2013 October Pick It For Me! Challenge

[Zara's Retreat]

How long before the November PIFM challenge is posted?

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Zara!

The November PIFM should be posted later today :)

[⚜️XAR]

Finished Once Upon a Prince last night. It dragged a bit, but was a good read over all. Started my final pick, Naked Dragon, yesterday too, so hopefully will have it finished tonight.

[Daffodil]

Victoria wrote: "Rainy day at work means that I was able to finish Touch the Dark today. It was ok, had promise, but I felt like I was missing a bit of backstory throughout, which made for a confusing read. I'll ..."

Both prequel's were actually written after Touch the Dark and are about Kit, so they probably won't help. It did take me a while to continue the series. I first read TTD on release in 2006, intended to continue, but never quite managed it. I reread it last year and went on to other books in the series and don't regret it. I love the world and characters KC has created. The time travel element keeps me on my toes and the action is great. I've even started her spin off series featuring Dorina Basarab. Is there a particular question that maybe someone here can help clarify?

[⚜️XAR]

Daffodil wrote: "Both prequel's were actually written after Touch the Dark and are about Kit, so they probably won't help. It did take me a while to continue the series. I first read TTD on release in 2006, intended to continue, but never quite managed it. I reread it last year and went on to other books in the series and don't regret it. I love the world and characters KC has created. The time travel element keeps me on my toes and the action is great. I've even started her spin off series featuring Dorina Basarab. Is there a particular question that maybe someone here can help clarify? "

*chuckles* Too many to name, Daffodil! I've read a couple of books since finishing this one, so things are a bit fuzzy for me. I can remember being extremely confused by Tomas, who he was and why Cassie didn't go after him, even though she was attracted to him, but it could be that that was explained in the book and I just don't remember it. I think a good bit of my confusion comes from the Pythia, but I think the root of that confusion is that I was thinking that it had a basis in actual mythology and I couldn't remember which one. I know there was more, but I can't remember it all. I think I'll likely as not go back and re-read it at some point, I've seen a lot of really great reviews for it.

[Ashley]

Carla wrote: "Ashley--

Thanks again for the great picks. I just finished my second PIFM challenge book this month, and loved it--such wonderful, quirky characters and real emo..."

I glad you liked your picks!

[Erin]

Hi Shelby! I finished today and loved it. Thanks for the pick! I am still in the process of reading at the moment.

[UnusualChild{beppy}]

hi, mountainkat

i have been really lax about updating this, but i've actually read quite a few of your picks for me this month.

first of all, thank you for the buddy read of Life in Fusion and The Door Into Spring.

then, i finished No Rest for the Wicked, Exclusively Yours and Wallbanger. i liked "no rest"; i liked how they were just together, without a lot of drama. "exclusively yours" made me chuckle in a couple of places, especially the "triple cannonball of doom". both of these were 4-star reads for me. "wallbanger" made me laugh so hard in so many places; i'm sure that people were wondering who the gasping whale was as they went by my room. it was a 5-star read for me.

then, i read Kiss of the Highlander, Slave to Sensation and The Locker Room. they were all SO fantastic for me; all 5-star reads. in "kiss of the highlander", i loved drustan and what he did to be with gwen was just amazing. "slave to sensation" was so well written and i really enjoyed the world building. i have to say that the winner so far this month, though, is "locker room". oh, man. christian and xander broke my heart and then put it back together again. in fact, even though i finished it last night, i'm tearing up right now just thinking about it.

i'm still planning to read Honor's Splendour and On Dublin Street this month. i'm also reading Out of Time for another challenge, so i will finish this one before the end of the month as well. if time permits, i'll try to read a few more.

thank you, so much, for the choices that i have read so far, mountainkat.

[Isha]

Hi Rene

I read and loved it though I hated the way it ended.
Thanks for the picks

[MountainKat, Moderator]

beppy wrote: "hi, mountainkat

i have been really lax about updating this, but i've actually read quite a few of your picks for me this month.

first of all, thank you for the buddy read of Life in Fusion and Th..."

Wow beppy! You have been busy! You read some of my favorites, so I am especially glad you loved them too! And thank you too for the buddy reads - I really liked both The Door Into Spring and Life in Fusion. They didn't rank up there with some of what you read, but they were still good.

[⚜️XAR]

Finished my final book today...and it wasn't as good as I remembered it. I remember loving some of the author's other books, but Naked Dragon just missed the mark for me. A solid three star read though!

Here's everything I read this month for the challenge:

[~Leslie~]

Hi Kimberly
Just finished (gotta love the cover!) and I loved this one. It's great to discover a new author. Loved the characters and the twist on a tried and true storyline. Thanks so much for moving this freebie off my TBR!

Not sure what else I'm going to get to this month, but I will let you know!

[René]

Hi Lacy! Thanks again for the picks!

