Delta Queen's Challenge

I was at first hesitant to join in this challenge as I am taking part in a few others, but I decided that I have a few categories that don't fit in any of the others so would work perfectly here.

I am going for the five books in five categories.

My categories are as follows:

1. The Sackett Series - I vowed some time ago to read the complete Louis L'Amour Sackett Series and so far I have only read the first two.

2. Things That Go Bump in the Night - Horror books and stories, especially around Halloween, are a fun read

3. Oh, Those Brits... - I am a fan of the British Sagas that are mostly written by women about living and loving Brit style.

4. Sookie Stackhouse Series - My daughter lent me the whole series and so far I have only read the first.

5. Adventure - authors such as Wilbur Smith, Bartle Bull and James Rollins - great escapism

Category 1: The Sackett Series

1. The Warrior's Path by Louis L'Amour - 3 stars
2. Jubal Sackett by Louis L'Amour - 2 stars
3. Ride The River by Louis L'Amour - 3 stars
4. The Daybreakers by Louis L'Amour - 3 1/2 stars

Category 2: Things That Go Bump In The Night

Completed

1. Come Closer by Sara Gran - 4 stars
2. World War Z by Max Brooks - 4 1/2 stars
3. The Nymphos of Rocky Flats by Mario Acevedo - 1 star
4. Bottomfeeder by B.H. Fingerman - 4 stars
5. Horns by Joe Hill - 3 1/2 stars

Category 3: Oh Those Brits...

Completed

1. A Girl Called Thursday by Lilian Harry - 3 1/2 stars
2. The House At Harcourt by Anita Burgh - 4 stars
3. The Sisters O'Donnell by Lyn Andrews - 3 1/2 stars
4. A Promise To Keep by Lilian Harry - 4 stars
5. Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer - 4 stars

Category 4: Sookie Stackhouse Series

1. Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris - 3 stars
2. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris - 3 1/2 stars
3. Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris - 3 1/2 stars
4. Dead As A Doornail by Charlain Harris - 4 stars

Candidates:

Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris

Category 5: Adventure

Completed

1. The 47 Ronin Story by John Allyn - 4 stars
2. Flint And Silver by John Drake - 4 stars
3. Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton - 3 1/2 stars
4. Amazonia by James Rollins - 4 stars
5. Three Seconds by Anders Roslund - 4 1/2 stars

Like your brit suggestions - have taken note :)

1. Living Dead In Dallas by Charlaine Harris - 3 stars
Category: Sookie Sackhouse Series

Living Dead In Dallas is the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, and I think this series is actually growing on me. I wasn't very impressed with the first book, but this one not only held my attention I actually enjoyed the experience.

I won't go into plot details as most people on the planet know about cocktail waitress Sookie and her vampire boyfriend, Bill. This one had them travelling to Dallas to aid some vampires there. Lots of vampire violence, sex and a little humor.

My daughter passed the first four books of the series to me, so I will definitely read the next two, maybe I am on my way to becoming a fan.

I felt the same. The first Sookie book was meh. But the rest of the series grew on me.

#10 - Hi Morphidae, I was just glad to finally see what all the shouting is about. My daughter loves this series and was surprised when I didn't absolutely love the first book.

I really enjoyed World War Z. Some seriously creepy stuff in there!

2. The Warrior's Path by Louis L'Amour - 3 stars
Category: The Sackett Series

This is the third book in L'Amour's Sackett Series of which I have vowed to read in total. A quick, simple read with lots of action. I have read better from this author, but nevertheless, I am enjoying this series.

3. Come Closer by Sara Gran - 4 stars
Category: Things That Go Bump In The Night

This very short book details the downward spiral that one woman's life takes as she is slowly overcome by a demon. A chilling read that calls out for curling up on a sofa with a soft pillow and a blanket to snuggle into.

Stylish and concise, this book grabs you from the first sentence and pulls you into the dark and disturbing story of Amanda's transformation from a normal young woman into a monster.

I have a feeling that Come Closer will linger on in my mind for some time. I certainly will be on the lookout for more offerings by Sara Gran.

A great way to kick off both this category and the month of October!

