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

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

Happy... Clare has such a rabid following that she feels, (IMHO), that she must write these huge "epic" books. She likes to write in trilogies, and her fans expect that no matter how large a book that creates. I always thought that she, (and a few others, Gabaldon for instance), would benefit from a really tough editor. If the story has the right flow, then you don't mind a really long book. I don't recall feeling that way about her Infernal Devices trilogy for example. She also seems to feel it necessary to produce these spin-off series/books, most of which I have not read. Years ago she had a local book signing and the crowd was overwhelming. I think that only a couple of Mortal Instruments novels were out at that time, so I imagine her following is much bigger now.

Paula... I wouldn't really classify the St. Mary's books as historicals. They jump around the world's time line but they usually get into some kind of trouble and have to get out of it before they affect the actual circumstances and history itself. They are geeky funny and serious at times but much of the action takes place in "our time" so to speak.

Melindeeloo.... I'm glad to see you are listening to the St. Mary's series. I had such a great time listening to them.

Lisa - (Aussie Girl) wrote: "Vanessa, I loved the Infernal Devices too! I still remember sobbing at the epilogue in The Clockwork Princess. This latest book is just leaving me cold but hoping it improves. Cassandra Clare is re..."

Lisa... I hope that she is going to return to the Will and Tessa era characters. I loved the epilogue too!! I do like that we got a peek at J and T in this latest series the Dark Artifices. I would read more about them. Have you read any of her spin-off books? She is going to publish a book(s?) about the Shadow Market. I didn't bother with any of the Shadowhunter spin offs, although Bane's book was interesting sounding.

I finished my listen to How to Drive a Dragon Crazy. I started listening to The Dragon Who Loved Me which is actually the book previous to Izzy and Eibhear's novel, I was thinking to myself this sounds awfully familiar. I then realized that it was book 5. I might as well finish it, LOL!

ETA... The Dragonkin series is free on Audible's Romance package.

Lisa... I'm sad to hear that Queen of Air and Darkness is such a boring read. I have it on audio and I was going to listen to it after I caught up on the G.A Aiken Dragonkin series. I loved her Infernal Devices series.
I feel the same way, this is one of 2 YA authors that I read on a regular basis. , Sara J. Maas is the other one. I have yet to finish her Throne of Glass series. I started to listen to Kingdom of Ash but I wasn't in the mood, so I dropped it for new shinies.
I'm not sure if I will read Cole's Arcana Chronicles series anymore. I haven't read book 5 and book 6 will be out next month.
I think that the Shannon Mayer Desert Cursed series is classified as YA, but I gobble those up as soon as they are released.

Prisoner of Night another novella in the BDB "neighborhood", (but not involving any of the Brothers), came out yesterday. I really liked the last novella, Dearest Ivie. The only thing that I don't like is the fact that it costs $5.99 for kindle.

I would be interested HappyBookWorm.

Melindeeloo wrote: "I finished my Haley Edwards Black Dog and spinoffs and short stories marathon, I thought they were a pretty decent KU find. I wish she'd write stories for two characters she left in need of HEAs, b..."

I also think that Edwards should return to the Black Dog series and give a couple of the characters an HEA.

Vinity... I think that you have to be in the right mood for Arden's books. I tried to listen to the first book and was discouraged with the progress getting off the ground so to speak. I returned to it a couple of weeks later and fell in love with the series. I did receive an ARC of The Winter of the Witch and just posted my review on GR and NetGalley.

I read the last book in T.S. Joyce's Daughters of Beasts series and loved it. New Vyr I found it to be quite touching and emotional. A great finale to this arc of her shifter crew stories.

I never got around to Harrison's Lionheart and because Carol posted that it was only $1.99 on the price drop discussion I picked it up. I love her writing and just never got around to reading this novel. So far I like it.

Happy... Thanks, when we have needed each other we show up. When I had rotator cuff surgery my sister drove 1 hour every other day to bring me to either a Dr appointment or physical therapy, whatever was needed. She went out of work about 3 weeks after my surgery for the same issue. Besides, it gave me a great opportunity to see her new place in D.C. and explore her surroundings with her. Really big city life is very different than everywhere else. I happen to like it. My husband, on the other hand, would be cringing. I don't expect to see him going there ever. :-}

Thanks Carol, I picked it up.

Hi everyone! Happy New Year! Well I made it through my sister's move. Going from a house to an apartment is harder when it's a few hundred miles away. I must say the "packers" took everything. We found the most ridiculous things all wrapped up. Two golf balls were wrapped in 6 sheets of paper, which are somewhere near 2.5' X 4'. I have no fingerprints left, paper cuts in places that don't need paper cuts, and a strange bruising on my right hand. She was incredibly grateful because almost as soon as their stuff arrived, her partner had to go on a business trip. No T.V., internet, or living room furniture, made it easy to go to bed early and read. We tried to go to a couple of museums not affiliated with the federal employees/shutdown, but they were closed. One was moving to a brand new location, and the National Geographic museum is closed until March 1st to change their exhibits. I feel sorry for all of the travelers who took the train in to D.C. with me and had nowhere to go. The food was good, and my sister lives right next to Chinatown, yum!

