Perfect Reading Challenge for me this year -- 2012 Cruisin' thru the Cozies Reading Challenge

Looks like another perfect reading challenge for me this year as I have already finished one cozy and am a good way through my second. I also realized when listing some of the series that I would like to read this year @ BookObsessed.com that a major portion of them are cozies. So here we go!

Sponsored by Socrates' Book Review Blog

Runs from January 1, 2012 -- December 31, 2012

Signup and rules

I have chosen Level 3 Super Sleuth -- Read 13 or more books

If you would like to follow my progress you can go HERE.

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz

A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz
My rating: 4 of 5 stars


In this mischievous and utterly original debut, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches.

Fairy tales have never been more irreverent or subversive as Hansel and Gretel learn to take charge of their destinies and become the clever architects of their own happily ever after.

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My 11 year old daughter bought this book at the school book fair and brought it home. She wanted me to read it with her so we have been reading it together over the last couple weeks. I have to say that I totally enjoyed the book, as an adult who loves to read horror novels, but I was a bit concerned that it was not quite appropriate for my 11 year old. This is quite a dark and graphic book, even though it is written in a humorous, Lemony Snicket style, with the author breaking into the story with comments, advice, etc. There is no question that is was written to be a humorous recounting of a collection of fairy tales, but I think that it is important that you are sure your child is able to understand that it is all just make believe. That being said, I would recommend it to any and all adult fans of horror, fairy tales and humorous wit.


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Another Challenge for 2012 -- Book Chick City's Horror & Urban Fantasy Reading Challenge 2012

So I have decided to jump start my resolution to read more in 2012 by joining some Reading Challenges. Since I have always been a huge fan or Horror and thus have jumped on the Urban Fantasy bandwagon this challenge is right up my alley!! Looking forward to digging out some of my horror novels that have been gathering dust on the bookshelves as well as finding some really good Urban Fantasy (not to be confused with Paranormal Romance) to read this year!! 

I have decided to go for the 24 novel level.

To follow my progress check HERE

Timeline: Jan. 1, 2012 - Dec. 31, 2012

Rules: To read TWENTY FOUR (24) or FORTY EIGHT (48)

 horror & urban fantasy novels in 2012

For more details or to sign up click HERE

Scene of The Grime (Grime Solvers Mystery #1) by Suzanne Price

Scene of The Grime by Suzanne Price
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

In her mid-30s and recently widowed, Sky Taylor left the big city for Pigeon Cove, a hamlet off the Massachusetts coast. Sky is re-adapting to single life-with a newspaper column and her knack for creative cleaning increasingly in demand. Then she discovers a patron of the Millwood Inn permanently checked-out. Now Sky's juggling the police chief's questions with advances from the newest-and handsomest-crime reporter in town. But if she wants to clear her name, she has some scouring to do.

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A nice start to the New Year. This cozy mystery is the first of a series. I enjoyed it. I like the main character and the story line stayed interesting. Definitely looking forward to the next in the series to see where it goes next.


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New Year, New Challenges, New Goals

I had an awful year for reading in 2011 so I have decided that for 2012 I am going to attempt to focus more on reading. Reading more of the books that I already have and organize my library. The first step I am going to take is to join a wonderful challenge that a book buddy of mine discovered. I have signed up for Mt. Vancouver - read 25 books from your tbr pile in the hopes that I can increase that level as the year goes by.
You can view my progress here.

The Mount TBR Challenge is hosted by My Reader's Block and will run from Jan. 1 - Dec. 31 2012. Sign up and rules

Ink Flamingos (Tattoo Shop Mystery #4) by Karen E. Olson

Ink Flamingos by Karen E. Olson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Dee Carmichael, lead singer of the pop sensation The Flamingoes, has been one of Brett Kavanaugh's most dedicated customers at her tattoo shop. When Dee is discovered dead surrounded by ink pots and needles, Brett is branded a suspect.

It seems that someone is impersonating Brett. And if she doesn't act fast, the killer is sure to put the dye in dying once again...

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Finished this back in July but did not journal.



I absolutely love this series. Each one seems to be a little bit better than the last. Really like where these are going as far as Bret's personal life. Very much looking forward to the next one.



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Dead Reckoning (Sookie Stackhouse #11) by Charlaine Harris

Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
With her knack for being in trouble's way, Sookie witnesses the firebombing of Merlotte's, the bar where she works. Since Sam Merlotte is now known to be two-natured, suspicion falls immediately on the anti-shifters in the area. Sookie suspects otherwise, but her attention is divided when she realizes that her lover Eric Northman and his "child" Pam are plotting to kill the vampire who is now their master. Gradually, Sookie is drawn into the plot-which is much more complicated than she knows...

ETA- I read this book in July of 2011

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As always I enjoy Sookie. The books are always quick reads and enjoyable. I had a little trouble with this one, only because I kept wanting to relate it to the television series. lol



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ReVamped (Void City #2) by J.F. Lewis

ReVamped by J.F. Lewis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


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REVIVED. REFRESHED. AND READY FOR REVENGE.

Eric survived a vicious showdown with his double-crossing former best friend and some angry lycanthropes—barely: he’s lost his strip club, his treasured red Mustang, his love life, and even his body. But with a little magic, the die-hard Vlad returns to corporeal form, and “Fang the ’Stang” is restored—with an unlife of its own. Now Eric’s ready to match wits with one of Void City’s most powerful demons to rescue the soul of Marilyn, the love of his (mortal) life. But salvation comes at a high price, forcing Eric to enter his own worst nightmare, vampire High Society, to uncover the truth about the origin of his powers. Having to deal with the Void City elite is bad enough, but the more Eric sniffs around, the more it looks like someone is after his soul, too. Now blood will flow and fangs will be bared, because revenge is never pretty . . . and Eric has plenty to pass around.
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Interesting. Definitely has something a little different than most of the books out there in this genre, but for me it just did not hold my attention. I found myself kind of ho hum about picking it up and reading more of it. Not sure why. I am moving on to #3 since I have it sitting here.



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