2014 January Pick-It-For-Me! Challenge

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Penney wrote: "Hi Karen, so far I've read From This Moment On and Beauty Touched the Beast. Not my favorite reads, but definitely worth it. I'm hoping to squeeze in one or two mo..."

I'm glad they were at least ok for you, Penney - hopefully if you get to more they'll be even better!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Daffodil wrote: "Diane

I started last night and am having fun with it so far. I've been looking but only see one other contemporary by Julia Harper, though I have read one..."

Glad you like it. Yeah, I read Hot as well and liked it (especially the Great Dane puppy). I didn't know she was also Elizabeth Hoyt, I may have to track something down by her.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Katie - I read and liked it. Thanks for encouraging me to get it off my TBR.

[Mary Ann]

Sallie,

Finished Between the Lines today! Cute book! I give it a 3.5. I will likely read the next in the series at some point. Thanks for the great suggestion!

[Dee]

~Leslie~ wrote: "Hi Skandia Finished my 2nd book. I read and absolutely loved it! 5 ★'s. Thanks so much for recommending it to me."

I loved this book - reminded me of the vintage Nora Roberts...totally deserved to win best audiobook romance at the Audies this year

[Dee]

hi Mary Ann - i finished Anything But Love the other day and forgot to check in - haha - it wasn't my favorite in the series so far - i really wanted to like Rachael, but yeah...but I was interested in seeing Sam/Harper together who are going to be the feature couple in the next book

[Daffodil]

Diane ~Firefly~


Thanks for the rec on . I finished it last night and it was a fun read.

[Nancy H]

Dee, I finished and LOVED it! Thanks for the push to get to it in my massive TBR pile - although now I will be adding many more Higgins books so it will get even larger - lol!

[Dee]

no problem Nancy - I will admit that I like KH's more recent books - they are more romance than her earlier ones which are more chick-lit-ish (at least to me)

[Ashley]

Amy J. wrote: " Ashley,

I finished my second book . Another 5 star read for me already this year. The more I read of Sarah Addison Allen the more I love her. I ..."

I am glad you liked it. My two favorite books by her are

[Ashley]

I read my first pick and it wasent really my cup of tea. It was a fast read though..

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Daffodil wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~


Thanks for the rec on . I finished it last night and it was a fun read."

Glad you liked it :)

[Kami]

I finished my first pick A Tale Dark & Grimm. I really liked it and gave it five stars.

[Amy J.]

Ashley wrote: "Amy J. wrote: " Ashley,

I finished my second book . Another 5 star read for me already this year. The more I read of Sarah Addison Allen the more..."

Garden Spells was great. I've added Girl Who Chased the moon to my TBR.

I also finished my third (and final) book. . I liked it better than the other books in the series, but it was still just okay for me.

Thanks for the great recs!

[Amy J.]

Katie wrote: "Hey Amy! I started Dreamfever as soon as I could this morning and just finished it up. I loved it. This series is crazy addicting and I'm on to Shadowfever right now. Thanks so much for the rec!"

That's my favorite series. Glad you're loving it.

[Dee]

hi Mary Ann - I also finished Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes and enjoyed it - I will say that her lack of mourning kind of bugged me a bit, but then I got sucked into the story - I totally didn't see the final reveal...I've added the rest of the books to my to-read pile

[Pam]

Hi Lauren-
Finally finished my book . I gave it 3 1/2 stars and it's been on the pile of books by the side of my bed forever, so I'm glad to have moved it along. I loved the hero, there was a really evil bad guy but it needed to lose about 100 pages. I couldn't put the middle down but the getting to the end dragged a little. Not sure I'll get another done this month but thanks for the recommendations!

[Mary Ann]

Dee wrote: "hi Mary Ann - I also finished Twenty-Eight and a Half Wishes and enjoyed it - I will say that her lack of mourning kind of bugged me a bit, but then I got sucked into the story - I ..."

Hey Dee,
I'm glad you liked this one! It is on my to-read list and I think I'm going to start it next!

[Dee]

cool Mary Ann - it was a quick read...I was surprised when I looked at my kindle and realized that I was already at 50%...will be interested to see what you think of it

[Sallie(GeorgiaGirl)]

Hi Logan...I finished Takedown Twenty...4*s really enjoyed it once again Lula stole the show....

[Carla]

Pam--
I am late this month getting to my PIFM books, but I just finished and liked it. It's been awhile since I've read Laurens, and it was a good read. I'll be sure to read more of this series and the related Cynster sisters series. Thanks! I am also reading on audio and am really liking it. Thanks very much for the recommendation.

[Zara's Retreat]

Hi everyone.


I've just posted the sign-up for the February PIFM Challenge. Here's the link.

2014 February PIFM

[Jaime]

Finished another pick... . I liked it pretty good.

