On the subject of challenges...

I was eagerly anticipating all the challenges I joined last year but in the end I didn't manage to successfully conclude all of them. So, this year, I have decided that besides the Portuguese Historical Fiction Challenge and the Goodreads Reading Challenge I won't sign up for any other and I'll devote myself to catch up the several series that I already reading. I'm tracking them on FictFact and I have huge task ahead of me if I wan't to put them all up to date.

Besides some of past year's challenges became a bit of chore towards the end of the year and I want to to read for entertainment or knowledge, not just because I have to.

What's On Your Nightstand

I completely forgot that yesterday was the What's on Your Nightstand post at 5 Minutes For Books. I guess stating away these past week distracted me a bit from my usual schedule. I don't exactly have a pile on my nightstand at the moment. I've been a bit of a mood reader lately  and have been picking the next book only when I'm finished with the previous one. But yesterday I spent some time looking at my shelves and this is what I plan to read in the next few days:

Deciding that true romantic heroes are a thing of the past, Eloise Kelly, an intelligent American who always manages to wear her Jimmy Choo suede boots on the day it rains, leaves Harvard's Widener Library bound for England to finish her dissertation on the dashing pair of spies the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian. What she discovers is something the finest historians have missed: a secret history that begins with a letter dated 1803. Eloise has found the secret history of the Pink Carnation the most elusive spy of all time, the spy who single-handedly saved England from Napoleon's invasion.

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation, a wildly imaginative and highly adventurous debut, opens with the story of a modern-day heroine but soon becomes a book within a book. Eloise Kelly settles in to read the secret history hoping to unmask the Pink Carnation's identity, but before she can make this discovery, she uncovers a passionate romance within the pages of the secret history that almost threw off the course of world events. How did the Pink Carnation save England? What became of the Scarlet Pimpernel and the Purple Gentian? And will Eloise Kelly find a hero of her own?

Thirteenth-century Wales is a divided country, ever at the mercy of England's ruthless, power-hungry King John. Then Llewelyn, Prince of North Wales, secures an uneasy truce with England by marrying the English king's beloved, illegitimate daughter, Joanna. Reluctant to wed her father's bitter enemy, Joanna slowly grows to love her charismatic and courageous husband who dreams of uniting Wales. But as John's attentions turn again and again to subduing Wales--and Llewelyn--Joanna must decide to which of these powerful men she owes her loyalty and love.

From Laura Kinsale comes an extraordinary medieval-set tale of consuming love and fiery passion between a dashing, dangerous assassin and the beautiful princess who stands in the way of all he's ever desired.

What's on Your Nightstand?

It's that time of the month again and I have new books in my nightstand. I've been in a bit of a reading slump lately, I'm not reading as fast as I used to and I think I've became a bit of a mood reader. This means that sometimes the books that I put on my nightstand are not the ones I end up reading first. Still, I always have a good time going through my shelves and selecting the titles I might want to read next so I always do that on the eve of having this post going up. Here's what I selected yesterday:

This is the first story in a mystery series set in Ancient Rome, featuring Marcus Didius Falco. The story sees Falco travelling to Britain in search of missing silver pigs, where he meets Helena Justina, and romance begins to blossom.

When the body of a young man is discovered deep beneath the icy waters of Lake Grant, a note left under a rock by the shore points to suicide. But within minutes, it becomes clear that this is no suicide. It's a brutal, cold-blooded murder. All too soon former Grant County medical examiner Sara Linton -- home for Thanksgiving after a long absence -- finds herself unwittingly drawn into the case. The chief suspect is desperate to see her, but when she arrives at the local police station she is met with a horrifying sight -- he lies dead in his cell, the words 'Not me' scrawled across the walls. Something about his confession doesn't add up and deeply suspicious of the detective in charge, Lena Adams, Sara immediately calls the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Shortly afterwards, Special Agent Will Trent is brought in from his vacation to investigate. But he is immediately confronted with a wall of silence. Grant County is a close-knit community with loyalties and ties that run deep. And the only person who can tell the truth about what really happened is dead.

Readers were first introduced to Allegreto, the elegant assassin, in For My Lady's Heart. Now, he is a charismatic, dangerous man who will stop at nothing to regain his rightful place in the rich Italian principality of Monteverde. And the perfect tool has just fallen into his hands, in the lovely form of Lady Elena--the long-lost Monteverde princess. Only she can solidify his claim...but the dark passion that grows between them is more dangerous than any treachery mortal men could devise.

