Vanessa’s Comments (group member since Jun 15, 2017)

Vanessa’s comments from the Read, Reading, Planning to Read and More group.

HappyBookWorm... I load books onto my phone and listen to them while I walk, do mundane chores, oh let's face it anytime I can, even @ lunch or when I'm working by myself. A short commute won't stop me from listening to books.

Beard with Me just came out today! I like this family. For some reason her Knitting in the City series kind of petered out for me but I am still intrigued with the Winston Brothers.

HappyBookWorm2020 wrote: "I'm reading the 2nd St. Mary's book and loving it.

A Symphony of Echoes"

HappyBookWorm.... I love that series. it is excellent in audio if you are so inclined. Don't forget the short stories. She writes one each Christmas about a different unauthorized jump that they do on Christmas.

Waverly wrote: "@ Carol, new October Daye book The Unkindest Tide concerns Luidaeg and a First-Born sister rocking the Jack Sparrow vibe. I thought it was a good addition to the series.

@Vanessa,..."

Waverly... I am so glad that B.R. Kingsolver is going to continue the Rosie O'Grady ... series. While they aren't as elaborate as some of the series that are very popular reading here, they do have an engaging quality and non-stop action. I can't wait for the next book. Did you read Dark Dancer ? did you get a feeling of the end of the series? I'm sure that (view spoiler)[ there are more Illuminatti out there in the wings. I am also unsure about the ruling vamp, she has already said that he wasn't strong and fled when she killed his master. I also wonder about the elusive archaeologist. Do you think that he is just a normal male? I wonder... (hide spoiler)]

Carol have you kept up with the Belador series? I am reading Treoir Dragon Hoard and in this book Evalle has been taken. It is actually distressing, and poor Feenix, he about killed me, he knew she was taken and there was nothing that Storm could do for him.

melindeeloo... I liked Harper's Slouch Witch series. I like her relationship and her excellent cat. Those were an enjoyable read.

I finished the Rosie O'Grady's Paranormal Bar and Grill series. I hope that there will be more in the series, but it felt like a finale at the end of Dark Dancer. I hope not, but it feels that way.

I have a couple of series to catch up on so I have back-tracked to Treoir Dragon Hoard because I have a short story that came from Love's newsletter called Evalle and Storm and I have to know the events of book 10 before I read the latest short.

Speaking of Sherrilyn Kenyon, the last book in the Deadman's Cross series came out on Tuesday, At Death's Door I believe that this is the last of the DH pirate spin-off series. I went with the Audible version because I refuse to pay $14.99 for a kindle copy.

Paula.. I'm so glad that you liked this series too. I just stumbled on it a month or 2 ago & have had it in my TBR and I finally got around to reading them.

Kristi I'm glad that you had a great day.

I finished The Harp of Kings and once it got going I loved it. I won't spoil anything here but I was delighted to see who the main characters were. I love Marillier's writing, descriptive without being overly so and emotionally packed. Lisa you are going to like this one!

I started a free on KU series, "Rosie O'Grady's Paranormal Bar and Grill". The first book is Shadow Hunter I liked the first book so much that I jumped right into the second book, Night Stalker and I have the third book in the wings, Dark Dancer .
The main character, Erin has immense power and she has been trained to be an assassin by an otherworld group bent on world domination, who isn't right? He last "hit" is of a powerful mage who has invented an artifact that in the wrong hands obliteration happens. Erin finds out that the organization is really the dark not the light side of things. She gives the artifact to her "Master" and lets him literally destroy the power base for this organization and she runs away as far as her little bit of money will allow. She ends up in a town of supernaturals and lands a job at the local Irish pub. I am over simplifying this but I like the characters, the witty banter and the inevitable fight scenes. Erin is at once a killer and a naïve woman. She was sold into this organization when she was 14 years old. They have given her what was necessary for an assassin, but the everyday common things are a new world to her. I like all of the side characters and they play a very big part in the story lines. I would give the first book 4*'s.

Happy Birthday Kristi! :-)

TINNGG... You are to be commended. I would have lost my Scottish temper and told the lot of them exactly what I thought. You don't need any more pressure, I hope that you are finding a lot of escapism in your reading list.

I did finish The Blacksmith Queen While I liked it, I had a hard time with all of the sibling rivalry. I spent a lot of my time rolling my eyes. I know it is a go to trope with Aiken/Laurenston, but we have seen it in almost all of her books. That said, I can't wait to read the next book in the series. The romance was a tad bit off to me, but I do see much potential in the budding romance(s). I don't want to give away the surprises, but I do think that this has a great base to this (sort-of) offshoot to the Dragon Kin series.

I also read the latest short story in the Chronicles of St Mary's world. The story is about Max's abusive father's attempt to take Max and Leon's son Matthew. He strolls into St Mary's, a big shot surgeon, throwing out ultimatums at Max and ready to take what he thinks is an 18 month old baby boy. The crew, headed up by Leon, really do a number on him. Many characters participated in this caper and the vengeance factor was a 100! The book is called When Did You Last See Your Father? This also gives us more of Leon's story, all in one place. I thought that this was excellent.

