Books and Needlepoint

Monday, January 18, 2016

New Authors Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

The challenge - to find authors that are 'new-to-you' - they don't have to be debut authors. It is being hosted at Literary Escapism.

There are no levels, so I think I will choose 15 new authors.

After writing the review - links can be added here.

Goat Mountain by David Vann
Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay
Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington
Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes

Southern Literature Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

For this challenge, books must have that Southern Literature "feel" (use your best judgement) and be set in one of the following states:
South Carolina
Georgia
Alabama
North Carolina
Virginia
Tennessee
Mississippi
Louisiana
Kentucky
West Virginia
Texas
Arkansas
Florida

It is being hosted at The Introverted Reader.

Levels:
Level 1--C'mon in the house! Read 1-2 books.

Level 2--Pull up a seat and stay a while! Read 3-4 books

Level 3--Have a glass of sweet iced tea, honey. Read 5-6 books

Level 4--Y'all come back now, y'hear! Read 7-8 books

I am going to try for Level 2 - Pull up a seat and stay awhile!

Southern Literature Reading Challenge hosted at The Introverted Reader

Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington

Cloak and Dagger Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Books for this challenge need to be in the mystery, suspense, thriller or crime genres. These are some of my favorite genres, so I had to join this challenge. It is hosted by Stormi @ Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My! and Barb @ Booker T's Farm.

Levels:

1-10 books – Amateur sleuth

11-20 books – Detective

21-30 books – Inspector

31+ books – Special agent

I will just be doing the Amateur Sleuth level.

Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
A Ghostly Undertaking by Tonya Kappes

Cover Reveal: The Society by Jodie Andrefski

Shared by Kristi

Cover Reveal: Her Australian Hero by Margaret Way

Shared by Kristi

Title: Her Australian Hero

Author: Margaret Way

Publisher: Lyrical Press

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ecopy

“If you’ve never read Margaret Way before, you’re in for a treat.” —New York Times bestselling author Diana Palmer

An epic tale of modern day Australia, where greed, desire, tragedy, and ambition collide . . .

Alexandra Ross has always known Lavender Hill will be hers one day. The grand old house, with its waving jacaranda fronds circling around it like a canopy against the white-hot Australian sun. The acres of orchards, trees heavy with sweet-smelling mangoes and prickly pink lychee. The rushing emerald creek that claimed her brother’s life; the genteel boudoir where her mother died of grief, gin, and stroke. Even the quad bike her bullheaded father uses to tear around the plantation like a teenager, as his covetous young wife plays tea party with Alex’s mother’s favorite china.

Someday Alex will undo her father’s blunders and be the good neighbor her childhood friend Rafe Rutherford deserves. The yearning she feels for Rafe can never overcome the heartbreak they’ve lived through together, but at least she will have his companionship.

Until her father is killed and the plantation is divided. If she wants to keep the land she loves Alex must break free of guilt and hesitation. And once she begins to fight for what her heart desires, there’s no telling where she’ll stop . . .

About the Author: USA Today bestselling author Margaret Way has written more than 130 books, many of them International Bestsellers. She has been published in 114 countries and 34 languages. Her novels are set in her beloved Australia, where she was born and lives to this day. Her stories always contain the beauty and rugged nature of the rural and Outback Australia, as well as the rainforests and coral reefs of Northern Queensland.

Tour Schedule

Author C.A. Milson

Extreme Bookaholics

Books and Needlepoint

Around the World in Books

PUYB Virtual Book Club

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2016 Audiobook Challenge

Shared by Kristi

I listen to books in my car and while I am walking on the treadmill. Just recently I also learned that I can stream my phone through my car - so that has increased my audiobook time also! This challenge is hosted by The Book Nympho and Hot Listens.

Levels

Newbie (I’ll give it a try) 1-5
Weekend Warrior (I’m getting the hang of this) 5-10
Stenographer (can listen while multi-tasking) 10-15
Socially Awkward (Don’t talk to me) 15-20
Binge Listener (Why read when someone can do it for you) 20-30
My Precious (I had my earbuds surgically implanted) 30+
Marathoner (Look Ma No Hands) 50+

I will be trying Stenographer for this challenge.

