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!)

Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Review: Love and Other Foreign Words

Love and Other Foreign Words
by Erin McCahan

Dial
May 2014
978-0803740518
ebook, hardcover
Children's Fiction (12 and up)
336 pages

author's website

Book Description:
Can anyone be truly herself--or truly in love--in a language that's not her own?

Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue--the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn't always like, and the best friend who hasn't said a word--at least not in a language Josie understands.

~ My Thoughts ~
I don't remember High School being this hard. Is it because Josie is so much smarter? Is it because I didn't have sisters?

I really like Josie and the way she interacts with the world. I'm not sure I'm on her side for the wedding or if I'm on Kate's side. I know the bride always picks out horrible dresses that look great on the models but not on actual bridesmaids. Ear piercings and contact lenses should be a personal decision but I'd pick getting my ears pierced over sticking a finger in my eye.

back to reading . . .

I'm not sure which is more painful, wait, yes I am. Kate is the sister and the bride. She is why I'm so happy I don't have sisters. And I only have one daughter. This book may be about Josie but as Kate is her sister, the wedding plays a big part in it and I'm willing to kick the wedding to the curb. The tick conversation was bad enough but to take over someone else's birthday dinner with wedding conversation was rude and unfeeling. grrr . . . not liking Kate at all but loving the parents!

back to reading . . .

Oh no! I need tissues. And a wet noodle!

back to reading . . .

ahem, some things should never be done. Always remember that some things done can never be undone. Words sent on into the world can never be retrieved, even when you say you're sorry. A photo on the internet lasts forever, even when deleted.


*sniffle* I love weddings. This one more than I expected.


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 NetGalley and amazon.com and is being reviewed as part of the BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Tuesday, May 27, 2014

My Summer Reading List Challenge

Currently unfinished but thought I'd get started on it, and maybe you'll join us. I'll be participating in several book tours this summer so my dance card is pretty full but I know there will be lots of time to read something else and wanted to get this out there.

The Summer Reading List Challenge

hosted by Bex at An Armchair by the Sea

dates: Jun 21-Sep 21

For more info and to sign up, click here

basically make two lists ;-)

1. a list to recommended books.
2. a list of books you want to read over the summer.



List 1: Books I'd Recommend to You
  1. Catching Fireflies by Sherryl Woods - part of her Sweet Magnolias series, a powerful story about high school bullies (my review)
  2. Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick - where do you go to lick your wounds when you've traveled the world but have no home base? (my review)
  3. something from Susan Mallery's series Fool's Gold

List 2: Books to Read this Summer
  1. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman (from Bex)
  2. Garlic and Sapphires by Ruth Reichl (Paper Obsessed and Book Journey)
  3.  
  4.  
  5.  
  6.  
  7.  
  8.  
  9.  
  10.  

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Monday, May 26, 2014

Happy Monday, Memorial Day Edition


Happy Memorial Day to all my USA friends.... remember those who have paid for our freedom. And the families they have left behind. (please see this post for the distinction that Memorial Day holds)








Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.

Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

Don't forget to link up your list



~ here are the new books in my house this week ~

The Right Bride by Jennifer Ryan
The Hunted, 2013, ebook 

High-powered businessman Cameron Shaw doesn't believe in love—until he falls head over heels for beautiful, passionate, and intensely private Martina. She's perfect in so many ways, immediately bonding with his little girl. Martina could be his future bride and a delightful stepmother … if only Cameron weren't blinded by his belief that Shelly, the gold-digging woman he's promised to marry, is pregnant with his child.

No matter how much his friends protest his upcoming marriage to Shelly, Cameron knows he has a duty to his children, so he's determined to see it through.

Will he find out in time that Shelly's lying and Marti's the one who's actually carrying his child? It'll come down to the day of his wedding. After choosing Shelly over Marti at every turn, will he convince Marti she's his world and the only woman he wants?


Captain Of My Heart by Danelle Harmon 
Heroes of the Sea, 2013, ebook

He wanted no woman, except one made of sails and wood and wind ...

Handsome, wily Irish privateer Captain Brendan Jay Merrick is running from a painful past -- and fighting for a new nation's future when he arrives in the colonial town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, with plans for shipwright Ephraim Ashton to build his magnificent new schooner. Brendan's daring sea battles against His Majesty's fleet have made him a legend in his adopted country -- but one look at the dashing stranger and Ashton's daughter Mira starts making plans of her own. . . .

She wanted no man -- but him.

Brash, hot-tempered, and born at sea in a raging gale, Mira Ashton is more than most men can manage. Disguising herself as a crew member and sneaking aboard Brendan's newly-built Kestrel, she becomes the schooner's finest gunner . . . and the captain's most outrageous distraction. As desire ignites between them, Mira finds herself competing against Kestrel for Brendan's love. But when tragedy strikes, Mira must join forces with her mighty rival in a daring adventure that turns the tide of battle and brings glorious victory to the colonists, the captain . . . and the lady who has captured his heart.

Everything That Remains by The Minimalists
non-fiction, 2014, trade paperback

What if everything you ever wanted isn't what you actually want? Twenty-something, suit-clad, and upwardly mobile, Joshua Fields Millburn thought he had everything anyone could ever want. Until he didn't anymore.

Blindsided by the loss of his mother and his marriage in the same month, Millburn started questioning every aspect of the life he had built for himself. Then, he accidentally discovered a lifestyle known as minimalism...and everything started to change.

