SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Judithe wrote: "Suzanne...who is your profile pic? Such a sweet photo!"

Thanks! That's my daughter Sophia, she was born in March :)

JenniferJ wrote: "Yep headache is better thank gosh and I think I have us all updated to this point now but as always you ladies take a peeks and keep me straight! LOL

Suzanne the only one I was unsure of was what ..."

Yeah, I want to do River Marked for my free space, so I'm going to have to read Silver Borne in the very near future :)

My goal was to get caught up with the Mercy Thompson series by the end of the year because the next book comes out in February!!

Suzanne, why don't you read Silver Borne for Free Space and River Marked for one of the shelves? Unless Silver Borne isn't on the bookshelf?

It should be, I'll go check and as you weren't planning to read it for that, I'll add it if isn't there already. So you're good either way. LOL

ETA: It was already there ;)

Hi ladies just popped in a minute from my moms...my internet should be back fixed on Monday. They didn't get to me yesterday! :( GRRRRRR hate having to use somebody elses computer!

Oooh! I hate bad internet connections, JenniferJ. I'm a computer scientist, so I always feel like it's cutting off one of my limbs when I can't get my computer to do what I want it to do. Good luck! :)

Shelf = Favorite Author
Book Read = Sparks Fly by Katie MacAlister
Date Finished = 9/29/12
Rating = ★★★
Basic Review
I've been disappointed with the last few books I've read by Ms. MacAlister (mostly because I was soooo taken by her humor in some of her past works). Even though this particular one is listed as 3rd in a series, it is really more like book #10 in a trio of different series.

I was so disappointed with the first 1/2 of the book, I thought I would be rating it 2 stars. However, after some reappearances of some of my favorite humorous characters from Ms. MacAlister's other dragon books, I bumped my score back up to 3 stars.

I definitely recommend the Aisling Grey series if you haven't read that dragon series. I also liked the Silver Dragon series. This latest one, not-so-much.

For the newest shelf, Urban Fantasy, I think I'm going to try a book called Prey by Andrea Speed.

For the urban fantasy shelf: death's mistress (Dorina Basarab #2) by Karen Chance.

And I'm now over halfway in my free space read!!

So, if you haven't been over to the shelf announcement yet, here it is.

Shelf #3 ~ 9/30/12: 'urban-fantasy'
DIRECT LINK: urban-fantasy



Still trying to decide, though I may copy Belinda....have to see what actually is in the October challenges and try to get a two-fer!

Yep, caught me judithe!!! Death's mistress is also a sept buddy read :P but, hey, kills 2 birds with 1 stone!! Plus the 3rd on this series is out very soon!!

Belinda, so soon that it is in the mail to me right now. LOL.

LOL! I think I have it...

Jealoussssssss .......

I'm going to read Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between for the UF shelf. Still working on my favorite author book, will most likely finish today or tomorrow.

I'm finishing up a library book (had TWO that were about to expire! YIKES.) Then get my UF~have narrowed it down to these:

Beyond the Highland Mist by Karen Marie Moning
Shelf: Free Space
Date finished: 9/30/12
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: This may be one of the best books I have read so far this year! Let me tell you that shocks me because I don't usually read Historical Romances or books involving time travel. They are just not my thing ya know? but oh my gawd I fell head over heels in LOVE with Hawk but not at first mind you because we are led to believe he thinks he's God's gift to women but that is so far away from the Hawk I got to know.

I liked Adrienne almost the entire story thru but there were times when I wanted to smack her. She basically hates "pretty" men because she has been hurt so badly in her life and because of a spell that takes her into the past she is forced into a marriage to not only a man she doesn't even know but to a "pretty" one. Then he doesn't even show up for the wedding but instead sends somebody in his place to fetch her and bring her home where she is simply ignored until Hawk lays eyes on her and falls so hard for his new bride he'd do anything to make her his in every way.