I finished and loved it. I have a new favorite book and a new genre to play with.

I got a late start reading this month but I'm going to try to get through another one before the challenge is over.

[Shelby]

Hey Beppy Thank you so much for the picks! I've gotten through a number of them and have added the rest to my TBR. I know there's still so many of them I want to read. If I get to a few more before the end of the month I'll definitely update you. But here's what I've read at this point...

Chocolate Truffles
Red+Blue ★★★★ - Review



Jelly Beans
Sixty Five Hours ★★★★★ - Review
Something Like Summer ★★★ - Review



Mixed Nuts
His For The Holidays ★★★★½ - Review



Trailmix
Lair of the Jaguar God ★★★★½ - Review

[Ty]

Hey Juliet!

I finally got around to reading The Double Helix. I needed it for another challenge. Thanks for the push!

[Daffodil]

Victoria wrote: "Finished my final book today...and it wasn't as good as I remembered it. I remember loving some of the author's other books, but Naked Dragon just missed the mark for me. A solid three star read ..."

Wow! 10 books - great job.

I've only read 2 of Annette Blair's books. I remember enjoying and intending to get around to the second book in the series, but haven't managed it yet.

[⚜️XAR]

Daffodil wrote: "Wow! 10 books - great job.

I've only read 2 of Annette Blair's books. I remember enjoying and intending to get around to the second book in the series, but haven't managed it yet.
"

Thanks! Where I work has a lot of downtime, so I take to bringing a book or my Kindle with me, along with my crochet, if I am using the Kindle. I've perfected a way to crochet and read at the same time using the Kindle, LOL! Having so much downtime at work means that I get to read, ALOT!

I've read that one too, but it's been so long ago, I'd likely wind up reading it again because I don't remember it enough to rate it fairly. I know I love her books, and their follow ups, the series, but I have a feeling that her others might be hit or miss for me. Will have to go back and re-read a bunch.

[Debra]

Read suddenly you give 4 stars I really liked it

[Juliet]

Ty wrote: "Hey Juliet!

I finally got around to reading The Double Helix. I needed it for another challenge. Thanks for the push!"

Glad that my picks helped in some ways :D

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Hi Ty,

I finally got to a second book this month! I finished Third Grave Dead Ahead and really enjoyed it. I don't know why it takes me so long between books in this series, because I love the humor. Thanks for the push to get me back to it! I'm hoping to get through one more book this month, but not sure it's going to happen...great picks though, I wish I had time to read several more of them! Thanks!

[Carla]

Ashley--I just finished my third PIFM book this month, Where Dreams Begin and liked it. I enjoyed the characters and the plot had some unexpected twists. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Ty]

~KarenH~ wrote: "Hi Ty,

I finally got to a second book this month! I finished Third Grave Dead Ahead and really enjoyed it. I don't know why it takes me so long between books in this series, because I love the h..."

That's what a TBR is for! :D
I heart Charlie Davidson. You need to get to the fifth book. So much Reyes goodness, you just don't know what to do XD

[Elizabeth]

Crystal
I finished a third pick Rock Chick Revolution and I loved it! What an beutiful finale to the series! Ally was an amazing heroine, although I wasn't really warm to her before reading her book, and Ren - what can I say - just awesome!

[Daffodil]

Yz

I finished last night and really enjoyed it. So the bad news is: I now have another series to catch up on. LOL. Thanks for pushing me to finally read this.

[❆ Crystal ❆]

Elizabeth wrote: "Crystal
I finished a third pick Rock Chick Revolution and I loved it! What an beutiful finale to the series! Ally was an amazing heroine, although I wasn't really warm to her before reading her boo..."

Ahhh, great. I'm happy to hear.

[⚜️XAR]

Daffodil wrote: "Yz

I finished last night and really enjoyed it. So the bad news is: I now have another series to catch up on. LOL. Thanks for pushing me to finally read this."

I've read the first book ages ago, but never any of the others in the series...post your thoughts about the series for us somewhere, please? I'd love to hear what you think!

[René]

I got to a second book! Yay!
I finished today and it was extremely hard to put down.

[Lacy]

Rene wrote: "I got to a second book! Yay!
I finished today and it was extremely hard to put down."

Yay! I'm so glad that you liked The Secret. That one is a favorite.

I had a hard time putting down Easy as well. It was a bit sad, but I really enjoyed it.

[Elke]

Finished pick #5 !!! Liked it a lot!!

Thanks again Sandy for the great picks!!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Breann, I finished my second pick Frat Boy and Toppy. I liked it, thought it was cute! I am also halfway through my third pick, Divide & Conquer - really good so far! But those boys are always get blown up!!

