2013 June Goodreads Reader Challenge

10 of 10 Completed

June Challenge Thread

1. “J" is for June: One Sweet Ride (Play by Play, #6) by Burton, Jaci 6/5
Read a book that starts with 'J’ or a book whose author's first or last name starts with 'J’.
2. Happy Birthday Angie!: True by Erin McCarthy 6/9
Read a book from a June birthday celebrant's GR bookshelf whose name/nickname starts with the same letter as yours OR match the date of your birthday (1-30) to a member on the RRRC June Birthday List. If no initials or dates match exactly, pick the next closest letter or date (above or below).
3. Geography: Returning Pride (The Pride #3) by Sanders, Jill 6/17
Read a book whose author, character or setting is from Spain. Spain is known for their art (Goya, Picasso, and Dali), architecture, music (Flamenco, classical guitar), and cinema, so read a book that incorporates the arts or an artist.
4. Father's Day (June 16): Finding Pride (The Pride #1) by Jill Sanders
Read a book with a father as a main character or with a father-to-be (pregnancy in story).
5. Flag Day (June 14): All the Right Moves by Leigh, Jo 6/10
Read a book with a military/political theme or character, or a book that takes place in a country that you would like to visit.
6. Summer Solstice (June 21): Summer in Napa (St. Helena Vineyard, #2) by Adair, Marina 6/8
Summer is finally here!!! Read a book that takes place in the summer, has summer or sun in the title, or has a summer themed cover.
7. LGBT Pride Month: Discovering Pride (The Pride #2) by Sanders, Jill 6/16 (And it has PRIDE in the title)
Read a book in the LGBT genre, has a LGBT character, or the cover has at least three colors of the rainbow on it.
8. Rebuild Your Life Month: I Cross My Heart by Thompson, Vicki Lewis 6/4
Read a book where a main character makes a big change in their life. Ex: New job, moves to a new city, divorce, adoption, rehab, etc.
9. Name Your Poisen Day (June 8): Animal Attraction by Foster, Lori 6/7
Read a book from one of your favorite genres that you have been neglecting lately.
10. Readers Choice: You're The One (Bad Boys of Red Hook, #2) by Kaye, Robin 6/8

Review: Hot As Fire

Hot As Fire by Virginia Henley

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I read this book because of the Goodreads RT Convention challenge. I believe that this was originally an anthology story as it is only 83 pages long. It was an enjoyable quick read.



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Review: Bayou Bride

Bayou Bride by Jennifer Blake

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Not sure what to think of this story. I read it because it satisfies a requirement in the Goodreads RT Convention Author challenge. Basically, the premise is off. Now I realize that this was originally published in 1978 but still. There is actually a reference to "stopping milk delivery" which I found odd because no one I know was still having milk delivered in 1978...1968 probably but not 1978. The pretend finace thing isn't the issue but I think the extremes that Lucien went to and Sherry's acceptance were what put me off.



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Review: Where Dreams Reside

Where Dreams Reside by M.L. Buchman

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoy Buchman's books and this one isn't an exception. Enjoyable easy read with great characters. Unfortunately, I missed the first book in the series but am looking forward to the next book and Perrin's story.



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Review: She's the One

She's the One by Erin Nicholas

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I enjoy Nicholas's writing and this book is no different. The story is fun and steamy with enchanting characters. What more can you ask for in a summer read?

My favorite quote in the book: "There’s a lot of stress and strife in this world. The people you surround yourself with intentionally, that you care about and share things with, shouldn’t be part of that stress."



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Review: Gilt

Gilt by JL Wilson

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Arrgh. You could predict who did it almost from the beginning. And the female character kept fighting the obvious. Frustrating read.



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Review: Returning Pride

Returning Pride by Jill Sanders

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I am enjoying this series. Great characters and stories. One of the things that I really like about these stories is that they deal with difficult subjects such as Alzheimer's and deafness and domestic violence.

Although it struck me with this one that the books need editing...not just spell checking. "Every" should have been "ever;" "sit" should have been "it;" "pairs" should have been "Paris;" "pulled" should have been "pull;"



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Review: Finding Pride

Finding Pride by Jill Sanders

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Okay...I generally I like it. As I was reading this book, it occurred to me that there was no discussion of the use of birth control or preventing disease. Low and behold, a few pages later the protagonist is pregnant. DUH! Still the story and characters are enjoyable!



