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Having completed 100+ books in 2013, I'm in again.

1. The Christmas Promise--Donna VanLiere
The lives of three people (Gloria, Miriam, and Chaz) intersect in this Christmas-themed story of promise, redemption, and grace. Lives are improved when these three enter the picture. A recommended read of Christmas magic.

2. Spellbound--Sylvia Day
3.5 stars actually--this is an erotic romance with paranormal overtones. Some of the sections of the novel were originally published as short stories, but Max's and Victoria's story is fully told in this one. What began as the taming of Victoria, the feral Familiar cat, by Max is expanded into the full story as their love for each other grows. But will outside forces destroy their love? Or will outside forces destroy them? A unique erotic romance overall.

3. Boy! Oh! Boy!--Jim Gehring
This is a series of short stories about the "Good Old Days" from the author's youth. Times were simpler and consisted of small schools, church pageants, family chores on the farm, and fun with friends.

4. The Snow Child--Eowyn Ivey
Set in 1920 Alaska, this is the magical tale of a childless couple, Mabel and Jack, who build a snow child from the first snowfall of the season. Faina appears the next day. Who is the girl who seems to come and go with the winter snows? How does she transform their lives? A wonderful read suitable for anyone.

5. Culture Smart--New Zealand--Sue Butler
a great guide to understand the land and the people of New Zealand

6. Gone Girl--Gillian Flynn
A multi layered page turner of a couple who have major issues, a psychological thriller of the highest degree that keeps a reader guessing until the end.

7. Bad Heir Day--Wendy Holden
1.5 stars actually--this is a chick lit novel that features Anna, an aspiring writer who becomes a nanny to an incorrigible kid of a romance novelist, Cassandra, and rock star, Jett. Anna's love life sucks, but so does this marriage. Can anyone find happiness and love in this novel?

8. Divergent--Veronica Roth
3.5 stars actually--this is a YA novel about a dystopian society based on five factions who are divided based on their particular ideals. Beatrice (Tris) comes of age when she must choose, and the consequences will affect her future for good or ill. Her status as a Divergent must be kept secret as she struggles with her initiation and her fears.

9. Paris Was the Place--Susan Conley
Willie Pears goes to Paris to live near her brother Luke and her friends Sara and Rajiv. There she discovers love, loss, and heartbreak as well as so much more. Paris becomes her place as she deals with all the complicated relationships of her life.

10. Matched--Ally Condie
3.5 stars actually--this is the first in a series of a dystopian Society that controls people by convincing them that the Officials know best as to where they live, where they work, who to love, and when to die. When a glitch in Cassia's Matching matches her with two of her friends (Xander and Ky), she begins to question many of the institutions that she has always thought were good for her. Now, her actions may affect not only herself, but her family and friends (leaving the reader wondering what next for Cassia and crew).

10.5 Lost in a Royal Kiss--Vanessa Kelly
A romance novella featuring Linnet and Sir Anthony. Dealing with royal situations and preventing scandals, they discover they have more in common (including love for the other) than they think as they join forces to protect innocents.

10.75 The Right Wrong Number--Barbara Delinsky
a short story with a bit of romance...Carly mis-dials and gets Charlie on the line, loses the call, and tries to find him again. Leaves the reader wanting more though.

11. The Book of Madness and Cures--Regina O'Melveny
2.5 stars actually--this historical novel is the story of a woman physician in the 16th century on a journey to find her missing father. Poetic language and vivid imagery throughout this debut novel written by a poet.

12.Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet--Jamie Ford
A story of friendship and love set in the years between 1946 and 1986 that encompasses the realities of Japanese and Chinese issues (war, internment, etc.) and two people, Henry and Keiko, who rise above it.

13. Death at La Fenice--Donna Leon 2.5 stars actually--this is the first in a mystery series that features Commissario Guido Brunetti. In this one, he is solving the murder of a world famous conductor Wellauer from poisoning. Lots of suspects, lots of reasons to kill, but who killed him and why is up to Brunetti to solve. First time having read this author and willing to read more.

