SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R7: Team #12 ~ Naughty Nooners
Also, for book boyfriends put me down for A Feast for Crows page 15 has book boyfriends on it. If I get way behind on shelves I will switch it up and pick some shorter books. However I have the whole series to date on my shelf and have been meaning to get through them so this just prompts me to cook through a pretty long series :)
Steph wrote: "Yeah, the closer to the end of the book I got, the more obvious it became that there was a big cliff up ahead. LOL! DO NOT read my "notes to self" in my full review before reading the book. Seri..."No probs, I'm keeping away from all your notes on it :)
Kari, fires?? Haven't seen that here yet, but I missed the news. Hope you're OK.
We have three really big fires burning and 2 kinda little fires in the state right now. I'm in the very top of the state, so I only have one by me that's burning in Rocky Mountain National park but there are 2 really big ones in the south part of the state that have destroyed hundreds of homes :( this happened all last summer too. We have a big problem with pine beetles killing our pine trees so when it gets hot and dry the dead trees go up in flame quickly. While this is a natural process the forest has to clean itself out people have built a lot of homes up there so it's pretty scary waiting with people to see if they have a home to go back to after these mega fires we have been gettinf
Sandra wrote: "No probs, I'm keeping away from all your notes on it :)";)
Glad to hear you're safe and sound, Kari. Enjoy your day of reading! :D
Shelf 2: Book Boyfriends
Book:
by Pamela ClareRating: ★★★★
Finished: 12/06/13
Review:
Hard Evidence dealt with human trafficking and the author manages to gives us great clear descriptions of such crimes that allowed me to feel connected with the story without being too gruesome. Tessa and Julian were great characters and I enjoyed the slow buildup of their relationship.
Pamela Clare is on her way to becoming my favourite romantic suspense author. She always manages to write the perfect balance of suspense and romance.
Kari -- Re: smoke and ash. That reminded me -- back in 2011 (I think), one of the ranges on Fort Knox caught fire. Though we were in no danger (Knox is HUGE), I remember how gray/smokey it was and the smell. I'm glad you're safe. Have fun reading on your day off! :DRe: book picks. Updated Bookboyfriends with your pick. Maybe the next shelf will be GoT-free, and you'll have to pick something else! ;-)
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Updated msg# 15 - linked Nikita's review and added Kari's BB pick
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I'm ready for a new shelf. I've been reading non-paranormal books (contemporary romance, historical romance, mystery) all week. It's been a nice break and I'm looking forward to picking up a pnr or uf book again.
I've been doing the same, Christina (reading non-PNR/UF books). Nice, but ready for some paranormal goodness. I have terrible luck - whenever I read a PNR/UF book between shelves, it turns out I could'a used it for a shelf. So, I've started trying to wait, unless it was a highly anticipated and long-awaited release.Right now, I'm reading
(yes, it's partly due to its drool-worthy cover, but also b/c of the raves I've heard about it) and it's a riot. Drew, the MC, is the narrator and I love his sexy, wicked sense of humor. Has anyone else read it? I'm not usually a contemporary romance reader, so I don't have a lot to compare it to. I just love male POVs, esp when they're this funny.
Steph wrote: "I've been doing the same, Christina (reading non-PNR/UF books). Nice, but ready for some paranormal goodness. I have terrible luck - whenever I read a PNR/UF book between shelves, it turns out I ..."I've also been reading mostly contemporary recently and I just happened to read
yesterday and loved it. The humor isn't laugh out loud funny but I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading it and Drew was amazing even if he was incredibly arrogant with a huge ego.I havn't read many books with it being mostly or only from the male's POV but it really worked over here and it was very unusual with Drew being the narrator and speaking directly to the reader but that was why I loved it
I just got
and I'm trying really hard to not get straight into it in case it works for the next shelf that gets called.
Glad to hear you also enjoyed it! incredibly arrogant with a huge ego That's him in a nutshell! But, I love that he freely and quickly admits it. :)
Steph wrote: "I've been doing the same, Christina (reading non-PNR/UF books). Nice, but ready for some paranormal goodness. I have terrible luck - whenever I read a PNR/UF book between shelves, it turns out I ..."Ditto on the luck thing. Though I could get away with reading, say, Bone Crossed, and the next book in the series would probably be on the new shelf.
I just occurred to me, looking at the calender, that there might not be any issue at all. I'm suppose to fly down on 21 July, but the shelf should already be called by late after noon on the 20th (for the U.S.). I might even be home in time for the shelf on the 27th.
Any-hoo.
