MONTH IN REVIEW ~ NOVEMBER 2013

~ HAPPY HOLIDAYS ~ 

The year 2013 will soon be just a memory. 

I am two books away from reaching my goal of 200 books for the year. Some of my friends and family think this number is outrageous, but when I see what others have set over on Goodreads, I feel like I'm about average. 

What goals did you set with your reading? What were some of your favorite reads of the month? 

Here were my favorite reads for the month of November:

Hard As It Gets ~ Laura Kaye

Jake Undone ~ Penelope Ward

The Fifth Favor ~ Shelby Reed

The Curio Series ~ Cara Mckenna

Surprise Reads of the month were from Cara McKenna--Her Curio series is about a male prostitute who was simply delicious. Also, The Fifth Favor, by Shelby Reed. Her character, Adrian, was a very expensive male escort, who had become jaded with his life. Apparently, it was a month for men who liked to please the ladies.  

And now, for an update on my reading challenges:

~ 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge ~ 

Challenged: 20  Read: 38 

Hosted by UTC 

1. Vampires 
Challenged:  5  Read: 13 
Bonus reads: 13 

*Lover At Last ~ JR Ward
*Up From The Grave ~ Jeanine Frost
*A Kiss of Blood ~ Pamela Palmer
*Twice Tempted ~ Jeanine Frost
*Immortal Ever After ~ Lynsay Sands 

2. Angels/Demons
Challenged:  5   Read:5
Bonus Reads: 3
*Fifth Grave Past the Light ~ Darynda Jones
*Death, Doom, and Detention ~ Darynda Jones
*The Collector ~ Victoria Scott
*Forbidden ~ Syrie James
* Natural Born Angel ~ Scott Spear

3. Fae/Witches/Magic
Challenged:  5  Read:7 
Bonus Reads: 4

*Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning
*Glass Heart ~ Amy Garvey
*Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness
*Winterblaze ~ Kristen Callihan
*Endure ~ Carrie Jones 

4. Shifters/Were
Challenged:  5  Read:11 
Bonus Reads:8

*MacReive ~ Kresley Cole
*Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan
*Fury of Desire ~ Coreene Callahan
*Black Moon ~ JD Tyler
*Hunter's Heart ~ JD Tyler

Men In Uniform Reading Challenge

Challenged: 13 (Captain)  Read: 21 

1.  Forged In Fire ~ Trish McCallan 

2. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter 

3. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

4. Battered Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

5. SEALed Forever Mary Margaret Daughtridge

6. Heat of the Moment ~ Elle Kennedy

7. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

8. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

9. Bare It All ~ Lori Foster

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton

11. Taking A Shot ~ Jaci Burton

12. Thrown By A Curve ~ Jaci Burton

13. Hard Way ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads: 18

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

Challenged:  13    Read:18  

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. The Heart of a Killer ~ Jaci Burton

3. Underground Guardians-Protector ~ Lisa Renee Jones

4. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

5. Heart of Danger ~ Lisa Marie

 Rice

6. Mr. Real ~ Carolyn Crane

7. Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

8. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

9. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

10. Crazy Hot ~ Tara Janzen

11.  ?

12.  ?

13.  

Bonus Reads: 16

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 

Challenged: 10  Read:  31

**NOTE--with so many books coming out and 

considered New Adult, I had to look at my books  

and take out those I consider New Adult Genre. 

1. Unbeautifully ~ Madeline Sheehan

2. It Had to Be You ~ Jill Shalvis

3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe ~ Marina Adair

4. Fall Into You ~ Roni Loren

5. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

6. Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

7. Bare it All ~ Lori Foster

8. A Shot of Sultry ~ Macy Beckett

9. Caught Up In You ~ Roni Loren

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton 

*Bonus Reads: 24

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 10

Hosted by Fiktshun   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

3. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

4. Forbidden ~ Syrie James

5. Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning

6. Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness

7. Endure ~ Carrie Jones

8. Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan

9. Black Moon ~ JD Tyler

10. Battered, Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

11. Sealed Forever ~ Mary Margaret Daughtridge

12. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads:  6

I think for next year, I'm gonna have to put more thought 

into my selections, lol. I didn't read a lot of the books I 

thought I would. 

Are you doing any reading challenges? If so, what ones, 

and how are you doing in finishing them up? Leave me a 

comment, I'd love to hear from you. 