4. A Girl Called Thursday by Lilian Harry - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Oh, Those Brits!

A Girl Called Thursday by Lilian Harry is about a young woman during World War II that, wanting to do her part, trains as a volunteer nurse. She is sent to Haslar Naval Hospital in Portsmouth when she nurses mostly wounded sailors. This is the first part of two and covers the years of 1939 to 1942.

As the VAD’s train, the war seems faraway, and on days off there is time for picnics, bike trips and walks along the beach. When Dunkirk happens things change drastically for both England, the nurses, and Thursday personally. With a missing brother and a cousin who died on the beaches of Dunkirk, Thursday now must face nursing severely wounded men and, along with most of England, faces the relentless bombing raids that come close to crippling the country. Along with all of that is the ever present fear that invasion could come at any time.

I have read and enjoyed many books by this author. She knows how to tell a good story, gives lots of detail (in this case about nursing) and keeps it real, romance is there but not overdone or sugar coated. I found Thursday a fairly realistic heroine and I am looking forward to reading Part II of this story.

5. World War Z by Max Brooks - 4 1/2 stars
Category: Things That Go Bump In The Night

Although a work of fiction, World War Z is presented as a non-fiction look at the Zombie War that occurred on Earth approximately 10 years before the book was published. The premise of the author interviewing and documenting eyewitness accounts is very realistic, with footnotes included, as well as a brief introduction to each witness so as to verify their testimony. As this pandemic-style horror reanimates the dead, world-wide panic sets in.

I found this a very chilling and all to easy to believe book. The responses of the various governments of earth, along with the military, scientific and business class rang all too true. With the general population kept in the dark and fed lies and evasions, this war was able to escalate into a world wide apocalypse.

Unfortunately, the very thing that makes this book different was also its' one weak spot for me. These fictional interviews eventually start running together and become somewhat similar. I missed having that one person or group of people to really care about and root for. The whole book just became too impersonal and lacked heart.

Nevertheless, it was a fascinating read from an obviously creative author and certainly worth the time I invested, even if it was just for the survival tips in case I ever have to face a real “Zombie War”.

6. The 47 Ronin Story by John Allyn - 4 stars
Category: Adventure

John Allyn’s The 47 Ronin Story is the reworking of a celebrated Japanese samurai tale, perhaps based on actual history whereby a group of loyal Samurai planned and carried out their revenge on the man who they blamed for the execution of their own master.

Samurai was the highest ranking a warrior could attain in feudal Japan and to be a Samurai one must be in service to one of the noble families. If something happened to that connection, then the Samurai became Ronin, and could not consider themselves men of honor until they found a new connection. Of course, if your master was killed, you were expected to exact revenge.

The main character, Oishi, is the chief retainer under Lord Asano, and it is his duty to hold the Ronin together and figure out how they would take their revenge. Although many of the Ronin wanted to fight right away, Oishi felt the honourable thing to do was first secure the safety of his Lord’s family, and wait for the best opportunity to destroy his Lord’s enemy.

A fascinating story, seeped in the rich Japanese culture, The 47 Ronin Story is a classic tale of honor and revenge. This story illustrates the importance of the Samurai code of honor, Bushido. John Allyn’s version appears to remain faithful to the story that is much honoured in Japan with it’s lessons in loyalty, sacrifice, honor and persistence. An original and stirring rendition.

7. The Nymphos of Rocky Flats by Mario Acevedo - 1 star
Category: Things That Go Bump In The Night

With a title like The Nymphos of Rocky Flats, and the knowledge that the main character is a private detective/vampire, I hoped I was on the brink of an exciting and humorous story. Unfortunately, I found the story to be rather confused and dull.

It started off interestingly enough. A soldier in Iraq gets separated from his unit and falls victim to a vampire, who transforms him into a vampire as well. From here the book got rather confusing as Felix Gomez is suddenly a private detective on his way to interview a prospective client. No real explanation as to how he handled his transformation or how he became a detective.

The book then went rapidly downhill in a mass of confusing incidents, and too many storylines. The book eventually managed to touch on vampires, vampire killers, military and political manipulation, and aliens, oh, and nymphomaniacs! With such an abundance of storylines, a much better writer was required.

