Book Review: The Awakening

Title:  The Awakening
Author:  Mary Abshire
Pages:  224
Publication Date:  2012
Version:  Kindle free via author for honest review
Genre:  Adult Fiction/Fantasy

Summary via Goodreads.com:
"She's the only one of her kind. And she doesn’t even know her name. 

Two investigators--one human, one vampire--find a young woman among a mass of dead bodies. She has no memories, and nothing but her clothes, two receipts, and a mysterious dagger carved with the initials ‘SB’. 

As she seeks her identity, SB realizes she's unlike any other creature in the world, making her the most valuable person on the planet. And the most wanted. 

WARNING: Language, violence, and graphic sex."

My Review: 
WOW!  This book was absolutely amazing!  I loved the way Boss and Jonas rescued and took in SB when they had no idea who she was, where she came from, or how she was the only survivor in a pile of dead bodies AND to top it all off...she had no idea either.  The only way she had any clue to her real identity is from the dagger that was in her boot and some receipts that were in her pockets.  As they try to find out who she is, they learn some odd things about her, like she isn't only human.  She is a half-breed of human and vampire...or so they think.  The more they learn about her and "study" her, the more they learn that she is much more than just a half-breed human/vampire.  She is like no other in the world!  She has other mixtures too in her DNA that make her a wonderful and rare person to Jonas (the human/blood donor to Boss) and make her an abomination to Boss (the very old vampire).  When they take her in and she meets Tabby, a shape shifter, Tabby takes a liking to her too.  The concern comes when they find out she is part Demon also.  How can they all be safe with her?  Can they just ditch her though after seeing how she doesn't have a clue about anything about herself?  How will she survive if they do?  Can lust from Boss be a bad thing for SB to be grateful for when it comes?  What could be so bad about lusting with Boss?  Will SB ever figure out who she really is, if she is dangerous to others, and why she had her memory taken from her?  Will her new friends risk their safety by helping her figure it all out?

I could not get enough of this book.  I was hooked from page one when Jonas and Boss found SB.  The plot is great and very well written with great detail.  The characters were amazingly developed and very easy to come to love...or hate...however you chose to roll.  I think my favorite character was...all of them.  I just can't pick one, they all had things that intrigued me and made me love them for the character they were.  Boss is the strong, but mysterious type, who tries to hide emotions.  Jonas is the "nice guy" type that just wants to help SB and is nice to look at too.  Tabby is the cute, funny, female friend who we all like to spend time with because she's just like that.  Tabby also happens to be a shape shifter who prefers to be a tabby cat.  And SB is the lost soul searching to find out who she really is and why she is the way she is, but doesn't want to put her new friends in danger.  As you follow SB and the gang toward the answers to all her/their/and your questions a reader just gets caught up in it all.  Also, the hot and steamy scenes are pretty intense too and make you go....wow.  :-)  If you are a fantasy reader or one who likes the supernatural twist to books, this is very much the book for you!  It was a great read for me and had twists and turns in it to make it that much more wonderful.  It's a MUST READ!!  

5/5 Stars!

This counts toward my following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1 Million Pages Read, and Animal Reading Challenge.

Book Review: Dream Magic: Awakenings

Title:  Dream Magic:  Awakenings
Author:  Dawn Harshaw
Pages:  195
Publication Date:  2012
Version:  PDF free via author for honest review
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy

Summary via Goodreads.com:
"Eric, a young boy, has enough of nightmares ruining his dreams. Determined to grow stronger, he tackles magical disciplines one at a time - be it flying, blade magic, or telepathy - and stares down his fears. But, will he survive the battles and the trial of nightmare mastery? And at what cost?

"Dream Magic: Awakenings" reaches for deep metaphysical concepts and uses introspective experiences to offer an immersive feeling of MAGIC."
My Review: 
This book had a "Harry Potter" feel to it for me, which, seeing I loved the Harry Potter books was a good thing for me.  Instead of going to a far away place filled with magic, Eric, the main character in this book goes to Dream Land filled with magic and new friends.  The detail of this book was fantastic!  I felt at times as though I was in class with Eric and his new friends trying to learn the spells being taught to them.  The characters were also a great asset to this book.  They were fun, fun to relate to, adventurous, and well developed throughout the book.

If you are a lover of magical things and books, then this is the book for you to read.  It is a young adult book so is a bit of an easier read than some others I have read, but not in a bad way, just a good flowing book.  I felt like I didn't have to concentrate so hard on remembering what was all going on either as the book just seemed to flow and stick with me.