That was four years ago. Since, Millburn, now 32, has embraced simplicity. In the pursuit of looking for something more substantial than compulsory consumption and the broken American Dream, he jettisoned most of his material possessions, paid off loads of crippling debt, and walked away from his six-figure career.

So, when everything was gone, what was left? Not a how-to book but a why-to book, Everything That Remains is the touching, surprising story of what happened when one young man decided to let go of everything and begin living more deliberately. Heartrending, uplifting, and deeply personal, this engrossing memoir is peppered with insightful (and often hilarious) interruptions by Ryan Nicodemus, Millburn's best friend of twenty years.

I'll be Home for Christmas by Jessica Scott
A Coming Home Novella, 2013, ebook

There's nothing in the world Army Sergeant Vic Carponti loves more than his wife and his country. Smart-mouthed and easy tempered, he takes everything as a joke . . . except his promise to come home to his wife, Nicole, for Christmas. As he prepares to leave for his latest deployment into Iraq, Vic will do everything he can to shield his beautiful, supportive wife from the realities of war . . . and from his own darkest fears.

As a career army wife, Nicole Carponti knows just what to expect from her husband's tour of duty: loneliness, relentless worry, and a seemingly endless countdown until the moment Vic walks through the door again. But when the unthinkable happens, Nicole and Vic's bond is tested like never before and changes everything they believe to be true about the power of love and the simple beauty of being home for the holidays.


Because of You by Jessica Scott
A Coming Home Novel, 2011, ebook

Keeping his men alive is all that matters to Sergeant First Class Shane Garrison. But meeting Jen St. James the night before his latest deployment makes Shane wonder if there’s more to life than war. He leaves for Iraq remembering a single kiss with a woman he’ll never see again—until a near fatal attack lands him back at home and in her care.

Jen has survived her own brush with death and endured its scars. And yet there’s a fire in Shane that makes Jen forget all about her past. He may be her patient, but when this warrior looks her in the eyes, she feels—for the first time in a long time—like a woman. Shane is too proud to ask for help, but for Jen, caring for him is more than a duty—it’s a need. And as Jen guides Shane through the fires of healing, she finds something she never expected—her deepest desire.


The Dreamkeeper by Mikey Brooks
kids - Fantasy, 2013, ebook

Dreams: Dorothy called it Oz, Alice called it Wonderland, but Nightmares call it HOME.

When an evil shifter takes over the gateway to the realm of Dreams, it falls to 14-year-olds Parker and Kaelyn to stop him. Their only hope lies with Gladamyr, the Dream Keeper, but can they trust a Nightmare to save their world?




*REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for May 28

Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan
Teen fiction, release date: May 1, 2014, ebook, hardcover

Sixteen-year-old Josie lives her life in translation. She speaks High School, College, Friends, Boyfriends, Break-ups, and even the language of Beautiful Girls. But none of these is her native tongue--the only people who speak that are her best friend Stu and her sister Kate. So when Kate gets engaged to an epically insufferable guy, how can Josie see it as anything but the mistake of a lifetime? Kate is determined to bend Josie to her will for the wedding; Josie is determined to break Kate and her fiancé up. As battles are waged over secrets and semantics, Josie is forced to examine her feelings for the boyfriend who says he loves her, the sister she loves but doesn't always like, and the best friend who hasn't said a word--at least not in a language Josie understands.

~*~*~*~*~ 

I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several others to my ereader, most were even free.

added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~ I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. This week it was Bookmarked Bargains. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2014's books




What are you Reading?

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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!




Finished:
Why I Love Waiters by T.A. Chase
Pete at the Beach by James Dean (Pete the Cat)
Sawyer by Lori Foster
Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick
A Grand Prix Romance by T.A. Chase & Devon Rhodes 

Books stacked by my reading chair:
Smitten anthology
Dragon's Teeth by Mercedees Lackey
Cats in Space and Other Places anthology
In Mint Condition anthology
The One And Only by Emily Giffin
Morgan by Lori Foster
Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick 
. . . and 6+ unread library books



Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page 34/384) . . . just start over!
Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page 44/384) . . . just start over!
Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page 42/271)
Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page 312/402)
Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
Montana Standoff by Sharon Dunn (18/280) . . . just start over!
Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page 18/284 + Home-Renovation and Design Tips)

Sunday, May 25, 2014

Library Books? Let do this!

I'm so excited I stopped by A Novel Challenge today. I found a challenge and a read-a-thon that dovetail nicely with a yearlong challenge I have going on. First stop? The library! Well, when the challenges start {blush}


Summer Library Challenge
hosted by the Book Monsters

dates: June 1 - July 31

For challenge information and to sign up, click here

Basically visit the library, check materials out, learn more about the library. Kate and Kristen have some fabulous things planned so stop by and check things out.

Ready? There's more! . . . There will be TWO read-a-thons!!

Library Books Read-a-Thon
hosted by Rachael at Rachael Turns Pages
dates: June 9 - June 16 (Midnight to 11:59 p.m.)

For RaT information and to sign up, click here

Basically read as many library books as you can. It looks like Rachael has some great posts planned so don't forget to stop by.  







Summer Library Read-a-Thon
hosted by The Book Monsters

dates: June 16 - 22

Looks like this is a read as many library books as you can type RaT but be sure to stop by The Book Monsters



See how nicely things line up? And . . . to go extra distance, shameless self-promotion you could sign up for my I Love Library Books challenge and count all the reading you'll be doing this summer.



