that extends beyond the month. You might enjoy going to the mail box again.

Feeling intimidated? It’s fewer words than NaNoWriMo and I know how many of you do that. Join me in The Month of Letters Challenge.



Snail mail! I found this on Cindy's Love of Books. I'll be away from the post office for a week during February but I still think this is fabulous! I have a couple of aunts and a SIL plus some out of town friends that deserve a letter. Send me your address (bookdragonslair at gmail dot com) if you want a post card!



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon Up-date


A Winter's Respite
Read-a-Thon
January 23 - 29
hosted by Michelle at the True Book Addict

sign up here



Rules:
RaT starts at 12:00 CST on the 23rd and ends at 11:59 CST on the 29th
There will be (a) mini-challenge(s) and a giveaway
book length: Novellas/Novels
Young Adult or Adult (no children's books)

Twitter #WintersRespite
me at Twitter #bookdragonslair

Original list:

The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240 - haven't touched it
Nitt Witt Hill (print) page 171 - finished (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 50 - haven't touched it

currently reading:
Time Slice (print) page 24
A Three Dog Life (print) page 98 - finished
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563 - haven't touch it

haven't checked out any of the mini-challenges :-(
remembering to tweet :-)

I finished A Three Dog Life (Wed pm/Thu am) and read a little more of Time Slice but spent most of the day in shops or fast food and wanted something I could put down. Started Virgin River ('v' in my A to Z challenge) and ended up not being able to put it down once I got home. So, with my second unplanned book ;-)

29th updat: I've been working on a baby blanket and reading online so my books aren't farther along then they could have been. HAVE to finish, and review, Time Slice this week. I won a book! woo hoo :D

forgot to tweet

Current Status:
The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240 - haven't touched it
Nitt Witt Hill (print) page 171 - finished (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 50 page 146
Time Slice (print) page 43
A Three Dog Life (print) page 98 - finished
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563 - haven't touch it
Virgin River by Robyn Carr (print) - finished (Fri early am)
Great Short Poems - skimming


still haven't checked out the mini-challenges



update again wrap-up post later....hopefully I've finished another book



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Friday, January 27, 2012

Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon Up-date


A Winter's Respite
Read-a-Thon
January 23 - 29
hosted by Michelle at the True Book Addict

sign up here



Rules:
RaT starts at 12:00 CST on the 23rd and ends at 11:59 CST on the 29th
There will be (a) mini-challenge(s) and a giveaway
book length: Novellas/Novels
Young Adult or Adult (no children's books)

Twitter #WintersRespite
me at Twitter #bookdragonslair

Original list:

The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240 - haven't touched it
Nitt Witt Hill (print) page 171 - finished (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 50 - haven't touched it

currently reading:
Time Slice (print) page 24
A Three Dog Life (print) page 98 - finished
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563 - haven't touch it

haven't checked out any of the mini-challenges :-(
remembering to tweet :-)

I finished A Three Dog Life (Wed pm/Thu am) and read a little more of Time Slice but spent most of the day in shops or fast food and wanted something I could put down. Started Virgin River ('v' in my A to Z challenge) and ended up not being able to put it down once I got home. So, with my second unplanned book ;-)

Current Status:
The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240 - haven't touched it
Nitt Witt Hill (print) page 171 - finished (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 50 - haven't touched it
Time Slice (print) page 43
A Three Dog Life (print) page 98 - finished
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563 - haven't touch it
Virgin River by Robyn Carr (print) - finished (Fri early am)


still haven't checked out the mini-challenges



update again later


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thursday, January 26, 2012

RC One Million Pages Read in Your Lifetime - updated


One Million Pages Read
in Your Lifetime

a Goodreads Group

for more information, click here

Someone noticed on Shelfari that a member had a goal to read one million pages during their lifetime and brought it over to Goodreads so they (and we!) could keep track of our reading. Since I'm on my blog a lot more than I'm on Goodreads, I'm posing about it.

I started blogging in January 2009 and it would be nice if I could go back and add page count to titles. My husband things that if I went all the way back to elementary school, I'd already have read the one million pages!