I would recommend checking this book out to any magic lover or lover of Harry Potter.  :-)

4/5 Stars!

This counts toward my following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1 Million Pages Read, and YA Mythology.

Witch & Witchcraft Challenge Wrap Up

Yay!  Another challenge completed for me for 2012.  I have just finished my goal of reading 5 "witchy" books in 2012.  Below you can see the original details along with the completed book list with links to the reviews of the books I read.  I had fun and loved all my witchy reads I did!  :)

2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge

Decided to sign up for one last book challenge.  I am going for the level ofInitiate:  Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books.

Challenge Rules:

1. This challenge will run from Jan 1, 2012 - Dec 31, 2012.  I will be posting a place to link up a sign-up post (below), reviews and a wrap-up post. (Note: You do not have to review the books to participate, but only those who link up reviews will be entered for the prize)
2. Grab the reading challenge button (code & button below) and post this reading challenge on your blog to track your progress. Please include a link back to this sign-up post so others can join the reading challenge too. You do not have to be a book blogger to participate- you could track your progress and post reviews on  Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords, etc.
3. Any full length book that includes a witch as a main character or major witchcraft elements counts.  They may be fiction or non-fiction.  However, they should not be reference books which are not read cover to cover-I will leave this to your discretion.  
4. Books can be any format (bound, eBook, audio).
5. Re-reads and crossovers from other reading challenges are allowed.
6. You can list your books in advance or just put them in a wrap-up post. If you list them, feel free to change them as the mood takes you.
7. When you sign up in the linky put the direct link to your post about joining the 2012 Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge.
8. You can move up levels, but no moving down.
9. Sign-ups will be open until Dec 15, 2012, so feel free to join at any time throughout the year.
10. Have some Witchy Good Fun !!!

The Levels:

Initiate:  Read 1 - 5 Witchy Books

Maiden:  Read 6 - 10 Witchy Books

Mother:  Read 11 - 15 Witchy Books

Crone:  Read 16 - 20 Witchy Books

Progress:

1.  Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris

2.  Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

3.  From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris

4.  The Other Slipper by Kenechi Udogu

5.  Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft by Jody Gehrman

Book Review: Anthology I

Title:  Anthology I
Author:  Hamidah Gul
Pages:  124
Publication Date:  2012
Version:  PDF version free via author for honest review
Genre:  Fiction

Summary via Goodreads.com:
"A collection of stories about things that go bump in the night. Stories about the end of the world, what happens when your wishes come true, and when your emotions become your darkest enemy. 

1. The Suicide Case – A story about how three lives are intertwined to balance the scales between good and evil.

2. Come Home with Me – Never invite her to come home with you. She will never leave till you are dead.

3. The Other Side – This story is written in the point of view of one man who witnesses the end of the world.

4. Mission of Mercy – This story is written in the point of view of the one who will end the world. This story is linked to The Other Side.

5. The Best Friend – Ever wondered what your best friend is thinking when she is smiling at you? 

6. The Lonely Heart – A young man ponders the end of his life after being rejected by society and family but not everything is what it seems.

7. Mary had a Little Lamb – A young woman who receives a disturbing prophecy that someone she loves will end her life and the desperate measures she takes to keep that from happening. 

8. Mother and the Birds - Flash fiction of what a mother wants her son to learn. 

9. The Death Star – A story in the voice of a young star looking for his purpose in space and finally finding it. 

10. Children of the Mist – Wishes do come true but at what expense? Five young children were given their dreams and now the time has come for them to make a choice whether they want to keep their dreams."

My Review: 
This was a unique collection of short stories.  I think my favorite one was Children of the Mist by far.  All of these stories may have been short, but all were very wonderfully written and gave the sense of being complete.  I loved how they were written to be short, but still very entertaining and with great characters.  I found myself getting in to the story and wanting to read on, not only in the short story I was reading, but also in the book because of the stories be so great.  I read this book in one sitting, I just couldn't put it down.  Story after story I was drawn into the book.  

If you are looking for a book of short stories to read all at once or one here and there when you have time, this is the book for you.  I was amazed at the twists and turns in some of the stories, being that they were so short sometimes authors just can't get suspense in such a short story, but this author nailed it!  I recommend this book to anyone that is in the mood for a quick, but thrilling read.

5/5 Stars!

This counts toward my following challenges:  100 Books Read and 1 Million Pages Read.