14. Welcome to the World, Baby Girl--Fannie Flagg
The story of Dena Nordstrom and her folksy family in Elm Springs, Missouri. Sometimes going home is just what is needed to solve the mysteries of one's life.

15. The Perks of Being a Wallflower--Stephen Chbosky
A coming-of-age novel written in an epistolary form. Charlie writes to an anonymous friend describing his thoughts and feelings as he deals with his freshman year in high school.

16. To Seduce and Defend--Deborah Camp
A historical romance featuring feisty Jennie Caldwell and her lawyer Zach Warren, who not only defends her in court, but seduces her as well. But will he marry her when he is so anti-marriage (having seen so divorces in Guthrie, the divorce mecca)?

17. Leaving Haven--Kathleen McCleary
4.5 stars actually--this is a novel of two families nearly destroyed by the events of their lives. Can either of the marriages survive the affair of a best friend and her own husband? What will happen to the child who also plays into this scenario? A mesmerizing read with the two friends as narrators of the story.

18. Insurgent--Veronica Roth
3½ stars actually--this is the second in the series that features Tris and Tobias. After what should have been a celebration of her initiation turned into a bloodbath of Abnegation, Tris must pick up the pieces and figure out who to trust. The factions are breaking down; the factionless are rising, and her status as a Divergent becomes even more important. This is not as good as the first, but definitely sets up the last.

19. Allegiant--Veronica Roth

The last book in the series has Tris, Tobias, and others escaping the chaos of the factions and the factionless to go beyond the fence. What they find may bring even more chaos. Can the world in which they live become normal and not considered "damaged?"

20. Killer Frost--Jennifer Estep
4.5 stars actually--this is the final story in the Mythos Academy series, which features Gypsy Gwen Frost. It is up to her (with help from friends and family) to finally defeat Loki and his Reapers of Chaos. Will she do it, or will she die trying? A few surprises are in store for Gwen and the reader.

20.25 Four: The Transfer--Veronica Roth
a short story of the Choosing Day of Tobias, the reasons why, and how he cane to be known as Four.

21. Gulp--Mary Roach
From the nose and mouth to the anus (and its contents), Mary Roach explores the alimentary canal in this book that is both humorous and serious. Discussing every little nuance, it allows the reader to understand all the ins and outs of the GI tract. In her approach to some difficult material, the author has guts!

22. Perfect--Rachel Joyce
Two seconds added to the calendar sets off all the action of the novel as evidenced by the effect on the life of Byron and Jim. A coming-of-age novel of a different nature.

22.5 Free Four (a short story)--Veronica Roth
The knife-throwing story told from Four's point of view allows the reader into his head as to his motivation and actions.

23. In the Lake of the Woods--Tim O'Brien
3.5 stars actually--this novel is an open-ended story as to what happened to the marriage of John and Kathy Ward that led to her disappearance. Did he kill her? Did she leave? These and other questions are examined and explored as hypothesis, conjecture, and evidence.

24. Earth Unaware--Orson Scott Card and Aaron Johnston
This first in the series leading up to Ender's Game...the first contact with the Formics and humans didn't fare well. Did the message get through to Earth in time?

25. The Deepest Secret--Carla Buckley
Secrets: everyone has them. They keep them from spouses, siblings, and close friends. When one person's secret is hidden, there is a cascade effect. Secrets of the neighborhood will be exposed and nothing will ever be the same for Tyler and his family. A recommended read especially for those who enjoy Jodi Picoult.

26. The Most Beautiful Gift: A Christmas Story--Jonathan Snow
3.5 stars actually-this is a cute Christmas tale about a child who loves snow and Christmas. A snowflake as a perfect gift.

26. Catalina Kiss--Tracy Ewens
A romance set in the 1920s on Catalina Island between Gwen and Michael, two people who have a lot to learn about each other and their preconceived notions.

27. The Boleyn Deceit--Laura Andersen
An alternative historical novel featuring a fictional son, William, on the throne of England. Betrothed to a French princess, he plans on marrying his dear Minuette, who hopes to marry Dominic, his closest friend. And then of course is Elizabeth, his sister, who is involved with Robert Dudley, who is married to a woman named Amy (not Katherine Parr). Intrigue and machinations abound in this Tudor court, which makes for lots of Boleyn deceits throughout.

