You are getting very sleepy...

Why yes, yes I am! I think only managing 30 more pages in 2 hours is a hint that I'm done for this read-a-thon, since I do have function at a nearly normal time today, I'm going to hit the hay.

I had a great time this year, was more relaxed, added Cheerleading to the regimen, and feel quite successful even with I think a lower page count than previous read-a-thon's. It's still 6 times what I would do on a normal good reading day!

Thanks again to the hosts and the other cheerleaders, and everyone that makes this such a fun event! Time to start thinking about October!

Final page count: 646

Midnight-thirty, All is quiet...

So it's 12:30 am where I am, and I am done with my cheering shift, I hope you all like my little poem that I wrote for the event:

Cover to Cover
And Coast to Coast
Across the Oceans
We’ve been brought together
By what we love the most!
Let’s hear it for the readers!

I think I managed to hit everyone in my section that was possible (that were participating, and that I could figure out, a few had me baffled!) which turned my 1 hour estimated time into more like 3 hours, because I decided I wanted to do all of them, and because I started having internet issues, but I didn't let that stop me! :D I know I loved it the past two times when people came and posted cheers for me, and I wanted to return the favor.

So, now back to reading. No reading reading progress since my last true update, well, okay, 20 pages more while waiting on internet issues to figure themselves out. Not sure how much longer I will last tonight, but I'm good for a little while yet. Everyone else is in the house is going to bed, so it will be me and maybe the kitties if they decide to stay with me. And anyone else in the 'thon that is still awake of course! I'm ready to dig into my second read-a-thon cupcake from Smallcakes whose motto is "Maybe a cupcake will help?" So we'll see if it does! I'm about to dig into a very rich peanut butter cup cupcake, chocolate cupcake with peanut butter buttercream frosting and crumbled peanut butter cups on top. Rich enough to kill ya! So how is everyone else keeping themselves awake in the homestretch?

Hour 13, Dinner, and Cheering!

Hour 13 has arrived! I've just finished book #3, need to find some dinner, and then it's my turn to cheer for people! I'm feeling excited, I've even decided on a little poem to leave for folks with my comment, I hope everyone likes it! I'm thinking about a pulled pork sandwich with spicy coleslaw for dinner, what's everyone else having?

Next up for me after I've cheered for awhile will be Almost to Die For by Tate Hallaway.



Finished books and pages read:

Pretty in Ink by Karen E. Olson - 31 pages
The Pirates! In an adventure with Scientists by Gideon Defoe - 133 pages
Wake by Lisa McMann - 210 pages
Manhunt by Janet Evanovich - 219 pages

Total Pages: 593

Heading into the evening - Hour 11

Hour 11 is coming up fast and I'm feeling a little sleepy. Buffy asked in my last post what my favorite thing at the Thai buffet was and I have to say on the weekend they usually have a red curry flounder that I LOVE! Today they had done it with catfish, which was fine, because I love that too! I also love their glass noodle eggrolls. *drool* We also got some iced coffee, got the car washed, checked my PO Box and did a quick errand at Target, all during which I was reading as my awesome husband drove the car. :)

I think I'm reading way slow this time, but feeling much more relaxed than the previous two read-a-thons that I did, so I'm okay with it. I'm enjoying myself!

I've finished my second complete book and am ready to start on my third. This time I'm going for humorous romance, Manhunt by Janet Evanovich. I posted both the old and the new covers for you because I think they're funny. Obviously this is a reprint of an old Loveswept title for her.



Finished books and pages read:

Pretty in Ink by Karen E. Olson - 31 pages
The Pirates! In an adventure with Scientists by Gideon Defoe - 133 pages
Wake by Lisa McMann - 210 pages

Total Pages: 374




Off to visit a few people, check in at the Dewey's Blog and then back to reading!

Lunchtime!

Read-a-thon correspondent Shaunesay reporting from the field at my favorite Thai buffet! Hubby was kind enough to drive so I could read on the way. I'm a little less than halfway through "Wake" and liking it a lot! What did everyone else have for lunch? See you in awhile!

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First check in - Book 1 completed!

I decided this time around I was going to blog a bit less and try to read a little more because the last couple of times it felt like all I did was check in! Not that that was bad, it was a lot of fun, but I want to read! But I also want to check on my friends, and have signed up for a stint of cheerleading this evening as well, so less blogging for myself was the answer! There are so many crazy ways to "check in" nowadays, foursquare, getglue, goodreads, facebook, twitter, too much to keep up on, but I try anyway! (too many exclamation points! Maybe I'm practicing for cheerleading later *giggle*)

I've had my breakfast read-a-thon cupcake, and now finished my first complete book as well as chosen my next, Wake by Lisa McMann.




Finished books and pages read:

Pretty in Ink by Karen E. Olson - 31 pages
The Pirates! In an adventure with Scientists by Gideon Defoe - 133 pages

Total Pages: 164



How is everyone else doing?