Book Review: Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft

Title:  Audrey's Guide to Witchcraft
Author:  Jody Gehrman
Pages:  294
Publication Date:  2012
Version:  PDF Version free via author for honest review
Genre:  Young Adult Fiction/Paranormal

Summary via Goodreads.com:
"Falling in Love, baking a magical cake, fighting an evil necromancer—it’s all in a day’s work for Audrey Oliver, seventeen-year-old witch-in-training. 

When her mother goes missing and her twenty-one-year-old witchy cousin shows up out of the blue, Audrey knows something’s gone horribly, dangerously wrong. Now it’s up to her to get her own magical powers up to speed before everyone she loves is destroyed by the sorcerer intricately connected to her mother’s secret past."

My Review: 
This is such a great book and story.  Audrey may not be the most popular girl in her school, but she is not one to be messed with either, especially once she finds out that she is not losing her mind but is coming into her family secret powers.  Audrey never, in a million years, thought she would be learning that her family has a deep secret past of being witches and that she is coming in to her own powers.  When her Mom goes away unannounced for a "family emergency" Audrey knows there is much more going on than that, especially seeing as how her Mom has been distanced from her family for as long as she can remember.  Why would her Mom go and help her family now after all these years?  And why on Earth would she send a meager 21 year old "cousin" whom they have never even met to watch them while she is away?  Can Audrey get answers out of this cousin about what's really going on?  What will she do with those answers when she gets them?  And how in the world can a young, just learning, witch help her Mom with this so called "family emergency"?

I very much enjoyed this book.  I must say the characters were fantastic and really made the story as great at it is.  I think my favorite character was the main one, Audrey, but Sadie and Meg were pretty great too.  I loved the "talking" to animals thing Sadie does.  Audrey was easy to relate to and come to love in my opinion.  Her life in general and her struggles made her feel "real" to me.  She has a best friend, an enemy, a sister who she thinks is way better than her and sort hates for it, boy trouble, school issues, and a HUGE family secret.  The plot was perfect too.  It had mystery, suspense, action, paranormal aspects, and great writing.  I liked the dynamics of the characters and the plot.  This book was a very good read in the fact that once you were sucked in by the first few pages, you were IN and had a hard time getting out to do things that you had to do.  I found myself saying, "just one more chapter" a lot which then turned into, "I have to go do this and put this book down".  It just was that kind of book, you couldn't help but read on.  If you are looking for a nice young adult read that is a great book that will have you hooked from the first few pages this is the book for you!  Very enjoyable and I highly recommend it!

5/5 Stars!

This counts toward my following challenges:  100 Books Read, 1 Million Pages Read, Witch and Witchcraft Challenge, and YA Mythology Challenge.

Off the Shelf Reading Challenge Wrap Up

I got half way to my goal, but just ran out of time I'm afraid.  

Off The Shelf 2012 Book Challenge

NO idea what happened to this post of mine.  I tried to look at the list today and it was gone.  SO, here it is again, but I had to re-enter all my books I have read, yes all 22 of them, so those don't have links to the reviews anymore.  I will do links after that point though, or try to.  Ya, now I see two lists, but ONLY on my blog, and NOT when I try to edit.  So, sorry for a double list after number 22, but it is being difficult.  ;-)

Decided to give this a go.  I wanted to do some book challenges, so decided to start here for my first one I sign up for.  I hope it all works right, being that I am still trying to figure this all out.  But thanks to the help of my first member I think I understand how to get this post where it needs to be, get the linky set up, and get signed up for challenges.  ;)

I have SO many books I have stockpiled it is impossible for me to read them all, so I thought this was a great challenge to get me started on reading those piled up books.  :)  I could choose buried (read 200 books) because I have that many and more I bet, but that would NOT be very realistic of me.  LOL.  So, I plan to start with the On A Roll Level (read 50 books).  That will still make a starting dent in my pile of waiting to be read books, AND I think it is a good goal for me.  I usually read 2 or 3 books a month, depending on stuff going on, so I think I should be able to meet this goal.  

Should be fun!  We shall see how I do.