2009: 301 titles but I had taken out ebooks under 100 pages :-(
2010: 7 titles - burned out in January?
2011: 205 titles, looks like I included everything - still no pages listed with titles
2012: 267 titles
January 2,858
February 3,014
March 2,318
April 7,610
May 8,126

January, February March  April, May, ..... Dragon's Keep-307, Consent to Kill-675,

edited 9-3-13: Totally forgot about this one! I've keeping track of most titles for 2013.

2013: 54,856 plus misc unfinished books and online serials
2014: 72,296
2015: 35,895 (new online serial series really impacted my pages!)
2016:
  • Jan - 3,753
  • Feb - 614
  • Mar - 5,411
  • Apr - 2,009
  • May - 8,098
  • Jun - 1,331
  • Jul - 1,946
  • Aug -3,747
  • Sep -
  • Oct -
  • Nov -
  • Dec -


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2016

Wednesday, January 25, 2012

Winter's Respite Read-a-Thon Up-date


A Winter's Respite
Read-a-Thon
January 23 - 29
hosted by Michelle at the True Book Addict

sign up here



Rules:
RaT starts at 12:00 CST on the 23rd and ends at 11:59 CST on the 29th
There will be (a) mini-challenge(s) and a giveaway
book length: Novellas/Novels
Young Adult or Adult (no children's books)

Twitter #WintersRespite
me at Twitter #bookdragonslair

Original list:

The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240 - haven't touched it
Nitt Witt Hill (print) page 171 - finishes (reviewed too)
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 50 - haven't touched it

currently reading:
Time Slice (print) page 24
A Three Dog Life (print) page 98
Always (kindle on my touch) location 283 of 2563

haven't checked out any of the mini-challenges :-(
remembering to tweet :-)


update again later


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...Nitt Witt Hill by Sebastian Gibson

Read this book twice.

Once because it's funny as all get out and a second time because there is a grain of truth in each chapter. I had to double check that this is really a novel! This is politics taken to the absurd level and told from a comedians point to view.

You'll laugh at Joe Homeland, he "operates a modest security firm", and his alert about what is really interfering with aircraft navigation and communications equipment. Then you'll cringe when the warning is taken seriously enough for there to be Senate Hearings on the subject.

I'd really love to tell you all the funny jokes and bad puns but I just can't, read this excerpt and you'll see why. There are 54 chapters in this novel and most are around five pages. Just enough to get you to laugh...then hopefully you'll think about it. I don't know if that was the author's intention but this is a timely novel to be reading leading up to elections in the United States.

I'm only at chapter 32 as I write this because I'm having a hard time reading it straight through. I'll read several chapters, think a bit before escaping into real-life or a different book, then come back.

.....off to read some more!

Currently at chapter 48 and I really wish there wasn't so much truth in this novel. Non-Americans are going to think Americans are idiots. Maybe we are.

.....off to read some more!

LOVE how this ends!


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of amazon and the author's website


Nitt Witt Hill
by Sebastian Gibson

publisher: Sebastian Gibson Publishing
release date: February 2012
ISBN: 978-0984777624
format: Trade paperback
political humor
248 pages

Grade: B

as for age...I'd say 14+, use your own judgement, this is a political book but I say if they're interested, let them read it.

Product Description:
What's causing the country and now the President to lose their crackers and voters to elect Nitt Witts? Clowns and Turkeys are running Congress and the Nitt Witts are everywhere. But will one more Clown in Congress make any difference? Would the country be better off with some real Turkeys instead of those Clowns? Or are the Nitt Witts destined to run Washington? Set on historic Nitt Witt Ridge in Cambria, California and Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., Sebastian Gibson's satire paints the absurdities of the political world and of daily life with his unique sense of humor. The top political parties have degenerated into the Nitt Witts, the Turkeys and the Clown Party and the country is becoming deranged. Unless Mark Twain (Mark, a political consultant and his dog, Twain) can determine what's making people so neurotic and make sense of the madness, riots may cause the country's collapse. The Clowns are running for office with the slogan, "One more Clown in Congress probably won't make any difference." The Turkey candidates are running against the Clowns with their counter slogan, "Isn't it time we had some real Turkeys in office instead of those Clowns?" But it's the Nitt Witt Party who may have the most appeal to voters with their slogan, "Elect a Nitt Witt and see what some real Nitt Witts can do in Washington." Meanwhile, believing a lightweight metal alloy in bras when placed in contact with the wearer's skin is causing electrostatic interference with aircraft navigation equipment and with people themselves, Homeland Security and the Senate take action to prohibit the wearing of bras on airplanes and their sale in America. Still, the situation fails to improve and the country is on the verge of losing its collective mind. With the rhetoric of political parties at a level never seen before ("Turkeys are made for stuffing, Clowns are for Congress") and as protesters riot over the right to wear or go without bras and try to take control of the White House it's up to Mark and his dog Twain to determine the cause of the country's mental imbalance and find a way to save the country. Read the novel that's making Washington laugh so hard, Congress can't accomplish anything. It all begins and ends on Nitt Witt Hill.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, January 24, 2012