Ready... Set... GO!

Good Morning, Afternoon, or Evening wherever you are fellow Dewey Read-a-thoners! We're just about ready to start! Are you excited? I sure am! Kept waking up thinking, is it time yet, is it time yet? :D

I didn't quite get finished with the books I was hoping to yesterday for my clean slate start, so I think I'll begin by finishing up Pretty in Ink by Karen E. Olson since I only have 31 pages left, and it will bug me all day if I leave them hanging out there! Then I've picked The Pirates! In an adventure with Scientists by Gideon Defoe as my next book up!




Good luck everyone, I'll see you in a while!

E-mail Blogging

I'm all set to be a correspondent in the field.  In Other words, I've caught up to the rest of ya'll that already knew how to do this! ;)
Connected by DROID on Verizon Wireless

Testing text message blogging!

Master of None by Sonya Bateman

Gavyn Donatti is the unluckiest thief ever, as his unlucky partners have found out. He was hired to steal a very rare item, and when he loses it, his employer is ready to take him out. Just as it looks like this might be his last job, Gavyn is saved by a djinn named Ian who seems extremely put out that he has to bother with the rescue. The two form a grudging alliance, and a whole world Gavyn never knew existed is revealed to him. Unfortunately it is a world in turmoil that has spilled over into ours. Gavyn himself is an eventual result of the conflict.

Gavyn's ex-girlfriend Jazz reenters his life when he asks for her help, as well as an old partner with some surprise connections of his own. While trying to neutralize the threat the djinn world has visited to his own, Gavyn learns to use powers he never knew he had, and finds he's made of sterner stuff than he ever believed possible.

This was a great series beginning, and I'm really looking forward to #2 which came out last month, Master and Apprentice.

This is my 4th read for the Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge hosted by Book Chick City.

Winner for Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

It's a beautiful sunny day here, and I think it's even supposed to be warm! The perfect day for a romp in the park with some teen werewolves, right?

Our werewolves are going to be making their way to the Czech Republic to roam through Pálava with:

Misha!

Congrats Misha, I'll be e-mailing you soon! Thanks for entering and following me everyone! I will try to post a new contest soon!

Waiting for Dewey's...

So we're about 3 1/2 weeks out from Dewey's 24 hour Read-a-thon, April 2011 edition, are you getting excited yet? I am! This is my third time out, and I think I'm going to try a much more relaxed approach this time, no template, and not as many blog posts (I think I overdid it on updating the last two times), I may count pages, but won't worry about how much time I actually spend reading. I will definitely still visit friends and other random 'thoner's, and check in at the Dewey blog to see if there is an easy mini-challenge.

Part of the fun for me is picking out the stack of books to choose from. I like to go for shorter books with a bit larger print, that I think I can get through fairly quickly. I seem to start thinking of books that would be good almost the day after the previous read-a-thon, and it's torture thinking about how long it will be until it starts! Here are some of my choices so far, but we all know that it's all about mood on the big day, so I may end up going with something completely different when it's time!



Who else is doing the read-a-thon this year? What books have you picked out so far?

Invisible by Lorena McCourtney

Invisible is the first of the Ivy Malone series by Lorena McCourtney. I love the cover, I think it's very cute! Those are tombstones she's peeking over by the way. I picked this up free for kindle, and at last check, it was still listed that way, so if you have a kindle or the kindle app, head on over to Amazon and pick it up: Invisible for Kindle.

Ivy Malone is a widow who lives alone, right next door to her best friend, who has taken in a nice young woman as a boarder. Ivy and her friend have been troubled by the recent vandalism in a local cemetary where some of their relatives are buried, and vow to do something about it. What Ivy discovers is that because she is an elderly lady, she seems to be invisible, that people don't pay attention to her, and overlook her presence. While this seems like a discouraging revelation at first, Ivy decides to use this newfound "power" to her advantage. She bites off a little more than she's ready to handle when her investigation uncovers a plot that is much more dangerous than just teenagers vandalizing some headstones, but instead involves murder!

Ivy is an endearing character, with plenty of moxy and a strong faith in God (this is labeled as a Christian mystery) to get her through tough times. She definitely has a mind of her own and refuses to be intimidated, by the police, or the bad guys! I enjoyed this cozy mystery and would definitely recommend it, and look forward to continuing the series.

For more information on Lorena McCourtney's mysteries and romances visit her Website.

This is my third read for the Mystery and Suspense Challenge over at Book Chick City!

Giveaway: Moonlight by Rachel Hawthorne

From the back of the book:

Kayla is the nature lover, the all-American beauty who can't understand why she's so drawn to distant, brooding Lucas. Adopted as a young child, she has no way of knowing that she's inherited a terrifying -- and thrilling -- gene that will change her life forever.

