R12: Team #13 ~ Baker's Dozen

[Cheryl]

I have picked Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead for the UF shelf.

[Lisa]

Shelf: Dark and Stormy
Book: Stormfront by Jim Butcher
pages: 285
Finished: 8-24-15
Rating: ****

This is the second book recommended by my team and I loved this one too!

I'm not sure why I hesitated reading this series but I am sorry that I did. I can see the appeal.

Harry is a down to earth, slightly unorganized but lovable hero. There was mystery, action and it was quite funny. Harry lends his assistance to help solve a police case and finds that it happens to tie into one of his personal files. He struggles to assist the police while keeping his secrets and keeping himself out of the spotlight and out of trouble. You receive an introduction to many interesting characters that I look forward to spending more time with.

Loved it!

[Lisa]

Hi Ladies. Sorry for the couple days of silence. I had the cable co here to bundle my phone and when he left my internet was down!

for the Urban Fantasy shelf I will be reading :


Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews.

[Mary X]

I wasn't on yesterday either because I was out of town.

[Mary X]

Hey how is everyone doing with their reading? I have to confess that I have only read about 5 pages of my UF book. I think I will switch to an audio. Not because this one isn't good but because I have been busy and am looking at a couple of busy weeks coming up. I can get through audio books faster.

[Mary X]

OK this is more of a ghost themed PNR but 2 people have shelved it Urban Fantasy so I am going with it since I have it in ebook and audio:

[Cheryl]

I am nearly done with my Urban Fantasy book and should have it finished by tomorrow.

Mary, it can be annoying when life gets in the way of reading. Hope that you can squeeze a few hours in. Its my daily treat to snuggle in bed at night with a good book.

[Lisa]

Hi all. I have my UF book finished and it was fantastic. I love the Kate Daniels series. I will do my review on Tuesday evening. I have an early start and long day on Tuesday. Taking my dad to the VA hospital for tests all day. Wish we had a new shelf so I could get a head start. Keep your fingers crossed for us. He just had open heart in October and it feels like we are starting over :( gah!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Hope it all goes well Lisa!

[Lisa]

Thank you Sandra.

[Mary X]

I hope it all goes well with your dad Lisa. My dad was sick most of last year and it was very stressful. Good luck with the testing and don't worry about the review. Get to it when you can.

[Mary X]

Now that I switched to an audiobook I have made better progress on my UF book. But I still probably won't finish by next shelf call, but this week anyway.

[Cheryl]

Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Book: Succubus on Top by Richelle Mead
314 pages
finished 9-1-15
Rating: ★★★★

Entertaining, sexy, funny, romantic and a delight to read. Loved all the characters, especially Georgina - she certainly knows how to attract trouble! It was a bit light on mystery, but I was so entertained by Georgina's antics that I barely noticed.

[Mary X]

New Shelf! Favorites

Lots of freedom with this one: favorite series, favorite author, favorite shifter, favorite genre or sub-genre or sub-sub-sub-genre....,

You get the picture.

Not sure what I will read yet. I might not pick until I finish the UF book and see what I am in the mood for afterwards.

[Sarah]

Wow! Too many choices for that one.

[Mary X]

I know, kind of makes it harder to choose.

[Cheryl]

For my Favorites Shelf, I have picked . At 656 pages it should keep me busy until the next shelf draw. It is one of my favourite series, and also my favourite genre - fantasy, though I love anything paranormal.

[Sarah]

Shelf 5: Demons Revenant by Larissa Ione
Pages: 365
Read: 9.3.15
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
This is the final book in the Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series and I've loved every bit of it! I'm quite sad to see it finished, but happy with the way it ended. Everyone got their HEA. I don't want to spoil anything for anyone who plans to read the series. Ione has become a fast favorite of mine, and I've enjoyed all that I've read by her. I didn't see where she was going with the last book, there were a lot of impossible tasks, and tricky situations. Really well done though.

[Mary X]

Yay! we can get another shelf.

I am almost done with my UF book and should finish today. I have a super busy weekend coming up: going out dancing tonight, my brother's wedding tomorrow, big family BBQ on Sunday and kayaking on Monday.

So I think my favorites book will be the next one in the Krewe of Hunters series, because I love Heather Graham and I love books with a ghost theme. I'm sure I'll have some audiobook time over the weekend but I doubt I'll have much sit and read time.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Wow, that's an action packed weekend Mary. Congrats & best wishes to your brother & his fiance.

