August - December Four Month Challenge

5 POINT CHALLENGES

Author Name – first or last – begins with A

The Sins of Lord Cameron by Jennifer Ashley 8/27/11

Read a book featuring a teen or teens

The Goddess Test by Aimee Carter 8/2/11

Genre you don’t normally read

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein 8/2/11

Read a book about a musician (living or deceased, real or fictional)

Forgotten Truth

Book featuring sisters

Running Wild by Sarah McCarty 8/11/11

10 POINT CHALLENGES

Author name – first or last – begins with S

Hot in Here by Sophie Renwick 8/8/11

Read a book with a person on the cover wearing red

Barbie and the Beast by Linda Thomas-Sunstrom 8/9/11

Read a book whose author has the same birthday month as you do

An Independent Woman by Candace Camp

Read a banned book

The Claiming of Sleeping Beauty by Anne Rice 8/12/11

50thth book on your shelf

Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie

15 POINT CHALLENGES

Author name – first or last – begins with O

Kaitlyn O’Connor or Robin Owens

Author you discovered this year

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James 8/8/11

Read a book by an author who uses their middle name on the cover

The Bed and the Bachelor by Tracy Anne Warren 8/20/11

Read a book with a one name title that isn’t a proper name

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning 8/29/11

Book featuring brothers

Coming Undone 8/4/11

20 POINT CHALLENGES

Author name – first or last – begins with N

Savor the Moment by Nora Roberts 8/24/11

Read a book with a one name title that is a proper name

Hannah by Kathryn Lasky

Read a book that was nominated for an award, but didn’t win

Chasing Brooklyn by Lisa Schroeder 8/1/11

Book with any country’s flag on the cover

Read an autobiography

A New Four Month Challenge

I didn't finish the last 4 month challenge, but I'm off to a great start with this one. I have no excuse if I don't finish it since I've got such so much completed already.

The 4 Month Challenge

5 POINT CHALLENGES
Read a book that the author’s name begins with A for April IN April (first or last name)
Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix
Read a book that the author’s name begins with M for May IN May (first or last name)
A Little Harmless Sex by Melissa Schroeder 5/4/11
Read a book that the author’s name begins with J for June IN June (first name only)
Lover Unleashed by JR Ward6/3/11
Read a book that the author’s name begins with J for July IN July (last name only)
Kiss Me Annabel by Eloisa James 7/22/11
Read a book that beings with the S for Spring
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas 5/5/11

10 POINT CHALLENGES
Read a ‘debut’ novel (an author’s first book)
When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas 4/11/11
Read a book where the author wrote under a pseudonym
Harmony by Jayne Castle 5/5/11
Read a book with a male on the cover (male only, no female)
Awakened by PC Cast and Kristin Cast 4/1/11
Read a book with a female on the cover (female only, no male)
An Affair without End by Candace Camp 4/13/11
Read a book with a house on the cover
Dream Daddy by Daly Thompson 4/8/11

15 POINT CHALLENGES
Read a book that you previously DID NOT finish
Read a book with a flower on the cover OR in the title
The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig 4/3/11
Read a book with a reference to a fairy tale (Cinderella theme, Alice in Wonderland theme, etc)
The Princess in his Bed by Lila DiPasqua 4/14/11
Read a book that the author was born during the Spring season
The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp 4/5/11
Read a book that has won awards
Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue 4/16/11
http://www.melissamayhue.com/hhreviewsandawards.html

20 POINT CHALLENGES
Read something that is next in a series
The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small 4/15/11
Read a book that the title begins with either your first or last initial
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs 4/9/11 (my initials CG)
Read a book where the main character is an author
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries 4/4/11
Read a book having to do with ghosts, reincarnation, etc.
Fairyville by Emma Holly 4/10/11
Read a book with one of the Four Elements in the title – Fire, Water, Wind, Earth
Frostfire by Lynn Viehl 4/6/11

Monthly Mix up challenge

Here is another challenge that sounds kind of fun.

To read a book for each letter in the year. That's right, a title for the J in January and the A in January, etc.... 74 books total!

