February Wrap Up

Here’s all the books I finished in February:

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews 4 stars

I read this as an audiobook. I love this series & recommend it to anyone who loves Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Magic Steals (Night Shift) by Ilona Andrews 4 stars

This is a novella about two side characters. All I have to say about it is: I want more!!

Lucky Charms (Night Shift) by Lisa Shearin 4 stars

This is the prequel novella to Lisa Shearin’s SPI series. Its a supernatural detective-ish series. The novella intrigued me I want to read the first book in the series.

The Job by Janet Evanovich 4 stars

This is the third book in the Fox & O’hare series. I’ve described this series as a combination of White Collar & Leverage. I love it & will keep reading them!

Animal Attraction by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book two.

Rescue My Heart by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book three

Animal Magnetism by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book one

Kiss Me If You Can by Carly Phillips 3 stars

Contemporary romance. I found it unrealistic, even the subplot. I thought it was ok.

Then Came You by Jill Shalvis 3 stars

Animal Magnetism book five

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede 5 stars

This is the first book in the middle grade series, Enchanted Forest Chronicles. I found this book very engaging & a bit silly. Its about a princess who runs away to live with dragons.

Night Diver by Elizabeth Lowell 3 stars

I found this story to be pretty predictable. Now I say that after having read almost all of Elizabeth Lowell’s romantic suspense novels since I was in high school.

2015 Reading Challenge January Update

So I read a lot during January...

I have one more book to read to finish the Lucky Harbor Series by Jill Shalvis.

This is a contemporary romance series set in Lucky Harbor. 

All of the books are about 300-350 pages long, 

I have read all of them in one sitting in about 3 hours or so. 

(I read fast, I'm not bragging.)

I was also lucky enough to receive Ally Carter's newest book All Fall Down in advance.

Now I was going to be able to go to her signing & launch part on January 20th in 

Tulsa, but I got sick :(

 (This is what I received in the mail!)

Here is my Bingo Card:

Here is what I've read for each square:

11. New Release One Book: All Fall Down by Ally Carter

20. Graphic Novel: Hawkeye, My Life as a Weapon

21. Series One Book: Forever & a Day by Jill Shalvis

22. Series Two Books: Once in a Lifetime and Always on my Mind by Jill Shalvis

23. Series Three Books: Head over Heels, Lucky in Love, 

and It’s in His Kiss by Jill Shalvis

24. Series Four Books:  Once in a Million, He’s So Fine, At Last, 

and Under the Mistletoe by Jill Shalvis

25. Series Five Books: The Sweetest Thing, Simply Irresistible by Jill Shalvis

As you can see I'm only showing what I've read. I'm almost done (kinda) with Five Books in a Series, so I showed what I've read so far. I decided to not plan out what I'm going to read this year. 

Hopefully it will help me complete my bingo card this year!

How are your reading challenges going?

Book Bingo 2015

I am going to try to complete the Book Bingo again this year. Since Kristilyn over at Reading in Winter isn't doing this challenge this year (she's doing a read locally challenge), I thought I'd create my own for 2015. 

I did change it up a bit, I personally struggled with the new releases so I reduced the number of new releases & added in some re-reads. I kept in the TBR & the Series columns & added in more genres!

So here is the scorecard:

Rules:

1. Have fun! 

2. The challenge runs for all of 2015, you can join at any time!

3. Each book can only count towards one square. No take backs!

4. Let me know if you're participating by commenting below. I'd love to know who all is!

5. I am going to updates every quarter on my progress.

6. A winning scorecard is one which is completely filled out,

otherwise known as a blackout!

Good Luck & Happy Reading!

Stephanie

Edit: Please feel free to download the scorecard for your own use,

if you are going to use it for your blog please link it back to me!

Thanks!

2014 Reading Challenge Update!

My final update of 2014 for my Reading Challenges.

Goodreads Challenge: COMPLETE 66/65 books

BINGO Challenge: Incomplete :( 

I didn't complete a full card but I did complete 3 columns! Really struggled with the TBR & New Release columns. 

Here is the final 2014 BINGO Scorecard:

Here is what I read for each square:

Finished Squares:

1. One Book in TBR The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2. Two Books in TBR Heart of Steel and My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster

3. Three Books in TBR Her Mad Hatter and Gerard's Beauty by Marie Hall, 

The First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones

6. Non Fiction Joss Whedon by Amy Pascal

7. Classic The Hero & the Crown by Robin McKinley

 8. ReRead Hidden Star by Nora Roberts

9. Free Square Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

10. Contemporary The Heist by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

11. One Book in a Series Captive Star by Nora Roberts

12. Two Books in a Series Down London Road and Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young

13. Three Books in a Series Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, 

and Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

14. Four Books in a Series Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, 

and Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

15. Five Books in a Series Divergent by Veronica Roth, Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke, Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews, The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper, Blood Magic by Nora Roberts

