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This is the thread where we ask questions, discuss, and make suggestions for the challenge.

1. February: Read a book which title starts with "F."

2. Birthday: Read a book from a February B-day celebrant.

3. Geography: Read a book whose author, setting or character is from Indiana.

4. Favorites: Read a book by a favorite author or from a favorite genre.

5. Valentine’s Day: Read a book that has a predominantly red cover or has one of the following words in its title (heart, love, lover, kiss).

6. Black History Month: Read a book written by an African-American or has an African-American as one of its main characters.

7. Romance Genre: Read a paranormal romance.

8. President’s Day: Read a historical fiction/romance book set in either the US Civil War (Abraham Linconl) or the Revolutionary period (George Washington).

9. International Friendship Month: Read a book by recommended by a friend (either in real life or here in GR). Be sure to say who recommended it.

10. Reader's Choice

Indiana authors:
Meg Cabot (aka Jenny Carroll aka Patricia Cabot)
Tessa Dare
Kurt Vonnegut
Michael Koryta
Ami McKay
Colleen Coble

Got any more?

Stephen King lived for a while in Fort Wayne, Indiana.

Saundra Mitchell is from Indiana. Her book Shadowed Summer is a YA paranormal.

Madelyn Alt's Bewitching Mystery series is set in Indiana. The first book is The Trouble With Magic.

Laurell K. Hamilton grew up in Indiana. And Flirt comes out this month.

Anybody have any suggestions for African-American history month? I really only read PNR and UF.

L.A. Banks is African American but I have to say I didn't like Minion at all. She has another series that I haven't tried though. Also, Octavia E. Butler writes books that we shelve in Science Fiction/Fantasy at work but I haven't read her either. I have a friend in real life who has very similar tastes to me and she really liked Parable of the Sower.

CE Murphy's Negotiator trilogy is Paranormal and features an AA female protag.

Seressia Glass is an AA romance author who has written a pnr Shadow Blade. I haven't read this yet, it is on my tbr, but I like her romances.

Sara Reinke's PNR Dark Thirst has an AA heroine.

Shelly Laurenston has written quite a few PNR romances with AA heroines, two that come to mind are The Beast in Him and Go Fetch!.

I'm in, I'll post my list in a day or two

Octavia Butler is great. She sort of blends sci fi with historical fiction and sci fi with fantasy. Her writing is unique.

Jennifer Rardin is from Indiana (and is a goodreads author if anyone is doing the paranormal romance challenge, too)

Does anyone have any recommendations for President's Day category. Being in Australia, I have no clue.

No problems with AA, and thanks to above, Indiana seems to be OK as well.

I just found out Beautiful Creatures takes place during the civil war. I believe it's YA paranormal. Laurie Halse Anderson is also YA that has a few historical fiction books set during those time frames.

Thanks Melissa, I'll try and find them at the library.

I remember reading Celia Garth in high school and remembering it fondly. Historical fiction set in SC during the revolutionary war.

Sandra, here's what I have on my bookshelf that took place either during the Civil War or the Revolutionary War here in the US.

Civil War (1861-1865)
North and South John Jakes
Cold Mountain Charles Frazier
Gone With The Wind Margaret Mitchell
My Old True Love Sheila Kay Adams

Revolutionary War (1775-1783)

I don't have anything on my shelves from the revolutionary war period besides the Outlander books by Diana Gabaldon, but the first book of the series takes place in the 1740's Scotland--they don't travel to the US until the 4th book. I'm reading the 7th book for this challenge and it takes place during the Revolutionary War.

Did some sniffing around goodreads and found some lists for both war eras for anyone who needs a book for #8.

Listopia - Civil War Books

Listopia - Best Civil War Books

Listopia - Revolutionary War Fiction

Thanks to both Laura & Tina as well as Melissa.

Great work all three of you. I need all the help I can get.

I went to the library today with the half-notion of picking up a civil war romance, and to my disappointment after browsing through the shelves, I didn't find any. I don't know where I got the impression, but I was confident that there will be many. I swear when I was growing up and was devouring romance novels like candy, there were more than enough set during the US Civil War Period. Boy was I wrong.

Lesson Learned: Research first before going to the library.

I did my research and here are what I found.

