NYE 2012 2nd Update

So here’s the update mini questionnaire:

1. Have you napped yet? Or are you still going strong?
I took a short nap earlier this morning but I am not a late night person so I will be going to bed soon. lol
2. Do you have a favorite book of 2012? If so, what is it?
I have several favorites and I don't think I can pick just one this time so I am going to link to my list of books read this year. My favorites are in bold.
http://abookloverforever.blogspot.com/2012/12/books-read-2012.html
3. Any reading goals for 2013?
I want to read at least 150 books. I want to read more nonfiction than I did this year. I want to read at least one long classic book and I started David Copperfield by Charles Dickens this year and would like to finish it.

4. Is anyone listening to any audiobooks?
Not tonight
5. What book are you most excited about in 2013?
The next book in the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear

NYE 2012 Read a thon My Intro. Post

This read a thon is to celebrate bringing in another year. It is hosted by http://www.thepickygirl.com/
I have been off work since last week so this is perfect for me because I am always at home on New Years Eve. lol


1. What are you reading today?
At Home

2. Are you a comfy reader, or do you get dressed, wear shoes and socks, and sit in a straight back chair?
Comfy reader I have been in my pjs and bed all day. The cats have helped too, they think they are my reading buddies. lol :)

3. Food. What will you be eating/imbibing today?
Pistachio Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, Reeses Cups, a grilled chicken salad, little cutie oranges

4. Have you finished a book yet?
Yes, An Amish Holiday by Cynthia Keller

5. What book do you want to be reading to close out 2012?
Flight of the Earls by Michael Reynolds

Books Read 2012

My total books read in 2012 is around 166. I say around because I think I forgot to record some of the ebooks I read on my phone. lol It was not a great reading year but not the worst either. My favorites will be in bold.

