2009 Reading Challenges

Here are the challenges that I've signed up to participate in. Most of the books will be reviewed at this blog. Book titles will link to each individual review. Since I'm just starting and I've already read a substantial amount so far this year, I'm going to try to only list books that I've reviewed here. Otherwise, I would be almost done. If at the end of the year the lists are incomplete, then I'll add some that I read prior to late-May.

The 100+ Reading Challenge hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog

1. You can join anytime as long as you don’t start reading your books prior to 2009.

2. This challenge is for 2009 only. The last day to have all your books read is December 31, 2009.

3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.

4. All books count: children’s, YA, adults, fiction, non-fiction, how-tos, etc.

Most of the books that I'll read for this challenge will fall under the two challenges below. Whatever I read to make up the difference will be listed here once I finish the other challenges.

The New Author Challenge hosted by Literary Escapism

1. The challenge will run from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2009.

2. Since this is an author challenge, there is no restriction on choosing your novels. They can definitely be from other challenges. However, the authors must be new to you and, preferably from novels, but anthologies are also a great way to try someone new.

3. State how many new authors you want to try this year and then that’s your challenge. If you want a number given to you, try for either 25 or 50.

4. Add your name to the Mr. Linky at Literary Escapism. If you do not have your own blog, you can join the group blog here.

5. Bloggers or Non-Bloggers alike are welcome.

6. When you read a new author, write your review (either at your site or the group blog) and then come back here and post a link to your review.

I choose to try for 50 new authors (again, these are only for books that I've read since late-May)

1. Chloe Neill

2. Molly Harper

3. Jaye Wells

4. Sharon Ashwood

5. Jackie Kessler

6. Caitlin Kittredge

7. Angie Fox

8. Nancy Haddock

9. Faith Hunter

10. Marjorie M. Liu

11. Carolyn Jewel

12. Gena Showalter

13. Maggie Stiefvater

14. Kim Gruenenfelder

15. Patricia Weitz

16. Jennifer Kaufman

17. Karen Mack

18. Jennifer Belle

19. Stephanie Kuehnert

20. Katie Alender

21. Michelle Zink

22. Dakota Banks

23. Becca Fitzpatrick

24. Cyn Balog

25. Allyson Roy

26. Laura Weiss

27. Paula Morris

28. Amber Kizer

29. Rosemary Clement-Moore

30. Tracy Anne Warren

31. Daniel Nayeri

32. Dina Nayeri

33. Kathryn Lasky

34. Katarina Mazetti

35. Jennifer Jabaley

1st in Series Challenge 2009 hosted by J. Kaye's Book Blog
1. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read and list your chosen books any time during the year.

2. Challenge is from January - December, 2009.

3. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009

1. Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires series) by Chloe Neill

2. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson) by Molly Harper

3. Red-headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane) by Jaye Wells

4. Ravenous (The Dark Forgotten) by Sharon Ashwood

5. Black and White (The Icarus Project) by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge

6. The Accidental Demon Slayer (Accidental Demon Slayer) by Angie Fox

7. La Vida Vampire (Oldest City Vampire) by Nancy Haddock

8. Skinwalker (Jane Yellowrock) by Faith Hunter

9. Iron Hunt (Hunter Kiss) by Marjorie M. Liu

10. Shiver (The Wolves of Mercy Falls) by Maggie Stiefvater

11. A Total Waste of Makeup (Charlie Edwards) by Kim Gruenenfelder

12. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

Paranormal 999 Challenge

1. Must choose 9 books for each of the 9 different categories of your choosing

2. All books must be read in 2009

To sign up check out the Yahoo Group or the LibraryThing group.

Vampire:

1. Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

2. Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

3. Red-headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

4. Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson

5. La Vida Vampire by Nancy Haddock

6. Last Vampire Standing by Nancy Haddock

7. Seduce the Darkness by Gena Showalter

8. Nice Girls Don't Date Dead Men by Molly Harper

9. Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill

Witch/Magic User:

1. Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood

2. The Accidental Demon Slayer by Angie Fox

3. The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers by Angie Fox

4. My Forbidden Desire by Carolyn Jewel

5. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore

6. Barely Bewitched by Kimberly Frost

Fae/Fairy

1. Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater

2. My Soul To Take by Rachel Vincent

3. Fairy Tale by Cyn Balog

Shapeshifter (Non-Werewolf)

1. Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Werewolf

1. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

2. Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Psychic/Telepathic:

1. Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Angels & Demons

1. Dark Time by Dakota Banks

2. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

3. Meridian by Amber Kizer

4. Another Faust by Daniel and Dina Nayeri

Ghosts/Spirits

1. Bad Girls Don't Die by Katie Alender

2. Ruined by Paula Morris

Other Supernatural Characters:

