AddictedToMorphemes 50 States Challenge

visited 6 states (12%)
Create your own visited map of The United States or Free ipad travel guide

Start: 12-29-12 End: ??
I'll try to read at least one fiction and one nonfiction book taking place in or strictly about each state, but I'm doing this just for fun and not stressing about it. ; )

# Alabama
Loving Evangeline by Linda Howard (1-14-14) F

# Alaska
Down River by Karen Harper (7-11-13) F
The Gold Rush Christmas by Michelle Ule within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella

# Arizona
The Wild Girl by Jim Fergus (1-13-13) F
Identity: Unknown TDD #8 by Suzanne Brockmann (8-12-13) F
The Nerd Who Loved Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson (8-31-13) F
At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller (11-10-13) F
Sierra's Homecoming by Linda Lael Miller (11-30-13) F
A Christmas Castle by Cynthia Hickey within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella
McNamara's Woman Family Secrets #2 by Lisa Gardner writing as Alicia Scott (2-16-14) F

# Arkansas - COMPLETED
The Witness by Nora Roberts (2-21-13) F
Fearless by Eric Blehm (4-28-13) NF

# California - COMPLETED
Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives by Josie Brown (2-13-13) F
A Christmas Bride by Susan Mallery (4-4-13) F
A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery (4-6-13) F
Almost Summer by Susan Mallery (4-7-13) F
Into the Night Troubleshooters #5 by Suzanne Brockmann (4-19-13) F
Warrior Soul by Chuck Pfarrer (4-26-13) NF
Hot Target by Suzanne Brockmann (4-29-13) F
Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann (5-3-13) F
The Substitute Millionaire by Susan Mallery (5-29-13) F
Harvard's Education TDD #5 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-22-13) F
Night Watch TDD #11 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-30-13) F
Frisco's Kid TDD #3 by Suzanne Brockmann (7-1-13) F
Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery (7-10-13) F
When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak (9-4-13) F
When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak (9-5-13) F
Home to Whiskey Creek by Brenda Novak (9-10-13) F
When Lightning Strikes by Brenda Novak (9-13-13) F
Virgin River #1 by Robyn Carr (9-15-13) F
Two of a Kind Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery (9-16-13) F
Shelter Mountain Virgin River #2 by Robyn Carr (9-23-13) F
Whispering Rock Virgin River #3 by " " (9-26-13) F
A Virgin River Christmas Virgin River #4 by " " (9-27-13) F
Secrets and Lies by Lisa Jackson (10-6-13) F
Second Chance Pass Virgin River #5 by Robyn Carr (11-5-13) F
Temptation Ridge V.R. #6 by Robyn Carr (12-4-13) F
Under the Christmas Tree V.R. #8 by Robyn Carr (12-12-13) F
Forbidden Falls V.R. #9 by Robyn Carr (12-16-13) F
Paradise Valley V.R. #7 by Robyn Carr (12-27-13) F
Angel's Peak V.R. #10 by Robyn Carr (12-29-13) F
Moonlight Road V.R. #11 by Robyn Carr (1-18-14) F
Deep in the Valley Grace Valley #1 by Robyn Carr (1-28-14) F
Just Over the Mountain Grace Valley #2 by Robyn Carr (2-7-14) F
Down By the River Grace Valley #3 by Robyn Carr (2-8-14) F
Three Little Words Fools Gold #12 by Susan Mallery (2-14-14) F
Fools Gold Cookbook Fools Gold #13.5 by Susan Mallery (2-18-14) F
Halfway There Fools Gold by Susan Mallery (3-17-14) F
Only Us Fools Gold by Susan Mallery (3-29-14) F
The Ultimate Millionaire #3 Million Dollar Catch by Susan Mallery (4-6-14) F

# Colorado

Just One Taste Donovan Bros. Brewery #5 by Victoria Dahl (11-12-13) F
Real Men Will " " #3 (11-13-13) F
Bad Boys Do " " #2 (11-15-13) F
Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl (12-21-13) F

# Connecticut
Scenes of Passion by Suzanne Forster (9-17-13) F

# Delaware

# District of Columbia
Blood Born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones (3-9-13) F
The Defiant Hero Troubleshooters #2 by Suzanne Brockmann (4-14-13) F
Prince Joe TDD #1 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-23-13) F
Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood (8-5-13) F

# Florida - COMPLETED
The Vision by Heather Graham (3-23-13) F
Gone Too Far Troubleshooters #6 by Suzanne Brockmann (4-21-13) F
Force of Nature Troubleshooters #11 by Suzanne Brockmann (5-9-13) F
Unspoken Abandonment by Bryan Wood (8-14-13) NF
Kiss and Tell Sunrise Key #1 by Suzanne Brockmann (9-20-13) F
The Kissing Game Sunrise Key #2 by " " (9-21-13) F
Otherwise Engaged Sunrise Key #3 by " " (9-22-13) F
Do or Die Reluctant Heroes #1 by Suzanne Brockmann (4-5-14) F
Make Me Yours by Rhyannon Byrd (4-8-14) F

# Georgia
Sick of Shadows Eliz. MacPherson #1 by Sharyn McCrumb (10-8-13) Mystery
Veil of Night by Linda Howard (3-11-14) F

