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!)
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts
Showing posts with label holiday. Show all posts

Monday, May 29, 2017

Memorial Day (USA Holiday)

No matter what you do, on this unofficial beginning of the summer vacation season, take some time to remember ...
and thank someone.
This goes for all the women in the service as well!

Some Traditions:

Every Memorial Day, the U.S. flag is quickly raised to the tops of flagpoles, slowly lowered to half-mast, and then raised again to full height at noon. The time at half-mast is meant to honor the million-plus fallen U.S. soldiers who have died for their country over the years. Re-raising the flag is meant to symbolize the resolve of the living to carry on the fight for freedom so that the nation's heroes will not have died in vain.

Moment of Silence at 3 p.m.

Many will wear or put on display red poppies on this day as a symbol of fallen soldiers. This tradition grew out of the famous poem by Canadian John McCrae known as In Flander's Fields, which he was inspired to write upon seeing red poppies growing over the graves of World War I soldiers.



Information at the History Channel

Saturday, December 31, 2016

Happy 2017!



However you celebrate, make it safe!
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2017

Monday, May 30, 2016

Memorial Day




This page may explain it for you, USA
.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2016

Friday, December 25, 2015

Merry Christmas




copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Thoughts On . . . the series Who Needs Christmas?

series: Who Needs Christmas?
author: Joyee Flynn
publisher: Siren Publishing
genre: male/male erotica, BDSM

available in kindle and print formats at amazon (searched 'Who needs Christmas Joyee Flynn': here)

available in several ebook formats at the publisher, here

author's page for the series, here this has links to each book's info


A group of twelve elves who found each other after leaving the North Pole at different times has been living together 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.

Yes, book 1 is called Screw Santa. Each Elf is gay. They didn't fit it well with the other elves at the North Pole and as being gay was frowned upon, they left. As we are introduced to the elves and their mates, we learn why they hate Christmas and it makes sense. They all have magic (duh!) but the strength varies according to age. Well, except for Shadow but you don't find that out until later. I'll let you find out the details on your own.

Screw Santa's elf is Horse. That's right, his name is Horse. All elves name themselves at the age of five when they are baptized in their magic. Each elf has a story about their name. Our first elf saw a magnificent creature and wanted his name to be the same. Unfortunately, the owners of the horse had named the animal Horse, so when asked, that's what they said.

Yeah, they got teased for their names as well.

There is definitely a "formula" to each book. We're introduced to the main character, he meets his mate, something goes wrong, everything works out, happy ever after. The books really up the sex between the two main characters and the "something goes wrong" is inventive.

For example, in one of the books, the human mate is a lawyer. He's decided to give his two weeks notice on Monday and come work for the elves. The Sunday night (actually Monday morning at 1 a.m.) before he can give notice, his boss sends him to bail out a new client. Tame right? Except the new client is the son of the local mob boss and a psychopath that likes to murder "pretty subs". He fixates on his new lawyer and catching him while everything else is going on becomes the "something goes wrong". And to make things worse, his old boss is a vampire and kidnaps him. See? Inventive.

As each can be read by itself you have to expect the repeating of information. Each mate gets the explanation of how the mating works and the mating ritual is repeated in most of the books. It's explained how the elves get by in the human world, the hobbies, their money, all with small changes between books.

The last chapter of the second book is all about Horse. His mate has found a way to help his get over why he hates Christmas. Because as one mate said it, "hate is an ugly emotion that I don’t want to have any room in your heart." This carries on through the rest of the books. The last book's elf, has a free story on the author's website.

These are not mainstream romance books. There is lots of sex between men, elements of BDSM, and toys like you wouldn't believe are used. The difference, for me, between erotica and porn is the story line. If you took each book and toned down the sex but left the story line alone, you'd still have a great book!

