Christmas reading challenge wrap-up

Christmas Spirit

Reading Challenge

Nov 21, 2016 - Jan 6, 2017

for more information or to sign up, click here

I signed up for Christmas Spirit first (here) and read 21 books. Only 6 of them were new Christmas/Winter books.

I watched parts of maybe 14 movies but didn't watch a full one. Not even Charlie Brown :-(

Whole Latte Christmas

Reading Challenge

Nov 25 - Jan 7

hosted at Whole Latte books

for more information and to sign up, click here

#WholeLatteXmas


Not all of the 21 counted for Whole Latte Christmas (here) so I only overlapped 5 plus one that I read today. I'm also reading one so that means I got 7!

Christmas Spirit Read-a-Thon Wrap Up

I've still got 1.5 hours of reading time but don't believe I'll finish another Christmas book in that time.

Christmas Spirit

2016 Readathon

Wrap Up

Hosted here (over until next year!)

Twitter: #CSreadathon


Number of Pages Read - 2,841
Number of Books Read - 16
How Many were Christmas related - 16
How many were re-reads - 15


Books Read -

1st four were the Minnesota Christmas series by Heidi Cullinan
1 - Let It Snow: Frankie gets lost driving home from his parent's home at Thanksgiving, going North instead of South and getting caught in a snow storm that just gets worse. Running off the road he starts walking and end up at a cabin. The cabin belongs to the three lumberjacks he saw at the diner - the ones he was afraid was going to pound his very gay self into mush!

As the northwinds blow and guards come down, Frankie and Marcus find they have a lot more in common than they don’t. Could the man who won’t live in the country and the man who won’t go back to the city truly find a home together? Because the longer it snows, the deeper they fall in love, and all they want for Christmas is each other.

2 - Sleigh Ride: The other two lumberjacks are, ahem, F-buddies. Living together but not boyfriends. Paul spends the year watching Frankie and Marcus and decides that's what he wants. If Arthur can't, or won't, give it to him, he's moving out.

Arthur's mother is trying to get him together with the town's librarian. When the mill closes for the rest of the year, Arthur suddenly has time to restore a sleigh. A sleigh his mom uses for a library fundraiser. A sleigh Arthur drives as Santa with a reluctant librarian elf.

As their fiery arguments strike hotter sparks, two men who insist they don’t date wind up doing an awful lot of dating. And it looks like the sleigh they both tried not to board could send them jingling all the way to happily ever after.

3 - Winter Wonderland: Paul is the only one of the three left. The one that wanted a relationship. To top it off, someone is making large penis sculptures in his yard. Well, his half of the yard. Too bad is neighbor isn't as thrilled with the additions.

Kyle grew up but people seem to have forgotten that he's twenty-five now. Last year's library fundraiser has grown into the Winter Wonderland festival. Kyle and Paul are both working on it but Paul's family is really having trouble dealing with a gay man in the family. When their anti-LGBT crusade spills beyond managing Paul’s love life and threatens the holiday festival, Kyle and Paul must fight for everyone’s happily ever after, including their own.

4 - Santa Baby: Twin Cities developer Dale Davidson has come to Logan, Minnesota, to turn it into Christmas Town. His attraction to the librarian Gabriel and Arthur complicates things but should be manageable until Arthur starts flirting back and Gabriel discovers he's not just gay, he's polyamorous.

Together the three of them light a fire hot enough to boil Lake Superior in January, and one night of fun becomes an extended engagement as Dale puts down some tentative roots in his new hometown. Everyone loves Dale, Logan’s own Santa Claus, and somehow no one knows what wild times are happening right underneath their noses. No one knows, either, the complicated ways they’re falling in love with one another.

But a shadow from Dale’s past emerges, an abuser threatening him with violence and shame. Ronny doesn’t want a happy ever after for Dale, only to draw him back into a consuming darkness. It will take the love of not only Gabriel and Arthur but all of Logan to convince their Santa he has nothing to be ashamed of—and that he will always have a home in their hearts.



The other 12 were the Who Needs Christmas? series by Joyee Flynn
A group of twelve elves who found each other after leaving the North Pole at different times have been living together, as brothers, for decades. They are comfortable with their new way of life away from the Christmas atmosphere they despise. The only things missing for these serious gamers are their human mates.

All the elves are immortal, wealthy, gay and kinky. They live in a huge home with their gaming equipment set up in the ballroom. There is a huge media room for movies and a "playroom" for kinky sexy times.

In each book, one of the brothers finds his mate. Something goes wrong. We find out how he got his name, why he left the North Pole, and just what it is about Christmas that he hates. There are werecats, werewolves, vampires, witches, honorable criminals, and stalkers. They help catch a serial killer that has crossed state lines and solve one case of human trafficking. Their mates also help to overcome their hatred of part of Christmas.