1. Succubus Heat by Richelle Mead -Succubus

2. Black and White by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge - Superheroes

3. Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu - Demon Hunter

4. Darkness Calls by Marjorie M. Liu - Demon Hunter

5. Prophecy of the Sisters by Michelle Zink - ??

6. Hannah: Daughters of the Sea by Kathryn Lasky - Mermaid

This one is hosted by Victoria at Read Your Name Challenge

Guidelines:

1. Using your first name, or blogger name, or your pets name, or even your favorite literary character's name; whichever you like, choose books with first title letters that spell out your name. (Audio books and eBooks are also okay.) Such as her name: Victoria. the first book's title would start with the letter V, then the next book title begins with I, etc.

2. Bloggers and non-bloggers alike are free to join. If you do not have a blog and would like to post your reviews/titles that spelled your name somewhere, you may do so here at the group blog. Just send her an e-mail (phantombibliophile [at] gmail [dot] com), or leave a comment letting her know you'd like to use the blog.

3. If you have your own blog, go back there every month and leave a comment containing the link to your challenge page containing the books you've read or each review you've written for books that count for this challenge. (Crossovers with other challenges are okay.) There is a new post for this on the first of every month.

4. The challenge runs from Jan. 1st 2009, to Dec. 31st 2009. You may join at any time.


J -

A - A Total Waste of Makeup by Kim Gruenenfelder

C - College Girl by Patricia Weitz

Q -

U - Undead and Unwelcome by MaryJanice Davidson

E -

L - Literacy and Longing in L.A. by Jennifer Kaufman and Karen Mack

I - Iron Hunt by Marjorie M. Liu

N - Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs by Molly Harper

E -

Review: Succubus Heat by Richelle Mead

Succubus Heat (Georgina Kincaid, 4) by Richelle Mead

Paranormal Romance

Kensington (May 26, 2009)

304 pages

From Richellemead.com:

Georgina Kincaid has been a bad, bad succubus…
…which should be a good thing. But lately, thanks to her foul mood over breaking up with bestselling writer Seth Mortensen, she’s been so wicked that Seattle’s über-demon Jerome, decides to “outsource” Georgina to a rival—and have her spy for him in the process.

Being exiled to the frozen north—okay, Vancouver—and leaving Seth in the cozy clutches of his new girlfriend is unpleasant enough. Then Jerome is kidnapped, and all immortals under his control mysteriously lose their powers. One bright spot: with her life-sucking ability gone, there’s nothing to keep Georgina from getting down and dirty with Seth—nothing apart from his girlfriend that is. Now, as the supernatural population starts turning on itself, a newly mortal Georgina must rescue her boss and figure out who’s been playing them—or all hell will break loose…

Read more after the jump »

Tidbits

I'm running behind on my reviews, so, to tide you over, here's some scoop:

Chloe Neill's Chicagoland Vampires series has been picked up by Penguin for books 3 and 4! The release dates are still pending.

Speaking of Chloe - if you'd like a few book recommendations, check out what she's got on her nightstand.

In other news, Ilona Andrews is looking for a new beta reader for her next Kate Daniels book. Confidentiality is key and priority goes to people she knows, but it's worth a shot to apply.

Lilith Saintcrow posted a video interview about Strange Angels, book 1 from her new YA series. Check it out below.

Give her some feedback on it.

Richelle Mead's Vampire Academy 5 is already listed for pre-order on Amazon. The site lists more than one release date but, according to her, the official one is April 20, 2010.

Now back to reading . . .

Upcoming Reviews: A few changes . . .

In lieu of my purchases today of Richelle Mead's Succubus Heat and S.J. Day's Eve of Darkness, I've moved some things around.

5/28/09 - Black and White by Jackie Kessler and Caitlin Kittredge

5/28/09 - Succubus Heat by Richelle Mead

5/29/09 - The Accidental Demon Slayer & The Dangerous Book for Demon Slayers

5/30/09 - La Vida Vampire & Last Vampire Standing by Angie Fox

6/2/09 - Eve of Darkness by S. J. Day

6/3/09 - Magic to the Bone & 6/4/09 - Magic in the Blood by Devon Monk

6/8/09 - Wicked Game & Bad to the Bone by Jeri Smith-Ready

Blog Hopping

Jackie over at Literary Escapism has news about a new Buffy movie. Don't get too excited though - apparently neither Joss Whedon nor any of the original cast members will be involved in the project.

While gathering my bearings after reading the latest Kate Daniels snippet, I came across some rather urgent news for Kate fans. If you haven't already, take a look at the load of Kate 4 (tentatively titled Magic Bleeds) snippets over at Ilona Andrews's blog. Her revisions are due in and, once that happens, every sneek peek comes down.

