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R2: To The Nines (9)
Hi Sara! Glad to have you. You can start with week 3 or wait till the next roll, whatever you are comfortable with. You will have till Friday to read the book (Thursday night) technically. lol
SS Team 9: To the NinesWeek 3
Book: The Marvelous Land of Oz
Series # or Alternate: #2
Spot: #29
Rating: 3 Stars
Finished: 5/8
Review: This story follows Tip on his adventures. He creates Jack the Pumpkinhead and uses magic powder to bring him to life. Then they travel to Oz and on the way Tip also brings a sawhorse to life also. When they get to the Emerald City an army of girls and they all escape the city and go to find the Tin Man for help. Eventually they realize that the throne doesn't belong to the Scarecrow or Jinjur, the girl who overthrew the Scarecrow, but it actually belongs to Ozma and they try to find out where Ozma was hidden. I won't spoil the surprise, but let me just say that it was NOT who I expected it to be and that is just one of the many examples of really strange things that are in these books. These books are kind of horrifying for childrens books. The first one had a lot of scary things in it and the Ozma revelation in this one was just weird. The next book is Ozma of Oz so I'm curious to see what happens when she takes the throne back.
Welcome, Sara! Glad you could join us!
Thanks! I'm excited. I have some good series to catch up on and new ones to start.
Hi Sara - Welcome to the Nines!I'll be reading either Once in a Lifetime (Lucky Harbor #9) by Jill Shalvis or Claimed By Shadow (Cassandra Palmer, #2) by Karen Chance
Change of plans. I'll be reading
by A.A. Aguirre. It is book #2 in the series.
Roll 3, Spot 29Book: The Girl with No Shadow by Joanne Harris
Date: 5/6/14
Rating: Three stars
Review:
I was disappointed in this sequel to Chocolat. I really disliked the Zozie del'Alba character, especially the way she preyed on others. It really took away from my enjoyment of the story. Zozie lives off of people by stealing their identities. She happens upon Vianne, Anouk and baby Rosette in Paris, where Vianne has set up another chocoleterie under the name of Yanne Charbonneau. It fairly obvious from the start that Zozie is a witch of the bad variety. She insinuates herself between Vianne and Anouk, teaches Anouk a bit of dark magic all the while planning to steal the child away and use her for her nefarious purposes.
Vianne has enough to deal with at present without Zozie's interference. She's trying to live a more normal life - her landlord Thierry is making noises about making their relationship more personal, caring for Rosette who is a special needs child or so it seems to those who are outside the family, and trying to stay connected to her rebellious older daughter. Roux comes back into their lives, complicating things uncomfortably with Thierry. Vianne has never told him he is Rosette's father, a fact that Anouk blurts out at Zozie's devious urging.
The ending is satisfying, but the novel could have been much shorter in my opinion. Only three stars for this one. I hope that Peaches for Father Francis is better.
Roll 3, Spot 29His Risk to Take by Tessa Bailey
4 Stars
I really liked the second book in the Line of Duty series. I loved how strong the heroine, Ruby, was. She made decisions that were true to her character and didn't let Troy, the hero, dictate her actions. Troy was hugely protective of Ruby. I loved the interactions between Ruby and Troy. Both were incredibly interested in the other and had no trouble showing it as long as it was physical. Ruby had a much harder time with showing emotional vulnerability and letting Troy in. I loved how Troy convinced Ruby that he was around for good and I loved how long it took Ruby to be convinced of it.
I thought this was a really good second installment of this series.
Roll 3, Spot 29Book:
Ink Exchange by Melissa Marr. Date Read: 5/7/14
Rating: 3 Stars
Theme: Book2
Review:
I really don't know how to feel about this book, or this series. It is a new concept, but at least with the first book I gave it higher rating because we are suppose to be learning background,etc etc. But in this book too, there was such a slow start to things, the first half is almost boring and then it finally picks up and starts to get interesting and only to find out there is not really a true HEA ending for either heroes and what is up with having two guys for 1 girl...in both books. I get it but still. The plot was definitely better than the first book, but I think I expected a lot more out of the series and it just fell short of my expectations.
Sherri, Jennifer how are your books coming alone? I have a cold and so I am going to hit the bed earlier than usual. I will roll in the morning before I start work.
Hina wrote: "Sherri, Jennifer how are your books coming alone? I have a cold and so I am going to hit the bed earlier than usual. I will roll in the morning before I start work."Feel better soon, Hina.
Sherri, will you be able to finish your book and post the review?
I ended up listening to
Week 3
Book: Hot Blooded by Amanda Carlson (Jessica McClain #2)
Series # or Alternate: Book 2 in the series
Spot: #29
Rating: 4 Stars
Finished: May 9th 2014
Review:
Hot Blooded is the second installment in the Jessica McClain series and basically picks right up where Full Blooded ended. Jessica and team are on a mission to find Jessica’s mate Roarke who was were-napped by the evil goddess Celina in book 1.