~ Books Read ~

Summer Library Challenge
  1. Lost Cat by Caroline Paul
  2. True Love by Jude Deveraux
  3. Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick
  4. Unclutter Your Life in One Week by Erin Rooney Doland
  5.  
    Library Book Read-a-Thon
    1. True Love by Jude Deveraux
    2.  
    Summer Library Read-a-Thon
    1. Otherwise Engaged by Amanda Quick
    2.  


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

    Saturday, May 24, 2014

    Review: Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick

    Cure for the Common Breakup
    by Beth Kendrick

    NAL
    May 2014
    9780451465856
    ebook, Trade paperback
    Women's Fiction
    336 pages

    author's website

    Back of Book:
    Welcome to Black Dog Bay, a tiny seaside town in Delaware known as “the best place in America to bounce back from your breakup.” Home to the Better Off Bed-and-Breakfast, the Eat Your Heart Out bakery, and the Whinery bar, Black Dog Bay offers a haven for the suddenly single.

    Flight attendant Summer Benson lives by two rules: Don’t stay with the same man for too long and never stay in one place. She’s about to break rule number one by considering accepting her boyfriend’s proposal—then disaster strikes and her world is shattered in an instant.

    Summer heads to Black Dog Bay, where the locals welcome her. Even Hattie Huntington, the town’s oldest, richest, and meanest resident, likes her enough to give her a job. Then there’s Dutch Jansen, the rugged, stoic mayor, who’s the opposite of her type. She probably shouldn’t be kissing him. She definitely shouldn’t be falling in love.

    After a lifetime of globe-trotting, Summer has finally found a home. But Hattie has old scores to settle and a hidden agenda for her newest employee. Summer finds herself faced with an impossible choice: Leave Black Dog Bay behind forever, or stay with the ones she loves and cost them everything....

    ~ My Thoughts ~

    Have you heard of Santa Claus, Indiana? As the name might suggest, the town does Christmas in a big way. All. Year. Long.

    Welcome to Black Dog Bay. Where our lead stays at the Better Off Bed-and-Breakfast. Where the Eat Your Heart Out Bakery and Rebound Salon exist. Where the Retail Therapy boutique has clothes sorted by stages of breakup recovery. Oh, don't forget the Whinery. huh, maybe I'm liking these names too much, shrug. You get the idea. This one is going to be heart wrenching and funny and I'm looking forward to more. I can't wait to see Summer meet the owner of huge, very visible, doesn't-match-the-neighborhood, purple mansion.

    back to reading . . .

    dang, I'm wishing I drank! Or at least knew more about alcohol. I love the symbolism of the first drink the bartender puts together for Summer!

    Another dang. I was thinking I'd like to own a bookstore here but they already have one. 
    "I try to keep it stocked with everything you might want during a breakup: self-help, romances, and of course murder mystery and suspense. There's nothing like a good serial killer story to soothe your shattered nerves."

    :-D  back to reading . . .

    where are the tissues? ahem, okay . . .

    Why haven't I read anything by this author before?! I cried at "I love you but not enough" then I laughed when Summer ran through the rose bushes. I cheered at a toilet paper incident. I started crying happy tears when I figured out the message.

    I ignored the housework (even more than usual), forgot to eat, and became immersed in the lives of the people of Black Dog Bay and am disappointed the book is over. Happy the way it ended but still disappointed it is over.




    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 NetGalley and is being reviewed as part of the BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge.


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

    Wednesday, May 21, 2014

    Review: The One and Only by Emily Giffin

    The One and Only
    by Emily Giffin

    Ballantine Books
    May 20, 2014
    978-0345546883
    hardcover, ebook, audio
    Women's Fiction
    432 pages

    author's website with buy here links

    Product Description:
    Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

    But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.

    Thoughtful, funny, and brilliantly observed, The One & Only is a luminous novel about finding your passion, following your heart, and, most of all, believing in something bigger than yourself . . . the one and only thing that truly makes life worth living.

    ~ My Thoughts ~

    Oh, I don't like Lucy. Sure the book starts out with her Mother's funeral and I haven't read far enough to be at the next day but her Dad is a football coach. Excuse me, Football Coach. He and his wife were big into to the university, the team. They not only drank the kool-aid, they were minding the punch bowl! To have their daughter hate football so much, she not only went to another school, she went to their rivals then to insist that non of the players are invited back to the house after the graveside services? Don't you think they miss Mrs. Carr too?

    Yes, this is all happening the same day. The book opens at the funeral and Lucy's best friend's memories bring us to this point.

    off to read some more . . .

    I'm really liking Shea and Lucy is growing on me but Shea's mother? Not so much. I'm hoping she doesn't do what I think she's going to do.

    back to reading . . .

    Shea has seen the NCAA on campus but has such a love of the town, the school and the coach, she sees it as a witch hunt at the start of their biggest season yet. I'm starting to be afraid for her. Here she is just before the first game of the season. . .
    I knew every square inch of it, and it all felt like sacred ground.

    Maybe it was sacrilegious to admit that I felt closer to God inside that stadium than in church on Christmas Eve, but it was the truth, and I told myself it was no different than people who find their deepest spirituality in the woods or the sea.

     . . . the sights and sounds "New Year's Eve in August".

    back to reading . . .

    New, dream job. New boyfriend. You'd think I'd be happy but I can see storm clouds coming and the boyfriend is a little quick to jump to conclusions.



