R12: Team #2 ~ Read or PAIRish

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Yeah, sooo many to read. Maybe one day I'll get to Dresden. When you get to #3 in WotOW, it switches to the witches. I liked her shifters best, but did eventually come to enjoy the mix of supernaturals throughout the series.

[Vivian]

I have actually listened to a couple of the witch-y books. I don't remember why but I was looking for audiobooks and one of them happened to be available at the library at the time. It was very uncharacteristic, picking a random audiobook and out of order!

[Vivian]

Shelf: Dark and Stormy
Date finished: August 26
Rating: 3.5 stars

I did this a little backwards, I have read a couple of books from this series and I watched the first season of the show on Netflix before picking up Bitten. If anything, I think it helped me get through this long and slow series debut because I already enjoyed other books plus I already liked some of the characters from the show.

Elena is the lone female werewolf in the world and trying to blend into the human world. When her Alpha calls her back home to help the pack solve some recent murders, she has to figure out whether or not she can merge her two worlds.

Elena confuses me. She's a cheater, makes some stupid decisions, and definitely has some avoidance issues but I don't dislike her. In fact, I think I quite like her. It helps that she has some self-realization moments towards the end and I'm glad she figured some stuff out.

I don't want too many comparisons to the show but book Clay is sooooo much more awesome than tv Clay. I am quite a fan. I would say the opposite is true for Philip.

The biggest downfall was the pacing, it was just slow and awkward and long. The second half did seem to pick up but I think trimming off a few pages here and there would have helped. The story itself was fine but honestly, I found myself picturing the tv show a lot of the time so it's hard for me to judge. This is an interesting world of werewolves that holds up nearly 15 years after its release and I am looking forward to continuing the series.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

That is uncharacteristic. I liked Lucas. Savannah has a bigger part later in the series. I always found it odd, at the time, that the series had witches, shifters, demons and a necromancer, but only one vamp. And Kelley's vamp mythology in that series was so unique, although she never really delved into it much.

[~JustMel~]

I sure hope so Vivian since I intend to read them all! Lol

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

For me, Bitten doesn't start till pg 109. It is such a slow start. Though I've picked up books #2 & #3, (found em really cheap) I haven't bothered to read them yet.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I liked it from the start, based on my ratings, but can't remember if I found it slow to start or not. I think I read #1 sometime between 2006-07. Too many books between then and now to remember. ;)

I finished my book for UF, decent finish to the series. I'll post my review Monday.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Series: Kitty Norville #14
Shelf: UF
Read: 28 Aug
Rating: ✮✮✮✮☆
Review:
Since Kitty's pronouncement of Dux Bellorum's Long Game last year, she's beginning to think Roman's after more than just world domination and she's determined to continue doing whatever she can to stop him and his allies.

For this, she needs some allies of her own and they all gather together in this one final showdown to save the world. Ben and Cormac/Amelia are always by her side. Friends from past installments join the ranks - Tina McCannon, psychic on TV show Paradox PI; Detective Jessi Hardin, head of Denver PD's Paranatural Unit; Odysseus Grant, a Vegas stage magician; and Sun Wukong, the Monkey King. Long lost friends Rick and Anastasia are also looking out for Kitty and her gang.

Once Kitty narrows down Roman's possible target location and his goal while there, she and her friends head off to stop him. On their mission, Kitty runs into some unusual and unexpected Others. Turns out she and her allies are not the only ones fighting on the sides of Good and Evil in hopes to sway the outcome of this impending disaster.

Kitty Saves the World wraps up Vaughn's Kitty Norville series. It's the last time we'll read/hear "Welcome to the Midnight Hour, the show that isn't afraid of the dark or the creatures who live there." It's always hard to say farewell to a series, especially one that goes on this long. The fact that Vaughn did such a good job with the overall growth of her characters throughout the series takes some of the sting out of saying goodbye. She's even found a way for a very unexpected, special, happy ending for Kitty and Ben.