Hot Blooded started out a bit slow for me. There is a lot of discussion in which Jessica seems to be the only reasonable person that doesn’t get carried away by her wolf. But once the team makes it to their destination the action does pick up and we are treated to creepy creatures and action that had me pulling a late night ot finish.
I was hoping form more Roarke (or romance) but maybe that will be in the next installment. Jessica is a great heroine; all the while learning more about her powers. I liked the addition of Naomi and her brother Emmon to the story. Interesting dynamic when played side by side with Jessica and her brother Tyler. But what is it with the angry males in this book? I’m hoping this was just unique to this book and doesn’t carry forward in the series. Overall, a good read and a nice addition to the urban fantasy genre.
To The Nines rolled a 2+5, so we are now on spot 36.
Which means we can read book 36 in the series, book 3 in the series, or Book 6 in the series. The alternative is to read a book with a title starting with "D"
I'll read Downpour by Kat Richardson - #6 in the Greywalker series. Do I get bonus points for a D title as well?? LOL
LOL! That was one I was looking at as well. :-)
Roll 4, Spot 36 Fate's Edge4 stars
This third book is the story of Kaldar and Audrey. Audrey's magical talent is lock picking and can open any lock. As a way to finally free herself from her family, she agrees to do one more job. She steals a magical relic that was supposed to be sold to the neighboring terrority's spy group, the Hand, which is on the brink of war with her home land. Kaldar is an agent of the Mirror, a spy agency on the other side of the war. He is tasked with finding the object she stole and return with it to the Mirror. What ensues is a largely entertaining story of adventure and mishap with a pet raccoon, a 12-year-old lynx changeling, a 14-year-old necromancer, and a Mirror agent in training.
The romance in this takes a back seat, to the point where somewhere along the way Audrey realizes she loves Kaldar, and he does the same. By the end of the book, they have agreed to be married. It felt sudden to me, but it really wasn't much different than many other romantic suspense or fantasy novels, but I did believe that they would be happy together. I really like the world building in this series. It has just enough detail to feel real, but not so much that it feels bogged down. I love the writing in these books. It always feels fresh and exciting. Another great read from Ilona Andrews.
Hey guys! I hate to do this to you, but I'm going to have to drop out of this challenge. I have a trip coming up next week and I've been so busy it's been a struggle getting my books finished in time and I don't think I'll make it this week or next. I just sent Jenne a message, so she'll probably pop over here and explain what happens now. I'm really sorry. This was a lot of fun and I wish I could keep up with it right now. Good luck! I'll be cheering you on!
Sorry to see you go Jennifer! Darn life gets in the way of our reading challenge...:)
Hey ladies Arlene will be joining y'all, she won't need to read for the last roll. She can just start up tomorrow :)
Hey! I am excited to do this! Going to read through everything so I can make sure I understand!
Roll 4, Spot 36Book: Downpour by Kat Richardson, Book 6 in the Greywalker series
Date: 5/15/14
Rating: Five stars
Review:
This episode of the Greywalker series was much more satisfying than Labyrinth was. The Asetem have been sent home and Harper Blaine has more or less recovered from dying yet again. She's lost some of her control of the Grey, but she can still use it to further her investigations.
In this case, she's not only trying to track down background information on a slippery potential witness in a client's court case, she's also been 'contacted' by the ghost of the murdered Steven Leung whose death is somehow tied to Sunset Lake on the Olympic Peninsula. Harper stumbles onto more than a mystery - the lake is a cauldron of uncontrolled magic, drawing mages to settle nearby in order to grab some it's power for themselves.
The true inheritor of this magic is Steven's daughter, Willow Leung, a 'wild-child' who is hiding from the police, accused of murder, theft and a dozen other crimes that she is not guilty of. Her half-sister Jewel has usurped Willow's birthright, but at huge cost to her own health. Other mages lurk about calling up demons and zombies to serve their ends. Then there's slippery Shea, the potential witness, who keeps flitting in and out of the plot almost unnoticed.
It's a mess, and Harper's the only one that can set things straight in the Grey. If she can keep Willow from disappearing at the crucial moment and can return the anchor, the stone that keeps the magic in balance, to its correct resting spot, there's a chance that both of her investigations will be resolved and the Grey will be in balance again.
Arlene wrote: "Hey! I am excited to do this! Going to read through everything so I can make sure I understand!"Welcome, Arlene!