[⚜️XAR]

Hey, Becca, wanted to update you on my progress. I tried to read The Luxe but wound up falling asleep while reading it and I wasn't even tired! The story really wasn't grabbing me either, so I went ahead and marked it unable to finish. I'm sorry that recommendation didn't work out!

I went ahead and added all of my "Will Try to get Time to Read" books to my Meet and Greet shelf, in the hopes that I could get them read with more time. Poison Study got picked for me, so I chose that one as an overall selection. I'm hoping the others will be picked as well!

I just got notified on Saturday that The Forsaken has come in at my local library, so unfortunately, I won't get to read it this month, but I found a place for it in a challenge I am doing for another group, so I'll let you know what I thought of it!

I've still got Pleasure Unbound on my Currently Reading shelf, but I haven't actually started it. It's going to be the book I use to "cleanse my mental palate" in between A Night to Surrender and Wicked in Your Arms, which are my last two picks from Round 1 of the Meet and Greet! Here's hoping I make it!

[Becca]

I'm almost done with poison study myself and I absolutely love it so you have to let me know what you think when you read it!!

[⚜️XAR]

Becca wrote: "I'm almost done with poison study myself and I absolutely love it so you have to let me know what you think when you read it!!"

Will do, Becca! Just Listen also got re-picked for me in the new Meet and Greet Round, so I will get to read it too!

I also forgot to mention that I had double dipped again with The Boleyn King, so I'll have that one done later on in the year as well. I'll keep you updated in PMs as to my thoughts on the books!

[Grace]

Hi Christina. So far I have read Undead and Unemployed and Amaury's Hellion. I liked both of them, but really enjoyed Amaury's Hellion. Thanks for getting me motivated to continue on with series I have started. I have an awful habit of starting a series and enjoying it, but not continuing. I keep getting distracted with other books :) I plan on reading Halfway to the Grave next.

[UnusualChild{beppy}]

hi, angi.

i just wanted to let you know that i have read Bearing All, which i enjoyed. it moved some of her other books closer to the top of my tbr mountain. i also read Fallen from Grace, and i really enjoyed it. i liked the build in the relationship, and that sara didn't capitulate in order to be part of ryan's life when ryan put up a little bit of a fuss.

[Ty]

wow. I just realized I never responded to this thread. I finished my PIFM reads for the month!

- was great, until the middle...
- loved!
- ugh...

thanks for the recs, Nadine!

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Ty wrote: "wow. I just realized I never responded to this thread. I finished my PIFM reads for the month!

- was great, until the middle...
[bookcover:Down London Road|161..."

Glad to we're able to read and enjoy some of your picks

[Grace]

Ive just finished my third pick Halfway to the Grave and I loved it. It was not a book I would have picked for myself, but I could not put it down. I can't wait till I get the second one. Thanks Christina for the pick!

[Elke]

Kami,

Finished my second pick !!

Wow!! I am glad I finally read it-but is the length of the book overwelming or what? Lol!! But I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series and watching the show on Starz!!!

Thanks again for the great picks!

[Elizabeth]

beppy, I finished two picks, and , and loved both. I tried earlier this month but it didn't work out for me and DNF'd it after reading about the half.
I hope to read one more before the end of the month. Thanks again for the picks:)

[Carla]

Pam--
I just finished my second PIFM book of the month, Rumor Has It and really liked it. It's such a charming series, and somehow I'd missed that one. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Nan]

Hey Daffodil, I finished The Warlord Wants Forever [★★★ Stars] and I liked it, especially the possessive nature of Wroth. I mean who doesn't like a guy saying this to you:

"I can't lose you. The very thought makes me crazed. I can't even allow myself to imagine you leaving me."

Though I admit I enjoy the second book of the series so much more.

[Logan]

Sallie(Shuga) wrote: "Hi Logan...I finished Takedown Twenty...4*s really enjoyed it once again Lula stole the show...."

Lula is my favorite! Love her! I'm so glad you liked the book.

[Elizabeth]

beppy
I've finished another pick and really liked it. Thanks for pushing me to read this, since I started it I couldn't put the book down.

[Jaime]

Finished my 5th pick. "On Dublin St." Loved it..

[Amy J.]

I finished my final pick: . It was just okay. I'll give the series one last try and read the book (Darkest Pleasure) you actually recommended.Still, great picks overall.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Sassafrass, I finished Swan and the Bear this morning. Great fun, loved it! Thanks for the push to read it, both here and in the M&G! I'm going to read my last book in the M&G, but if I finish with more time, I'll come back and check out my list again! Thanks for the great picks! I look forward to playing PtP with you!

[⚜️XAR]

Well, I finished Hot Mama this morning and rated it 4 stars. Good book overall, and I wish there were more superhero romances out there!