This is the first book in Mario Acevedo’s series about Felix Gomez but I don’t think I will be following up on the next book anytime soon as I found The Nymphos of Rocky Flats to be a disappointing mess.

8. Club Dead by Charlaine Harris - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Sookie Stackhouse Series

Club Dead is the third instalment in the Sookie Stackhouse series by Charlaine Harris. This series is definitely growing on me with each book getting a little better than the last. This time Sookie has to travel to Jackson, Mississippi with a Werewolf protector to rescue her vampire boyfriend Bill. Although is Bill still her boyfriend what with his rumoured infidelities and all? Sookie endures a rough time in Jackson, but she certainly holds the attention of her new Werewolf friend, Alcide as well as both vampires Bill and Eric. The return of Bubba was a welcome addition as well.

By this time in the series, Charlaine Harris has established her characters and we are comfortable with them. I found this book to have a interesting storyline shot through with humor, adventure, romance and, of course, sexual tension. All in all a great, escapist read, and I can’t wait to find out what happens next.

9. Jubal Sackett by Louis L'Amour - 2 stars
Category: The Sackett Series

Jubal Sackett by Louis L’Amour is part of the continuing saga of the Sackett Family. This story is set in the 1700’s and follows the adventures of Jubal, third son of the original Sackett to come to America.

Althoug his brothers were content to settle down and raise families on their original home site in North Carolina, Jubal is a wanderer. He vows to follow his dreams and heads west. Along the way he explores much virgin territory, meets with various people, finds a travelling companion and a beautiful Indian woman to love.

This book required a large stretch of imagination as the events become more and more unbelievable. By the end of the book we have Jubal fighting a mammoth that should have been extinct centuries before. I managed to finish the book, but it will remain one of my least favorite of this series so far. With the territory that Jubal covered, this could have been an excellent adventure story instead of such a disappointment.

10 Bottomfeeder by B.H. Fingerman - 4 stars
Category: Things That Go Bump In The Night

This was an in-depth look at a modern day vampire trying to etch out a living in New York City. A bit of a whiner, Phil finds immortality has many drawbacks and isn’t the smooth sailing he has been led to believe by books and movies. He misses the sun, having to go out only at night. He finds it difficult to continue in his normal life as he looks 27 but is 54, people are starting to notice that he looks too young. His family have finally passed on, after years of looking at him strangely, disgust and horror slowly dawning on their faces. Feeding is both time consuming and difficult, he has been trying to limit himself to feeding every other day and picking on the homeless, or setting himself up to be mugged and turning on the mugger.

New friends are hard to make and old friends have disappeared from his life. Except for one old friend, his weirdo friend Shelly that he wishes would go away. Instead he appears at the worst of times and clings to him like a leech.

Then things change when he meets Eddy, a fellow vampire. Eddy becomes his guide through the dark and twisted underbelly of vampire life in New York City. One of the things I took from this book is that people are strange, whether they are vampires or not. And New York City is the Mecca towards which strange people gravitate.

A different look at vampires. Inventive, humorous and sadly depressing, yet a very intriguing genre read that actually is original.

11. The House At Harcourt by Anita Burgh - 4 stars
Category: Oh, Those Brits!

The House At Harcourt by Anita Burgh is first and foremost a sweeping historical saga set in the Victorian period. Harcourt Barton is a large English manor in Devon and we are give permission to peep in through the keyhole at all the different levels of society that live within. From the master of the manor and his daughter, down to the servants from governess to kitchen maid, and on to the tenant farmer. The details of running such a large estate, and how society lived in this time period was fascinating.

The story revolves around Eliza, the daughter of the house and her recently hired governess, Fanny. Eliza grows up motherless, virtually ignored by her father, unless her desires interfere with his wishes. She believes that her mother is dead, but in actual fact her father threw her out for adultery and her name is never mentioned. Eliza tries to be the dutiful daughter but it is very difficult with a cold, and uncaring father. Fanny and Eliza grow very close, until circumstances force Fanny to leave due to trumped up charges.