Progress:

1. I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton

2. Warriors: Into the Wild by Erin Hunter

3. McBroom's Ghost by Sid Fleischman

4. The Ghost of Skinny Jack by Astrid Lindgren

5. Monster Night at Grandma's House by Richard Peck

6. Milwaukee Autumns Can Be Lethal by Kathleen Anne Barrett
7. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
8. The Hellcat by Carter Brown
9. Mennonite In A Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen
10.  Green as a Garden Hose by Fran Stewart
11.  Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris
12.  One For The Money by Janet Evanovich
13.  Two For The Dough by Janet Evanovich
14.  Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
15.  Three To Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich
16.  All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
17.  1st To Die by James Patterson
18.  2nd Chance by James Patterson
19.  And Your Little Dog Too by Melissa Cleary
20.  In the Doghouse by Melissa Cleary
21.  From Dead to Worse by Charlaine Harris
22.  Blue Wolf by Lise McClendon
23.  iDrakula by Bekka Black
24.  Heaven is For Real by Todd Burpo
25.  Orange As Marmalade by Fran Stewart

Off The Shelf 2012

This challenge is to read those books you own a copy of, print, digital, and audio, you have been meaning to read, but never gotten to. If you don’t own enough books for the challenge you can read your TBR list instead. And no, you do not need to get rid of your books afterwards, that’s completely your choice, this challenge is only to read them.

The Deets

• The Main Rule: Do not include books acquired during 2012, it defeats the purpose, read those books from before 2012 started!
  
• Running Dates: 1st of January – 31st of December 2012
• When Can I Sign Up: All the way up to the last two weeks of December!
• Crossover Genres: Anything! The name of the game is to turn those unread books into read ones.
• Mr Linky: To use the Mr Linky you’ll need to click on the graphic then enter your link. These will be updated and posted into this page every couple of weeks or so.
• Further Details: Crossover challenges are fine, you can change levels at any time, this is eBook, short story, and graphic novel friendly, and you don’t need a blog to join in (read further for details).

The How To

1. Choose Your Level:These are listed further down and you can change levels at any time.
2. Grab The Badge: Place it somewhere on your blog, profile, or in a signature where possible and link back (main page or this page, it’s up to you).
3. Sign Up Post: Create a post on your blog, in a group, or on a forum (only if allowed) to let others see what you’re aiming for (a predefined list of books is optional).
4. Link Up: Grab the direct URL to your sign up post, not your blog, click the Mr Linky graphic and enter your link!
5. Blogless? Don’t worry, you can sign up with your social network profile (YouTube, Twitter, GoodReads, Shelfari included), just make sure you link to your review list, shelf, tweet, or category. If you don’t have any of those feel free to comment!

Afterwards

1. Your Reviews: Reviewing is optional! But if you do review we’d love for you to share them by submitting them on the Review Page (including social networks).
2. Finished: When you’re done it’s completion post time and you can share these on the Completion Post page!
   

Challenge Levels

1. Tempted– Choose 5 books to read
2. Trying – Choose 15 books to read
3. Making A Dint – Choose 30 books to read
4. On A Roll – Choose 50 books to read
5. Flying Off – Choose 75 books to read
6. Hoarder – Choose between 76-135 books to read
7. Buried – Choose between 136-200 books to read

Here's a link to see more details of this Challenge:

http://bookishardour.com/off-the-shelf/

TV Addict Challenge Wrap Up

I almost made this one, but didn't quite pull it off this year.  

Challenge Alert: The 2012 TV Addict Reading Challenge

I watch a lot of TV. The fiancé and I are big fans of box set marathons. At the moment we’re going through Dexter, and when I discovered that it’s based on a book series, it got me thinking about how a LOT of my fave TV shows are based on books. And about how I want to read them. Then, whilst browsing the available challenges on A Novel Challenge, I had a light bulb moment: Why not turn my quest to read the book versions of my fave TV shows into a challenge?

So here it is! The rules are simple (coz I’m not so good at following them myself):

-The challenge runs from January 1 2012 – December 31 2012. The idea is to read the books that TV shows are based on. Where it's a series, read the books that correspond to the TV seasons available (read the whole series if you want to, of course!). What you do from there is up to you: review the books, do book/show comparisons, review the TV shows, do recaps… whatever tickles your fancy!

-Pick the level you want to achieve in this challenge from the list below, create a post on your blog about it and pop it in the sign-up linky! Non-bloggers are welcome to participate too – do your thang in the comments.

-Each month I’ll create a post where you can come and link up your reviews or comment about the books you’ve read/shows you’ve watched as part of the challenge.

