Amazon discontinued the ability to create images using their SiteStripe feature and in their infinite wisdom broke all previously created images on 12/31/23. Many blogs used this feature, including this one. Expect my archives to be a hot mess of broken book cover images until I can slowly comb through 20 years of archives to make corrections.

Monday, January 3, 2011

2010 Year In Review: The TBR Challenge

Gird your loins fair blog readers, it's time for me to discuss my reading year that was 2010.  I like to devote several posts to this topic, and I hope to get them all crammed in to this week.  I figured the best way to start was to go over the one challenge I participated in, Keishon's TBR Challenge.  In the past, reviewing obligations have kept me from signing on, and 2010 marked the first year that I fully participated.  I took this responsibility so seriously, that I completed the entire challenge.  12 books, 12 reviews, in 12 months.  Go Team Wendy!  Here's how it breaks down:

What I Read:
6 contemporary series/category romances
1 American historical romance
1 contemporary erotica
4 western historical romances (1 anthology)

Publication dates were as follows:
1 from 1993
2 from 2004
2 from 2005
4 from 2006
1 from 2007
2 from 2009

The final grades were all over the place (more than 12 because of anthology):
A = 2
B = 5
C= 4
D= 2
DNF = 1

And here were the books:  (Title links will take you to full reviews)

House Calls by Michelle Celmer -Physical therapist heroine finds herself working with an ornery doctor recovering from a gun shot wound.  A doctor she's had a crush on for ages.

Wild Oats by Pamela Morsi - A hero not ready for marriage propositions the most notorious woman in town (she's ::gasp:: divorced!) looking for an affair.  Naturally, they fall in love.

Entertaining Mr. Stone by Portia Da Costa - Reformed party girl takes office drone job only to fall under the spell of her mysterious boss.

John Riley's Girl by Inglath Cooper - Heroine comes home for high school reunion and reunites with the man she left behind.

A Convenient Proposition by Cindy Gerard - Reunion between a brain-dead ninny knocked-up heroine and a too-good-to-be true saccharine beta hero.  Blergh.

One Night In Texas by Jane Sullivan - Secret agent hero comes storming back into heroine's life after she discovers everything he claimed to be was a lie.

Never Love a Lawman by Jo Goodman - A door-stopper of a western romance featuring a new-to-town heroine with a mysterious past, and the hunky town sheriff.

Hell for Leather by Beth Williamson - Sizzling sexytimes between straight-shooting heroine and a hero running from his past.

In the Shelter of His Arms by Jackie Braun - Down-on-her-luck, never had much of anything heroine falls for dreamy beta hero. 

My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys by Lorraine Heath, Georgina Gentry & Teresa Bodwell - Lorraine Heath returns to the western sub genre with a great short story.  Collection is rounded out by an "OK" Bodwell entry and an unreadable one by Gentry.

To Find You Again by Maureen McKade - A solid and emotional western from McKade featuring a romance between two outsiders.

A Town Called Christmas by Carrie Alexander - Single and pregnant heroine finds herself spending her family Christmas with her brother's Navy pilot buddy - a guy who just got a Dear John letter.

And remember, it's not too late to sign-up for the 2011 TBR Challenge (I'm taking over hosting duties from Keishon this year).  Check out the information page for all the details, and how to sign-up.

6 comments:

Amy said...

Seriously, I have got to give myself more incentive to see the '11 TBR Challenge through to the end! Apparently the idea that by participating will lead to more books off of Mount Holy TBR is not enough. *sigh*

azteclady said...

I'm afraid of commitment...

MaryK said...

I should really do this. My TBR is so out of control I'm discouraged from getting new books.

My sticking point is where I would post my monthly comments. I suppose I could use Twitter, but I don't know how I'd provide a link at signup.

Wendy said...

Amy: Well you'll notice I read 6 category romances - LOL.

AL: Don't be afraid. We're all here to keep you from feeling scared :)

MaryK: Your twitter page is usually just twitter.com with your handle tacked on at the end. For example, you can see me at www.twitter.com/superwendy

If you can't figure it out, just drop me an e-mail (at the bottom of the TBR info page) with your Twitter name and I'll get you ready to roll :)

Anonymous said...

Janet W: Can't believe it: I bought 4 of the 12 books you reviewed for the TBR challenge based on your recs. Bet you can guess which ones (hint: cowboys & beta heroes).

Wendy said...

Janet: Ooooh, please tell you got your hands on the Morsi! That was really the cream of the TBR crop last year.