R7: Team #9 ~ AssaNINE Book Assailants

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats ABA!

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Sandra wrote: "Congrats ABA!"

Thanks Sandra!

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Team, I am headed away this weekend, but I should have WiFi where I am going. I will have my cell so I should be able to at least post minimum check-ins, or let you know if my laptop isn't working for some reason. If my laptop isn't working, I will let you know what the shelf is, but won't be able to post a link to it. Sorry!

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Heather ~ Marceline wrote: "I've had decent luck if I check out the WMA files for the audio rather than MP3 from Overdrive via my library. I haven't looked at SYNC at all so I didn't realize it was through Overdrive as well. Do you have a choice of WMA and MP3 files, or just MP3?"

Sorry for the delay. I'm not very computer savvy and it's been hit and miss for me. One of the problems I guess stems from the fact that I have a PC and the only Mac product is the iPhone. Secondly, it depends on the iOS updates (from iTunes and my phone)...sometimes it gets f*ck up. Maybe you can help me figure out what I'm doing wrong. I'm just going to write it down as I understand it.

Yes, Overdrive is used by SYNC and it only provide MP3 format.

Whenever I borrow from the library...only the MP3 format can be loaned directly from the app on my iPhone. Just from my library website and the Overdrive app on my phone. There is nothing easier. It does not even offer the WMA because it's not compatible.

If I want to borrow WMA files from the library I download it to my laptop with the Overdrive app (and use it to listen on my PC). The problem arise when I try to sync with my iPhone...it does not accept the WMA file.

Whenever I tried to transfer audiobook to my phone...I had to run the book through iTunes to change the file format so that iTunes recognize it and allow me to add it to my library....and try to sync the 2 Overdrive app for the transfer. Most of the time it never works right....it either sync only a chapter (and not necessarily the first one) or ends up somewhere I can't find it. Since there is a limited amount of times you can attempt a sync for a particular book...I always end up frustrated.

I would love to know how you manage to sync WMA files on your iPod, Heather.

[[deleted user]]

Shelf: Dystopian
Book: Mine To Possess by Nalini Singh
Date Finished:July 12
Rating:★★★★

MY REVIEW:

I have to admit, I'm beginning to become obsessed with this series.The previous book gave us a new view point with a male Psy POV. In this book, the world is expanded a little more, with Humans and the Forgotten also involved.

Clay and Talin McKade have a history already, which somehow ended in him believing Talin to be dead. He is shocked to find a very alive Talin come to him for help- some of the children she helps at the Shine Foundation have gone missing. A few of their bodies are found dumped later with their faces smashed. Now, Talin, Clay and the whole pack must try to find, Jonquil- one of the missing children before its too late.

Meanwhile, the pack have some trouble accepting Talin- a human.The chemistry between Clay and Talin is very different from the other three books so far.

Ms Singh's ability to expand the story world as a whole to each book in series, along with the individual story is seriously excellent.

I really can't wait to read the next book. Soon...Soon...

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

This week shelf is aliens.

This gives us a four in a row too!

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "This week shelf is aliens.

This gives us a four in a row too!"

Thanks for posting Val my internet isn't working great and I was out at the pool. My review and updates to the team posting will be up hopefully later today when I can get our laptop hooked up to the wifi.

[★Meghan★]

I will be reading . It have been trying to get around to reading this book for awhile now. I guess it is about time that I read it. I will have my Aliens book and my Dystopian book done sometime this week.

[Lisa P]

I am going to read for the aliens shelf.

[[deleted user]]

I'll be reading for the Aliens shelf.