What about Christmas do the elves hate? One hates Santa himself, another Christmas music. Snowmen, mistletoe, Christmas trees, jingle bells, twinkle lights, and stockings are all on the list. Plus the others that I haven't re-read yet and don't remember. Let's see, candy canes (hot sugar burns!), cookies, and reindeer.

You know the kind of sugar cookie that you roll out and use cookie cutters? One the elves should have followed in his parent's footsteps but had trouble with the cookies. Too much flour, not enough flour, rolled too thin, not transferring to the cookie sheet right. Yeah, mine never come right either but no one ever made fun of me for it. The really sad thing is that most of the things the elves hate didn't start out that way but the parents and siblings helped prolong the discomfort then the community got involved and by the time the kid was 18 and could leave, there was a hatred so strong that true love was needed.

The books are HOT as well as fun. The author has turned our expectation of elves on it's ear. Also, they're all different from each other, just as you would expect in mainstream romance books. They're real people with quirks and insecurities just like us. They just have a little something extra.

Oh, witches, werecats, vampires, and werewolves make an appearance. Along with stupid people, bigotry and violence. Family, true love, and deep friendship are also part of the series.



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

Tuesday, November 17, 2015

Christms Recipe Exchange Time!


It's time to sign up for the Christmas Recipe Exchange at Herding Cats & Burning Soup! Check out the info post and dig out your favorite recipes!

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

RC: Holiday Read-a-thon!

Sixth Annual International
Holiday Read-a-Thon
December 4 - 6

NEW host, Joli of Actin' Up with Books

for more information or to sign up, click here

Twitter: Holiday #Readathon

This is a midnight to midnight kind of RaT and is a NO PRESSURE, 
READ AS MUCH AS YOU WANT
kind of read-a-thon

There will be giveaways, mini-challenges, and a Twitter party. Check out the sign up page for more information. You do not need to participate in the mini-challenges to qualify for bonuses.

To participate, SIGN UP using Mister Linky and READ.
That's It!!
You can use your blog, Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter accounts to join.

edit: any reading counts! adjusting titles
~ Books Read ~
  1. The New Boy by Sean Michael (210 pages, m/m, D/s, photographer/model)
  2. The Christmas Cat by Elise M. Stone (a sweet 16 page romance story)
  3. A Cajun Werewolf Christmas by Selena Blake (getting longer ;-) 45 page story/catch up to the series characters, also a good introduction)
  4. Christmas of White by Devon Rhodes (66 pages of m/m cowboy/vet romance)
  5. Screw Santa by Joyee Flynn (book 1, 148 pages, HOT m/m BDSM, Elf/detective, magic, and a murder )
  6. The Christmas Owl by Angela Muse (picture book about kindness, 36 pages) 
  7. Hell's Bells by Joyee Flynn (book 2, 143 pages, HOT m/m BDSM, elf/construction worker, gay bashing, elf/wolf fight, Halloween party) 
  8. The Twelve Cats of Christmas by Kevin Whitlark (picture book, the song lyrics only with cats and five goldfish ;-) 27 pages) 
  9. Stupid Mistletoe by Joyee Flynn (141 pages, elf/Navy Captain, evil witches, fight then a party with werecats, werewolves, elves, and jello wrestling) 
  10. Holy Stockings by Joyee Flynn (143 pages, elf/cowboy, m/m BDSM, father problems & another fight-but not as epic as the fight with witches)
~ Final Results ~
10 books = 975 pages
I may have been able to get another book finished but we spent a couple hours at Disneyland. I had my picture taken with Snow White :-)

~ possible Books to Read ~
Rest Ye Murdered Gentlemen by Vicki Delany
I'll be Home for Christmas by Lori Wilde ... and other Twilight, Texas books
Snow Way Out by Christine Husom
Heartsong Cottage by Emily March
Christmas on Candy Cane Lane by sheila Roberts
Dashing through the Snow by Debbie Macomber
The Mistletoe Promise by Richard Paul Evans
Marry Me at Christmas by Susan Mallery
What Happens Under the Mistletoe, anthology


I've got lots of Christmas music to play between books including two new CDs by Straight No Chaser
I'd like to read and review Chance by Emily Moffat before the end of the year
I need to read and review Revenge of the Chili Queens by Kylie Logan a.s.a.p.