Links to listings of Civil War Romance books:

The American Civil War

Rafferty's Bride (2002) by Mary Burton - HH-632
Flame Lily (1994) by Candace Camp
Swan's Chance (1985) by Celeste De Blasis
Rachel's Choice (1998) by Judith E. French
Yesteryear (1995) by Dorothy Garlock
Glory (1999) by Heather Graham
Rebel (1997) by Heather Graham
Surrender (1998) by Heather Graham
Analise (1981) by Lisa Gregory
Bonds of Love (1978) by Lisa Gregory
The Stars of the South (1996) by Julien Green
Always to Remember (1996) by Lorraine Heath
Texas Destiny (1997) by Lorraine Heath
Belle and the Beau (2002) by Beverly Jenkins - ATR-2
Josephine and the Soldier (2002) by Beverly Jenkins - ATR-11
Cease Firing (1912) by Mary Johnston
The Long Roll (1911) by Mary Johnston
Passion's Captive (1993) by Jane Kidder
Glorious Angel (1982) by Johanna Lindsey
The Horse Soldier (2001) by Merline Lovelace
Riverbend (1993) by Mary McBride - HH-164
Bittersweet (1997) by Anita Mills
Gone with the Wind (1936) by Margaret Mitchell
When the Far Hills Bloom (1999) by Diane Noble
Ashton's Bride (1995) by Judith O'Brien
Lightning (1992) by Patricia Potter
Renegade (1993) by Patricia Potter
Midnight Confessions (2002) by Candice Proctor
The Bride Fair (2000) by Cheryl Reavis - HH-603
Harrigan's Bride (1998) by Cheryl Reavis - HH-439
The Prisoner (1992) by Cheryl Reavis - HH-126
When the Music Changed (1980) by Marie Reno
Wayward Angel (1997) by Patricia Rice
Yankee Stranger (1944) by Elswyth Thane
For Us the Living (1976) by Antonia Van Loon
The Rebel (1998) by Rosalyn West
Ashes in the Wind (1979) by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss

The American Revolution

Celia Garth (1959) by Gwen Bristow
The Raider's Bride (1994) by Kimberly Cates
Brazen Virginia Bride (1990) by Millie Criswell
Phantom Lover (1993) by Millie Criswell
The Raider (1987) by Jude Deveraux
The Wild Geese (1980) by Eilis Dillon
Chase the Dawn (1988) by Jane Feather
Rebel Heart (1998) by Amy J. Fetzer
Fortune's Bride (1994) by Judith E. French
Scarlet Ribbons (1989) by Judith E. French
A Breath of Snow and Ashes (2005) by Diana Gabaldon
The Fiery Cross (2001) by Diana Gabaldon
Crystal Passion (1985) by Jo Goodman
Seaswept Abandon (1986) by Jo Goodman
Crystal Heart (1982) by Lisa Gregory
The Charade (2000) by Laura Lee Guhrke
The Beloved One (1998) by Danelle Harmon
Captain of My Heart (1992) by Danelle Harmon
Master of My Dreams (1993) by Danelle Harmon
Love a Rebel...Love a Rogue (1994) by Shirl Henke
Judas Flowering (1977) by Jane Aiken Hodge
Wide is the Water (1981) by Jane Aiken Hodge
The Secrets of Catie Hazard (1997) by Miranda Jarrett - HH-363
Sparhawk's Angel (1996) by Miranda Jarrett - HH-315
Steal the Stars (1992) by Miranda Jarrett - HH-115
To Spite the Devil (1994) by Paula Jonas
Passion's Ransom (1989) by Betina Krahn
Rebel Passion (1987) by Betina Krahn
Come What May (2002) by Leslie LaFoy
Traitorous Hearts (1994) by Susan Kay Law
Master of Seduction (2000) by Kinley MacGregor
Darcy's Kiss (1996) by Jacqueline Marten
The Rebel and the Redcoat (1996) by Karyn Monk
A Patriot's Heart (1998) by Stobie Piel
The Sherwood Ring (1958) by Elizabeth Marie Pope
Star Keeper (1999) by Patricia Potter
Swampfire (1988) by Patricia Potter
Rebel Dreams (1991) by Patricia Rice
Fortune's Tide (1990) by Maura Seger
The Seduction of Deanna (1993) by Maura Seger - HH-183
Wild Indigo (1998) by Judith Stanton
Dawn's Early Light (1953) by Elswyth Thane
Embrace the Day (1988) by Susan Wiggs
Winds of Glory (1988) by Susan Wiggs
The Rebel and the Rose (1986) by Joan Wolf

Thanks, Yz!! I'm going to print these lists and see if I can find at least one of them next time I'm near the bookstore.

