Showing posts with label 2016 reading challenges. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2016 reading challenges. Show all posts

Wednesday, December 28, 2016

2016 Book Challenges Fail



Yes, this is me crying because I did not come anywhere close to meeting my book challenges this year. I read a whopping.....

21 books in 2016

And seven of them were children's books. I read one book, yes one, from 2016 Reading Challenge List--which I am going to promptly rename my 2017 Reading Challenge List. LOL! 

Sometimes life tosses you lemons and you just have to make lemonade. This was one of those years. I worked through most of my vacation and didn't get to read or review as much as I would like. Doo-doo happens. 

My favorite challenge....


...is taking a break in 2017. Freda has been dedicated to it and the girl deserves some time off. I've been invited to some other reading challenges so I'll check them out and let you know what the plan for 2017 is soon. More reading is part of that plan. 

Hope you had a great 2016. Let me know how you did with your reading goals. 

Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Book Review: The Journal Project by Susan Lerner



Have you ever struggled to recall a funny family story? Have you ever lost a loved one and thought: I wish I could talk to him one last time. There is so much I would askThe Journal Project: Capturing the Magic of Family Life Through Stories by Susan Lerner might just be the encouragement you need to get started.

In this booklet, Lerner shares the benefits of writing down ordinary life events, how stories differ from photos and videos, the writing process and more. The reality is that we all probably wish we captured more memories of our children growing up, our loved ones before they passed, and even thoughts about ourselves. If you've been contemplating starting a journal or have a family member or friend wishing to start one, The Journal Project will help put things in motion.

What I really enjoy about this book is that it provides a good amount of information, but is easily read in one sitting. I've put it on the reference shelf in my office to refer to later because there are some neat resources at the end of the book.

Paperback: 40 pages
Publisher: on the edge books (October 4, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0975285394
ISBN-13: 978-0975285398

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge:


Friday, October 28, 2016

Book Review & Giveaway: Christmas at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard


A splendid story of love, faith, and healing awaits you in Christmas at Promise Lodge by Charlotte Hubbard.

The joy the residents of Promise Lodge feel over their community's first wedding is marred by the bishop's narrow-minded sermon. Mattie Schwartz believes marriage and family aren't the most important of God's gifts, even if she does still carry feelings for Preacher Amos Troyer.

Amos still hopes Mattie will change her mind about taking another husband. But when an accident threatens to change the course of his life, Amos wonders what the Lord has planned for him and his beloved Mattie.

This is such a wonderful story. Like all of Hubbard's books, it's built around a community of people. The main focus of this novel might be Mattie and Amos, but the reader is treated with how the lives of others intersect, especially in light of Bishop Floyd Lehman taking some of the community to task at the wedding.

What I feel Hubbard has always done well is shine a light on Plain communities and, through her characters, made them more relatable to others. Their work ethic, their strong faith, and their human failings are all hallmarks of her novels. Promise Lodge is a community I would love to visit...even if I can only do that in my mind.

Christmas stories tend to be my favorite, so I enjoyed the seasonal aspects of this novel. Those great recipes at the end of the book will be fun to try.

Christmas at Promise Lodge is the perfect inspirational romance of the season. Though I highly encourage readers to start at the beginning of the series, this is a stand-alone novel that can be read by itself.

I don't have the space to keep many books these days, but I'll find room for this one.

EXCERPT

Mattie smoothed her apron, hoping her bad mood would dissipate as she stepped into the doorway of the dining room. What a sight it was! The long tables covered in white cloths gave the large hall a simple elegance. Every seat was filled with friends and family members who visited happily as they ate their meal. The aromas of baked chicken, stuffing, and warm bread soothed her as she gazed from table to table, trying to locate Amos. She hoped he hadn’t given up on her. He’d be disappointed if she didn’t join him for dinner.

Her gaze lingered on the raised eck table, where her younger son sat with his new bride. The sight of them sitting so close, lost in each other’s gazes, made Mattie’s heart overflow with a special love. It’s their happiness that matters, she reminded herself. They’re the future of Promise Lodge no matter how things work out—or don’t—with Floyd Lehman.

