SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion

Congrats on the stamp Sultries!

This weeks shelf is: 2011

No Bingos this week :)

My choices for 2011 shelf are or

I told you so!

I'll have to do some research on this shelf. I'll be back tomorrow with my choice.

Wholy pages of book choices! I too will make my choice by tomorrow.

Yay for bingo continuing on!!

I will read for 2011 shelf.

Good shelf :) You can find almost any book on this list if digging far enough :)

I was hoping we would get Favorite Supe so we would at least get another 4 in a row.

I think that for this shelf I'll read

Yay for the game going on!
I will be back later with my choice of book.

For the 2011 shelf I will be reading

I will read for the 2011 shelf.

I finally decided on which book i'm going with it's gonna be

SHELF: 2011



Title/Author: Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Read for shelf: 2011
Date finished: Aug 20
Rating: ★★★★
Review: What an original concept! A hypochondriac heroine that joins a psychological hit squad? You can definitely say I've never read anything even close to that before.

Justine is funny, caring and nice but she has a big problem: she's a hypochondriac and she's obsessed that a vessel in her brain will explode and kill her. She's constantly reviewing symptoms, going to the ER to get herself checked, discussing medical procedures and her 'condition' is advancing. Then she meets Packard, a man who offers a reprieve from her hypochondria and all the fear. She doesn't like what she has to do but she figures she can get out easily enough but that meanwhile, she'll have the opportunity to be normal, which is what she's always wanted to be in her life.

Although Justine has tons of great qualities, she's not very easy to like. The hypochondria would drive anybody up a wall - and has pushed all her boyfriends and friends away - but she's also too naive. She hasn't realized that everything in life has a price, and the more you want something or the rarer it is, the higher the price. Honest people look at the price tag beforehand, decide whether they are willing to pay the price and live with the consequences. But Justine, alas, likes to deceive herself into thinking that she can have it all. But how could she think she would get the thing she wanted most in her life without giving up something?

That's why I didn't feel bad for her when she realized what she gotten up and didn't blame Packard at all - I actually still liked him a lot and would have done the same thing. She should have realized that you don't get into such a dangerous profession without asking LOTS of questions but like most people, she's not honest with herself and prefers to blame others.

I was surprised how things turned out at the end because I really didn't trust she knew what she was doing. Although things worked out at the end for her, I still think she's being dishonest with herself and needs to be disillusioned from all her fairy tales. I really hope this is where this is going because otherwise, I'd be really mad!

OK, here are our reads for the week!

BSB5 Week 9 (Aug 19 - Aug 25): 2011
Completed: 1 / 5
✔ D.G.: Mind Games - Aug 20 ★★★★ review
Jackie M: The Lost Saint
Kat: The Night Circus
Lauren: No Place to Run
Skandia: The Iron King

No Place to Run by Maya Banks
Shelf: 2011
Finished: August 20
4 Stars

Synopsis
Pregnant and on the run, Sophie Lundgren has no one to turn to except her baby's father, Sam Kelly. Following a short and intense affair while undercover, Same never expected to see Sophie again until she resurfaces with a dire warning that he is in danger. In order to neutralize the threat, Sam and Sophie must put aside their suspicions and learn to trust each other before it is too late.

Review
Vast improvement on book #1 both in terms of characterization and plot.

Sophie is an amazing heroine - courageous, resourceful and self-sacrificing. It is impossible not to respect and admire her. She doesn't take any crap from anyone and kicks butt even at 5 months pregnant.

Same is a captivating hero - a strong leader, loyal brother, loving son and protective lover. His scenes with Sophie are a mix of scorching hot and achingly tender, and his reactions to impending fatherhood are one of the highlights of the book.

The conflict between Sam and Sophie is based on issues of trust and while this is usually a plot device that grates on me, it is very well done here as it is consistent with both Sam and Sophie's characterization and the circumstances they find themselves in.

Although the plot is not the most original, it is suspenseful and the action scenes are well written and exciting. The twist at the end is a bit predictable but the climax and resolution very satisfying.

The secondary characters are fantastic and I'm looking forward to reading Garrett's book - there is something tortured about this stoney faced Kelly brother.

Great review Lauren! I bought... I think it's book 4 of this series some time ago not realizing it was part of a series until I did a little more searching on the author. I'm glad to see you enjoyed it I'll have to check out the rest of the series now, GR is so bad on my bank account...lol.

Sounds interesting!

Lauren - Do you think I could read this book without reading the first in the series?

GR is always very bad for my bank acount, Kat, but I can't seem to help myself, lol!

Yes, D.G. You can definitely read this one without reading book #1. The couple in the first book are mentioned and make an appearance but the plot is completely unrelated to their story.

The Lost Saint
Shelf 2011
Read 8/21/2012
3 stars

For me this book was up and down. There were times that I had to force myself to read because it just wasn't holding my interest. I am happy to say that the end of the book redeemed itself because I found myself not wanting to put it down.