I'm rather disappointed with myself, Becca. I didn't manage my time that well this month, and didn't get to most of what I wanted to. Here's where the list stands:
1. A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James-1/27/14
2. The Selection by Kiera Cass (Using in Serial Reader Challenge)
3. It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips-1/15/14
4. Enchanted by Alethea Kontis(Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
5. Hot Mama by Jennifer Estep-1/26/14
6. Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs-1/14/14
7. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione (Had to Relist)
8. Red Hots by Yvette Hines-1/5/14
9. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen-1/20/14 unable to finish
10. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
11. Alien Tango by Gini Koch (Had to Relist)
12. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep (Had to Relist)
13. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
14. The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse (Using in Challenge for The Lost Challenges group)
15. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
16. The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson (Using in Challenge for The Lost Challenges group)

[Kami]

I finished a second pick. Veiled Eyes and gave it four stars. Pretty good.

[Becca]

Victoria, I finish poison study today and might not be able to wait til I get paid to buy the next one!! It was amazing so you need to get to it soon lol

[⚜️XAR]

Becca wrote: "Victoria, I finish poison study today and might not be able to wait til I get paid to buy the next one!! It was amazing so you need to get to it soon lol"

I've got it in the next Meet and Greet round, Becca! When I finish my buddy reads, it will be the next book read!

[Nancy H]

Hi Dee,
Just wanted to let you know I finished three of your picks for me and they were excellent:
Body Check; Flat-Out Sexy; Just One of the Guys. I had also read Just This Once not too long ago, so I can cross that one off, too.

I don't know how many more I will get read before the end of the month, but I have certainly enjoyed these. Thanks again for great picks!

[⚜️XAR]

Finished A Kiss at Midnight tonight, rating it 3 stars. I remember it being better the first time around!

Here's the final updated list:
Attempted: 6
Completed: 5
1. A Kiss at Midnight by Eloisa James-1/27/14
2. The Selection by Kiera Cass (Using in Serial Reader Challenge)
3. It Had to Be You by Susan Elizabeth Phillips-1/15/14
4. Enchanted by Alethea Kontis(Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
5. Hot Mama by Jennifer Estep-1/26/14
6. Tempest Rising by Tracy Deebs-1/14/14
7. Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione (Had to Relist)
8. Red Hots by Yvette Hines-1/5/14
9. The Luxe by Anna Godbersen-1/20/14 unable to finish
10. Just Listen by Sarah Dessen (Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
11. Alien Tango by Gini Koch (Had to Relist)
12. Spider's Bite by Jennifer Estep (Had to Relist)
13. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
14. The Forsaken by Lisa M. Stasse (Using in Challenge for The Lost Challenges group)
15. Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder (Moved to Meet and Greet Round 2)
16. The Boleyn King by Laura Anderson (Using in Challenge for The Lost Challenges group)

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Filipa!

I managed to fit in a third rec at the last minute. I read The Family We're Born With and just loved it. Thanks so much for the rec, I enjoyed it so much and wish it were longer! It looks liks Kaje is going to make it into a series and I'm so excited. I hope Clint's story is next!

[Daffodil]

Nandar wrote: "Hey Daffodil, I finished The Warlord Wants Forever [★★★ Stars] and I liked it, especially the possessive nature of Wroth. I mean who doesn't like a guy saying this to you:

"I can'..."

Glad you liked it. I keep putting off starting the third book, . I was going to use it for my "N" book this month but ended up going another way.

[LaurLa]

January 2014 PIFM Challenge - picked by Ty

Ty, As you can see, I loved every booked I read. What a fabulous list and read this month. Thanks!!!!

1. Lose Weight:
✔★(TBR) Rock Chick - choo choo!
Done - 01.27 - ★★★★

2. Get in Shape:
✔★(TBR) He Loves Lucy - so cute
Done - 01.12 - ★★★★

3. Save Money:
✔★(TBR) Heaven, Texas - one of my all time faves (reading the first is not compleeetely necessary for this. I read them out of order)
Done - 01.09 - ★★★★

4. Eat Better:
✔★(NEW) Wallbanger - this is not on your massive TBR! but zucchini bread plays an important role in this story
Done - 01.26 - ★★★★

5. Travel:
✔★(TBR) The Edge of Never - the H/h meet cute while traveling around the country via bus....
Done - 01.23 - ★★★★

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends:
✔★(TBR) The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie - I dearly love this family
Done - 01.12 - ★★★★★

8. Get Organized: Out of your 2500 TBR mountain, I picked 2 out of the oldest 100 that looked interesting. :)
✔★Something About You - this has also been rec'd to me
Done - 01.21 - ★★★★

[Daffodil]

Diane

I finished a third pick last night:

I didn't think I'd like the shift in focus to Cynna & Cullen, but I really enjoyed it. I intend to get caught up on the series this year, so thanks for the recommendation.