Mysteries and romance, historicals and contemporary. I think that's a nice mix! :-)

What's on Your Nightstand is a monthly event hosted at 5 Minutes for Books

Challenges Round Up

And here is my monthly look at the challenges I am participating in:


101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
Ends Oct 2010
Goal - 6 books
Read - 4

Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge 2010
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 12 books
Read - 11

Cozy Mystery Challenge
Ends September 2010
Goal - 7 to 10
Read - 5

Marple, Poirot, Holmes Challenge
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 6


And  The Alphabet in Historical Fiction run by Historical Tapestry. We're currently on letter P.

What's On Your Nightstand?

I missed this meme last month while I was on vacation but now I am back to share what's on my nightstand. Not many books because I have been busy at work and don't have as much time as I would like but I am reading 3 books at the same time:

'I dare say it will not be so very bad, our marriage, if I can have a house in town, and perhaps a love.' 'Perhaps a WHAT?' demanded Shield, in a voice that made her jump. Neither Sir Tristram Shield nor Eustacie, his young French cousin, share the slightest inclination to marry one another. Yet it is Lord Lavenham's dying wish. For there is no one else to provide for the old man's granddaughter while Ludovic, his heir, remains a fugitive from justice...

Protestantism is sweeping the land and threatens the position of the Catholic Morlands, so they must seek new spheres of influence. John, the heir, rides north to the untamed Borderlands to wed the daughter of Black Will Percy, Northumberland cattle lord. But he finds he must first prove himself, and win her heart through blood and battle. John’s gentle sister Lettice is given in marriage to the ruthless Scottish baron, Lord Robert Hamilton, and in the treacherous court of Mary, Queen of Scots, she learns the fierce lessons of survival.

The stark naked body was lying in the tub. Not unusual for a proper bath, but highly irregular for murder -- especially witha pair of gold pince-nez deliberately perched before the sightless eyes. What's more, the face appeared to have been shaved after death. The police assumed that the victim was a prominent financier, but Lord Peter Wimsey, who dabbled in mystery detection as a hobby, knew better. In this, his first murder case, Lord Peter untangles the ghastly mystery of the corpse in the bath.

They have in common the fact that they are all historical although set in different periods...

What's on Your Nightstand is a monthly event hosted at 5 Minutes for Books

All About The Brontes Challenge Completed

The All About the Brontës Challenge requested that we read or watch 3 to 6 Brönte things and since I did reach the number 5 I think that's enough to consider it finished. It was a challenge that I really enjoyed and I definitely plan to continue looking for more Brönte related books and movies.
 
 

Read / Watched:
Jane Eyre (1983)
Jane Eyre (1973)
Jane Eyre's Daughter by Elizabeth Newark
Wuthering Heights (2009)
The Brönte Myth by Lucasta Miller

Once Upon a Time Challenge Completed

I just completed another challenge last week - the Once Upon a Time Challenge

The goal was to read 5 books that could be fantasy, mythology, fairy tales or folklore and my choices were:

Fantasy - Queen of Song and Souls by C. L. Wilson
Fantasy (Urban) - Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Mythology - Bull God by Roberta Gellis
Fantasy (Paranormal) - Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Fantasy (Paranormal) - Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

With the exception of the Gellis book all the others are part of series that I was already reading and they were good reads for the most part.

Thanks for hosting this challenge Carl!

Challenges Round Up

And here is my monthly look at the challenges I am participating in:

Period Drama Challenge
Ends Jul 2010
Goal - 12 movies
Watched - 10

101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
Ends Oct 2010
Goal - 6 books
Read - 3

Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge 2010
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 12 books
Read - 10

All About The Bröntes
Ends June 2010
Goal - read or watch 3 to 6 Brönte related things
Watched - 4

Cozy Mystery Challenge
Ends September 2010
Goal - 7 to 10
Read - 3


Once Upon a Time Challenge
Ends June 2010
Goal - 5
Read - 5
I still need to write the final reviews

Marple, Poirot, Holmes Challenge
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 6

The 1930s Mini Challenge
Ends July 2010
Goal - 1 or more

And  The Alphabet in Historical Fiction run by Historical Tapestry. We're currently on letter M. I have been making a list to make sure that I have a book for every letter but so far I haven't found any with an X or a Z. Suggestions are welcome! :-)

I'm almost done with the challenges that end in June so I'll probably take devote my vacation to the books set in the 1930s.

What's On Your Nightstand?

It's that time of the month again, time for 5 Minutes For Books's meme What's On Your Nightstand!

After being on a mysteries and thrillers mood for a while I have now changed to an historical fiction mood. This is a good thing because June is the month for the Anya Seton Season at HT and I fully intend to read some of her books and join the discussions there. At the moment I have several of her books in the TBR pile:

Amanda Lawrence, a charming, sheltered New York socialite, fell in love with Jonathan Dartland, a part-Apache mining engineer who belonged to the vastness of the Arizona desert. Amanda responded to his strength and self-reliance, but had nothing and nobody to guide her when she followed him to the grim town of Lodestone. . . .