Mattie wondered why Roman was returning to his place at the wedding party’s table with a secretive smile, appearing slightly out of breath. He waved off Noah’s teasing question, squeezing his younger brother’s shoulder as he sat down beside Laura Hershberger—his cousin and Deborah’s closest friend. What a blessing that her boys were so close, and that they remained so connected to Christine’s girls, as well. Once again, as she gazed at their earnest faces, she wondered how those four kids—and Deborah—had reached young adulthood already.

If your sons are twenty-four and twenty-one, there’s no denying how old that makes you, Mattie realized wistfully. Maybe Amos has it right. Maybe you should accept his proposal, for who knows how long he’ll keep asking a middle-aged widow to make her home with him? Roman’s building a house now, so he’ll have a home to offer the right young woman when she comes along. Do you want to grow old alone?

Series: Promise Lodge
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (September 27, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420139436
ISBN-13: 978-1420139433

Purchase at:

• Amazon.com http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=142013941X/

•• Barnes & Noble http://search.barnesandnoble.com/booksearch/isbninquiry.asp

•• The Book Depository http://www.bookdepository.com/book/9781420139419

•• B-A-M http://www.booksamillion.com/product/9781420139419

•• Chapters http://www.chapters.indigo.ca/books/a/9781420139419-item.html

•• IndieBound http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781420139419

•• Powell’s http://www.powells.com/biblio?isbn=9781420139419

•• Kensington Books http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32120

Ebook:

• Kindle http://www.amazon.com/Promise-Lodge-Charlotte-Hubbard-ebook/dp/B00Y6RB2PA/

•• Nook http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/promise-lodge-charlotte-hubbard/1121998591

•• Kobo https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/promise-lodge

•• iBooks https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/promise-lodge/id1013564715?mt=11

•• Google Play https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Charlotte_Hubbard_Promise_Lodge?id=mZOmCQAAQBAJ


I received a free copy of this book from the author, This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.



Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while she was still a school librarian—Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. This launched her into writing around seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. Over the course of her writing career, she has sold nearly 50 books—most recently, Amish romance series she’s written as Charlotte Hubbard or Naomi King.

Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40 years and their Border collie, Ramona.

WEBSITE www.CharlotteHubbard.com

Facebook www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1


Charlotte will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway





I read this book for the following challenge:



Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Book Review: Is He Cheating? By Lisa Daily


Is your guy stepping out on you? Does he not seem like the person you once knew? If you have your suspicions, it might be time to pick up a copy of Is He Cheating? by Lisa Daily.

Part of Daily's Surviving Infidelity in Marriage series, Is He Cheating? provides tips and advice on how you can discover if your significant other is being unfaithful. The statistics are scary: 85% of women who suspect their partner is cheating are right and 70% of affairs begin at work.

In this useful resource, the author shares the character traits of men more predisposed to cheating, teaches you the signs he's cheating, and shares what tools you can use to help find out and ways to deal with the shame that often comes with being cheated on.

I read this more out of curiosity than concern and, honestly, I would never think to go to some of the lengths suggested in Is He Cheating?...mainly because I am way too cheap to spend any money on gadgets, tests, and private investigators. That said, if you are concerned and want insight into some good ways to learn the truth, Is He Cheating? is a great book.

My favorite part would have to be the letters from other women who are going through the same fears as you are. The author includes her responses, which allows you to see she is a down-to-earth individual seeking to help others. I like her sense of humor too. As a writer, I thought this book could also be used for research purposes if one of your characters is a cheater or one of them is trying to nail a cheater. Sometimes I think outside the box.

At only $4.99 for Kindle right now, you can't really go wrong.


File Size: 423 KB
Print Length: 112 pages
Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
Publisher: Siesta Key House; 1 edition (April 24, 2012)
Publication Date: April 24, 2012
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English
ASIN: B007WSJKWM



The author provided me with a free digital copy of this book through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenge:




Tuesday, August 23, 2016

Book Review: Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown


Iced Chiffon by Duffy Brown is a fun cozy mystery filled with plenty of twists and turns.

Reagan Summerside has just had to endure a horrible divorce from Hollis Beaumont III. All she has left is the run-down Victorian she's been restoring and a bunch of designer clothes. Needing a job--and money for groceries--she turns the first floor of her home into a consignment shop.

