FL1: Team #2 ~ 2 Read or Not 2 Read

[Dragana]

Ezinwanyi~Mord'Sith wrote: "I got the Cynsters on audio and I couldn't get into it, so last month I got it on my kindle. I am hoping reading it would make it more interesting...but after your review, I am wondering about that decision..."

Give it a try - I think a couple of first ones from Cynsters series were very good.
When Beauty Tamed the Beast is my fav E.James book. - the best in that series you should definitely check it out.

[[deleted user]]

Just a little shout out to Josie is The Best Intentions the book you decided to go with?

[[deleted user]]

I'm starting my book today, it's snowing outside and I might end up with a snow day from work so it seems like the perfect time to start :)

[Josie]

Yes thank you Kat! Here is my review :)



Title/Author: The Best Intentions by Candice Hern
Date finished: 17th March
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I liked it, it was an enjoyable book. I was going to go for a rating around 3.5 stars but I read it quick and all at once so I rounded it up. It's a sweet historical romance so don't go expecting a life changing book - I imagine it's more of an easy-read, one you'd choose if you wanted to break up some heavy reading. This is the third book (though one was a short I think) I've read from the author and I've liked every one of them so I will definitely read more by her.

[[deleted user]]

I'll finish my book by noon time tomorrow, Work has been a pain in the butt this week :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I finished my book, I'll be back soon to share my review. :)

Hope everyone's doing well!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sandra wrote: "LMAO. As long as you don't look like Picard you'll be OK."

;D

[Ezi]

ready for next book!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

A Stacy Justice Mystery #1 by Barbra Annino
Space: Orange
Read: 22 March
Rating: 3★
Review:
Opal Fire tells the story of Stacy Justice, an investigative reporter and reluctant witch. The book opens with a fire at Stacy's cousin's bar, the Black Opal. When her cousin is accused of arson she's determined to find out what really happened. The baddie wasn't obvious, which isn't always the case with paranormal mysteries.

Parts of the story made me think of Practical Magic. Stacy is a witch, but practices only because of her aunts.

The story is a mystery/thriller with heavy sprinkles of humor throughout and a touch of romance. Cinnamon, Stacy's cousin, was a hoot. Cinnamon hated chipper. She wrapped Chipper up in duct tape, pounded nails into it and used it to beat the crap out of Perky.

It's always a happy bonus when a freebie is an enjoyable read.

Favorite line: That was the casualty of life in a small town. People scoop into your business then hand out cones to anyone who asks for a lick.

[[deleted user]]

Great review Steph, I got Opal Fire as a freebie glad to hear that it was enjoyable :)

I'm right in the middle of my book I plan on doing a lot of reading this evening and I'll finish it up in the morning, So far I'm really enjoying it :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Thanks, Kat. It's always nice bonus when we enjoy one we got for free. :) Hope you enjoy the rest of yours too.

[[deleted user]]

Let the Sky Fall by Shannon Messenger
Finished: March 23
Rating:4 stars
Space/Color: 113 Orange

Review:Not a bad start to this new series, It has an interesting and original new supernatural element that was a refreshing break from the normal vampires, werewolves and angels that have been taking over the YA genre lately. I don't want to really say anything about the story line because it is the fun of finding this little gem that will make checking it out worth it :)

The story was a bit slow to start but once you got about a quarter of the way through the action started to pick up and then the roller coaster ride took off from there. I'll definitely check out then next book in the series.

[[deleted user]]

Ok all our Reviews are in

Week 8
StephB:Opal Fire ~ Barbra Annino(Mar 22, 3★)Review
Ezinwanyi:Nightwalker ~ Jocelynn Drake(Mar 18, 2.5★)Review
~♥ Kat ♥~:Let the Sky Fall ~ Shannon Messenger(Mar 23, 4★)Review
Josie:The Best Intentions ~ Candice Hern(Mar 17, 4★)Review
Dragana:And Then She Fell ~ Stephanie Laurens(Mar 18, 3★)Review

[[deleted user]]

Ok a link to our reviews have been posted now it's just a couple more hours before the next draw, I hope we get a good color I've got a book for each color that I really want to read :D

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Yay! Ready for the next card. I'll hold off starting anything until I find out what color we get. Happy Weekend, teammies! :)

[Dragana]

Just finished my book. Now I only have to hold on and not start anything else before the card is pulled. :)

[[deleted user]]

Ok ladies, this week we drew

Card:5 of Hearts
Space/Color: 118 purple

[Josie]

I think I'll go with either or - probably the second one since it's more purple, I'm planning on reading both anyway :)

Happy reading team!

[[deleted user]]

I'm going to go with since I enjoyed the first book

[Ezi]

I will be reading

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Purple! I'll read or for this spot. Happy reading, team!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hey guys, the first is purple enough wouldn't ya say? Looked okay until I saw it next to the other. Thoughts?

