Sizzlin HAWT Series Challenge 2012

If you are like me, you probably have a ton of books in your TBR pile and have promised yourself that you will start that series...and just never get back to it.

I have a TON of series that I am dying to get to reading.

So, I thought I'd offer a challenge to help motivate me (and you) to get started.
The rules are simple:

• Pick as many series as you want to read for the year 2012. They can be in any genre (Contemporary Romance, YA, Paranormal, Erotica, Historical, etc). And they do NOT have to be a finished series (Example: The Hunger Games Trilogy is a Finished Series, however, The Black Daggerhood Series is not, but both can be listed)---the point is to CATCH UP to the current book in that particular series (by the end of the year).
• List your participation in this challenge on your blog and post the link below at the end of this post. Also-By Feb. 1, 2012, you should have listed the series that you want to catch up on your blog.  Title, author, and genre so that others may jot them down if they are interested in reading them.
• Tell how many books are currently in that series.
• Every time you finish a series, post about it on your blog-reviews are NOT necessary, but are encouraged. Tell what you like, didn't like about it. Would you reccomend this series?
• At the end of the year, tally how many completed series that you have read.
• You MUST be a follower of my blog-and if you go to other sites that are participating, check them out and leave a comment if you can. Bloggin is hard word that takes a shit-ton of dedication. Let them know what you think.
• Copy/Paste the button above on your blog so others can see it and check it out.

Example of posting a series:

1.  The Black Dagger Brotherhood ~ JR Ward  (9)  Romance/Paranormal
This is a great example because there will be another BDB book released in 2012. If you read it by the end of the year, then you have COMPLETED that series.

You can list as many series as you'd like...

When you post your completed series on your blog, come back here to post the link.
If you are interested in participating in this READING CHALLENGE, post your link below-make sure it is the link that takes you to your blogsite--and includes your interest in the challenge. 
Also, include the banner/button above in your posting. I do not know how to show a code, so to do this, I copy/paste as a pic, and embed the link in the pic.

In order to give people a chance to think about what series they want to enter, I will have this post and link open for the month of Jan. No further entries after January 31, 2012.
And to be fair to all, do not include any books read prior to January 31, 2012.

Start of challenge: Feb. 1, 2012
End of challenge:  Dec. 31, 2012

Level One (1-3) Series Completed = Sparkle and Sizzle
Level Two (4-6) Series Completed  = Feelin' The Burn
Level Three (7-10) Series Completed = Positivily Scorchin'

As this is new to me (offering challenges), please bear with any unforseen errors that may occur on my part. I have just figured out the linky thing--and hope that it works **crosses fingers**
And and ALL mistakes are my own--

*****If you are computer savvy (unlike moi), and LOVE to do blog buttons, I will gladly consider any ideas for this...I can offer you kudos and thanks and your name on the button.  If you are interested, please contact me. *****

There will be a prize at the end of the year!  I will put all names of the ones that reach a Level Three or more into a metaphorical hat (random.org) and select a grand prize winner.

Grand Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card -- to purchase more books, what else?
Winner will be selected after December 31, 2011 and posted on my blog-Please be sure to leave a comment below if you wish to participate along with your email address so that I may contact you if you win.

Also, any advice/help/input  about this READING CHALLENGE will be greatly appreciated.

Contest/Prize is open to INTL...as long as you have an address that I can send to, I will mail the prize.

Happy Reading!
CS Maxwell

My First Official Reading Challenge

I am hosting my first Reading Challenge. **Cue the applause.

Starting January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, I challenge myself to read at least 25 new authors for me. Every month, I will post what authors I have read, their book(s), and review their work. I would love for you guys to let me know how you are all doing as well with this challenge.

At the first of the year, I will post the 25 authors that I plan to read.

And if you have any suggestions on who I should put in my TBR pile, feel free to leave me a comment. I would LOVE to here from you.

I am not sure what kind of giveaways or prizes that I will be doing with this new feature on my blog--but I will keep you updated. Suggestions are truly appreciated.

Here is the list of authors that I hope to read this year:

1. Alexis Grant
2. Patricia Briggs
3. Ilona Andrews
4. Kevin Hearne
5. Sydney Croft
6. Jennifer Lyon
7. Annette Blair
8. Nalini Singh
9. Dee Davis
10. Christy Reece
11. Alexandra Adornetto
12. Karina Cooper
13. Kendra Leigh Castle
14. Susan Krinard
15. Karen Chance
16. Meljean Brook
17. Linda Wisdom
18. Jana Oliver
19. Ava Gray
20. Alexis Morgan
21. Rhyannon Byrd
22. Stephanie Chong
23.???

24.???

25.???

So, for the month of January-I hope to read Alexis Morgan, Christy Reece, and Dee Davis.
The theme of January (for me) is Military Romance.  Who are some of your fave military authors? 

I have never used a linky so if for some reason I do this wrong-forgive me...