Start date: April 1, 2011, because we're fools to try this

End date: March 31, 2013, yes, two years, because well, we have other challenges to do ;)

Guidelines:
# only one letter per book
# books can be moved around if it fits better somewhere else after you've read it
# the letter doesn't have to be the first word, just the first letter of a word in the title (a, an, and the do not count)
# reviews aren't necessary but a quick "I read for letter... it was about... I did/not like it" would be nice.
# if you decide to join in, create a post on your blog telling others then come back and link up (to the actual post, not just your blog's home page)
# a blog is not necessary, just comment on that month's post at the Lair
# if you get stuck, an author's name will do in a pinch but try to have more titles than names
# the most important thing is to have fun!

Just Like Heaven by Julia Quinn
The One That Got Away by Victoria Alexander
Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko
Lover Unleashed by JR Ward
Accidental Princess by Michelle Willingham
How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries
Only with Your Love by Lisa Kleypas

Frostfire by Lynn Viehl
An Affair Without End by Candace Camp
The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small
River Marked by Patricia Briggs
The Untamed Bride by Stephanie Laurens
Pack Alpha by Crissy Smith
Red Riding Hood by Sarah Blakley-Cartwright
You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister

Counterfeit Magic by Kelly Armstrong
Awakened by PC and Kristin Cast
Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Hot and Heavy by Sandra Hill

Death in the Devil’s Acre by Anne Perry
Prom and Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg
Room by Emma Donaghue
Somewhere I’ll Find You by Lisa Kleypas
Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips

Carolina Moon by Nora Roberts
Agnes and the Hitman by Jennifer Cruise
When You Dare by Lori Foster

Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
The Darkest Secret: Lords of the Underworld by Gina Showalter
No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My Dearest Enemy by Connie Brockway

MockingJay by Suzanne Collins
Unlocked by Courtney Milan
Lucky Streak by Carly Phillips
Much Ado About You by Eloisa James


A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen Paratore
Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Under the Boardwalk by Carly Phillips
Someone to Watch Over Me by Lisa Kleypas
Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue

Sugar Daddy by Lisa Kleypas
Playing Easy to Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Princess in his Bed by Lila D
First Truth by Dawn Cook
Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas
Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix
An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick

The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp
Hidden Truth by Dawn Cook
One Night with a Spy by Celeste Bradley
Brides for Brothers by Debbie Macomber
Afterlife: An Evernight Novel by Claudia Gray
Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

Not Quite a Husband by Sherry Thomas
On the Prowl by Patricia Briggs
Vision in White by Nora Roberts
The Dark Enquiry by Deanna Raybourn
The Mating by Nicky Charles
Hot Blooded by Christine Feehan
Blue Eyed Devil by Lisa Kleypas

Rode Hard Put up Wet by Lorelei James

Dream Daddy by Daly Thompson
Ecstasy Wears Emeralds by Renee Bernard
The Courtship Dance by Candace Camp
Etched in Bone by Adrian Phoenix
Zombie Moon by Lori Devoti
Honor Bound by CJ Archer
Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts
Pemberley Ranch by Jack Caldwell

chunkster reading challenge

I plan to finish the Outlander series this year so I know I'll be reading some really chunky books. I figured I might as well add another challenge.
A chunkster is 450 pages or more of ADULT literature (fiction or nonfiction) .
I signed up for the highest level - mor-bookly obese . For this level of challenge you must commit to EIGHT or more Chunksters of which three tomes MUST be 750 pages or more.

1.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon 1120 pg
2.Night Watch by Sergei Lukyanenko 489 pg
3.Day Watch by Sergei Lukyanenoko 453 pg
4.The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon 1472 pg
5.Lover Unleased by JR Ward 512 pg
6.Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole 515 pg
7.Comanche Moon by Catherine Anderson 480 pg
8.A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon 1456 pg

A to Z challenge - Completed!

Here is another challenge that sounds like fun and can cross-over.

Rules:

1. 26 books!

runs January 1st 2011 –December 31, 2011. For each letter, read a book that has a main character or key supporting character (not some random minor character mentioned twice!) whose name starts with that letter. It doesn’t have to be the title of the book, just the name. Ex: Alice (in wonderland), Bella (twilight), Cathy (Wuthering Heights), Dracula (Dracula) Estella (Great Expectations), etc.

2. only one letter per book!

3. Crossovers are fine

4. audio, e-book, bound book, someone reading it out loud to you, reading a book to your little brother or sister, it all counts.

5. any length—short stories, books of the Bible, etc. they all count for this one.