Tez Says dishes up a review of Rachel Vincent's upcoming YA novel My Soul to Take from Harlequin's new imprint Harlequin Teen.

Larissa Ione has posted a bit of her short story, Eternity Embraced, from the upcoming Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2.

Chloe Neill fans - go cast your ballot in her Ethan vs. Morgan poll. Personally, I'm rooting for dark horse Catcher.

Any thoughts about the cover for debut novelist Kelly Gay's The Better Part of Darkness? Let her know.

Contest Roundup

Author Sara Taney Humphreys is giving away an 8GB iPod Touch over at Bitten by Books. Contest runs until 11:59 p.m. on June 10th.

Alpha Heroes is hosting a giveaway of 5 copies of Santa Olivia. There are lots of ways to enter and the first winner is picked Friday.

Jeanine Frost, author of my one of my favorites series - Night Huntress, is having a mysterious instant winner giveaway to the first few commenters on a random post to be put up anytime between now and Friday.

Would you like autographed copies of the first two novels Rachel Caine's Weather Warden series, Ill Wind and Heat Stroke? If so, head on over to Deadline Dames and comment by the end of Saturday.

Bitten by Books is really doing a lot in celebration of their birthday. Go vote and comment in there Best Paranormal Series poll for your chance at a load of author swag. You have until 11:59 this Friday.

Check out Brooke Reviews

So Brooke over at Brooke Reviews is celebrating big time next month and to note the occasions of her b-day and anniversary she's giving away two signed books!

In order to win a copy of Jeaniene Frost's At Grave's End and Rachel Vincent's Pride, guest just have to post a comment here about who they prefer: vamps or weres.

Extra entries can be earned for each of the following: being or becoming a follower of her blog; posting about the contest on a blog, twitter, fb, etc.; and by visiting Frost's and/or Vincent's blogs and posting what you learned about them. For more details see the post.

You have until Brooke's b-day, June 22nd, at 11:59 p.m. so get started!

Win City of Souls by Vicki Pettersson

Another giveaway, this time courtesy of Amberkatze's Book Blog.

City of Souls won't be released until June 30th and you have plenty of opportunities between now and Sat., May 30th to win.

The signed copy will be given away to one random winner who leaves a comment here about what their zodiac sign is.

The contest runs until 4 p.m. Saturday, so that leaves you plenty of time between now and then to receive extra entries for each link to the contest that you post and each email that you send to friends.

Get crackin' and good luck!

Contest Alert!!!

Here's a tip for you:

SciFiGuy is giving away 5 copies of Jacqueline Carey's Santa Olivia.

The contest runs until Midnight on May 28th, which is the eve of the books official release date.

The best part: all it takes to enter the contest is to post a comment on the giveaway's post. There are also opportunities to earn extra entries into the drawing by blogging somewhere about it and posting the link in your comment and/or by becoming a "follower" of the blog.

So head on over - it won't take but a second and you can check out a great blog while your at it!

Events & Contests

Current Giveaways

So, Tina of Fantastic Book Review and Kim of The Book Butterfly are hosting a great contest to celebrate and promote the release of Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush, Hush. A bunch of bloggers and authors are giving away tons of prizes, including yours truly, and all you have to do is pre-order the book!

What I'm giving away? A copy of Candor by Pam Bachorz and a $20 Amazon Gift Card!!

The contest ends October 30th. For a list of the other prizes and details about how to enter, see the original post.

Upcoming Events

TBA

Interview with Laini Taylor, author of Lips Touch

Interview with Amy Efaw, author of After

Review: Ravenous by Sharon Ashwood

Ravenous (The Dark Forgotten, 1) by Sharon Ashwood

Paranormal Romance

Signet (Feb 3, 2009)

352 pages

From Amazon.com:

Holly Carver is a witch who sometimes relies on the help of Alessandro Caravelli for her family’s preternatural investigations business. Alessandro is the oldest and strongest vampire in Fairview—and he’s made no secret of his desire for Holly. But while she aches to succumb to his suggestive wiles, she knows it would be an invitation to trouble.

Then Alessandro’s queen, Omara, complicates matters when she turns up in Fairview to enlist his help. Sultry and manipulative, she is jealous of Alessandro’s feelings for Holly, and demands he use Holly to trap Geneva—the most evil demon of all.

Read more after the jump »

Review: Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris

Dead and Gone (Southern Vampire Mysteries, 9) by Charlaine Harris
Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Ace (May 5, 2009)
320 pages

From Amazon.com:

Except for Sookie Stackhouse, folks in Bon Temps, Louisiana, know little about vamps—and nothing about weres.
Until now. The weres and shifters have finally decided to reveal their existence to the ordinary world. At first all goes well. Then the mutilated body of a were-panther is found near the bar where Sookie works—and she feels compelled to discover who, human or otherwise, did it.