    Sigh, and a migraine hits me, not going to be able to finish this. Head to BookSparks to see what else I'll be reviewing this summer and check back tomorrow for an update!



    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 NetGalley and is being reviewed as part of the BookSparks Summer Reading Challenge.







    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

    Monday, May 19, 2014

    Happy Monday



    Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.

    Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

    Don't forget to link up your list



    ~ here are the new books in my house this week ~

    Sky Raiders by Brandon Mull
    Five Kingdoms, 2014, ebook (print and audio)

    Cole Randolph was just trying to have a fun time with his friends on Halloween (and maybe get to know Jenna Hunt a little better). But when a spooky haunted house turns out to be a portal to something much creepier, Cole finds himself on an adventure on a whole different level.

    After Cole sees his friends whisked away to some mysterious place underneath the haunted house, he dives in after them—and ends up in The Outskirts.

    The Outskirts are made up of five kingdoms that lie between wakefulness and dreaming, reality and imagination, life and death. It’s an in-between place. Some people are born there. Some find their way there from our world, or from other worlds.

    And once you come to the Outskirts, it’s very hard to leave.

    With the magic of the Outskirts starting to unravel, it’s up to Cole and an unusual girl named Mira to rescue his friends, set things right in the Outskirts, and hopefully find his way back home…before his existence is forgotten.

    Feel the Rush by Kelsie Leverich
    A Hard Feelings Novel, 2013, ebook

    Picking the wrong men is a talent Meagan Mitchell has perfected. She’s sweet, confident, beautiful—and single. With her thirtieth birthday sneaking up on her, she needs a new plan. No more Mr. Wrongs or Mr. Bads, it’s time to find Mr. Safe…

    Army Captain, Reed Porter, lives for the thrill—he’s an Airborne Jumpmaster with a rush addiction. He’s sexy and playful, and he quickly tempts Meagan with his rich Southern drawl and sinful looks. But slowing down and settling down are not in his agenda, making him exactly the type of man Meagan wants to avoid…

    As their undeniable attraction heats up, Meagan has to decide if she’s willing to risk everything on a chance at love with a reckless charmer. Is she brave enough to bet her future—and her heart—on Mr. Thrill? Or will Reed finally learn that the feeling of a safe landing is just as addicting as the rush of the fall?



    *REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for June 20

    The Witch of Belladonna Bay by Suzanne Palmieri
    release date: May 13, 2014, ebook, Trade paperback

    Bronwyn "BitsyWyn" Whalen hasn’t set eyes on the red dirt of Magnolia Creek, Alabama, for fourteen years—not since her mama died. But with her brother, Patrick, imprisoned for the murder of her childhood best friend, and her eccentric father, Jackson, at his wits’ end while her eleven-year-old niece, Byrd, runs wild, Bronwyn finds herself once again surrounded by ancient magnolia trees and the troubled family she left behind. She becomes immersed in a whirlwind of mystery and magic as she tries to figure out what really happened that fateful night her friend died. And as her bond with Byrd deepens, Bronwyn must face the demons of her past in order to unravel her family’s uncertain future.

    ~*~*~*~*~

    I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

    added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~ I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2014's books




    What are you Reading?

    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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!




    Finished:
    Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan
    Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
    Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase The Christmas Cat anthology
    Secret Fire by Morticia Knight
    Loving Leif by Amber Kell
    Birds of Prey by Crissy Smith
    Metal Cats by Alexandra Crockett


    Books stacked by my reading chair:
    The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
    In Mint Condition anthology
    Cats in Space anthology
    Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
    The One And Only by Emily Giffin - review due Wednesday!
    . . . and 6 new unread library books



    Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
    What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page 34/384)
    Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page 44/384)
    Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page 42/271)
    Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page 312/402)
    Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
    Montana Standoff by Sharon Dunn (18/280)
    Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page 18/284 + Home-Renovation and Design Tips)

    Monday, May 12, 2014

    Happy Monday



    Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.

    Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

    Don't forget to link up your list



    ~ here are the new books in my house this week ~

    A Distant Tomorrow by Bertrice Small
    World of Hetar, 2012, mass market paperback

    The time of peace is over. After the murder of her husband, Lara—half faerie, half human—must leave the home she has made in the Outlands and follow the destiny that has long called her. Using her brilliant sword and even sharper mind, Lara must journey toward the coast, seeking alliances to protect the future of her land. But when treachery binds her once more in chains, the green-eyed beauty is taken far beyond the world she knows. Only there will she discover that destiny has a mind of its own—and that true passion knows no boundaries.


    Metal Cats by Alexandra Crockett
    2014, paperback

    Skulls and Siamese. Corpse paint and Persians. Baphomet, pentagrams, blood, and tabbies!

    Metal Cats combines two amazing subjects: the extreme personalities of the hardcore metal music scene and their adorable kitties. These incredibly cute and fluffy felines have been photographed with their loving owners in and around the dark abodes of musicians, fans, and promoters of metal

    Metal isn't all dark and disturbing, violent and misanthropic. Metal Cats is proof that while the music may be brutal, the people in the scene are softies for their pets just like you and me...

    A portion of the proceeds from this book and a series of benefit shows held along the West Coast will go towards one no-kill shelter in each of the four main cities visited.

    This one is all photography.

    The Return of Brody McBride by Jennifer Ryan
    The McBrides, 2014, ebook

    The black sheep of fallbrook is back . . . And he's in for the surprise of his life.