6. Don’t have to be a blogger, don’t have to review the book. Just tell me you're participating. Goodreads is a great way to keep track of books for non-bloggers (make a shelf for this challenge and keep track of them that way!)


Levels:
Level 1: 10 Letters
Level 2: 20 Letters
Level 3: Completes all 26 letters (yes, that means X and Z and Q. I’m sure you can find something.)


Ash Turner in Unveiled by Courtney Milan
Brisbane, Nicholas in Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourn
Cummins, Lottie in One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
Duncan Armstrong in The Border Lord's Bride by Bertrice Small
Elizabeth Rodriguez in Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra
Fitzwilliam Darcy in Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
Gage Michael in Satisfaction Guaranteed by Charlene Teglia
Hero Batten in Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt
Isabel Townsend in Ten Ways to be Adored when Landing a Lord by Sarah Maclean
James Rayburn in Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
Kate Woodbridge in To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott
Lily Bocastle in A Duke's Temptation by Jillian Hunter
Maggie McBride in Truly Madly Viking by Sandra Hill
Neill Oakes in The Lady most Likely To by Julia Quinn, etal
O'Brannan, Kieran in Her Warrior Slave by Michelle Willingham
Phillipa Elliot in Primal Heat by Susan Sizemore
Quinn, Zachary in The Magical Christmas Cat by Nalini Singh
Rafe Mancuso in Love me if you Dare by Carly Phillips
Stephen Carleton in Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory
Traemore, Harry in When Harry met Molly by Kieran Kramer
Udolf Watteson in The Captive Heart by Bertrice Small
Vengence in Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day
Ware, Sebastian in The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schroeder
Xinon in Atlantis Unleashed by Alyssa Day
Younge, Amelia in Vampire Darcy's Desire by Regina Jeffers
Zane Wynter in Eternal Flame by Cynthia Eden

Where you read it challenge

This challenge is really different from the others so I thought I would add it to the list.

Twist Your House
Read somewhere inside your house that you have never sat (or stood I suppose) and read before.

Place of Commerce
Read somewhere that things are sold.

Move
Read on the bus, on a train, on the light rail, on a plane, in a car, while you're walking, while you're on the treadmill at the gym.
I read in the car for a total of 3 hours going to and from my mother-in-law's house in Akron.

Nature
The requirement is that you are sitting/standing on something that isn't manmade. Man could have planted it, but not created it.

You Don't Call Home
Out of state? Sure. At your neighbor's house? Sure. Hotel? Yup. But it can't do double duty for any of the other categories. I read for a total of 4 hours at my mother-in-law's house

Probably Shouldn't
Think work, church, grocery shopping. DO NOT READ WHILE DRIVING OR RIDING YOUR BIKE OR ROLLERBLADING/SKATING. BE SAFE. Be creative.

In Pairs
I don't care where you are as long as someone else in the room is reading their own book too.

Pub challenge - Completed!

I've signed up for another challenge but with cross-over, it shouldn't be a problem.
The Pub 2011 Challenge

1. Notorious Pleasure by Elizabeth Hoyt
2. Unveiled by Courtney Milan
3. To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott
4. Highland Heat by Mary Wine
5. The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon Simonsen
6. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
7. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
8. The Countess by Lynsay Sands
9. Awakened by Kristin Cast
10.The Heiress by Lynsay Sands

Another challenge

Here is a fun challenge that I ran across

1.A book with a number in the title: Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord by Sarah McLean
2.A book with jewelry or a gem in the title:A Pearl Among Princes by Coleen Paratore
3.A book with a size in the title: A Little Bit Wicked by Victoria Alexander
4.A book with travel or movement in the title: Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deanna Raybourne
5.A book with evil in the title: One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
6.A book with a life stage in the title: The Border Lord’s Bride by Bertrice Small

Completed!!

2011 Book Challenges

I have been surfing around and found a lot of reading challenges that sound like fun. I am going to join several of them and keep track in this post.