2016 Alphabet Soup Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

This is always a fun challenge as most of your books will fit this one! You can drop the A's and The's from the beginning of the title.

Each Letter Counts As 1 Spoonful

The first main word needs to start with the letter you are using for the challenge. Q, X and Z can be found anywhere in the title though.

a
b - Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb
c
d
e
f
g - Goat Mountain by David Vann
h - How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay
i - Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor
j
k
l - Love Me, Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
m
n
o - Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
x
y
z

2016 Monthly Motif Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

For this challenge, each month is assigned a certain motif or theme. Your task is to read one book per month that fits in with the motif for that particular month. It is hosted by Tanya at GirlXOXO.

There will be a linky put up the beginning of each month that will remain open until the 10th day of the following month.

The Motifs

JANUARY- Who Dunnit?
Crack the case and solve the mystery with your first book of the year.
Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

FEBRUARY- New Releases
Read a book released in the last year.
Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian

MARCH- Take a Trip
Time Travel or read a book set in a country different than where you live
Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

APRIL- Best of the Best
Read a book that has won recognition or a literary award

MAY- Story of Survival
Make it out alive, beat the odds, save yourself stories. Try thinking beyond the typical wilderness survival. Surviving high school? Surviving a family road trip? Yep- those count too! PS. Dystopians would work great in this motif too.

JUNE- Girlxoxo Recommends
We’ve read a lot of great books. Check out our archives and pick one of our recommendations off our book lists.

JULY- LOL
Hilarious memoirs, silly chick lit, comedic scifi. Pick a book that is guaranteed to make you laugh out loud.

AUGUST- Genre Jumble
Read from a genre that you don’t normally read from

SEPTEMBER- Steampunk, Science Fiction, and Fantasy
Pretty self explanatory and loads of great books to pick from in this motif.

OCTOBER- Things That Go Bump in The Night
Cozy mystery ghost stories, paranormal creeptastic, murder mystery- it’s up to you!

NOVEMBER- Fiction Takes A Break
It’s all about Nonfiction November this month!

DEC- That’s a Wrap
Finish a series you’ve been meaning to finish or read the next book in a series you started but never finished.

2016 Dystopia Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

Dystopia is one of my favorite genres to read, so joining this challenge was a no brainer for me. It is hosted by Tracy @ Cornerfolds and Claudia @ My Soul Called Life.

Some rules:

There are badges that you will receive for completing each level of the challenge.
Quarterly Giveaways
Dystopia prompts (optional) and review links.
Monthly Dystopia Newsletter.

Levels:

Recruit (1-5 books)
Rebel (6-10 books)
Revolutionist (11-15 books)
Leader (16+ books)

I am gonna try to be a Rebel!

Important Dates:

March 25th - First Quarter Update & Giveaway
June 24th - Second Quarter Update & Giveaway
September 30th - Third Quarter Update & Giveaway
December 30th - Challenge Wrap-Up & Giveaway

Monthly Linkups

January

Dystopian Book Lists

2016 TBR Pile Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

My TBR pile was so huge, that I had to clean them out and pass some on without reading them last fall. I packed up and donated 15 boxes of books -- yes, that was not a typo - 15 boxes... And in looking at all the books I still have, you wouldn't know I got rid of any. (Hint to husband -- more shelves. . .)

Anyway, this challenge is to read those TBR books that are still collecting dust in various places in my house. It is being hosted by Evie @ Bookish Lifestyle.

Some rules I wanted to note:

There will be a wrap up post every other month on the last Monday of that month.
There will be giveaways but you must follow Bookish to enter.
Use #2016TBRPile in messages.
They are also having a TBR Pile Book Club, but you do not have to join it to do their challenge.

Levels:

1-10 A Firm Handshake
11-20 A Friendly Hug
21-30 First Kiss
31-40 Sweet Summer Fling
41-50 Could This Be Love?
50+ Married with Children

I will be attempting the first level only - as new releases don't count, I will be doing those this year as well.