and we're off!


A Winter's Respite
Read-a-Thon
January 23 - 29
hosted by Michelle at the True Book Addict

sign up here



Rules:
RaT starts at 12:00 CST on the 23rd and ends at 11:59 CST on the 29th
There will be (a) mini-challenge(s) and a giveaway
book length: Novellas/Novels
Young Adult or Adult (no children's books)

Twitter #WintersRespite
me at Twitter #bookdragonslair

Thanks for the reminder Michelle! I'm reading several books right now....

The Deacon (kindle on my laptop) location 541 of 8240
Nitt Witt Hill (print) page 171
A Cookie Before Dying (print) page 50

update again later


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, January 23, 2012

Happy Monday!

Check out my review for Lifting the Wheel of Karma, there's a giveaway!

Challenge update: finished one, failed one and joined one :)

Tweeting my senator about PIPA. Entering to win a DreamHome at HGTV. Saw Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol (loved it).

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

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. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Jenny Q at Let Them Read Books for hosting in December. January's host is Alyce at At Home with Books(blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:
Stay at Home Dead by Jeffrey Allen (first in a new series)
Philippa Fisher's Fairy Godsister by Liz Kessler
Dragonbreath by Ursula Vernon
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse by Laura Numeroff
Mallory's Oracle by Carol O'Connell
Cat Miracles by Brad and Sherry Steiger
The Christmas Shoppe by Melody Carlson
The Reindeer Keeper by Barbara Briggs Ward
Hellhole by Brian Herbert & Kevin J. Anderson


kindle/ebooks (catching up):








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:
The Ladybug Jinx
Carrots
Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse


Reading:
A Cookie Before Dying
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Nitt Witt Hill
Murder on Monday

Still Reading Unread from 2011:
Nitt Witt Hill
Before I Fall
Redwall
52 Small Changes

Next up:
Time Slice (Feb blog tour)
A Place to Die (Feb blog tour)


Reviewed:


Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, January 17, 2012

Challenge Complete - Read Your Own Books


Read Your Own Books
Reading Challenge

2012
Hosted at Tales from the Crypt

Challenge Completed
January 16





My original post about the challenge

Quick recap:
Any book that you have personally purchased, been gifted, or swapped, BEFORE January 1, 2012 and just have not gotten the chance to read yet. NO ARCs, library books, re-reads or books purchased in 2012.

Final List:
1. Christmas Haven by Hope White (first book of the year)
2. The Hawk and His Boy by Christopher Bunn
3. Deep Disclosure by Dee Davis
4. Carrots by Colleen Helme
5. The Ladybug Jinx by Tonya Kappes

This one was bound to be my first one completed, there is another challenge that says ONLY to-be-read books until Feb 1! Of course, last year I didn't make the TBR Dare but so far so good! Don't know if I'll make the whole months, I'm itching to read Anne McCaffrey and re-reads don't count



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Terrific Tuesday

44 and Carrots

Hosted at Bibliophile by the Sea
Every Tuesday, she'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of her current read. Why don't you join us?

I know I'm Lucky.

Lucky to be alive, lucky to be able to walk again, to inhale the juniper-laced air and watch the soft leaves change into crispy ones scattering in the wind. I can spend afternoons with Jesse as he plummets down the steep hills around town on his skateboard. I can watch Barcelona soccer games on satellite, eat pizza, and even see those dumb reality TV shows late at night.
44
Prologue
Jools Sinclair

which doesn't say much but chapter one starts off with five months ago...



Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read Open to a random page
2. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page ~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!~ make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!
3. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


It all began because I'd stopped at the grocery store for some carrots. Who would have thought that could be dangerous?

Carrots
Colleen Helme


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, January 16, 2012

Happy Monday!

Not much happened this week. I've been sharing Carrots with the girl I pick up from school and she's a little upset that I'm not reading it faster! Husband has been home sick most of the week. I started a new baby blanket. Went to BIL's birthday party....he's the youngest in the family and is 40 now! Not really happy to have that pointed out to me ;)

Oh, don't forget to check out my review for Lifting the Wheel of Karma, there's a giveaway!

Hope everyone has a great week planned.

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. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Jenny Q at Let Them Read Books for hosting in December. January's host is Alyce at At Home with Books(blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:
Night Has a Thousand Eyes by Cornell Woolrich from Bev at My Reader's Block

from Author:


Purchased:
The Unlikely Wife by Debra Ullrick

kindle/ebooks (catching up):
Justice by Karen Robards
Taking Love in Stride by Donna Fasano
Deadly Expectations (The Chronicles of Anna) by Elizabeth Munro

I went shopping through the FREE section at amazon, again.... this time there were only 29 new books and I was careful of the price :) Some are short but some of them were also picture books! Plus non-fiction, paranormal (lots of vampires) and other fiction titles





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:
The Hawk and His Boy
Deep Disclosure
Carrots


Reading:
Deep Disclosure
The Ladybug Jinx (kindle)
A Cookie Before Dying
The Eighty Dollar Champion
Carrots finished at 4 am today ;)
Nitt Witt Hill
Murder on Monday

Still Reading Unread from 2011:
Nitt Witt Hill
Before I Fall
Redwall
52 Small Changes

Next up:
Time Slice (Feb blog tour)
A Place to Die (Feb blog tour)


Reviewed:


Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Giveaway & Thoughts on...Lifting the Wheel of Karma by Paul H. Magid ~spoiler alert~

One key piece of information was left off the back description and I don't know if it's supposed to be some big surprise or not. That's why the ~spoiler alert~!

I started reading in the car but had to stop due to tears ruining my make-up!

This book is so much more than I though it would be. A boy, dealing with nightmares, traveling to India for help. What I found was a boy, a loving family, vicious nightmares and a tragic accident. That accident is the spoiler for you as Joseph does travel to India but he does it in a wheelchair.

Lifting the Wheel of Karma is not the usual type of book I read. It's one of the things I love about reviewing, the chance to go outside my comfort zone. I expected a quick read, easily read, easily forgotten when I moved on. What I'm finding is that I'm not ready to read the next book. I want to process what I've read first. I feel desire for the same peace Joseph was searching for. I wonder if it is possible to combine the Eastern philosophy he uses with my own Christian beliefs.

There is strength in this book but I also wondered if it could have been shorter. As I was reading, I thought it was too flowery but Paul paints with words and I don't know how he could have left a "color" out of his painting.

I do not know if I could have done as Billy and his parents had done. Joseph's parents kissed him good-bye, not knowing when they'd see him again. Billy dropped him off with a stranger, in a country far away, and walked away not knowing if he'd ever see his beloved brother again.

So, the book is fiction but it reads like truth and there are lessons to be learned. Will you see them? Will you see different ones than I did?

The author's website has pictures of India and Montana as well as the same discussion questions that are in the book.


Disclaimer: I received a complimentary review copy of this book without any obligation to write a positive review. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of Tribute Books' blog


Lifting the Wheel of Karma
by Paul H. Magid

Point Dume Press
September 2011
paperback/kindle
young adult
fiction, spirituality
192 pages


Product Description:
Joseph Connell is a gifted high school athlete from Montana, loved deeply by his family, yet tormented by nightmarish visions he can neither explain nor escape.

He believes the answer to what threatens to crush him can be found in the knowledge possessed by a mystical old wise man, who lives deep within the remote Himalayas of India.

If Joseph is ever to find the peace he so desperately seeks, he must get this wise old man to reveal what he truly knows, but that will not be easy....for this sage knows far more than he admits.