If you would love to participate in this READING CHALLENGE, fill out the linky below:

Getting Ready For 2012 Reading Challenges

I can not belive that 2012 is sneaking its way here, the bitch. I am not ready. Christmas is just days away people, and I haven't even got my Mom's gift yet. ACK.
 As I get **cough**older, the years fly by, leaving me with a WTF expression on my face.
I like to think that with age comes wisdom. But, meh...not so much.  LOL. The number of brain cells is on the low side. But I have discovered that with age comes understanding.
Understanding of who and what you REALLY are. What your goals are. What your true passions are. What makes your hoohah sit up and take notice, lol.
I no longer do resolutions-I suck at them. And really, the diet/weight thing is just too much work. Just take all photos of me from the waist up. I can smile pretty.
So this coming year, I am going to do something different. I am going to challenge myself---To READ, To WRITE, and to spread the love of my PASSION on my blog to you guys.

I'm not sure how many Reading Challenges I will commit to, but it's so much fun surfing the net, searching for them. I discovered The Immortal Reading Challenge 2012 on the blog site, Cocktails and Books. The host blog is Under The Covers. Both blogs are really great! 
I am a huge fan of this genre, and the number of books out there regarding this phenomenom is HUGE.
My cup runneth over, lol.
There is a current list of Challenges on my blog--link over to that page to see what I am planning on for the next year. And if you have an awesome Challenge to share--don't hesitate to leave a comment.

Now, I will pimp the 2012 Immortal Reading Challenge.

Vampires, angels, demons, werewolves and fae. If you can’t pick a favourite, then that’s okay!

At UTC, we love them all! So let’s celebrate our love for all things immortal with 2012’s Immortal Reading Challenge.

Here’s the rundown:
1. The Immortals Reading Challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime from now and throughout the year. This is a 2012 challenge, so books read before January 1 will not count to your progress.  
2. You pick your goal! Read as many books as you’d like for each species. This means that you can do just one category or all five or a combination of. The choice depends on you and your reading pace.
*We have chosen to have a three book per species standard. However, if this is a breeze for you, then feel free to tackle on the additional bonus entries of two more books of the same level.
3. Re-reads are acceptable.
4. Books chosen can be of any genre.
5. To participate, copy and paste this post on your blog along with the challenge button. We ask that you provide a link back to the sign-up page in case others wish to participate.
6. Readers without blogs can still participate! Keep track of your progress with Goodreads, Shelfari or LibraryThing.

To sign up:

1.  Make a sign up post announcement, listing the level you've chosen and a list of books you plan to read.  If you don't have a blog, post on GoodReads or another site as a thread where we can access your list of books.  Be sure to take the image code above.

2.  Come back here and using the list below, add your entry with a link directly to that post so we can see what you'll be reading.

You're done!  Every month during 2012 we will make a challenge update post where you can come and updates us on how you're doing with your challenge.

Category 1: Vampires
Some ideas for Vampire books
Read any THREE books with vampires as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with vampires

My entries:  

• Lothaire ~ Kresley Cole
• Darker After Midnight ~ Lara Adrian
• Bound In Darkness~ Cynthia Eden

Category 2: Angels and Demons

Some ideas for Angels and Demons books
Read any THREE books with angels and/or demons as the main characters.
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books with angels and/or demons

My entries:

• Third Grave Dead Ahead ~ Darynda Jones
• A Devil Named Desire ~ Terri Garey
• Demons Prefer Blondes ~ Sidney Ayers

Category 3: Fae
Some ideas for Fae books
Read any THREE books with Fae as the main characters
Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on Fae.

My entries: 

• The Iron King ~ Julie Kagawa
• The Iron Daughter ~ Julie Kagawa
• The Iron Queen ~ Julie Kagawa

Category 4: Shifters/Werewolves

Some ideas for Shifter books

Read any THREE books with shifters or werewolves as the main characters.

Bonus Entries: Additional TWO books on shifters or werewolves.

My entries:

• Savage Awakeing ~ JD Tyler
• Dire Needs ~ Stephanie Tyler
• Alpha Instinct ~ Katie Reus

Head over to Under the Covers Book Blog to sign up--and HAPPY READING!

Reading Challenge for the New Year

I am such a book HOOR and love to pimp good reads. That being said, I thought I would try something different on my blog.

I have discovered very many talented authors this past year-and I am so glad that I picked up this new-to-me author. Otherwise, I'd missed some really, REALLY, great reading material. (Insert Jeaniene Frost here and her sexy, hawt, alpha hero, Bones.) Here are just a few of the authors that I would have missed.

 

Thank God, I picked these goodies up. These authors are now an auto-buy for me.  And if you haven't put these fabulous authors in your TBR pile, shame on you, and do so NOW!

So, I'd thought I would do my first Reading Challenge on my Blog.

Starting January 1, 2012 through December 31, 2012, I challenge myself to read at least 25 new authors for me. Every month, I will post what authors I have read, their book(s), and review their work. I would love for you guys to let me know how you are all doing as well with this challenge.

At the first of the year, I will post the 25 authors that I plan to read.

And if you have any suggestions on who I should put in my TBR pile, feel free to leave me a comment. I would LOVE to here from you.

I am not sure what kind of giveaways or prizes that I will be doing with this new feature on my blog--but I will keep you updated. Suggestions are truly appreciated.

Happy reading!