Wow! Lots to choose from there. Thanks for putting that together Yz!

That's fantastic Yz. Hopefully my library has at least one of them. You can imagine it's not a huge subject here in Australia. I don't think I've ever read an American historical, they always seem to be set in England or Europe.

If it is alright with you, I've chosen a book that takes place just shortly after the Revolutionary War. The hero appears to be a Colonel that served in the war under the command of Washington. Of course it is hard to tell these things until after you read the book.

That works, Photojim.

Shazzy wrote: "Yz, for Category 6, can I use a black person from any country? Or do they have to be African-American?

"

Hmmm....good question. I say from any country.

quick query - would steampunk romance count as paranormal romance? I ask because I'd like to read Soulless by Gail Carriger which is the first in the Parasol Protectorate series. It's steampunk 'cause it's set in regency times and has airships but also contains vampires and werewolves (in fact the hero is a werewolf). Any help very much appreciated.

I would say it counts, Tosca - it has paranormal elements in it.

Aww exactly what I wanted to hear. Cheers!

Yeah, it has weres and vamps and magic and so as Mel said it counts ;) It's hell lotta fun too!

I'm lovin' it! So much so I don't want it to end. I never read this slow but am drawing it out *sigh*

I missed this thread before or I'dhave asked my questions in here instead of on the actual challenge thread. sorry 'bout that. :-) does give me a few Indiana ideas if I have time for a non-review and non-audio book.

I know all you GRs put in a lot of work to get those lists for the wars - I could only find the Diane Gabaldon books at my local library - both of them 1,000 pgs. Very frustrating.

So I've had to resort to kids books and I found Revolutionary War on Wednesday . Hope that's OK.

As long as you are interested in reading it, Sandra, it is OK. :)

Thanks Yz, it was that or history/political speeches of Lincoln or Washington.

I did watch that great series on the Confederacy a few years ago, with the Mary Chestnut diaries - that was fantastic.

And I really did go looking (on-line) at the library, we had some but not many of those authors but none of the specific books.

Yz, for #5 can I use a book with "Embrace" in the title?

Jan ~Phaythe~ wrote: "Yz, for #5 can I use a book with "Embrace" in the title?"

Embrace the Night Eternal???

: D

Sandra wrote: "So I've had to resort to kids books and I found Revolutionary War on Wednesday ...."

I'm planning on reading this too as my son has it in his room.

Glad I'm not alone Briansgirl.

Shannon wrote: "Embrace the Night Eternal???
:D "

Maybe :P

Jan ~Phaythe~ wrote: "Yz, for #5 can I use a book with "Embrace" in the title?"

Well, we do 'embrace' people we love...so why not?

Yay! Thanks Yz. You rock!

I am looking for a good black romance author or contemporary that has a black hero/heroine. Any suggestions?

Can't help you Jim. I don't know of any, then again, it's not something I pay attention to as I have no idea the race of the authors I read. You can't tell from the writing and it's not something mentioned in the author bio blurb. It shouldn't matter, which is why I don't like this category. I'm reading The Green Mile Book Box Set by Stephen King.

Briansgirl, I don't normally care either. I went through the stack of Harlequins I have to see if anyone pictured on the front cover was black. Nope. Not a single one that I have. I have no idea if the authors are black as so few of them have a picture of themselves on the jacket. I've certainly read a few books where the hero or heroine was black, but I don't really want a re-read.

It's the only category I haven't completed and I don't even know what I'm going to read! (thus my post)

I read a really hot book by a guy last year but I don't remember the author to see if I can find something else by him. It's possible his name was Dickie??? The plot takes place in Atlanta. A woman becomes involved with two brothers - one of whom is married. And by involved I mean 'involved' and at the same time. Maybe if someone recognizes this they can let me know.

I was already reading the (6) serial novel The Green Mile, which has a major black character in it in John Coffey. I'm using the last 2 serial novels, VOl's 5 & 6 for my BHM and Indiana author.

I don't know of any romances either, although there has to be some, so just used what I had already started since they fit.

Here is a link to a list of popular inter-racial romance books:

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show?s...

or African-American romance books:

http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show?s...

- Brenda Jackson writes romance with black or mixed heritage characters. I read Irresistible Forces for that category - it was okay, enough that I would read another of her books - it was a free download from .

Her webpage - .