I finished And Now For Something Completely Different. This short really was something different, The crew from St. Mary's traveled to Mars to witness the first manned Mars landing. This story occurs in the future for the present St. Mary's personnel, and they are joined by the future director of St. Mary's who developed the ability to make that jump. It definitely was different and enjoyable, but it lacked the humor that normally occurs between the regulars.

I then read An Everlasting Christmas. Set once again in the paranormal town of Everlasting, ME, this story revolves around the resident "Hunter", "Grandpa" Wil Messing and his long lost love, Jolene Bails. This is a nice holiday tale with previous couples making their appearances.

I finally got to read To Catch A Rogue. I loved it. So many pieces fall into place, and a couple of mysteries were solved. I really like Lark and Charlie together. You always knew that they would be a couple. I can't wait for the next book, the conclusion to the "rogues" series.

I just received an e-mail about another T.S. Joyce short story, New Vyr. It is about Vyr Daye's struggles with his dragon, his relationship, and his crew. Imprisoned and tormented in his book, he has had to overcome a lot. He has been a bit off the wall lately and this is his only chance to change his fiery dragon ways.

Speaking of dragons, on audio, I started How to Drive a Dragon Crazy It's Izzy and Eibhear's story. I started the next book and found myself a bit lost so I decided to listen to their book and get a bit more intel. It has been a while since I have read these books, this book came out in 2012! Some of these books are free on the Audible Romance package listing.
I have been trying to do some catch-up on series that I have ignored and/or gotten away from.

I looked up my Audible books, it said I listened to 70 books this year. Also my total (including the audio books) for this year was 218 books read. That's an all time high for me.

Demetra... I read The Unexpected Mrs. Pollifax about a month ago. I really liked the first book. Are you planning on continuing the series? I listened to it on audio and it was a lot of fun.

I was refused the 13th grave book also. I did get the final book in the Winternight trilogy, The Winter of the Witch, which was an excellent way to end this tale. It is going to be published January 8th.

For those who still read the BDB, The Savior, (book 18!!) is going to be out April 2nd. The links won't work on my phone & with my sister's internet not up yet, so I'm stuck with my phone. I do wish that goodreads would fix that part of their app.

Don't worry, I try to post reminders to fill in our challenges. We hardly ever finish, you'll go like crazy in the beginning of the year filling in with everything you read then as the year winds down you either forget about your categories or you have all of the letters filled by previous books. It's not a big deal. It's just for fun.

Karen... Sorry you feel bad. How is the Armstrong series? Is it adult or YA?

Carol... First of all, I hope you had a great Christmas. How is your daughter, the honorary harpy? I also loved Butcher's first, (and only apparently), Cinder Spires book. When I went to the RT in Dallas his publishers were promoting the Aeronaut's Windlass and even handed out a small booklet with the first chapters in it and other promotional items. What happens to these male authors? Is the fame and fortune more important?

On a personal note, tomorrow I am taking the train to D.C. My sister is moving there and I'm going down to see her and help with the aftermath of the movers. I'll be there until Friday the 4th. I love the train, and if there isn't any change, it might be the only amusement that will be open to me there. LOL! I'll try and pop in but I will probably just lurk.

I wish you all a Peaceful, Joyous, Healthy, and Prosperous New Year.

HappyBookWorm2020 wrote: "Vanessa wrote: "I think that I am quite finished with the Dresden Files. I listened to the first 5 or 6 and that was enough for me.
I finished The Long and Short of It and I loved it. I have read ..."

HappyBookWorm... I think that after you read the first 2 or 3 books of the St. Mary's Chronicles, then you will be impossibly hooked. There is a romance, but it is the most awkward one I have ever read, and sweet and tender and humorous, etc. (As are most of the others in this series). It is a great series by a great author. IMHO, I think that they are outstanding in audio. I know I keep harping on that but when I read the short stories on kindle, her voices are there in my mind. The narrator enriches the stories with her character portrayals.
I also agree with you Marsters is Dresden, I can't imagine reading these book, they are so good on audio.

I don't read for the challenge either. I just fill in what I can and run with it. If I am close I will look through my books or favorite authors and fill in the blanks if I can. We've been doing this challenge for 5 or 6 years and I have only completed 2. You set the rules, it's all for fun.

I think that I am quite finished with the Dresden Files. I listened to the first 5 or 6 and that was enough for me.
I finished The Long and Short of It and I loved it. I have read a couple of the later shorts, and haven't read the latest, but these are just as well written as the full novels. I would encourage others to listen to this series. I think the narrator has great timing which is key in humor. These aren't all humorous, there are serious issues involved and the timeline jumps are really well done. If there is one thing that I can add as a personal detriment it is that I don't know my British history as well as I should. LOL!

Doug welcome to the A-Z reading challenge. It's a lot of fun, and don't worry if you don't complete your category, we seldom do. We've been doing this for around 5 years and I have completed exactly 2.

Has anyone seen anything for the 2019 Goodreads Reading Challenge? Usually I can challenge myself to read so many books and post it by now. If you know where it is or provide a link I would appreciate it.

I just love seeing all of the pretty covers displayed in one place. I try to keep up on my yearly book lists, but sadly Goodreads doesn't list my audio books.