 -You don’t have to plan in advance what books you’re going to read - though of course you can if you want to! Here are some ideas (let me know if I’ve missed your faves):

• The Vampire Diaries by L. J. Smith. There are four books in the original series, plus The Return trilogy and one book in The Hunters trilogy (with two more to come). There’s alsoStefan’s Diaries, which are four books (with more to come) based on the TV show. Just to make things easy. Ahem.
• Pretty Little Liars by Sara Shepherd. The series currently stands at nine books, with three more to come.
• A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin, which Game of Thrones is based on. There are five books out now, with two more coming. There are also six novellas connected to the series.
• Dexter by Jeff Lindsay, which consists of six books.
• ­The Southern Vampire Mysteries by Charlaine Harris, which True Blood is based on. At the moment there are 11 books out in the series, with at least two more to come.
• Gossip Girl by Cecily von Ziegesar. There are 13 books in the original series, 10 books in the It Girl spin-off series and four in the follow-up series, The Carlyles.
• Sex and the City by Candace Bushnell.
• The Secret Circle trilogy by L. J. Smith.
• Chief Inspector Barnaby series by Caroline Graham. There are seven books in series, and the first five were the basis for Midsomer Murders. 

Challenge levels 

1. Single play: Read the books that correspond to ONE TV show.
2. Mini-series: Read the books that correspond to TWO TV shows.
3. Series: Read the books that correspond to THREE TO FOUR TV shows.
4. Soap opera: Read the books that correspond to FIVE OR MORE TV shows.

Since this is my own challenge, I'm going to aim high and go for "soap opera" level. Remember, you don't have to read the whole series to complete the challenge, just the books that correspond to the seasons of the TV show (e.g. the first four books of the Southern Vampire Mysteries, which formed the basis for the four seasons of True Blood that are currently available).

Just gonna shoot for SINGLE PLAY: READ THE BOOKS THAT CORRESPOND TO ONE TV SHOW.  I have always wanted to read Dexter so that's more than likely what I'll shoot for.  :)

***Bit of a change in plan.  I have gotten hooked on the Southern Vampire series, which qualifies here, so going to do that one instead of Dexter, or at least before Dexter.  :-)

Southern Vampire Series Progress:
1. Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris
2.  Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris
3.  Club Dead by Charlaine Harris
4.  Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris
5.  Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris
6.  Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
7.  All Together Dead by Charlaine Harris
8.  From Dead To Worse by Charlaine Harris

What's in a Name Wrap Up 2012

I didn't get this one done this year.  It was harder than it looked.  ;-)  Maybe next time.

What's in a Name 5: Sign Up

Welcome to the fifth What's in a Name challenge This challenge was originated by a young blogger named Annie, who hosted it for two years. When she decided to give up on being the host, I took over the challenge.

I credit this challenge with being one of the prime reasons for my becoming a blogger, so I am thrilled to be its new host.

Here's How It Works

Between January 1 and December 31, 2012, read one book in each of the following categories:

1. A book with a topographical feature (land formation) in the title: Black Hills, Purgatory Ridge, Emily of Deep Valley
2. A book with something you'd see in the sky in the title: Moon Called, Seeing Stars, Cloud Atlas
3. A book with a creepy crawly in the title: Little Bee, Spider Bones, The Witches of Worm
4. A book with a type of house in the title: The Glass Castle, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, Ape House
5. A book with something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in the title: Sarah's Key, The Scarlet Letter, Devlin Diary
6. A book with a something you'd find on a calendar in the title: Day of the Jackal, Elegy for April, Freaky Friday, Year of Magical Thinking

The book titles are just suggestions, you can read whatever book you want to fit the category.

Other Things to Know

• Books may be any form (audio, print, e-book).
• Books may overlap other challenges.
• Books may not overlap categories; you need a different book for each category.
• Creativity for matching the categories is not only allowed but encouraged.
• You do not have to make a list of books before hand.
• You do not have to read through the categories in any particular order.

On January 1, I'll publish 7 posts, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), on this blog so you'll have a place post links to your reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as you finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar. (I'll create those links on January 1.)

Tip: If you're ever struggling to find a title to match a category, check out what other people have read so you can get ideas or be inspired. And remember to be creative.

To join in, sign up with Mr. Linky below. If you aren't a blogger, just add a comment. If Mr. Linky ever disappears, either try again later or click on Email Icon in the side bar and send me your information, and I'll add the link myself.

To use Mr. Linky: put your name or your blog's name in the top box and the URL (web address) of your blog in the bottom box. If you don't have a blog, use your tumblr account, your Facebook page or simply mention your intent to join the challenge in the comments.