[Lisa P]

Shelf: Dystopian
Read: 7/12/13
Rate: 3 Stars
Review: A future world run by the rich elite feeding off the poor and oppressed, with a secret Resistance movement working to make things better, makes for an interesting tale. The story follows three siblings as their lives, though completely different, come together to aid this Resistance. There was quite a bit of action as you would expect from a tale like this; but unfortunately, that alone, was not enough to keep the story afloat. Although the idea for this story grabbed me in the beginning, I felt there was quite a bit lacking in the actual story told. This could have been an amazing book, but instead it was just good. Don’t get me wrong, it was an entertaining book; it just really disappoints me when an author doesn’t reach their full potential in a story. I do have to mention one annoying aspect of the writing. The author uses first person, but changes POV with each chapter. I didn’t mind the changing of POVs, but what I didn’t like was the author repeating the same scenes with the same dialogue over again. Luckily this only happened a few times, because it was quite annoying. I haven’t quite decided yet if I will venture into the next book of this series.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

I'm torn. I have soooo many series already started that I'm trying not to add more. The aliens shelf has some great series and I can't decide.

I'm not sure that I want to read or . I guess it will be what I can finish.

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Shelf #6: Dystopian



Book: Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh
Finished: July 13th
Rating: 4.5 ★
Review:

I really loved this story. To get to read Kaleb's story and learn the truth behind what makes him the man he is was a great addition to the series. I have had many mixed, mostly not great, feelings about Kaleb throughout the books, but to learn about all that he went through as a child was a bit heartbreaking. It makes me have to think back on many of the books in the series on the choices he has made throughout and rethink how I feel about them. It's difficult to talk too much without revealing major plot lines for anyone a few books back or more. I love this series and can't wait to read on.

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Shelf #7: Aliens 5/5   Shelf Complete!

Val - Wanderlust 4★ 7/19 review
Heather - Found 3★ 7/16 review
Lisa - Night Reigns 3★ 7/19 review
Meghan - I Am Number Four 3★ 7/18 review
Preethi - Alien Tango 5★ 7/18 review

[Lisa P]

Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "I'm torn. I have soooo many series already started that I'm trying not to add more. The aliens shelf has some great series and I can't decide.

I'm not sure that I want to read Close Obsession (The Krinar Chronicles, #2) or Wanderlust (Sirantha Jax, #2). I guess it will be what I can finish. ..."

I liked much better than the first book . I found Samantha to be a much more likeable character in Wanderlust.
I almost picked as my choice for this shelf.

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Shelf #7: Aliens



Book: Found by Evangeline Anderson
Finished: July 16th
Rating: 3 ★
Review:
It has been a while since I read the previous books in this series and I was on vacation at beach resort when our shelf was called so I decided to pick a light hearted summer read for my pick. I had forgotten just how steamy this series was. In addition to getting Xairn and Lauren's story, we got to check in with the previous couples and even a little steam from them as well. In this book, Xairn was trying to get Lauren safely back to Earth. Once this is done (pretty early in the book) he then has to overcome his dark Scourge lovin' desires that he fears will scare Lauren off if she ever experiences the full effect of that side of him. As the book goes on, Lauren is saddened by the lack of contact with Xairn and they must both come to terms with what they really want in their relationship. I was pleased to see the series continues on after this book since they are fun spicy reads and look forward to reading on. I always appreciate the humor in the books, the absurdness of it all and the escapism it all provides.

[★Meghan★]

I am nearly 60 pages from finishing my aliens book. Then I will go back to finishing my dystopian book. I should have them both done by sometime on Friday. Then I can try to get caught up on my Free Space book. I haven't been sleeping well this week. So I think I may be able to finish at least the my aliens book tomorrow in my insomnia.

[★Meghan★]

Meghan's Aliens Review

I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore

Book Completed: 7/18/2013
Rating: 3 star
Continue Series: Only to figure out what happens next

Review:
This book was more setup than anything else. There wasn't much else going on in this book until the end. Where all the action really took place. Otherwise it was more like a feel bad for our planet that was taken over and now we are on the run. Well I didn't feel that bad and I wasn't that thrown off. I wasn't really engaged until everything started going down in this book. There was a lot of faults with this book, however I think I may read more in this series just to see what will happen next and to really figure out where this story is going. This book was more setup than anything else. There wasn't much else going on in this book until the end. Where all the action really took place. Otherwise it was more like a feel bad for our planet that was taken over and now we are on the run. Well I didn't feel that bad and I wasn't that thrown off. I wasn't really engaged until everything started going down in this book. There was a lot of faults with this book, however I think I may read more in this series just to see what will happen next and to really figure out where this story is going.