Thanks to her ex-husband's cunning lawyer, Walker Boone, he got everything else, including the Lexus. When Reagan finds Hollis' new blonde bombshell girlfriend dead in the Lexus, she's determined to find the murderer before Boone. Luckily, there are plenty of town gossips visiting her shop that provide helpful information.

I am so kicking myself in the butt for not reading this book sooner. It is superb! I'm such a huge cozy mystery fan, and Duffy Brown has written one that has tons of unique characters, a great plot, and the charm of the South.

The author has set up the potential for a great series. Someone gets killed and the main character gets pulled into the investigation for one reason or another. There seems to be no end to the number of possible suspects. The danger increases as Reagan gets closer and closer. And that ending was a total shocker to me. One other thing that I have to point out is that the secondary characters, especially Aunt Kiki, really shine in this story.

I'm looking forward to revisiting Savannah and Reagan's shop, the Prissy Fox, for another adventure soon. That shouldn't be hard. There are four other books in this series to enjoy.


Series: A Consignment Shop Mystery (Book 1)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (October 2, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0425251608
ISBN-13: 978-0425251607

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

I read this book for the following challenges:






Friday, July 29, 2016

Book Review & Giveaway: A Simple Vow by Charlotte Hubbard

Charlotte Hubbard has done it again! With A Simple Vow, she has created a story of faith, love, and forgiveness that will tug at your heartstrings.

Edith Riehl lives with her sisters and dat Cornelius, who is the new deacon in Willow Ridge. Having been left unable to conceive from an early age, its a true blessing when a set of twins is left under her care.

She's not quite sure what Asa Detweiler's story is, but she knows she is as taken with him as he seems to be with her. With one simple vow, Edith and Asa's destinies are intertwined. But her dat will have none of it. Will God bring their hearts' desires to fruition?

If you love Amish fiction, you simply can't go wrong with a book by Hubbard. She knows her genre and she masterfully tells her stories, drawing you in from beginning to end.

When her Seasons of the Heart series ended, I was so sad. I had come to love many of the residents of Willow Ridge and couldn't believe I wouldn't be reading about them again. The Simple Gifts series is somewhat of a continuation of that series. Its focus is slightly different, but it's still set in the same place and many of the characters that readers are familiar with appear. I can't say I've ever seen this done before. I love it!

What I have always appreciated about Hubbard's style is that she creates real characters. They are sinners...just like me. They doubt...just like me. They stumble and fall, but through the grace of God find what they need...just like me. With this novel you even get a surprising plot twist too.

If you enjoy Amish fiction and haven't read Charlotte Hubbard's work yet, make a plan to change that soon. You won't regret it.

Series: Simple Gifts
Mass Market Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Zebra (May 31, 2016)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420138693
ISBN-13: 978-1420138696

I received a free digital copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Excerpt:

Edith stood beside her bed gazing down at the twins in awe. So small they were, and so sweet—like little angels—now that they’d eaten and fallen asleep. She’d arranged them in large cardboard boxes padded with towels, and finding them beds and more clothing was her first priority. Will’s box of supplies had included a very short stack of cloth diapers, half a dozen onesies, a blanket apiece, a half-used canister of powdered formula, and a few baby bottles—not much, considering she had two babies to look after. Molly had probably been too ill to sew for them, and not able to nurse them because of her cancer.

What a heartache that must’ve been for Molly—and for Will as he watched her weaken and die. Edith sighed. So much about Will’s situation and these children was a sorrowful mystery.

I’m watching out for your best interests, Daughter. You entered into this agreement without considering the long-term consequences.

Edith frowned as her father’s words taunted her. Dat was right about her tendencies to nurture hopeless souls and underdogs, but wasn’t that what the Bible urged Christians to do? What doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? The verse from Micah had been one of the earliest Edith had committed to memory—the watchword of her faith. Even as a child she’d rescued little birds that had fallen from their nests and had bottle-fed baby rabbits and deer after their mothers had been hit in the road.

Edith sighed. What future would these poor motherless children face if she didn’t care for them? She had to find a way around Dat’s refusal to keep them in the house . . . in her life. Already her heart swelled with love as she gazed at Leroy and Louisa.