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Review: Discovering Pride

Discovering Pride by Jill Sanders

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



I am enjoying this series. Entertaining story and characters. A nice summer read.



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Review: Can't Stop Believing

Can't Stop Believing by Jodi Thomas

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



One of my pet peeves in a story is a protagonist who keeps a secret when they know they shouldn't...particularly when the character is a woman. The great thing about the Thomas's Harmony series are the characters including the supporting characters. This isn't just Cord and Nevada's story, it is also Ronny's story of dealing with someone you love being terminally ill.



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Review: Deathtrap

Deathtrap by Dana Marton

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



For a little community, Broslin Creek has a high murder rate. And a police force that is transitioning from single to married. But what makes Marton's stories worthwhile is the interesting facets she includes. In this story, Sophie is a transplant patient and Marton provides a fascinating look into the issues a transplant patient faces.

Don't worry about reading the series in order. While the characters overlap, there really isn't much interaction. Each story pretty much stands alone.



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Review: True

True by Erin McCarthy

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Apparently there is a genre I didn't know about called "New Adult" which has been around since 2009. "New Adult" refers to protagonists in the 18-25 age bracket. First, I find this age bracket interesting because half of the bracket is in that frustrating age range where they aren't trusted to drink but they can be trusted with a gun and going to war. (Yes, it is a pet peeve of mine. See below for more on why.)

I picked up this book because I am a fan of Erin McCarthy. I postponed reading it because of some early reviews...but I'm glad I went ahead. If you have "new adult" children, you will recognize some of the behaviors and decisions that they are going through. I'm looking forward to reading the next installment of this series.

Tirade: A recent story on NPR highlighted how "under age" victims of assault represented by the AF JAG victims unit were, if alcohol was involved, frequently charged themselves with under age drinking. Meaning that fewer assaults were being reported. Yep, blame the victim!



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Review: All the Right Moves

All the Right Moves by Jo Leigh

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Captain John Devlin, USAF Fighter Pilot, is trying to decide what to do with his career. Faced with the death of one of his best friends and the other no longer eligible to fly, he questions whether he still belongs in the USAF.

Cassie O'Brien is just trying to get through school without killing her brother. Injured in Iraq, he has a chip on his shoulder and is making life difficult for Cassie and everyone around him.

This book is an enjoyable quick read.



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Review: Animal Attraction

Animal Attraction by Lori Foster

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



The most important thing about this book is that the authors are donating all of their proceeds from Animal Attraction to the Animal Adoption Foundation of Hamilton, OH, a charitable organization.

I enjoyed BUCKHORN EVER AFTER by Lori Foster and SHELTER by Heidi Betts best. Anxious to see if Foster will be following with more Buckhorn stories.

IMAGINE ME AND YOU by Maisey Yates
This story dragged and dragged for me but it did have one of my favorite lines: "Fear was a dumbass state to live in."

PARTNER IN CRIME by Jules Bennett
This is the story of Saige, a woman committed to protecting animals. This quote from the book really sums up the story and why the donation that these authors are making from the book proceeds are important. "The thought of anyone mistreating an animal made her want to commit murder. She knew abuse happened to adults, children, animals, and all of it sickened her. The bullying, the power trips those sick people got from controlling a weaker being was positively an illness. And to harm a defenseless animal.."



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Review: You're The One

You're The One by Robin Kaye

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Logan thought he couldn't love and could enter into a marriage that was more a business arrangement. Until he returned home and met Skye...now he wants it all.

Great characters that you care about.



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Review: Summer in Napa

Summer in Napa by Marina Adair

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is the second book of the series set in St. Helena, Napa. This small, historic community setting is working on a transformation of its own just like the characters in the series. In this book, Alexis leaves her cheating husband and returns home to St. Helena only to find herself attracted to her exes best friend. While this could be formulaic, Adair gives us great characters and dialogue.

