R7: "Seven Wonders of the Reading World" (2)

[Louise]

I've updated your book Catherine, it looks interesting it's a series that might end up on my TBR!

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I'm a pretty fast reader and usually finish at least 4 to 5 books a week. It's my way of decompressing and since my kids always need to read for school we all curl up with a book at night. However, there were some years when I was lucky to finish 2 books in a week. It all just depends on what's going on in life :)

[Catherine]

Louise wrote: "I've updated your book Catherine, it looks interesting it's a series that might end up on my TBR!"

It is a really enjoyable, cute series :) I am partial to books that take place in UK (or Europe in general), and those that have animals as part of the story too...

The first book has 2 titles....UK...Trust Me I'm a Vet and US...City Girl, Country Vet...

[Vi]

JoAnne wrote: "Good luck - it's a big book too.
No other historical romances you could search through?"

Nope, I tried but I was stumbling across more books that I wanted to read. But the good news is I'm about 80% in. My main reading time is during my commute (about 45 mins daily) that I couldn't for the past two days. The book's gruesome.. got detailed descriptions of the crime that I find I don't like to read just before bedtime.. I should finish before tomorrow, Thursday morning.

[Belinda]

Week 1: Space 8: Alternate - phone

Finished: 20/1/16
Stars: 4.5

Review: although a little slow to start about halfway through I couldn't put it down. The daylight foundation invades morganville as usual Claire and her friends end up in the thick of it. There are a few revelations in this one, major changes to the characters and lots of action. I loved it but I'm so sad to see this series end

Item: phone
Pg 110: She hung up the phone and turned to the other two. "Well?"

[JoAnne]

Vi wrote: "JoAnne wrote: "Good luck - it's a big book too.
No other historical romances you could search through?"

Nope, I tried but I was stumbling across more books that I wanted to read. But the good news..."

Gruesome is not my thing! Give me a romance any time.

[Louise]

Vi wrote: "JoAnne wrote: "Good luck - it's a big book too.
No other historical romances you could search through?"

Nope, I tried but I was stumbling across more books that I wanted to read. But the good news..."

I like gruesome but only in small doses!

[Vi]

Week 1: Space 8, Alternate: phone



Book: Touching Evil by Kay Hooper
Date Read: 20 January
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Another good addition in the series. Be warned that this series has very detailed description of the crimes committed.

So this series is a mix of mystery, romance and paranormal. So far the books I've read managed to balance all 3 together and interest me. The mystery in this book was a bit of letdown as there were no clues to the perpetrator.. It came off very sudden which was a little disappointing.

I'm definitely continuing the series.

Item: Phone
Line: He looked at his cell phone lying on his nightstand and five seconds later..

[Krystal]

I am almost finished my book.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Vi wrote: "Week 1: Space 8, Alternate: phone



Book: Touching Evil by Kay Hooper
Date Read: 20 January
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Another good addition in the serie..."

I really liked this series until the last two and they've been a bit of a let down for me ...I am still hoping that the series will pick back up.

[JoAnne]

Just waiting on 2 reviews. Not bad!
If I'm not up when the dice are rolled (if we can roll tonight) I'll check in tomorrow night after work.
Have to be out of the house early tomorrow and then get to work.

[Catherine]

Sorry I'm late to the party....lol. another VERY long day at work :(

I read..Follow Me Home: A Novel..8th in series.
5 stars
21/1
So I love how this author weaves this story....it takes place in Devon, UK...and I am jealous of the atmosphere there....lol. she makes this small village come to life, and characters old and new become a part of your life too.

[Krystal]

mine is done review to come just switching from mobile to PC

[Krystal]

Week 1: Space 8: Alternate - phone
by John Grisham
Finished: 20/1/16
Stars: 4.5

Review: In true Grisham form this book was extremely discriptive, it reminded me of Erin Brokavitch's story really, trying to sock it to the big bad companies who are harming the environment, this book dealt with the atrocities of strip mining coal. I however didn't like certain parts of this book because it deals with the death of a character and it made me really upset because I was rooting for the character and it happened so abruptly that it seemed like Grisham just ran out of ideas for this character which is really unlike him. However all in all this was an extremely interesting book with lots of adventures, crime and plot twists you'd never expect.

Item: phone
Pg 9: She clutched her cell phone, but waited.

[JoAnne]

Looks like we're done with a 1/2 hour to spare! Good job all.
Looking forward to the next roll and our next choices.
Happy hunting!

[JoAnne]

Catherine wrote: "Sorry I'm late to the party....lol. another VERY long day at work :(

I read..Follow Me Home: A Novel..8th in series.

So I love how this author weaves this story....it takes place ..."

You have to rate the book and state date finished!
Good job.

[Louise]

@Catherine can you add your rating and finish date to your post please. Thanks.

[Catherine]

Oh.....5 stars...
21/1

[JoAnne]

Catherine wrote: "Oh.....5 stars...
21/1"

Thanks - the rolling can commence!