Aaron Burr's daughter, Theodosia, was dedicated to him with single-mindedness. Better than anyone else in the world, she understood her father. It was to her he unburdened himself and in this reconstruction of Theodosia's life we see him clearly mirrored. Anya Seton treats the unusual relationship in a factual and open manner, sparing us the pedantry of psycho-history.

First published in 1958 and set in the early 17th century, this bestselling novel—and follow-up to Katherine—follows Elizabeth Winthrop, a courageous Puritan woman who finds herself at odds with her heritage and surroundings. A real historical figure, Elizabeth married into the family of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. In those times of hardship, famine, and Indian attacks, many believed that the only way to prosper was through the strong, bigoted, and theocratic government that John Winthrop favored. Defying the government and her family, Elizabeth befriends famous heretic Anne Hutchinson, challenges an army captain, and dares to love as her heart commanded. Through Elizabeth’s three marriages, struggles with her passionate beliefs, and countless rebellions, a powerful tale of fortitude, humiliation, and ultimate triumph shines through.

Historical Mystery Challenge Completed

Another challenge finished! I really like historical mysteries and all the books I read for this challenge are part of series, four of them new to me, so I think I'll have plenty of good reading ahead.

Books read for this challenge:

A Mortal Bane - Roberta Gellis (Magdalene la Batarde series)

Birds of A Feather - Jacqueline Winspear (Maisie Dobbs series)
Bellfield Hall - Anna Dean (Dido Kent series)
The Poyson Garden - Karen Harper (Elizabeth I series)
To Shield The Queen - Fiona Buckley (Ursula Blanchard series)

Medieval Challenge Completed

The goal was to read 3 medieval books and I have completed it a lot sooner than I thought. Medievals are one of my favourite periods and the only reason I didn't set out to read more books was because I wasn't sure I would be in the mood for non fiction. I still have a few medievals in the TBR pile so I'll probably read more in the months to come.

My reads for this challenge were:

1 - The Conquered Heart - Denee Cody
2 - I Serve; A Novel of The Black Prince - Rosanne E. Lortz
3 - The Linnet - Elizabeth English

Challenges Round Up

And here is my monthly look at the challenges I am participating in:

Period Drama Challenge
Ends Jul 2010
Goal - 12 movies
Watched - 10

101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
Ends Oct 2010
Goal - 6 books
Read - 3

Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge 2010
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 12 books
Read - 10

All About The Bröntes
Ends June 2010
Goal - read or watch 6 Brönte related things
Watched - 1

Cozy Mystery Challenge
Ends September 2010
Goal - 7 to 10
Read - 3

Historical Mystery Challenge
Ends June 2010
Goal - 5
Read - 3

Once Upon a Time Challenge
Ends June 2010
Goal - 5

Marple, Poirot, Holmes Challenge
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 6

I'm also involved in The Alphabet in Historical Fiction which is a different type of challenge and so far I've been keeping up with all letters.

I have some challenges ending in June so I'll have to on those in May. I've been on a mysteries and thrillers mood lately and I have several challenge with those themes so it's not bad but I definitely have to work on the others now.

What's On Your Nightstand?

I had a really good time with my reads this past month. I started with the books I had mentioned on my last post which were really nice stories and then went on a spree of contemporary mysteries and thrillers which is still continuing so I'll probably read some next month too.

At the moment this is what is on my nightstand:

I'm sure I will add more in the mean time but I'll have to see where my mood takes me.

The 1930s Mini Challenge

It seems I am unable to resist a good challenge. When I saw this post at Things Mean a Lot I just knew I had to enter. The goal is to read books set during, or about, the 1930s and the rules are:

• Three months (April 18th – July 18th);
• You’d only need to read a minimum of one book, though you’d of course be welcome to read more than one;
• No need for a sign-up post or a reading list;
• Just enter your name, read your book(s), and then come back and leave me a link to your post about what you’ve read.

It's a good thing that a reading list is not needed because I have no idea what I'll be reading. If anyone has interesting suggestions I would love to know them.

Challenges Round Up

And here is my monthly look at the challenges I am participating in:

Period Drama Challenge
Ends Jul 2010
Goal - 12 movies
Watched - 9

101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
Ends Oct 2010
Goal - 6 books
Read - 3

Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge 2010
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 12 books
Read - 5

All About The Bröntes
Ends June 2010
Goal - read or watch 6 Brönte related things
Watched - 1

Cozy Mystery Challenge
Ends September 2010
Goal - 7 to 10
Read - 2

Medieval Challenge
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 3
Read - 3

Historical Mystery Challenge
Ends June 2010
Goal - 5
Read - 1

Once Upon a Time Challenge
Ends June 2010
Goal - 5



I'm also involved in The Alphabet in Historical Fiction which has been really fun so far.

