Tuesday, April 13, 2010

Hogwarts Reading Challenge Mini Challenge


Hogwarts Reading Challenge

Mini Challenge




Prefect Badge (Perfect)

Time frame is one month April 14th to May 15t

So what do you have to do?






There are two ways to when this badge.

*First way: read at least 3 books with the word Perfect in the title.

or

*Second way: read at least 3 books that you give a perfect rating to. You do not have to blog the books but you do have to tell me why you gave it a perfect rating.




Points - 10 points (max 30 points) an additional 25 points for completing the challenge. Meaning you read all 3 will receive 30 points plus 25 bonus points for a total of 55 points.




***Yes, you can do any combination of the two options. Ex: read 2 books with perfect in the title and 1 book that you have given a perfect rating to.




Have Fun and Happy Reading!!!









Our Prefect Badge Students

Erin - Gryffindor House

Aleksandra - Gryffindor House

Tenia F - Slytherin House

If I left you out leave a link in the comments so I can find your books. Thanks and congrats to our Prefects! Here are your badges







Friday, April 9, 2010

Naked in Death by J.D. Robb


Naked in Death
by J.D. Robb
3.5 stars
A to Z Challenge 2010, Monthly Mixer Mele, Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge 2010

Naked in Death is the first book in the In Death series. The series stars Lieutenant Eve Dallas. In this book we learn some of the background into Eve's childhood. The abuse, neglected, and ultimately the adandonment. It took such a toll on her emotional that she blocked out everything before the age of 8.

This first book starts off with the murder of a far right Senator granddaughter. As the story unfolds a laundry list of lies, betrayal, and deceit comes out. The murder and subsquent murders are horrific. What set these murders apart from others that Eve has dealt with is the murder weapon, it's quite unusual for this not so far in the future crime novel.

The past of this book is fast. Some may get bogged down or deterred by the new term (which I will list later). There are several suspects that keeps the readers interest. And the sexy, powerful, and rich Roark is introduced to us. I recommend you read this novel. I would say it should be on your to read list but probably not on the top of it.

Friday, April 2, 2010

A to Z Challenge 2010


January 1, 2010 to December 31, 2010.

How does this reading challenge work? Choose the option that works best for you...

Authors -- Read alphabetically by author. Commit to 26 books.
Titles -- Read alphabetically by title. Commit to 26 books.
Authors & Titles -- Commit to reading 52 books


How strict is the 26 or 52? I know it isn't always easy to find those difficult letters. The thought of finding the X's (for example) might scare folks away. It shouldn't! I'm a merciful host! (Ask anyone!)

If you want to give the X's a go... For authors, try to find an X in the first name, middle name, or last name. For titles, it doesn't have to be the starting word. Try to find an X somewhere in a title, and it'd count in my book.

Still can't find a book for the letter you need? I'll take your word for it. I've been there. I know. If your library doesn't see the need to order books just because it starts with an X, then I don't blame you for not wanting to special order a book that you may or may not enjoy. You gave it your best, don't feel bad. You can still make this challenge work for you.

To Sign Up for this challenge click here

Books

A: Aftermath, The by Anna J 06/01/2010
B: Bitch by Deja King 06/18/2010
C:
D:Dreams from My Father by Barack Obama 03/17/2010
E:Every Thug Nees A Lady by Wahida Clark 10/24/2010
F:
G:
I:
K:
L: Led Astray by Sandra Brown03/26/2010
M:
N:Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 04/05/2010
O:
P:
Q:
S:Shameless Hoodwives by De'nesha Diamond & Meesha Mink 07/2010
U:
V:
W:
X:
Y:
Z:

Thriller & Suspense Reading Challenge 2010


To read TWELVE (12) thrillers in 2010

Details:

• You don't have to select your books ahead of time, you can just add them as you go. Also if you do list them upfront then you can change them, nothing is set in stone! The books you choose can crossover into other challenges you have on the go.

• If you decide to participate in this challenge please use the links I have set up below with the buttons to post on your sidebar, this way others can find their way back to this post and join in the fun.

• If you decide to join this challenge be sure to create a post telling others, please make sure you add a link back to this post so others can join in.

• You can join anytime between now and the later part of next year.

• You can find link to specific month to link your reviews HERE and be entered into the monthly prize draw. Non-bloggers welcome.