MONTH IN REVIEW ~ OCTOBER 2013

I thought I would do this a little different, since it is close to Halloween. ~ I would list some of my favorite paranormal books--one that I read was actually this month. Check them out if you like to live on the dark side...if you dare...

Here is an update of my reading challenges...I can't believe the year is almost over...talk about scary! 

~ 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge ~ 

Challenged: 20  Read: 38 

Hosted by UTC 

1. Vampires 
Challenged:  5  Read: 13 
Bonus reads: 13 

*Lover At Last ~ JR Ward
*Up From The Grave ~ Jeanine Frost
*A Kiss of Blood ~ Pamela Palmer
*Twice Tempted ~ Jeanine Frost
*Immortal Ever After ~ Lynsay Sands 

2. Angels/Demons
Challenged:  5   Read:5
Bonus Reads: 3
*Fifth Grave Past the Light ~ Darynda Jones
*Death, Doom, and Detention ~ Darynda Jones
*The Collector ~ Victoria Scott
*Forbidden ~ Syrie James
* Natural Born Angel ~ Scott Spear

3. Fae/Witches/Magic
Challenged:  5  Read:7 
Bonus Reads:4

*Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning
*Glass Heart ~ Amy Garvey
*Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness
*Winterblaze ~ Kristen Callihan
*Endure ~ Carrie Jones 

4. Shifters/Were
Challenged:  5  Read:11 
Bonus Reads:8

*MacReive ~ Kresley Cole
*Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan
*Fury of Desire ~ Coreene Callahan
*Black Moon ~ JD Tyler
*Hunter's Heart ~ JD Tyler

This reading challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

Men In Uniform Reading Challenge

Challenged: 13 (Captain)  Read: 17 

1.  Forged In Fire ~ Trish McCallan 

2. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter 

3. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

4. Battered Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

5. SEALed Forever Mary Margaret Daughtridge

6. Heat of the Moment ~ Elle Kennedy

7. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

8. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

9. Bare It All ~ Lori Foster

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton

11. Taking A Shot ~ Jaci Burton

12. Thrown By A Curve ~ Jaci Burton

13. Hard Way ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads: 14

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

Challenged:  13    Read:14  

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. The Heart of a Killer ~ Jaci Burton

3. Underground Guardians-Protector ~ Lisa Renee Jones

4. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

5. Heart of Danger ~ Lisa Marie

 Rice

6. Mr. Real ~ Carolyn Crane

7. Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

8. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

9. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

10. Crazy Hot ~ Tara Janzen

11.  ?

12.  ?

13.  

Bonus Reads: 12

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 

Challenged: 10  Read:  27 

**NOTE--with so many books coming out and 

considered New Adult, I had to look at my books  

and take out those I consider New Adult Genre. 

1. Unbeautifully ~ Madeline Sheehan

2. It Had to Be You ~ Jill Shalvis

3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe ~ Marina Adair

4. Fall Into You ~ Roni Loren

5. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

6. Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

7. Bare it All ~ Lori Foster

8. A Shot of Sultry ~ Macy Beckett

9. Caught Up In You ~ Roni Loren

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton 

*Bonus Reads:  20

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 10

Hosted by Fiktshun   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

3. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

4. Forbidden ~ Syrie James

5. Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning

6. Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness

7. Endure ~ Carrie Jones

8. Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan

9. Black Moon ~ JD Tyler

10. Battered, Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

11. Sealed Forever ~ Mary Margaret Daughtridge

12. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads:  6

Apparently, I suck. I cannot seem to make myself read the ones I actually have put on my lists. UGH! 

Fail. 

How about you? Are you doing any challenges? If so, are you meeting your goals? Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you ~ 

MONTH IN REVIEW ~ SEPTEMBER 2013

It's that time again...2013 is slowly making its way to the end. I friggin' can't believe it.

I have moved, somewhat settled in the new home, and trying like hell to get some semblance of a schedule and start back on my manuscript. But with fall weather, allergies and colds are bound to hit me and make things a bit crazy. I've already had two sick kids -- both with strep -- and the school year is so young.

For the month of September, I've read a whopping 9 books. That is on the low end for me. So, I'm sure I haven't met any reading challenge goals.