Furthermore, she notes at the end of the book, this may not be The End.

So, this is the end. Or is it ...? I've learned never say never.

... I won't declaratively say that this is the end. Any more stories I want to write about vampires and werewolves will, I'm sure, be set in this very familiar world.

And I'm pretty sure that Cormac fellow is getting into trouble somewhere right this very minute ...

[Vivian]

I'm a bit behind so not reading the review but yay Steph for getting it in!
Last few days have been busy, I'm out of town through Monday, so probably won't finish my book until next week.

[Nancy]

That's fine, Vivian. We've been doing incredibly well keeping up.

I've finished my Dark and Stormy book (just about to post the review) and I am determined to finish my Urban book tonight just so I can catch up before the new call. It's a busy month for me - only a week and a half until the wedding, then off to Florence for 4 days. It will be my first time ever without the children so I am both looking forward to it immensely (a full night's sleep - bliss) but I'm also going to miss them like crazy.

[Nancy]

Shelf: Dark and Stormy

by Charlaine Harris
Read: 29 Aug
Rating: ☆☆☆☆

This is yet another series which I had heard people talking about and so, when I found a pristine box set of the first 10 books in my local charity shop, I was really pleased. And, once again, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Sookie was a great heroine, and the love affair between her and Bill the vampire was just great. I really love how the vampires were brought to life and were kind of a 'normal' part of everyday existence. I particularly enjoyed Bill's recounting of his actual experiences in the Civil War. There was enough humour, enough romance and enough mystery to keep you going and keep me reading all the way through to the end and start looking forward to the next one. I think perhaps the only thing that lost me a little was the appearance of Elvis...sorry...Bubba. But that flaw aside, it was a really fun read.

[Nancy]

I've just gone through and updated our reads - sorry I have been a little slow this last week. I'm just about to claim our Demons shelf (well done everyone!) but do let me know if I've missed anyone else's reviews.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

NancyHelen wrote: "It's a busy month for me - only a week and a half until the wedding, then off to Florence for 4 days."

Woohoo! So exciting! How are you holding up? Things going smoothly?

My MIL will be coming for a visit next week. She'll be here for about a week. Sandra will be covering the shelf announcement for me (it'll be around the same time on Wed) and I'll check in as I have time. I'll be MIL-less by 9/16, so I'll cover that shelf announcement.

I'm anxious for this shelf announcement - I have so many new/recent release books I'm holding off reading b/c I hope they fit a shelf. And, I'm ready to read ALL of them! :D

Stamp coming up.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Read or PAIRish!
We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'demons'. 

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

YAY!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Read or Pairish!

And NancyHelen, you expect to sleep on your honeymoon??? LOL

Best wishes for all the prep, it can get crazy!!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Thanks!

LOL! Be nice! ;)

[Nancy]

Sandra wrote: "Congrats on the stamp Read or Pairish!

And NancyHelen, you expect to sleep on your honeymoon??? LOL

Best wishes for all the prep, it can get crazy!!!"

Ha ha. I think because Ben and I have been together for 6 years already and have two children, it is highly likely both of us will spend a lot of time sleeping!

[Nancy]

I finally finished my UF book so I have all caught up! Feeling very pleased - I hate falling too far behind. And with 45 minutes still to go for the next shelf call too.

[Nancy]

Shelf: Urban Fantasy

Read:
Finished: 2 September
Rating: ☆☆☆

In the second book of this series, Harry Dresden is up against a hoard of rabid werewolves in various forms. I wanted to move on from the first of the series because I have had several people say that they do get better and better (although that's not to say I didn't enjoy number 1), but I think I was less impressed with this one. I just found it annoying how yet again, Murphy assumes Dresden is involved with the murders and yet again she is trying to arrest him, and yet again he is escaping out of it in a bid to try and protect her. I would have thought if the two of them had worked together as long as they had, she might have actually realised that it was unlikely that he was a murderer?