Once Upon a Time Challenge

It's time for the Once Upon a Time Challenge once more. Hosted by Carl V at Stainless Steel Droppings this is the fourth edition of the challenge and I had so much fun with it last year (and added quite a few books to the WL) that I can't resist entering again.

I'm going to enter for the Quest the First level which is:

Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time IV criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

I still haven't decided what to read but I'll check my TBR soon so see what can fit this category and I'll check everyone else's reading lists too where I'm sure I'll find interesting suggestions.

Thanks for hosting this challenge Carl!

Books read:

Fantasy - Queen of Song and Souls by C. L. Wilson
Fantasy (Urban) - Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Mythology - Bull God by Roberta Gellis
Fantasy (Paranormal) - Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh
Fantasy (Paranormal) - Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

Historical Mystery Challenge

I couldn't resist being a part of this challenge, it just seems to complement the Suspense & Thriller challenge and the Cozy Mystery challenge I'm involved in.

Here are the rules that you can also find at Mysteries and My Musings:

* This reading challenge runs March - June 2010
*Suspense, amateur sleuth or police procedures and the entire menagerie under the mystery genre are all available for the challenge.
* In three (3) months read five (5) historical mysteries.
* Cross overs / overlaps to other challenges are okay and the more you can utulize your TBR stack the better.
* Sign up below with Mr Linky, if you like. If you don't have a blog then post your list of books here in the comments and return to share what you finished.
* If you have given the book you chose a good chance and you just can't read/finish it, feel free to pick a new one.
* Those who complete the challenge get a Badge of Completion that can be posted on their blog or website and entered for a random drawing for one of five Challenge winners bookmarks to be given away. I scrapbook and stamp so they are handmade.
* Prize restrictions - bookmarks will only mailed within the U.S and Canada.
Random drawing of challenge participants who completed the challenge will have 2 weeks from prize notification to provide a mailing address. If a mailing address is not provided then a new person will be drawn and notified.

I haven't decided on my 5 books yet but I plan to start reading for this soon....

 Books read:
A Mortal Bane - Roberta Gellis
Birds of A Feather - Jacqueline Winspear
Bellfield Hall - Anna Dean
The Poyson Garden - Karen Harper
To Shield The Queen - Fiona Buckley

What's On Your Nightstand?

Is it me or this month just went by really fast? I can't believe it is time to post again about What's on My Nighstand. I managed to read a few books this month besides the ones I had planned but not as many as I hoped. My favourites were:

One is historical fiction and the other a traditional regency but they were both wonderful in their different genres.

For next month I think I am going to devote myself to the numerous mysteries that are sitting in my TBR:

Thank you to the ladies of 5 Minutes for Books for organising this monthly meme!

Cozy Mystery Challenge 2010

Kris is once again hosting the Cozy Mystery Challenge. The Rules are:

1.  The challenge runs April 1st, 2010 through September 30, 2010.
2.  The goal is to read at least 6 cozy mysteries, one for each month. You can choose to read more, but you must read 6 in order to complete this challenge. You don't have to read 1 each month, you can read them whenever you like, you just have to read at least six.
3. While you can overlap with other challenges, please try to have at least 2 of the books only count towards this challenge.
4. Prizes you ask? Everyone loves a prize! Everyone who completes this challenge will get a bookmark made by yours truly (even if I don't mail them in a timely manner - I will mail them.)
5. Sign-up using the dedicated form. The form can be found in another post or here's a direct link. While it would be great if you signed up before April 1st, last year I had several people who wanted to join but didn't learn about the challenge until after it had started. Therefore you can sign up anytime between now and September 1st.

I really enjoyed this challenge last year and so I decided to challenge myself a bit more and this time I entered for the 7 to 10 books level. Let's see if I don't regret it!

Books read:
Duplicity Dogged The Dachshund by Blaize Clement
Bellfield Hall by Anna Dean
Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear
In For a Penny by Rose Lerner
Whose Body by Dorothy L. Sayers
One, Two, Buckle My Shoe - Agatha Christie
Evil Under The Sun - Agatha Christie

Challenges Round Up

And here is my monthly look at the challenges I am participating in:

Period Drama Challenge
Ends Jul 2010
Goal - 12 movies
Watched - 9

101 Fantasy Reading Challenge
Ends Oct 2010
Goal - 6 books
Read - 3

Suspense & Thriller Reading Challenge 2010
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 12 books
Read - 2

All About The Bröntes
Ends June 2010
Goal - read or watch 6 Brönte related things

Medieval Challenge
Ends Dec 2010
Goal - 3

I'm also involved in The Alphabet in Historical Fiction , a different kind of challenge as you have to read a book every fortnight connected to a letter of the alphabet  So far I've been able to keep up.