[Louise]

Week #2
What We Rolled: 3
We are on Spot 11
What We Can Read :
#1 in Series
#11 in series
2001

LouiseCars, Cats and Crooks◆#1 in series◆ Review
Danielle The Unleashing◆#1 in series◆ Review
Krystal Tesla◆#1in series◆Review
JoAnne You and Only You◆#1 in series◆ Review
Vi Rock Addiction ◆#1 in series◆Review
Catherine Key of Light◆#1 in series◆ Review
Belinda The 5th Wave ◆#1 in series◆ Review

[Belinda]

Week 2: space 11
I'll be reading - number 1 in series.
Fits perfectly! It's due back at the library next week and is this month's read for a book club

[JoAnne]

Going to read a #1 in a series since I have to get it reviewed before it releases anyway. With any luck it will fit multiple challenges for me!

[Krystal]

I'm going to read Tesla by Mark Lingane as it is the first in a series :)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Congratulations Team 2, upon timely completion and submission of your reviews for week 1, you have earned the FREE PASS. See post 1

[Catherine]

I have a lot of first in series....I'll be back to let you know which :)

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Great job everyone getting the reviews in before the deadline and thanks Louise for making sure we had everything we need and linking it all.

I always seem to have a bunch of book #1's on my to-read list even though I'm trying to finish up a bunch of series this year! I'm going to read

[Louise]

I'm not sure what I'm going to read for this. Probably as I need to get this finished before month end.

[JoAnne]

Happy Reading all. Hope those in the path of Winter Storm Jonas fare okay and stays safe. We're not expecting the blizzard conditions but can get up to a foot. The forecast has been all over the place!

[Catherine]

I've started reading Key of Light..it's a first in series :)

[Vi]

I have which is #11 in series but it's not really tempting me. I've almost decided to abandon that series because of that.

I have a loooot of 1s.. and because of that I have a looooot of 2s also :P In the interest of reading meaningfully, I'm going for as it will work for another challenge. I'm doing only a few challenges this year so trying to make it count. I hope it's good because this series has been getting mixed reviews. Nalini Singh's one of my favorite authors so it should be a good ride.

[JoAnne]

Catherine wrote: "I've started reading Key of Light..it's a first in series :)"

I like Nora Roberts but not her paranormal type books. This one does sound interesting. May add it to my TBR list!

[JoAnne]

Snowing in CT and they've upped the predictions to about a foot to almost a foot and a 1/2 by the time it ends early tomorrow morning. By 9am it looks like a whiteout with everything covered. We're all home and staying there. Will do reading, paperwork, cook and relax until we have to shovel 2 of our cars out after the plow guy does the driveway.
We have a gas stove and a gas heater in our 4 season room in case we lose electricity.

Others in the paths storm hope you're okay!
Happy Reading all - I have 2 books to finish before I start this week's challenge.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Great - everybody's got their books picked! I finished mine today but I still have to write the review so I'll post later - probably tomorrow.

[JoAnne]

Danielle wrote: "Great - everybody's got their books picked! I finished mine today but I still have to write the review so I'll post later - probably tomorrow."

That was quick - good for you!

[Louise]

Danielle wrote: "Great - everybody's got their books picked! I finished mine today but I still have to write the review so I'll post later - probably tomorrow."

Wow, that was quick.

[JoAnne]

I should start mine Tuesday night after I finish a book that I need for a review.

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

Week 2 - Space 11 - 1st in a Series

Book: The Unleashing by Shelly Laurenston
Finished: 1/23/16
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: The idea is interesting and the characters are funny but it's also inconsistent. The book starts off with a bang as Kera wakes up and immediately has to kick a**, which she does. However, after this she just sits back and becomes "afraid" to kill. So much so, that some of the other crows start to think of her as a liability. Then there is Vig, the Viking hero. I really liked Vig but he didn't appear to be what the author said he was. He is introduced as scary and dangerous and even the other Ravens are afraid of him. Then everything he does and every interaction he has is the opposite. He comes across as introverted and shy and well sweet. No one seems to be afraid of him. He is described as being a typical Viking with a Viking beard so he really doesn't look like the guy on the cover either. And why is a guy even on the cover considering the book is really about Kera and the crows who are all females?

There is a plot but it's very minimal until about 80% of the way through the book. The majority of the book is Kera meeting the other crows who are all volatile, hostile and provide no training or understanding of what the crows are. I didn't get this "figure it out on your own" mentality and there was no explanation of it except I guess it gave Kera a chance to go to Vig for help. However, the crows kept saying he most important thing was to trust your fellow crows. Well how do you build trust if they just leave you out there to figure everything out yourself.

The whole setting really reminded me of a crazy sorority. I get that the crows were supposed to be crazy wildcards that had no real structure but you still have to help your new crows acclimatize and learn the ropes. The Ravens were like a bunch of frat boys who hadn't really grown up yet. Way too many characters were introduced and I couldn't keep track of who was who throughout the book.