# Hawaii
Nerd in Shining Armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson (8-22-13) F

# Idaho

# Illinois
Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (1-19-13) SF
Divergent by Veronica Roth (5-15-13) F
Stay Hungry by Lorie O'Clare (11-9-13) F
Prodigal Son by Susan Mallery (3-22-14) F

# Indiana

# Iowa
Far From Here by Nicole Baart (7-21-13) F

# Kansas
Doc: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell (10-26-13) F

# Kentucky
The Buckhorn Legacy by Lori Foster (1-25-13) F

# Louisiana
Kill and Tell by Linda Howard (1-18-13) F
Tall, Dark & Cajun by Sandra Hill (1-27-13)F
Wicked All Night by Shayla Black (4-8-14) F

# Maine
Last Summer by Holly Chamberlin (2-7-13) F

# Maryland
The Perfect Hope Bk 3 of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts (2-9-13) F

# Massachusetts
Home In Time For Christmas by Heather Graham (12-29-12) F
A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand (1-30-13) F
Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand (1-31-13) F
The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts (3-3-13) F
The Unsung Hero Troubleshooter #1 by Suzanne Brockmann (4-13-13) F
Taylor's Temptation by Suzanne Brockmann (5-3-13) F
All Through the Night - A Troubleshooter Christmas Troubleshooter #12 by Suzanne Brockmann (5-13-13) F
Beginnings and Ends Troubleshooters #17.5 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-16-13) F
Love You More by Lisa Gardner (11-2-13) Mystery/Suspense
Freedom's Price Bartlett Family #2 by Suzanne Brockmann (2-26-14) F
Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann (4-24-14) F

# Michigan

# Minnesota
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline (10-14-13) F

# Mississippi

# Missouri
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (10-11-13) F

# Montana
Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller (3-4-13) F
Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller (3-5-13) F
Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller (3-6-13) F
A Montana Mavericks Christmas by Susan Mallery and Karen Hughes (4-2-13) F
The Admiral's Bride TDD #7 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-18-13) F
Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller (10-27-13) F
Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller (10-30-13) F
Forbidden Bartlett Family #1 by Suzanne Brockmann (2-25-14) F
Christmas in Whitehorn by Susan Mallery (4-10-14) F

# Nebraska
One Thousand White Women: The Journals of May Dodd by Jim Fergus (1-12-13) F
You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon (8-30-13) F
A Pony Express Christmas by Margaret Brownley within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella

# Nevada
Time Without End by Linda Lael Miller (2-23-13) F
Breaking the Rules Troubleshooters #16 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-16-13) F

# New Hampshire
Into the Storm Troubleshooters #10 by Suzanne Brockmann (5-5-13) F
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult (3-15-14) F

# New Jersey
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich (4-9-13) F
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich (4-10-13) F
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich (4-11-13) F

# New Mexico - COMPLETED
The Missing by Thomas Eidson (1-14-13) F
The Vow: True Events That Inspired the Movie by Kim & Krickitt Carpenter (4-2-13) NF

# New York - COMPLETED
Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman (1-21-13) F
Dark Lover by J. R. Ward (1-28-13) F
Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward (2-3-13) F
Lover Awakened by J. R. Ward (2-5-13) F
Confessions of a Bigamist by Kate Lehrer (2-10-13) F
Push by Sapphire (2-12-13) F
Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward (2-15-13) F
Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward (2-17-13) F
Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward (2-18-13) F
The Perfect Neighbor by Nora Roberts (2-24-13) F
The Magicians by Lev Grossman (3-1-13) F
The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide by J. R. Ward (3-9-13) F
Father Mine by J. R. Ward (3-9-13) F
Lover Avenged by J. R. Ward (3-13-13) F
Lover Mine by J. R. Ward (3-14-13) F
Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward (3-17-13) F
Lover Reborn by J. R. Ward (3-20-13) F
Lover at Last by J. R. Ward (3-29-13) F
The Magician King Book 2 in Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman (4-1-13) F
Perfect Harmony by Nora Roberts (4-6-13) F
Hero Under Cover by Suzanne Brockmann (5-2-13) F
Black Irish by Stephan Talty (5-27-13) F
What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt (6-2-13) F
Hot Pursuit Troubleshooters #15 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-12-13) F
Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky (6-19-13) Memoir
The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum (7-19-13) F
Riptide by Margaret Carroll (8-27-13) F
Unfinished Business by Suzanne Forster (9-17-13) F
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron (9-28-13) Memoir
Bodyguard by Suzanne Brockmann (9-29-13) F
I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron (10-2-13) Memoir
Imaginary Friends by Nora Ephron (10-3-13) Play
Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham (1-20-14) F
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton (2-19-14) F-Classics

# North Carolina
Nights in Rodanthe by Nicholas Sparks (1-5-13) F
Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks (2-20-13) F
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks (2-6-14) F

# North Dakota
The Round House by Louise Erdrich (6-4-13) F
The Cowboy's Angel by Lauraine Snelling within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella
A Badland's Christmas by Marcia Gruver within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella

# Ohio
Wench by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (1-4-13) F
Ready, Set, Jett by Lori Foster (11-12-13) F
The Calling by Kathleen Fuller within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella

# Oklahoma
Buckskin Bride by Vickie McDonough within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella

# Oregon
The Wanderer #1 in Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr (9-2-13) F
The Newcomer #2 in Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr (9-7-13) F
The Hero #3 in Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr (9-8-13) F
Maggie's Man Family Secrets #1 by Lisa Gardner writing as Alicia Scott (2-11-14) F
Brandon's Bride Family Secrets #3 by Lisa Gardner writing as Alicia Scott (2-23-14) F