The clatter of footsteps downstairs alerted her to her sisters’ arrival and she hurried down the hallway. “Shh!” Edith insisted as she leaned over the stairway railing. “I just got the babies to sleep!”



Many moons ago—like, in 1983 while she was still a school librarian—Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. This launched her into writing around seventy of those “true confessions” stories over the years, and she’s been a slave to her overactive imagination ever since. Over the course of her writing career, she has sold nearly 50 books—most recently, Amish romance series she’s written as Charlotte Hubbard or Naomi King.
Charlotte lived in Missouri for most of her life, so her Amish stories are set in imaginary Missouri towns. These days she lives in St. Paul, MN with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Ramona.

WEBSITE www.CharlotteHubbard.com

Facebook www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1

Click on these links to buy this book now!


Amazon.com •• Barnes & Noble •• The Book Depository •• B-A-M •• Chapters •• IndieBound •• Powell’s •• Kensington Books


Ebook: • Kindle •• Nook •• Kobo •• iBooks •• Google Play •• Kensington


Charlotte will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


I read this book for the following challenge:





Monday, May 9, 2016

Book Review: Russian Dolls by Cristelle Comby (Giveaway)



This is where it all begins for University College London student Alexandra Neve and her blind middle-aged history professor Ashford Egan.

Neve's world falls apart when she learns her best, Irina Anderson, jumps from the university's rooftop. The Metropolitan Police rule her death a suicide, but Neve's convinced Irina would never take her own life.

Egan can see Neve's distracted since her friend's death and is eager to listen to what she has to say. Neve doesn't understand why, but she's appreciative to have someone to bounce her ides off of. As different as day is from night, when they are drawn into violent world of the Russian mafia, learning to work together becomes crucial to their survival.

In 2014, I read the third book in The Neve & Egan Cases, Danse Macabre. At the time, it didn't feel like I missed much starting partway into the series. The book drew me in right away and this crime-fighting duo were characters I enjoyed getting to know.

Having read Russian Dolls, however, definitely made me appreciate the third book more.

This novel is just as much about how Neve and Egan learn to work together as it is about the case they are determined to solve. It cements the personalities played out in future books and creates the villain they are destined to meet again.

Another thing I like about Russian Dolls is that it leaves important parts of Egan's history unknown. While typically loose ends are a no-no for me, here, I feel they are just one component of what will drive this series forward. I'm definitely eager to read Book 2, Ruby Heart, and Book 4, Blind Chess. 

Russian Dolls is the beginning of a superb series that you must check out.

EXCERPT:

Life, death. Two concepts, two words.

You don’t think about them unless you’re forced to. You take the first for granted and try to forget the second.

You get on with your life, worry about meaningless things and you simply stop thinking about death, even though you see it every day on the telly, in the papers you read.

So long as it’s happening to others, you continue to go on with this comforting lie that says it’s never going to happen to you. The Reaper won’t come anywhere near you — until the day he does.

It could be a car crash, it could be a stroke. Or it could be your best friend jumping from the rooftop of the university you both attend. And suddenly you remember that death is very real and there’s no way of knowing who is going to be called next. You’re forced to face the frailty of life and accept your own mortality.

My best friend recently passed away and I almost died twice myself in the past couple of weeks. My name is Alexandra Neve. I’m a student who used to live in a reassuring bubble. It burst, and now I finally see the world for what it truly is.

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Cristelle-Comby/e/B00EAWEODS/


File Size: 1176 KB
Print Length: 302 pages
Publisher: Cristelle Comby; 1 edition (March 8, 2013)
Publication Date: March 8, 2013
Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
Language: English

Cristelle Comby was born and raised in the French-speaking area of Switzerland, in Greater Geneva, where she still resides.
She attributes to her origins her ever-peaceful nature and her undying love for chocolate. She has a passion for art, which also includes an interest in drawing and acting.

She is the author of the Neve & Egan crime novels series. The four books in the series are Russian Dolls, Ruby Heart, Danse Macabre and Blind Chess.

Links :



I received a free digital copy of this book from the author through Goddess Fish Promotions. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

Cristelle Comby will be awarding an autographed copy of the complete 4 book series, to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.



a Rafflecopter giveaway

I read this book for the following challenge:




Friday, February 19, 2016

Book Review: The Last Dinner Party by Carly M. Duncan

A steady-paced murder mystery with engaging characters and several twists and turns is what you'll find in The Last Dinner Party by Carly M. Duncan.