As with many books written about Victorian times, we see such extremes between those with money and those without, between the power men had and lack of it that made women mere chattels, between the acceptable morals of the day and what was often going on behind the scenes, and between the classes where the upper class held all the power and the lower classes were there to obey. Women were held accountable for their behavior while many men were not. It was certainly an age where the appearance of respectability was more importance than the actual fact of it.

I found parts of The House At Harcourt a little overdone and melodramatic, but despite its' flaws I found it was a very enjoyable read.

12. The Sisters O'Donnell by Lyn Andrews - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Oh, Those Brits!

Three beautiful, red-haired Irish girls leave Ireland to seek their future. As many Irish did in the 1920’s they were fleeing the “Troubles” and the violence that was taking place. Having already lost her husband and eldest son to the soldiers’ guns, their mother send them off with her love and prayers.

One finds her future in Liverpool, one in Glasgow and one on the stage of London. We follow all three sisters through the triumphs and heartaches of their lives as they find the strength to face many challenges and hold onto their dreams.

Stylish writing along with some interesting details of life in the 1920’s made The Sisters O'Donnell a book that held my attention and that I enjoyed.

13. Dead To The World by Charlaine Harris - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Sookie Stackhouse

In this, the fourth installation of her vampire series, I have finally fallen under the spell of Sookie Stackhouse, or rather, I should say, under the spell of Eric the Vampire. We see a different Eric in this book, as he has had a spell cast on him which caused him to lose his memory, and actually act in a completely different way than he usually does.

Sookie still on the outs with Bill, agrees to take Eric in and shelter him from the witches that are searching for him. Thrown together in this way their relationship takes a dramatic turn. Although Sookie is worried sick about her missing brother, she manages to have a lovely romance with Eric.

With it’s mixture of vampires, werewolves, shape shifters and witches, this was my favorite book of the series so far, I can see that her relationship with Eric is probably doomed, and she will eventually return to Vampire Bill, but I go on record (probably along with many other fans) in wishing for Eric to be her main man. These books are a great fun read and pure escapism.

I have read a few of L'Amour's many books and i very much find this book is one of my favorites. I love the advanture it brings and the fights. The mammoth wasn't really needed but good.

Wow, you're halfway done! Good job! :) I think I've only read 4 books for this challenge so far...hopefully I'll do better once I get the rest of the 1010 out of the way!

14. Ride The River by Louis L'Amour - 3 stars
Category: The Sackett Series

This is the fifth book in the Sackett Series. Although I enjoyed this book more than the previous one, I would still class it as an average western story. A feisty mountain girl called Echo Sackett travels from her home in Tennessee to Philadelphia to receive a inheritance. She picks up trouble in the form of a gang of thugs who wish to rob her but they have misjudged her and don’t know that she is an expert shot and is very capable at looking after herself.

I find Louis L’Amour a bit stiff and preachy in his writing, but I have vowed to read this series and I plan to continue on.

15. Horns by Joe Hill - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Things That Go Bump In The Night

I found Horns by Joe Hill an interesting mash-up of a horror story about a man who becomes a demon and a heartfelt tragedy about the loss of a loved one.

Ignatius Perrish wakes up one morning after a drunken brawl and finds he has sprouted a pair of horns. He also finds that people don’t seem to notice the horns but can’t help blurting out their deepest, darkest thoughts and cravings to him. Ig himself is having a difficult time trying to come to terms with the murder of his beloved Merrin, who has left a hole in his life that nothing seems to fill. The fact that he is the number one suspect doesn’t make things any easier.

As Ig’s power grows he becomes aware of the truth behind Merrin’s murder and begins his quest for revenge. At each step along the way, he appears to be shedding his humanity and becoming more and more part of the devil.

I couldn’t help but be reminded of his father by certain phrases, and of course by the New England setting, but Joe Hill is certainly an author that is standing on his own two feet and has delivered a well written, clever plot with excellent characterizations. If you are interested in a horror story with a lot of heart, Horns could be the book for you.

