Shan ~A~’s Comments (group member since May 14, 2015)

Shan ~A~’s comments from the SOS: Serious Overload of Series group.

Judithe wrote: "I enjoyed reading with you both! Hope to see you in another Bingo round!"

Thanks Judithe!! We were so close; the calls just didn't go our way. Loved playing with you, guys.

Congrats to the winners!!!

Definitely a hit with the options

Completion Post
Shelf #11 ~ 17 July: U - "Umbrella" or UF
Book: Magic Burns
How it fits: GR UF List
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 261
Finished: 07/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: It's been a while since I read the first book, and usually when that happens, I go back to do a reread before continuing, but once I started reading it was easy enough to understand what took place.

Right now, this isn't a romance, it has the potential for that because it's clear that there is something between Kate and Curran. It's going to be interesting to see how their relationship progresses, especially with the secret Kate carries.

Kate is badass. There is no other way to describe her. She is doing her "job", but she also fights for what's right. When she encounters Julie, she doesn't really hesitate to help her, and I hope they continue to have a relationship going forward.

The descriptions in this book are wild. When they had to go into the (view spoiler)[mouth of the tortoise (hide spoiler)]. I felt that. I don't know why I felt it so hard, I was eating when I got to that part and immediately thought it was a bad idea. It reminded me of when I read What Moves the Dead and the strong reaction I had to those descriptions of just the mushrooms, not to mention other things.

(view spoiler)[I wanted to kick Red's ass for how he treated Julie and was sad when we lost Bran. (hide spoiler)]

And last, but not least it was action packed. I also listened to the Graphic Audio which was awesome.

I can't even remember when I read the first book, but I figured now was a good as time as any to continue.

Selection Post
Shelf #11 ~ 17 July: U - "Umbrella" or UF
Book: Magic Burns
How it fits: GR UF List
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 261

Completion Post
Shelf #Shelf #10 ~ 10 July: C - "Clean" or cyberpunk
For "clean", clean off your TBR shelves and read a book published 2 or more years ago
Book: The Vanishing
How it fits: On my tbr since 01/19/2023, Published January 7, 2020
Pages: 294
Finished: 07/15
Rating: 3 stars
Review: The story opens with Catalina and her friend Olivia witnessing a murder and then having to run for their lives and hide form the person who committed the crime. No one in town believed that this was true though, so nothing became of it.

Years later the young women have opened a private investigation firm, using their psychic abilities to help solve their cases. Things are going great until Olivia disappears.

At the same time Slater is sent by his uncle to request Catalina's help on a project. Slater too has psychic abilities. They soon find out that they need one another, since it looks like what Slater needs investigated and Olivia's disappearance is connected.

Selection Post
Shelf #Shelf #10 ~ 10 July: C - "Clean" or cyberpunk
For "clean", clean off your TBR shelves and read a book published 2 or more years ago
Book: The Vanishing
How it fits: On my tbr since 01/19/2023, Published January 7, 2020
Pages: 294

Completion Post
Shelf #9 ~ 3 July: P - "Pruning" or paranormal romance
For PNR, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR PNR or SOS PNR
Book: No Rest for the Wicked
How it fits: On the GR PNR List
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 384
Finished: 07/13
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I read this years ago and rated it 5 stars. Not sure what my thoughts were then since I didn't actually write a review. I still really loved it this time around, but not so much that it will be 5 stars this time.

However, I did have more of an emotional connection this time around due to Sebastian. I had completely forgotten that he and Conrad didn't wish to be turned, but their wishes were denied.

When we met him here it's a few hundred years later and he's been avoiding Nikolai and Murdoch and doesn't know where Conrad is. Then this tough as nails Valkyrie comes to kill him and he realizes that he's found his Bride, or rather she's found him.

Kaderin is shocked to realized that she's a vampire's bride and that he has awoken her feelings after all the years. A vampire who is the one being in the lore that she really hates.

They have a lot to overcome to be together, and Sebastian fights so valiantly for her to want to be with him. Plus, they are dealing with the obstacles outside of their relationship with the Hie.

It's going to be interesting if/when they rescue Furie to see how things will go since we now have two Valkyries wedded to vampires.

Selection Post
Shelf #Shelf #10 ~ 10 July: C - "Clean" or cyberpunk
For "clean", clean off your TBR shelves and read a book published 2 or more years ago
Book: What Moves the Dead
How it fits: On my tbr since 10/11/2023, Published Jul 12, 2022
Pages: 165

Thank you! I read it years ago, the first time I was reading the series, and then I stopped at around book 5 or 6, so I decided to start over since the series has come a long way since then.

And can I just say that you were very tenacious in your search, I probably would have given up. 😂

Selection Post
Shelf #9 ~ 3 July: P - "Pruning" or paranormal romance
For PNR, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR PNR or SOS PNR
Book: No Rest for the Wicked
How it fits: On the GR PNR List
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 384

Shelf #9 ~ 3 July: P - "Pruning" or paranormal romance
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "Pruning", read a book in a series you've started, but let get away from you (more than 3 books in the series left TBR) or a book you put on your TBR list a year or more ago

* For PNR, read a book found on one of these shelves:
GR PNR: https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
or
SOS PNR: https://www.goodreads.com/group/books...