January
1. A Texan's Promise by Shelley Shepard Gray
2. An Amish Gathering by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Barbara Cameron
3. Flabbergasted by Ray Blackston (audio reread)
4. The Keeper by Suzanne Woods Fisher
5. The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson
6. The Two Mrs. Abbotts by D.E. Stevenson
7. An Amish Wedding by Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long
8. Millie's Fling by Jill Marshall
9. Nobody's Baby but Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
10. Small Space Organzing by Kathryn Bechen
11. South Beach Wake Up Call by Arthur Agatston, MD
12. Rally Round Green by Judy Christie
13. The Survivor by Shelley Shepard Gray
14. When the Smoke Clears by Lynnette Eason
February
15. Primal Blueprint by Mark Sisson
16. Code Blue by Richard Mabry
17. One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
18. Along Wooded Paths by Tricia Goyer
19. The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson
20. Medical Error by Richard Mabry
21. The Redemption of Sarah Cain by Beverly Lewis
22. Diagnosis Death by Richard Mabry
23. Home Front by Kristen Hannah
24. Dangerous Imposter by Virginia Smith
25. Plain Jayne by Hillary Manton Lodge
26. Simply Sara by Hillary Manton Lodge
27. The Negotiator by Dee Henderson (reread)
28. The Litigators by John Grisham (audio)
29. Downtown Green by Judy Christie
30. The Garden Intrigue by Lauren Willig
31. Sweet Baklava by Debby Mayne
March
32. Cinnamon Roll Murder by Joanne Fluke
33. Love Finds You In Sugarcreek, Ohio by Serena Miller
34. Blue Moon Promise by Colleen Coble
35. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Stieg Larsson (audio)
36. Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington
37. Missing by Shelley Shepard Gray
38. A Grown Up Kind of Pretty by Joshilyn Jackson
39. Love Finds You In Charm, Ohio by Annalisa Daughetry
40. Always the Baker Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
41. Always the Wedding Planner Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
42. Always the Designer Never the Bride by Sandra Bricker
43. Winter Garden by Kristen Hannah (Audio)
44. Critical Care by Candace Calvert
45. Diaster Status by Candace Calvert
46. Code Triage by Candace Calvert
47. Maid of Fairbourne Hall by Julie Klassen
48. I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
April
49. Love on a Dime by Cara Lynn James
50. Cooking the Books by Bonnie Calhoun
51. Perfect on Paper by Maria Murname
52. It's a Waverly Life by Maria Murname
53. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
54. Delievered with Love by Sherry Kyle
55. Oliver Twist by Charles Dickens (audio)
56. True Devotion by Dee Henderson (reread)
57. Night Road by Kristen Hannah (audio)
58. Her Restless Heart by Barbara Cameron
59. Weddings and Wasabi by Camy Tang
60. Love by the Book by Cara Lynn James
61. Calico Joe by Joyhn Grisham
62. Traveler's Rest by Ann Tatlock
63. The Girl She Used to Be by David Cristofano (reread)
May
64. Delivery by Diana Prusik
65. My Stubborn Heart by Becky Wade
66. The Mother Road by Jennifer Allee
67. Rumor Has It by Tami Hoag (audio)
68. The Surgeon's Miracle by Caroline Anderson
69. The Doctor's Devotion by Cheryl Wyatt
70. Chameleon by Jillian Kent
71. Emergency Wife Lost and Found by Carol Marinelli
72. Divergent by Veronica Roth
73. Knight on the Children's Ward by Carol Marinelli
74. The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett (Reread)
75. Insurgent by Veronica Roth
June
76. The Ride of Her Life by Lorna Seilstad
77. Kissing Adrian by Siri Mitchell
78. 13 Rue Therese by Elena Shaprio
79. Dead Running by Cami Checkletts
80. Life From Scratch by Melissa Ford
81. More by Heidi Marshall
82. Short Straw Bride by Karen Witemeyer
83. 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
84. The Inconvient Marriage of Charlotte Beck by Kathleen Y'Barbo
85. The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson
86. Sea Change by Karen White
87. Five Miles South of Pecuilar by Angela Hunt
88. The Direction's Cut by Janice Thompson
89. The Search by Shelley Shepard Gray
July
90. The Lawman's Legacy by Shirlee McCoy
91. The Rookie's Assigment by Valerie Hanson
92. The Detective's Secret Daughter by Rachelle McCalla
93. The Widow's Protector by Stephanie Newton
94. The Black Sheep's Redemption by Lynette Eason
95. The Deptuy's Duty by Terri Reed
96. Maisie Dobbs by Jacqueline Winspear (audio)
97. Amy Inspired by Bethany Pierce
98. Lion of Babylon by Davis Bunn
99. Fire and Ice by Kristen Hannah (audio)
100. Birds of a Feather by Jacqueline Winspear
101. Lethal Legacy by Irene Hannon
102. Pardonable Lies by Jacqueline Winspear
103. Messenger of Truth by Jacqueline Winspear
104. Perfectly Ridiculous by Kristen Billerbeck
105. It Starts With Food by Dallas and Melissa Hartwig
106. An Incomplete Revenge by Jacqueline Winspear
107. Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear
108. The Mapping of Love and Death by Jacqueline Winspear
August
109. A Lesson in Secrets by Jacqueline Winspear
110. Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear
111. the Mountains Bow Down by Sibella Giorello
112. Accused by Janice Cantore
113. the Stars Shine Bright by Sibella Giorello
114. The Haven by Suzanne Woods Fisher
115. Dying to Read by Lorena McCourtney
116. The Help by Kathryn Stockett (audio)
117. Found by Shelley Shepard Gray
118. The Beach Trees by Karen White
119. Death of a Couch Potato's Wife by Christy Barritt
September
120. Hiding in Plain Sight by Amy Wallace
121. The Reunion by Dan Walsh
122. The Yard by Alex Grecian
123. In the Woods by Tana French
124. On Folly Beach by Karen White
125. A Heartbeat Away by Harry Kraus
126. With Every Letter by Sarah Sundin
127. Twang by Julie Cannon
October
128. Full Disclosure by Dee Henderson
129. When a Heart Stops by Lynette Eason
130. Life With Lily by Mary Ann Kinsinger and Suzanne Woods Fisher
131. The Trouble with Cowboys by Denise Hunter
132. Sandwhich With a Side of Romance by Krista Phillips
133. Organized Crime by Christy Barritt
134. Confessions of a Murder Suspect by James Patterson
135. The Recipe Club by Andrea Israel and Nancy Garfinkel
136. Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (audio)
137. Flight of Fancy by Laurie Alice Eakes
November
138. The Christmas Star by Ace Collins
139. Placebo by Steven James
140. A Wild Goose Chase Christmas by Jennifer Allee
141. Miss Peregine's Home for Pecuilar Children by Ransom Riggs
142. A Snowglobe Christmas by Linda Goodnight and Lissa Manley
143. The Exceptions by David Cristofano
144. The Widow of Larkspar Inn by Lawana Blackwell (reread)
145. Saving Hope by Margaret Daley
146. Under the Mistletoe by Irene Brand and Anita Higman
147. Grace by Shelley Shepard Gray
December
148. Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley
149. One Imperfect Christmas by Myra Johnson
150. A Time to Heal by Barbara Cameron
151. A Time for Love by Barbara Cameron
152. A Time for Peace by Barbara Cameron
153. Christmas Countdown by Vicki Hinze
154. A Promise to Protect by Liz Johnson
155. Doctor to the Rescue by Cheryl Wyatt
156. Still Life in Shadows by Alice Wisler
157. Kill Me If You Can by Nicole Young (reread)
158. Kiss Me If You Dare by Nicole Young
159. Vanished by Irene Hannon
160. Christmas in Apple Ridge by Cindy Woodsmall
161. The Lesson by Suzanne Woods Fisher
162. The Likeness by Tana French
163. Southern Fried Sushi by Jennifer Rogers Spinola
164. Like Sweet Potato Pie by Jennifer Rogers Spinola
165. Til Grits Do Us Part by Jennifer Rogers Spinola
166. An Amish Holiday by Cynthia Kellar