[Mary X]

It's my last weekend before my classes start and I don't want to waste a minute.

Although at the BBQ I will be mostly sitting around, it'll just be at my other brother's house instead of my own.

[Mary X]

Came back early from dancing because my friend's back was bothering her. So I'll go ahead and post my UF review before I forget.

[Mary X]

Urban Fantasy



4 stars

9/4/15

I docked it a star because, I don't know, I just didn't feel that Madison and Sean really fell in love. But I loved the Hollywood setting. I love ghost themed books. Really liked the ghost of Humphrey Bogart haunting Madison and the whole film noir, haunted graveyard, classic film stuff. But the romance part felt a little rushed and just thrown in there to make it fit under romantic suspense. Also a lot of characters to keep track of in this one.

[Sarah]

For the Favorites shelf I'm going to go with Death Masks by Jim Butcher.

[Lisa]

Shelf: Urban Fantasy
Book: Magic Shifts by Ilona Andrews
Pages: 342
Rating: ****

I really enjoyed this book. At the beginning of this book, Kate and Curran are basically starting a new life. They are adjusting to living alone (but together) and being responsible for themselves and each other. They are setting up house. This is the part of the story that just cracked me up. They go thru the same struggles as all couples do but magnified by who they are. I just loved it. Made this book stand out. Of course, there was an excellent case with nasty monsters and bad guys and all hands were on deck to solve the mystery and save Kate from herself.

This book was just a taste of what is to come with all the changes Kate and Curran have made. I feel like Magic Shifts was meant to feel like the start of a new series and new direction. I was on board at first but began to miss all those things and people they were leaving behind. Then out of no where... they were all back and there! I don't know if Kate or I were more surprised.

I'm leaving out a lot. It was great. Just read it. :)

For those who have read the book already:

The part where Kate meets someone very "special" for dinner and where they choose to eat that meal was classic!

[Lisa]

My selection for the Favorites will be: Hidden Moon by Lori Handeland It falls under favorite series for me.

[Lisa]

Sarah, I noticed that you said you were a Dexter fan. I just finished watching the series on Netflix this week. Not sure how I feel about that ending. I think that I sat there with my mouth open and not saying anything for a few mins. I was really pulling for Deb. Loved her.

[Mary X]

Just came back from my brother's wedding. (got 1 more to marry off)

We had such a good time. Lots of dancing. My mother was so pleased that all 5 of her kids were together. (my sister often chooses not to participate in family stuff but she came to the wedding.)My new sister in law looked like a fairy princess.

I am actually already on disc 4 (out of 8) for my Favorites book. I listened while I walked the dog, made 2 desserts for the BBQ tomorrow and did my hair.

[Sarah]

When I wrote that I had binge watched like 4 or 5 seasons. I actually haven't watched the last one but I've heard some things. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to it. lol

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Sounds like a great wedding Mary, glad you enjoyed it :)

[Lisa]

Sarah wrote: "When I wrote that I had binge watched like 4 or 5 seasons. I actually haven't watched the last one but I've heard some things. I'm not sure if I'll ever get to it. lol"

I did the same thing. It is worth finishing. The end keeps you guessing!

[Sarah]

When I have more free time I will probably try to finish it. I really liked how the season before the last one ended.

[Mary X]

I hope everyone had a good weekend. Mine is still going because of Labor Day.

Despite my busy weekend, I am almost done with my Favorites book. But only because it's an audio. I don't think I have read more than 5 pages of a print book this whole week.

[Mary X]

Favorites



4 stars

9/6/15

I picked this for favorites because I love Heather Graham, the Krewe series and anything with a ghost theme. Also love sunken ship stuff too and this one even had that. HG does a lot of sunken ship and ghost themed books which is why I love her. The romance, like in the last one, felt a little rushed but that's pretty common in romantic suspense books. But at least, in this series anyway, the couples aren't married off and pregnant at the end of the book. They are in love and figuring out how they can make it work around their careers which is at least more realistic.

[Sarah]

I hope ya'll don't mind that I skipped around a little. I am still going to read Storm's Heart, I just had Summer Knight checked out from the library and the due date was approaching.



