Paranormal Romance & Urban Fantasy discussion

For the third month of the year, we are going to read something different. March's challenge is called Not Your Usual Series Challenge

Challenge Duration: March 1 - March 31, 2010

Before books belonging to a series flooded our TBR shelves, we used to read other type of books. So the challenge is to read the following:

Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)

Okay, maybe I'll sneak in a series book.

Read one whose order in the series matches your rank among your siblings.

Say if you are a second child, read a 2nd book in a series, and so on and so forth. Now, if you are an only child like me, either read another stand alone book, or a first book in a series where the 2nd book has not been published yet.

Again you may post your list anytime you like but no reading before March 1.

Happy Reading Everyone!

Please help me create a list of PNR/UF Stand-Alone books by adding books to this listopia:

http://www.goodreads.com/list/show/44...

I'm in!

Stand-alone books:
Come To Me - Lisa Cach
Blood Is The New Black - Valerie Stivers
Finders Keepers - Linnea Sinclair


Anthologies:
Hot For The Holidays
No Rest For The Witches
Huntress


Trilogy:
Damask Circle by Keri Arthur
Circle of Fire
Circle of Death
Circle of Desire


Rank: Fifth - Lover Unbound - J.R. Ward

yikes! I don't know any pnr/uf type books that are stand alone. is there a list somewhere?

Tara wrote: "yikes! I don't know any pnr/uf type books that are stand alone. is there a list somewhere? "

I'm having trouble with this, too.... do they have to be strict stand-alones or can they be the first book in a series that the 2nd has not come out yet like in your sibling-rank suggestion?

I've read this one: Hex and the Single Girl. It's not the best book in the universe but it's a stand alone.

The group Witches, Weres and Vamps..Oh My! group has a stand-alone ideas shelf that you might like to check out.

http://www.goodreads.com/group/booksh...

Stand Alone:
1. Sandman Slim - Richard Kadrey
2. A Dirty Job - Christopher Moore
3. Chasing Brooklyn - Lisa Schroeder

Anthologies:
4.Prom Nights From Hell
5. The Eternal Kiss
6. Four Dukes And A Devil

Trilogy (Evil Trilogy: I hope this is alright. It's a trilogy, but also part of a larger series. (The "Bishop" Special Crimes Unit Series) If it's not I can find a different trilogy.
7.Touching Evil - Kay Hooper
8Whiper Of Evil - Kay Hooper
9. Sense Of Evil - Kay Hooper

First in a series:
10. Some Gilrs Bite - Chloe Neil

Lol! Where do you come up with these ideas? The rank has to match where you fit in the family? That's great!

I'm in... some of these may change, but here's my best guess right now.

Stand Alone Books
Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman
Steamed by Katie MacAlister
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

Anthologies
Inked
Immortal: Love Stories with Bite
My Zombie Valentine

Trilogy
The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts:
Blood Brothers
The Hollow
The Pagan Stone

Rank Among Siblings
Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding

I'm in, but not sure if I'm going to be able to read all 10 this month! ;)

Stand Alone Books
1. Witch in the House by Jenna McKnight
2. Sunshine by Robin McKinley
3. Jessica's Guide to Dating on the Dark Side by Beth Fantaskey

Anthologies
4.My Zombie Valentine
5. Faeries Gone Wild
6. Dragon Lovers

Trilogy
7-9. The Black Jewels Trilogy by Anne Bishop

Rank Among Siblings (#3)
10. Iron Kissed by Patricia Briggs

I'm in for sure! Here's my list as of today:

Progress: 6/10

Stand-alone Books

1. Desert Warrior by Nalini Singh
2. Private Property by Leah Braemel
3. Garden of the Moon by Elizabeth Sinclair

Anthologies

4. Inked by Karen Chance, Marjorie M. Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, Eileen Wilks --Read 03/06
5. Shifter by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra --Read 03/23
6. Beyond the Dark by Angela Knight, Emma Holly, Lora Leigh, Diane Whiteside --Read 03/25

Trilogy: Vampire/Werewolf Trilogy by Susan Krinard

7. Chasing Midnight --Read 03/16
8. Dark Of The Moon --Read 03/21
9. Come The Night

Rank Amongst My Sibs, #6

10. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward --Read 03/11

My list is a work in progress! This is going to be hard! I've never been much of an anthologies fan!