    Former bad boy, now-decorated Army Ranger Brody McBride is home and on a mission: Find the woman he never should have left behind and right the wrong he did eight years ago.

    When the man she loved broke her heart and skipped town, Rain Evans picked up the pieces. But along with heartbreak, Brody left her something infinitely better than she could have imagined: two beautiful daughters. One she gave birth to, and the other she rescued from the woman who helped destroy her relationship with Brody.

    Brody is shocked to discover he's a father, and he's more determined than ever to win back Rain and protect his girls. Can they rekindle the love they once shared and become the family they were always meant to be? Or will a danger from their past return and ruin everything?



    That Darn Yarn! by Tony Millionaire
    picture book, 2005, hardcover

    By popular demand, Eisner Award-winner Tony Millionaire returns to bring you another charming adventure. Here is a book that contains two stories in one. On the right-hand side is a story about a sock monkey getting his foot snagged on a tack as he's going down the stairs and unraveling. (in color) On the left-hand page, in black and white, is a story about Ann Louise finding a ball of yarn and beginning to knit a sock monkey. The stories merge as the book unfolds and the adventure develops.



    Dragon's Teeth by Mercedes Lackey
    short story collection, 2013, trade paperback

    Over 500 pages of short stories gathered from the many anthologies they were apart of. Part I includes previously published collections Fiddler Fair and Wearhunter. Part II contains five stories written for this edition.








    Piers Anthony's Visual Guide to Xanth by Piers Anthony and Jody Lynn Nye
    1989, paperback

    Readers take a guided tour to the strange geography, magical locations, and the fantastical creatures that make the Land of Xanth unique. A visual treat especially for fans of the newest Xanth novel, Man from Mundania, book 12.






    Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan
    The McBrides, 2014, ebook

    Attorney by day, rancher by night Owen McBride conquered his dark past and made it his mission to help the innocent—even at the expense of a personal life. But when a client's abusive ex-husband targets Owen and his gorgeous neighbor Claire gets caught in the crossfire, his feelings turn anything but professional. The mysterious beauty awakens something in him, and he'll move heaven and earth to keep her safe.

    Coffee shop owner Claire Walsh learned the hard way that handsome men aren't to be trusted. Owen may be sexy as hell and determined to take care of her, but she's reluctant to put her heart on the line. His presence in her life puts a target on her back, yet the more time she spends with him, the more she finds she can't help falling for Owen.


    PLUS Rides a Dread Legion and At the Gates of Darkness by Raymond E. Feist for my son. These are books one and two of The Demonwar Saga and as I've ready most of the series, I'm sure I'll get around to read these also. You know, when I run out of my own things to read. ;-)

    *REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for July 18

    The Hard Way by Cathi Stoler
    release date: April 15, 2014, ebook, Trade paperback

    Private Investigator Helen McCorkendale’s childhood friend, Jimmy Scanlan, has just opened January, the most lavish casino and hotel resort on the Las Vegas Strip. After attending the grand opening, Helen returns to New York and encourages her friend, Laurel Imperiole, Senior Editor at Women Now magazine, to create a get-away contest for readers offering a weekend at the hotel as the grand prize. The winner, Dawn Chapman, a jewelry store employee from Cincinnati, denies entering the contest and initially refuses the trip. Finally persuaded by Laurel to accept, she arrives at the hotel and nearly faints when she passes the hotel’s elite meeting rooms where the International Diamond Dealers Consortium is holding its annual meeting. She insists on returning home immediately.

    Suspicious of her behavior, Jimmy visits her suite to encourage her to attend the Saturday afternoon pool party, saying she can leave on his private jet the next day. Later in the afternoon, he finds Chapman’s dead body by the pool. She’s been murdered—an unusual double poisoning by cyanide and diamond dust.

    Dawn Chapman was not who she appeared to be, and therein lies a mystery. But to Helen and Laurel, the main task is to take Jimmy Scanlon off the suspect list and clear his name. Will their luck hold? Or will it be a crap shoot, as they roll the dice and do it ‘the hard way,’ going for doubles when the odds are against them. Losing may mean losing their lives.

    ~*~*~*~*~

    I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

    added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~ I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2014's books




    What are you Reading?

    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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!




    Finished:
    Noodle's Knitting by Sheryl Webster
    Nine Words Max by Dan Bar-el
    Following His Footsteps by T. A. Chase
    A Cat Named Hercules by KC Kendricks
    That Darn Yarn! by Tony Millionaire
    A Gentleman's Bargain by Hunter Raines
    The Return of Brody McBride by Jennifer Ryan



    Books stacked by my reading chair:
    The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
    In Mint Condition anthology
    Cats in Space anthology
    Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
    The One And Only by Emily Giffin
    . . . and about 6 unread library books



    Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
    What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page 34/384)
    Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page 44/384)
    Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page 42/271)
    Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page 312/402)
    Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
    Montana Standoff by Sharon Dunn (18/280)
    Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page 18/284 + Home-Renovation and Design Tips)

    Sunday, May 11, 2014

    Bout of Books 10.0


    Bout of Books 10.0
    Read-a-Thon
    May 12 - May 18

    hosted at the Bout of Books blog
    check out the blog for more information
    to sign up, click here
    Twitter: #boutofbooks
    questions: @boutofbooks