16. Fantasy Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster   

17. Free Square  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

18. Historical Fiction Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster

19. Mystery Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

20. Romance On Dublin Street by Samantha Young                    

21. One New Release The Chase by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

22. Two New Releases Shattered by Kevin Hearne, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su & Kate Rorick

Incomplete Squares:

4. Four Books in TBR Magic Mourns by Ilona Andrews, Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews, Magic Dreams by Ilona Andrews

5. Five Books in TBR 

23. Three New Releases Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts, The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas & Jennifer Graham, Forged by Desire by Bec McMaster

24. Four New Releases The Job by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

25. Five New Releases

Top 5 Wednesday

Books I'd Recommend for Halloween 

I'm not a huge fan of scary movies & even less of scary books. 

But I do read all around the fantasy & supernatural genres.

Which is where my recommendations are from.

So after putting this list together I realize I read a lot of series, vampire, & steampunk books & series.

1.  Elemental Assassin Series by Jennifer Estep

 There are 12 books in the series starting with Spider's Bite, and around 13 or so novellas. They're pretty quick reads & I really like the ones I've read so far.

2. The Immortal Empire Trilogy by Kate Locke

This is a steampunkish supernatural trilogy. The mythos in this series is one I haven't read before or since. I have loved Xandra since the first book, God Save the Queen.

3. Parasol Protectorate Series by Gail Carriger

I started this series & marathoned the first three books and then stopped. I really need to finish this series & the find out how it concludes. There are five books in this series, starting with Soulless.

4. London Steampunk Series by Bec McMaster

I picked up Kiss of Steel, the first book, from the library & thoughly enjoyed it. I immediately read the next two & the fourth is on my immediate TBR!

5. Kate Daniels Series by Ilona Andrews

 I have been binge reading (listening) to this series. Seriously the last 5 books added to my read bookshelf on Goodreads is from this series. I have to say Magic Bites, the first book, isn't the best in the series, but it is still enjoyable & it only gets better.

Top 5 Wednesday

Favorite Titles

1. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This title just intrigued me & I wanted to know what it was all about.

2. Trapped by Kevin Hearne

How are they trapped? Will they get out of it?

3. Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews

This title seems to be such a contradiction & peaks my curiosity.

4. Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

This title just fits the characters in the story. Love it!

5. The Queen is Dead by Kate Locke

This title made me say what? Why is the queen dead?

What are your favorite titles?

Reading Challenge Update: Uh-Oh!

Uh-Oh! I may not complete my Bingo Card!!

So I'm updating my reading challenge & I'm noticing a trend. I've a lot of books to read in the New Releases squares. I started looking at my TBR & the books I've been getting or reading lately & all the new releases are books 4 & 5 in series I'm not up to date in! 

HELP! 

I have one book which will be released on November 18th I want to read. But! It still leaves me with 10 new releases to find & read read in 2 months! What should I pick up and read?

Onto the update:

I finished a column!!!

Finished Squares:

1. One Book in TBR  The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

2. Two Books in TBR Heart of Steel and My Lady Quicksilver by Bec McMaster

8. ReRead Hidden Star by Nora Roberts

9. Free Square Steelheart by Brandon Sanderson

10. Contemporary The Heist by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

11. One Book in a Series Captive Star by Nora Roberts

12. Two Books in a Series Down London Road and Before Jamaica Lane

by Samantha Young

13. Three Books in a Series Heist Society, Uncommon Criminals, 

and Perfect Scoundrels by Ally Carter

14. Four Books in a Series Magic Bites, Magic Burns, Magic Strikes, 

and Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

16. Fantasy Kiss of Steel by Bec McMaster   

17. Free Square  How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper                                           18. Historical Fiction Heart of Iron by Bec McMaster

19. Mystery Hidden Riches by Nora Roberts

20. Romance On Dublin Street by Samantha Young                    

21. One New Release The Chase by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

22. Two New Releases Shattered by Kevin Hearne, 

The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su & Kate Rorick

In Progress Squares:

So you may notice I have taken off what I had planned on reading for each square with the exception of two books. I have a hard time following a reading plan, so to take some pressure off I removed "the plan."

3. Three Books in TBR Her Mad Hatter and Gerard's Beauty by Marie Hall

4. Four Books in TBR 

 5. Five Books in TBR

6. Non Fiction

7. Classic 

15. Five Books in a Series Divergent by Veronica Roth, Assassin’s Curse by Cassandra Rose Clarke, Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews, 

The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

23. Three New Releases Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts  Forged by Desire by Bec McMaster, The Job by Janet Evanovitch & Lee Goldberg

24. Four New Releases

25. Five New Releases