SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Finished demon shelf

July 26/12
4.5 stars

This spinoff from the Demonica series is fantastic. Great plot and storyline, action, romance and hot sex. What more could you want? You also get a little glimpse of your favorite characters from the Demonica series.
Ares, a.k.a. War, is running out of time. His brother, now known as Pestilence, seal has been broken and he is wreaking havoc worldwide. Trying his hardest to start the Apocalypse, he is seeking Ares's agimortus. All Pestilence needs to do is break one of his siblings seals and the four horsemen will ride, destroying the world. When Cara's neighbor brings a wounded animal to her door she uses her unique healing ability on it, earning a great big kiss of gratitude from the creature. Little did she know that she just received a Hell Hounds kiss and has been thrown into the Otherworld, now bound to the pup.As Ares chases down a fallen angel who holds his agimortus their two worlds collide. The agimortus is transferred to Cara, a human whose body cannot handle the brand and will die within days and ultimately break Ares's shield. It's a race against time, and their growing passion for each other, to find another fallen angel to take the brand and the only known weapon that can stop a horseman, the dagger Deliverence.
Ares's siblings were intensely interesting and I can't wait for their stories. It was also great to see some familiar faces from the Demonica world and get updates on their lives and some happy news. The world itself runs parallel to the Demonica series and is introduced wonderfully with Ione's superb writing style but doesn't bore old fans. You receive a more in depth look into the demon world, Sheol, and the Four Horsemen prophecy. The plot is suspenseful with plenty of action to keep you entertained and romance that is steamy and emotional.
This book keeps you hooked until the very end.

Finished ghost shelf

4 stars july 24

Very fun read. Interesting characters and a spin on all things paranormal. She raises shades, not zombies.
She is a female main character that is easily relatable to, her sense of humor and attitude make the dialogue entertaining and fun. A real page turner since the concept is fresh and exciting.

Set in a near-future where magic has reappeared and the Fey have come out of the proverbial closet, Alex Craft is a grave witch who able to raise the shades of the dead, making them visible to others. She is about to embark on the most difficult task of her career; be the first grave witch to raise a shade to testify in court. It will be a landmark change for her industry and has made her a target.

This is more of a murder mystery than many other offerings in the urban fantasy field, and it holds up well. Yes, it is somewhat formulaic and some sections could use a touch more editing, but overall it is engaging, funny, well-written, and action-packed. The romance is dealt with deftly, the myriad of threads all weave together well and the world is distinct and fully-formed.

Nice job Zina

I finished my Demon shelf book today (7/28) and gave it 2 stars.

Review:
This is kind of a chic-lit paranormal romance. The characters are likeable and the plot is fairly fluffy. Lucy tends to get distracted from the main goal fairly easily, although some of it could be due to her new status as a partial succubus. Rafe tends to take a backseat to others for most of the story. Lucy's friends are a blast, but I think her aunt is my favorite, love the disguise. Rafe's familiar is a chimp, which is unusual. All in all, not a bad book but I don't know if I'll continue with the series.

Since the ghost shelf is no help to our Bingo chances currently, I think I'm going to wait and see what the new shelf will be before picking my next book. Here's hoping it is one that will help us (we've got 6 shelves that will give us a chance at the fourth stamp).

You guys are on fire. I'm almost done with my demons book.

I am done with my ghosts book and halfway done with my demons book. I will post reviews later today.

I'm going to read for the Urban Fantasy shelf. Yay, I've been waiting a couple weeks for a shelf to be called that had this on it.

I was just coming on to say the next shelf was Urban Fantasy. I don't know what I'll use for it yet. I'm leaning towards a Harry Dresden book.

ETA: actually I might read: instead.

I just noticed that if we get the Urban-Fantasy shelf done quickly we will have 4 in a row. We'd just need dragons to be called to have a bingo.

I am reading for the urban fantasy shelf

Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake



Shelf: Ghosts
Date: 7/27/2012
Rating: 3 Stars

I thought this book was OK. I didn't love it, but it kept my attention. It has been a while since I read a ghosts books so it was fun to read something different. I don't think I will read the next one.

I ended up abandoning my demons book. I tried, but I just could not get through it. Instead of picking another one right away, I am going to do urban fantasy first since that will give us four in a row. I will be back with my choice!

Darn. The Kindle book I wanted to read for urban fantasy is only 140 pages. Now I have to pick something else.