    Official Blurb
    The Bout of Books read-a-thon is organized by Amanda @ On a Book Bender and Kelly @ Reading the Paranormal. It is a week long read-a-thon that begins 12:01am Monday, January 6th and runs through Sunday, January 12th in whatever time zone you are in. Bout of Books is low-pressure, and the only reading competition is between you and your usual number of books read in a week. There are challenges, giveaways, and a grand prize, but all of these are completely optional. For all Bout of Books 9.0 information and updates, be sure to visit the Bout of Books blog. - From the Bout of Books team

    ~ Goals ~
    1) I have a couple of blog tours coming up ...

    finish/review: The One & Only by Emily Giffin
    start/finish/review: Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick
    finish: Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford

    2) ... and three short story collections that I'd like to read more of each one ... 
    Dragon's Teeth by Mercedes Lackey
    Cats in Space and Other Places
    In Mint Condition

    3) ... I'd like to visit at least five new blogs and several that I regularly visit ...
    4) ... at least check out what the challenges are ...
    5) ... Pages read for 9.0 was 2,026! I hope to get 900 this time because ...

    ... I also have more real life things going on then usual so I'm not sure if I'll get any goals done! I just hope I can get at least one review ready.

    edit to add "starting point"


    ~ Starting Point ~
    √ Chap 29/at 71%: Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan (ebook)
    √ at 9% : Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford (ebook)
    at 5% : The One & Only by Emily Giffin (ebook)
    page 94: In Mint Condition 2013 edited by Shannon John
    page 57: Cats in Space and Other Places edited by Bill Fawcett
    beginning: Dragon's Teeth by Mercedes Lackey - read 4 shorts in the middle of the book
    page 44: Smitten anthology


    ~ Progress ~
    (post daily update late, late on that day or early early the day after! or as completed)
    Monday: finished Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan, started Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase

    Tuesday: finished Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford, finished Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase, started The Christmas Cat anthology, started Secret Fire by Morticia Knight 

    Wednesday: finished The Christmas Cat anthology, started Why I Love Waiters by T.A. Chase, started Sawyer by Lori Foster, finished Secret Fire by Morticia Knight
     
    Thursday: started/finished Loving Leif by Amber Kell, lunch plans - with a reader so 3 hours minimum ;-) plus vet appointment, started/finished Birds of Prey by Crissy Smith

    Friday: doctor appointment
    Saturday: online, reading The One & Only by Emily Giffin, still reading Why I Love Waiters
    Sunday: online, still reading The One & Only by Emily Giffin, still reading Why I Love Waiters 

    ~ Books Read ~
    Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan
    Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
    Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase
    The Christmas Cat anthology
    Secret Fire by Morticia Knight
    Loving Leif by Amber Kell
    Birds of Prey by Crissy Smith


    ~ Final Report ~ 
    I was able to check off two of my books and have made progress on a third. I would have made much better progress on my list if I hadn't read five books that weren't on the list. And then I spent too much time reading an online serial that doesn't even count!

    I am happy to report that I got 1,175 pages read AND some of my real life stuff ;-) Plus, both cats are fine.



    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

    Wednesday, May 7, 2014

    ebook RC part 4 - Moving up a level!


    eBook Reading Challenge
    2014

    hosted at Workaday Reads

    For more information and to sign up, click here

    Basic Requirements: Any length, any genre but only ebooks count for this one. There are seven levels to choose from. I chose "Human Brain" last year (2013) and made it in November. I'm hoping to read more from my print tbr shelf so I'm not doing that again. I'm going for . . . Server . . . and hope to read 100 ebooks during 2014. I can always move up a level :-)

    Moving up a level to . . . Human Brain . . . because it looks like I'll be reading more than 150 ebooks during 2014.


    continued from part 3


    ~ Books Read ~
    101. Simply Perfection by Trina Lane
    102. Rory's Last chance by Bailey Bradford
    103. Miles to Go by Bailey Bradford
    104. Bend by Bailey Bradford
    105. What Matters Most by Bailey Bradford
    106. Ex's & O's by Bailey Bradford
    107. A Bit of Me by Bailey Bradford
    108. Shall I Knit You a Hat? by Kate Klise
    109. A Bit of You by Bailey Bradford
    110. In My Arms Tonight by Bailey Bradford
    111. Where There's a Will by Bailey Bradford
    112. Chaps and Hope by Bailey Bradford
    113. Ropes and Dreams by Bailey Bradford
    114. Saddles and Memories by Bailey Bradford
    115. Spot the Difference by Sean Michael
    116. Fences and Freedom by Bailey Bradford
    117. Three's Company by N. R. Walker
    118. Rules of the Chef by Nicole Dennis
    119. Wanting by Piper Vaughn
    120. Straight Roommate by Mandy Harbin
    121. From Pack to Pride by Amber Kell
    122. A Prideless Man by Amber Kell
    123. A Prideful Mate by Amber Kell
    124. Nothing to do with Pride by Amber Kell
    125. Talan's Treasure by Amber Kell
    126. More than Pride by Amber Kell
    127. Protecting His Pride by Amber Kell
    128. Farren's Wizard by Amber Kell
    129. By the Numbers by Nicole Dennis
    130. Following His Footsteps by T. A. Chase
    131. A Cat Named Hercules by KC Kendricks
    132. A Gentleman's Bargain by Hunter Raines
    133. The Return of Brody McBride by Jennifer Ryan
    134. Falling for Owen by Jennifer Ryan
    135. Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
    136. Why I Love Geeks by T.A. Chase
    137. Secret Fire by Morticia Knight
    138. Loving Leif by Amber Kell
    139. Birds of Prey by Crissy Smith
    140. Why I Love Waiters by T. A. Chase
    141. Sawyer by Lori Foster
    142. Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick
    143. A Grand Prix Romance by T.A. Chase & Devon Rhodes
    144. Morgan by Lori Foster
    145. Gabe by Lori Foster
    146. Jordan by Lori Foster
    147. Love and Other Foreign Words by Erin McCahan
    148. Overcoming His Pride by Amber Kell
    149. Honeymooning by Rachael Herron
    150. Love Betrayed by Samantha Kane
    151. Gift of Desire by Samantha Kane and Kate Pearce
    ~ Challenge Completed ~
    June 4


    copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

    Monday, May 5, 2014

    Happy Monday



    Mailbox Monday is the gathering place for readers to share the books that came in their mailbox during the last week.

    Warning: Mailbox Monday can lead to envy, toppling TBR piles and humongous wish lists.

    Don't forget to link up your list



    ~ here are the new books in my house this week ~
    I've been busy O_o ... At least two are review books!

    A Shocking Delight by Jo Beverley
    Rogue series, 2014, mass market paperback

    Lucy Potter, daught of a wealthy merchant, is more interested in trade than in the men after her dowry. When forced to have a London season, she sets out to enjoy herself rather than to find a husband. But once she meets the notorious Earl of Wyvern, her resolve weakens, and when they kiss, it dissolves--even though her instincts warn he's dangerous.

    Wyvern has a dark secret, which means he must win a rich bride. Lucinda Potter seems ideal. Not for her beauty and her lively charm, but because at first meeting she seems unlikely to realize the truth.

    As he come to know her, however, as they spar and kiss, he realizes she's too clever and honest by far. Marrying Lucy would mean living a lie with the woman he has come to love. . . .



    Betting the Rainbow by Jodi Thomas
    A Harmony Novel, 2014, mass market paperback

    Sisters Abby and Dusti Delaney have spent their entire lives on Rainbow Lane, but they dream of something bigger. So when a poker tournament comes to town, Dusti is determined to win enough money to leave. Enlisting expert Kieron O’Brian to teach her the game, sparks begin to fly as they play their hands. But Kieron refuses to stand in the way of her dream, even if it means losing her forever...

    After a year of traveling, Ronny Logan is settling into a home on Rainbow Lane, but that’s all the settling she’ll be doing. Ronny refuses to fall for anyone, regardless of the chemistry she has with her neighbor Austin Hawk. Yet something undeniable begins to grow between the two loners—if only they can let their barriers fall and open their hearts...


    Smitten anthology (Colleen Coble, Kristin Billerbeck, Diann Hunt, Denise Hunter)
    2011, trade paperback

    The proposed closing of the lumber mill comes as unwelcome news for the citizens of Smitten. How will the town survive without its main employer? A close-knit group of women think they've got just the plan to save Smitten. They'll capitalize on its name and turn it into a tourist destination for lovers--complete with sweet shops, a high-end spa, romantic music on the square, and cabins outfitted with fireplaces and hot tubs.

    But is this manly town ready for an influx of romantically-minded guests?



    The Masterful Mr. Montague by Stephanie Laurens
    A Casebook of Barnaby Adair Novel, 2014, mass market paperback

    Montague has devoted his life to managing to wealth of London's elite, but at a huge cost: a family of his own. Then the enticing Miss Violet Matcham seeks his help, and in the puzzle she presents him, he finds an intriguing new challenge professionally . . . and personally.

    Violet, devoted lady-companion to the aging Lady Halstead, turns to Montague to reassure her ladyship that her affairs are in order. But the famous Montague is not at all what she'd expected--the man is compelling, decisive, supposrtive, and strong--everything Violet needs in a champion, a position to which Montague rapidly lays claim.

    But then Lady Halstead is murdered and they race to expose a cunning and cold-blooded killer who stalks closer and closer. Will Montague and Violet learn the shocking truth too late to seize their chance at enduring love?


    When We Met by Susan Mallery
    A Fool's Gold Romance, 2014, mass market paperback

    Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe.

    Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing--she can go toe-to-toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction...and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses.

    Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow,Angel can convince her that surrender might ffeel even better than victory.

    Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer 
    picture book, 2011, hardcover

    One morning in May, Cat wondered,
    "How do pumpkins grow?"
    "I know," said Mouse.
    "And I will show you how."

    Cat and Mouse take us through planting up to harvest. Beautifully illustrated, simple words and a great surprise at the end. (Jack-a-lantern)



    Ghost Seer by Robin D. Owens
    Ghost Layer, 2014, mass market paperback

    When her eccentric aunt passes away, no-nonsense accountant Clare Cermak inherits more than just money. she receives the gift of communicating with ghosts. While Clare may not believe in spirits, it's hard to overlook the shadowy talking dog appearing on her bed or spectral cowboys tipping their hats to her in the streets of Denver. And when she locks eyes with sexy--and living--Zach Slade, there's certainly no ignoring his either.

    A former deputy sheriff, Zach is leaving a painful past behind in Montana for a new life in Denver as a private investigator, a job that has him crossin gpaths with beautiful Clare. Not that she minds. After the restless ghost of an Old West gunman demands her assistance, Clare finds herself needing Zach more and more--and not just for help.