In the beginning Grace is being trained by Daniel(her boyfriend) on how to control/use her new wolfish powers, then all of a sudden Daniel is growing distant and Grace is left to her own devices. It just seemed so strange to me that she just put up with the way Daniel was acting.

Grace's home life was like a train wreck, her mother is a useless weakling and her Dad is always gone supposedly looking for her missing brother, so that leaves Grace and her sister to look after their toddler brother.
Throw into the mix her missing brother calling her to warn her about trusting people. I don't know it was just a hot mess.

I thought I wasn't even going to give this book one star, but the ending really came through and oddly enough I want to read the third and final book.

The Iron King by Julie Kagawa
Shelf: 2011
Finished: August 21
3 Stars

16-years old Meghan discovers a whole new world and her true origin when her kid brother Ethan was kidnapped into the Iron Kingdom and she decides to bring him back.
I'm torn between liking the book or not liking it so much.
Weird mix of Alice in Wonderland, Shakespeare's Midsummer Night's Dream and Peter Pan, the story was a true blend between a classic fairytale and modern-day paranormal fantasy .
Faeries, ogres, goblins, harpies, satyrs, chimera – any mythological creature you can think of - you got it in this book. Sometimes it got too overwhelming and confusing, there was so much of everything Meghan had to fight against on her rescue mission.
I liked that the story was written very visually. Author did a really good job with describing the characters and the surroundings. I can imagine it would make a great movie.

I had every intention of reading The Night Circus for this weeks shelf but I got so caught up in another book I just happened to pick up that I'm going to use that one instead, Here is my review for:



Shelf for Aug 19th:2011
Book Chosen:Divergent ~ Veronica Roth
Date Read:Aug 21st,2012
Rating:4.5♥♥♥♥
Review:I've only read a few YA Dystopian novels and I have to say that this one is by far the best yet. Roth has created a world that draws you in with writing that had wonderful flow.

Her characters are very likeable and I love the relationship between the 2 main characters Tris and Four aka Tobis. Their relationship is sweet and sometimes harsh at the same time,I won't go in to details so you'll have to read the book to figure out what I'm talking about :)

Divergent is somewhat similar to The Hunger Games but only a little there is no fights to death but there is a far bit of violence in this book. I really enjoyed the read and ended up giving it a 4.5 out 5 stars i'm not really sure what held me back from that other half star but I will be definatley moving on to the next book in the series and soon.

Sorry for the last minute change but I totally couldn't help myself :)

Oh wow! Ready for the shelf already! WTG, Gals!

I'm going to an interview this morning - wish me luck! - so I'll be requesting our stamp when I get to work. :)

Good Luck with your Interview! I think we have the best team going for this round of bingo, so glad I decided to give this a try :)

Fingers crossed for your interview DG :)

Good luck DG.

We flew through this shelf! Way to go team!

Good luck D.G.
Crossing fingers for you!

I agree Jackie this was a great shelf for us, lots of great books to pick from even if I did change my mind :) I'm still reading The Night Circus and so far I'm really enjoying it, I just knew I would never get it finished before the next shelf was called

I have a feeling that the next shelf called will be the end of bingo there are just so many teams now set for so many different shelves. I think there might be only 1 or 2 shelves that could be called that wouldn't give anybody bingo but I think it's more likely a winning shelf will be called this sunday :( I don't want it end yet, this has been just so much fun!

Thanks ladies. :)

I think the interview went well BUT there are two things against me:
1. I'm the first person to be interviewed which means that even if I make a good impression, the interviewer may forget me by the time he interviews the next few candidates.
2. He barely let me get a word! The interview lasted 1 hr. and I think I barely spoke for 15 minutes. He told me A LOT about the position and the company - which was nice - but now I don't know if I made a lasting impression.

Anyhow, I haven't been in an interview for more than 4 years so I'm glad I got the practice even if I don't get the job.

Off to request our stamp!!

BSB5 Week 9 (Aug 19 - Aug 25): 2011
Completed: 5 / 5
✔ D.G.: Mind Games - Aug 20 ★★★★ review
✔ Jackie M: The Lost Saint - Aug 21 ★★★ review
✔ Kat: Divergent - Aug 21 ★★★★½ review
✔ Lauren: No Place to Run - Aug 20★★★★ review
✔ Skandia: The Iron King - Aug 21★★★ review

CONGRATULATIONS, Sultry Seventeen!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on '2011'.

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

Congrats on the stamp Sultries!

Thanks Steph & Sandra!

I'm looking what every team needs to win...I'm saving as I go! Hopefully I didn't miss anything!