# Pennsylvania
My Husband's Sweethearts by Bridget Asher (2-8-13) F
Eleven Days by Lea Carpenter (10-1-13) F

# Rhode Island

# South Carolina
Forever Blue TDD #2 by Suzanne Brockmann (6-21-13) F

# South Dakota
The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber (3-24-13) F

# Tennessee
Defending Truth by Shannon McNear within A Pioneer Christmas Collection (2-3-14) F novella

# Texas
Sarah's Child #1 in Spencer-Nyle Co. by Linda Howard (1-10-14) F
Almost Forever #2 " " (1-11-14) F
Bluebird Winter #3 " (1-11-14) F
Baby, It's Cold Outside by Genevieve Jourdin (2-24-14) F
Hotshot by Julie Garwood (3-30-14) F

# Utah

# Vermont
Sleigh Bells in the Snow O'Neil Family #1 by Sarah Morgan (2-9-14) F
Fever by Elizabeth Lowell (3-9-14) F

# Virginia - COMPLETED
No Easy Day The Only First-Hand Account of the Navy SEAL Mission
That Killed Osama bin Laden by Mark Owen (5-11-13) NF
Hawken's Heart prev. published as It Came Upon a Midnight Clear TDD #6 by
Suzanne Brockmann (6-20-13) F
About That Man Trinity Harbor #1 by Sherryl Woods
Ask Anyone Trinity Harbor #2 by Sherryl Woods
Along Came Trouble Trinity Harbor #3 by Sherryl Woods

# Washington
After by Amy Efaw (1-1-13) F
Lily and the Major by Linda Lael Miller (3-21-13) F
Just Kate by Linda Lael Miller (5-28-13) F
One Night Heir by Lucy Monroe (3-23-14) F

# West Virginia

# Wisconsin
Everyday, Average Jones TDD #4 by Suzanne Brockmann (7-3-13) F

# Wyoming
Running Wild by Linda Howard and Linda Jones (1-15-13) F
Too Hot to Handle by Victoria Dahl (11-17-13) F
Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl (11-19-13) F
Savage Quest by Cassie Edwards (1-7-14) F
So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl (3-28-14) F
Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl (3-29-14) F

Inhabited territories

* American Samoa
* Guam
* Northern Mariana Islands
* Puerto Rico
* US Virgin Islands

Uninhabited territories

* Baker Island
* Howland Island
* Jarvis Island
* Johnston Atoll
* Kingman Reef
* Midway Islands
* Navassa Island
* Palmyra Atoll
* Wake Island

I think (?) Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury takes place in Illinois. If I'm wrong, please correct me. Thx

Up the Down Staircase by Bel Kaufman - New York 1-21-13 Fiction

The Buckhorn Legacy by Lori Foster - Kentucky 1-25-13 Fiction

Tall, Dark & Cajun by Sandra Hill - Louisiana 1-27-13 Fiction

Dark Lover by J. R. Ward - New York 1-28-13 Fiction

First in the "Black Dagger Brotherhood" series. The Brotherhood is a select group of vampire warriors whose job it is to protect others of their dwindling species. This story featured "Wrath", member of the Brotherhood, and (blind) king of the vampires. In honor of a fallen member of the Brotherhood, he assists Beth Randall with her transition into a vampire. Immediate attraction and true luuuuuv follows. : )

A Summer Affair by Elin Hilderbrand - Massachusetts 1-30-13 Fiction

All the drama surrounding the love affair of two co-chairs on a charity fundraising committee in posh Nantucket, Mass. More intensity (personal and professional) by coworkers, friends, and family orbiting this couple. Hilderbrand is a very good writer but for me this was just an "okay" book. I did feel a lot of anxiety reading it, so it certainly wasn't a FUN read.

Nantucket Nights by Elin Hilderbrand - Massachusetts 1-31-13 Fiction

Story of three friends--Kayla, Val and Antoinette--who have a yearly tradition of getting together the Friday of Labor Day Weekend for a night swim in the Atlantic Ocean off the island of Nantucket, Mass., sharing champagne, decadent food, and secrets. On this, their 20th anniversary of friendship and "Night Swimmers", tragedy strikes and the ensuing fall-out is disastrous for all involved.

Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward - New York 2-3-13 Fiction

Second in Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Features vampire warrior and member of the Brotherhood, Rhage, who was cursed for 200 years so when he loses control--usually brought on by pain or extreme anger--he turns into a beast (dragon) that kills everything in sight. He meets Mary Luce, whose voice has a calming effect on him, but he is concerned that he will accidentally harm her and she doubts that his attraction to her is real so there is a lot of back-and-forth between the two of them involving both of their insecurities.

So far, this series is pretty good. It's kind of nice because it has some edge to it but it's not as dark as something like Laurell K. Hamilton's books. It's keeping my interest but I think I've already figured out some of the "surprises" to come. I do really like these characters and am drawn into their makeshift family and that will keep me reading.

Lover Awakened by J. R. Ward - New York 2-5-13 Fiction

Book 3 in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. This one is excellent and bumps the quality of the series up a couple notches. This features the "ruined, not just broken" Zsadist, a formerly abused and tortured blood slave, now member of the Brotherhood, and the aristocratic Bella, who was captured in the previous book by the unhinged David Ormond (Mr. O), the fore-lesser of the local slayers.