~ Joli's Mini-Challenge ~
Prize: a $20.00 gift certificate to Amazon, Barnes and Noble or The Book Depository.
To enter: GIVE
1. Pledge a penny or two or three (or any amount you want!) per page that you read. Put a minimum number that you will pledge. For example: 100 pages – $1.00. And then donate the amount to your favorite charity.
OR
2. ANY type of donation for the holiday season – a can(s) of food, book to a library, Toy for Tots, gently used books or clothes donated to a shelter, school – qualifies. OR volunteer your time at, for example, a soup kitchen or food bank. Just list it. (Feel free to come up with your own ideas!)

Then, 3. Click on comments below and share your pledge/donation. THIS IS ON THE HONOR SYSTEM!
(again, you do not have to participate in this mini-challenge to participate in the readathon)

~ Pledge ~
I'm going to donate to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (home page), I just haven't figured out how to work my pledge. . . . . still working on it but thinking $5 a book . . . yeah, should have gone with pennies a page ;-)







copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2015

Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Happy New Year!





copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Thursday, November 6, 2014

Ready . . . Set . . . READ!




HO-HO-HO 
Holiday Read-a-Thon

November 6 - 11

Hosted by Kimba from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Jennifer from BookShelfery

for more information and to sign up, click here



List of Possible Books to Choose From
  1. Our First Christmas anthology (already read one of the four stories)
  2. 'Tis the Season by Robyn Carr - three reprints
  3. The Trouble with Christmas by Debbie Mason
  4. Take Me Home for Christmas by Brenda Novak - a Whiskey Creek novel
  5. Christmas at Twilight by Lori Wilde - a Twilight, Texas novel
  6. Starry Night by Debbie Macomber
  7. Twin Threat Christmas by Rachelle McCalla - two connected novellas
  8. All I Want for Christmas... anthology
  9. Winter Kiss by Deborah Cooke - a Dragonfire novel (winter setting?)
  10. The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson
  11. Innocence by Dean Koontz (winter setting)
  12. By Winter's Light by Stephanie Laurens (is it here?, yes, started it right away)
Twelve? No way! I'm not going to be able to read all of these even if I didn't have vacations!


Progress
  • Nov 6: I'm still on vacation and don't have plans to do any reading that counts ;-) . . . I was wrong! I started Twin Threat Christmas by Rachelle McCalla yesterday but was able to finish today! Also read some of Plaid Tidings by Mia Watts but started it earlier - it isn't on the list. :-(
  • Nov 7: traveling home but it will be a short trip from pier to house . . . wow, I'm so sleepy! Serves me right for staying up to finish my book when I knew how early I needed to be awake. Short nap, dinner out, a stop at the grocery store and other things needed to do after a return then, finally, reading! Started 'Tis the Season and finished one of the short stories.
  • Nov 8: Read the next story in 'Tis the Season, only one more to go but Personal by Lee Child and household chores had a stronger pull.
  • Nov 9: Finished 'Tis the Season, started The Christmas Cat
  • Nov 10: Finished The Christmas Cat, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D - season 1 :-)
  • Nov 11: read more Personal by Lee Child and started another short story in Our First Christmas
Final Report
Twin Threat Christmas by Rachelle McCalla
'Tis the Season by Robyn Carr
The Christmas Cat by Melody Carlson


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Holiday read-a-thon . . . HO-HO-HO!




HO-HO-HO 
Holiday Read-a-Thon

November 6 - 11

Hosted by Kimba from The Caffeinated Book Reviewer and Jennifer from BookShelfery

for more information and to sign up, click here



So break out the cocoa, the coffee, and cookies! Grab those holiday theme books and bring your holiday spirit. Prepare to enter challenges, win prizes, meet new friends and Twitter chat with us. You can join for a day or sit by the fire and hang out every day. The more you participate the more entries you will earn for the Participant Giveaway.