~ Books Read ~

Let it Snow by Heidi Cullinan - re-read
Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan - re-read
Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan - re-read
Santa Baby by Heidi Cullinan - new (book 4/end of series)
Screw Santa by Joyee Flynn - whole series is a re-read 
Hell's Bells by Joyee Flynn
Stupid Mistletoe by Joyee Flynn
Holy Stockings by Joyee Flynn
Down with the Tunes by Joyee Flynn
Frosty Melt by Joyee Flynn
Shove Your Tree by Joyee Flynn
Stripe My Pole by Joyee Flynn
Bite My Cookies by Joyee Flynn
Flush the Twinkles by Joyee Flynn
Hanging Antlers by Joyee Flynn
 ~ ended here on Sat at 10 p.m. - one more book left in the series! ~
and . . . Wrap It Up by Joyee Flynn

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2016

RC/RaT Christmas Spirit

You do not have to be signed up for the Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge to participate in the read-a-thon (but I sure would love for you to join us!)

Christmas Spirit

Readathon

November 21-27

2016

For more information and to sign up, click here.

Twitter: #CSreadathon

Read-a-Thon dates: Monday, November 21 at 12:00am CST until Sunday, November 27 at 11:59pm CST (adjust your time zone accordingly) 

This is a "everybody start at the same time" kind of challenge so you may need to adjust your start/end times.  I'll be starting and ending 2 hours sooner than midnight.

I am not requiring that you read only Christmas/holiday books during the read-a-thon, but I hope you will pick up at least one holiday tale, even if it's just to read some children's books with your kids or some holiday short stories.

You do not have to have a blog to participate...feel free to link up and check in from Goodreads, Facebook, Twitter, etc. AND interact with us in our Facebook group.


edit: started Let it Snow by Heidi Cullinan

~ Books Read ~

Let it Snow by Heidi Cullinan - re-read
Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan - re-read
Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan - re-read
Santa Baby by Heidi Cullinan  - new (book 4/end of series)
Screw Santa by Joyee Flynn - whole series is a re-read (1st of 12 about gay elves that each hate one aspect of Christmas, find their one and only soulmates, and have trouble during each book)
Hell's Bells by Joyee Flynn
Stupid Mistletoe by Joyee Flynn
Holy Stockings by Joyee Flynn
Down with the Tunes by Joyee Flynn
Frosty Melt by Joyee Flynn
Shove Your Tree by Joyee Flynn
Stripe My Pole by Joyee Flynn
Bite My Cookies by Joyee Flynn
Flush the Twinkles by Joyee Flynn
Hanging Antlers by Joyee Flynn
 ~ ended here on Sat at 10 p.m. - one more book left in the series! ~
and . . . Wrap It Up by Joyee Flynn

Christmas Spirit

Reading Challenge

Nov 21, 2016 - Jan 6, 2017

for more information or to sign up, click here

Twitter: {didn't see any for this one}

There are several novel levels as well as a couple other options.

These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and a children's Christmas books level!

Levels:
--Candy Cane: read 1 book
--Mistletoe: read 2-4 books
--Christmas Tree: read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)

Additional levels:
--Fa La La La Films: watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
--Visions of Sugar Plums: read books with your children this season and share what you read *the additional levels are optional, you still must complete one of the main reading levels above

There's a prize! I didn't see what you had to do to enter but I love what she's doing with it.

One final note: The giveaway this year will be a $15 donation to the winner's choice of a human rights organization, such as the ACLU, Boys and Girls Club, Human Rights Campaign, GLAAD, Amnesty International, It Gets Better, Planned Parenthood, or another human rights organization of your choice, perhaps your local chapter or organization. This giveaway is open internationally.

(I'd pick The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation)

I know my minimum will be one novel, one movie, one children's book. I'm not sure how much more I'll do above that. I'm not even sure if Visions of Sugar Plums count since I won't be reading them to my children.

For now . . .

Candy Cane and Fa La La La Films

~ Books Read/Movies Watched ~

Let it Snow by Heidi Cullinan (1st in a series - 1-3 is a re-read)
Sleigh Ride by Heidi Cullinan
Winter Wonderland by Heidi Cullinan
Santa Baby by Heidi Cullinan (new book) - end of series
 
Screw Santa by Joyee Flynn - whole series is a re-read (1st of 12 about gay elves that each hate one aspect of Christmas, find their one and only soulmates, and have trouble during each book)
Hell's Bells by Joyee Flynn
Stupid Mistletoe by Joyee Flynn
Holy Stockings by Joyee Flynn
Down with the Tunes by Joyee Flynn
Frosty Melt by Joyee Flynn
Shove Your Tree by Joyee Flynn
Stripe My Pole by Joyee Flynn
Bite My Cookies by Joyee Flynn
Flush the Twinkles by Joyee Flynn
Hanging Antlers by Joyee Flynn
Wrap It Up by Joyee Flynn (last of series)
 