They both have to work thru complications but I can understand her being afraid of getting hurt but not enough to ward off all men especially because they are pretty on the eyes and I kind of disliked Hawk and was angry when he didn't have the decency to show for the wedding because he didn't stop to think she was being forced into an unwanted marriage just like he was so why hurt her?

It was just a remarkable story and I adored it and look forward to devoruing more of Karen's books. I have heard so many great things about pretty much all her books that now that I have read this one I need more!!

Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Shelf: Favorite Author
Date finished: 9/28/12
Rating: ★★★
Review: Book Two was pretty good and I did find myself laughing up a storm yet again at poor Stephanie and her wild adventures of being a bounty hunter but I still dont think I found it to be as great as the first book was. It had action and adventure but it just wasn't as in your face as it was in One for the Money.

I think everybody needs a Grandma Mazur in their family! She was Stephanie's side kick for a huge portion of the story helping her scope out funeral parlors but she was a walking book of holy terrors for the morticians and mourners bless her heart what with knocking over caskets and pulling off dead people's fingers why wouldn't anybody love a woman like that? LOL

Ok ladies I am back and got us all updated to here. We are coming along quite nicely. We need 3 more reviews for Free Space and 2 more for Favorite Author and we can collect those 2 stamps. Yea!

Thanks for getting us updated Jen. Glad you enjoyed your two reads!

I finally finished up my favorite author book. A little disappointing, but still love the series as a whole.

Widow's Web
Finished 10/1/12
Rating: 3 stars

I heart this series. I truly do, but this one had me so irritated, I wanted to throw the book against the wall, and I almost didn't bother finishing it.

Was it the repetition? No, although Widow's Web is the first one where the endless recap bothered me. OWEN was the problem. Yes, that insanely awesome guy who accepted Gin for who she was, trusted her to resolve her issues with Donovan on her own, and always seemed so smart and rational. Yes, he was an issue.

Let's start at the beginning. Our latest villain is Salina, and the entire world sees her for the evilness she is, EXCEPT for Owen. I cannot tell you how much it bugs me when a character who has been shown to be seemingly intelligent all of a sudden can't look past a sexy smile to the conniving villain beneath the surface. She doesn't even make an effort to hide her evil tendencies to others. A few chapters in, you know exactly what's going to happen, and I just didn't care to see things go down like that. And yes, it all happened exactly as I thought it would. Stupid Owen. Things were going too well for Gin and him, so we needed to throw a vengeful ex in the mix? Also annoying.

Yet, I still give the book 3 stars. Things I liked:
1. The opening chapter was lots of fun.
2. The Salina storyline isn't going to be dragged out for 5 books like another past person.
3. We learn a bit about Owen's past and some of the people in his life. I might be mad at Owen right now, but his childhood links him to some interesting people I know we'll hear more from in the future.
But mostly, I still enjoy Gin and her world. She makes some tough choices, and she's got great friends to help her through the tough times. As I said, I do love this series, this storyline just wasn't my favorite.

Shelf = Favorite Author
Book Read = Prey by Andrea Speed
Date Finished = 10/1/12
Rating = ★★★★
Basic Review
This reminded me of a gay Anita Blake story, without the copious sex or vampires. There are lots of similarities. I enjoyed the book - it was actually two novellas in one novel, featuring the same set of characters.

I thought the take on shiftwrs having a virus was pretty interesting.

I liked the heros sarcastic and witty humor.

I was surprised there was barely any sex in it as it is part of the male/male genre.

About half-way through (and enjoying it a lot) my UF book. Finally decided on Crux.

Ok ladies updated to here. :) Got to go find something to cook for supper...getting hungry!

Sandra wrote: "Suzanne, why don't you read Silver Borne for Free Space and River Marked for one of the shelves? Unless Silver Borne isn't on the bookshelf?

It should be, I'll go check and as you weren't plannin..."

That sounds good to me Sandra! They'll all count for something :) I'm going to read Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews for the Urban Fantasy shelf.