Tuesday, January 12, 2016

Cover Reveal: Heartland by Sara Walter Ellwood

Shared by Unknown

Title: Heartland

Author: Sara Walter Ellwood

Publisher: Lyrical Shine

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Format: Ecopy

Sex, drugs, and country music. That was the lifestyle for Emily Kendall, a Texas girl who hit it big on the country music charts--until she found herself pregnant and battling addiction. Now out of rehab and seeking a new life for herself and her unborn child, Emily returns to her hometown of McAllister. The last thing she's looking for is trouble, no matter how good it looks in uniform. . .

A widower, single father, and former Army Ranger struggling with PTSD, Sheriff EJ Cowley has his own demons to battle while keeping folks safe. The last thing he needs is a troubled celebrity speeding through town in her bright red Mazerati. But when someone from Emily's past threatens her safety and the peace of McAllister, EJ has no choice but to protect her. And soon both will learn there's more to the other than meets the eye. And that wounded hearts can love again. . .

About the author: Although Sara Walter Ellwood has long ago left the farm for the glamour of the big town, she draws on her experiences growing up on a small hobby farm in West Central Pennsylvania to write her contemporary westerns. She’s been married to her college sweetheart for over 20 years, and they have two teenagers and one very spoiled rescue cat named Penny. She longs to visit the places she writes about and jokes she’s a cowgirl at heart stuck in Pennsylvania suburbia. Sara Walter Ellwood is a multi-published and international Amazon bestselling author of the anthology set Cowboy Up.

She also writes paranormal romantic suspense under the pen name of Cera duBois.

Tour Schedule

Author C.A. Milson

Extreme Bookaholics

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Authors and Readers Book Corner

Around the World in Books

Monday, January 11, 2016

COVER REVEAL: In the After by Elisa Dane

Shared by Kristi

In the After

Published by: Swoon Romance

Publication date: February 2nd 2016

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Sadie Reynolds is a liar with secrets. At school, she’s part of the popular crowd known as AE, despite being broken inside. She hides it well. She has to. The slightest bit of imperfection will land her in the same shoes as her Geeky neighbor named Ian.
Ian and his only friend are the object of Sadie’s friends’ ridicule, ire, and entertainment. The AE rule the school with intimidation and retribution against anyone who would dare question their supremacy.
Sadie steers clear of most of it, terrified someone will find out her secret. She isn’t the least bit perfect. In fact, she suffers from PTSD stemming from the murder of her mother right before her eyes when she was a child. She can barely cope from day-to-day, hiding her truth and trying to fit in. But she knows it’s only a matter of time.
Hayden is a “Waverly,” a kid with the misfortune of living in the small farming town of Waverly that borders the very affluent Lexington Parrish. The AE doesn’t mix with “Waverlies.” Ever.
Desperate to get away from her oppressive friends, Sadie crashes into Hayden at a bonfire and the attraction that sparks between them is nothing short of electric. But Hayden’s an outsider and when things heat up, Sadie will be forced to choose between her friends and her new boyfriend.
Only Queen Bee Britt isn’t having it. She will not allow Sadie to cross her. Sadie can either do what Britt wants her to do or she will reveal Sadie for the PTSD freak that she is.
Sadie does some soul searching about who she is and who she wants to be. She can’t live her life like this. Not any more. One fateful night will help her see how much things have to change.
She’s determined to no longer allow the AE to rule her life. She will be strong, stand up for Ian and love who she wants in Hayden. Determined and invigorated, Sadie goes to school feeling hopeful for the first time in forever.
But, the unthinkable happens.
Shooters attack dozens of students before the two eventually take their own lives, leaving the school a decimated shadow of what it once was.
Suddenly who lives where, wears what or loves whom seems like the least of Lexington Parish’s problems as everyone and everything changes forever in the after.

IN THE AFTER by Elisa Dane is a hard-hitting and heart-warming story of tragedy, love, loss and redemption. It is recommended for readers 14+.

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

ELISA DANE is a self-proclaimed book junkie. A lover of handbags, chocolate, and reality television, she's a proud mother to three All- Star cheerleaders. Writing is her absolute passion, and it's her mission to create stories that will not only take you on a romantic journey that will warm your heart, but help you find a new respect and interest in the sport of All-Star cheerleading.
Elisa is no stranger to the publishing world. She writes steamy paranormal romance under her real name, Lisa Sanchez. Her adult works include the Hanford Park series (Eve Of Samhain, Pleasures Untold, and Faythe Reclaimed), Obsessed (an erotic suspense), and a paranormal novella, Cursing Athena. Elisa lives in Northern California with her husband, three daughters, and a feisty Chihuahua who stubbornly believes she's human.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Hosted by:

Friday, January 8, 2016

Finishing the Series Challenge

Shared by Kristi

The goal of this challenge is to complete a series - starting from where ever you are - up until the last published book.

