Tuesday, December 20, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Color Coded Reading Challenge


I participate every year in the Color Coded Reading Challenge. It is a fun way to find new books and new authors.  I must admit, though, that finding a book with "brown" in the title is impossible. I only read 9 books though. I missed finding titles with the colors brown and white in them.  Here is what I read:

Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dao Randel
Blue Murder by Emma Jameson
The Orange Lilies by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Black Ice by Brad Thor
19 Yellow Moon Road by Fern Michaels
Purple Lotus by Veena Rao
Mandarin Plaid by S. J. Rozan
Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
A Patchwork Past by Leslie Gould

Favorite Book: 19 Yellow Moon Road
2nd Favorite Book:  Evil in Emerald
Least Favorite Book:  Mandarin Plaid
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Monday, December 19, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge

A year ago I signed up to participate in the Cruisin' Through the Cozies Challenge by reading 10 books. I am happy to say that I was able to meet the challenge with 15 books.  I read the following:

Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle

Bitter Roots by Ellen Crosby

Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier

Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart

The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda Brunstetter

A Catered St. Patrick's Day by Isis Crawford

Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle

Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier

Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier

Blue Murder by Emma Jameson

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs

The Apple Creek Announcement by Wanda Brunstetter

Iced in Paradise by Naomi Hirahara

Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich


Favorite Book:  Evil in Emerald

2nd Favorite Book:  Honey Roasted

Least Favorite Book:  Thanksgiving

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Wrap-Up of the 2022 What's in a Name Challenge


This year's installment of the long-running What's in a Name Challenge required participants to find books with the following in the title:

  • A compound word
  •  Speed
  • A Person and their description
  • A mythical being
  • A season
  • A color
I finished the challenge early in the year and read the six books by March.

The Spyglass File by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Why Mermaids Sing by C. S. Harris
Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
Purple Lotus by Veena Rao
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks

Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring
2nd Favorite Book:  The Good Wife of Bath
Least Favorite Book: None but if I have to pick, Purple Lotus
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Sunday, December 18, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 New Release Reading Challenge


I agreed to read between 1 and 30 books for this challenge and finished the year with 48 books. There were only 5 that I didn't care for so this was a very successful challenge this year.

A Taste of Ginger by Mansi Shah
Nine Lives by Peter Swanson
The Cartographers by Peng Shepherd
Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu
The Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
Bitter Roots by Ellen Crosby
Black Ice by Brad Thor
Threads of Hope by Leslie Gould
Girl in Ice by Erica Ferencik
The Sugarcreek Surprise by Wanda Brunstetter
The Opus Dictum by Gary McAvoy
The New Girl by Ruth Heald
The Perfect Home by Kevin Lynch
Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle
Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle
The Cleopatra Cipher by L. D. Goffigan
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins
Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels
Among the Innocent by Mary Alford
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
The Fugitive Colours by Nancy Bilyeau
Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel
My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer
One Girl Missing by Carla Kovack
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay
Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner
The Omega Factor by Steve Berry
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor
The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes
A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs
The Applecreek Announcement by Wanda Brunstetter
Revenge by Tom Bower
Not In It To Win It by Andy Stanley
William at 40 by Robert Jobson
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson
The Nanny by Ruth Heard
A Billion Years by Mike Rinder
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Dust Child by Nguyen Pham Que Mai
Granite Kingdom by Eric Pope

Favorite Book:  Nine Lives
2nd Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring
Least Favorite Book:  A Taste of Ginger
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Saturday, December 17, 2022

Wrap-Up of the Graphic Novel and Manga Challenge


I pledged to read 52 graphic novels or comic books this year. However, I only read 47.  A disappointment for sure since I came so close to my goal. Check out my reviews below:

Days of Sand by Aimee de Jongh
Roofstompers by Alex Paknadel 
.Self by Christopher Sebela
River of Sin by Kelly Williams
Memoria by Curt Pines
Policing the City by Didier Fassin
Bootblack by Mikael
Django by EFA
Olympia by Vives
Flake by Matthew Dooley
Eat the Rich by Sarah Gailey
Swine by Jesus Some
The Delicacy by James Albion
Billionaires by Darryl Cunningham
Putin's Russia by Darryl Cunningham
Night of the Ghoul by Scott Snyder
Trashed by Derf Backderf
The Realist by Asaf Hanuka
Saga #55 by Brian Vaughn
We Only Kill Each Other by Stephanie Phillips
Red Tag by Rafael Albuquerque and Rafael Scavone
The Panic by Neil Kleid
Cold Iron #1 by Andy Dingle
Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez
After Lambana by Eliza Victoria
Always Never by Jordi Lifetree
Welcome to St. Hell by Lewis Hancox
Amazona by Canizales
A Visit to Moscow by Rafael Grossman
Georgia O'Keefe by Marie Hereros
World Record Holders by Guy Delisle
In the Flood by Ray Fawkes
Moms by Yeong Shin Mei
Palimpsest by Lisa Wool-Rem Sjoblom
Measuring Up by Lily LaMotte
Acting Class by Nick Drnaso
Alice Guy: First Lady of Film by Jose-Luis Bocquet
Invisible Wounds by Jess Ruliffson
I'm Still Alive by Roberto Saviano
Ballad for Sophie by Filipe Melo
Hotell by John Lees
Barnstormers by Scott Snyder
Beatrix Rose Vigilante by Stephanie Phillips

