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First in Line (1)
message 101:
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Jenne
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Oct 18, 2013 11:31AM
Lindy the spot is 15 so either a first, fifth, or fifteenth, or an author that's first, middle, or last name starts with a p.
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I'll be reading mine tomorrow. just checking in.
I started a book for each of them but i really like Richard Paul Evans the best
Spot #15 First in series
Book: Wicked Intentions by Elizabeth Hoyt
Finished: Oct 19th
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
The initial set-up for the romance is contrived - why would an aristocrat seek the aid of a woman of a lower social class to solve a murder? Moreover, Temperance and Caire's physical relationship is quite erotic for the historical romance genre. Nevertheless, there is a closeness and intimacy between the couple that makes their relationship intense and enjoyable.
Temperance is an ambiguous heroine. On the one hand, she seems selfless and courageous but on the other, she hides a troubling secret that may turn some readers off once it is revealed - (view spoiler). While I usually have no patience for this trope, Hoyt manages to make Temperance's circumstances understandable although not completely forgivable and it is difficult not to empathize with her and feel that she deserves to be happy.
Lord Caire is a flawed hero. At first, he comes across as crude and hurtful but his underlying sense of honor and the slow revelation of his painful past make him very appealing.
The suspense plot is the weakest element. The story establishes a Jack the Ripper type scenario that never comes to fruition and the lack of clues, suspects and adequate investigation is disappointing. Moreover, the eventual resolution is a letdown as the culprit and motivation are illogical.
The secondary characters are engaging and Hoyt has laid the foundation for the next few books. The mysterious Ghost of St. Giles is particularly interesting and I look forward to seeing if my suspicions as his identity are correct.
Progress Post HereWe Rolled a 6 putting us on spot 15
Thursday 10/16/13
- Review Link - JenniferJ 
- Review Link -Lindy
- Review Link - NayNay
- Review Link - Lauren
- Review Link - Stephanie
by John AbramowitzFinished 10/19/13
3 stars
Review: Weaver is a sort of new twist on vampires like in lieu of sucking the blood from a person it's their soul instead that gets sucked from them. The story itself was really interesting but would benefit hugely with a good editor.
I spent the day finiishing listening to this in the car, just got home.week 4
Author/Title: P=Evans, Richard Paul Last Promise
Rated: 5
Finished: 10-20
REVIEW:
Two Americans end up at Villa Rendola in Italy. It is the home of Elana and her husband Capo Maurizio. Capo travels constantly for his vineyard, he uis rarely home more than 2 days a week and has many lovers. His poor son Alessio,, who has severe Asthma, but she cant' leave him, cause in Italy, he woudl get the child. She lives a lonely life until Ross moves into one of the Apartments. They both love art and culture and eventaully each other. The book is very detailed about Italy. Hopefully there will be a second book inthe series.
Jennifer, the progress post says spot 8 but we are on spot 15. Just an FYI.
Lauren wrote: "Jennifer, the progress post says spot 8 but we are on spot 15. Just an FYI."ooops thanks for catching that sweets... I forgot to change it when I copied and pasted. lol
No worries - I do that all the time, lol!
Lauren wrote: "No worries - I do that all the time, lol!"LOL I get in a hurry.....
Ladies I'm not able to roll and get our next spot yet but the alternate has been posted if you want to go that route.... The alternate this time is to read a book published in 2011
This works out great, I am starting Lady of the English for another challenge and it was published in 2011. I love when this happens.For 10/20 Alternate read -
by Elizabeth Chadwick
Read: Boyfriend from HellFinished: Oct 19
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Turned out better than I was expecting. I was impressed with the lead characterization of Tina. She was fierce.
The writing was very detailed. World plot not bad, some originality meets oldschool comic geek. The plot I have some mixed feelings about.
didn't like any of the men in this book. For a romance that is bad for business. Max was better drawn, but there was so little information in the beginning scenes you end up feeling no empathy for his character when he gets sent to hell. <\i>
Sorry for the late turn in. No one would let me read. Too much to do. Promise to not hold up the conga line this time.
harlequin {Stephanie} wrote: "Sorry for the late turn in. No one would let me read. Too much to do. Promise to not hold up the conga line this time."No problem Stephanie! It happens to me all the time! Even my doggie can't stand for mama to be holding a book! LOL ;)
Lindy wrote: "Can ;you roll before the book is due?"Lindy, I cannot roll until all the reviews are in and at the time they were not. Reviews are not technically due until sometime on Sunday.
OK ladies we rolled a 6 this week and that puts us on Spot 21. So we can read a first in series or a second in series or a 21st in series or do the alternate which is read a book published in 2011
NayNay wrote: "This works out great, I am starting Lady of the English for another challenge and it was published in 2011. I love when this happens.For 10/20 Alternate read - [bookcover:Lady of the English|9864..."
It's great when a plan comes together! LOL :)
I picked my book out already -
(published in 2011)Happy reading everyone :0)
Finished my book for 10/20/13 SPOT 21
10/21/13 5 starsTruly an interesting story. Elizabeth Chadwick brings history to life in her novels, she is one of the best. A must read for anyone who enjoys delving into the medieval period.