Kim L wrote: "I ended up abandoning my demons book. I tried, but I just could not get through it. Instead of picking another one right away, I am going to do urban fantasy first since that will give us four in..."

It doesn't matter which shelf you read first, they are both in the row to get 4 stamps.

Unless I'm missing something demons only gives us 3 in any direction. But it's still a good one for us. It's in a diagonal with U-F and free space and gives us 3 out of five with shifters & fave series.

Since demons is a good one for us too, I'm going to stick with my demons audiobook and pick something in print for U-F and try to have them both done by the next shelf call. I'll have any shelf reviews updated by then too. We aren't ready for another stamp request so I'm not going to worry about updating reviews tonight and start a UF book instead.

So kind of wondering what's up with Jen. She hasn't posted since that last shelf call or what she's reading for the last 3 shelves.

Should I message her or just assume she's reading and just hasn't had time to post?

I'm going to read Deadlocked for the UF shelf. But I think I'll start it tomorrow. I'm tired and I think I'll listen to some more of my demons book while I do the dishes and get ready for bed.

Mary wrote: "So kind of wondering what's up with Jen. She hasn't posted since that last shelf call or what she's reading for the last 3 shelves.

Should I message her or just assume she's reading and just hasn..."

I would send her a message. The rules say you have to check in at least once a week.

Mary wrote: "Unless I'm missing something demons only gives us 3 in any direction. But it's still a good one for us. It's in a diagonal with U-F and free space and gives us 3 out of five with shifters & fave ..."

No, you're right, I don't know what I was thinking...

:}

Ok I just sent Jen a message asking her to update even if she hasn't finished any books recently. Hopefully she's just been on vacation or hasn't had time to post but has been reading her books for this.

I started my Urban Fantasy book and plan to have it finished before the weekend. I only hope if the Dragon shelf is called we aren't in a race for 1st as I'll be at a conventional all weekend and don't foresee any reading time.

I am sorry I been MIA ladies. I have been sick and just feeling icky. I have been doing some reading though! LOL

Jotting down my Demon review and it should be up within the hour and I never did find a ghost book but will plunder again for one but as Mary mentioned think I will concentrate more on the Urban Fantasy one for now so I need to choose it for sure.

(((Hugs and Love}}} to all of you and thanks for not giving up on me!

Thanks for checking in Jen. Sorry you have been feeling poorly. Yeah right now the ghost one doesn't do much for us. But demons and u-f are good ones for us.

I started Deadlocked today but only read about 35 pages so far. I will try to read more tonight but I have a dinner date and Top Chef Masters is on so I might not. I wish I had it with me because I'm alone at work, I've run out of work to do but have to stay another 30m to answer the phone.

Demon Book Review

Sweet Evil by Wendy Higgins
Rated 3 Stars
Finished 7/29/12

I really thought I would enjoy this book more than I did. I was all hyped up but had to push myself to complete it. It's not at all because it was a "bad" book because it would not be fair of me to say that. It's just I feel the biggest reason I had issues with it is because I never found myself able to relate to the characters or even like/feel anything for them.

Anna had to be the most naivest miss goody too-shoes I have ever read about and Kaidan was the bad bad boy who supposes to "show" Anna how to be "bad" And don't get me started on Anna's mom....I don't know many mother's who would let their 16-year old virgin daughter go cross country with a boy she just met and knew nothing about even if the circumstances were extraordinary.

I hope you are feeling better, Jen!!!

I am reading Monument 14 for my urban fantasy book.

JenniferJ wrote: "I am sorry I been MIA ladies. I have been sick and just feeling icky. I have been doing some reading though! LOL

Jotting down my Demon review and it should be up within the hour and I never did ..."

I hope you're feeling better?

Thanks all! I am feeling much better. Just had a nasty bout of Sinus infection which led into a horrendous toothache. (ouchy)

My Urban Fantasy is going to be

I am sure I am probably one of the last few on Earth not to of read it yet. lol

I haven't read it yet. I don't know if I will or not. DD loved it and wants me to read it.

Here's my demons book review:

4 stars 8/1/12

I docked this 1 star for her killing off a character I liked. I'm hoping she'll bring this person back. I mean they're angels right? They can bring him back! Otherwise it was another winner by J.R. Ward. I don't think I've read a book of hers that I didn't like so far. I love the concept of this series. I did think that the heroine was a little too quick to believe one of the bad guys over the hero. But given his family history it's somewhat understandable.