[[deleted user]]

Shelf: Aliens
Book: Alien Tango by Gini Koch
Date Finished:July 18
Rating:★★★★★

MY REVIEW:

Another Kitty book through and through. In this book, Kitty is, as usual, witty and intelligent, totally adores Jeff. It seems many people propose to Kitty here, and her mother, as usual warns her to "consider her options". Nice to see, some things just don't change that much.

We also get to see Jeff's father and mother, not to mention a whole lot of his relatives in this book. Kevin is also a nice addition to the team. The plot follows some twists and turns-to be expected of course, in Gini Koch's books.

I didn't like this book as much as I did the first one, many be because of the teensy bit of Politics involved, but still, I adored this book enough that I couldn't put it down.

(Okay I seem to be rambling here. But, hey, I'd been feeling a little down book-wise. This book was the exact mood-lifter I needed.)

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Shelf #7: Aliens


Book: Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre
Series: Sirantha Jax #2
Finished: 19/07/2013
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
The events of Wanderlust picks up right after Grimspace. After the collapse of Farwan there is bound to be a period of unrest. Jax has the dubious honor of becoming an ambassador to visit the Ithiss-Tor and build diplomatic relations with the Conglomerate.

Jax, as a character did grow in this book to become more caring and less selfish. This transformation takes place over the book but is a good start from an uncaring, suicidal jumper.

The downside of a first person narrative bothered me a bit because some important actions of battles would take place but since Jax was not there...it was passed as unimportant. It is a bit strange because those events involves March therefore the romantic angle in the story. It would have been real anticlimactic to have March die or hurt horribly while Jax was somewhere else.

[Lisa P]

Shelf: Aliens
Read: 7/19/13
Rating: 3 stars
Review: So this book is the second in Dianne Duvall’s Immortal Guardians Series. At the end of the first book (which I loved) we are left with a mystery character, Ami. It took until about three fourths of the way into the second book to discover exactly who and what she is. I was a little disappointed with the wait, and not sure I’m going to like where the author is going with this. I’ll just have to wait and see. Although I did enjoy it, this book did not keep me as drawn in as the first one did. It mainly focused on the relationships and forgot about the rest of the story. There were a few vampire/immortal fight scenes to keep things interesting, but the story just didn’t progress like I would have liked it to. It also ends with nothing much being accomplished, so that the reader must continue on to the next book to find out what is going on. I’m sure I will read the next in this series because I do like her writing style and believe she has a good story to tell. I’m just hoping it will be a little meatier than this one was.

[Lisa P]

I have a question for you all. How do you make the black stars in your reviews? I've tried to figure it out but am just challenged I guess. Thanks in advance :)

[★Meghan★]

Lisa I just copy from one post and paste to another. The only code I know is for the ½ symbol.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

I took this from another group post so I can't take credit for it.....and I was copy/paste from my phone. Lazy and easier.

"There are 2 ways. The easiest is to actually just copy and paste the stars. Here are those:
Solid: ★★★★★
Empty: ☆☆☆☆☆

There is also a html code:
Solid: 9733 ;
Empty: 9734 ;

Just remove the spaces between the numbers and the symbols."

[Heather ~ Marceline]

The shelf this week, Paranormal Mix ending up having a lot less books than originally listed, so an additional shelf has been added for book selections. You can pick a book from either Paranormal Mix or Paranormals

I have also requested our Aliens stamp on the stamp request thread.

[★Meghan★]

I am between 3 different books or

I will decide after I have finished . I think I have decided that I am a major feminist and I can't like a book where it goes in the reverse for women's rights, so it is taking me longer to finish this book for that very reason.

I think I will also try to finish which I like the first book much more than this book. I think that this book has way more emphasis on her addiction to drugs than the mystery paranormal aspect of the book.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Mmm, I wanted an excuse to read and luckily it's on the paranormals shelf. I'll finish my other book before I jump on it.

[Lisa P]

I will read for the Paranormals Shelf.

[[deleted user]]

I'm really torn between 3 different books I really want to read. , , and .