When Jeanie D'Alisa is found murdered in her bed after hosting one of her infamous dinner parties, detectives Anna Cole and Kristy Hicks are called in to investigate. While known for her generosity, Jeanie had a darker, more unpredictable side. As the investigation continues, there is no shortage of potential suspects. And sometimes Anna and Kristy don't see eye to eye on things, which can complicate matters. Can they put their differences aside and bring Jeanie's killer to justice?

With The Last Dinner Party, Duncan has created a murder mystery that moves along at a steady pace, new suspects turning up as clues are uncovered. The author created a diverse cast of characters who draws the reader in and keeps them guessing as to if their difficulties with Jeanie were enough to make them snap.

The clashes between Anna and Kristy, though they weren't a huge part of the story, added an interesting element. The author also developed a good deal of tension between two other important characters, which served to deepen the mystery.

I'm glad to see Duncan is creating a series with Anna Cole and Kristy Hicks. It will be interesting to see where they go from here.


Paperback: 390 pages
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform; 1 edition (November 21, 2015)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1517636183
ISBN-13: 978-1517636180

I received a digital copy of this book from the author through Pump Up Your Book. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.



I read this book for the following challenge:


Friday, December 18, 2015

Blogger Shame Review Challenge 2016



Co-hosted by herding cats & burning soup and Addicted to Happily Ever After, the Blogger Shame Review Challenge is all about dusting off all of those forgotten review books and making them happen!

You know I definitely need help in this area, as since 2011 I have been totally behind on reviews. Yes, that's going on five years now. You will find my book list below.


Challenge Details

Challenge begins Jan 1, 2016 and ends Dec 31, 2016

All review books that have been on your review list for 6+ months count.

Any book format counts.

Crossovers with other challenges are okay.

You pick the number of books for your individual challenge.

Once a quarter there will be a wrap up post to show off progress!

(sign up post--now through jan or whenever you join)
quarter 1 post--end of March
quarter 2 post--end of June
quarter 3 post--end of September
quarter 4 post--end of Dec wrap up post

There's a FB group for our challenges this year if you'd like to join for support, suggestions and event updates! Just go HERE.

The Incentive!


There will be four gift card giveaways. One each quarter.

Each review you complete during that quarter and link up will enter you into a gift card giveaway!

Grab the Button & Create Your Sign Up Post!

To join create a sign up post (don't forget to link back to this page so others can check it out!).

In your post you can list just the number of review books you'd plan on reviewing for the challenge or you can list out your challenge books by title.

Then once you've reviewed the book (yay!) add it to the review link up that will be go live Jan 1, 2016 so everyone can check out what you're up to!