100+ Reading Challenge
1.A Duke's Temptation by Jillian Hunter
2. Ten Ways to be Adored When Landing a Lord
3. Dark Road to Darjeeling by Deana Raybourne
4. One Wicked Sin by Nicola Cornick
5. Impetuous by Lori Foster
6. Her Warrior Slave by Michelle Willingham
7. Truly Madly Viking by Sandra Hill
8. Sea Lord by Virginia Kantra
9. Love me if you dare by Carly Phillips
10.Satisfaction Guaranteed by Charlene Teglia
11.Primal Heat by Susan Sizemore
12.The Border Lord's Bride by Bertrice Small
13.Kisses from Hell by Kristin Cast et al
14. Prince Charming Doesn't live Here by Christine Warren
15.Knight of Pleasure by Margaret Mallory
16.Two Shall Become One by Sharon Lathan
17. Kiss and Tell by Sandy Lynn
18. Aiden's Charity by Lora Leigh
19.A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
20. The Wicked Ways of a Duke by Laura Lee Guhrke
21. Atlantis Awakening by Alyssa Day
22. When Harry met Molly by Kieran Kramer
23.Married to the Viscount by Sabrina Jeffries
24. Blood Lite by Keven J. Anderson
25.The Accidental Countess by Melissa Schoeder
26.Drums of Autumn by Diana Gabaldon
27.The Very Virile Viking by Sandra Hill
28. The Captive Heart by Bertrice Small
29. The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
30. My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding by P.N. Elrod
31. Improper Seduction by Mary Wine
32. The Lady Most Likely by Julia Quinn
33. Primal Desires by Susan Sizemore
34. Knight of Passion by Margaret Mallory
35. The Magical Christmas Cat by Lora Leigh etal
36. Immortal Sea by Virginia Kantra
37. The Bride and the Beast by Teresa Medeiros
38. The Marriage Wager by Candace Camp
39. Lessons in Seduction by Melissa Schroeder
40. Secret Desires of a Gentleman by Laura Lee Guhrke
41. Unveiled by Courtney Milan
42. To Tempt a Rake by Cara Elliott
43. Notorious Pleasures by Elizabeth Hoyt
44. Eternal Flame by Cynthia Eden
45. A Secret Affair by Mary Balogh
46. Dukes to the Left of Me, Princes to the Right by Kieran Kramer
47. In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix
48. The Perfect Bride for Mr. Darcy by Mary Lydon
49. Atlantis Unleased by Alyssa Day
50. Primal Needs by Susan Sizemore
51. Her Warrior King by Michelle Willingham
52. The Empress's new Lingerie by Hillary Rollins
53. Maiden and the Monster by Michelle Pillow
54. Born to Bite by Lynsay Sands
55. Wet and Wild by Sandra Hill
56. A Date with the Other Side by Erin McCarthy
57. Demon's Fire by Emma Holly
58. Assumed Engagement by Kara Louise
59. Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See
60. The Exile (an Outlander Graphic Novel) by Diana Gabaldon
61. Highland Heat by Mary Wine
62. The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
63. The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa
64. Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks
65. When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James
66. Deadly Fear by Cynthia Eden
67. To Wed a Scandalous Spy by Celeste Bradley
68. With Seduction in Mind by Laura Lee Guhrke
69. Much Ado About Marriage by Karen Hawkins
70. Bad Moon Rising by Sherrilyn Kenyon
71. The Border Lord and the Lady by Bertrice Small
72. Seven Secrets of Seduction by Anne Mallory
73. Beneath the Skin by Adrian Phoenix
74. Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
75. Goddess of Legend by PC Cast
76. Warrior's Song by Catherine Coulter
77. Master of the Night by Angela Knight
78. Frostfire by Lynn Viehl
79. The Bridal Quest by Candace Camp
80. First Truth by Dawn Cook
81. Hot Blooded
82. In the Blood by Adrian Phoenix
83. Awakened by Kristin Cast
84. Hot and Heavy by Sandra Hill
85. The Heiress by Lynsay Sands
86. The Countess by Lynsay Sands
87. Pale Demon by Kim Harrison
88. No Mercy by Sherrilyn Kenyon
89. How to Woo a Reluctant Lady by Sabrina Jeffries
90. Night Watch by Sergei Luk i anenko
91. The Orchid Affair by Lauren Willig
92. The Wedding Challenge by Candace Camp
93. When Strangers Marry by Lisa Kleypas
94. Only with your Love by Lisa Kleypas
95. Thirty Nights with a Highland Husband by Melissa Mayhue
96. The Princess in his Bed by Lila DiPasqua
97. Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
98. Brides for Brothers by Debbie Macomber
99. Fairyville by Emma Holly
100.Dream Daddy by Daly Thompson