Favorite Book:  Olympia
2nd Favorite Book:  Trashed
Least Favorite Book:  After Lambana
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Wrap-Up of the 2022 Monthly Key Word Reading Challenge


The Monthly Key Word Challenge asks participants to read at least one book per month where a key word is in the title.  I fell off the wagon two months ago so I only was able to read 9 books.

The Girl in the Painting by Renita D'Silva
Never by Ken Follett
Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
The Thorn by Beverly Lewis
In a Kingdom by the Sea by Sara McDonald
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay
Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner 

Favorite Book:  Take Your Breath Away
2nd Favorite Book:  The Girl in the Painting
Least Favorite Book:  Star Spangled Murder
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Friday, December 16, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Calendar of Crime Challenge


When I signed up for this challenge a year ago, I agreed to read 12 books, one for each month of the year. The challenge was to read a mystery that took place in the given month, was published in that month or was the author's birth month. I selected books that had holidays taking place in each month.  However, I got bogged down in reading and slowed down in October. I was only able to read 10 books for the challenge.

Double Blind by Sara Winokur
Valentine by Tom Savage
Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Dark August by Katie Tallo
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
Thanksgiving by Janet Evanovich

Favorite Book:  The Butcher and the Wren
2nd Favorite Book:  Valentine
Least Favorite Book:  Thanksgiving
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Thursday, December 15, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge


I signed up for this challenge at the Ancient History level which required that I read 25 historical novels.  I met the challenge with 27 books.  This is a big reduction in reading for me as in 2021 I read 50 books for the challenge.  I am having problems concentrating lately but I did read some excellent books.

Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
Royal Heir by P. K. Adams
The Fugitive Colours by Nancy Bilyeau
The Girl in the Painting by Renita D'Silva
The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
The Last Rose of Shanghai by Weina Dao Randel
London by Edward Rutherford
Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu
The Opus Dictum by Gary McAvoy
Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
Hotel Portofino by J. P. O'Connell
Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
The Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis
Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle
The Vivaldi Cipher by Gary McAvoy
In a Kingdom by the Sea by Sara McDonald
Why Mermaids Sing by C. S. Harris
Booth by Karen Joy Fowler
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel
The Spanish Daughter by Lorena Hughes
Paris by Edward Rutherford
Children of Sugarcane by Joanne Joseph
The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner
Dust Child by Nguyen Phan Que Mai 
Granite Kingdom by Eric Pope

Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring
2nd Favorite Book:  Kaikeyi
Least Favorite Book:  Hotel Portofino
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Wrap-Up of the 2022 Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge


When I signed up for this challenge a year ago, I agreed to read 26 -35 books. I more than met the challenge with 42 books! Many of the novels that I read were from my favorite authors such as Cleo Coyle, Ellen Crosby, Alison Stuart, James Rollins, Dan Palmer, Ruth Heald and Laura Childs.  I also found some new (to me) authors:  Peter Swanson and Peng Shepherd, 

Honey Roasted by Cleo Coyle
Bitter Roots by Ellen Crosby
Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart
The Spyglass File by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
Double Blind by Sara Winokur
Mandarin Plaid by S. J. Rozan
The Vivaldi Cipher by Gary McAvoy
Never by Ken Follett
Valentine by Tom Savage
Trust by Sharon Mitchell
Nine Lives by Peter Swanson
The Cartographers by Peng Shepard
Easter Bonnet Murder by Leslie Meier
Black Ice by Brad Thor
Girl in Ice by Erica Frenetic
The Opus Dictum by Gary McAvoy
The New Girl by Ruth Heald
The Perfect Home by Kevin Lynch
The Orange Lilies by Nathan Dylan Goodwin
19 Yellow Moon Road by Fern Michaels
Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier
Lock Up Honesty by Anna Castle
The Cleopatra Cipher by L. D. Goffigan
Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins
Among the Innocent by Mary Alford
One Girl Missing by Carla Kovach
Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Father's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
Blue Murder by Emma Jameson
My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer
Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay
Her Perfect Life by Emily Shiner
The Omega Factor by Steve Berry
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor
Dark August by Katie Tallo
A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs
The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart
The Nanny by Ruth Heald
Iced in Paradise by Naomi Harihara

