R4: Team ~ Page Sizzling Sisters ~ Denver

[Steph Ann]

I enjoyed Fate's Edge, Regina. I hope you like it!

[Stacey]

Hmmm thinking football may be a little challenging...?

[Regina]

Steph Ann wrote: "I enjoyed Fate's Edge, Regina. I hope you like it!"

Thanks! I love Kate Daniels and I enjoyed the first to of the Edge series. This is my first time listening to the audio of one of her books before reading it.

Stacey wrote: "Hmmm thinking football may be a little challenging...?"

It is. I was surprised to find it in my book! I didn't search V because I knew you were taking it. Let me know if you want me to search my V books.

[Regina]

Week: 1
Word: Nest
Letter: T
Bonus: Newspaper
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Read: 7/26/13
Rating: 3.5 stars

Review:
This book surprised me and not in the good way. I am a fan of Truman Capote's other writing. I enjoy literary fiction (this reads like fiction even though it is "true crime"). And I love books written during this time period. I love books set in rural small towns and in the midwest. So I was surprised to not love this book. It took me awhile to get interested, I did not connect with the characters. Clearly, Capote did a lot of research and it is very well written. I just didn't love it.


Bonus Items:

Page 357 …that, a piece of sky. The wall is made of rough stone; pigeons nest…

Page 64 ... newspaper recipes, and snapshots of her baby nephew and of S…

[Stacey]

Oh if you had a minute that'd be great Regina! I just caught on to the searching part after I saw you found the words so quick. Unfortunately I have some paperbacks for V so guess I'd have to just jump into them? Darn

[Regina]

Did you know about searching on amazon through the "look inside feature"? It can only before the paperback version. Also on google play (their book store) you can search the book there. Both give you page numbers.

[Stacey]

Oh great thanks! No didn't know about either- I can just do it on my kindle, but only after I bought it! Bought two books today and neither have it! Thank you I'll go look

[Regina]

What a pain! I am checking my stuff now.

[Stacey]

I know the look inside on amazon but didn't know you can search for specific words etc.

[Regina]

Another way to get ideas is www.fictfact.com which will list series by name - alphabetically.

[Regina]

Do you like do contemporary small own romance? There is the Virgin River series.

If you choose one of these books - message me before you buy it.

That is all I got.

[Regina]

Stacey wrote: "I know the look inside on amazon but didn't know you can search for specific words etc."

I just copy and pasted from amazon into my post above - the quote and the page number!

[Stacey]

Thank you very much Regina! I will check them out and let you know.

[Paris]

The by Abbi Glines has both words.

[Stacey]

Can anyone search frostbite? Vampire Academy novel?

[Stacey]

Got it thanks!!

[Paris]

Frostbite has view, but no football.

[Steph Ann]

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent has both words.

[Steph Ann]

Here are a few others: , , (Vampire Federation series)

[Regina]

If those don't appeal to you, here is a list alphabetically by series (for V):

http://www.fictfact.com/browse-by-ser...

by author's last name (V):

http://www.fictfact.com/browse-by-aut...

[Stacey]

Thank you ladies!! I appreciate the help! I'm reading Vampire Diaries- flipped thru and found football. Hoping to find view. No big deal since its shirt. I'll grab another one from the list if I don't find it:)

[Regina]

Have you tried the search function on Amazon? It is super duper easy. ;)

You just have to choose the tab that says print book to get the function to be able to search through the book for a word.

[Stacey]

Oh yes Regina I was going to on my computer. I tried on my phone and could not get it to work right. I'm going to check now- thanks for the help!

[Regina]

Oh weird! I can do it on my phone. Sorry about that!

[Paris]

View and Football Week
Letter: E

by Suzanne Johnson
Finished: 7/27/13
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Elysian Fields was exactly what I expected it to be and more. I knew I would get entertaining characters, interesting world building and an action packed dilemma that would keep DJ and Alex constantly on the go. I was definitely not disappointed by any of those elements in this story. And to top it off, I got an amazingly creepy, horror type case that DJ was completely wrapped up in. The Axeman was a totally awesome bad guy and I loved every creepy minute of him. The mystery surrounding the Axeman is pretty cool and although I thought I had figured it out, I wasn’t as good as I thought I was.