Free Space: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Favorite Author: River Marked by Patricia Briggs
Urban Fantasy: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews

Suzanne, those are two of my favorite UF series!! Have fun reading :D

Ditto what Vivian said!

Triple what Vivian said!!

Quadruple what Vivian said! :-D

Haha, no pressure now to like the books ;)

your all set Suzanne! :)

Shelf = Urban Fantasy
Book Read = Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Date Finished = 10/3/12
Rating = ★★★★★
Basic Review =
No pressure at all! I think this was my favorite Kate Daniels book so far! I had a hard time getting into this series because the magic & tech waves were confusing but now I'm getting the hang it. The back story of Kate's lineage is interesting too!

I think the next book gets even better Suzanne so you're in for good times! It was book 4 that cemented my love for Kate. Up until that point, I was take it or leave it about the series *ducks for cover* Although I'm in the minority about the tech world building stuff. I was in love with the world and I had to figure out what book it was so I could continue the series later on.

I love mercy! She kicks a$$!!!! Those always go straight to the top of the to-read pile and never stay there long before their in my grubby hands :P

The Kate Daniels series I've read the first and got the others in my massive to read pile however I think I need to re-read the first before tackling them.

So far got about 100 pages of my urban fantasy novel left and so glad that the next is already out! I'll have to try to get it into a shelf read soon!
My other read for the free space still has about 200 to got but it is longer than what I normally read and I'm working around the other weekly shelves with this one however I don't think it'll take long to finish once I get the chance....

Just finished my shelf read for this week :)

Death's mistress by Karen chance
Finished: 5/10/12
Shelf: urban fantasy
Stars: 5

Review:
This series is going from strength to strength. I felt the first was a little all over the shop, particularly at the start during the info dump stage but this one flowed easily. Each chapter left me hanging to 'just read one more'. I'm still figuring out how dory and L-C's relationship ended up at the point that they are at but overall a well crafted read, I had no idea the killer would end up being the person it turned out to be and I had so many LOL moments with Ray.....or parts of him :P

Belinda, #3 is out this week, I haven't read it yet but I did hear that Ray was back. LOL.

Book: Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between
Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Finished: Oct 4, 2012
Rating: 3.5 stars

This book took me by surprise. I started off reading the story and kept thinking, "this has been done". Vampires, "V"humans drugging up with vamp blood, necromancers, heroine with attitude, blah blah. And what's with all the "shit kicker" business, the girl is a bartender in a big city, not a cowboy. But in the end, I really enjoyed the read.

Rhiannon is a flawed, likable character. The attitude in the beginning was a bit over the top crossing the line from snarky to plain old mean. But I give her points for mellowing out over time and actually opening up to people.

I don't know if this book adds anything super unique to the genre, but I enjoyed it and already looking to get my hands on number 2.

Need to change my free read. Not really feeling Sirantha Jax at the moment. Will figure it out over the next couple days, sorry for the delay ladies!

Finished my UF tonight...but not sure I can string together complete sentences! So, review in the next 24 hours, but definitely before the next shelf!

Crux by Moira Rogers
Shelf: Urban-Fantasy
Date finished: 10/5/12
Rating: ★★★★☆
Thoughts:

So many books, so little time! Which means this is a new series I bought last year...and am just getting around to.

Jackson Holt is a New Orleans private investigator. His friend and local bar owner, Nick, asks him to check into her new employee as she's worried about her.

That employee would be Mackenzie Brooks, who's on the run from a crazy (she thinks) stalker. Jackson rescues her from the dive she's been staying in, and Kenzie is "adopted" by the gang, which is very good as her stalker quickly shows up...again. It turns out he's not a psycho after all, and there is a whole other set of races that Kenzie is getting a crash course in.

The world is nice, but nothing spectacularly original. The characters are interesting, the pace is good and there is room for many more interesting cases/problems to overcome in future stories.