Now, there are many different sub-genres of thriller, so don't go thinking that you don't actually read these kinds of books because I bet you read more than you think. As I mentioned above you can choose from the numerous sub-genres, from cosy mysteries such as Agatha Christie to the more hard-boiled kind like V I Warshawski by Sara Paretsky, or even supernatural/paranormal suspense written by the likes of Laurell K Hamilton (Anita Blake) and Kelley Armstrong. So, there you have it, this challenge will have something for everyone I'm sure! :)
Naked in Death by J.D. Robb 04/05/2010

J.D. Robb

J.D. Robb is the pseudonym used by Nora Roberts. J.D. Robb has written the In Death series starring main character Eve Dallas. I have decided to read and of course review all the books. There isn't a time frame for this endeavor, it'll take as long as it takes. I will also update the lingo as the series takes place in the near future around 2050.


The book list

The In Death Series

Naked in Death, July 1995 [Read 04/05/2010 review]
Glory in Death, December 1995
Immortal in Death, July 1996
Rapture in Death, October 1996
Ceremony in Death, May 1997
Vengeance in Death, October 1997
Holiday in Death, June 1998
Conspiracy in Death, April 1999
Loyalty in Death, October 1999 [Read 07/2009 review]
Witness in Death, March 2000
Judgment in Death, September 2000
Betrayal in Death, March 2001
Seduction in Death, September 2001
Reunion in Death, March 2002
Purity in Death, September 2002
Portrait in Death, March 2003
Imitation in Death, September 2003
Divided in Death, January 2004
Visions in Death, August 2004
Survivor in Death, February 2005
Origin in Death, July 2005
Memory in Death, January 2006
Born in Death, November 2006
Innocent in Death, February 2007
Creation in Death, November 2007
Strangers in Death, February 2008
Salvation in Death, November 2008
Promises in Death, February 2009
Kindred in Death, November 2009
Fantasy in Death, February 2010

In Death Novella

Robb novella included in Remember When (featuring two connected stories from Nora Roberts and J. D. Robb), May 2004
Big Jack, March 2010 (stand-alone publication) [Read 04/02/2010 review]

****Note the first half of Remember When is also published as a stand alone called Hot as Ice by Nora Roberts. The second half is published as a stand alone called Big Jack by J.D. Robb

In Death stories included in Anthologies

“Midnight in Death,” Silent Night, November 1998
“Interlude in Death,” Out of This World, August 2001
“Haunted in Death,” Bump in the Night, April 2006
“Eternity in Death,” Dead of Night, November 2007
“Ritual in Death,” Suite 606, November 2008
“Missing in Death,” The Lost, December 2009

Remember When by Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb



Remember When
by Nora Roberts and J.D. Robb
3.5 stars

Monthly Mixer Mele


My first thought about the book was “written by me and me” how weird is that? I am not sure how many people know that that J.D. Robb and Nora Roberts are one in the same. I thought what a clever way to get Nora Roberts fans to read J.D. Robb and vice versa.

The first part of the book is written by Nora Roberts. It, of course, gives the set up and background information for the plot throughout the novel. Roberts part is more about the love story between Laine Tavish and Max Gannon. The circumstances that brought them together is an important aspect of the novel as a whole but is more the means of getting the couple together in the first part of the book. Laine Tavish was born Elaine O’Hara, daughter to Jack O’Hara. Jack O’Hara was a theft and was passing that legacy on to Laine until her mother decided enough was enough and moved. Laine changed her name not because she was totally ashamed of her father but she was afraid that the name would prevent her from having the life she wanted because of people who believe apple not falling far from the tree. Max Gannon is an ex-cop turn private investigator. He was hired by the insurance company to track down over 28 million dollars of stolen diamonds. His investigation leads him to Laine and from there his heart never stood a chance. (First part takes place in 2003)

The second part of the story is written by J.D. Robb. It focuses more on the diamond heist. In the first part we learn that the diamonds were split into four parts. Jack pocketed a few stones just in case something happen with his share but 3 of the parts was found, one was still out there. Samantha granddaughter of Laine and Max wrote a book about the diamond heist. After coming off of her book tour she finds her friend and house sitter dead. It is up to Lieutenant Eve Dallas, newly promoted Detective Peabody and the ever endearing Roark to find out who is behind the murders. Eve is certain that whoever it is has a personal connection to those diamonds. The underlining theme of this novel is the question of nature or nurture.

I listened to the audio version of the book. The flow and pace was smooth. I never felled bogged down by too much useless information or stalling. The reader, Susan Erickson, does a wonderful job. With audio books, the reader’s voice is just as important as the story. If I do not like the reader’s voice then my experience with that audio book is done. Overall this was an entertaining read.