We love holiday themed reads from the covers to the warm & fuzzy tales on the inside. For this read-a-thon you must read holiday themed or winter setting reads. For bloggers, we have spoken to most of the main publishing houses and for ARCS of holiday books released in Sept/Oct, they are fine with you posting a review in November and December since that is when folks look to buy them. Below are the rules. Read them, grab the button and link up. For our non-blogger friends you can join too. Just link your Goodreads, Tumblr or Facebook account.

I can read holiday books all year and I do have a few new ones on my tbr pile. I've got to gather them for a picture but I've got a little time. I'll be on vacation for most of the RaT and will need to plan my goals accordingly. I hope to be able to read at least one. The problem will be waiting once I have them gathered!

Waiting for one more book before I post the picture/list my stack and yes, I've started one them ;-)
I'll be on vacation for the first two days, doing laundry/recovery when I get home but I'll also be getting to go away again so I'm hoping I can get two read!





copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Friday, September 26, 2014

Christmas Recipe Exchange!

Christmas Recipe Exchange

Hosted at Herding Cats and Burning Soup (full post)

To sign up, click here

Sign ups open to Nov 10
A twist on the traditional Christmas Card Exchange! This time we'll be sending recipes (in the mail) instead of just cards. Recipes that are old favorites, or special to your family. Maybe one you've seen and thought looked amazing but haven't had a chance to try yet. Snacks, main dishes, side dishes or desserts...

They can be on recipe cards, in handwriting or typed out, decorated or left plain and simple. Include notes on why you love it or just go for the straight recipe. It's really up to y'all however you'd like to make it special for your recipient. You can include a Christmas card as well or just send the recipe.

I love Christmas. And I love cooking! So figured I'd smoosh the two together and invite y'all to join in too! This is open to readers, authors and bloggers!

I know it's WAY early for Christmas but wanted to give people plenty of time to SIGN UP and join in. Sign up is open until Nov 10th! Yall will get your "people" to send recipes to shortly after :)


Off to decide on a recipe!

I've decided send out 5+ cards/recipes but you could just send 1 if you like.

edit: I tweeted about this and it was re-tweeted! Oops, to 6,029 followers!



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2014

Friday, February 14, 2014

Happy Valentine's Day

A rescue group gave a "Kissing Booth" cardboard box to a couple of kitties.


:-D I hope you have a playful day too. The Big Cat Rescue website has many more pictures, you can even visit if you're in the area. I found the video on YouTube, I hope this link still works.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Tuesday, November 5, 2013

I'm ready to start! Ho Ho Ho Holiday Read-a-Thon


Ho Ho Ho Holiday
Read-a-Thon
Thu, Nov 7 - Mon, Nov 11


hosted by The Bawdy Book Blog
and Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Sign up and more information are here

Twitter: #HoHoHoRAT

Basic requirements: Link up . . . tweet your progress . . . participate in at least one challenge to be eligible for grand prize . . . Wait. Prize? Yup. There are challenges so check out the above link to read about it. There is one hitch. . . this is a holiday RaT so,  "Read as many holiday related books from your YA, NA and Adult collections as you can". Funny, one came in the mail last week. Notice that children's books don't count. I'm thinking anything 12 and up?

I'm a sucker for a RaT and I love holiday books so no matter how busy I am, I'm going to sign up! Talk about setting myself up for failure. sheeze, at lease I'll have a good time on my way down. :-D That is if I can stop myself from reading the book before Thursday.

~ Books Read ~
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.