Lucas is dangerous, gorgeous... and a werewolf. As leader of the Dark Guardians, shape-shifters who gather deep in within the state park, he has sworn to protect his pack. But when Lucas finds his true soul mate , his love could put them all in harm's way.

As Lucas and Kayla struggle with their feelings for each other, a greater danger lurks: Humans have discovered the Dark Guardians and are planning their destruction. Kayla must choose between the life she knows and the love she feels certain is her destiny.

Shaunie's opinion:

I enjoyed this one as a refreshing change from the other teen stories that seem to be located in schools. This is out in the open, the wilderness of a state park and I kept imagining Yellowstone in Wyoming as I read. I look forward to reading more of the series, and getting to know other members of the pack.

The Giveaway:

This is a gently used, and Bookcrossing labeled copy, that I'm ready to pass on to make a new friend! To enter, please comment on this post and tell me what your favorite state or national park is (anywhere in the world), and why it is your favorite, or if there is one you would like to visit and why. No answer, no entry. You get an extra entry if you are a follower, and another if you are a Bookcrosser, please tell me your Bookcrossing name to claim this extra entry. I will choose the winner on March 20th, 2011. Giveaway is open internationally.

Mount Vernon Love Story by Mary Higgins Clark

I admit that I have not read any of Mary Higgins Clark's other numerous novels, but I am interested in early American history, so this caught my eye. As the book opens, George Washington is getting ready to leave office as President. He is tired and ready to go home to Mount Vernon with his wife Martha, called Patsy. We glimpse his story from the time he is a young man until his time as President through recollections of the important events in his life. There isn't a cherry tree to be found in this story! Clark has made him a very real person, from his unaffectionate mother, to his unrequited love for the wife of a good friend, to the solid and steadfast love he finds with Patsy. This focuses less on the famous moments of his life, and more on the man, his feelings, and his constant struggle to find happiness.

I was interested to find out that this biographical novel was the first for Clark, and I do wish she had written more historical novels in the same vein. Maybe she will again. And maybe I'll even pick up one of her more popular mysteries, having now enjoyed this story! I definitely recommend it to American history fans, it is a quick and enjoyable read.

Deader Still (Simon Canderous #2) by Anton Strout

Today is actually release day for the 4th Simon Canderous novel by Anton Strout, Dead Waters. Alas I have only finished Book 2 so far, so that is what I'll be reviewing here. This is my 3rd read for the Horror and Urban Fantasy Challenge I'm taking part in hosted by Book Chick City.

"It's hard to defeat evil on a budget." This is the story of Simon's life it seems, as he is constantly bogged down by the red tape of the DEA (Department of Extraordinary Affairs) in his fight against the things that go bump in the night. What's frustrating for poor Simon, is hilarious for us as we watch him navigate his way through the DEA's bureaucratic maze, though things seem to go a little more smoothly for him now that he's a member of the Fraternal Order of Goodness. What is not going better for him are his personal relationships, either with his partner Connor, who is a little hurt and resentful of Simon's new status, or with his girlfriend Jane, who is being a little too friendly with her new boss. Not to mention there's a little problem of victims showing up drained of blood. It's possible that the 737 day streak of no vampire activity has come to an end. On top of that an old acquaintance from Simon's darker days has reappeared and is demanding that he help her with one last heist. Poor Simon can never have simple problems, they are always many layered!

This was a 4/5 for me, I'm really enjoying the Simon Canderous series so far, he's lovable, and very human (vs. superhuman), and always in trouble, poor guy, but he just keeps on whacking away at his problems, or sometimes juggling them, trying to resolve one while another is headed towards disaster, and arriving just in time to salvage that one too. I highly recommend them for a fun supernatural romp, and look forward to many more to come. Follow Anton on Twitter @antonstrout or at his blog What is Essential is Invisible to the Eye. He has a sarcastic wit, and is always entertaining, even in his agony over writing/working trials and tribulations. Thanks for a fun series Anton!

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

I'm not a huge TV watcher, but there are a few shows I enjoy when I happen to catch them, the mystery show Castle starring Nathan Fillion is one those. Heat Wave is the first Nikki Heat novel written by fictonal author Richard Castle (portrayed by Fillion) as mentioned in the show, and is the reason he's tagging along with Detective Kate Beckett and her team.

The novel features Detective Nikki Heat, and her writer shadow, journalist Jameson Rook. This is a stand alone story, having watched the television show is not necessary, however I think that fans of the show will probably appreciate the novel more, and be able to fill out the characters in their minds, than a non-Castle watcher. The same attitude is present, Rook rarely does what Heat tells him to, and usually gets in the middle of trouble because of it. The biggest difference to me is that Nikki Heat is much more aggressive than Beckett, and of course there is action between the two of them that watchers of the show only wish would happen between Beckett and Castle. But as we all know, it's that romantic tension that keeps a show exciting!