Completion Post
Shelf #7 ~ 19 June: J - "Jasmine" or jacket
For jacket, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR cover love or SOS cover-leather-lace
Book: Catching Fire
How it fits: On the GR Cover Love List
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 391
Finished: 07/01
Rating: 5 stars
Review: t's been years since I read this book and I still love it. Of course, now I know the answers to my questions, but I found after all these years later, even with seeing the movies several times, there were several things that I had forgot so it's still had a level of newness. Even if that wasn't the case, I still would have enjoyed it.

There are times when I want to shake Katniss and tell her to open her eyes and think smarter, but at the same time we all know that she acts based on her emotions and she is a protecter. We know she makes better decisions when she has to act on instinct. Which is why it makes sense that she isn't made completely aware of what's going on around her.

I also think that Haymitch has her number better than anyone else in these books. I often wonder if it's because he sees himself in her. It's going to be blast finally getting his story next year to see if their personalities are similar when he isn't numbing his demons with alcohol.

No matter what anyone says, I absolutely love Peeta and how earnest he is with his love of Katniss even if he doesn't believe she could ever feel the same. He gives her his love and devotion with no expectations.

I should start and finish my Week 7 book by the next call

Completion Post
Shelf #8 ~ 26 June: Q - "Quicken" or queen
For "Quicken", read a recently released book you've been waiting for impatiently or a quick, light read (a book with 200-299 pages)
Book: Dead Until Dark
How it fits: Quick, light read less than 299 pgs
Pages: 292
Finished: 06/29
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This reread is due to the fact that I never got past book 1 of my last reread and that was about 4 yrs ago. This time around I have distanced myself from the tv series because I haven't watched it in a while. However, I did think about it a bit this time just in the sense that the show was good for what it was (the seasons that I watched), but it still didn't hold a candle to the books and that's fine.

There were some small things that I had forgotten, but I did remember the important things. Reading this now with the knowledge of how the series ended (which I didn't read because I was upset with after reading spoilers), I can actually see how Sookie could possibly end up with the person she ends up with in the end. We'll see if I feel that way by the time I get there.

I know this is supposed to be set in a fictional town in Louisiana (actually in an area not far from where I live), but I did think Charlaine was a bit over the top with all "the blacks" and "the whites" and "the coloreds." It wasn't used often, but I kept thinking if you have to differentiate race why can't you just say, "black people" or "white people." This didn't offend me, but it did annoy me. I guess I didn't notice before. However, if I heard someone say it in real life it would piss me off.

Still, that didn't take away my full enjoyment of this story.

I love that Sookie is more than what everyone thinks she is, and that she's brave enough to fit for the people and things that are important to her. I love that she doesn't let these more powerful being just run over her, even if she has a healthy dose of fear at the same time. I really like the relationship she and Bill were building and kept wondering (because I've forgotten) what things end up affecting their relationship.

Selection Post
Shelf #8 ~ 26 June: Q - "Quicken" or queen
For "Quicken", read a recently released book you've been waiting for impatiently or a quick, light read (a book with 200-299 pages)
Book: Dead Until Dark
How it fits: Quick, light read less than 299 pgs
Pages: 292

Completion Post
Shelf #6 ~ 12 June: (Spring) "Forward" or fae
For "forward", read a book in a series you've already started (book #2+)
Book: Not Your Ex's Hexes by April Asher
How it fits: Supernatural Singles #2
Read book 1 Not the Witch You Wed on 05/15
Pages: 343
Finished: 06/21
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I really liked the closeness of the Maxwell triplets. It's one of the things that had me coming back for more in this series.

Rose is a bit directionless after spending most of her life getting prepared to become prima. Now that Violet has come into her powers, she doesn't have to worry about that anymore.

During this time of transition, she meets Damian. Damian who is hexed by an ex, so if he falls in love his demon takes control (or something like that). They have a moment together and don't expect to see one another again, but alas they are in the same friend circle

*I wondered how they thought they were going to avoid each other with Damian being friends with Lincoln who is mated to Violet (the oldest triplet). That didn't make sense.

Anyway, they are now in one another's orbit for more than one reason because Rose is given community service at his animal sanctuary.

I really like both characters, I just wish there had been more of the hunting. That was the most fun thing about this story to me. The rest was pretty predictable, but fun.

I wanted to read that to, but my library doesn't have it available on Libby yet.

Selection Post
Shelf #7 ~ 19 June: J - "Jasmine" or jacket
For jacket, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR cover love or SOS cover-leather-lace
Book: Catching Fire
How it fits: On the GR Cover Love List
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 391

Competion Post
Shelf #5 ~ 5 June: S - "Spring Break" or shifter(s)
Book: Demons Do It Better
How it fits: On GR Shifters list
https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...
Pages: 296
Finished: 06/13
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Sam and Gideon meet at a bar on the same day that Sam has an interview for a new job. The hit it off and have a wonderful sexy night together.

When Sam goes in to his first day of work, who is one of the employees? Gideon, who basically looks at him like he's crap on the bottom of his shoe.

Now it's 5 yrs. later and Sam has proven himself as being indispensable at his job and is being offered a promotion to a higher-level team. And guess who is on the team. You got it...Gideon.

How will Sam cope with working with his one-night stand that treated him horribly afterwords?

I really enjoyed this story. When I read, "I work for Lucifer" I wasn't expecting this book to be as multi-layered as it turned out to be. It was funny, but also had a level of suspense. It could have been a non-paranormal story and still been good, but I liked the supernatural aspects and explanations.

I don't know how any other character is going to top Sam. He was just so fun and hilarious.