Now for the exciting part. Paul will give away 3 copies to my followers! Isn't that great? Just comment with your email. Closing date: January 30 (midnight PST). The winner will need to respond to my email quickly.



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Monday, January 9, 2012

Happy Monday!

Would you believe I stressed about "the first book of the year" and then finished one without realizing it was "the first book"? silly girl. The really funny thing is that my listing of books read for 2011 shows "A Christmas Clock" as the first book of the year, "Christmas Haven" is the first book for 2012!

Went to Walmart....why yes, several books did jump into my cart ;) I also went to Barnes & Noble and it will be difficult for me not to start any of these before Feb 1....when my TBR Double Dare challenge ends.

Found a link on Facebook that I want to share with you. The author may be talking about the high price of professional photography but that's not all she paid a high price for. Grab a couple of tissues then check it out, here

Time to get back into the swing of things, reading, blogging, crochet, gym, cooking, cleaning, ....
reading? check.
blogging? check.
crochet? Gym? the rest? not so much. Hey, I got started on two! That's not bad ;)

Hope everyone has a great week planned. I'm off to see if the gym remembers me.

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. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Jenny Q at Let Them Read Books for hosting in December. January's host is Alyce at At Home with Books(blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:
Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr (oh, man, I hope this isn't a duplicate!)
On Lavender Lane by JoAnn Ross
The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card
Secretariat by William Nack
Witch Way to Murder by Shirley Damsgaard
Spirit Bound by Christine Feehan
Holiday Hideout by Lynette Eason
Season of Danger by Hannah Alexander (Silent Night, Deadly Night) and Jill Elizabeth Nelson (Mistletoe Mayhem)
Beat the Reaper by Josh Bazell
The View from the Bridge by Nicholas Meyer
Purrles of Feline Wisdom by Bob Lovka


kindle/ebooks:








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:
Christmas Haven by Hope White

Reading:
Deep Disclosure
The Ladybug Jinx (kindle)
The Hawk and His Boy (kindle)
A Cookie Before Dying
The Eighty Dollar Champion

Still Reading Unread from 2011:
Nitt Witt Hill
Before I Fall
Redwall


Next up:
Time Slice (Feb blog tour)
A Place to Die (Feb blog tour)


Reviewed:
Christmas Haven

Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Friday, January 6, 2012

Challenge - Color Coded


The Color Coded Reading Challenge
2012
Hosted by Bev at My Reader's Block
sign up here


Thanks Bev! She wasn't going to host this one again but some asked and ... here it is! Join us again this year! Nine books. Nine colors. Well, seven specific colors plus one other and a word that implies color, such as rainbow or plaid.

Struggled with brown last year but I had four review books to help with the list last year, not sure what I'll be reading this year! I've got two review books off the top of my head that will help...wonder if there are others.

1. Blue

Town in a Blueberry Jam
by B. B. Haywood
2. Red ....Red Alert....
3. Yellow
4. Green
5. Brown
6. Black
7. White


Just a Little White Lie
by Lynette Hallberg

8. another color


Amethyst Moon
by Ann Mayburn
9. implies color

Pieces of a Rainbow
by Maria Savva


1-6: Yea! Two titles chosen....seven more to go....I've got some ideas but wanted to get the initial post up so I could sign up.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thursday, January 5, 2012

Challenge - All the books of Pern

All the Books of Pern Challenge
2012
hosted at West Virginia Red Reads
sign up here

Rules:
The main rule is that all books must be Pern related (duh!). There are several levels and you can move up but not down. Crossovers okay and any format is acceptable but the books must be read/listened to during 2012. See sign-up page for information.

Levels:
Green - The original trilogy (or any 3)
Blue - The original trilogy plus the Harper Hall trilogy (or any 6)
Brown - Everything with Ms. McCaffrey as sole author (17)
Bronze - Everything except the ones written by Todd alone (22)
Gold -The whole lot of them (24-25)
and if you're not familiar with Pern, challenge levels match dragon colors!

I LOVE Anne McCaffrey and especially Pern but don't know how many I'll read this year (read the Harper Hall trilogy last year), of course, I love the trilogy and I know exactly where they are.....

