TwilightBlue's 2009 Challenge

January Reads
1. The Pagan Stone (Sign of the Seven 3) by Nora Roberts 1/2/09
2. Eggs by Jerry Spinelli 1/4/08
3. stay the Night (Darkyn) by Lynn Veihl 1/6/09
4. Murder Game (Ghostwalker) by Christine Feehan
5. Charlie Bone and the Shadow (Children of the Red King by Jenny Nimmo
6. Mysteria by Mary Janice Davidson, Susan Grant, P.C. Cast, Gena Showalter
7. The Traveler by Daren Simpkin
8. Veil of Roses be Laura Fitzgerald
9. Angel: After the Fall by Brian Lynch
10. Blood Dreams (Bishop/SCU) by Kay Hooper
11. Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter - Guilty Pleasures Vol 2 (Anita Blake) by Laurell K. Hamilton
12. Pandora's Daughter by Iris Johansen
13. Mr. Peabody's Apples by Madonna

February Reads
14. The Hour I First Believed by Wally Lamb
15. Kiss of the Demon King (Immortals After Dark) by Kresley Cole
16. Santa Responds by Santa Claus
17. Familiar Mirage (Fear Familiar) by Caroline Burnes

At this rate of reading I'm not going to finish 250 books for this year. I see everyone else is at lest over 20 books. I just can't seem to get into it. I will have to read 21 books a month to reach the goal.
I'll keep plugging along but I don't know if I'll make it.
Don't you just hate when people grumble and complain.......

February Reads (Continued)...
18. Dream Warrior (Dream Hunter) (Dark Hunter) - Sherrilyn Kenyon
19. To Darkness and to Death (Ferguson/Van Alstyne) by Julia Spencer-Fleming
20. The Reach by Nate Kenyon
21. The Wizard of Seattle by Kay Hooper
22. Coyote's Mate (Breeds) by Lora Leigh
23. Rules by Cynthia Lord
24. The Vampire's Bride by Gena Showalter

Hang in there - February is a short month!

Thanks for the pep talk. :-)

25. Cyrano de Bergerac by Edmond Rostand

I thought I had known this story pretty much from movies spoofed on it. Bur I thought it time to read the actual factual. Although I believe I have a fairly good vocabulary, I came to find that my vocabulary for "older" words isn't as in depth as I had hoped. Other that finding that my brain had somewhat atrophied for lack of use of words that are more than 100 years old, I quite enjoyed the story of Roxanne and Cyrano all the way up to the tragic ending.
I am a person who wants my happy ending, that's why I read so many romance novels, I want the happily ever after. And although I didn't get that out of this story I did enjoy the reading of it.

26. Whys and Wherefores Y: The Last Man - Book 10 by Brian Vaughan

I enjoyed this graphic novel series. In this installment Yorick finally reaches his Beth. And finds out that maybe what you want you shouldn't always get.
It's a nice tidy little wrap up of the series.

March Reads

27. The Reincarnationist by M.J. Rose

Very interesting thriller, love story. I would assume it would help the believability of the story if you had an open mind about reincarnation.
Josh is just trying to figure out why his past lives keep intruding on his present one. And this overwhelming urge to help someone he doesn't quite know.
The story kept me going and I didn't figure out the "bad guy" until way towards the end. Which is always a plus for me. I wasn't very happy with the ending. It took me a full minute to realize that was the end of the story. But it was a fitting ending even if I wasn't happy with it.

28. Things Not Seen by Andrew Clements

Not bad, but not that great either. I liked the idea of the plot. But let's be a little bit realistic here. A 15 year old becomes invisible and the first place he thinks of going is to the library? Come on.

29. All Mortal Flesh A Clare Fergusan/ Russ van-Allstyne Mystery by Julia Spencer-Fleming

I absolutely could not wait to read this once I got it from the library. After I finished the book I was currently reading (The Reincarnationist see above) which I had to finish because reading 4 books at one time is just too much, I couldn't put All Mortal Flesh down.
Thoroughly enjoyed the story line. Reading of Linda van-Allstyne's murder and the guilt and sorrow of the main characters made me cry. All though I'm still waiting for the day Russ and Clare get their heads out of their cabooses. Anyway. I'm moving on to the next book in the series I Shall Not Want.

30. I Shall not Want A Clare Ferusson/Russ Van Allstyne Mystery by Julia Spencer- Fleming

May I say, it's about time.
I absolutely love these characters. The way these two interact with each other is realistic and poignant. The way they view themselves is true and believable. I absolutely love how Ms. Spencer-Fleming brings me into their world, to hope with them, to care for them, to part part of their world for just a little while.

31. Angels' Pawn (Guild Hunter) by Nalani Singh

I really think I'm going to like this series. Who thought angels could be worse than vampires?