This is the second book I've read by Moira Rogers (the pseudonym for a writing duo), and have enjoyed both. It's not on my pre-order list (got a ways to catch up!) but will certainly be picking up more.

Updated to Here....

I am almost done with my Urban Fantasy Book and once I get my review posted I can put in for our stamp Yeaaaa! Great job all now just need to get my hiney in gear and get that review up! ;)

We're not doing to bad at all I don't think...Only 2 teams so far have completed every single shelf. (Teams 3 & 6)

After I put in for our Urban-Fantasy Stamp we only need one more review for Favorite Author and three more reviews for Free Space. :)

Have a great weekend ladies! We're going out to eat with my parents later today and go shopping...most folks shop for clothes ect....but I head straight for book racks! lmao My hubby always rolls his eyes and says before we leave home, "NO MORE BOOKS JENNIFER!" I don't see why he bothers cause he knows he can't look into these big brown puppy dog eyes and not be under my spell when I want books! lmao

Well... for our shelf this week, vampires, I am going to take advantage of the shelf to read a book I have to read for a challenge I am participating in.

Natural Instincts by S.J. Frost

Never tried anything by this author, so we'll see how it goes.

I have to admit that vampires are my least favorite paranormal creatures in literature (though they may be tied with zombies)

Oh, man! I can't decide!!!

Curse the dawn by Karen chance
Taken by midnight by Lara Adrian
Once burned by jeaniene frost

Or quickly finish the 1st morganville vampires book (70%) and read the second.....

Choices!! Choices!!!! Choices!!!!!!

Help me out ladies......

So bad at deciding....All enjoyable reads. Maybe you should have Mr. Randomizer decide! (I've done that before...pop the list in, and take the one he puts on top!)

Finished my free space read:

Book: feed by Mira grant
Finished: 7/10/12
Shelf: free space
Stars: 4 and half stars!!

Review:
Didn't score 5 stars due to the huge info dump in the first 1-2 'book' sections. Don't get me wrong it was informative and set the scene really well.
But what was the scene? Zombies? Post-apocalyptic? No. It was focused on a senator's presidential run and the three bloggers (journalists) who followed his campaign. The other stuff was still there, but the zombies weren't the main show.
It explores the relationship between georgia and Shaun, an adopted brother-sister who follow the news. At the start I found the relationship a little weird but as the book goes on you discover why it is that way - in that these two have come to utterly depend and trust each other in a world where one wrong move means you and/or the people you love can become reanimated.
During the last 150 pages things really upped the anti and it became a can-not-put-down read. Can't wait to read the second in this trilogy and highly recommend it!!!

Vampire shelf is perfect! Going to continue with The Renfield Syndrome. Just got it and super excited to get started :)

@Belinda - I liked Vlad's book by Frost. I recommend Once Burned. I always liked Vlad in the Night Huntress series, so it was fun to see him get a spin-off :)

I'm reading Death's Mistress for 'vampires'.

Ok. So I left the decision to my mr randomiser (hubby). I'm reading once burned by jeaniene frost :D

Love how hubbys come in all sorts of useful :)

LOL! Good choice (and method of choice!)

Have either of you read any of this series? Do they get ANY better?



Marked by P.C. Cast
Shelf: Favorite Author
Date finished: 10/6/12
Rating: ★★
Review: I have warm and cold feelings about Marked. It started out great because it was like it was a new spin on how to become a vampire by getting a mark by tracker instead of the cliche'd bite but then it's like that's all it talks about is Zoey's mark and how it is so far advanced from that of a regular fledgling.

So once you get Marked you must go off to this special school to go thru "the change" and Zoey is actually kinda glad to be leaving home to get away from her overly religious parents and selfish friends but still she is anxious and a bit afraid as I would have been.

And basically that's it. That's Marked in a nutshell in my opinion. I just really didn't get much out of the story beyond maybe the first coupla chapters then I quickly lost interest. Maybe I will give the second book a try but I am not in a hurry. :(