16. Flint And Silver by John Drake - 4 stars
Category: Adventure

John Drake the author of Flint and Silver says that he wrote this book in order to answer some of the questions left unanswered by Robert Louis Stevenson in his great work. Treasure Island. So for the curious, we find out how Long John Silver lost his leg, how he got his parrot and why the pirates buried their treasure in the first place. We are also introduced to some great characters, principle among them being the utterly wicked Captain Joe Flint. Long John Silver is an absolute gentleman compared to this ruthless pirate.

Flint and Silver was a great book about pirates and their peculiarities. The author puts in a good deal of realistic historical information, adventure, and even romance. We can see the shaping of Long John from a merchant marine sailor into the pirate he was to become. I believe this author loved Treasure Island and his prequel rings true in fact and characterization. Kudos for basing his book on such a well-known and well-loved classic. I enjoyed this book, and I definitely plan on reading the sequel Pieces of Eight, as we are left hanging at the end of Flint and Silver, and I would like to eventually have the full story revealed.

A fun read and one I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend to fans of the pirate genre.

Never heard of this one. It sounds fun. I'll have to mention it to my husband who loved Treasure Island.

I would be interested in hearing what someone who really loves Treasure Island thinks. I like Treasure Island but it wasn't one of the most treasured books from my childhood. I was able to accept this prequel. I would have a far harder time accepting a book from one of my beloved stories like Little Women or Anne of Green Gables. I haven't even been able to bring myself to read March by Geraldine Brooks as I am afraid it might disturb my vision of Little Women.

17. A Promise To Keep by Lilian Harry - 4 stars
Category: Oh Those Brits!

This is the follow-up book to A Girl Called Thursday. The first book covered the first two years of the war as Thursday Tilford joined the Navy as a Volunteer Nurse. A Promise To Keep covers the remainder of the war years, and has Thursday being sent to nurse in Egypt for a couple of years and then back to Haslar Naval Hospital in Portsmouth.

The book follows Thursday and her friends through their trials as nurses and for some it’s romance and engagements, for others death or widowhood. Thursday meets a new man in Egypt, another doctor who declares himself in love with her, and this one may be the one to make her forget her promise to Connor.

As the war comes to an end the young nurses face the uncertainty of civilian life, they realize how much they have changed over these war years and that they can’t go back to the way things used to be. Women have learned to manage careers and have no desire to let the men come home and take over. Thursday also has a difficult romantic choice to make between her two doctors.

A well written story that the author obviously researched extensively, I enjoyed following these nurses through their war years. Lilian Harry is an author that I can rely on to provide a very readable story and with A Promise To Keep she continues to please.

18. Eaters of the Dead by Michael Crichton - 3 1/2 stars
Category: Adventure

Michael Crichton was a born storyteller and this book, Eaters of the Dead is no exception. Based partially on the legend of Beowulf and partially on the fictionalized writings of Ahmed Ibn Fadlan, an Arab emissary who is intercepted by the Norsemen on his travels.

Ibn Fadlan is gathered up by the Norsemen and taken north on their long boat. There are twelve warriors and the Arab makes thirteen, which is considered a lucky number. Their journey brings them to the kingdom of Rothgar and here Ibn Fadlan finds out they are to face the dreaded wendol who come with the night mist to kill, rip apart and cannibalize the Norsemen.

Cleverly written as if translated from an ancient manuscript, Michael Crichton delivers an action-packed adventure story that certainly held my attention. Not world class literature by a long shot, but a Viking tale that provides the right amount of thrills and information.

19. The Daybreakers by Louis L'Amour - 3 1/2 stars
Category: The Sacketts

This is my favorite Sackett Story so far. The Daybreakers tells the story of Orrin and Tyrel Sackett who have to leave their home in Tennessee in a hurry, one step ahead of the sheriff, and head west. It is 1867 and their plan is too try and establish a ranch and then sent for their Mother and the rest of the clan.

The two brothers travel across the west and have many adventures that include fighting Indians, rustlers and other assorted bad guys. They work hard to get ahead and also to improve themselves. Along the way they meet many interesting characters and some beautiful women, both of the good and bad types. Making the right life choices, and fighting for justice, this book lays the groundwork for the western Sackett stories to follow.