32. The Dragonslayer (Bone) by Jeff Smith
33. Old Man's Cave (Bone) by Jeff Smith
34. Ghost Circles (Bone) by Jeff Smith
35. Treasure Hunters (Bone) by Jeff Smith
36. Crown of Horns (Bone) by Jeff Smith

These are a series of graphic novels geared to young adults. The characters are crisp and clear in their personalities and as the story progresses across the books we discover depths to the characters. I don't want to go to far into the storyline, the basic idea is evil wants to be set free and the main characters are the good guys.

37. Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr

I enjoyed this book but I wasn't as impressed with this one as I was with the first one: Wicked Lovely. Which is kind of strange since it was Ink Exchange that caught my attention first. I hate to read series out of order, so did a small amount of research and found the beginning.

Leslie (the main character) has had a hard life since her mother left her with her drunk father and her drug using abusive brother. In an attempt to claim her body as her own, she decides to get a tattoo. But no ordinary tattoo will do, she picks a tattoo that will eventually link her to the king of the Dark Court. Trying to escape the things that were done to her, she loses herself entirely.

38. A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander

This book is a historical romance. Judith (Lady Chester) is a widow who lives her life as she pleases. She has her discrete adventures and is always in control of the situation involving her men. Gideon (Lord Warton) has caught her eye and Judith has determined that Gideon will be her next little adventure.
Gideon needs to find a pliable young wife to continue his line. But Judith will provide excellent entertainment until than.
Their little arrangement is going dashingly well, until they fall in love.

39. Hard Eight (A Stephanie Plum Novel) by Janet Evanovich
40. Visions of Sugar Plums (A Stephanie Plum Holiday Novel) by Janet Evanovich

Hard Eight was decidedly a good edition to the Stephanie Plum novels. I especially liked the killer rabbit routine. Stephanie has to be the most inept and the luckiest bounty hunter ever. But she has the right men looking after her. What I wouldn't give for some of her man troubles.

Visions of Sugar Plums brings Stephanie looking for Sandy Claws who has skipped out on his court date, just days before Christmas. I wish Janet Evanovich had stayed on this side of "real". But it was a good little story even if it did tweak my suspension of disbelief just a tad to much. And believe me I can suspend my disbelief with the best of them.

41. Maximum Ride: The Manga by James Patterson
Pretty much the book in manga form.

42. Eyes of the Storm Bone Volume 3 by Jeff Smith
Puts a little more context into the end of the series. It urksome to read stories out of order.

43. Daniel X: Alien Hunter by James Patterson
I might just pick up the novel one day. I liked the graphics.

44. Angels' Blood by Nalini Singe

Great new series. A whole new take on angel's and vampires.

45. White Witch, Black Curse (The Hollows #7) by Kim Harrison

This book felt like a transition book to me. It had a story unto itself, but it read like more is coming down the pike that should be more interesting.

46. Token by Alisa Kwitney

Not really all that.

47. Fray by Joss Whedon

A look into the future of the Buffy/Angel world.
Not a bad little manga, but I have to admit I'm a little biased.

48. Houdini: The Handcuff King by Jason Lutes

Graphic Novel. Interesting but not in depth.

49. To the Nines by Janet Evanovich

Your basic Stephanie Plum novel. Humor and New Jersey go together.
Had the bad guy figured out pretty early on though, and I hate when that happens.

50. Ecstasy by Jacqueline Frank (A Shadowdwellers Novel)

A nice deviation from the DarkDwellers. Still in the same world, sort of.
Trace is a ShadowDweller. A species of being that can not tolerate light.
Ashla is a human that has lost her way in the Shadow Realm.
Together, they find love and answers.
Isn't that always the way of a romance novel. That's why I read them always a happy ending for the couple.
The ending was left open for more in the series. Can't wait to read.

51. The Amazon's Curse by Gena Showlater

A short novelette not much different from her other Atlantian stories.

52. Beyond Heaving Bosoms by Sarah Wendell and Candy Tan

A great romp through Romancelandia. If you love romance novels and even if you don't this book will have you ROTFLYAO

53. The Love Slave by Beatrice Small - Hot and steamy erotica.

54. Only With Your Love by Lisa Kleypass

Good story line. Read it in one night. But not exactly what I was looking for.

55. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward

A novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. The main story about Rehvenge. All the side plots are a little distracting. But all in all, I enjoyed it.

56. Burning Wild (Leopard Series) by Christine Feehan

I love the way this woman writes. Interesting story line.

57. Rebel Waltz by Kay Hooper

Liked the ghost angle. Not so hip with the story itself. Something just felt off with the story.

58. Skin Trade by Laurel K Hamilton
Mixes emotions about this one. Almost back to the original Anita, but just not quite there yet.
Wasn't real happy with the Marmee Noir interaction, and the ending was kinda anticlimactic, but all in all I will continue to read - I just can't help myself, I love her world.

59. Lord of Legends by Susan Krinard
Definitely a different take on the were-animal, ok - not "were" but "shifter".
Does it count of the guy is actually a horse - well unicorn?
A little angsty, but it adds to the story. Was hoping for more of a happy ending, but the hero and the heroine end up together and that's usually all that matters in romance right???