But despite that minor irritation, and the fact that yet again Harry seemed to end up so badly injured, it was a miracle he could even open his eyes (and yet he still manages to beat the bad guys in a condition which would leave most people in intensive care), it was a pretty exciting read and it moved along at a good pace. I will keep going, because I'm hoping that the author might move on from the repeated motifs in later books but I had my credulity stretched a little.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Shelf's up! Favorite ~ so you can read a book written by your favorite author, a part of your favorite series, featuring your favorite paranormal ability or supernatural being, etc.

I'll be reading: Yay!

[Nancy]

I'm going to have to go back to Maggie Stiefvater, who I just love.

I'll read

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I listened to the first book in her Mercy Falls series. I hated the narration, which ruined the book for me. I haven't read any of her books since. Maybe one day, since I realize it might've been more about the audio than the story.

[Nancy]

Steph wrote: "I listened to the first book in her Mercy Falls series. I hated the narration, which ruined the book for me. I haven't read any of her books since. Maybe one day, since I realize it might've bee..."

Oh, do. Hers were the very first paranormal books I read (goodness, only a few months back now!) and I was so blown away by how good her writing was and how fabulous the story and the characters were that she got me hooked. I don't think I have yet found another author in the genre who writes like she does. I know that bad audio can ruin a book, so perhaps try a different series?

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Yeah, I may. Are all of her's YA?

[Nancy]

Steph wrote: "Yeah, I may. Are all of her's YA?"

I think so, but the thing I liked about her characters were that they were all very mature young adults. You've noticed from my reviews that I have very little tolerance for childish heroines - most of the time I just want to give them a smack and send them to their rooms! But I have never felt that way about Maggie's main characters, although to be fair, I have only read her Raven Cycle series and The Scorpio Races.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sounds good, thanks. I may remove her from the skip indefinitely list ;) Nah, don't have one, but I was always turned off of any other books by her b/c of that previous book.

Just a reminder, teammies, I'll be MIA for a little bit. My MIL is visiting and hubby's off for Labor Day holiday + mom's visit. So, I'll be away from computer from Fri, 4 Sept - Tues, 15 Sept. I'll pop back periodically to update ya'll on my book choices, progress, etc. But, I won't be able to get to stamps or, most likely, full reviews since I'll be on my phone. Sandra will be covering our next shelf announcement on the 9th.

Re: our current shelf 'Favorite' ~ I've started and I'm trying to read slowly to savor it (@ 10% now). I've been anxiously awaiting Naasir's book since he was first introduced. :D

Happy Reading, my lovelies!

[Nancy]

Have a great time, Steph!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Thanks! :) I'm sure we will.

I finished my 'favorite' book and loved it. Since first "meeting" Naasir, I've been intrigued and looking forward to learning more about him. This book satisfied all of that and more. I'll share my review when I'm back around the 16th.

Hope everyone's enjoying their reads and, to all of our U.S. mates, have a Happy Labor Day weekend!

[Vivian]

Hi team! I finished Stolen and will review when I'm on a computer. I am really liking this series so far, much more than I expected to. Now that I'm back, looking forward to watching season 2 on netflix to see how it compares to the book.

For Favorites, going to read . Diana Rowland is one of my favorite authors, I heart her Kara Gillian series.

[Nancy]

Only half an hour until the next call! I'm not going to be about much over the next few days as the wedding is on Saturday (argh!) and then we're off on honeymoon the following Tuesday just until Friday next week.

I will be dropping in of course but it might take me a few extra days to make updates.

[Nancy]

The next shelf:

Meow: Read a book featuring any form of feline shifter

[Vivian]

NancyHelen - want me to take over captain duties, basically updating shelves and requesting stamps right? I am done traveling and things are calm on my end. Don't want bingo to add stress to your wedding week :)

[Nancy]

Vivian, that would be fabulous - thank you. I wouldn't like us to miss out on anything over the next week or so. I then have a brief lull between 17th September when we get back from honeymoon, and 5th October when we move to Australia so I can get back on duty then. I'm going to have to play it by ear for a week or so after the move though!