[Ezi]

Steph wrote: "Hey guys, the first is purple enough wouldn't ya say? Looked okay until I saw it next to the other. Thoughts?"

The first one looked navy-ish too me. Perhaps you should ask the mods

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Steph, its purple enough ;)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Woot woot! Thanks, boss. ;)

[Ezi]

Well then is this book purple enough too?


I thought it looked more navy-ish like Steph's book but I will let you tell me Sandra.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

It's purple with a touch of blue Ezi :)

[Ezi]

Sandra wrote: "It's purple with a touch of blue Ezi :)"

Alright!!! Thanks Sandra

[Dragana]

Nice picks team. :) I am going to read .

[Ezi]

Week Eight - Card: 5 of Hearts
Space/Color: 118 purple



Book: Wounded by Jasinda Wilder
Finished: 3/24/13
Rating & Review: ★★ ½
Hmmm, I didn't hate this story, but I didn't connect with it either. It is a love story between an American Marine and an Iraqi woman. It was recommended to me as a buddy read, I tried it---it's not my cuppa!

I don't want to tell much about the story but I will say it's not a story that I care to read again. The writing was pretty average. I don't like for my authors to tell me who to like and dislike...well, I prefer if they are subtle about it. They should do it in a way where I think I am the one in the drivers seat, even if I am not.

What I didn't believe is the way everyone both the Iraqi people and the American people just fell in line. With a war going on, I doubt that people would just help her, help a hurt american GI even if she gave them great payment. Also, I know his army buddies support and care for him, but not to the point of helping him secure this relationship during this intense time.
I guess you take love where you find it and hope the people around you would support you regardless, i just don't know how realistic this one was.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I finished mine too; review to come soon. :D

[Josie]

Snap!

[Josie]

Title/Author: Serpent's Kiss by Thea Harrison
Date finished: 25th March
Rating: ★★★
Review: Gah! This book confused me!

Some parts I really liked, some parts I didn't so I think I'm going to have to make a list. I'm probably going to spoiler everything so I can just speak my mind.
(view spoiler)[
Things I liked:
~ I thought perhaps Carling would be a problem for me but she wasn't. I did like her as a heroine though she seemed completely different to the Carling we saw in SH, which was a bit disappointing. I wanted her to be the powerful sorcerer and Vamp Queen who stopped everyone with just her voice.
~ I did like the whole time-thing (apart from the weird bit at the end where I assume Rune found the key to time-travel which wasn't discussed) with Rune visiting Carling in the past. Though I'm not sure how happy I was with him altering her life but whatever I guess.

Things I didn't like:
~ I just couldn't connect to Rune, he was *whispers* a little flat. And a lot dumb. I mean he's supposed to be as old as the Earth itself and yet the whole Oracle scene where he started shouting at Python, I was just like JUST SHUT UP AND LISTEN!! He just didn't seem to have the whole long-lived feel like Dragos had. You can't just say a character is that old and then make them like any normal human 20-30 year old. Also, the whole not-being-friends-with-Dragos-thing was so stupid. He must have been through so much with him yet he doesn't trust him suddenly and cuts him out. He acted in a much worse way towards Tiago in SH and both Tiago and Niniane forgave him, so I think Rune was being a bit hypocritical and childish.
~ Carling is over a thousand years old, knows not to trust Rhoswen, but still gets stabbed?
~ Rune dressing Carling up and putting make-up on her. Erm, yeah. Since when has Rune ever put make-up on someone? He's a fighter, a primal beast but apparently he's one which can highlight great bone structure. Please! Even if I could swallow that (which I can't), I found it so uncomfortable. Surely this confident, powerful woman who'd lived for so long already knew how to make the best of herself - plus ideally shouldn't he be wanting to see her natural beauty and encourage her to stay that way?
~ I guessed what the "cure" was straight away, I have no idea why it took them so long. The old vampires stop drinking blood and then go mad... hmmm, it's a mystery...
~ The pacing was a bit rubbish. The beginning dragged on (as well as some parts between her episodes) and all the action happened in the last 30 pages
~ I didn't feel the connection or love between Rune and Carling. The HEA was a bit off as well. I understand Carling had to sacrifice certain things but I was a bit saddened with the loss of her power. I know I shouldn't but I kind of felt like it was saying: women can't have power and love.
(hide spoiler)]

Okay so it's definitely easier to list the things that I disliked but it wasn't all bad. I'm looking forward to the next book because of the next pair, maybe it was just my mood where I couldn't let things go for this one. I will keep going with this series.

[Ezi]

I am reading it now Josie. I so love Rune but keep hearing his book is not good

[[deleted user]]

Man, You guys are fast!

[Dragana]

~♥ Kat ♥~ wrote: "Man, You guys are fast!"

Ditto. Fast and great reviews. I'm still only 10% into mine. :)

[[deleted user]]

I'm about a third of the way through my book and I'm enjoying it. I'll probably finish mine by Thursday :)

[Ezi]

Dragana wrote: "~♥ Kat ♥~ wrote: "Man, You guys are fast!"

