Bookend Crossing: January 2013

Friday, January 4, 2013

The Christmas Brides by Linda Lael Miller

$The Christmas Brides: A McKettrick Christmas\A Creed Country Christmas$ The Christmas Brides: A McKettrick Christmas\A Creed Country Christmas by Linda Lael Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is the last Christmas book of this season. I've read 4 Christmas novels this year. This book actually contains two Christmas stories: "A McKettrick Christmas" and "A Creed Country Christmas." "A McKettrick Christmas" follows Lizzie McKettrick who is riding a train back to her family for Christmas. The train gets caught in an avalanche and the passenger car almost topples off the tracks. The passengers bind together as a little family and help each other survive the ordeal. Lizzie is accompanied by Whitley Carson who she met at school in San Francisco. Lizzie was sure Whitley would ask her to marry him over the Christmas holidays, but she discovers he is not the man she thought he was. Enter Dr. Morgan Shane, a physician on his way to Indian Rock to set up a practice. He is calm in the face of adversity and wins Lizzie's respect and eventually love. Throughout the wait, interesting and amusing things happen to the victims of the avalanche, and they meet Mr. Christian (Mr. Christmas to the children) who will leave you wondering about Christmas magic.

"A Creed Country Christmas" tells the story of Julianna Mitchell, the teacher at the Indian school, who gathers the children who are left after the government closes down the school and sends all the others away; and Lincoln Creed, a widower who takes Julianna and the children under his wing because they have nowhere else to go. Lincoln is looking for a governess/housekeeper for his daughter, Gracie, who has a strong appetite to learn, and himself. Eventually, he offers Julianna the job and then marries her. He is a strong, compassionate man and I like his character very much. Julianna is a "city girl" who is trying very hard to learn the ways of the country and make a good wife and mother. Other things happen to make this story hold your attention. It's a heartwarming Christmas novel. I recommend it.

View all my reviews

Thursday, January 3, 2013

2012 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge

Historical Tapestry is hosting the 2013 Historical Fiction Reading Challenge again this year. Here are the details:

Each month, a new post dedicated to the HF Challenge will be created on Historical Tapestry. To participate, you only have to follow the rules:

everyone can participate, even those who don't have a blog (you can add your book title and thoughts in the comment section if you wish)
add the link(s) of your review(s) including your name and book title to the Mister Linky we’ll be adding to our monthly post (please, do not add your blog link, but the correct address that will guide us directly to your review)
any kind of historical fiction is accepted (HF fantasy, HF young adult,...)

During these following 12 months you can choose one of the different reading levels:

20th century reader - 2 books
Victorian reader - 5 books
Renaissance Reader - 10 books
Medieval - 15 books
Ancient History -25+ books

You can tailor the challenge to suit you in whichever way you like! For example, I know of one participant who over the last couple of years has only read historical mysteries as it suits their own reading tastes!

To join the challenge you only need to make a post about it, go to Historical Tapestry sign up page and leave your link in Mr Linky. If you don't have a blog you can just leave a comment saying that you are joining.

The challenge runs from 1 January to 31 December 2013.

I read at least 12 historical fiction books last year, so I'm going for the Medieval reading level - 15 books. Good luck to everyone else who is joining! Sign-up soon!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

What's in a Name 6

Here's the "What's in a Name" sign-up post!!! Well, at least mine. If you want to sign up, go to Beth Fish Reads and sign-up there.

Here's How It Works
Between January 1 and December 31, 2013, read one book in each of the following categories:

A book with up or down (or equivalent) in the title: Deep down True, The Girl Below, The Diva Digs up the Dirt
A book with something you'd find in your kitchen in the title: Loose Lips Sink Ships, The Knife of Never Letting Go, Breadcrumbs
A book with a party or celebration in the title: A Feast for Crows, A Wedding in Haiti, Cocktail Hour under the Tree of Forgetfulness
A book with fire (or equivalent) in the title: Burning for Revenge, Fireworks over Toccoa, Catching Fire
A book with an emotion in the title: Baltimore Blues, Say You're Sorry, Dreams of Joy
A book with lost or found (or equivalent) in the title: The Book of Lost Fragrances, The World We Found, A Discovery of Witches

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, there will be 7 posts on Beth Fish Reads, each with a Mr. Linky (one for each category and one for your wrap-up post), so we'll have a place post links to our reviews (bloggers) or leave comments (non-bloggers) as we finish up each category. You'll be able to find these posts during the year by clicking on the button in the sidebar.

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.

This challenge is fun. I love being challenged to read books in specific categories. So, sign up and join the fun!

Mount TBR Reading Challenge

Since I am always trying to read through my own TBR pile, I have decided to join this Mount TBR Reading Challenge hosted by My Reader's Block. To join us, sign up here.

Challenge Levels:

Pike's Peak: Read 12 books from your TBR pile/s

Mount Blanc: Read 24 books from your TBR pile/s - I read 40 of my TBR books last year, so I'm starting off with Mount Blanc - 24 books to assure success. I'll upgrade if necessary.

Mt. Vancouver: Read 36 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Ararat: Read 48 books from your TBR piles/s
Mt. Kilimanjaro: Read 60 books from your TBR pile/s
El Toro: Read 75 books from your TBR pile/s
Mt. Everest: Read 100 books from your TBR pile/s

Mount Olympus (Mars): Read 150+ books from your TBR pile/s

And the rules:
*Once you choose your challenge level, you are locked in for at least that many books. If you find that you're on a mountain-climbing roll and want to tackle a taller mountain, then you are certainly welcome to upgrade.

*Challenge runs from January 1 to December 31, 2013.

*You may sign up anytime from now until November 30th, 2013.

*Books must be owned by you prior to January 1, 2013. No ARCs (none), no library books. No rereads. [To clarify--based on a question raised last year--the intention is to reduce the stack of books that you have bought for yourself or received as presents {birthday, Christmas, "just because," etc.}. Audiobooks and E-books may count if they are yours and they are one of your primary sources of backlogged books.]

*You may count any "currently reading" book that you begin prior to January 1--provided that you had 50% or more of the book left to finish in 2013. I will trust you all on that.

*Books may be used to count for other challenges as well.

*Feel free to submit your list in advance (as incentive to really get those books taken care of) or to tally them as you climb.

*A blog and reviews are not necessary to participate. Non-bloggers, please leave My Reader's Block a comment declaring your challenge level--OR, if you are a member of Goodreads, a group will be put together for the challenge there.

So here goes...my daughters will be so proud of me!