I started a new series by Juliet Marillier, The Harp of Kings This opens with a brother and sister competing to be a part of an elite fighter team. Set in the same world as the Blackthorn and Grim series, this is a new series about musician/warriors. This is the perfect cover, accomplished musicians allowed to go nearly anywhere solving crimes. I got this as an ARC from NetGalley and I am happy to be able to dip back into this world of Marillier's.

On audio I am listening to the first book in Kleypas' Ravenels series, Cold-Hearted Rake Sometimes when I read a really good book like Sapphire Flames, I have to go to a completely different genre to get my bearings.

I've been attempting to finish The Blacksmith Queen
It's not because I am having a hard time with it, I'm having a hard time sitting down and reading it. I have been too busy to stop and read. I am liking this new side universe of her Dragon Kin series. I did have a big laugh, (not sure that it was intentional), when one of the characters actually thinks that they might take over the "mad queen's" kingdom. Yup! good luck with that.

On a totally different note. This is coming out...
The Mythic Dream It is a collection of stories that are classic myth retellings, like Loki, or Persephone. I like some of the authors, so I might give it a go. I'll look at the reviews and then decide.

TINNGG... I hope that everything else works out for your son. Enjoy your reading time and know that we care.

I listened to a Lisa Kleypas book, Suddenly You. While I liked the book, it just didn't grab me. Some of the scenarios were rather far fetched for me. It was a good book, but clearly not one of her better books.

If anyone reads/listens to the Molly Harper Mystic Bayou series, an Audible "original", (available on Audible only), was just released, Selkies are a Girl's Best Friend. I'm liking this crazy group of friends and this town of humans and shifters.

TINNGG... I will keep you and your family in my thoughts and prayers. Try to keep your spirits, (and those of your family) up. I hope that you have plenty more to read on your TBR pile.

I just finished Sapphire Flames . I wasn't sure that I was going to love Catalina as much as I love Nevada's character but I do. This book has many of the usual characters from the series, in addition to the family. I could not put it down, I loved it! 5*'s from me!

Shannon... I just read, Rise Against I liked it. It has lots of action and revelations. It is more of a bridge to the last book and the dramatic conclusion. Luce is still figuring out the whole Conquest thing and there are betrayals that will cut deep. Cole is still by her side and the others of her coterie are a more cohesive group. She is gathering an army and some are flocking to her because she is willing to fight for humanity. Let me know what you think.

I was waiting to read the Ilona Andrews book so I read a couple of shorter stories. Because Kristi likes this author, I tried One Bed for Christmas I liked it. The couple was super cute and I liked the friends to lovers theme.

I also read When an Alpha Purrs This was a fast read. I liked the banter between the main characters. It was insta-love/mate between a lion shifter and a human woman. She is a hairdresser filling in for her Grandfather and looking to make a new start away from an aggressive stalker ex. He is the rich alpha of the city and of his lion pride. He starts on her from the beginning, so she "accidentally" cuts an obvious chunk of his hair off. This had a serious theme (a stalker),but it was basically lighthearted.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Look what I got in the mail today.... Yep, still reading and loving the BDB."

Lisa... I'm still a BDB reader too. It is one of the series that I have read from the beginning that I just can't let go. I'll be joining you in reading Blood Truth

Douglas wrote: "@Vanessa - I gave Most Eligible Billionaire 4 stars which was probably too high but I enjoyed the previous book The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl so much I think I..."

Doug I think that I will read the next book, The Billionaire’s Wake-up-call Girl I read the first chapter at the end of the Hilarious book.

LAB... I received an ARC for The Blacksmith Queen too! I'm glad that you reminded me that they were releasing the ARC. Weird thing, when I went back to see my reviews, I updated the In a Badger Way after they released the rest of the book, (I originally received only the first couple of chapters as a "pre" pre-release), and the rest of my review never posted to NetGalley. That is the second time that has happened to me. So, I guess that we have to make sure that our reviews post in a timely manner.

Doug, so jealous, but happy to hear that you liked it so much. :-)

Kristi... I love the Balogh books. I don't remember listening to any really off ones. I did download One Bed for Christmas. It is $.99 now. I generally like series that involve a whole town.

I read and liked most of the books in Hilariously Ever After.
The name of this anthology is quite deceiving. Some of the books were funny, but most were obvious attempts at luring you in to read their series.