The only reason I marked this book down half a star was that there were a few moments that dragged a little, but overall this book was freaking fantastic. We get some answers to questions broached in River Road, we get to see all of our favorite characters like Alex, Jake and Jean (although there was a definite lack of Jean in this book). We even get to see Rene, which I loved. I hope he continues to be an asset to DJ. I have to say that the romance angle of this book was handled perfectly. We’ve had a sort of love square going on lately and although we did add another facet to this weird shaped romance, we kind of also got closure in another direction. I’ve been Team Alex from day one (even if I did think Jean was a better character, he’s freaking hilarious and inappropriate) and I was more or less a happy camper in regards to how Alex was portrayed in this book.

I loved the way this book ended and I am hoping that we get more from Suzanne Johnson soon. This is such a fantastic series and I want more. This has become one of my favorite urban fantasy series and I hope that it’s around for a long time…as long as it doesn’t overstay its welcome like some other series have. But with this cast of characters and this awesome world, I doubt that would even be possible.

WotW Bonus: View: "Alex stood and walked to the other side, getting another angle on the scene and, unfortunately, giving me a clearer view of the mattress." - Location 945

Bonus Word: Football: "I struggled to my feet, snatched up Sebastian, and ran toward the stairwell with him tucked under my arm like a blood and fur covered football." Location 2868

[Steph Ann]

I've had the first book in that series on my TBR list for a while now, Paris. I really should read it soon!

[Stacey]

View and Football week
I read: The Vampire Diaries: the Awakening by L.J. Smith
Letter: V
Finished 7/29/13
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: Ok, I will admit I wanted 'V' for The Language of Flowers by Vanessa Diffenbough;) That being said, I have wanted to read some Vampire Diaries material, especially since my daughter is into the series and I enjoy this genre of reading too.
It was a little hard for me to get past some of the 'vampire characteristics' I'm used to from the Sookie Stackhouse and Twilight series novels but, once I got over that, I really enjoyed the book.
It was refreshing that, although there were always evil supernatural forces threatening to steal their souls, this being in the young adult genre in some repects the characters were sweet and innocent, allowing the reader to really connect with the teenage characters.
Elena is feeling disconnected in her own hometown and in her own skin and is searching for somewhere to 'belong'. Stefan, born in the early 15th century, is looking to start over in a place that holds no memories, trying to escape the ones that haunt him daily. Unfortunately, or fortunately?,Elena is the spitting image- in appearance alone- of the lost love whose memory he is desperately trying to escape. Their connection is instant and intense, both knowing their fates are intertwined, although their future is uncertain. Damon, Stefan's dark and bitter brother, adds more dark drama, since he is a more powerful force than his brother and ahs been following him and watching him, and ultimately setting him up to take the fall for some horrific events which all started when Stefan came to town, making the new stranger the obvious cause of the violence.
Elena, after getting Stefan to divulge his past, chooses to stand by her 'man'. Damon confronts his brother and, being stronger and more evil, demands he gives Elena up so that he can have her. Headstrong Elena will not have her fate chosen for her and decides to confront Damon, which is where this first book ends.

WOTW- View. 'The other girls were openly gazing through the window, and giggling. "Nice rear view".'pg 17.

Bonus word- Football. 'He did a good job last year, and he keeps the football guys in line.' pg 158

[Steph Ann]

View and Football Week
My Letter: W

by J.R. Ward

Read: 7/30/13
Rating: 4 stars

Review:

I would wager that this is the book most BDB fans have been eagerly awaiting for quite some time. I know I've been wanting Qhuinn and Blay to get their own book ever since Blay's feelings for Qhuinn were revealed to the readers. Everything involving Qhuinn and Blay in this book was great, even though at times, I got very frustrated with each of them. I had the biggest grin on my face when reading the epilogue. It was just amazing.

What kept this from being 5 stars is once again the inclusion of way too many side stories. I'd be really invested in what was going on with Qhuinn and Blay, and then we'd suddenly shift to a different storyline. Layla, Xcor, Assail, and Trez all have a lot of book time devoted to them. I was interested in some of the storylines and am interested to see how they progress, but others just weren't interesting to me. I still really enjoy the series though and am definitely looking forward to the next book!

Bonus items:

View - The view was unbelievable. Kindle Loc. 1189

Football - If there was a football team's worth of lessers in there... Kindle Loc. 1842

[Regina]

I finished my book and will post my review soon.