Tough to decide on this one. Any suggestions?

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

The testorer has a quiet pace but the mystery is good (and the audiobook is awesome).
Charley is...Charley. Quality is equal to the previous book.
Jane True was fun to read but à bit heavy on the YA aspect. The mystery was entertaining with enough red hearding but the beginning is slow to pick up.

[★Meghan★]

All I am determined to be caught up by the end of the week this week. Mostly because I just found out I will be working a lot of twelves in the next couple of weeks so I will be lucky if I finish the weeks book

[[deleted user]]

Thanks Valerie. I've decided to read .

[★Meghan★]

I have finished The Handmaid's Tale but I will write my review tomorrow since I have to work in a few hours and haven't slept much for nothing

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, AssaNINE Book Assassins!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'aliens'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[★Meghan★]

Meghan's Dystopian Review

The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
Book Completed: 7/21/2013
Rating: ★★

Review:
I had one major problem with this book. Being the fact that I am a strong believer in women's rights and can very easily be considered a feminist. What I hate with books like this are that it is more regressive rather than progressive. If a book is going to be regressive in political views and anything of that sort than it better at least have a strong hero or heroine. Whereas in this book she was just a weakling who followed the punches. Her friend Moira would have been a better person to follow.

I actually read this book in college and didn't like it, but I figured I would give it another chance because books are never as good when you have to read them for school as when when you read it for yourself. I still didn't like this one though.

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Dystopian Stamp has been requested!

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Shelf #8: Paranormal Mix 5/5   Shelf Complete!

Val - MacRieve 3.5★ 7/24 review
Heather - The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf 4★ 7/22 review
Lisa - Friday Night Bites 3★ 7/29 review
Meghan - Undead and Unwed 2★ 7/26 review
Preethi - The Restorer 5★ 7/24 review

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "If I want to borrow WMA files from the library I download it to my laptop with the Overdrive app (and use it to listen on my PC). The problem arise when I try to sync with my iPhone...it does not accept the WMA file...."

Sorry, you responded when I was out of town then I went right into the final stages of our Relay for Life planning for our event last weekend that I was on the committee for so it has been a crazy two weeks. I guess I have been ignorantly lucky with my ipod. When I select WMA, I go to the Overdrive program on my pc and download it to my computer. I then plug in my ipod to the pc and choose to transfer the audiobook to my ipod. I do have to first change my ipod to manual file updates in iTunes (a choice when the ipod is plugged in, the main screen for settings of your device).

Now the only thing my husband and I have both found odd is sometimes the file shows up in the audiobook files immediately and sometimes we have to try a few different times of transferring them before they appear. I want to say a time or two though, the book has shown up in a weird spot on my ipod, but typically they are in Music, then the audiobooks folder of that section. Sorry I'm not more help, I guess we have just been really lucky and haven't had the same problems. My husband is now telling me that he also had to go into our settings somewhere and set it to allow WMA files, otherwise, ours was always wanting to convert everything to MP3 but that was a couple years ago so you may want to google that to see if that is still necessary, or to see where it is.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats ABA!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, AssaNINE Book Assailants!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'dystopian'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats ABA!

[[deleted user]]

Finished . Having quite a busy week work-wise... So, I'll post the review tomorrow, or the day after.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Shelf #8: Paranormal Mix


Book:MacRieve by Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark, #13
Finished: 24/07/2013
Rating: ★★★☆☆ (3.5)

Review:
I've agonized over what to write in this review. I must say that I'm an absolute fan of the series but it has the downside of fostering expectations....and sometimes being disappointed. This series is always high on action and emotional roller coaster...this book...not so much.

On the plus side MacRieve had a fair showing of Nïx with her deranged witty replies. Other realms were introduced so there is potential new blood so that the series can continue.

On the negative side MacRieve was the most verbally abusive character of the whole series...and the heroine just took it. It just did not work for me from this point on.