I'm going for GREEN and will read 3 books (at least!)
not sure if it will be the original trilogy, I may read Harper Hall again


Books Read:
Dragonsong (4-12)
Dragonsinger (4-17)
Dragondrums (4-21)

~Challenge Completed~
April 21
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Purr-sday and then some!

Thursday is a busy place! Purr-sday and Cat Thursday are self-explanatory and so is Third Sentence Thursday but Thursday Three? It's a love/hate thing ;)


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.








Hosted at Proud Book Nerd
1. Take the book you are currently reading and post the third sentence.
2. Share your thoughts on the sentence.
3. Post a link to your blog post in the link list. If you don’t have a blog, just leave it in the comments here.
4. Visit one or two of the other blogs to check out their third sentence.


Heart pounding in her chest, she crossed Sunset, eyeing the ferry terminal ahead.
Thoughts: Is it fair that I just finished this? Just based on that sentence, I'd say she's running from something and is afraid, not sure whether the ferry terminal is safe or not. And since I have finished the book I can say that yes, she is running from something, is afraid and the ferry terminal is mostly safe. :)


Hosted at Book Obsessed
Take your current read, or book you previously finished, and tell me the following 3 things about it.
1. Character from the book you LOVE (This can be a character you want as your BFF or someone you want to take home to meet the parents)
2. Character from the book you HATE (This character does not have to be the villian, just someone you disliked)
3. Your overall LOVE/HATE of the book. (If you haven't decided your feelings for the book yet, or if you prefer, just provide a snippet from the book containing either the word "LOVE" or "HATE")
and, where the story is located for those of us doing the 50 States challenge. ;)

1. Love Morgan Wright, the male lead. Reformed bad boy? Who could resist? lol
2. this one is weird... love at the beginning, hate in the middle, love at the end....this would be Julie, the female lead. Love her spunk and career then hate her whiny-run-away-it's-all-my-fault attitude then love her again
3. grade B Loved it - Share with your friends and hope you get it back

this story takes place in Washington state.



edit: Christmas Haven by Hope White

~*~*~*~

Now, on to the pictures......



Pretty, but....
I really hope they're not drugging the cats! I had a dog I could dress up but never a cat that would sit still for it.

and while we're on the subject of weddings.....


I'm trying to decide what the theme of the wedding would be that requires "an agent" to be ring-bearer. I'd really love to see a picture of the whole wedding party!

Which man do you see?
It's very easy for me to see both now and I have to concentrate to see one or the other!


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Wednesday, January 4, 2012

Books Read in 2012....

First book of 2011 was The Christmas Clock. First book of 2012 was Christmas Haven. :D


January Recap

1. Christmas Haven by Hope White
52in52, 150+, AtoZ, Harlequin/Silhouette, Romantic Suspense, Read & Review, 50 States, Where are you reading?, Mt. TBR, TBR Double Dare, Read Your Own Books, Off the Shelf

2. The Hawk and His Boy by Christopher Bunn
52in52, 150+, AtoZ, ebook, Mt. TBR, TBR Double Dare, Read Your Own Books, Off the Shelf, Free Reads, Why Boy the Cow?, What's in a Name?

3. Deep Disclosure by Dee Davis
150+, Mt TBR, Read Your Own Books, Off the Shelf, TBR Double Dare, Unread Book, Free Reads, AtoZ, Romantic Suspense, Romance

4. Carrots by Colleen Helme
150+, Mt. TBR, ebook (2), Foodie, Free Reads, Why Buy the Cow?, 50 states, Where Are You Reading?, Read Your Own, Off the Shelf, TBR Double Dare, Mystery/Suspense, 52 in 52, A to Z

5. The Ladybug Jinx by Tonya Kappes
150+, MMM, TBR Double Dare, Read Your Own Books, Off the Shelves, Mt. TBR, 50 States, Where are you Reading? ebook (2), A to Z, What's in a name?