A Wild Goose Chase Christmas by Jennifer Allee(Review)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing A Wild Goose Chase Christmas Abingdon Press (November 2012) by Jennifer AlLee

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

A Word from Jennifer:

As I look back on my life, it's interesting to see where God's taken me, and where I took myself that God pulled me out of. I finally got back to writing, the dream of my heart. Since 1996, I've published numerous short stories, devotions and plays. I've also been active in church drama ministries, another passion of mine. My first novel, The Love of His Brother (November 2007, Five Star Publishers), was followed by The Pastor's Wife (February 2010, Abingdon Press) and The Mother Road (April 2012). A Wild Goose Chase Christmas is book two in the new Quilts of Love series.

Besides being a writer, I am a wife and mom. Living in Las Vegas, Nevada, my family has learned how to enjoy the fabulous buffets here without severely impacting our waistlines. God is good!



ABOUT THE BOOK

Upon her grandmother's death, Izzy Fontaine finds herself in possession of a Wild Goose Chase pattern quilt that supposedly leads to a great treasure.

Of course, once the rest of the family finds out about the "treasure map," they're determined to have a go at the treasure themselves. And, if that weren't enough, Max Logan, a local museum curator, contacts Izzy and says that Grandma Isabella promised him the quilt.

What is it about this quilt that makes everyone want it? Is Izzy on a wild goose chase of her own, or a journey that will lead her to the treasure her grandmother intended?

If you would like to read the first chapter of A Wild Goose Chase Christmas, go HERE.