Favorite Book:  Nine Lives
2nd Favorite Book:  19 Yellow Moon Road
Least Favorite Book:  Iced in Paradise
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Wednesday, December 14, 2022

Wrap-Up of the 2022 Chunkster Reading Challenge


This year's chunkster challenge did not have any reading requirements other than books needed to have 450+ pages.  I read 15 books for the challenge:

Island Queen by Vanessa Riley
Fast Girls by Elise Hooper
London by Edward Rutherfod
Never by Ken Follett
Valentine by Tom Savage
The Winthrop Woman by Anya Seton
The Girl in the Painting by Renita D'Silva
Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins
The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks
Kaikeyi by Vaishneva Patel
The Omega Factor by Brad Thor
Rising Tiger by Brad Thor
Salt by Mark Kurlansky
Paris by Edward Rutherford
Revenge by Tom Bowers

Favorite Book:  Kaikeyi
2nd Favorite Book:  The Good Wife of Bath
Least Favorite Book:  Salt

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Wrap-Up of the 2022 Library Love Reading Challenge


When I signed up for this year's Library Love Challenge I agreed to read 24 books.  My expectations were low because I was still afraid of catching COVID-19.  I still am. However, I did find a few excellent reads.

Peach Blossom Spring by Melissa Fu

Black Ice by Brad Thor

Girl in Ice by Erika Ferencik

Hotel Portofino by J. P. O'Connell

London by Edward Rutherford

Magnolia Palace by Fiona Davis

Evil in Emerald by A. S. Stuart

Fear Thy Neighbor by Fern Michaels

Kingdom of Bones by James Rollins

My Wife is Missing by D. J. Palmer

The Good Wife of Bath by Karen Brooks

The Omega Factor by Steve Berry

Portrait of an Unknown Woman by Daniel Silva

Rising Tiger by Brad Thor

Star Spangled Murder by Leslie Meier

Booth by Karen Joy Fowler

Take Your Breath Away by Linwood Barclay

A Dark and Stormy Tea by Laura Childs

World Record Holders by Guy Delisle

The Woman From Valencia by Annie Perrault

William at 40 by Robert Jobson

Starry Messenger by Neil deGrasse Tyson

Ducks by Kate Beaton

The Butcher and the Wren by Alaina Urquhart

The Nanny by Ruth Heald

A Billion Years by Mike Rinder

Iced in Paradise by Naomi Harihara

Acting Class by Nick Drnaso

Alice Guy: First Lady of Film by Catel and Bocquet

The American Adventuress by C. W. Gortner


Favorite Book:  Peach Blossom Spring

2nd Favorite Book:  My Wife is Missing

Least Favorite Book:  Hotel Portofino



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Tuesday, December 13, 2022

2023 What's in a Name Reading Challenge

The 2023 What's in a Name Reading Challenge (WIAN) will once again be hosted by Andrea at the Carolina Book Nook Blog.  This is an easy and fast challenge to complete as there are only 6 books that you need to read. 

The Rules:

    1)    The challenge runs from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2023.

    2)    Read a book in any format (hard copy, ebook, audio) with a title that fits into each category.

    3)    Don’t use the same book for more than one category.

    4)    You can choose your books as you go or make a list ahead of time.

You can sign up using at the WIAN challenge page/post and use the challenge badge on your post. The categories below are also links to each category sign up link.  Add your book review for each category so we can see what you’ve read and discover ideas as needed.

Choose 6 books with titles that contain:

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Beatrix Rose Vigilante

Beatrix Rose Vigilante is a 5 part Comixology Original written by Stephanie Phillips and it is fantastic. Beatrix Rose was working for British intelligence when her team turned on her and killer her husband and kidnapped her daughter. Beatrix went underground for awhile but resurfaced in Hong Kong. She became trapped by the Triad in Hong Kong and is forced to work for them. Her job is to protect them as there is another killer, called Yaomo or Demon, who has targeted the Triad's bosses.  Beatrix sets out to find Demon and kill him. 

The comic is a fun read with no sex or foul language, if that bothers you. Lots of killing, though but that didn't stop me from enjoying the comic.  5 out of 5 stars.
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