6. Under the Willow by Kari Jo Spear
150+, Mt TBR, TBR Double Dare, Off the Shelf, 50 States, Where are you Reading?, Paranormal Romance, ebook, MMM, A to Z, Immortal, Romance, Paranormal

7. Happy Valentine's Day, Mouse by ...
150+, One Million Pages, PB&J,

8. Nitt Witt Hill by Sebastian Gibson
150+, What's in a Name, Free Reads, 52in52, A to Z, Personal ARC Read & Review, Winter's Respite RaT

9. A Three Dog Life by Abigail Thomas
150+, One Million Pages, A to Z, Memorable Memoirs, Winter's Respite RaT, What's in a name

10. Virgin River by Robyn Carr
150+, One Million Pages, A to Z, Romance, Winter's Respite RaT, 50 States, Where are you reading, MMM, Harlequin

11. Hidden Summit by Robyn Carr
150+, One Million Pages, 52 in 52, A to Z, Romance

12. A Cookie Before Dying by Virginia Lowell
150+, One Million Pages, 50 States, Where are you reading, Cruisin' thru the Cozies, Mystery/Suspense, Foodies, 12 in 12, The Eclectic Reader, Around the Stacks



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

2012 Book Thoughts

I've started to list the links to reviews/book thoughts by year posted plus alphabetical by title and author. Title/Author/Series is not live/finished but I'm working on it.


Title :: Author :: Series


2012 Book Thoughts

The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian - young adult, banned/challenged

Adam Orser: The Chronicles of Evolution - Fantasy, Metaphysical

Alex Van Helsing: Voice of the Undead - Paranormal (Vampires), YA

Bodyguards in Bed - Contemporary Romance, anthology

The Capture of the Earl of Glencrae - Regency Romance ~part of a series~

Catching Fireflies - Contemporary Romance (strong anti-bullying storyline) ~part of a series~

Chasing Perfect - contemporary romance ~part of a series~

Christmas Haven - Inspirational Romantic Suspense

Consent to Kill - post 9/11 espionage thriller ~repeating charactor~

Copycat Killing - Cozy Mystery with a touch of Paranormal ~part of a series~

Devil's Food Cake Murder - cozy ~part of a series~

Dragonsinger - Fantasy, Young Adult ~part of a series~

The Gardner Heist - nonfiction, Art History, True Crime

Great Short Poems - 150+ short poems (less than 24 lines)

Lifting the Wheel of Karma - fiction, spirituality, young adult

Liver Let Die - cozy ~part of a series~

Midnight Promises - contemporary romance ~part of a series~

Nitt Witt Hill - Political Humor

Perfect Bait - erotic romance/suspense

Pieces of a Rainbow - short story collection

A Place to Die - Mystery

The Priest and the Peaches - young adult historical fiction

Quinn - romance, western ~part of a series~

Raising Dragons - Fantasy, Juvenile Fiction, Christian ~part of a series~

Tails of Love - romance (with a little help from animals)

Time Slice - contemporary fantasy

'Twas the Night After Christmas - historical romance

The Unlikely Wife - historical inspirational romance



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Thoughts on...Christmas Haven by Hope White

Just so you know, I have a weakness for Christmas books and so far I've never been disappointed with a Christmas book from Harlequin.

Still not disappointed. ;)

Pay attention to the publisher of this one. This is from Harlequin's Love Inspired imprint so if scripture references or prayer disturbs you, this is not the book for you. I didn't find them to be a distraction (sometimes I do) and most of the prayers were internal. They were a small part of the story, just enough to give you the feel of the characters' character :) without being over the top.

The suspense kept me engaged until it became edge-of-your-seat, the romance was gentle. Julie and Morgan were high school sweethearts until she left their sleepy town ten years ago. No big gush of I-love-yous or mushy scenes. Most of the time Morgan is trying to out-stubborn Julie to keep her safe. The first kiss was on page 102!

There were a couple of coincidences, such as Julie's old boyfriend still being single, a police officer sheriff in her home town, and gosh darn, he just happens to be on the same ferry as her headed home after being in the city. To tell the truth, they happened so smoothly it wasn't until later that I went, 'hey'.

Grade: B....loved it, share with friends and hope you get it back.


Disclaimer: I purchased this book for myself. The opinions expressed in this post are mine and may differ from yours. Book information courtesy of publisher


Christmas Haven
by Hope White

publisher: Harlequin - Love Inspired
ISBN: 978-0-373-44466-3
date published: Nov 2011
format: Mass Market Paperback
genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
pages: 221 plus 14 discussion questions
ages: personal guess... 12+ (clean suspense, drug use mentioned, two kisses)


Product Description:
His to Protect

Shock is police captain Morgan Wright's first reaction to seeing his former sweetheart, Julie Burns. But concern soon follows. The lovely social worker left Port Whisper behind years ago. Why is she back...and what's got her so scared?