Cheryl's Blogger Shame Review Challenge Book List


  1. The Corner Cafe by various authors
  2. The Covert Element by John L. Betcher
  3. A Bride for Pastor Dan by Katie Crabapple
  4. Little Girl Gone by Brett Battles
  5. For Keeps by Aaron Paul Lazar
  6. Every Precious Thing by Brett Battles
  7. Confessions of a Move Addict by Betty Jo Tucker
  8. Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
  9. Mayan Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
  10. Montezuma Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
  11. Dead Man's Gambit by Frank Scully
  12. Empty Time by Frank Scully
  13. The Pull of Gravity by Brett Battles
  14. Fire Men by Gary R. Ryman
  15. Accomplished in Murder by Dara England
  16. Resonances by Mary Andrews
  17. Take Chances by KC Sprayberry
  18. Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler compiled by Jennifer Slattery
  19. Her Cracked Heart by P.A. Estelle
  20. Quest of the Hart by Mary Waibel
  21. Upon Your Return by Marie Lavender
  22. Mariah's Marriage by Anne Stenhouse
  23. Reading the Dead: The Sarah Milton Chronicles by J. B. Cameron
  24. Revelations by Julie Lynn Hayes
  25. Ghost Writer by Vala Kaye
  26. Christmas Escape by E. B. Sullivan
  27. In My Own Shadow by Susan A. Royal
  28. Lady in Waiting by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz
  29. Coda to Murder by J. Q. Rose
  30. Bella's Betrothal by Anne Stenhouse
  31. Brave Strong True by Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas
  32. The Old Wine Shades by Martha Grimes
  33. Not As It Seems by Marilyn Meredith
  34. Fit Fuel by Robert Irvine
  35. Voices from the Outer Banks by Stephen Kirk
  36. Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Biography by Laura Ingalls Wilder and edited by Pamela Smith Hill
  37. Strong Light of Day by Jon Land
  38. A Ghost for Christmas by J. D. Winters
  39. A Family for Christmas by Mona Ingram
  40. Double Forte by Aaron Paul Lazar
  41. The Disappearance of Billy Moore by Aaron Paul Lazar
  42. The Seacrest by Aaron Paul Lazar
  43. Mary's Christmas Story by Lucinda Weeks
  44. Her Heart's Desire by Ruth Ann Nordin
  45. Getting into Character by Brandilyn Collins
  46. Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham
  47. Redemption by Rosa Lee Jude
  48. The Last Gift by Joshua Graham
  49. Murder Bay by David Horwitz
  50. Death of a Dapper Snowman by Angela Pepper
  51. Earthly Needs by Marty Damon
  52. The One You Love by Paul Pilkington
  53. The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke
  54. The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot
  55. The Mistletoe Bride by Scarlett Jade
  56. A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher
  57. A Log Cabin Christmas by Wanda E. Brunstetter
  58. Against All Odds by Chuck Norris
  59. An Amish Christmas Quilt by Charlotte Hubbard et al.
  60. Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib
  61. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax
  62. Borrowed names by Jeannine Atkins
  63. Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson
  64. Christmas at Pebble Creek by Vannetta Chapman
  65. DeadMistress by Carole Shmurak
  66. Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter by Melissa Francis
  67. Exiles on Main Street by Lisa Kleinholz
  68. Jo's Girls by Christian McEwen
  69. Killer in Crinolines by Duffy Brown
  70. Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
  71. The Day We Met by Rowan Coleman
  72. Lessons from the Mountain by Mary McDonough
  73. Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox

100+ Book Challenge (2016) Sponsored by Freda's Voice


Back for its third year is the 100+ Book Challenge sponsored by Freda's Voice. I've been participating since this challenge's inception. Can't say I've ever met my goal, but I keep trying.

Rules are as follows:

1. Create a post, but list as you read, either a blog or GoodReads, somewhere I can see it, and leave your url to that post in the Linky below.
2. Read some books. Any books. No limit in pages, even the phone book counts if that is your fancy. Just read!
3. That's it! Just read and link up your review so she can read it and possibly add the book to her wishlist. :-)


Sign up closes April 1st, 2016



At the beginning of each month a new Linky to post your reviews at Freda's Voice will be posted.

Read 100 books or more in 2016! Good luck!