This is the story of Z's metamorphosis as well as the bonds of love and loyalty, not only regarding romantic love, but the brotherly love between Zsadist and his twin, Phury, as well as those of friendship and "family". There were quite a few surprises, which gives me hope for the series to get even better. The author did not hold back on what could cause her readers some emotional upheaval! This was an excellent addition to the series, but I wouldn't recommend it as a stand-alone. You'll benefit more from the twists and turns in Book 3 if you are already acquainted with all the characters and their history.

Last Summer by Holly Chamberlin - Maine 2-7-13 Fiction

Story of 14yo Rosie Patterson's experience of being bullied by mean girls in her high school, and how it not only affected her life but the lives of those around her.

My Husband's Sweethearts by Bridget Asher - Pennsylvania 2-8-13 Fiction

Lucy Shoreman left her older husband, Artie, six months ago after discovering he had cheated on her...repeatedly. She still loves the charming little cheat, however, so when she learns he is dying, she returns home to care for him, even though she can't make herself forgive him. She's angry, hurt and betrayed.

She doesn't think it's fair that his "sweethearts" got to be there with him through the good times but aren't around during the bad times. So she takes out his little black book and starts calling them. To her surprise, they soon start showing up to sit at his bedside; a parade of Artie's sweethearts over the years, as well as a long lost son. What transpires is very special.

I was expecting something humorous, maybe a little angry, but this is also touching and hopeful. You'll learn some lessons on friendship, forgiveness and love.

This book is a gem.

The Perfect Hope Book 3 of the Inn Boonsboro Trilogy by Nora Roberts - Maryland 2-9-13 Fiction

Ryder Montgomery/Hope Beaumont

Nice ending to the trilogy. Nora Roberts has a way of seeing into the workings of the male mind and of their relationships with family.

Confessions of a Bigamist by Kate Lehrer - New York (and Texas) 2-10-13 Fiction

Story of a woman's balancing act of maintaining two separate marriages--one in New York, one in Texas--as well as holding on to the integrity of her business alter-ego, all while trying to find her true self amidst it all.

Push by Sapphire - New York 2-12-13 Fiction

Incredible story of Precious Jones and how she survives and overcomes her wretched life of physical and sexual abuse by her parents and the invisibility of her existence to others who could have and should have helped her escape that life. At 16, she has been kicked out of school for being pregnant--for the second time--by her father. She starts attending an alternative school in Harlem, and with the love and support from teachers and friends made there, she not only learns to read and write, but to find herself.

I almost stopped reading this book just a few pages into it. It was too uncomfortable. It made me angry and sad at the unfairness of life. But this is a book of getting beyond the unfairness and just dealing with it the best way you can. You can't change what life has dealt you in the past, you just have to push forward.

Secret Lives of Husbands and Wives by Josie Brown - California 2-13-13 Fiction

This is basically a fairytale of divorce, friendships, and the inner workings of an elite community. All the "good" people end up with good things happening to them; all the "bad" people get some of what's coming to them. It does have a lot of realism in what happens (or can happen) between marital relationships over the years. This is a combination of romance novel and chick-lit. Good, fun story with an ending that you wish could happen in real life.
; )

Lover Revealed by J. R. Ward - New York 2-15-13 Fiction

Book 4 of the Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Butch's story. Brian O'Neal, human cop and friend of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. This one is hard to explain without giving away spoilers. This is his story and how he becomes further bonded to Marissa, the "unwanted" member of the glymera and former shellan of Wrath, and sister to the vampires' physician, Havers. This is also the story of how Butch becomes further embedded in the Brotherhood (assuming the name Dhestroyer), as well as how an unwanted link is forged with their enemy, the Omega (veeerrrryyy interesting).

We learn a lot about his past and the hows and whys of his unusual bond with Vishous and the rest of the brothers, and witness a surprising and welcome change in Marissa, from the meek and undesired member of the glymera to her coming into herself as an independent woman.

The author continues to do weird things with words and the Brothers' dialogue. Not only by adding an "h" to normal words in order to make them sound exotic which I've gotten used to, but she continues to use cutesy words like "sitch" for situation and "comf" for comfortable, etc. Maybe I'm just old, but do people really talk like this? And big tough guys no less? I think it makes them sound like 12-year-old girls. Natch. Not my biz. I can get comf with it, true?

Lover Unbound by J. R. Ward

Lover Unbound - Book 5 of Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Vishous' and Dr. Jane Whitcomb's eyes meet on the operating room table--with his six-chambered heart literally in her hands.

In typical BDB fashion, the bonding process between the two is immediately underway. I've got to give Dr. Jane credit--she doesn't fall immediately--oh, but just give her a day or two. One of the first thoughts in Vishous' mind after waking from open heart surgery is, of course, "Mine." This immediate territorial marking tendency has been endearing with some of the other characters but not so much in V's case. Because he is so intelligent and Jane is a rational being, a scientist and brilliant surgeon, with seemingly very little fanciful notions about her, I was hoping for more of a meeting of the minds kind of attraction at first rather than the reliance on the immediate physicality of their union. There was a good start to that when they worked together patching Phury up after a brutal fight with lessers, but their romance progressed so quickly after that I had a hard time accepting it.