Her hometown was the only safe place Julie could turn to after witnessing a kidnapping. She didn't count on trouble following her. and she certainly didn't expect to run into Morgan, or to feel that old love rekindle. Morgan wants to help her, and she wants to let him - but now that danger has intruded on her safe haven, everyone's at risk....

Challenges

Harlequin/Silhouette (holiday in the title)
Romantic Suspense
Read & Review
50 States (Washington)
Where are you reading? (Washington)
(TBR-purchased in 2011)
Mt. TBR
Read Your Own Books
The TBR Double Dare
Off the Shelf

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Teaser & 1st Paragraph

Lifting the Wheel of Karma . . . .

Hosted at Bibliophile by the Sea
Every Tuesday, she'll be posting the opening paragraph (maybe two) of her current read. Why don't you join us?

The harrowing landscape was a disorienting mix of darkness and hypnotic light that appeared to ignore the rules governing its path, causing the eye to question what it saw. Joseph, aged seventeen, ran through lush vegetation in the entangled forest as he wielded a sword in his left hand. The sword was of a thin steel with a curve that extended from the handle to the tip. Carved into the sides of the steel were ornate designs of unknown origin. The handle was made of ivory and was capped with a slightly oversized gold tip to make sure the pinky finger was held in place when in use--which it surely was to be now.

Lifting the Wheel of Karma
Paul H. Magid




Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme,
hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
1. Grab your current read Open to a random page
2. Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page ~BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!~ make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!
3. Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


"There are more important things than walking, you know?" Madhu said.

"Like what?" Joseph asked.

"Like kissing," Madhu replied while smiling at him.


Lifting the Wheel of Karma
Paul H. Magid


Blog tour stops

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011

Monday, January 2, 2012

Happy Monday!

oh my gosh, it's 2012! What happened to 2011?

I started my new year as I ended it, FarmVille, hardly noticed when the day ticked over. lol School is starting tomorrow so back to work for me.

Super excited about the challenges I joined and sad about some I just couldn't. There are still a couple I'm thinking about and a new one found on Novel Challenges that I have to join, Anne McCaffrey's Pern series.

I started the new year with a couple of books unfinished: Redwall, Before I Fall, and Nitt Witt Hill. these will be finished (two are review books), they just don't count for most of my challenges unless I start over. ;-)

Time to get back into the swing of things, reading, blogging, crochet, gym, cooking, cleaning, .... Hope everyone has a great week planned.

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. Started by Marcia of The Printed Page, the mailbox is currently on tour. Check it out so you know where to go next month.

A big thank you to Jenny Q at Let Them Read Books for hosting in December. January's host is Alyce at At Home with Books(blog link, not post link).


Received for Review:


Giveaway:


from Author:


Purchased:
The Dragons of Chiril by Donita K. Paul
Dewey's Christmas at the Library by Vikki Myron and Bret Witter (picture book)




kindle/ebooks:
The Fisherman's Son by Marilyn Peake
Carrots by Colleen Helme
Desperate Housedogs by Sparkle Abbey
...and a bunch of others, went shopping through the free section again ;-)







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:
Dewey's Christmas at the Library
The More the Terrier
and a huge on-line serial that doesn't count ;)

Reading:
Haven't picked my "first book of the year" yet....reading online stories and they don't count, even if they are loooong ;-)

Unread from 2011:
Nitt Witt Hill
Before I Fall
Redwall


Next up:
Time Slice (Feb blog tour)
A Place to Die (Feb blog tour)


Reviewed:


Did Not Finish:



Need to Review-keep a running total and cross off as completed:
(this list is way too long and if they've been reviewed I didn't label them correctly!)

Spin the Plate, short story (current read)
A Modern Witch (current read)
Kekula (current read)
The Man Who Loved Books Too Much
True North
Whiskey Gulf
A Circle of Souls
Benny & Shrimp
The Right Side of the Tracks
Second Chance

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012
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.