I read and loved
. I think her writing is getting better with each book.I know nothing about the culture or the time, but I've really enjoyed Jeannie Lin's Tang Dynasty Harlequin Historicals. She's got four so far (and several shorts). I read The Dragon and the Pearl, her second book. It's connected to the first one, but the others take place much later, so it's not a series in the normal sense. The third one has a "My Fair Lady"-type plot.
I love the covers.
Interestingly, the first three are labeled on GR as a series; the fourth is a start of a new series.
I started
the other day. The main character works for the IRS as a "Tax cop". I like her, so far. She's a CPA, a crack shot, and she likes the girly things (mani/pedis, shopping, etc) -- not mousy or a tomboy. I like the balance.
Book Prince of Wolves
Shelf Book Boyfriends
Date read 6/15/2013
Rating★
This book had potential, but fell short.. very short.
I don't think this book was edited at all, there were so many errors and that's not the worst of it.
For me the characters were annoying and I just couldn't connect with any of them.
I feel like the author just tried way to hard to make the characters hip, witty, and likeable, but it just didn't work. The banter between the three best friends was beyond irritating and just didn't seem believable.
Jacque the main character took things with way too much of an open mind as did her friends, they didn't question her sanity when she told them she heard a voice in her head talking to her.
I really wanted to like this so much that I kept telling myself that it was going to get better and I made it to the end and was still like WTF?
Fane the main male lead was not my idea of an alpha, yes he was possessive of his mate, but I like my alpha to be more cocky and to be more of a hothead.
I can't remember the last time I gave a book a one star rating.
For me this was just not good and I am surprised that I was able to finish this dribble.
I guess I was hoping that it was going to improve, but it did not.
I won't be reading anymore from this series.
Whoa. I hope your next book is more enjoyable.
I feel bad for giving it such a bad review, but it was horrible.Hoping the next one is at least four stars lol.
Are you going to read your FS next? I see you picked a Briggs book. That should be a 4-star, at the least. :)
For Strong Heroines I am going to read
I am going to start Fair Game first because I know I will like it.
.....off to enjoy a good book lol
Good luck Jackie ;)
I'll be reading
In other news....
1. Mr. Randomizer seems to like team 10 best. Sheesh! it's only the 3rd date! He hasn't gotten to know us yet! This shelf gives them a potential of 4-in-a-row diagonally. On the bright side (for us), it lines up with the other two shelves AND the free space. Let's hope Mr. R dumps team 10 soon. ;-)
2. This shelf only has 23 pages (approx. 1000 books).
3. We need two more books for the Assassin stamp and one for the Book boyfriend.
4. Kari, I didn't notice if book 5 was on the list or not. It didn't jump out at me. :-\
Nikita wrote: "I'll be reading 
for strong-heroines."Got it! :D
Hey, teammies! Sorry 'bout your book, Jackie. That sucks. Hope you'll enjoy Fair Game. It was one of my favorites in the series. I'm reading OUTPOST by Ann Aguirre for this shelf.
Go, team, go! Happy reading!
How's it going, team? I'm enjoying OUTPOST. Hope everyone is enjoying their book(s) as well.
I am enjoying my book too. I hope to finish it tomorrow and then move on to my next one.
I'm looking forward to your thoughts on STORM. I've got it TBR.
B5: Strong Heroines - Primal Bonds - ★★★ - 17 Jun 13
I read the first book in this series in August 2011. Despite the nearly two year gap, I remember enough about the first book to not feel completely lost.
I really like Andrea and I can see why someone would tag this book "strong heroine". Everyone kept saying she was submissive, and low on the hierarchy, but she acted like an alpha female (probably got that from her father). She was a lot stronger than I expected when I read the blurb and I liked the fact she avoided making some really dumb decisions -- like taking that fae's words as gospel and doing what he asked. She questioned the truth of his words and told Sean about the encounter.
As to the romance, it seemed just a bit...flat? I expected her to be more reluctant, as per the usual conflict in these types of paranormal romances. I expected it based on the blurb. Andrea didn't avoid him much -- basically, there was no "chase", if that make sense.
It took awhile for the plot to really pick up steam. Stuff happens, but then nobody seems to do much about it at first. I felt that there should have been more conflict here, too, to balance out the lack in the romance.
Right in the middle of the book, I stopped to read the sort-of prequel, "Shifter Made", and learned about the origins of Sean's sword. Gave some interesting insight, since there was a discussion in the present day about the need for a Guardian still (would the soul still go to the Summerland whether there was a Guardian present or not).
I will continue this series. I do like the world building, though I did question the almost random seeming things that Shifters weren't allowed to have. They can have cell phones. . .but not voice mail?
Good review, Christina! I need to get back into that series. I read the first last year, but have bought all installments with the intention of continuing on. It is an interesting world she's created.