Defrosting Jack by Susan Laine (new book)
Leger's Winter by Lacey Dearie (new book)
Leger's Gift by Lacey Dearie (new book)
Sweet Inspiration by Penny Watson (new book)
Alone for Christmas by Ashley John (new book)




Possibilities
What Happens Under the Mistletoe
Our First Christmas
~ reading Let it Snow by Heidi Cullinan (they've decorated for Christmas so far)
series: Who Needs Christmas? (gay erotica)

wow! here's just part of the 218 I found when I search my order history at amazon. 

I think I like Christmas stories ;-) 

A Holiday Yarn by Sally Goldenbaum
The Christmas Angel Project by Melody Carlson
Twelve Days of Christmas by Debbie Macomber
Christmas in Eternity Springs by Emily March
The Cat Who Came Back for Christmas by Julia Romp
The Christmas Code by Ed J. Pinegar
The Runaway Sleigh Ride by Astrid Lindgren
Three Christmas Wishes by Sheila Roberts
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by Sheila Roberts (Merry Ex-mas might be better)
Christmas Kisses and Cookies by Linda West
One Enchanted Christmas by Melissa Tagg
*Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany
The Christmas Cat by Elisa M. Stone
The Christmas Light by Donna VanLiere
Christmas at Twilight by Lori Wilde (Twilight, Texas novel)
Remembering Christmas by Dan Walsh
*The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson
I'll Be Home for Christmas by Jessica Scott
The Christmas Cat anthology with Julie Beard, Jo Beverley, Barbara Bretton, Lynn Kurland
*The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason (series: Christmas, Colorado)
Killer Christmas by Harper Lin

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2016

RC: Christmas Spirit

Christmas Spirit

Reading Challenge

Nov 23 - Jan 6

hosted by Michelle at The Christmas Spirit
for more information and to sign up, click here

This challenge is all about Christmas. "These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a children's Christmas books level!" There are several levels and I've already read 15 adult stories and 2 picture books. I better go for . . . .  Christmas Tree and Visions of Sugar Plums 

~ Visions of Sugar Plums ~

The Twelve Cats of Christmas by Kevin Whitlark
The Christmas Owl by Angela Muse
Merry Christmas, Mouse! by Laura Numeroff
The Night Before the Night Before Christmas by Natasha Wing
Snowmen at Night by Caralyn Beuhner

~ Christmas Tree ~

The Christmas Cat by Elise M. Stone
A Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake
Christmas of White by Devon Rhodes
Screw Santa by Joyee Flynn
Hell's Bells by Joyee Flynn
Stupid Mistletoe by Joyee Flynn
Holy Stockings by Joyee Flynn
Down with the Tunes by Joyee Flynn
Frosty Melt by Joyee Flynn
Shove Your Tree by Joyee Flynn
Stripe My Pole by Joyee Flynn
Bite My Cookies by Joyee Flynn
Flush the Twinkles by Joyee Flynn
Hanging Antlers by Joyee Flynn
Wrap it Up by Joyee Flynn (and Shadow's Epilogue)
The Christmas Wager by Jamie Fessenden
Choosing His Christmas Miracle by Charlie Richards
Mate Wanted for Christmas by Angelique Voisen
Nick's Christmas Wish by Jess Buffett
The Swag Man Delivers by Sean Michael
Comfort and Joy by Sean Michael
   

The Christmas Cat was a sweet Christian romantic short story but wow, the other books are m/m romance! Mostly paranormal and all on the sexy side.

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

RC/RaT Christmas Spirit

Christmas Spirit

Read-a-Thon

November 24 - 30

Monday, November 24 at 12:00am CST 

until 

Sunday, November 30 at 11:59pm CST 

(adjust your time zone accordingly)

hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict
at Seasons of Reading

For more information and to sign up, click here

Twitter: #CSreadathon
me: @BookDragonsLair

Please read at least one Holiday themed book. Be sure to check out her post.

Books Read

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Christmas Spirit

Reading Challenge

November 24 - January 6

hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict
at The Christmas Spirit

For more information and to sign up, click here

There are three reading levels plus one for movies and children's books. I'm going for Mistletoe and hope to read 2-4 books. Not sure if I'll watch any Christmas movies or reading any children's books.

1.
2.
3.
4.

~ Possible Books to choose from ~

Our First Christmas anthology (already read one of the four stories)
The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason
Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak - a Whiskey Creek novel
Christmas at Twilight by Lori Wilde - a Twilight, Texas novel
Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
All I Want for Christmas... anthology
By Winter's Light by Stephanie Laurens

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Getting into the Christmas Spirit

Two related things are happening soon . . .