My Reads For August

Bound by Night ~ Larissa Ione

Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

Tell Me ~ Olivia Cunning

One Lucky Vampire ~ Lynsay Sands

Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

Styxx ~ Sherrilyn Kenyon

Unbound ~ Cara McKenna

Arrested by Love ~ Virna DePaul

Breaking Nova ~ Jessica Sorensen

Best Read of September ~ Styxx

Surprise Read of September ~ Mystery Man 

Sexiest Read of September ~ Tell Me 

~ 2013 Immortal Reading Challenge ~ 

Challenged: 20  Read: 36 

Hosted by UTC 

1. Vampires 
Challenged:  5  Read: 13 
Bonus reads: 11 

*Lover At Last ~ JR Ward
*Up From The Grave ~ Jeanine Frost
*A Kiss of Blood ~ Pamela Palmer
*Twice Tempted ~ Jeanine Frost
*Immortal Ever After ~ Lynsay Sands 

2. Angels/Demons
Challenged:  5   Read:5
Bonus Reads: 3
*Fifth Grave Past the Light ~ Darynda Jones
*Death, Doom, and Detention ~ Darynda Jones
*The Collector ~ Victoria Scott
*Forbidden ~ Syrie James
* Natural Born Angel ~ Scott Spear

3. Fae/Witches/Magic
Challenged:  5  Read:7 
Bonus Reads:4

*Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning
*Glass Heart ~ Amy Garvey
*Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness
*Winterblaze ~ Kristen Callihan
*Endure ~ Carrie Jones 

4. Shifters/Were
Challenged:  5  Read:11 
Bonus Reads:8

*MacReive ~ Kresley Cole
*Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan
*Fury of Desire ~ Coreene Callahan
*Black Moon ~ JD Tyler
*Hunter's Heart ~ JD Tyler

This reading challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

Men In Uniform Reading Challenge

Challenged: 13 (Captain)  Read: 14 

1.  Forged In Fire ~ Trish McCallan 

2. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter 

3. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

4. Battered Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

5. SEALed Forever Mary Margaret Daughtridge

6. Heat of the Moment ~ Elle Kennedy

7. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

8. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

9. Bare It All ~ Lori Foster

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton

11. Taking A Shot ~ Jaci Burton

12. Thrown By A Curve ~ Jaci Burton

13. Hard Way ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads: 11

The 2013 Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen

Romantic Suspense Reading Challenge

Challenged:  13    Read:13  

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. The Heart of a Killer ~ Jaci Burton

3. Underground Guardians-Protector ~ Lisa Renee Jones

4. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

5. Heart of Danger ~ Lisa Marie Rice

6. Mr. Real ~ Carolyn Crane

7. Mystery Man ~ Kristen Ashley

8. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

9. Shades of Gray ~ Maya Banks

10. Crazy Hot ~ Tara Janzen

11.  ?

12.  ?

13.  

Bonus Reads: 11

Contemporary Romance Reading Challenge 

Challenged: 10  Read:  26 

**NOTE--with so many books coming out and considered New Adult, I had to look at my books again and take out those I consider New Adult Genre. 

1. Unbeautifully ~ Madeline Sheehan

2. It Had to Be You ~ Jill Shalvis

3. Kissing Under the Mistletoe ~ Marina Adair

4. Fall Into You ~ Roni Loren

5. Love Irresistibly ~ Julie James

6. Getting Rowdy ~ Lori Foster

7. Bare it All ~ Lori Foster

8. A Shot of Sultry ~ Macy Beckett

9. Caught Up In You ~ Roni Loren

10. One Sweet Ride ~ Jaci Burton 

*Bonus Reads:  19

TBR Reading Challenge 

Challenged:  12   Read: 10

Hosted by Fiktshun   

1. Scorched ~ Laura Griffin

2. Fatal Destiny ~ Marie Force

3. Because of You ~ Jessica Scott

4. Forbidden ~ Syrie James

5. Iced ~ Karen Marie Moning

6. Shadow of Night ~ Deborah Harkness

7. Endure ~ Carrie Jones

8. Fury of Seduction ~ Coreene Callahan

9. Black Moon ~ JD Tyler

10. Battered, Not Broken ~ Ranae Rose

11. Sealed Forever ~ Mary Margaret Daughtridge

12. Hold 'Em ~ Katie Porter

Bonus Reads:  6

So, what was your favorite read for September? Tear-jerker? Hilarious? Sexy? 

Leave me a comment, I'd love to hear from you!