I don't expect to read five books let alone all of these but wanted to list the Christmas books I bought recently. I have some unread books upstairs too that I need to find and list. One needs to be kept aside to be my first book of 2014.
  • Miracle on 10th Street and Other Christmas Writings by Madeleine L'Engle
  • Mischief and Mistletoe anthology with Mary Jo Putney, Jo Beverley, Joanna Bourne, Patricia Rice
  • Christmas on Main Street anthology with JoAnn Ross, Susan Donovan, LuAnn McLane, Alexis Morgan 
  • Christmas in Snowflake Canyon by Raeanne Thayne
  • The Christmas Bus by Melody Carlson
  • The 13th Day of Christmas by Jason F. Wright
  • The Paper Bag Christmas by Kevin Alan Milne
  • Miracle Road by Emily March
  • The Nine Lives of Christmas by Sheila Roberts
  • The Snow Globe by Sheila Roberts


I'll use this list for the Christmas Spirit RaT and RC too.
copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Sunday, June 16, 2013

Happy Father's Day

Any man can be a father but it takes a special
kind of man to be a Dad.



God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
the calm of a quiet sea,
the generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle's flight,
the joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
then God combined these qualities.
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete.
And so, He called it . . . DAD

~Author Unknown


I'm thankful for the Dad I have and that the man I married is a great Dad too. I hope you have a great Dad in your life.


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Finished Reading #11 . . . (NSFW)

It's a Good Life
The Good-time Boys #5
Carol Lynne
978-1-78184-203-4
92 pages
Total-e-Bound

ebook
MM
source: private library


Have you ever wondered what life would be like without you?

Although Sonny Good still suffers repercussions from a gunshot wound to his head, he refuses to let them interfere with his life. He does his best to hide what he can from his partner, Garron, in an attempt to gain more independence. When a car accident forces Sonny’s newest health concern to the foreground, he begins to slide back into the pit of despair he’s worked so hard to crawl out of. What use will he be to his family and friends if he can’t lead a normal life?

When a seizure leaves Sonny in need of emergency care, a CT Scan reveals the cause of his continued blackouts. Faced with a risky surgery, Sonny begins to wonder if his loved ones would’ve been better off if he’d died the day of the shooting.

Faced with the prospect of losing the man he loves, Garron is determined to show Sonny what he has to live for.

~*~*~
It was good to revisit the Good Brothers. Lilly's pregnant, Rawley is Mayor, Garron is Sherriff. And Sonny is struggling with his ranch. The seizures are getting worse and he's ready to give up. This is a happy-ever-after, at least for right now, because we never know what the future holds and need to enjoy each moment we have.


Other challenges this works for:
Winter's Respite RaT
M/M
Contemporary Romance
A-Z (I)
erotic ~ need to sign up for this one still
ebook
Outdo Yourself
150+
Read-a-Latte
Let Me Count the Ways


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Saturday, January 5, 2013

Finished Reading #5 . . . (cleanish)

A Fool's Gold Christmas
Fool's Gold
Susan Mallery
9780373777020
Harlequin (book's page)
Oct 2012
320 pages

small hardcover
Romance, Contemporary, (sweet)
source: library check out

The unrelenting cheer in Fool's Gold, California, is bringing out the humbug in dancer Evie Stryker. She learned early on that Christmas miracles don't happen, at least not for her. And this year seems like no exception. An injury has forced her to return to the family fold, no matter that they're estranged. She won't add to the awkward scenario by being seduced by the bad-boy charms of her brother's best friend, the last man she should ever want to date. Even when she's recruited to stage the Fool's Gold winter festival, she vows to do as promised, then move forward with her life anywhere but here.

Jaded lawyer Dante Jefferson is getting used to the backwater town he now reluctantly calls home, but the pounding of little dancers' feet above his temporary office is more than any man should have to take! When he confronts their gorgeous teacher, he's unprepared for the attraction that sears him down to the soul. Evie is his best friend's sister—off-limits unless he's willing to risk his heart. Dante has always believed that love is the most dangerous force in the universe, but that was before he had to reckon with the magic of a certain small town, where miracles do seem to happen….