Steph wrote: "Good review, Christina! I need to get back into that series. I read the first last year, but have bought all installments with the intention of continuing on. It is an interesting world she's cre..."Thanks!
You know, if I remember correctly, the first book was initially published by Leisure just before it went belly up -- and then she sold the series to Penguin. I think this book had a 1st in the series vibe to it, because of the change in publishers. I read the excerpt for book 3 and it sounds like I'll enjoy it more.
Christina (AKA Babbling) wrote: "B5: Strong Heroines - Primal Bonds - ★★★ - 17 Jun 13
I read the first book in this series in August 2011. Despite the nearly two year gap, I remember enough abou..."
Great review Christina. This was one of the rare series that I read out of order. So far I've only read book 2 and 3 about a year ago and I don't remember much about either but I do remember finding the world building interesting.
I think I might get back into the series but I'll probably need to reread the series from the start again.
Nikita wrote: "Great review Christina. This was one of the rare series that I read out of order. So far I've only read book 2 and 3 about a year ago and I don't remember much about either but I do remember finding the world building interesting.I think I might get back into the series but I'll probably need to reread the series from the start again...."
Thanks! :D
Outpost by Ann Aguirre
Series: Razorland #2
Shelf: Strong Heroines
Read: 17 June
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
It took me awhile to really get into Outpost. Unlike Enclave, in Outpost, Deuce, Fade, Stalker, and Tegan are now a part of Salvation. The town of Salvation is full of those who do not understand a female Huntress. Instead, they expect Deuce to act and dress like a girl. Deuce struggles to understand the ways of the people she's living among while still trying to maintain her sense of self. She worked hard in the College Enclave and is proud of her Huntress status and her fighting abilities. Here, in Salvation, she's stared at and ridiculed for her differences. Despite the prejudices she faces, Momma Oaks and her husband Edmund (her adoptive parents) are doing their best to not only help her fit in but also understand who she is and what she's been through in the past. Of the four teens, Tegan is fitting in the best and has really taken to life in Salvation.
As the story progresses, Deuce learns that it's okay to be a girl as well as a Huntress. While she compressed that part of herself to survive in Gotham, in Topside she allows "the girl" to experience the relationships in her life and the emotions that come with doing so.
Once the story moves outside the walls of Salvation, the pace of the book changed and my interest increased. We learn more about the Freaks, or Muties as they're called in Salvation, and the action picks up. The group notices the Freaks are acting differently, which causes them to consider whether true safety is possible, even in Salvation.
As much as the beginning dragged a bit for me, I understood Ann's need to explain Deuce's experiences with the people of Salvation. Without that portion of the book, her personal growth and changes later in the book would not have had as big of an impact on the reader. The book does end of a bit of a cliffhanger, but a somewhat hopeful one. I am anxiously awaiting the finale, Horde - due out in Oct.
Yay, Steph! :)Well, since I planned to update Msg 15 anyway, I thought I'd re-post our standings here, too.
Free Space - STAMP - TBD
StephB: Heart of Obsidian - ★★★★★ - Review
Jackie M: Fair Game
Nikita: Heart of Obsidian
Christina: Heart of Obsidian - ★★★★ - Review
Kari: A Clash of Kings
WEEK 1 - B4: Assassins - STAMP - TBD
StephB: Blood Kin - ★★★ - Review
Jackie M: Silver-Tongued Devil - ★★★ - Review
Nikita: Archangel's Storm
Christina: The Better Part of Darkness - ★★★★ - Review
Kari: A Storm of Swords
WEEK 2 - I10: Book Boyfriends - STAMP - TBD
StephB: Binding the Shadows - ★★★★★ - Review
Jackie M: Prince of Wolves - ★ - Review
Nikita: Hard Evidence - ★★★★ - Review
Christina: Shatter Me - ★★★★ - Review
Kari: A Feast for Crows
WEEK 3 - B5: Strong Heroines - STAMPED - TBD
StephB - Outpost - ★★★★ - Review
Jackie M - Storm
Nikita - Twice Tempted
Christina - Primal Bonds - ★★★ - Review
Kari
Go, Team, Go! Our card is soooo nekked. >;)
Steph wrote: "Go, Team, Go! Our card is soooo nekked. >;)"That's hilarious. ;-)
LOL...I want to steal/borrow your comment, Steph!
LOL! Please do. ;)I want our card lookin' like it's got a bad case of Chicken Pox or maybe a pretty Tic-Tac-Toe board. :D
I have finished both of my books and will get the reviews up tomorrow.
:D Yay!How are yours coming along, Nikita and Kari?