There is the additional problem of Dr. Jane being a human. Bummer. And even more bothersome is V's promise to the Scribe Virgin that he will fulfill his destiny as the Primale, which means he must in effect "marry" and try to impregnate all of the female Chosen in order to keep the race going. They are hoping that his superior bloodline co-mingled with that of the Scribe Virgin's Chosen, they will have a better chance of having live births and being able to raise up additional and future members of the Brotherhood; in effect, saving their race from extinction.

We finally see John Matthew through his transition but unfortunately he's still carrying the same inner struggles. He has a couple friends in his training class who are proving to be loyal to him--Qhuinn and Blay, as well as a nemesis to them all--the spoiled and arrogant Lash. He's developing a closer friendship with Zhadist who is taking on the role of mentor to John in lieu of his missing father figure, Tohrment.

There are a few bombshells dropped in this book, but some are really not overly surprising. There is one in particular at the end that is shocking, controversial to readers of this series, and to me just out and out stupid.

This book was a disappointment and didn't do V justice. Vishous is known to be the most intelligent of the Brothers and I thought he was one of the most interesting. He speaks 16 languages. He's the computer and security systems expert. He was the first Brother to readily accept the human cop, Butch, into the fold and they quickly developed an incredible, interesting, confusing and sometimes heart-wrenching friendship. I rooted for V. I still do. I think Ward cheated him. Not by choosing Jane as his mate, because she really is a terrific match for him. She's incredibly talented and smart and emotionally strong, and her skills as a surgeon would be a great addition to the growing Brotherhood compound. Unfortunately, that wasn't good enough for Ward because she had to mess with everyone and make things weird with her bizarre ending.

Lover Enshrined by J. R. Ward - New York (2-18-13) F

Book 6 of Black Dagger Brotherhood Series

Phury and the Chosen's Cormia. This delves into Phury's struggle with "the wizard" (his drug addiction) and his inability to follow through on his responsibilities and promises made. Phury really has just taken on too many of life's burdens starting with his guilt surrounding his twin's abduction and the century of torture he went through. There was one line in this book that made me chuckle even with its truthfulness: "Would you climb down off the cross already? Someone else needs the wood!"

Phury doesn't know how to put himself first so he has come to rely on his "red smoke" to help him deal with his own self loathing.
Like a lot of addicts, he has to hit bottom before he can start the hard scramble back up to a happier life. I found the part of the story surrounding his relationship with Cormia frustrating at times until the bittersweet and hopeful ending to the book.

There was a big brouhaha involving a locker room brawl between Qhuinn, John, Blay and Lash that created lasting drama. It's getting good, especially with the addition of these "Boys" who have transitioned and are now of service to the King. Rehv is given a lot of face time in this one, as well as a couple of newcomers to Omega's realm. I'm particularly intrigued by his new fore-lesser, Mr. D, who has a lot of southern sensibilities. Can I call it charm when he is evil?? I'm hoping his character will be able to survive the fore-lesser curse.

There are a lot of changes in the worlds of the Chosen, the Brotherhood, and the Omega in this installment. No big surprises in this one but a lot of interesting developments and build-up for future books.

The Witness by Nora Roberts - Arkansas (2-21-13) Fiction
"Read" via audio book, Brilliance Audio Edition, Narrated by Julia Whelan.

This was my first audio book. The narration was done very well by Julia Whelan; in particular, how she was able to change her pitch or use slight accents to differentiate the various female characters. I am definitely more of a visual person than auditory, so I was worried I would have a hard time with an audio book, but the clarity of her voice was excellent and I had no problem understanding her or needing to rewind to hear any parts a second time. She also did a bang-up job with the Russian language and carrying off their accent in a believable way. The voices for the male characters were not as good and were distracting to me. This would have been much better if they would have hired a second voice actor to cover the male dialogue.

Summary:
Elizabeth Fitch, at 16, is fluent in several languages, has a genius-level I.Q. and an eidetic memory, is already attending Harvard and is slotted for Harvard Medical School. Everything in her life has been pre-ordained and controlled by her beautiful and highly successful mother (who is herself a surgeon), including her schedule, her clothing, her diet, what books she reads, what music she listens to, the instruments she plays, etc. Not to mention that she also chose who her "father" would be by a strict selection process of a suitable sperm donor. She chose when she would be impregnated by IVF and when her C-section would be scheduled. It has been made clear to Elizabeth that she is unloved and has basically been a science experiment for her cold-hearted mother, proving her ability to produce the perfect offspring which would reflect back on her own success.

When Elizabeth's mother breaks a promise that she would be able to take a much-needed break and instead has enrolled her in an intensive summer course, it was the last straw for Elizabeth and she rebels for the first time in her life. She cuts and dyes her hair and heads to the mall to buy normal clothes for a girl her age when she runs across an acquaintance who agrees to help Elizabeth shop if she will, in turn, make them a couple fake I.D.s so they can get into the most popular nightclub in town.

This seemingly simple rebellion turns into a tragedy when the girls meet two men who are linked to the ownership of the club and who are, as it turns out, part of a Russian mob family. Elizabeth ends up being a witness to murder and is in a position to take down the mob family. She is moved into a safe house and guarded by agents from the U.S. Marshall's Office until a situation develops where she is on her own running for her life.