~*~*~
Romance, family, kisses. Lots of kisses! The main couple does go to bed but while we're there for the before and after there isn't a lot of the during. I'd let my MIL read this one.

Fabulous addition to the Fool's Gold series. Hints that Ford's story is next. Or is it Gideon?

Other challenges this works for:
Christmas Spirit
Contemporary Romance
A-Z (F)
Outdo Yourself
Double Dog Dare
Let Me Count the Ways
Library Books

library book request before 1-1 so it counts for Double Dog Dare


copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Finished Reading #1 . . . (NSFW)

Wicked Gift
Sean Michael
978-1610404068
121 pages
Torquere Press

ebook
BDSM, MMM
source: private library


Alec has the perfect gift for his lover Kono this year -- his best friend Swan.

Kono has a lot of fantasies about being a submissive, while Alec likes to watch and Swan is the best Dom he knows, so a week together fulfilling Kono's fantasies seems like just the ticket.

Of course, he hasn't taken into account that maybe there are stronger feelings at play here between all of them. Will these three men turn out to be exactly what they each need for Christmas this year?

~*~*~

First book of the year, chosen because it is a Christmas book...third year in a row!

This is a happy-ever-after book about a couple choosing to give each other the perfect Christmas gift . . . a third. Kono is a Sub, Swan is a Dom, Alec loves them both. Lots of sex but talking too.

Other challenges this works for:
Christmas Spirit
M/M ~ need to sign up for this one still
Contemporary Romance
A-Z (W)
TBR
erotic ~ need to sign up for this one still
ebook
Outdo Yourself
Mt TBR
Double Dog Dare
Genre/Sub-Genre
Let Me Count the Ways

purchased Dec 2012 so it counts as a tbr book. Finished Jan 1

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2013

Sunday, April 8, 2012

Happy Easter

Some of us are all about the Easter Bunny and some of us are (also?) thinking about Christ. Here's something for all of us, a funny found last year and something to think about:



Everything I Needed to Know I learned from the Easter Bunny
Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.
Walk softly and carry a big carrot.
Everyone needs a friend who is all ears.
There’s no such thing as too much candy.
All work and no play can make you a basket case.
A cute little tail attracts a lot of attention.
Everyone is entitled to a bad hare day.
Let happy thoughts multiply like rabbits.
Some body parts should be floppy.
Keep your paws off other people’s jellybeans.
Good things come in small-sugar coated packages.
The grass is greener in someone else’s basket.
An Easter bonnet can cover the wildest hare.
To show your true colors, you have to come out of your shell.
The best things in life are still sweet and gooey.



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Happy Valentine's Day



copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2012

Friday, December 2, 2011

Another Read-a-Thon....starts NOW!



Holiday Read-a-Thon
December 2 - 4, 2011
hosted by Lisa at WhoRuBlog

information page


Contests, Reading, Tweet! You didn't have anything else to do this weekend did you?

Read-a-Thon at Twitter #readathon
My Twitter #bookdragonslair

What will you be reading?


My Plan:

I'm going to use the same list for this read-a-thon as I have for Snowy Days, next week. Why yes, I do feel like I'm cheating. ;) Don't know if I'll actually read anything from the list but it is a starting point


Possibilities:
1. Janeology
2. Catching Santa
3. Gone
4. Before I Fall
5. 18 Minutes
6. Red Alert
7. Lost Christmas
8. Traiteur's Ring
9. Second Chance
10. Northlight
11. Hunger Games
12.
13.

The top three and #11 are for 2011 challenges, 1-10 will need reviews too

Reading: Janeology
Reading: 52 Small Changes
Finished: Where You Least Expect It
Finished: Janeology

copyright Book Dragon's Lair 2009-2011
Disclaimer

In accordance to the FTC guidelines, I must state that I make no monetary gains from my reviews or endorsements here on Book Dragon's Lair. All books I review are either borrowed, purchased by me, given as a gift, won in some kind of contest, or received in exchange for an honest review.