[Becca]

Jaime, I only managed to finish one of the books you picked this month, but I am in the middle of two others. I finished Blood Bound and gave it 4 stars! I really am loving this series! I have also started Beyond the Highland Mist and Kiss an Angel which I'm hoping to get a chance to finish soon if school doesn't keep getting in the way :)

[Sassafrass]

@Kami

Hi, I almost forgot about this month's challenge. I didn't get to This Man yet, but I will do it next. I did read Molly’s Lips: Club Mephisto Retold and Burn for You and loved them.

I will start This Man tonight because it sounds really interesting. Hopefully, I'll finish before Thursday night!

[Fran, Moderator]

Hey Sass!


I managed to fit in another of your picks for me, . I really enjoyed this short, sexy story. Thanks for getting it off my tbr, I can't believe it was on there for over 2 years!


Thanks again for all of my picks....I plan to read them all at some point :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Breann, I finished my third and fourth picks! I squeezed in Promises before I finished Divide & Conquer - loved them both! Thank you for the great picks! There are so many more I wanted to read this month, but I'm running out of time and I don't think I will get to any of them.

[Sassafrass]

Fran wrote: "Hey Sass!


I managed to fit in another of your picks for me, . I really enjoyed this short, sexy story. Thanks for getting it off my tbr, I can't believe it was..."

Oh, YAY, Fran! I'm glad you liked them. :)

I'm hoping you get a change to read[bookocver:Joe|14759015] at some point because it's awesome!

And I'm so glad you loved Friday Afternoon. I thought you would enjoy that one. I loved it too.

[Juliet]

Finished my 3rd book
I love this one! Thanks for making me finally pick this book up. I am definitely going to continue with this series.

[Fran, Moderator]

Sassafrass wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hey Sass!


I managed to fit in another of your picks for me, . I really enjoyed this short, sexy story. Thanks for getting it off my tbr, I can't b..."


I promise to get to Joe! If not November then December.

[Suzanne]

I finished and I really liked it! 5 stars!

[Sassafrass]

Suzanne wrote: "I finished and I really liked it! 5 stars!"

I thought that was a cute one too, Suzanne.

[Isa]

Its the 1st!! Time to start reading!!! First stop One of my first picks Beautiful Bastard. X

[Sassafrass]

Kami, I finished This Man, but I wasn't a fan. Jesse just seemed abusive, not dominant. It didn't resonate with me. Oh well. Can't win them all!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Tiff, I finished my pick just under the wire. Thank goodness for lots of time between trick-or-treaters. Thanks for bumping this up my TBR.

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Hi Ty, I managed to sneak Prince of Dreams in with just a few hours to spare! I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite Kleypas. I'm glad to have finally read it though, and since I'm too obsessive about series to read this one without reading Midnight Angel first, I read that one, too! Thanks for the great recs this month, I wish I'd had time to read more of them!

[Ty]

~KarenH~ wrote: "Hi Ty, I managed to sneak Prince of Dreams in with just a few hours to spare! I liked it, but it wasn't my favorite Kleypas. I'm glad to have finally read it though, and since I'm too obsessive a..."

yay, happy you read it! the only reason I love it so much is because the hero is made to suffer for his ill treatment of the heroine. lolol yeah, I'm evil like that. XD

[⚜️XAR]

Isa wrote: "Its the 1st!! Time to start reading!!! First stop One of my first picks Beautiful Bastard. X"

Hey, Isa, was this comment meant for the November thread? Somehow it got posted into the October one!

[Isa]

Yes Victoria I'm still getting the hang of this and there are so many threads and challenges I don't know if I'm coming or going! Loool

[⚜️XAR]

Yeah, I got a bit overwhelmed when I first joined the group, all the challenges were, to me, overload inducing. How I got past it was by joining a couple of Christian fiction groups (one of which have died the group death of inactivity) that weren't as active and got my feet wet there for a while before coming back here and diving in. It may help you to do the same, or ask for help if you need it. Feel free to add me as a friend and message me if you have any questions. I'll try to answer as quickly as I can with an active 4 year old!

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Hi everyone! Sorry I'm so late getting some final statistics up, I got them all together over a week ago and just never came her to post them. Oh well, better late than never I guess, so here they are:

2013 October PIFM - Where we finished:

We had 74 participants, and of those 52 (70%) reported finishing at least 1 book. Just over half of the finishers (27 of 52) finished more than one book, 15 people finished 3 or more, and our overachievers for the month were beppy and Victoria, with 8 and 10 books finished respectively.

There were no big winners among authors or titles this month. We read a total of 114 books, spread over 110 different titles and 92 authors. Only 3 books were read more than once. Lisa Kleypas lead the pack among authors, with 5 books read, no other author had more than 3, and only 15 were read more than once. Only one book was read more than twice - Exclusively Yours, which was read 3 times.

Thanks to everyone who participated...I hope you all enjoyed it!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Nice stats and pretty covers! Thanks Karen for hosting!

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Thanks for hosting Karen!!

I love seeing all the covers and getting the stats of everyone's reads.