    Hearts and Swords by Robin D. Owens
    Celta/HeartMate, 2011, trade paperback

    Four stories about the beginning or secondary characters in the series.

    Captain Kelse Bountry is leading a colony fleet in search of a habitable planet.

    Blush Willow and her HeartMate Dri Paris must work together to save his family.

    Genista Furze, ex-wife of Tinne Holly has created a new life for herself and may find a new romance.

    Walker Clover experiences Passage and learns he possesses a flair for magic!

    Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen , illustrated by Kevin Hawkes
    picture book, 2006, papberback

    Miss Merriweather, the head librarian, is very particular about rules in the library. But when a lion comes in one day, no one is sure what to do. There aren't any rules about lion in the library.

    It turns out, though, that the lion seems very well suited for the library. His big feet are quiet on the library floor. And he never roars in the library--at least not anymore.

    But when something terrible happens, the lion helps in the only way he knows how. Could there ever be a good reason to break the rules?

    Sneakers, the Seaside Cat by Margaret Wise Brown, illustrated by Anne Mortimer
    picture book, 2003, paperback


    Sneakers saw something.
    It was yellow and pink on the outside....
    Then he crept up to it and
    peeked in.

    On Sneakers' first trip to the seaside, his curious paws find surprises in the sand. There's a mischievous crab, playful shrimp, and a shell that echoes the roar of the ocean.


    *REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for May 21

    The One And Only by Emily Giffin
    release date: May 20, 2014, ebook, MMP, audio

    Thirty-three-year-old Shea Rigsby has spent her entire life in Walker, Texas—a small college town that lives and dies by football, a passion she unabashedly shares. Raised alongside her best friend, Lucy, the daughter of Walker’s legendary head coach, Clive Carr, Shea was too devoted to her hometown team to leave. Instead she stayed in Walker for college, even taking a job in the university athletic department after graduation, where she has remained for more than a decade.

    But when an unexpected tragedy strikes the tight-knit Walker community, Shea’s comfortable world is upended, and she begins to wonder if the life she’s chosen is really enough for her. As she finally gives up her safety net to set out on an unexpected path, Shea discovers unsettling truths about the people and things she has always trusted most—and is forced to confront her deepest desires, fears, and secrets.


    *REVIEW BOOK* review scheduled for May 23

    Cure for the Common Breakup by Beth Kendrick
    release date: May 6, ebook, paperback

    Flight attendant Summer Benson lives by two rules: Don’t stay with the same man for too long and never stay in one place. She’s about to break rule number one by accepting her boyfriend’s proposal—then disaster strikes and her world is shattered in an instant.

    Summer heads to Black Dog Bay, where the locals welcome her. Even Hattie Huntington, the town’s oldest, richest, and meanest resident, likes her enough to give her a job. Then there’s Dutch Jansen, the rugged, stoic mayor, who’s the opposite of her type. She probably shouldn’t be kissing him. She definitely shouldn’t be falling in love.

    After a lifetime of globe-trotting, Summer has finally found a home. But Hattie has old scores to settle and a hidden agenda for her newest employee. Summer finds herself faced with an impossible choice: Leave Black Dog Bay behind forever, or stay with the ones she loves and cost them everything….
    ~*~*~*~*~

    I haven't received any review books, won any contests or received any books as a gift. I have added several to my ereader, most were even free.

    added to my ereader: (kindle app, html, etc.) ~ I find out about free/discounted ebooks at amazon mostly from Pixel of Ink. I do go through the Top 100 at amazon once in a while. I'm getting better at pinning my new ebooks, 2014's books




    What are you Reading?

    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 others and be prepared to add to your TBR pile!




    Finished:
    Rules of the Chef by Nicole Dennis
    Wanting by Piper Vaughn
    Straight Roommate by Mandy Harbin
    Pumpkin Cat by Anne Mortimer
    When We Met by Susan Mallery
    Supernatural Mates series (short stories):
    • From Pack to Pride by Amber Kell
    • A Prideless Man by Amber Kell
    • A Prideful Mate by Amber Kell
    • Nothing to do with Pride by Amber Kell
    • Talan's Treasure by Amber Kell
    • More than Pride by Amber Kell 
    • Protecting His Pride by Amber Kell
    Farren's Wizard by Amber Kell
    Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen
    Sneakers, the Seaside Cat by Margaret Wise Brown
    Hearts and Swords by Robin D. Owens
    By the Numbers by Nicole Dennis

    huh, I was going to say not to think I've read a lot because so many were short and three were picture books but it added up to 1,937 pages. O_o

    Books stacked by my reading chair:
    The Hot Zone by Richard Preston
    In Mint Condition anthology
    Cats in Space anthology
    Riding and Regrets by Bailey Bradford
    The One And Only by Emily Giffin
    . . . and about 6 unread library books



    Started in 2013 but not finished until 2014:
    What the Duke Desires by Sabrina Jeffries (on page 34/384)
    Pegasus by Kate O'Hearn (on page 44/384)
    Dragonwriter edited by Todd McCaffrey (on page 42/271)
    Mischief and Mistletoe, anthology (on page 312/402)
    Jockeys and Jewels by Bev Pettersen (ebook - 21% read in 2013)
    Montana Standoff by Sharon Dunn (18/280)
    Home for the Homicide by Jennie Bentley (on page 18/284 + Home-Renovation and Design Tips)
    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.