Cheryl's List for the 2016 100+ Book Challenge
  1. The Corner Cafe by various authors
  2. The Covert Element by John L. Betcher
  3. A Bride for Pastor Dan by Katie Crabapple
  4. Little Girl Gone by Brett Battles
  5. For Keeps by Aaron Paul Lazar
  6. Every Precious Thing by Brett Battles
  7. Confessions of a Move Addict by Betty Jo Tucker
  8. Children of the Fog by Cheryl Kaye Tardif
  9. Mayan Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
  10. Montezuma Intrigue by Linda Weaver Clarke
  11. Dead Man's Gambit by Frank Scully
  12. Empty Time by Frank Scully
  13. The Pull of Gravity by Brett Battles
  14. Fire Men by Gary R. Ryman
  15. Accomplished in Murder by Dara England
  16. Resonances by Mary Andrews
  17. Take Chances by KC Sprayberry
  18. Sweet Freedom with a Slice of Peach Cobbler compiled by Jennifer Slattery
  19. Her Cracked Heart by P.A. Estelle
  20. Quest of the Hart by Mary Waibel
  21. Upon Your Return by Marie Lavender
  22. Mariah's Marriage by Anne Stenhouse
  23. Reading the Dead: The Sarah Milton Chronicles by J. B. Cameron
  24. Revelations by Julie Lynn Hayes
  25. Ghost Writer by Vala Kaye
  26. Christmas Escape by E. B. Sullivan
  27. In My Own Shadow by Susan A. Royal
  28. Lady in Waiting by Penny Lockwood Ehrenkranz
  29. Coda to Murder by J. Q. Rose
  30. Bella's Betrothal by Anne Stenhouse
  31. Brave Strong True by Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas
  32. 44 Cranberry Point by Debbie Macomber
  33. The Old Wine Shades by Martha Grimes
  34. Not As It Seems by Marilyn Meredith
  35. Playing for the Ashes by Elizabeth George
  36. This Matter of Marriage by Debbie Macomber
  37. The Bitch in the House by Cathi Hanauer
  38. Fit Fuel by Robert Irvine
  39. Voices from the Outer Banks by Stephen Kirk
  40. Pioneer Girl: The Annotated Biography by Laura Ingalls Wilder and edited by Pamela Smith Hill
  41. Strong Light of Day by Jon Land
  42. Tell No One by Harban Coben
  43. The Riddle of the Third Mile by Colin Dexter
  44. Morse's Greatest Mystery by Colin Dexter
  45. Deal Breaker by Harban Coben
  46. Drop Shot by Harban Coben
  47. Fade Away by Harban Coben
  48. Back Spin by Harban Coben
  49. One False Move by Harban Coben
  50. The Final Detail by Harban Coben
  51. Darkest Fear by Harban Coben
  52. Promise Me by Harban Coben
  53. Long Lost by Harban Coben
  54. Live Wire by Harban Coben
  55. Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Carol S. Dweck, Ph.D.
  56. A Very Nantucket Christmas by Nancy Thayer
  57. Hailey's Chance by Morgan Mandel
  58. Star of Wonder by Tracy Higley
  59. A Christmas Gift by Stella Wilkinson
  60. Cranberry Bluff Deborah Garner
  61. A Ghost for Christmas by J. D. Winters
  62. A Family for Christmas by Mona Ingram
  63. Double Forte by Aaron Paul Lazar
  64. The Disappearance of Billy Moore by Aaron Paul Lazar
  65. The Seacrest by Aaron Paul Lazar
  66. Mary's Christmas Story by Lucinda Weeks
  67. Her Heart's Desire by Ruth Ann Nordin
  68. Latina Authors and Their Muses by Mayra Calvani
  69. Changing Tracks by Sarah Cass
  70. Santa, Maybe by Sarah Cass
  71. Independent Brake by Sarah Cass
  72. Getting into Character by Brandilyn Collins
  73. Beyond Justice by Joshua Graham
  74. Redemption by Rosa Lee Jude
  75. The Last Gift by Joshua Graham
  76. Murder Bay by David Horwitz
  77. Death of a Dapper Snowman by Angela Pepper
  78. Earthly Needs by Marty Damon
  79. The One You Love by Paul Pilkington
  80. The Centurion's Wife by Janette Oke
  81. The Sentinels of Andersonville by Tracy Groot
  82. The Mistletoe Bride by Scarlett Jade
  83. A Lancaster County Christmas by Suzanne Woods Fisher
  84. A Log Cabin Christmas by Wanda E. Brunstetter
  85. Against All Odds by Chuck Norris
  86. An Amish Christmas Quilt by Charlotte Hubbard et al. 
  87. Asking for Murder by Roberta Isleib
  88. While We Were Watching Downton Abbey by Wendy Wax
  89. Borrowed names by Jeannine Atkins
  90. Chasing Lincoln's Killer by James Swanson
  91. Christmas at Pebble Creek by Vannetta Chapman
  92. DeadMistress by Carole Shmurak
  93. Diary of a Stage Mother's Daughter by Melissa Francis
  94. Exiles on Main Street by Lisa Kleinholz
  95. Jo's Girls by Christian McEwen
  96. Killer in Crinolines by Duffy Brown
  97. Mother's Day Murder by Leslie Meier
  98. The Day We Met by Rowan Coleman
  99. Lessons from the Mountain by Mary McDonough
  100. Lucky Man by Michael J. Fox
  101. From the Mouth of Ma by Robynne Elizabeth Miller
  102. To Kill A Mockingbird by Harper Lee
  103. Go Set A Watchman by Harper Lee