Shelf 7: Urban Fantasy Summer Knight by Jim Butcher
Pages: 449
Read: 9.7.15
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
So it's been at least a year since I read the 3rd book in the series, but I remember enjoying them and having this near the top of my TBR. As the TBR goes usually sometimes the books you want to get to get pushed back. This gave me a great opportunity to jump back into Harry's life. I'm a big fan of books with faeries, and I liked the little twists and nuances Jim Butcher put into this world of the Fae. Harry is hilarious, and he says exactly what he's thinking (and sometimes what I'm thinking). He's one tough cookie too. I don't read (enough) books with male leads (that isn't romance), so it's refreshing to be put into a different perspective. Overall, well done and I'm excited to jump into the next book.

[Mary X]

No worries Sarah. I think that gives us our UF stamp now right?

eta: it does! Requested UF stamp.

We are doing great.

[Lisa]

Shelf: Favorites
Book: Hidden Moon by Lori Handeland
pages: 352
Finished: 9-8-2015
Rating: ***

This book is part of the Night Creature Series. It revolves around werewolves and werewolf hunters. Each book has include a new lore or story of werewolf origin and they span different cultures and mythologies. They have all been interesting for that reason. They are also great mysteries and and love stories. All the books basically include average people. Our heroines are real and flawed and that is refreshing.

This particular story revolves around Gypsies. Claire is a small town girl who leaves her roots behind only to return after the death of her father. She fills his shoes as mayor of the town. She returns to find things mostly where she left them..including her best friend. Claire's assistant hires a troop of Gypsies to entertain at a city festival and chaos follows. The leader of the troop is a mysterious man who immediately catches Claire's attention. Bad things are brewing as the eclipse draws near. You are left guessing (as you do in all the books of this series) until the end. this wasn't my favorite of the series but still solid and I can't wait to read the rest.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Mary, you need to add dates to your reviews for Urban Fantasy & Favorites :)

[Mary X]

done

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

:)

[Mary X]

New shelf:Meow Feline Shifter book

I might need a few days on this one. Not sure if I have an audiobook on hand and my classes start this week.

[Sarah]

For the Meow shelf I pick Lion's Share by Rachel Vincent.

[Cheryl]

For the Meow shelf I have picked The Silvered by Tanya Huff. I am only halfway through my Favourites pick - Queen of Shadows. It is such a long book and not light reading either. I am enjoying it though I did have to catch up on the previous books through Recaptains as I had forgotten some of the plot and characters.

[Mary X]

Ok found something. Checked out the ebook and it came with a cheap audible upgrade, made even cheaper with my slow shipping credit from Amazon. (If you choose a slower shipping method on something when you have Prime they give you a $1 digital credit).

[Sarah]

Shelf 8: Favorites Death Masks by Jim Butcher
Pages: 451
Read: 9.11.15
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
The series continues to become more and more interesting. I'm not going to lie, I'm looking forward to Harry not being so hung up on Susan. A lot of interesting characters in this one. I'm very interested to see where the series goes. I can honestly say there weren't really any slow parts. I didn't feel like I had to force myself through any bit of it. The ending though, I just know that's going to open a whole new bundle of problems for Harry. I don't think he really has to worry so much about the Vampires, even though I know it's still an issue. There are going to be bigger, and badder things.

[Mary X]

We are doing great. Just one book a way from everything but the most recent. Which is really good.

[Sarah]

I am going on a short vacation this weekend so I may not be on here very much. But I do plan to read some while I'm away. I'm hoping to finish Storm's Heart.

[Cheryl]

I am changing my Meow pick to . I only read a few chapters in the last time I tried to read it, so I am going to give it another go. I keep reading comments that the series improves after the first two books.

I have finally finish my Favorites book and will be putting my review up shortly. I think we will be ready for a Favorites stamp then. Yay!

[Cheryl]

Shelf: Favorites
Book: Queen of Shadows by Sarah J Maas
656 pages
finished 9-12-15
Rating: ★★★
I enjoyed it though it was a mixed bag for me. There was some things that I loved while other things really bothered me. For starters, it was way too long. I couldn't connect with many of the characters and felt that there were too many side stories. I loved Ms Maas writing style and the incredible world building but would have liked a bit more romance. I found Aelin to be over-confident and hardened, though her elaborate scheme to exact her revenge was brilliant. There was little or no character development with Aedion, Rowan and Chaol, though Nesryn and Lysandra were strong, independent women. The first part of the book was unnecessarily drawn out but the last 100 or so pages were great - plenty of action with the plans coming together to a dramatic conclusion.

[Mary X]

Requested our Favorites stamp.

I haven't made much progress on my Meow book yet. Listened to about an hour this morning.