I still havn't gotten my copy of Heart of Obsidian so I'll change my Freespace book to
and I'll be starting that tomorrow.
Bummer. :-( I'll update the list when I get home.
Ditto that...Hope you get it soon, Nikita! Great book!!!
Christina I changed my Book Boyfriends book and just finished it, I don't want to keep you all back. I read The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I have heard a lot about this series, and I've read her Angels spin-off series. I really like the idea of this novel, I'm excited to see where she takes it when she really starts hammering out some of the characters. This book only got 3 stars because I felt like some of the scenes between Maddox and Ashlyn were a little awkward, however overall I love them as a couple! There were a lot of things similar between this and her angels books so I'm hoping some of the future ones change up her formula or else these will all be very similar at the end.
Christina (AKA Babbling) wrote: "Bummer. :-( I'll update the list when I get home."I'm hoping it will arrive by next week. I'm starting Eternal Rider now and should be done by tonight.
Judithe wrote: "Ditto that...Hope you get it soon, Nikita! Great book!!!"
Eternal Rider will be a reread for me. I read it last year before reading any of the Demoinca books so I ended up feeling confused for most of the book. I'm hoping now that I've read the Deminca series I'll enjoy it much more.
Looks like our card will be wearing something soon.If my 9 year old ever gets off the computer I will type up and post my reviews.
Book Fair Game
Shelf Free Space
Date read 6/19/2013
Rating★★★★
Charles and Anna are sent to Boston to help find the murderer of fae and werewolves.
Charles is keeping a big secret from Anna and she is patient with him and lets him know that he needs to trust her with his secrets.
Something bad happens to Anna and Charles is unable to find her through their bond, and I feel that that was turning point for Charles and I am hoping in the future that he is able to let Anna in and not hide things from her.
I really like how much Anna has grown and isn't as weak as she appears to be.
While the Mercy series is my favorite this series keeps getting better and better with each book and I am looking forward to the next book.
Book Storm
Shelf Strong Heroines
Date read 6/20/2013
Rating★★★
This was your typical YA, yet surprisingly still good.
Becca saves Chris while he is getting beat up by a group of guys and her whole world gets rocked from that moment on.
Turns out Chris and his three hunky brothers can control the elements(each brother a different one) and there are others like them that want them dead.
Becca finds herself caught in the crossfire and at one point not knowing who she can trust.
I really enjoyed this book because the pace was perfect and it kept my attention from start to finish.
I will for sure continue on with this series and I look forward to seeing more of Becca and Chris.
Stamp Request -- Book BoyfriendsWEEK 2 - I10: Book Boyfriends - STAMP - TBD
StephB: Binding the Shadows - ★★★★★ - Review
Jackie M: Prince of Wolves - ★ - Review
Nikita: Hard Evidence - ★★★★ - Review
Christina: Shatter Me - ★★★★ - Review
Kari: The Darkest Night - ★★★ - Review
Kari wrote: "Christina I changed my Book Boyfriends book and just finished it, I don't want to keep you all back...."Got it! :)
Have you decided on what you'll read for "Strong Heroines"?
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Kiss of Midnight (other topics)The Darkest Craving (other topics)
The Darkest Touch (other topics)
Lord of the Abyss (other topics)
The Darkest Craving (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.D. Robb (other topics)Samantha Young (other topics)
Philippa Carr (other topics)
Jeaniene Frost (other topics)
Nalini Singh (other topics)
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Good to know that about your schedule... I'll keep that in mind and not worry if you don't check in on the weekend. I have to keep reminding myself that you are NOT the team member in New Zealand. That would be Nikita. :)
Ya the car stuff definitely took up a lot of my free time last week. Which is unfortunate because my days off only ever fall on weekdays haha. I'm one of the top salespeople in the district most months so they definitely work me all the busy times aka fri, sat, sun. It's a blessing and a curse. I never get weekends off but I'm always working when there are big sales to be had!
It's funny you should ask about fires, this is major deja vu from another BSB I played last summer when there was a big fire by us and my teammates kept worrying I would become a crispy critter. Most of the fires are waaaay south of here, but there is one just outside of town that's making it a little smokey up here. It's not nearly as bad as the fire last summer they thought was going to run right into town so I'm happy about that. It makes it hard to work out when you are breathing in ash :(.
I'm definitely making progress on my books now that cars have settled down though! I did nothing but read before I left for work this afternoon and I have a whole glorious day off in front of me tomorrow to fill with GoT intrigue. Now my problem is we just borrowed the 2nd season off my boss and I have to keep myself from being tempted to watch before I finish the book. I don't like the spoilers the TV show does because the book takes so much longer to read.