Sultry 17: Can win with new series and male lead

Other teams that win with New Series
Team 1: Can win if new series is called but they don't have any of the other 4 stamps yet
Team 2: Can win with New Series
Team 12: Can win with New Series but needs 2011 first, can win with Psychic

Other teams that win with Male Lead
Team 7: Can win with Male lead
Team 16: Can win with Male lead, can win with PNR but needs Angels first

Rest of field...
Team 3: Can win with Sci-Fi Romance, can win with kick ass heroine
Team 4: Can win with Reader's Choice
Team 5: Can win with 'New to You Author' but needs Angels and Demons first
Team 6: Can win with PNR-Fantasy but needs 2011 first
Team 8: Can win with Vampires but needs 2011 first
Team 9: No new shelf gives win
Team 10: Can win with Vampires but needs 2011 first
Team 11: Can win with Dragons, can win with Dark Fantasy
Team 13: Can win with Psychic but needs 2011 first, could win with *Reader's Choice but needs *series catch up first
Team 14: No new shelf gives win
Team 15: Can win with Dark Fantasy but needs 2011 first
Team 18: Can win with Readers' Choice

So here's a rundown of the shelves left to be called. In parenthesis, are the number of teams that could win if that shelf is called.

paranormal-romance (1)
*Reader's Choice (3)
dragons (1)
male-lead (3)
new-series (4)
*New2You: author (1)
vampires (2)
paranormal-fantasy (1)
dark-fantasy (2)
sci-fi-romance (1)
psychic (2)
kick-ass-heroine (1)

I wouldn't expect a shelf to be called if only one team can win so we have a good chance that one of our shelves is called as there are 3 or 4 teams that could win if they are called.

That said, we are still left with two shelves that give nobody the win (magic and *favorite supe), so it could be that ones of those is called. Favorite supe would work out well for us as it give us another 4-in a row.

I have a book all picked out in case new series or male lead is chosen this week so I'll be able to jump right in and start reading :)

Ladies - I don't know if you remember that I had a second trip scheduled this month and just my luck that I'm leaving before the shelf is called tomorrow and then I'll be traveling for a good 24 hours. (Going to Manila)

I already have several books picked out that meet both the new series and male lead shelf and I already got a ruling from Steph re: the time I can start reading the book.

My first flight stops in Hong Kong so I'll be able to check in then and know whether we got a winning shelf or not.

Enjoy the trip D.G. the travelling Captn Hussy ;)

Enjoy your trip DG. I will fill in for you here.
I work this weekend (2nd shift) but I will check in on my phone and be on my computer at home Sunday morning.

Safe Travels D.G. and have a great time on your trip :)

I'll really try to enjoy this trip but I'm going on business and I'll be returning next Thursday - yup, 2 20 hr. trips in less than a week.

Anyhow, I'll be bringing my laptop so once I'm there I'll have Internet access but I think Jackie is still a good idea for you to cover for me, in case we need to request the shelf quickly and I'm not around! I'll be working US hours too (another great perk of this trip...NOT!) and I'll be having lots of meetings so I won't be as reachable as I'm in this office.

Have a great trip D.G.!

Thank you ladies!

I hope you are already chosen your new series and/or male lead books in case we get either shelf! I suggest that you don't pick a very long book so you can finish it faster. :) I'm sure that it'll be a race to the finish!

The two books I have in mind are on the longish side but then I can never sleep on planes much so I figure I should have something to distract me. :)

Ok ladies we got an early shelf announcement - a cat 4 typhoon is heading Steph's way so she figure she should post early - and the shelf is...

Magic

which happens to be one of the non-winning shelves. :)

Both the books I was planning to read for the male lead/new series also are in the magic shelf so I may read one of those anyway.

I will be reading for the magic shelf.

I'm going to be reading it's a re-read for me, I loved it so much the first time and I was planning to read all three again next month this just gives me an excuse to start early :)

I will read for the Magic shelf.

Good it was the non-winning shelf, I was offline this weekend and just got back to town.

I will read for the Magic shelf.

Once Burned
Shelf Magic
Read 8/26/2012
5 stars

This spin off book of the Night Huntress World is about Vlad and for me it did not disappoint.

Leila is a human who by a freak accident can channel electricity and learn dark secrets for a single touch. While practicing her routine for her traveling show she is kidnapped and thrown into a plot for revenge from any enemy of Vlad's.

I liked Lelia even though she did some stupid things. I thought she was a strong woman who didn't stop to feel sorry for herself and did the best she could when in sticky situations.

Vlad I really liked, he was a domineering alpha who is used to having things done his way or there will be hell to pay. I think him and Lelia make a good couple because she is not intimidated by him and he has a softness for her.

I will be reading the next in the series and Vlad has moved up to one of my favorite males.

Hello from the Phillipines! Here are our reads for the week!

BSB5 Week 9 (Aug 26 - Sep 1): Magic
Completed: 1 / 5
D.G.: Beautiful Creatures
✔ Jackie M: Once Burned - Aug 26 ★★★★★ review
Kat: The Summoning
Lauren: Dark Side of the Moon
Skandia: Evermore

Kat - I didn't see anything in the rules whether re-reads are allowed so can you confirm with Steph that you can do a re-read?