However, with all that said it had Shelly's trademark zany characters and humor. The last 20% of the book really got interesting but it ended on a cliffhanger. Kera and Vig got a HFN and the main plot was left open for the next book.

It definitely wasn't my favorite Shelly Laurenston book and there were some problems with it but I am interested enough to try the second book.

1st book in a series

[Catherine]

Finished my book yesterday...Key of Light
First in series

Rate 5 stars

Review: I do love a good Nora Roberts series. This one is different because even though there is Celtic mythology in the story...this series takes place in Pennsylvania....I love how she draws different media into her story...art, books and architecture... Of course there are 3 women and 3 men...who are somehow tied to one another...in some mystical manner...and it amazes me how the story unfolds. Can't wait to get to the next one.

[Vi]

I'm stalled.. is boring, boring that I don't really feel the urge to read. Ugh

[Danielle Gypsy Soul]

I didn't like that one much. but I really liked the second one. of course the second had nothing to do with the band really.

[Vi]

It's mostly sexxoring and the not-talking portions which really is driving me nuts. I'm not sure about the series because all the characters seem dysfunctional.. Charlie has a deep scar or Noah is dysfunctional. Of course, you probably can't be normal if you are in limelight all the time.. *Sigh* I guess I'm just not in the right mood. I've been reading Carla Kelly's Regencies and the characters are so quiet yet with depth that I'm missing in this one.

[Belinda]

Week 2 - Space 11
- 1st in series
Finished: 27/1/16
Stars: 4

Review:
I loved the initial flashbacks to determine what happened in this world. The characters were relatable, flawed and real. It paced along nicely and keep you wanting to turn pages. Although first in a series it could almost be a stand alone book. Now to watch the movie!

[JoAnne]

Started my book last night and about 1/2 way done. If not finished by tonight it will just take a few hours when I get home from work Thursday night.
Happy Reading all. Glad so many are finished already.

[Louise]

I'm changing my book, my original is really slow going.
Going to read (#1 Kimble Detective Agency)

[Louise]

Updated, enjoy your reading everyone.

[JoAnne]

Week 2: Roll: 3 Spot:11
Book: (Blessings, Georgia #1) by Sharon Sala
Qualification: 1st in a series
Finished: 1/27/16

Rating & Review: 4 stars
The story was sometimes playful and sometimes dark but always the citizens of small town Blessings, Georgia were there for each other. The characters and their issues seemed real but I would have liked to slap Rachel and T.J. at times for different reasons and given Mike and Lily a kick in the pants to help them see what was right in front of them.
The requisite happily ever after was reached in the end but enough loose ends to entice me to return to Blessings over and over again.
This is only the second book I've read by Sala but I will be adding others books she's written to my always growing TBR pile!

[JoAnne]

Hoping for a much bigger roll on Friday. Good luck to those still working on their books.

[Krystal]

I'm done my book today,

Week 2: Roll: 3 Spot:11
Book: Tesla Tesla by Mark Lingane Tesla Evolution Series #1
Qualification: 1st in a series
Finished: 1/27/16

Rating & Review: 2.5 Stars out of 5
I couldn't really get into this book it was really hard to follow and that made it very boring for me. The main character was a child of 13 and had exceptional abilities to detect magnetic forces, he befriends a girl who helps him to escape to an institute where he meets Nikola Tesla himself. Based on what I know about Tesla, the character the author wrote him as was boring and unrelatable, I don't think that Nikola Tesla would have appreciated being portrayed in such a way as the author has in this book.

[Vi]

Week 2: Spot #11 - First in Series



Book: Rock Addiction by Nalini Singh
Date Read: 27 January
Rating: 3 stars
Review:

Nalini Singh joins the rockstar bandwagon with this series. Unfortunately, this is the first book by Nalini Singh that I had to force myself to continue. It's not that it was not good, just that my previous book was so good that this sort of paled in comparison.

Past the halfway mark, the heroine, Molly stopped her insecurity and the misunderstanding part, the book got better. The sequel baits are all over the book but I'm still hesitant to continue the series. I may give #2 a shot because everybody seems to love that one.

[Louise]

Week 2: Spot #11 - 1st in Series

Cars, Cats and Crooks by R.H. Carter
How It Fits: #1 The Kimble Detective Agency
Date Read: 28/01/16
Rating: 4☆
Review:

This wad a surprisingly quick and enjoyable read. It is essentially a British amateur detective novel that had a very madcap feel to it. Peyton is made redundant from his position at the car factory all his life and decides he is going to set up a detective agency. With help from his nephew he tackles his first case, the mussing cat. But in the quirky nature of the book this leads to a more elaborate case for the unlikely pair to solve. There is a hint of what is to come in the next book, which I wil no doubt try. Overall a good light-hearted detective novel.