Stand Alone Books
1 - Bloody Irish by Bob Curran
2 - Voices of Dragons by Carrie Vaughn
3 - The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs

Anthologies
4 - On the Prowl (I've read the first story a number of times but never read any of the rest)
5 - Prom Nights from Hell
6 - Strange Brew

Trilogy
7 - Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts
8 - The Hollow by Nora Roberts
9 - The Pagan Stone by Nora Roberts

Rank Among Siblings (#2)
10 -

Jen (jlkish) wrote: "I'm in... some of these may change, but here's my best guess right now.

Stand Alone Books
Trick of the Light by Rob Thurman
Steamed by Katie MacAlister
A D..."</i>

Not to be a pain, but [book:Trick of the Light is actually the first book of a series.

Yz the Whyz wrote: "The group Witches, Weres and Vamps..Oh My! group has a stand-alone ideas shelf that you might like to check out.

http://www.goodreads.com/group/booksh..."

Thanks, YZ, I'll give it a look.

Tara - here are some standalones that I had on my shelf (at least I'm assuming they're standalones)

FlibBityFLooB wrote: "Tara - here are some standalones that I had on my shelf (at least I'm assuming they're standalones)"

Oh! Thank you! I think between this list and the one YZ sent and the fact that it made me actually go through that pile of forgotten books I own, I might be covered. Thanks for your help!

Yz, girl you are trying to kill me. I hate reading Anthologies. I usually just buy them for one story. I am in, I will have to think about my list.

I've got a few more to figure out but I'm in and here's my list so far:

Stand-alone Books
1. American Gods
2. Perfume: The Story of a Murderer
3.
Anthologies
4. Fragile Things: Short Fictions and Wonders
5. M Is for Magic
6.
Trilogy - St. Helen's
7. Amaryllis
8. Zinnia
9. Orchid
Rank among my siblings: 3rd
10. Lover Awakened

Even though I'm only going to finish half of the books on my February challenge, I'm in too. Ten books is a lot for me to finish in a month but I love the whole group challenge.

Not sure if I'll finish this one but I'll try!

0/10 Done

Stand Alone
1. Blood Is the New Black: A Novel by Valerie Stivers
2. Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy
3. Sunshine by Robin McKinley

Anthology
1. Wild Thing
2. Beyond the Dark
3. Hotter Than Hell

Trilogy
1. In Over Her Head by Judi Fennell
2. Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell
3. Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell

Only Child
1. Soulless by Gail Carriger

To Read:

Yz the Whyz wrote: "For the third month of the year, we are going to read something different. March's challenge is called Not Your Usual Series Challenge

Challenge Duration: March 1 - March 31, 2010

Before bo..."


Okay sorry to sound so dumb, but what is anthologies?

Would The Mortal Instruments series by Cassandra Clare qualify as a trilogy? There are only three books out but I just noticed that she is working on a fourth.

I'd say that it works because technically the other books are different series titles even though they are set in the same world!

Lynn ♥ ♥Brokhen ♥ ♥ wrote: "Yz, girl you are trying to kill me. I hate reading Anthologies. I usually just buy them for one story. I am in, I will have to think about my list. "

I'm am so with you there! If I hadn't made my personal goal to finish all the pnr challenges this year, I would definitely skip this.

PNR- Not Your Usual Series Challenge March Challenge
as of 2/21:
0/10 complete! (Click title for review)

3 Stand-alone Books (I need to see what the library has on the shelf)
1. I Am Legend by Richard Matheson
2. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahame-Smith, Jane Austen
3. Ain't Myth-behaving by Katie MacAlister
or A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore

3 Anthologies (I have a bunch on my shelf, I'll make decisions later)
4. Weddings From Hell by Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey, Kathryn Smith
5. Night's Edge by Maggie Shayne, Charlaine Harris, Barbara Hambly
6. Unbound by Kim Harrison, Melissa Marr, Jeaniene Frost, Vicki Pettersson, Jocelynn Drake
or Midnight Pleasures by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Maggie Shayne, Ronda Thompson, Amanda Ashley
or Stroke of Midnight by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks, Lori Handeland

Trilogy The Lily Blood Trilogy by Julie Kenner
7. Tainted
8. Turned
9. Torn

I'm kid # 5
10. A Bite to Remember by Lynsay Sands


TO READ

Iriana, an anthology is a book containing a selection of short stories from different authors :)

I'm in as usual :) List to come later.