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Shelf #8: Paranormal Mix



Book: The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper (from Paranormals shelf)
Finished: July 22nd
Rating: 4★
Review:
Though I didn't enjoy this book as much as the first one, it was still pretty good. Maggie is the pack alpha and the sister of the lead in the first book. Nick is in town to investigate the recent wolf attacks in the area that occurred in the first book. It is up to Maggie to deal with Nick. When Maggie begins to have feelings for Nick she knows she has to avoid him. It is up to her, as the alpha, to continue the werewolf genes. Amongst all that, someone is trying to hurt her and her pack. The book had the same humor, mystery and drama of the first book. I don't know if it is because it is the summer, or just my recent mood, but I am preferring to read either funny books or fluff lately. These books definitely do the trick since they fun enjoyable reads.

[[deleted user]]

Shelf: Paranormal Mix
Book: The Restorer by Amanda Stevens
Date Finished:July 24
Rating:★★★★★

MY REVIEW:

The Restorer is one of those books that stays with you long after you finished reading.

The atmosphere for this book is eerie and a bit spooky. The descriptions are simple and beautiful.

Amelia Gray, is a cemetery restorer. She can also see ghosts, and has always lived by her father's four rules. She must never acknowledge the ghosts, or something bad will happen to her. And she must never ever get involved with any person who is haunted.

But, she is soon forced to do both of these, when she meets John Devlin, belonging to Charleston Police force. Devlin requests her help for the solving the murder, where the body is dumped in Oak Grove cemetery, which Amelia is on the process of restoring. Incidentally, Devlin is haunted by the ghost of a lady and a child. Oh, and add to that the fact that the killer may have set Amelia in sight, and is out to get her before she helps in solving the crime.

The ghosts in this story are so different, especially, the whole, 'ghosts leach the energy and warmth out of the living , concept. Oh! And, I read this book in the dark at night, which just added a lot to the spooky effect!This book may be considered slow where the mystery part is concerned. But, to me this book was perfect, since it is something which has to be enjoyed, and read slow, anyway. And, the cover of this book is both beautiful, and apt for the story.

Read this book. It definitely is worth it. Amanda Stevens is indeed a talented author.

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

@ Preethi: I'm glad that you enjoyed the Restorer. It's a good book (I know I should read the second one but I have a mountain of other books to read too).

I'll be spending the weekend with family so I'll have only my phone with me. I might only choose my book on Monday.

[★Meghan★]

Meghan's Paranormals Review

Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
Book Completed: 7/26/2013
Rating: ★★
Continue Series: Maybe

Review:
This book was extremely superficial and vain.

Betsy had a very unhealthy obsession with designer shoes. I love shoes and I also will claim that I have an obsession with them. She was willing to give up her values and basically everything else for them.

This book was very fast-paced and if you could get past the shoe obsession, it wasn't all that bad. I think the vanity of Betsy just took away from the entirety of the story.

[★Meghan★]

Now to finish the Free Space and I will be caught up! As long as I can finish one book within about a week I think I will be okay.

I am just hoping I don't have to do too many 12 hour shifts.

[★Meghan★]

Meghan's Free Space Review

Unholy Magic by Stacia Kane
Book Completed: 7/26/2013
Rating: ★★★
Continue Series: Yes

Review:
This book was right smack in the middle for me as far as whether I liked it or not. I will admit at first I was ready to rate it a 1 or 2 star rating. However the ending of this book really redeemed it. Also Terrible after everything redeemed it as well. He was just the type of guy that you know is a bad guy, but has a soft teddy bear center. It makes you fall in love with them.

I was really hating this book in the first half due to Chess's addiction to the drugs. I don't mind reading about addiction, however, I think it was brought out a bit much in the beginning of this book and did not add a lot to the meaning behind the book and did not give anything to the story.

I will continue reading the series due to the fact that I have to figure out what happens between Chess and Terrible.

[Heather ~ Marceline]

Free Space 5/5: Shelf Complete!
Valerie ~ Val Hall - Tiger Magic 5★ 6/9 review
Heather ~ Marceline - Pride Mates 4★ 6/29 review
Lisa - Fated 4★ 6/7 review
Meghan - Unholy Magic 3★ 7/26 review
Preethi - Bronze Gods 4★ 6/15 review