The story picks up 12 years later, with Elizabeth (now Abigail Lowery) living outside a small Arkansas town in the Ozarks. She lives a quiet and private life with her Bull Mastiff and a ton of security alarms and cameras set around her property for protection. The new police chief, Brooks Gleason, likes that she's attractive and somewhat mysterious, but his interest ratchets up when he notices she doesn't go anywhere without a weapon on her hip and he intuitively knows she is hiding from something or someone.

He tenaciously visits her, invites himself to dinner, etc., in a way that annoys her because of his rudeness, but he is charming and kind and he slowly is able to get past her barriers and social awkwardness to the point she feels safe with him and knows she can trust him. Through his caring and the kindness of his family, she decides it is time she stop running and start to live a real life. With his help, but admirably mainly due to her work, research and preparation over the years, she's now ready to face down those who stole her life away.

This is a romantic suspense novel, so of course it has a somewhat predictable ending, but there was a lot of intrigue and a little surprise at the end as well. Another good Roberts' read.

Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks - North Carolina (2-20-13) F

Katie's running from her abusive husband who, unfortunately for her, is a very talented police detective. After a lot of ingenuity and courage, she lands in a small North Carolina coastal town where she's trying to pick up the pieces.

She meets a local store owner, Alex, who is patient and kind and is a widower with two children whom she is drawn to when she visits the store. She also befriends a woman, Jo, who moves into the cottage next to hers. Jo is a grief counselor and Katie finally shares her story and secrets with her new friend and is encouraged by the somewhat pushy woman to trust Alex and even to start a relationship with him.

The relationship progresses slowly and comes across as a true friendship and healing for them both, and Katie provides a needed presence in the children's lives as well.

In the meantime, Katie's husband's life is disintegrating and his mental state is progressively getting more and more erratic, causing him to get suspended from the police force. Now he can devote all his time to tracking down his wife. Yikes. I liked how the author gave us his point of view as well and we were able to see what he was thinking as he was in his downward spiral and while he was lost in his rage.

Crazy stuff goes down before Katie and Alex get their happy ending. : )

Time Without End by Linda Lael Miller
3rd installment in her vampire series

This centers around the ancient vampire, Valerian, who was introduced and played an important role in the first two novels (Forever and the Night and For All Eternity).

Valerian was a 17-year-old mortal living in a simple village as a bootmaker's son in Cornwall in 1348. He seemed to be cursed from birth as he was admired and emulated by his younger brother, Krispin, obsessively cherished by his mother and, as a result, disliked and unloved by his father. He loved the Lady Brenna although she was of a higher station and was promised to another. Brenna returned his love, and in a brief and innocent moment of comforting her, they were spotted which sent her father into a rage, starting one horrible circumstance after another, resulting in Brenna's demise.

Years later, at 35, he is found by his former tutor and is turned into a vampire. For some mysterious and heartbreaking reason, once a century he comes across his beloved Brenna, although in a new and different incarnation each time, they fall in love and shortly thereafter, she is killed or dies of illness.

It is now the year 1995 and the newest incarnation is Daisy Chandler, a homicide detective in Las Vegas, where Valerian is a headliner (magician and illusionist) at the newly built Venetian Hotel. The cycle begins again, although this time, both Valerian and Daisy are determined to solve the puzzle as to who is murdering innocent women in strange "vampire-like" murders, who is threatening Daisy in connection with these murders, and who has been so determined to repeatedly break Valerian's heart by bringing him face-to-face with his beloved Brenna only to take her away.

The Perfect Neighbor by Nora Roberts - Massachusetts
#11 in MacGregor Series - (Preston McQuinn & Cybil Campbell)

Cybil Campbell (daughter of Genevieve & Grant) works from home on her popular daily comic strip, "Friends and Neighbors". She's the darling of the building and is used to her neighbors popping into her apartment to hang out as a group while she's working. She likes the background noise and she cares for her neighbors, young and old, even though they continually try to set her up with boring dates with their distant relatives.

There's new excitement in the building when a private and mysterious man moves in across the hall. He rarely goes out during the daytime, he often plays broody, bluesy songs on his sax, and he'll randomly leave the house at odd times of the night. He's definitely not interested in getting to know his neighbors, however, and is abrupt and rude.

Cybil brings him homemade cookies, and thinking he is an unemployed musician, she later offers him $100 to pretend he's taking her on a date so one of the older women in the building will stop setting her up with her groping nephew. On a whim, he agrees and ends up interested and intrigued. That doesn't stop his rudeness, but the attraction is there. He's actually a successful playwright with a bitter past which puts stumbling blocks in the way of a relationship. However, with a little help from Cybil's matchmaking grandpa, Daniel MacGregor (from earlier installments of the MacGregor series), the possibilities for happiness are there for the taking.

Interesting and fun characters, witty dialogue, heart-tugging moments, big-time chemistry. Really great read.

The Magicians by Lev Grossman - New York

Cross between Harry Potter and The Chronicles of Narnia for grown-ups.

The MacGregor Brides by Nora Roberts - Massachusetts
#8 in MacGregor series

3-in-1 book. Stories about three cousins whose love interests are hand-picked by their loveable but meddlesome grandfather, Daniel MacGregor (a recurring theme with the MacGregor series).
1. Laura (lawyer & daughter of Caine M. & Diana Blade) is matched with Royce Cameron (owner of security company).
2. Gwendolyn (ER doc & daughter of Sarena M. & Justin Blade) is matched with author Branson Maguire. She initially agrees to help him with research for a new book about a female doctor who snaps and becomes a serial killer.
3. Julia (real estate/house flipper & daughter of former president Alan M. & Shelby Campbell) matched with Cullum Murdoch (building contractor).
Predictable romances but good chemistry, enviable family dynamics, enjoyable read.