Has anyone got any suggestions for this week? Does have a feline shifter in it? I'm quite keen to read it, but I can't tell from the description.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Yes it does NancyHelen ... Curran ... drool ...

Wow, the wedding has crept up, for us, I'm sure not for you. LOL. My Godson gets married Friday, so it must be an auspicious weekend for weddings :D

[Nancy]

Thank you, Sandra! I needed an excuse to start that series.

Good luck to your godson. I hope his wedding goes well. I bet he (like me) will be glad when it is finally here!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

I'm sure he feels the same but at least he's not also moving, let alone countries :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Happy Wedding, NancyHelen!! Good luck and all the best to you both!

Curran *sigh* enjoy!

I'll probably read .

[~JustMel~]

Good morning guys!! Sorry for the long delays between posts. Work an school have been kicking my backside lately, but I'm still trying to catch up as quickly as I can!!

[Vivian]

Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Date finished: Sept 7
Rating: 3.5 stars

Stolen is book 2 of the series and we pick up a little after the first book ends. This story introduces a slew of other supernaturals into the world including vamps, demons, and witches. There is a heavy focus on Elena and newer characters which means less time for the rest of the pack which is kind of a bummer especially since the next one I think moves to follow a different character. Also, I really like Elena and Clay and wish there was a bit more relationship development with them. The story is interesting even though it includes some really really stupid people doing stupid things (view spoiler)[For example, if I was a doctor trying to treat a newly turned psycho werewolf, I would be a little more wary of being in a locked room with her (hide spoiler)]. I felt like the villains weren't really developed and I wasn't totally invested in their reasoning for kidnapping people but still lots of excitement and I enjoyed meeting the new characters like Paige and Adam.

[Vivian]

Shelf updates:


#6 Aug 19 - Dark and Stormy
✔ Steph: Magic on the Storm - review
✔ NancyHelen: Dead Until Dark - review
✔ JustMel: Darkness Awakened review
✔ Vivian: Bitten - review


#7 Aug 26 - Urban Fantasy
✔ Steph: Kitty Saves the World - review
✔ Nancy: Fool Moon - review
    JustMel: City of Bones
✔ Vivian: Stolen - review


#8 Sept 2 - Favorite
✔ Steph: Archangel's Enigma - review
✔ NancyHelen: Blue Lily, Lily Blue - review
✔ JustMel:Moseh's Staff - review
✔ Vivian: White Trash Zombie Apocalypse -review


#9 Sept 9 - Meow!
✔ Steph: Tangling with the Tiger - review
✔ NancyHelen: Magic Bites - review
    JustMel: Tiger Billionaire: The Whole Story
✔ Vivian: Skinwalker - review


#10 Sept 16 - Paranormal Romance
✔ Steph: My Savior - review
✔ NancyHelen: Moon Called - review
    JustMel:Succubus Blues
✔ Vivian: Kitty Steals the Show - review


#11 Sept 23 - Cover Love
✔ Steph: Wicked Embers - review
    NancyHelen: Shiver
    JustMel: Fire & Shadow
✔ Vivian: Days of Blood & Starlight - review

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi ladies! Our next shelf is up: Paranormal Romance; must choose a book listed here --> Direct Link: http://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/p...

I'll most likely read .

Hope everyone's doing well! Happy Reading!

Anxious to hear how NancyHelen and hubby are making out post-wedding celebration. :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

They are still on honeymoon till about the weekend according to the post earlier.

[Vivian]

Welcome back Steph! Hope you had fun with the fam :)

I'm about halfway done with White Trash Zombie Apocalypse and it's super fun.

My tentative pick for this week is Kitty Steals the Show but if I can't get into my Meow book, I'm shifting it over and will select something new.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sandra wrote: "They are still on honeymoon till about the weekend according to the post earlier."