Favorite Quote: "She likes my dog, doesn’t take my crap, and looks at me like I can be the kind of man Dad was. When she cooks…she wears this apron…And I love her so damn much that I have no idea how I’m suppose to wake up tomorrow and pretend like my life hasn’t just fucking ended” ~Marco Delucca



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Review: Kissing Under the Mistletoe

Kissing Under the Mistletoe by Marina Adair

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



First, I started reading this series out of order by reading Summer in Napa before reading Kissing Under the Mistletoe. The fact that I went back to read the first book should tell you something. I love the characters in the series and enjoy Adair's writing. You are going to want to catch up because Autumn in the Vineyard comes out in October.

My favorite quote from the book: Regan did what any grown woman would do when caught committing a crime. She stepped off the toilet, shoved the flyers behind her back, and slammed the stall door. Then she sat on the toilet lid and pulled her legs up to her chest.



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Review: One Sweet Ride

One Sweet Ride by Jaci Burton

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



One Sweet Ride is definitely an erotic romance novel. There is as much or more "action" in the book than in the story line. That said, I enjoy Burton's characters...particularly this group of athletes who have been friends since college. One Sweet Ride is Gray and Evelyn's story and is the 6th book in the Play by Play series. I was disappointed that although Evelyn claims to be driven by her career, she seemed to be spending more time in bed (or other places) with Gray than actually working. And there was an opportunity for her to mentor Stacie while she wasn't in school. I enjoy erotic romance...but I need more than just a bunch of sex scenes hooked together. Burton does it better than many other authors.

Books 1 through 5 were focused on the Riley's - a family of successful athletes. In Play by Play Book 5, we meet Garrett and his friends which is where the storyline continues in One Sweet Ride.



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Review: I Cross My Heart

I Cross My Heart by Vicki Lewis Thompson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



HAPPINESS IS A CHOICE! Nash never expected to come face-to-face with the author he blamed for his divorce. Even as a writer of self-help books, Bethany has some demons of her own to face. But together they create their own happiness.

This is book 10 in the Sons of Chance series. The series highlights small town life, rugged cowboys, blended families and giving back. This book is no exception to this successful formula with interesting characters.





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2013 May Goodreads Reader Challenge

8 of 10 Completed

May Challenge Thread

1. “M" is for May: Halfway There (Fool's Gold, #10.5) by Mallery, Susan 5/6
Read a book that starts with 'M’ or a book whose author's first or last name starts with 'M’.
2. Happy Birthday Anne!: The Summer I Dared by Barbara Delinsky 
Read a book from a May birthday celebrant's GR bookshelf whose name/nickname starts with the same letter as yours OR match the date of your birthday (1-31) to a member on the RRRC May Birthday List. If no initials or dates match exactly, pick the next closest letter or date (above or below).
3. Geography: Scrumptious by Amanda Usen  5/23
Read a book whose author, character or setting is from Portugal OR Portugal is known for their amazing food & wine, so read a book with a chef OR has food and/or wine on the cover.
4. May Day (May 1): Wounded by Wilder, Jasinda (New Author) 5/8
Spring is the air! Read a new to you author, series, genre or subgenre.
5. Star Wars Day (May 4): Wind Chime Point (Ocean Breeze #2) by Woods, Sherryl 5/18
Read a sci fi book OR futuristic book OR a book that’s part of a trilogy.
6. National Tourist Appreciation Day (May 6): Stormy Montana Sky(Montana Sky, #3) by Holland, Debra 5/8
Read a book that takes place in a location you’ve never visited before.
7. Clean Up Your Room Day (May 10):  Deathscape (Broslin Creek Trilogy, #1) by Dana Marton 5/26
Which for us means... clean up your TBR! Read a book that’s been on your TBR shelf for a while now.
8. Lucky Penny Day (May 23): Champagne and Lemon Drops: A Blueberry Springs Chick Lit Contemporary Romance(Blueberry Springs, #1) by Oram, Jean 5/25
Let’s save some $$! Read one of those freebies or cheapies you’ve found OR a book you’ve borrowed OR reread a favorite.
9. Memorial Day (May 27): Touching Ghost (SEALs On Fire #6) by Carlysle, Regina
Read a book where a MC serves or has served in the military
10. Readers Choice: Whisper's Edge: A Cricket Creek Novel by McLane, Luann 5/13