Big Sky Country by Linda Lael Miller - Montana
Big Sky Mountain by Linda Lael Miller
Big Sky River by Linda Lael Miller

Series taking place in Parable, Montana.

Blood Born by Linda Howard and Linda Jones - D.C.

The Black Dagger Brotherhood: An Insider's Guide by J. R. Ward - New York

Father Mine by J. R. Ward - New York

Lover Avenged by J. R. Ward - New York

Lover Mine by J. R. Ward - New York

Lover Unleashed by J. R. Ward - New York

Lover Reborn by J. R. Ward - New York

Lily and the Major by Linda Lael Miller - Washington (Territory)

The Vision by Heather Graham - (Key West) Florida

The Personal History of Rachel DuPree by Ann Weisgarber - South Dakota
Lover at Last #11 in BDB series by J. R. Ward - New York
The Magician King Book 2 in Magicians Trilogy by Lev Grossman - New York, Mass., & Fillory (smile)
The Vow: True Events That Inspired the Movie by Kim & Krickitt Carpenter - New Mexico
A Montana Mavericks Christmas by Susan Mallery and Karen Hughes - Montana (duh)
A Christmas Bride contains two stories by Susan Mallery - California & El Deharia (an Arab country)
A Fool's Gold Christmas by Susan Mallery - California
Perfect Harmony by Nora Roberts - New York
Almost Summer by Susan Mallery - California
Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich - New Jersey
Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich - New Jersey
Notorious Nineteen by Janet Evanovich - New Jersey
The Unsung Hero Troubleshooters #1 by Suzanne Brockmann - Massachusetts
The Defiant Hero Troubleshooters #2 by Suzanne Brockmann - Wash. D.C.
Into the Night Troubleshooters #5 by Suzanne Brockmann - California
Gone Too Far Troubleshooters #6 by Suzanne Brockmann - Florida
Warrior Soul by Chuck Pfarrer - California & Virginia
Fearless by Eric Blehm - Arkansas
Hot Target by Suzanne Brockmann - California
Get Lucky by Suzanne Brockmann - California
Taylor's Temptation by Suzanne Brockmann - Massachusetts
Into the Storm Troubleshooters #10 by Suzanne Brockmann - New Hampshire
Force of Nature Troubleshooters #11 by Suzanne Brockmann - Florida
No Easy Day by Mark Owen - Virginia (& Iraq, Afghanistan, and Pakistan)
All Through the Night - A Troubleshooter Christmas #12 by Suzanne Brockmann - Massachusetts
Divergent by Veronica Roth - dystopian Chicago, IL
Insurgent by Veronica Roth - dystopian Chicago, IL
Black Irish by Stephan Talty - Buffalo, NY
Just Kate by Linda Lael Miller - Seattle, WA
The Substitute Millionaire by Susan Mallery - California

JUNE

What I Loved by Siri Hustvedt - New York
The Round House by Louise Erdrich - North Dakota
Hot Pursuit by Suzanne Brockmann - New York
Breaking the Rules by Suzanne Brockmann - Nevada
Beginnings and Ends by Suzanne Brockmann - Massachusetts
The Admiral's Bride TDD #7 by Suzanne Brockmann - Montana
Heads in Beds by Jacob Tomsky - New York & Louisiana
Hawken's Heart prev. published as It Came Upon a Midnight Clear TDD #6 by Suzanne Brockmann - Virginia
Forever Blue TDD #2 by Suzanne Brockmann - South Carolina
Harvard's Education TDD #5 by Suzanne Brockmann - California
Prince Joe TDD #1 by Suzanne Brockmann - Wash. D.C.
Night Watch TDD #11 by Suzanne Brockmann - CA

Wow! Look how fast you're blazing your trail through the fifty states! It took me over 3 years to fill in each state with at least one read!

I feel like I'm cheating because most of the books are really easy reads... ;)

JULY

Frisco's Kid TDD #3 by Suzanne Brockmann - CA
Everyday, Average Joe TDD #4 by Suzanne Brockmann - WI
Just One Kiss by Susan Mallery - CA
Down River by Karen Harper - AK
About That Man Trinity Harbor #1 by Sherryl Woods - VA
Ask Anyone Trinity Harbor #2 by Sherryl Woods - VA
Along Came Trouble Trinity Harbor #3 by Sherryl Woods - VA
Far From Here by Nicole Baart - IA
The Opposite of Love by Julie Buxbaum - NY

AUGUST

Sweet Talk by Julie Garwood - Wash. D.C.
Identity: Unknown TDD #8 - AZ
Unspoken Abandonment by Bryan Wood - FL
Nerd in Shining Armor by Vicki Lewis Thompson - HA
Riptide by Margaret Carroll - NY
You Remind Me of Me by Dan Chaon - NE
The Nerd Who Loved Me by Vicki Lewis Thompson - AZ

