Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Reading Adventures: holiday reading

Well it's the end of January now, but since we've been on a break, I would like to say 'Happy New Year!!' Did everyone have a little bit too much bubbly and food over the holiday period? I know I certainly did - the food not the bubbly. Well not much anyway :)

This was meant to be the last edition of 2014 however... (sorry, life!)

Welcome to our first edition of Reading Adventures for 2015. What did SARAs have on their reading pile for the holidays? 

Let's see...


SARAs reading SARAs
It seems there were a few books that were in common on the SARA reading lists and they were books by other SARA authors!

Stone Castles by Trish Morey

- Linda Knightley
- Lilliana Rose
- Suzie Hindmarsh-Knights

(Eleni: it's in the top 10 of my TBR)











Fake by Beck Nicholas

- Lilliana Rose

- Eleni Konstantine

"This was the first book of my reading rank for 2015. 

What an amazing book. Beck Nicholas is one talented writer. Loved the voice and this story of revenge and secrets. I would have loved this book as a YA. Looking forward to more from this amazing author!"
The Road to Ruin by Bronwyn Stuart

- Linda Knightley
- Suzie Hindmarsh-Knights
- Anne Oliver

(Eleni: it's in the top 10 of my TBR)












Of course, there were non-SARA books ......


Linda Knightley had been looking forward to - 








River Road
 
by Jayne Ann Krentz

Seventh Heaven by Catherine Anderson

Called by Fire by Delwyn Jenkins





(Eleni: Linda, Delwyn's book is on my 2015 TBR pile!)


Lilliana Rose had been looking forward to - 


A Dance with Dragons, Part 1: Dreams and Dust by George RR Martin

Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices, book 2),  by Cassandra Clare

(Eleni: both of these are on my 2015 TBR piles, Lilliana. Great minds!)









Anne Oliver had been looking forward to - 

Re-reading Nora Roberts' The MacKade Brothers bundle. 



"I love her old romances".

(Eleni: Just before the Christmas break I finished listening to her The O'Hurleys series. Thoroughly enjoyed.)







Alison F had been looking forward to - 
I am looking forward to settling down with I selection of 'new to me' Betty Neels books I scored from Book Depository. These have been saved up for my 'Christmas Treat' which means lying in bed during daylight hours and reading and not feeling the least bit guilty about it!

Okay I lied - I will feel guilty about not doing the housework, but it is Christmas after all. 

(Eleni: One of these days I have to read a Betty Neels book. I have one on my TBR pile.)



Dianne had been looking forward to -

Writing Without a Parachute: the art of freefall by Barbara Turner-Vesselago.

A book on loan from the SA Writers Centre.


(Eleni: Dianne, this looks like a book after my pantser heart!)











Suzie Hindmarsh-Knights was reading - 


Vicious Circle (Hector Cross, book 2) by Wilbur Smith


"It's dark."

(Eleni: One author not on my TBR pile - yet!)











Liana Skrzypczak read

These aren't that Christmassy (in fact they're kinda depressing), but this is what I read these holidays!


Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

The Colour Out of Space by H.P. Lovecraft (Short Story)

The Golden Bird by Wilhelm Grimm (Short Story)


(Eleni: Going to the classics, Liana!)


Eleni Konstantine managed to read a few books in early January (damn cold kept me from reading between Christmas and New Year's Eve).


Fake by Beck Nicholas - 5 stars! (- see above for review)


Home for Christmas by Fiona Greene (novella) - 5 stars!

"I try not to be biased when it comes to reviews of people I know and respect. But I suppose we all have our biases. I was lucky enough to read the pre-submitted version but I read this story again in this form, and it blew me away. This a sweet story about two people falling in love slowly via long distance. There is so much heart and soul entwined and it's easy to get swept away. This was perfect holiday read. A book to leave you with a smile on your face when you finish. "


After Dark (Harmony #1) by Jayne Castle (audio) - 4 stars

"Humans on another planet into the far future."



Much Ado About You (Essex Sisters #1) by Eloisa James - 5 stars!

"Delightful historical romance with wit and charm."







I hope everyone had a relaxing time reading. Check in next time with some more Reading Adventures.