(Challenge is hosted by Bea's Book Nook.)

Level 1 (Novice series reader) - Complete 1 series.
Level 2 (Testing the waters) - Complete 2 -4 series.
Level 3 (Experienced) - Complete 3 - 6 series.
Level 4 (Expert series reader) - Complete 7 or more series.

Series that I am currently in the middle of:

The Singular Menace - John Sanford - I have read the first book, Uncaged.

Undertow - Michael Buckley - I have read the first book, Undertow.

Nil - Lynne Matson - I have read the first two books, Nil and Nil Unlocked.

The Enemy - Charles Higson - I have read the first two books, The Enemy and The Dead.

Worldwalker - Josephine Angelini - I have read the first book - Trial by Fire.

Ship Breaker - Paolo Bacigalupi - I have read the first book - Ship Breaker.

Wolves of Mercy Falls - Maggie Stiefvator - I have read the first book, Shiver.

Monument 14 - Emmy Laybourne - I have read the first book - Monument 14.

Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children - Ransom Riggs - I have read the first book, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

New Release Challenge

Shared by Kristi

This challenge is to read books that were published in 2016. There will be monthly update posts that you can link too, and each quarter - the end of March, June, September and December, there will be a giveaway with the update as well.

(Challenge hosted by (un)Conventional BookViews and Books, Movies, Reviews! Oh My!)

Levels:

1-15 books per year – New Release Newbie

16-30 books per year – New Release Pro

31-45 books per year – New Release Veteran

45+ books per year – New Release Enthusiast

I am just going to be a New Release Newbie for this challenge.

1. Brotherhood in Death by J.D. Robb

2. Only Love Can Break Your Heart by Ed Tarkington

3. Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian

4. How Willa Got Her Groove Back by Emily McKay

5. Love Me Love Me Not by Alyxandra Harvey
6. Into the Dim by Janet B. Taylor

Newbery Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

For this challenge, you just need to read Newbery Medal Winners, Newbery Honor Books or Caldecott Medal Winners. Each book has a different point value and you pick your level based on the number of points you think you can earn. (This challenge is hosted by Smiling Shelves)

List of Newbery Books
List of Caldecott Books

Point Values:

3 points for a Newbery Medal Winner
2 points for a Newbery Honor Book
1 point for a Caldecott Medal Winner (Gotta give the picture books some love, too.)

Levels:

L'Engle: 15 - 29 points

Spinelli: 30 - 44 points

Avi: 45 - 59 points

Lowry: 60 - 74 points

Konigsburg: 75+ points

I'm going to play it easy and go for L'Engle Level.

How Do YA Readers Make New Year's Resolutions?

Shared by Kristi

Do you/did you make any resolutions? I would love to hear them. What is your favorite YA resolution from the video?

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Pop Sugar's 2016 Ultimate Reading Challenge

Shared by Kristi

This one is easy - read a variety of books - and check off the boxes as you read them!

Join the challenge at Pop Sugar!

A book based on a fairy tale - Love Me Love Me Not
A National Book Award winner
A YA bestseller
A book you haven't read since high school
A book set in your home state
A book translated to English
A romance set in the future
A book set in Europe - Into the Dim
A book that's under 150 pages
A New York Times bestseller
a book that's becoming a movie this year
A book recommended by someone you just met
A self-improvement book
A book you can finish in a day
A book written by a celebrity
A political memoir
A book at least 100 years older than you
A book that's more than 600 pages
A book from Oprah's Book club
A science fiction novel
A book recommended by a family member
A graphic novel
A book published in 2016 - Brotherhood in Death
A book with a protagonist who has your occupation
A book that takes place during summer
A book and its prequel
A murder mystery
A book written by a comedian
A dystopian novel
A book with a blue cover - Only Love Can Break Your Heart
A book of poetry
The first book you see in a bookstore
A classic from the 20th century
A Book from the library - Goat Mountain
An autobiography
A book about a road trip
A Book about a culture you are unfamiliar with - Orhan's Inheritance
A satirical book
A book that takes place on an island
A book that's guaranteed to bring you joy

Sunday, January 3, 2016

Let's Talk Book Challenges

Shared by Kristi

The start of the year always brings with it a myriad of challenges across the book blogger world -- and who doesn't like a challenge?