This book makes me eager to read on and find out what happens to this family next. I found Tyrel particularly an enjoyable character, and although L’Amour relies on many of the same plot tricks to develop his stories, this was a fun read.

20. Regency Buck by Georgette Heyer - 4 stars
Category: Oh Those Brits!

This book, to me, was the perfect Regency Romance! Georgette Heyer delivers a captivating love story with her usual witty dialogue and accurate descriptions of fashion and other period detail. The characters were pitch perfect from Judith Taverner as the innocent heiress, her brother Peregrine, the engaging younger brother, and Lord Worth, the handsome, manly guardian who we just knew has deep feelings for the beautiful Judith. We are even treated to a dastardly villain or two.

Georgette Heyer was one of the originators of the Regency Romance genre and she was a master at her craft. Her ability to people her book with many interesting and amusing characters allows the familiar plot to appear fresh. Her settings, from cock-fighting to a Prince’s drawing room are so well written as to place you on the spot.

I found Regency Buck to be a delightful read and I was charmed by it.

21. Dead As A Doornail by Charlaine Harris - 4 stars
Category: Sookie Sackhouse

With her usual cast of characters and some new ones to spice things up, Dead As A Doornail continues the saga of Sookie Sackhouse. In this outing, Sookie is concerned about her brother, Jason, as he is experiencing his first change into a were-panther. At the same time there has been a series of shootings and the victims are all shape-changers. With her connection to the supernatural world, Sookie always seems to be in the midst of turmoil and as she becomes a victim of both an arson and a murder attempt, she realizes things are not as straightforward as they seemed.

In this, the 6th Sookie story, the author is extremely comfortable with her characters and the story flows seamlessly. Of course seeds have been planted for the next book, which I have to admit I am eager to dive into.

22. Amazonia by James Rollins - 4 stars
Category: Adventure

When the mood strikes for a good adventure thriller, a James Rollins book always does the trick. Amazonia was able to carry me away to the jungles of South America, and involve me in an expedition searching for a lost party of scientists. Of course nothing is as it seems and the story includes a rival team, an unknown illness, medical research, native Indians and … something else that’s out there in the jungle.

Of course the story is far-fetched and quite unbelievable, but that is exactly why I read these types of books, for pure escapism, if I actually learn a fact or two about South American jungles, well that is an unexpected bonus.

This is adventure with a capital A. A non-stop thriller that takes off like a roller coaster and gives you quite the ride. If you are in the mood for danger, intrigue and thrills, without leaving the comfort of your armchair, I definitely recommend Amazonia.

23. Three Seconds by Anders Roslund - 4 1/2 stars
Category: Adventure

Three Seconds is an engrossing read about the Swedish legal system, the influx of Eastern European criminals, and use of informers, delivered by a plot with many twists and turns.

The characters are well developed personalities that made the story current and believable. I was very drawn to Ewert Grens, the quirky Detective Inspector that starts off investigating a drug murder and ends up with a case of deep intrigue and political manoeuvrings. Piet Hoffman, the informer, earned my respect and care, his was a life of such extremes, a loving family man on the one hand, a desperate, betrayed informer on the other, living a lie, where one misstep could result in death.

The POV switches between these two and many other characters giving insight into the events as they happen. There is a lot of information and development to take in but the story is broken into many small segments which made for easy reading. The plot is laid out slowly at the beginning but the pace soon quickened and eventually drew me along at breakneck speed.

I found Three Seconds to be an intelligent, absorbing and dark thriller that I thoroughly enjoyed.

With this last entry, I am going to have to close out this Challenge. The last two categories, The Sacketts and Sookie Sackhouse will not be able to be completed by year end. The next books in both categories need to be ordered from the library, and as I am going away just after Christmas for a week or so, I won't have time for them.

I am going to be starting the New Year with my 11 in 11 Challenge, and the 75 book Challenge which will be keeping me busy for most of the year.

I've enjoyed this mini-challenge and thanks to all who have visited my thread.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you, too. I've enjoyed visiting your thread and will be visiting your threads next year as well. Thanks to you I now have the Lilian Harry, John Drake and Michael Crichton books in my sights for reading next year. I'm continuing on with my challenge here and hope to finish at least by the end of 2011.