NayNay don't forget to add the spot your review was for when you get a chance, thanks!
Progress Post HereWe Rolled a 6 putting us on spot 21
Sunday 10/20/13
- Review Link - JenniferJ 
- Review Link -Lindy
- Review Link - NayNay
- Review Link - Lauren
- Review Link - Stephanie
Jenne wrote: "NayNay don't forget to add the spot your review was for when you get a chance, thanks!"Oops I haven't been adding that to my reviews either but I will from now on. ;) Below is all you need to add to your reviews for this roll ladies.
Roll 5 - Spot 21
Not that it's a huge deal but it really makes it easier to see when I'm lurking around lol.
Yes I can understand that hon the farther we progress and that will be a huge help. ;)
Finished my book - review will be up soon.
Spot #21 Published in 2011
Book: Hotwire by Alex Kava
Finished: Oct 23rd
Rating: ★★★1/2
Review:
As with most of the recent books in the Maggie O'Dell series, the basic premise is excellent but the execution is only so-so.
The writing is fast paced (not surprising given the relatively short chapters) and the story is compelling enough to keep you turning the pages. Nevertheless, the various plot threads, including the attack on the teenagers in the forest, the food contamination and the government conspiracy, are all treated rather superficially and end up being a bit of a mish-mash.
Moreover, there is only some meager character development with regard to the personal lives of Ben Platt and Julia Racine rather than Maggie, which is disappointing.
It looks like the spark of brilliance that characterized the first few books in this series has gone out but I keep hoping that it will return.
What is the premise?the basic premise is excellent
Roll 5 - Spot 21
by Jennifer EstepFinished 10/22/13
4 stars
Review: I've read a couple of books from Jennifer's other series and she never disappoints me! What's not for me to love in this series with a kick ass female assasin, magic and mayhem, vampires and the like? The story is very fasted moving and in the first few pages you've already hit the floor running! I really liked Gin's character and her tough as nails attitude.
this neabts u cab read 1 ir 2 ub serutes abd tgere bi akterbate?Roll 5 - Spot 21
i guess i cna' type this means i read eiher 1, 2 or 21 in seris but there is no alternateRoll 5 - Spot 21
Lindy and Stephanie how are your books coming along?
i jsut figured it out, this is the last one due today
Lindy Roll 5 Spot 21 is what we rolled on Sunday which means the reviews have to be in by tomorrow but the sooner they are posted the sooner I can roll. I Cannot roll until ALL reviews are posted!There is always an alternate! Here is the post that was made on Sunday!
OK ladies we rolled a 6 this time and that puts us on Spot 21. So we can read a first in series or a second in series or a 21st in series or do the alternate which is read a book published in 2011
Lindy wrote: "What is the premise?the basic premise is excellent"
The attack on the teens and the government conspiracy.
Somehow i thought it was Wed, hard to knowthe day when you dont work
Today is Wednesday, if you can get your review in today because tomorrow is the deadline.
i have one more page to readWeek 5
author/Title: Rice, Anne Of Love and Evil bk 2
Rated: 4
Finished 10/23
Anne Rice who at one time returned to her Roman Catholic roots has again renounced. "I quit being a Christian. . . . I refuse to be anti-gay. I refuse to be anti-feminist. I refuse to be anti-artificial birth control. I refuse to be anti-Democrat. I refuse to be anti-secular humanism. I refuse to be anti-science. I refuse to be anti-life."
She once again she focuses on the adventures of the redeemed hit man Toby O'Dare, visits the past (Renaissance Florence) to do good, and he finds a haunted residence and a mysterious poisoning. It seems to be the retelling of Dante's vision at the end of "Paradiso."
Still needing one more review before we can roll ladies.
Ladies we're still waiting on a review from Stephanie before we can roll. I hope everything is ok with her. Hopefully she will check in soon!
Do we even know if she is reading the book?
Lindy wrote: "Do we even know if she is reading the book?"I have no clue hon. It appears she hasn't checked into Goodreads since the 20th. I have sent her a message but not heard anything back yet. :( Hopefully she will post her review soon or we wont get to roll again until Sunday.
It looks like all the other teams have already rolled. :( I'm anxious to get started on my next book to!
Someone in the other group asked if 4 reviews was enough to roll as some of the groups have 4 players. I think Jenne said ok. Can we ask?
Sorry Lauren, the only way any team could roll without all of the reviews or a late roll was in the event of an emergency or if someone dropped out. There were two teams last week that didn't get to roll due to missing reviews. In all honest it's not the end of the world to miss one roll but obviously it doesn't help either. There's still all of today to get the last review in. I know that's not what y'all want to hear.
There is still no book to read, i have to go to the library and leaving tomorrow out of town, so you better hope it is within the 30 books i have out, I will only be taking 10 with me
Lindy you would be safe with any book that's a second in the series or has a black cover, must be over half black. But you can't start reading it till y'all roll.
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