My Review:

I really enjoyed reading this Christmas book. The characters and plot were interesting and held my attention. It was the perfect book to start the Christmas season. It can be read anytime of year but Christmas is the major holiday in it. I liked the chemistry that developed between Izzy and Max. Her grandma had some ideas before she died that she wanted to see happen that her family did not know about. This was an exciting book that moved fast. I couldn't wait to turn the pages and found out what happened next. Recommended. :)

Shattered Silence by Margaret Daley (Review)

This week, the Christian Fiction Blog Alliance is introducing Shattered Silence Abingdon Press (September 2012) by Margaret Daley

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Margaret Daley is an award winning, multi-published author in the romance genre. One of her romantic suspense books, Hearts on the Line, won the American Christian Fiction Writers’ Book of the Year Contest. Recently she has won the Golden Quill Contest, FHL’s Inspirational Readers’ Choice Contest, Winter Rose Contest, Holt Medallion and the Barclay Gold Contest. She wrote for various secular publishers before the Lord led her to the Christian romance market. She currently writes inspirational romance and romantic suspense books for the Steeple Hill Love Inspired lines, romantic suspense for Abingdon Press and historical romance for Summerside Press. She has sold eighty-three books to date.

Margaret is currently the President for American Christian Fiction Writers (ACFW), an organization of over 2300 members. She was one of the founding members of the first ACFW local chapter, WIN in Oklahoma. She has taught numerous classes for online groups, ACFW and RWA chapters. She enjoys mentoring other authors.

Until she retired a few years ago, she was a teacher of students with special needs for twenty-seven years and volunteered with Special Olympics as a coach. She currently is on the Outreach committee at her church, working on several projects in her community as well as serving on her church’s vestry.

On a more personal note, she has been married for over forty years to Mike and has one son and four granddaughters. She treasures her time with her family and friends.



ABOUT THE BOOK

A serial killer is targeting illegal aliens in southern Texas. Texas Ranger Cody Jackson is paired with a local police officer, Liliana Rodriguez, to investigate the murders.

While the case brings Cody and Liliana ever closer, the tension between Americans and Mexican Americans heightens. As Cody and Liliana race to discover who is behind the murders and bring peace to the area, what they uncover isn't what they expected. Will Cody and Liliana's faith and love be strong enough to survive the storm of violence?

If you would like to read the first chapter of Shattered Silence, go HERE.


My Review:
I enjoyed reading this Christian mystery/suspense book. It is my favorite genre. I read it in one night. The main plot revolves around Cody and Liliana who are in law enforcement. They are trying to solve the case of who is killing people in the little Texas town. This is the second book in a series but stands alone fine. The subplot involves their families. Cody just moved there with his teenage son whose Mom just died. His parents had been divorced for ten years so this is Cody's first time at full time parenting. Liliana has a close family with a history. Her father was abusive until he died. She suspects her sister of being abused too. So that is woven in with the violence without being too much. The plot and characters are interesting and well developed. Recommended. :)

Thankfully Reading Weekend 2012 Wrap Up Post

This was my first time to participate in this reading weekend and I loved it. I finished two books and read two more. That is more than I have read in one week in a long time. It helped I was off all last week. lol I finished reading The Exceptions by David Cristofano which was good and The Widow of Larkspur Inn by Lawana Blackwell which was also good. I read Saving Hope and Shattered Silence both by Margaret Daley. It is a good new series, my review is coming tomorrow. If possible I do want to participate in this again next year. :)

Thankfully Reading Weekend 2012 Intro Post

Thankfully Reading Weekend is being hosted by Jenn at Jennsbookshelves and Jennifer at Literate Housewife. This is my first time to particpate! I am really excited because I might actually get to finish a book which is the Exceptions by David Cristofano. I need to get two review books read also but I always a busy weekend so that might be a too much. :)

From Jennifer:

Thankfully Reading is a relaxed affair. We aren’t asking people to sign up to read the entire weekend. It’s a holiday, so the goal is to be read while you can and be thankful for extra time you can spend reading because it is a long weekend. There will be mini-challenges hosted throughout the weekend for those who would like to participate. However, if you’d like nothing more than to read and cheer on others doing the same over Thanksgiving, that is wonderful, too.

Everyone is welcome to join us, blogger or otherwise. Please head over to Jenn’s blog for details on signing up. If you aren’t already, be sure to follow Jenn on Twitter (@jennbookshelves) for up to the minute details. Speaking of Twitter, we’ll be using the #thankfullyreading hashtag throughout the weekend.