0/10


Stand Alone Books
1. Spirits That Walk in Shadow Nina Kiriki Hoffman
2. Blood and Chocolate Annette Curtis Klause
3. Battle Royale Koushun Takami

Anthologies
4. A Fantasy Medley
5. Strange Brew
6. Firebirds: An Anthology of Original Fantasy and Science Fiction

Trilogy
7. Warprize Elizabeth Vaughan
8. Warsworn Elizabeth Vaughan
9. Warlord Elizabeth Vaughan

Birth Order - 1st born
10. You Slay Me Katie MacAlister

Finished: 0/10

Stand Alone
1. Son of the Morning by Linda Howard
2. Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman
3. Deep Secret by Diana Wynne Jones

Anthologies
4. Wild Thing by Maggie Shayne, Meljean Brook, Marjorie M. Liu, and Alyssa Day
5. Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton, Charlaine Harris, MaryJanice Davidson, Angela Knight, and Vickie Taylor
6. Tapestry by Lynn Kurland, Madeline Hunter, Karen Marie Moning, and Sherrilyn Kenyon

Trilogy
7. The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip
8. Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia McKillip
9. Harpist in the Wind by Patricia McKillip

Sibling Rank: 1
Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton



Some more stand-alones if people are still looking: http://www.goodreads.com/review/list/...

Progress: 10/10

Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book...)
The Darkness Within
Godmother: The Secret Cinderella Story
Mrs. Miracle

Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
The Eternal Kiss: 13 Vampire Tales of Blood and Desire
Cravings

Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
Spook Squad by Keri Arthur
Memory Zero
Generation 18
Penumbra

Series matches your rank among your siblings. #1
Moon Called

Does the trilogy section have to be all one trilogy, or just three books that come from trilogies?

I'm pretty sure that it's supposed to be one full trilogy.

Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
1. The Misfits by Barbara Elsborg
2. The Summer Gardener by Jan Irving
3. Release by Nicole Hadaway

Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
1. Fated Mates
2. Lions and Tigers and Bears
3. Sexy Beast IV


Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
1. The Darkangel by Meridith Ann Pierce
2. A Gathering of Gargoyles
3. The Pearl of the Soul of the World

Series Book (First and only child)
1. Angel Warriors by Stephani Hecht

Mel W wrote: "Iriana, an anthology is a book containing a selection of short stories from different authors :)"

Thank you very much.

YZ, I absolutely love your challenges but I your trying to kill a few of us with this one :)

0/10

Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
1. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
2. Perfume by Patrick Süskind
3. Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick

Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
4. Playing Easy to Get by Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jaid Black, Kresley Cole
5. Dead After Dark (Includes: Dark-Hunter, Related Books #10) by Sherrilyn Kenyon, J.R. Ward, Susan Squires, Dianna Love
6. Inked by Karen Chance, Marjorie Liu, Yasmine Galenorn, Eileen Wilks

Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
Vampire/Werewolf Trilogy
by: Susan Krinard
7. Chasing Midnight
8. Dark Of The Moon
9. Come The Night

Series in Rank of Birth (#2)
10. Rogue by Rachel Vincent

0/10


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Stand-alone Books (3) (Finish a story in one single book)
Faerie Tale by Raymond E. Feist
Sunshine by Robin McKinley
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia

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Anthologies (3) (Test new authors by reading novella collections)
My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon by P.N. Elrod et al.
Prom Nights from Hell by Meg Cabot et al.
Heart of Darkness by Gena Showalter


Trilogy (3) (Wrap a storyline with three books)
Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan
Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughan
Warlord by Elizabeth Vaughan


Rank Among Siblings (#2)
Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder
or
Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Stand-alone Books:
1.Steelflower by Lilith Saintcrow
2.
3.
Anthologies:
4. No Rest for the Witches
5. Dead After Dark
6. Tapestry
Trilogy: Three Sisters Island Trilogy by Nora Roberts
7. Dance Upon the Air
8. Heaven and Earth
9. Face the Fire
Rank in order of siblings: #1
10. The Chief by Monica McCarty

Oh my... I don't know if I will be able to do this or not. I have so many books I have in my TBR pile. I would have to buy new books for this one and I probably wouldn't finish it. I may attempt it but I doubt I will read all 10. I need to go through my books and decide.

I have a question... For the trilogy one... Are we supposed to read all 3 books in the same trilogy or the 3rd book in a trilogy? I am just wondering. :)

It seems like the first one. I am just making sure. :)

I'm in I'll post my list soon!