Ditto. Fast and great reviews. I'm still only 10% into mine. :)"

I started mine immediately after i chose the book.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Josie, now ya get what I was referring to about that one. I really enjoyed it and liked them both, but yeah, (view spoiler)[he wasn't like he was in previous books. (hide spoiler)]

Great reviews, ladies! Here's mine for the week.

PS: If you liked Jeaniene Frost's 1st Night Prince book, you'll love the 2nd! :D Just finished . Now, to figure out which to start next ... so many excellent authors had books come out yesterday. So hard to choose.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Angels of the Dark #2 by Gena Showalter
Spot: Purple
Read: 25 Mar
Rating: 4★
Review:

I was thrilled to discover that Gena's angel of choice for Beauty Awakened, the second book in her Lords of the Underworld spin-off series Angels of the Dark, would focus on Koldo because throughout the first book (Wicked Nights) I was fascinated by this wingless Sent One. In this regard, she did not disappoint. Koldo's past is as scarred as his back and his happiness is well-deserved.

His father had promised to remove a finger for every sign of weakness he exhibited. And when he ran out of fingers, he had been told he would lose his hands, his feet ... his arms and his legs.

His father had tortured him for eleven years.

His mother's acts were equally vicious and her constant verbal abuse only added salt to the wounds she inflicted. In fact, it was his abhorrence of Cornelia, his mother, that landed him in Zacharel's Army of Disgrace.

When he sees Laila Lane and her twin Nicola in the hospital, he sees an opportunity for atonement; something he sometimes craved, but not something he deserved. Little does he know Nicola will provide him with the acceptance and love he's always wanted, but never received.

There was a strong religious theme throughout the book, which is the only reason for my 4 vs. 5-star rating. A bit sprinkled here and there in a book - okay. More than that I feel like I'm being preached to.

[Josie]

Steph, yeah I completely get what you were saying. I hope the next one is awesome!

is out? So late of me! Good to see you liked it though!

[Dragana]

The Shadowed Sun by N.K. Jemisin
Read: 28.03.2013.
Rating: ★★★★★
After reading The Killing Moon (book #1 at series) who had a tough start with large infodump, I was wary to continue this series and delayed reading The Shadowed Sun for almost a year. Boy, I am so sorry now. This book was so good I could not let it out of my hands. You know when you move your Kindle with you from room to room, so whenever you have a little bit of free time you will jump in and continue reading? Yeah, I was hooked that bad.
I don't know how to begin and describe it, everything is so original. It's set in fictional world. Culture is mix of egyptian, african and we have dream-based magic added to the mix. There is intrigue, romance, realistic characters... I loved the characters, world, setting ... everything and would not change one letter in it!
Sorry if my review is not very helpful I am still riding that just-read-awesome-book high. :)

[[deleted user]]

wow, everyone's done but me I only have another 50 pages left to read so I'll be done today sometime :)

[Josie]

Great review, Dragana - I've never heard of the author so off to check them out :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Dragana, sounds like both books are fantastic epic fantasy. Regina did a great review of #1 as well.

Ride that great book high for as long as you can ....

[[deleted user]]

by Maureen Johnson

Read: Mar 29,13
Rating:4 stars

Review:OK so I waffled between 3.5 and 4 stars for this book and decided I go with 4 just because the ending really made up for the slow start to this book.

The first book The Name of the Star was and enjoyable read and I have to say that book 2 was a pleasant step up I'm really starting to connect to these characters and with an ending like this(total chiffhanger) I will definitely be going to pick up book 3 when it comes out.

What I enjoy most about this series is that it takes place in London, England and through out the story you get little tidbits of English history, not to mention that her descriptions of the locations are fantastic.

I have a feeling this series is just starting to build up to something great and if each book continues to build like this one did I think we could be in for an exceptional ending to the series when it happens.

[[deleted user]]

OK all our reviews are in, I'm going to go post our Review link now so we'll be all ready for tomorrows draw :)

Week:9
StephB:Beauty Awakened ~ Gena Showalter(Mar 25, 4★)Review
Ezinwanyi:Wounded ~ Jasinda Wilder(Mar 24, 2.5★)Review
~♥ Kat ♥~:The Madness Underneath ~ Maureen Johnson(Mar 29, 4★)Review
Josie:Serpent's Kiss ~ Thea Harrison(Mar 25, 3★)Review
Dragana:The Shadowed Sun ~ N.K. Jeminsin(Mar 28, 5★)Review

[Steph, Serious series addict]

WTG, Teamies! All great reviews. Sorry you didn't care for yours, Ezi. Maybe next week's read will be better.

[Josie]

Yay! Go team! Looking forward to the pick tonight :)

[Josie]

I'm off to see The Host today - anyone else seeing it?