Truth or Beard I had this book on my wish list because it was recommended here. After I finished it I had to read the rest of the books.
Pucked This book had lots of sex, but some really hysterical lines, I was laughing out loud with this book.
Most Eligible Billionaire This book was quite a stretch, dog walker/Etsy store owner, Vicky through a series of events has become the majority shareholder in a muti-billion dollar global company. (She is the spokesperson for the former owners dog). I did finish this book, it was ok.
Wrong This is a different sort of book, a 22 year old college student/coffee barista has a crush on this handsome well dressed man who comes in for a coffee every Tuesday morning. Clearly older than her, she soon finds out he's a gynecologist. In the beginning, there were a few funny instances, but as the book continued it became both serious and borderline abusive. I did like the ending.
Shopping for a Billionaire I listened to this a few years ago. I liked it enough to listen to the rest of the series back then. These were amusing, so they at least belonged in the Hilariously Ever After book.
Remedial Rocket Science Melody, a college student at MIT, after being stood up for a date, is rescued from a predatory male at a bar by Jeremy, a visitor to Boston. Things progress and he becomes her one and only one-night-stand. Thouroghly enjoying their time together, they exchange phone numbers under the guise of "if you're ever in California call me". When she graduates, she has multiple job offers in CA and gives him a call. Surprisingly, he not only remembers her, he offers to meet with her for coffee. This was mildly funny, but more readable than some of the others.
Miss Fix-It (Horrible Cover). This was a nice read, single builder/repair woman, Kali, has been hired to renovate the bedrooms of 4 year old twins, Ellie and Eli. Their father Brantley is a widower and sole parent to these exasperating and very amusing kids. There are a few mishaps and the twins are always to blame. The Kali/Brantley relationship is a little insta-love, but I found it a sweet tale.
Screwmates I tried to read this book, but it was a bit too much for me. Artist Madison shares an apartment with Marc a PhD candidate. She works nights and he works during the day. They continue like this for months until her workplace is flooded and she is out of work for a few days. Things go from practical strangers to attempts at sex in only a couple of hours. It just didn't hold my attention, it might improve later in the story, but I wasn't interested. This is mildly funny, mostly situational comedy.
Sweet on the Greek I am attempting to finish this story too.

I did finally read a novel by Ann Aguirre, The Third Mrs. Durst. I found this to be an exciting "thriller".
I have always enjoyed Ann Aguirre's writing. I have read a few of her previous books, and was excited to receive an ARC of The Third Mrs. Durst from NetGalley. While I am not usually intrigued by "thriller" novels, this one had me from the first paragraph.
We open with a teenage Marlena Altizer, running away from a poverty stricken area in Kentucky with the intent to make a better life. Through a series of events, she has become a model and catches the eye of Michael Durst. He is rich, powerful, and has a reputation for acquiring everything that he wants. While not a love match, they enter into a marriage. From a girl on the streets, to a bird in a gilded cage, Marlena is closely and continuously guarded and her only friend is Jenny who lived on the streets with her.
The Michael Durnst character is written with that something extra that makes his brand of evil that much more intense. Bit by bit, Michael wraps her in opulent finery and abusive chains. His scorn for women is evident and I was just as nervous as she is when he returns home.
Again, while not my usual read/genre, I liked this novel. You know that something big is going to happen and you know why, no mysteries there but the execution is a fun twist.

LAB... Congrats on the ARC, I had better check to see if I had one too! Be forewarned, the Laurenston books only allow you to read the first few chapters and the rest comes a couple of days before the pub date. I hope that it is the whole book. :-)

I whipped through Penny Reid's Winston Brothers books, ( another is coming out next month I believe), and I have returned to the rom-com variety pack that is Hilariously Ever After . While I'm not usually a contemporary romance reader, I am finding these of a better quality than some other compilation books that I have read. The second book is called Pucked . While there was a lot of sex, it could be hilarious at times. I was laughing so hard that I had tears in my eyes at one point. I got this book of first in a series novels as a BookBub special, and I am enjoying it tremendously.

I receive Julia Quinn's newsletter and it sounds like the Bridgerton series is going to be really good. For those who don't know, Netflix is doing a series about Quinn's Bridgerton family. I really like the humor in those novels. Bonus: Julia Andrews is the voice (over), for Lady Whistledown.

Melindeeloo wrote: "I finished Storm of Locusts, the lead Maggie has really come into her own. She started out almost unlikeable in the first book - which is part of the audible $5 sale right now btw. ..."

Melindeeloo... I agree about the MC, Maggie in Storm of Locusts. She is really making an effort in her relationships. I am really loving this series, and I hope that the next book(s?) have more of the Dine legends.

As usual, my time hasn't been my own lately, but I have been reading in the Winston Brothers series and I'm on Beau's book, Beard in Mind. I like that Reid isn't afraid to tackle some varied disabilities and they're with tact and compassion.

Thanks to Everyone for the Birthday wishes!!

Paula... I hope that you are feeling better, it's been a few days since you posted so I hope that it is becoming a bad memory! ;-)

TINNGG... Having to search through tons of books on your kindle is daunting. That is something that I do miss about the old Amazon forums, you could go on the genre forum and someone would probably know what book that you are searching for.
You could go on the authors page and explore their books and click on all of the possibilities, or if you have an idea of what year you purchased it, you could go on the kindle content tab on Amazon and search through those. Just trying to help you narrow down your search. :-)

I have been reading Hilariously Ever After and I liked the Penny Reid novel Truth or Beard so much that I purchased the next Winston Brothers book, Grin and Beard It I like the humor and in particular the little homespun gems imbued throughout the stories.