The story is not bad, Heat and her team are investigating the death of Matthew Starr, a financially troubled real estate mogul, who met his end off the balcony of his home. As expected many suspicious characters surrounded Starr, from his wife, to the mob, to his accountant, and the team is kept guessing until the end, when the killer reveals themselves, and of course Rook is right in the middle, no matter how many times Heat tells him to stay in the car, stay back, stay out of the building, just stay out of the way! As annoying as she finds Rook however, Heat can't deny her attraction to him, though she does seem to be able to compartmentalize her feelings while on the job, much to Rook's confusion and dismay.

I gave this one a 3/5, as police novels are really not my thing, and I did only read it because of it's relation to the show. Again, I think fans of the show Castle will get more out of this because they will certainly be imagining Beckett and Castle in the starring roles, but it is a complete story by itself, so someone who has never seen the show should be able to enjoy it as well. I will most likely read the next book in the series, Naked Heat for the same reason. I think it's funny that they've gone and listed the titles of Richard Castle's Derek Storm series, which doesn't actually exist.

This is my second read for the Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City

Grave Secret by Charlaine Harris

My first read for the Mystery and Suspense Reading Challenge hosted by Book Chick City is the 4th and last book of Charlaine Harris' Harper Connelly series, Grave Secret.

My immediate reaction was "No, wait! What? But! Well shoot!" Because I didn't realize that this was the last book, and that all would be revealed! I was all looking to see if Charlaine was working on another Harper book before diving into this one so I could put it on my wishlist. I'm a little oblivious I admit! But this is an excellent series and I'm very sad to see Harper and Tolliver's story wrapped up, even though we do receive closure and fairly happy ending for the two of them, as much as the dark tone of the story allows.

In this last episode, Harper and Tolliver are brought back near their home in Texas, hired by Lizzie Joyce to find out how her grandfather died. Harper does just that, also uncovering a few more family secrets in the bargain. This nearly costs Tolliver his life as someone targets Harper in an attempt to keep the family dirty laundry buried. Lovable and quirky Manfred also appears, because Harper needs him, even if she doesn't know it. Harper can't get over feeling that the men of the Joyce family that hired her seem very familiar, and eventually ties to her and Tolliver's own family past are uncovered, leading to a shocking ending.

This was an excellent series all around, and I found myself turning pages as fast as I could to find out the answer! Definitely a 5/5 rating, and I'm sad that it's over! I will have to console myself that I still have a few books left in the Aurora Teagarden series, and all of Lily Bard and Sookie Stackhouse ahead of me!

Visit the Charlaine Harris Website for more information on this author and her work!

Taming the Scotsman by Kinley MacGregor

Taming the Scotsman is the 3rd book in Kinley MacGregor's MacAllister series (according to the reading order on her website), but I believe this can be read as a stand alone. While I have read 2 of the other brothers' books, I didn't really need to know their history to enjoy this one, the backstory was present when needed. This is my first read for the Historical Romance Challenge hosted by Romance Book Junkies, and it is set in Medieval Scotland.

Ewan is the brooding and surly brother in the MacAllister family. He blames himself for the death of his brother Kieran over a woman that betrayed them both. He lives away from the rest of the family in a cave, constantly punishing himself for what he believes he caused. It is to Ewan that Nora runs to try and get away from a betrothal that she knows will make her life miserable. She has no idea of the history that Ewan berates himself for, and shocks him by asking him to do the very thing that caused all of his previous trouble. She needs him to escort her to England, just as he had done with the treacherous Isobail, whom he and his brother Kieran had fought over. Nora likens Ewan to a bear, big and grumpy, and he fears that her incessant chatter will drive him insane, nevertheless he agrees to take her to his brother Lochlan to see what can be done. Along the way there are the usual adventures, kidnapping, fighting and escaping, during which the two grow very fond of each other. Though their attraction is strong, they are plagued by many misconceptions of class, family and prior commitments, and so there is much of the I love him/her, but cannot have him/her, and he/she will be better off without me anguish that we are so fond of in romances.

I'll give this a 4/5 because it's just the thing when you're looking for a fast paced historical romantic escape. For more information on the author and her work, see her website: Sherrilyn Kenyon yep, they are one and the same!

And the Winner Is...

Today is the day! I had a great response on this one, I guess everyone wants to read about a break up company around Valentine's Day! lol!

The winner is...

Jen R

Who is currently reading: Brava, Valentine by Adriana Trigiani

Congrats Jen, I'll be contacting you to get your addy so I can get Your Big Break on the way to you! Thanks for entering everyone!

My friend Susan is hosting a great giveaways right now as well! She is giving away a copy of Michelle Moran's novel about Madame Tussaud, plus some adorable cupcake earrings. See post for details right HERE.