Excited to try this one!  I will track my progress below:

1. Topographical feature in title  Ghost on Black Mountain by Ann Hite

2. Something you'd see in the sky in title  Night of the Purple Moon by Scott Cramer

3. Creepy crawly in title

4. Type of house in title:  In the Doghouse by Melissa Cleary

5. Something you'd carry in your pocket, purse, or backpack in title

6. Something you'd find on a calendar in title

Why Buy the Cow Challenge Wrap Up

Didn't make this one.  I thought I would, being I had just gotten my Kindle Fire last Christmas, but I ended up reading a ton on it, but only books sent to me via the authors.  So I didn't get to complete this on this year.

Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012

Back by popular demand...

Welcome to the Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012! This reading challenge was previously called the Show Me the FREE RC, but this year, I have a co-host, Kelly from Reading the Paranormal, and we decided to shake things up a bit.

Quick FYI: This is not a library books, books you've won, or ARCs reading challenge. There are already plenty reading challenges for those specific type of books. You can find them here: A Novel Challenge.

This reading challenge has been developed specifically for FREE and LEGAL downloaded books. As many of you with e-readers know, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and a few other site periodically offer FREE books for your e-reading devices.

The aim of this challenge is to grab and read those FREE and LEGAL downloads!

Since getting my Kindle, I've downloaded 300 Free books from Amazon, but sadly, I've only read a handful. Kelly, my new sidekick, has read over 100 Free books! Even though I failed my own RC miserably, Kelly has inspired me to renew my determination to get those FREE books off my TBR, and we want you to join us!

Here is how it works:

• Should you choose to participate in this challenge, your goal is to read at least twelve (12) legally obtained FREE e-books. While twelve is the minimum there is no maximum limit.
• Anyone can join. You don't have to be a blogger, and you don't have to live in the United States. 
• Any E-Reader will work for this challenge, including: iPad, Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Sony Reader, enTourage. 
• Please Note: If you don't have an e-reading device, you can still join in with Amazon's Free Kindle Reading Apps which you can download for your iPhone, iPad, Mac, PC, Blackberry and more.
• The challenge runs from January 1, 2012 to December 31, 2012. You can join at anytime.
• e-books in ANY genre count for this challenge as long as it was FREE at the time that you downloaded it.
• Every month in 2012, I will make a post for the Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012 so you can link your reviews.  Based on participation, monthly link ups may be combined.
• Those that link their reviews will be entered into a drawing for a chance to win a different prize each month, such as an Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Card, a bookmark, or a GelaSkins for your e-Reader.

Challenge Guidelines:

• If you have a blog, create a post announcing your participation in the challenge. Please include a link back to this post.
• Non bloggers: participate by linking up your profile URL from the site you plan to post your reviews on such as Goodreads, Shelfari, LibraryThing, Amazon, or Barnes & Noble.
• When you post your book review, you MUST reveal how you obtained the free & legal download. Please make your source clear.
• You can list your books in advance or list them as you read them.
• Crossovers to other reading challenges is acceptable, but ARCs/galley e-books DO NOT count. Again, this is a Reading Challenge to read as many of the FREE e-books legally offered for your e-reader. To get started, check out the Top 100 Free books on Amazon, or the Free e-books on Barnes & Noble.
• Any linked reviews that do not meet the guidelines will not be entered into the monthly drawing for the prize of the month.

Levels:
Coupon Clipper: 12 Books
Penny Pincher: 24 Books
Super Saver: 30+ Books

Please visit this post to sign up for the challenge: Why Buy the Cow? Reading Challenge 2012!

Places where you can legally grab some free e-books:
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
Smashwords
All Romance eBooks: offers random freebie books throughout the year (signing up for the newsletter to get updates)
Pocket After Dark: offers free online reads that change monthly and/or bi-monthly
Sony's Reader Store: occasionally pops up with free books that aren't available at Amazon or B&N
Harlequin: offers Freebie Friday
Sourcebooks: offers monthly freebies
Books on the Knob pulls freebies from around the web in different genres for reader consumption 

I am going for Coupon Clipper: 12 books!  :)


1. Red Mojo Mama by Kathy Lynn Hall (from amazon.com)
2. Yellow Crocus by Laila Ibrahim (from amazon.com)
3. Farsighted by Emlyn Chand (from amazon.com)
4. Castaway Kid by R.B. Mitchell  (from amazon.com)