Roll 4, Spot 36Book:
Grounded by R.K. Lilley.Date Read: 5/13/14
Rating: 5 Stars
Theme: Book 3
Review:
Finally the conclusion to James and Bianca's story. It was a great one and I am kind of sad to see it end. I loved reading about James and as much as he he is an alpha male, he is just so adorable in love. Not only am I sad to see the story end, but I will miss Bianca's best friend, Stephen. Everyone should have a friend like him. :) I loved this book more than the other because in this one was not solely from Bianca's point of view, but we got to see a little glimpse from Stephen and James POV as well and it was great to read. As it turns out, I don't have to get depressed about ending of the series, because there is another book slated to come out this year and its going to be from the my two favorite guys's point of view. I can't wait to read that one.
Hi Sherri, How are you doing with your book?
I'm reading as fast as I can. I have about 80 pages to go. What is the latest that you can roll?
End of day today at the latest....if its only 80 pages...I think you can do it just fine. We just have to roll before midnight tonight.
Yeah, I will make that. I was worried it was noon or mid afternoon.
I'm done and writing my review now. Will post it in a bit.
Week 4Book: Darkness Devours (Dark Angels #3) by Keri Arthur
Task: Read book 36 in the series, book 3 in the series, or Book 6 in the series. The alternative is to read a book with a title starting with "D"
Series: Dark Angels #3
Spot: #36
Rating: 4 Stars
Finished: May 16th, 2014
Review: I love Keri Arthur’s novels, especially Riley Jensen who was my introduction to the paranormal world; however, I’m on the fence about Dark Angels. The world is intriguing, Risa and her posse are likeable characters but I just haven’t connected with them and as far as the “love triangle” (which is actually a square, since there are three men you could count in that mess) is a tangle and really didn’t interest me. There was some movement in her relationship with Azriel, the reaper who guards her which was a good thing on that front and I did enjoy Jak popping back into her life, although I could never forgive him for he did to her.
The storyline for the hunt for the keys continued from the previous novel and a secondary demon hunt storyline was mixed in. The Raziq are still after her to trap her farther and the vampire’s are pursuing her to keep her involved in solving their issues. I’m still hooked in the mystery of Risa’s mom’s death, her father and the mysterious Azriel and never tiring sex god Lucian. I’ll be reading Darkness Hunts to find out the next clues in this mystery.
To The Nines rolled a 5+4, so we are now on spot 45.
Which means we can read book 45 in the series, book 4 in the series, or Book 5 in the series. The alternative is to read a book with a Cover that is colored at least 50% in Red
I'm going to read Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand by Carrie Vaughn. Book 5 in the Kitty Norville series.
Roll 5, Spot 45Book: A Dozen Black Roses by Nancy A. Collins
Date: 5/22/14
Rating: Five stars
Review:
Vampire hunter (and vampire hybrid) Sonja Blue is hunting two monsters this time. She's playing the upstart noble Esher against the established old timer Sinjon. Both are vying to control Deadtown, a human sewer of junkies, gang members and the undead.
Esher is keeping a former stripper, Nicola, in thrall until he can make her his bride. The problem is her small son Ryan, who keeps turning up and shaking Nicola out of her voodoo-induced fugue. Sonja teams up with Ryan's caretaker, the old hippy Eddie, to infiltrate Esher's compound and lay the ground work for inciting a vampire war and rescuing Nicola. Of course, this isn't as straightforward as it sounds. There are a cast of evil characters, including Esher's heavily pierced, crossbow-wielding former girlfriend, Decima who wants both Nicola and Sonja dead.
This series keeps getting better - Collins, so far, has managed to keep it fresh.
How is everyone doing with their books? It's almost Friday already...time is flying by.
Roll 5 The Red Heart of Jade3 stars
Dean and Miri were best friends until 16, when both were shot and assumed the other was dead. Twenty years later, Miri is in Taiwan on an archeological trip when she finds a piece of red jade in the shape of half a heart embedded in the chest of a mummy. This sets off a multi country run for her life. She meets Dean again and he and some agents from Dirk and Steele help her figure out why so many people and creatures are after her.
I had a hard time getting into the story and found a lot of it rushed and a little confusing. Also, after 20 years apart, Miri and Dean fall immediately in love like no time has passed. They spend almost no time getting to know each other again. It was a fine book, but I might be done with this series.
Roll 5, Spot 45Book:
Into Your Arms by Abigail Strom. Date Read: 5/18/14
Rating: 3 Stars
Theme: Book 4
Review:
Sara and Nick live for their career, until love happens. But do try to fight it. There are many of the returning character from previous books, because the series is based on family and it is a very sweet romance to see Nick and Sara realize that love and relationship can be ahead of their career.
I should have mine done hopefully soon. I have been dealing with one of my boys being sick so got a little behind! But done soon
ok, Arlene. Thanks for letting me know.Sherri, how is your book coming alone?
guys, I am feeling sleepy..just in case is someone else willing to roll after the review is up. Arlene & sherri we have the free pass to if one of you cant finish by midnight.
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Edit: Jenne just messaged me again and said that I should start on week three or with the next roll.