I always start out all gung-ho (do they still say gung-ho?) and sign up for lots of challenges, because of course, crossovers are allowed, so why not go for them all? This momentum lasts for a couple of months during a good year, starts to wane around March, sometimes with an upsurge in June and by September -- fuggedaboutit!

So this year I decided that I would be more choosey in the challenges that I signed up for. I scrolled through the list at A Novel Challenge and with a very discerning eye began to make a list of those that I would like to participate in this year. I told myself that I was not going to over do it. I.Was.Not.Going.To.Over.Do.It. Well, I completed the list and counted them up. . . and. .. I HAVE 2 MORE CHALLENGES THAN I DID LAST YEAR!!! OMG!

So prepare yourself for a barrage of blog posts over the next week, as they will each get a mention here as a place to keep my list of books that I complete for each challenge. For as Barney says:

Thursday, December 17, 2015

Merry Christmas!

Shared by Kristi

WOW - It has been a long time since I have posted anything!

I started back to school in the summer of 2014 and have been carrying 3 classes every semester since (with 2 in the summer). I just finished this semester and have 3 classes and a practicum to go, but have decided that I need my life back! So I am only taking 1 class for the next 3 semesters - Spring, Summer, Fall - so hopefully that means I am back to blogging!

I haven't stopped reading and think I am close to 60 books for this year, but have just had no extra brain cells to write about them.

So Merry Christmas (or Happy *insert your holiday here!*)

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Undertow by Michael Buckley

Shared by Kristi

Undertow by Michael Buckley is the first book in a new YA trilogy and I am definitely looking forward to the next book.
A new race has appeared on the planet, but it is a race that has been here all along - just under the sea. They are calling themselves the Alpha and they are as different from each other, as they are from humans. They are made up of different "fish" like characteristics and can breathe underwater. They also have their own language, but can speak English as well.
The Alpha have families - parents and children - but what has been learned is that a group of nine Alpha had been sent ashore years earlier - to acclimate and learn about the humans. Without raising any suspicion, they incorporated themselves into the community and started families with humans. Lyric Walker, 16 years old, found out when the Alpha arrived, that her mother was one of these 9 Alpha. She now has to keep her head low and not draw attention to herself so that her family secret will stay a secret. You see - humans don't take kindly to Alpha. They have found many of these original 9 already and have tortured their families. Lyric - once outgoing and somewhat of a partier/trouble maker - has now become almost invisible - and that is how she wants to keep it.
Unfortunately, the Alpha children will now be attending her high school - and most of the town is against this. Barriers are set up and police action is needed everyday to just get to school. The windows of the school have been covered so that sharp shooters cannot shoot anyone inside. And Lyric has been singled out. She is ordered to start spending time with Fathom, the Crown Prince of the Alpha. Reluctantly they start meeting once a day. The first meetings do not go well as neither one of them want to be there. Slowly, the defenses between them start to come down and Lyric begins to teach him to read. Fathom has many problems back among his own kind though. The Crown Prince must fight anyone who challenges him. It is their way of proving that they are worthy of becoming King. So everyday he comes to school with new contusions and refuses to seek any medical help - as that would be considered weak.
As they become closer, tensions are rising in the community, and Lyric's secret is being threatened. She continues on the path set before her in hopes to be able to save her family from the fate of the other original Alpha's.
Good book dealing with bullying, racism, family - and what constitutes family. I wouldn't think that I would have been able to read a book about "fish-like" people with any degree of believability, but I soon didn't see their physical characteristics, but just the people underneath.

Undertow (Undertow #1) by Michael Buckly
ISBN: 9780544348257
Publication Date: May 5th, 2015