Christmas Spirit

Read-a-Thon

Nov 22 - Nov 24

Hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict
at the Seasons of Reading blog

Sign ups and more information, here
Twitter: #CSreadathon

This RaT also has a start/end time so I'll be reading from 10 p.m. on Thursday but have to finish up by 9:59 p.m. on Sunday

Books Read
1. Christmas of White by Devon Rhodes
2.
3.
4.

Christmas Spirit

Reading Challenge

Nov 22, 2013 - Jan 6, 2014

Hosted by Michelle of The True Book Addict
at The Christmas Spirit blog

Sign ups and more information, here

Books must be Christmas related. There will be a review link and PRIZES! One for US only and one for international.


There are three levels and I'm going for . . . Mistletoe . . . and hope to read 2-4 books. I may watch a couple of movies . . . Fa La La La Films . . . or read a few children's books . . . Visions of Sugar Plums . . . even if my kids are all grown up!

~ Books Read ~

1. The Christmas Catch by Genny Baird

2.  Home for the Hollandaise by Julia Talbot, BA Tortuga

3.  Christmas of White by Devon Rhodes

4.  Kisses, She Wrote by Katharine Ashe
5. A Wizard for Christmas by Dorothy McFalls
6. A Collar for Christmas by A.E. Lawless
7. Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by RaeAnne Thayne

~ Movies ~

1.  White Christmas

2. 

3. 

4.

 ~ Children's Books ~

1.  The Christmas Owl by Angela Muse, Helen H. Wu

2.  Santa is Coming to California by Steve Smallman

3. 

4.

Possible Books
Perfect by Autumn Jordon ~ ebook also tbr (12-25-12)
Home For Christmas by Patricia Kay ~ ebook
Miracle Road by Emily March ~ print, series - Eternity Spring not actually Christmas related
Mischief and Mistletoe anthology
Merry Ex-Mas by Sheila Roberts

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Christmas Spirit Wrap-Up

 

The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

Wrap-Up

hosted at The Christmas Spirit blog

I've got one more day but have real world plans and don't believe I'll get another book in. All the movies I recorded were deleted because I never got to them.

How'd I do? ONE movie! Dang it! There are three movies on the shelf that I want to watch and I ended up watching one on TV, Undercover Christmas. I did see a little of A Christmas Story but not enough to count. The sad thing is that just looking at the title doesn't bring to mind what the movie what about or who was in it.

Books read: FIVE! Woo Hoo! One more than Mistletoe!

Book: My Kind of Christmas by Robyn CarrBook: Lone Star by Josh Lanyon
Book: Mistletoe Mine by Emily March (an Eternity Springs novella)Book: Wicked Gift by Sean Michael (1st book of 2013)
Book: A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery

See you next Christmas!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

How was I supposed to NOT do this challenge? I read Christmas books year 'round and love re-reading them during the Holidays. She has a great button for this year but I was having trouble saving it :- Thanks Michelle, for hosting again! As a side note...I didn't find this one on A Novel Challenge, I follow the Christmas Spirit blog
 

The Christmas Spirit Reading Challenge

Nov 19 to Jan 6
hosted at The Christmas Spirit blog
sign-up post

Rules:

1. challenge will run from Monday, November 19, 2011 through Friday, January 6, 2011 (Twelfth Night or Epiphany)

2. cross over with other challenges is totally permitted AND encouraged!

3. These must be Christmas novels, books about Christmas lore, a book of Christmas short stories or poems, books about Christmas crafts, and for the first time...a children's Christmas books level!

4. Levels:

Candy Cane - read 1 book
Mistletoe - read 2-4 books
Christmas Tree - read 5 or 6 books (this is the fanatic level...LOL!)

*Additional levels:

Fa La La La Films - watch a bunch or a few Christmas movies...it's up to you!
Visions of Sugar Plums - read books with your children this season and share what you read

*additional levels are optional and must be done in addition to a reading level

5. the most important rule? Have fun!!!

There will be Mr. Linky's for reviews & a GIVEAWAY

I'm going for . . .

  Mistletoe and Fa La La La Films

I've recently purchased two Christmas-y books and haven't read them yet! Darn, now I have to wait lol

Books Read & Movies Watched

Book: My Kind of Christmas by Robyn Carr
Book: Lone Star by Josh Lanyon

~Mistletoe complete~

November 30

movie: Undercover Christmas
Book: Mistletoe Mine by Emily March (an Eternity Springs novella)
Book: Wicked Gift by Sean Michael (1st book of 2013)
Book: A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery 

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012