SEPTEMBER

The Wanderer #1 in Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr - OR
When Snow Falls by Brenda Novak - CA
When Summer Comes by Brenda Novak - CA
The Newcomer #2 in Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr - OR
The Hero #3 in Thunder Point series by Robyn Carr - OR
Home to Whiskey Creek by Brenda Novak - CA
When Lightning Strikes by Brenda Novak - CA
Virgin River #1 by Robyn Carr - CA
Two of a Kind Fool's Gold series by Susan Mallery - CA
Unfinished Business by Suzanne Forster - NY
Scenes of Passion by Suzanne Brockmann - CT
Kiss and Tell Sunrise Key #1 by Suzanne Brockmann - FL
The Kissing Game Sunrise Key #2 by Suzanne Brockmann - FL
Otherwise Engaged Sunrise Key #3 by Suzanne Brockmann - FL
Shelter Mountain Virgin River #2 by Robyn Carr - CA
Whispering Rock Virgin River #3 by Robyn Carr - CA
A Virgin River Christmas Virgin River #4 by Robyn Carr - CA
I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron - NY
Bodyguard by Suzanne Brockmann - NY

OCTOBER

Eleven Days by Lea Carpenter - PA
I Remember Nothing by Nora Ephron - NY
Imaginary Friends by Nora Ephron - NY
Secrets and Lies by Lisa Jackson - CT
Sick of Shadows Eliz. MacPherson #1 by Sharyn McCrumb - GA
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn *So good! A must read!! - MO
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline - MN
Doc: A Novel by Mary Doria Russell - KS
Big Sky Summer by Linda Lael Miller - MT
Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller - MT

NOVEMBER

Love You More by Lisa Gardner - MA
Second Chance Pass Virgin River #5 by Robyn Carr - CA
Ladies Man by Suzanne Brockmann - NY
Stay Hungry by Lorie O'Clare - IL
At Home in Stone Creek by Linda Lael Miller - AZ
The Guy Next Door anth. contains:
Ready, Set, Jett by Lori Foster - OH
Gail's Gone Wild by Susan Donovan - FL
Just One Taste Donovan Bros. Brewery #5 by Victoria Dahl - CO
Real Men Will Donovan Bros. Brewery #3 by Victoria Dahl - CO
Bad Boys Do Donovan Bros. Brewery #2 by Victoria Dahl - CO
Too Hot to Handle by Victoria Dahl - WY
Close Enough to Touch by Victoria Dahl - WY
Sex Appeal by Lori Foster
Sierra's Homecoming by Linda Lael Miller - AZ

DECEMBER

Temptation Ridge Virgin River #6 by Robyn Carr - CA
That Holiday Feeling anth. contains:
Silver Bells by Debbie Macomber
The Perfect Holiday by Sherryl Woods
Under the Christmas Tree Virgin River #8 by Robyn Carr - CA
Forbidden Falls Virgin River #9 by Robyn Carr - CA
Secret Words by Miranda P. Charles
Talk Me Down by Victoria Dahl - CO
Paradise Valley Virgin River #7 by Robyn Carr - CA
Angel's Peak VR #10 " - CA

JANUARY 2014

Savage Quest by Cassie Edwards - WY
Sarah's Child, Almost Forever, Bluebird Winter Spencer-Nyle Co. series by Linda Howard - TX
Loving Evangeline by Linda Howard - AL
Moonlight Road V.R. #11 by Robyn Carr - CA
Someday, Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham - NY
Deep in the Valley Grace Valley #1 by Robyn Carr - CA

FEBRUARY 2014

A Pioneer Christmas Collection: 9 Stories of Finding Shelter and Love in a Wintry Frontier by 9 different authors - TN, OH, NE, AZ, ND, OK, AK
The Choice by Nicholas Sparks - NC
Just Over the Mountain Grace Valley #2 by Robyn Carr - CA
Down By the River Grace Valley #3 by Robyn Carr - CA
Sleigh Bells in the Snow O'Neil Family #1 by Sarah Morgan - VT
Maggie's Man Family Secrets #1 by Lisa Gardner writing as Alicia Scott - OR
Three Little Words Fools Gold #12 by Susan Mallery - CA
McNamara's Woman Family Secrets #2 by Lisa Gardner - AZ
Fool's Gold Cookbook by Susan Mallery - CA
The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton - NY
Brandon's Bride Family Secrets #3 by Lisa Gardner writing as Alicia Scott - OR
Baby, It's Cold Outside Fire & Ice #2 by Genevieve Jourdin - TX
Forbidden Bartlett Family #1 by Suzanne Brockmann - MT
Freedom's Price Bartlett Family #2 by Suzanne Brockmann - MA

MARCH 2014

Fever by Elizabeth Lowell - UT
Veil of Night by Linda Howard - GA
Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult - NH
Halfway There Fools Gold by Susan Mallery - CA
Prodigal Son by Susan Mallery - IL
One Night Heir by Lucy Monroe - WA
So Tough to Tame by Victoria Dahl - WY
Only Us by Susan Mallery - CA
Strong Enough to Love by Victoria Dahl - WY
Hotshot - Julie Garwood - TX

APRIL 2014

Do or Die Reluctant Heroes #1 by Suzanne Brockmann - FL
The Ultimate Millionaire #3 Million Dollar Catch by Susan Mallery - CA
Wicked and Dangerous contains:
Wicked All Night by Rhyannon Byrd - LA and Make Me Yours by Shayla Black - FL
Christmas in Whitehorn by Susan Mallery - MT
Born to Darkness by Suzanne Brockmann - MA