[Regina]

Week: 2
Word: View
Letter: I
Bonus: Football
Fate's Edge by Ilona Andrews

Read: 8/1/13
Rating: 3 stars

Review:
I hate to say this. I really really hate to think this -- but this series may just not be for me. I love the Kate Daniels series; I have enjoyed the novellas Ilona Andrews puts out written in other worlds, but I cannot get into this series. I think it is the romance. I like romance, but I am usually not a fan of really predictable or cliched romance stories -- and I felt like that was what the romance amounted to in this book. I also felt like a part of the book dragged, slighlty after the midway point. I listened to the audio of this book and while I loved the narration but due to the dragging element of the midway point and my irritation at the romance, I ended up speeding up the speed on the narration.

But before you hate me - -I did like stuff about this book. I loved the characters, I liked the gang that had gathered together to go on a quest. I love the world building and the fantasy element.

Bonus Words

Page 20 …prince. “You were born smart but poor. You view me as…

Page 64 …and moved to the counter, keeping them in plain view ..

Page 164 …this one was of a good size, at least as large as a football …

[Steph Ann]

I can definitely understand how you could feel that way with this series, Regina. I enjoy it, but I'm not sure it's one that I would re-read, whereas Kate Daniels is definitely on my re-read list.

[Paris]

Steph Ann wrote: "I can definitely understand how you could feel that way with this series, Regina. I enjoy it, but I'm not sure it's one that I would re-read, whereas Kate Daniels is definitely on my re-read list."

I 100% agree with this. I think that's why I keep pushing back reading Steel's Edge. I'm just not all that excited about it right now.

[Steph Ann]

Paris wrote: "I 100% agree with this. I think that's why I keep pushing back reading Steel's Edge. I'm just not all that excited about it right now."

I haven't read Steel's Edge yet either. I know I will eventually, but my library doesn't have it, and there are other books I want to spend my money on first (the newest Kate Daniels being at the top of that list - I'm going crazy not having it yet, lol).

[Paris]

I'm making myself wait until Monday to go buy Magic Rises. I'm hoping I'll get money or gift cards for my birthday and then I won't feel so bad for spending money on a book I don't need right this second. Plus I have to go buy the new Chicagoland Vampire book on Tuesday, so I'll wait.

[Regina]

I agree - Steph Ann I have reread Kate Daniels too. :) I love that series.

[Paris]

Alright ladies, gonna go request our points. Thanks!

[Steph Ann]

I forgot about the new Chicagoland Vampire book cominb out! I'll definitely have to get that one too. Good thing I get paid next week, lol.

Also, happy birthday, Paris. :)

[Regina]

Oh Happy Birthday Paris! And thank you for getting our points! :D

[Paris]

Thanks ladies!

[Stacey]

Is it today? Happy Birthday! Hope you're getting better weather than us in Ct:-))

[Paris]

It's on Monday, but I probably won't be around much after tomorrow. Thanks!

Our weather in Seattle is pretty dismal right now for the summer, but it's supposed to get better here soon.

[Paris]

Week 3: Jail 4/4
Bonus Item: Chicken

J: Paris - Frigid by J. Lynn - WotW Bonus: Y - Bonus Word: Y - Post 172
A: Regina - The Artists Trilogy Shooting Scars by Karina Halle - WotW Bonus: Y - Bonus Word: Y - Post 184
I: Steph Ann - Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews - WotW Bonus: Y - Bonus Word: Y - Post 168
L: Stacey - Love Me With Lies The Opportunist by Tarryn Fisher - WotW Bonus: Y - Bonus Word: Y - Post 171

[Paris]

Okay ladies, I can once again do any letter with both bonuses, but I would prefer J if at all possible.

I'll be back in a few hours to check in, I'm going back to bed.

[Regina]

Just a guess but I bet Magic Rises has those words and fits I.

[Vi]

I don't think Magic Rises has both the words. I thought it would but it doesn't seem to. :(

[Regina]

Oh surprise! I thought it would.

[Regina]

I would prefer J or L.

[Vi]

I know. I was so sure it would have.

[Steph Ann]

I can do A or I. I would prefer A since it's a library book that's due back soon, but I have no problem taking the I if need be. :)

[Stacey]

Ugh. So far I can only do A. Trying to find I but no luck so far.