28. Circle of Gold--Diana Palmer
A light romance between a secretary/ childcare giver and her boss, but will they become something more? Reluctance on both sides even as passions build between Kasie and Gil.

29. Nights in Black Leather--Noelle Mack
A contemporary erotic romance with a bit of BDSM thrown in...features Adam and Lara in a romance that is not all virtual games, lots of real life experience, too.

30. The Beautiful Ship--John B. Prescott
An adventure story about fishermen on Lake Supervisor and one young lad's decision to buy a trawler of his own.

31. Crossed--Ally Condie
The second in the dystopian trilogy that features Cassia, Ky, and Xander as well as a few new characters brings them out to the Outer Provinces and into a possible rebellion against the Society that controls their lives and deaths.

32. Save Me--Lisa Scottoline
With a flash explosion that causes a school fire, all goes horribly wrong for lunch mom Rose McKenna. Her life spirals out of control and children are fighting for their lives including her daughter Melly. Blame is assessed, and Rose is at the forefront. Her marriage becomes shaky as the idea of lawsuits is bandied about, and she works to clear her name. But can she? Did she save her daughter at the expense of another child, Amanda? As this child fights for her life, Rose sets out to find out what happened.

33. King Peggy--Peggielene Bartels and Eleanor Herman
This is the story of an American secretary who became the king of her village in Ghana. Battling corrupt elders, she must make her way through African customs to bring dignity and prosperity to her subjects. This is a recounting of her first two years reigning Otuam.

34. The Stranger I Married--Sylvia Day
3.5 stars actually--this is a historical, erotic romance between Isabel Pelham and Gerard Faulkner, Lord Grayson. Suitably or unsuitably matched that is the question as two friends marry and then discover love.

35. Only Time Will Tell--Jeffrey Archer
The first in a series that features Harry Clifton, the son of Maisie and an undetermined father. These are his years as a student and scholar, leaving the reader awaiting his future endeavors.

36. Florida Roadkill--Tim Dorsey
1½ stars actually of this story of sex, drugs, insurance rip-offs of a bogus insurance company and crazies involved in all of them.

37. 3rd Degree--James Patterson
Four very different women comprise the Women's Murder Club, and this time they are trying to solve the mystery behind August Spies before more people are killed including one of their own.

38. The City Center--Simone Pond
4.5 stars actually--this dystopian story features Ava, a Queen candidate, and Joseph, an Outsider. She is not the typical person of City Center and he will open her eyes to the truth.

39. Untraceable--Laura Griffin
This is a romantic suspense that is essentially a missing person case of a battered spouse. To make it more of a problem, the abuser is a member of the police force. Add in a drug ring, a private investigator who plays fast and loose with the law, a homicide detective who wants disappearing evidence, and others and there is all the makings of twists and turns to a surprising conclusion.

40. Reached--Ally Condie
2.5 stars actually--this last novel in this trilogy finds Cassia, Ky, and Xander once again separated. Moreover, double-crosses seem to be the norm no matter who is in power. Is the Rising better than the Society ? What part does the mutation of the plague play in all their lives? Choices will be made, but what will be the ultimate outcome in these times? Love matches end up, well...

40.5 Witch and Wizard--James Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonet
20 chapter preview free from Barnes and Noble...not sure whether I will read the rest of the novel

Actually it is Charbonnet.

41. Betting On You--Jessie Evans
2½ stars actually--this is a sweet contemporary romance that features Lark and Mason. Lark was unceremoniously dumped the day after Mason asked her to marry him. For four years, she has heard nothing from him. She's battled back from a broken heart, and suddenly he is back at a wedding for which she is the caterer. He wants her, but can she ever trust him again? Seven days of dates--that's all he asks. He's betting he can win back her love and trust, but will he?

42. The Good Luck of Right Now--Matthew Quick
Quirky characters all come together in this novel about making connections and synchronicity with events and people. It is told as a series of letters written to Richard Gere by the main character Bartholomew Neil.