But there’s a far greater danger threatening Bon Temps. A race of unhuman beings—older, more powerful, and more secretive than vampires or werewolves—is preparing for war. And Sookie finds herself an all-too human pawn in their battle.

Read more after the jump »

Review: Red-Headed Stepchild by Jaye Wells

Red-Headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane, 1) by Jaye Wells

Urban Fantasy

Orbit (April 1, 2009)

352 pages

From jayewells.com:

In a world where being of mixed-blood is a major liability, Sabina doesn’t really fit in. And being an assassin – the only profession fit for an outcast – doesn’t help matters. But she’s never brought her work home. Until now.

Her latest mission is uncomfortably complex, and threatens the fragile peace between the vampire and mage races. As Sabina scrambles to figure out which side she’s on, she uncovers a tangled political web, some nasty facts about her family and some unexpected new talents. Any of these things could be worryingly life-changing, but together, they could be fatal…

This time, it’s personal.

Read more after the jump »

Review: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs (Jane Jameson, 1) by Molly Harper

Paranormal Romance

Pocket Star (March 31, 2009)

384 pages

From Amazon.com:

Jane Jameson’s mama said there’d be days like this. Fired as the children’s librarian in Half Moon Hollow, Kentucky; broken-down car late at night. But mama didn’t think about the possibility of Jane getting shot by a deer hunter and left for dead. Or being made the undead by Gabriel Nightengale so she’d have a second chance at, well, life. Adjusting to life without chocolate and sunbathing—never mind a job—has its challenges, but sexy Gabriel is one major perk. If only she can figure out how to tell her parents about her new liquid diet. And who is trying to frame her for murder?

Read more after the jump »

Debut Review: Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill

Some Girls Bite (Chicagoland Vampires, 1) by Chloe Neill

Urban Fantasy

NAL Trade (April 7, 2009)

ISBN: 978-0451226259

352 pages

I'm going to start off my blog with the first in the new series, Chicagoland Vampires.

From Amazon.com:

First in a brand new series about a Chicago graduate student’s introduction into a society of vampires.

Sure, the life of a graduate student wasn’t exactly glamorous, but it was Merit’s. She was doing fine until a rogue vampire attacked her. But he only got a sip before he was scared away by another bloodsucker—and this one decided the best way to save her life was to make her the walking undead.

Read more after the jump »

Contact Me

Review Policy

Authors/agents/publicists: Contact Me

Style

I'm a journalist, so I believe in always offering an unbiased opinion in my reviews. While you won't find anything written here to be mean-spirited, it will definitely contain my honest impressions.

My reviews are usually in a basic capsule format. They always include bibliographical info as well as links to Amazon. I include a plot summary either from Amazon or the author's/book's site. I never include spoilers. Instead, I speak about tone, writing style, flow, and plot and character development.

Each review contains a letter grade at the conclusion of the post. Below is a summation of my feelings on the book as it pertains to the grade. There are the occasional +'s or -'s depending on the book. Everything just doesn't fit into the following categories so neatly.

Note: I am open to blog tours, author interviews and guest bloggers.

Grading System:

A - Couldn't be much better

B - I'm happy I read it

C - Just ok. If it's part of a series then I'll probably check out the next one.

D - Something went wrong there.

F - Frankly, it sucked. Period.


Accessibility

All of my posts get a portion of them cross-posted, with a link to the entire review, on Goodreads and LibraryThing. My feed is also automatically published on Facebook, Twitter and several Ning groups such as Book Blogs. I occasionally post on Amazon and Barnes & Noble but, if a request is made, I'll definitely include them. For the links to my profiles on some of these sites, see my About Me page.


Priority

Books reviewed here are often a combination of review copies/ARCs and books that I have bought myself. If I choose to review an ARC or recently released book, I will try to review it as near to the release date as possible. Requested books will be reviewed at some point, while unsolicited books are not guaranteed a review. I do not review self-published books and I will consider e-books on a case-by-case basis.

Genres that I will accept:

Literary & General Fiction

Mystery/Suspense

Humor

Chick-lit

Contemporary & Historical Romance

Graphic Novels

Young Adult

Urban Fantasy

Paranormal Romance

Horror

Steampunk

Biographies/Memoirs

Classics

Non-fiction about Art or Fashion/Style

Genres that I won't accept:

Middle grade or Children's

Self-help

Christian Fiction

Poetry Collections (I enjoy them but won't review them)

Any other sort of non-fiction that's not listed above

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