Well we actually just need 1 more for the demons shelf. But since U-F is such a good stamp for us, I'm all for Kim reading that one first. Of course we also need the randomizer to be kind to us as well and mean to all the other teams.

Mary wrote: "I haven't read it yet. I don't know if I will or not. DD loved it and wants me to read it."

The first book is worth reading, but it might be a good idea to stop after.

Diane wrote: "The first book is worth reading, but it might be a good idea to stop after."

I was just fixing to say I am about midways with reading it and loving it but you got me worried if I will want to continue with the next book now. lol

Jennifer - the second book is still pretty good, but it ends on a cliffhanger. I didn't really like the third book and liked it less the more I thought about it, but plenty of people loved it, so don't be too swayed by my opinion.

I just finished my book for the Urban Fantasy shelf today (8/2) and gave it 4 stars.

Review:
Nikki is tracking down a descendant of Anubis who is killing people with his jackals while dealing with a hostile Emma on the homefront and still trying to adjust to her new life. I really like this series, although I hope some of the other descendants in Anderson's group get some more air time as I'd like to know more about them. There is still the possibility of a triangle (view spoiler)[although so far Nikki has just made-out with Jamaal. But there is a vibe when she is with Anderson. (hide spoiler)]. I can't wait for the next book.

I finished my urban fantasy book. I will post the review tomorrow. Now, I am starting on my demons book - Every Other Day.

I thought I'd check out the competition to see what shelves give any of the teams a potential bingo. Doesn't mean they have all the stamps they need but I imagine if a winning shelf for them is called they'll do their best to get them all finished. There's only 1 team that's really behind on shelves (only 1 stamp). Most of the teams have pretty much all their stamps but U-F and maybe 1 other.

Male Lead-2 teams
New Series
Kick-Ass
Reader's Choice
Dragons (us)

Mary wrote: "I thought I'd check out the competition to see what shelves give any of the teams a potential bingo. Doesn't mean they have all the stamps they need but I imagine if a winning shelf for them is ca..."

Let's cross our fingers that dragons gets called tomorrow!!! :)

Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne



Shelf: urban-fantasy
Date: 8/2/2012
Rating: 3 Stars

There were parts about this book I loved and parts I didn't love so much so I ended up giving the book a 3. I loved the relationships between the different ages of the kids. The point of view was from a teenage boy so I had a harder time relating to it. I did get interested enough in the characters to read the next book.

I am changing my demons book to .

Urban Fantasy Review

Finished: 8/3/2012
Rating: 5 Stars

OMG I can't believe I put this one off for so long and yes it deserves every bit of the hype it got and far more than the 5 stars I have rated it! Non - stop action from beginning to end!

This book had me in tears at different parts and it had my mouth gaping open in others especially when I read about the end effect for the killed off players! I was like What? OMG?

The characters and storyline so Amazing I stayed up way into the morning to finish the book and I can't wait to dive into the next book.

I only have about 100 pages of my UF book left and will try to finish it tonight. Maybe even at work today as it's super slow. Glad I brought it with me since I've alreayd read 100 pages of it today.

I can't do the review links on my work computer. I think it's too outdated or something. I can do book links and such but it just will not let me link to a specific post. But I'll update any posted reviews tonight and get any stamp requests we end up eligible for in ASAP.

popped up as a freebie on Kindle today. I've already read it but I downloaded it anyway.

Thanks I have not read that so I grabbed it up to! :)

I am kinda worried about a dragon book. I want to be prepared but haven't found one yet. Anybody else got one lined up yet? I need idea's!

JenniferJ, have a look at the dragon challenge in the year long folder - The Year of the Dragon

JenniferJ wrote: "Thanks I have not read that so I grabbed it up to! :)

I am kinda worried about a dragon book. I want to be prepared but haven't found one yet. Anybody else got one lined up yet? I need idea's!"

I will probably read
or , but they are parts of series.

I will highly recommend . Or you could try or

My fav of those Diane listed is but I do like them all.

I will probably read either

or when dragons is called. I'm trying not to start another dragon series until I get up to date on these two.

If you have a Kindle, search the word Dragons under the Kindle search. There's a lot that are pretty cheap or free to borrow if you have Prime.

There's also the Eragon books but they're long. And the Dragons of Pern books by Anne McCaffrey. Not romance though.

I am going to read when dragons gets called.