I remember - just anxious to hear how it all went. I'm hoping for some pics too :D

Thanks, Vivian! MIL enjoyed herself and there was no brawling or tears, so I count that as a win. LOL! J/K ... kinda. ;)

I've been curious out that White Trash Zombie series. GTK you're enjoying it.

Remember, even though her name is Kitty, she's a wolf. ;) If you're lookin' for another series w/feline shifters, I'd recommend checking out Helen Harper's Blood Destiny or if you've read those, her spin-off Corrigan. I read one of Vivi Andrews' Lone Pine Pride for that shelf and liked it. Have you read any of those?

Sorry, I know you didn't ask for suggestions - I couldn't help myself.

I'd hoped to get to my 2 pending reviews today, but I'm still tackling emails. I'll post them (FAVE & MEOW) tomorrow.

[Vivian]

I want pics of the paper roses!

No brawling or tears is usually a success? Though a little of either usually makes for fun stories afterwards.

I'm not a big zombies person but this series is fun and cheesy and the MC Angel totally kicks butt.

Kitty is a wolf. I would have made that connection eventually! My brain has not caught up to the fact that vacation time is over and has been over since Labor Day. And finals for class this week so my brain power is being used up with fun things like the Standard Celeration Chart
.

I like recs thanks! Blood Destiny covers, I've seen them and they all look like part of the same series which makes me happy haha. I just picked up the first one since it's currently free on Amazon. I have read a Vivi Andrews book before and I enjoyed it but haven't picked up anything else by her.

[Vivian]

Shelf: Favorite
Date finished: Sept 16
Rating: 4.5 stars

Such a great book. I get a little rambly so the main points are bolded.

I absolutely adore Angel. She definitely has a messed up past but isn't bogged down with baggage and she makes the best of what she's got, she has a wicked snarky humor, enjoys cuddling and allows herself to be taken care of but is also strong and independent, she is super caring and protective of loved ones and has her morals but is definitely okay with a little payback. She has the opposite of a sunny disposition but she is a really positive likable character.

This third book suffers a bit from throw-everything-in-but-the-kitchen-sink syndrome, is an engaging read but wowzas so much to tell. There is a lot going on with Angel in her personal life with her dad, school, boys, plus a zombie movie is being filmed in town but of course there is an evil corporation tied to the movie and Angel is knee deep in it and needs to help stop their nefarious plan from bearing fruit or something, there is unfinished business with characters/bad guys from the last book plus possible new relationships with a zombie mafia, natural disasters, and now Angel's calling herself a zombie-mama?

This series is growing up with Angel and I am excited to continue the journey. I'm not sure how to describe it but I think this series is pretty well-balanced. There is definitely a light-heartedness to everything and plenty of snarky humor but at the same time Rowland isn't afraid to throw in some actual issues and emotions (view spoiler)[like Angel and her dad losing their home to a flood and trying to mend their rocky relationship (hide spoiler)] to keep it real-ish. Angel has grown so much as a character from book 1 and I'm rooting for her to succeed.

Love the cover for the first 3 books Dan dos Santos is one of my favorite cover artists. It is so interesting to read about his process when creating art pieces.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Yeah, he does the Kitty Kat covers as well Vivian. Genius.

[Vivian]

The Kitty Kat covers are great too, every time I see them I get an urge to read the books since he does the covers for a couple of my favorite series. And more recently he did covers for the Firefly comic <3 I'm so in love with him.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I'll have to check out that series. Great review, Vivian.

I got swamped yesterday, but definitely plan to post all of my pending reviews later today.

[Nancy]

HI guys - we just got back from Florence this evening so I am busy trying to catch up. The wedding was just magical and our honeymoon was fabulous. I will get some pictures posted soon, I promise. Everyone loved the paper roses and the whole book theme of the wedding so the endless nights of making them paid off.

I got my Favourite book finished so I will try to get the review posted soon. For the next round I'm going to read .

Thank you so much, Vivian, for keeping track of everything!