I've only one left to go on February's list, so I thought I'd take some time to make a list for March. This is so much fun, and my husband is so happy I'm working through some of the books I already owned but never read! Also, I had to get a new library card to read a book not available on the Nook. Apparently library cards expire after three years! *lol*

Standalone #1 - Shifting Plains by Jean Johnson
Standalone #2 - The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Standalone #3 - Fairyville by Emma Holly

Anthology #1 - Huntress by Christine Warren, et al.
Anthology #2 - Inked by Karen Chance, et al.
Anthology #3 - Faeries Gone Wild by MaryJanice Davidson, et al.

Trilogy #1 - In Over her Head by Judi Fennell
Trilogy #2 - Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell
Trilogy #3 - Catch of a Lifetime by Judi Fennell

Sibling #1 - Magic Bites (Kate Daniels #1) by Ilona Andrews

Stand alone Books
1.Neverwhere
2.
3.


Anthologies
1.Prom Nights from Hell
2.Blood Lite
3.Strange Brew


Trilogy
1.Tainted
2.Torn
3.Turned


Sibling #1
1.

Tara wrote: "Not to be a pain, but Trick of the Light is actually the first book of a series. "

I specifically checked the author's website and couldn't find anywhere where it said was part of a series... only info on the 1 book and the Cal Leandro series, which is why I assumed it was a stand-alone.

Okay, here's my updated list to make it fit the parameters better...

Stand Alone Books
Steamed by Katie MacAlister
A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore
Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy

Anthologies
Inked
Immortal: Love Stories with Bite
My Zombie Valentine

Trilogy
The Sign of Seven Trilogy by Nora Roberts:
Blood Brothers
The Hollow
The Pagan Stone

Rank Among Siblings
Three Days to Dead by Kelly Meding

hmmmm

Im doing pretty shocking in the Feb challenge, and have been getting stuck into LKH Anita Blake series. I will have to think on this one, I might put in a list later but I typically only read anthologies if there is part of the series i am currently reading in the book. I might do a mini challenge this month.

decisions decisions

Laura and Annvelwis...you are in for a some good reading with your trilogy choice. Those are my favorite books. If I hadn't just reread them a few months ago, I think I'd add them to my list too.

A few stand-alones I found on my read list:

Reincarnation by Suzanne Weyn (young adult)
War for the Oaks by Emma Bull (fae)

Sarah Addison Allen has a magical element to all of her books

Well, I'm in too. The stand alones are going to take some work (or I'll have to hope that no one wants the new books I just discovered by Amanda Grange. In addition to the Mr. Darcy, Vampyre book (which, btw, is I think a 2 book series, since she also wrote Mr. Darcy's Diary) she did stand alones on 2 other yummy males from Jane Austen. Mr. Knightley's Diary and Captain Wentworth's Diary. At least, those were the only ones that my library had--altho looking at GR, it is possible she's got others that are similar.

And I'm ssoooo lucky with the last category. I haven't started my new Jane Yellowrock book yet. So I'll hold off on it for another 9 days.

But the anthologies are going to be a SERIOUS challenge. And, like others, I only buy an anthology if it has a story in it that relates to a series I'm reading (or, occassionally, if its a fav author)

Well, gotta go try to finish off my last 2 books for Feb. I refuse to ruin my record for finishing challenges.

I'm going to have to bow out this month. Great challenge categories though, Yz! I'll rejoin in challenges once we're settled in Japan and I have internet access.

Flipped through my TBR for some stand-alone ideas for challenge goers. Picking out the books for the month is almost as much fun as reading them! LOL

Some more stand-alones:
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I would definitely recommend (as listed by Flib) Pretty When She Dies: A Vampire Novel by Rhiannon Frater if you love UF w/action, a pinch of sexual tension, a splash of gore (pun intended) & beautifully wicked vamps.

Stand-alone
1. Dead Sexy
2. Midnight Bayou
3. Carolina Moon
Anthologie
1. Huntress
2. Wolfsbane and Mistletoe
3. Weddings From Hell
Trilogy
1. Morrigan's Cross (a re-read)
2. Dance of the Gods
3. Valley of Silence

Birth order only child
Firespell

I'm in!

Stand Alone Books
1. Alpha Wolf- Linda O. Johnston
2. Rose Daughter- Robin McKinley
3. Tantalize- Cynthia Leitich Smith

Anthologies
4. My Zombie Valentine
5. Playing Easy To Get
6. My Big Fat Supernatural Honeymoon

Trilogy
7. A Rush of Wings- Adrian Phoenix
8. In the Blood
9. Beneath the Skin

Birth Order - 1st born
10. The Faerie Path- Frewin Jones

Im going to see what books I have elft over from February challenge and move them over, but I do know I'll be using the black Jewels trillogy by Anne Bishop.