R7: SS "Last Page at Midnight" (3)

[maria helena]

Sha wrote: "I am going to read a stand alone. "

I read this one last year and really liked it!

[Stacey]

I'm going to read which is #1 in the Black Dagger Legacy series.

[Shan ~A~]

I'm going to read The Will by Kristen Ashley #1 in the Magdalene series.

[Rosina]

Stacey & Shan & Sha all books I want/need to read.....looking forward to your reviews

[Joeera]

Roll 3 Friday. ( #2 Unearthly )

Spot 21

Hallowed ( by ) Cynthia Hand

Raated 5 stars

( r-f-Jan 29-30 )


Review



This book was mainly about death,self-groth and destiny. The writting was awesome. I loved the descriptions of the angles and the environment and the tenderness of some of the relationships. In this suqel Claa's brother and mom were very much present. I don't like love triangles but , i found that this one just worked

[Rosina]

Week #3

Rebel Queen - Michelle Moran
How it qualifies: a stand alone novel
Completed January 31/16
Rating 4.5★

Review: I absolutely loved this story. This is the first time I have read anything by this author and I will definitely read more by her. This story engaged me right from the beginning. For me she has a magical way of writing that brings another culture, time, and historical figures alive. This was brilliantly written and evokes strong emotion. I was so glad to learn so much about Indian culture.

The Rebel Queen is set in India in the mid 1800's and follows the life of Sita, a young woman from a small village who has lived in purdah (or seclusion from men outside her family) her entire life. She trains and applies to be one of Durga Dal, an elite group of female guards trained to protect Rani (Queen) Lakshmi. The story then follows Sita & her life in the palace that is far from the small town she grew up in but the dangers are far worse. With the invasion of the British the Rani's kingdom is in jeopardy but she is a strong monarch and does everything she can, including raising a male and female army, to defend her country from the British.

[Elle]

Week 3 Spot 21
Date Finished: 1/31/2016
Rating: ★★★
All the Light We Cannot See (Stand Alone)

Review: I wanted to devour and enjoy this book like a cup of cocoa in a snow storm. However, it didn't happen. I liked it well enough but I was definitely not in the Doerr fan club as with the rest of civilization. I think my problem may have been that I read The Nightingale a few months ago and I am subconsciously comparing the two. I adored The Nightingale because of the raw grit and struggle sandwiched between beautiful prose and history. Doerr is by no means a weak writer. He paints a beautiful story but for me, it fails in the connection department. I simply couldn't connect fully with any of the characters. World War II offers so much to connect with as there are countless stories and accounts of survival to choose from. Marie-Laure's story seemed a bit diluted. I wanted more from her story. She was a heroine of sorts but wasn't truly elevated to that level. Overall, it was good, yes. But I disagree with it being "great". I would still likely read another from Anthony Doerr.

[Cait S]

Updated to here!

You ladies are flying through your books! I'm impressed again.

So far mine is AWESOME but I've been playing too much Dragon Age to get much read lol

[maria helena]

Week #3 (Spot #21)



Read: The Last Minute by Jeff Abbott
Date: Feb 1, 2016
Criteria: #2 in the Sam Capra series
Rating: ★★★★
Review: This series is becoming my new favourite. It is so addictive. It has a great main character, who in this second book of the series you're getting to know a lot better, and the protagonists are just the right balance of evil and disturbing. It's a fast paced thriller and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series.

[Stacey]

Week #3 (Spot #21)



Read:2/3/16
Criteria: #1 in the Black Dagger Legacy series
Rating:★★★★★
Review First I will admit that I am one of the readers who has gotten pretty turned off by the direction of the original BDB series. I made it through Lover Avenged--which I liked quite a bit--but was not feeling JM and Xhex, and then the whole Tohr thing...and I just couldn't.

With the mess that I felt the original series had become, I forgot how much Ward could bring to a story and have to say I completely enjoyed this one. The new characters were fun and I'm looking forward to seeing them in future books, we got to revisit the brothers, and the whole overall feeling of the book was much lighter without the huge doom and gloom that seemed to hang over the last few BDB books I read. The main couple--Paradise and Craeg--had some great dialogue, had some issues to overcome, and Paradise was a tough no nonsense kind of girl which I wasn't expecting with her background. And even though I wasn't a huge fan of Butch and Marissa in their book, I thought their part of the story was well done with both of them acting like grown ups and having real conversations that effected the strength of their relationship--refreshing for PNR and a genre that usually just assumes the HEA is forever.

So if anyone is on the fence about reading this one--like I was--I would highly recommend it.

[Cait S]

Happy Thursday everyone!

We are up to our third roll tonight!

The only reviews still needed are mine and Shan's. Mine will be in by this afternoon so hopefully we will be good to go right away tonight.

Crossing my fingers for a big number to make up for the last couple weeks!

[Cait S]

Cait's Week 3 Review
by T. Michael Martin
Date Finished: 2/4/2016
Rating: ★★★

I really thought I would rate this book higher at the beginning. I love horror novels, I love YA, and I love video game stuff. And at the beginning it really seemed like that would be enough to make this a five star read. I would say about five chapters in though... It started to get a lot slower.

I found all the characters, even the main ones and even the young kids, annoying. They repeatedly did just the most stupid thing possible in the moment. At any time there was a good thing to do, they did the opposite.

Not only that, but then when they did the wrong thing, it suddenly magically and conveniently all worked out. Every time. Miracles!

Blah. Just... too predictable and not as special as it could have been.

[Shan ~A~]

Cait wrote: "Happy Thursday everyone!

We are up to our third roll tonight!

The only reviews still needed are mine and Shan's. Mine will be in by this afternoon so hopefully we will be good to go right away t..."

Sorry guys mine will be in later once I get the kids situated.

[Cait S]

Hey all! I'm off to bed for the night. I won't be up doing the roll at 1 since we are still missing a person but I will do it first thing in the morning, assuming all reviews are in.

Sleep well, see you with our new book options!

[Shan ~A~]

Week 3 ~ Completion Post
Book: by Kristen Ashley
Finished: Feb 4th
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I always feel that I can never go wrong with a KA book. Ms. Ashley know how to do romance with kick-ass heroines and hot alpha heroes.

Josie loses the one person in her life that she has ever felt real love from. Her Grandmother.
Jake loses a woman who has come to mean a great deal to him and his kids. Josie's Grandmother.

At the reading of the will to which both Josie and Jake are in attendance, Josie gets the surprise of a lifetime. Her grandmother has given her to Jake. Things start to get really interesting after that.

I will not share more, because I don't want to give anything away, but I will see that it is a very beautiful story. It is filled with all the things that make a great romance; friendship, love, loss, tears, laughter, and very hot sex.

That being said, the reason that it only received 4 stars instead of 5 is because I have experienced a few of KA's books where the MC's are older, the man has kids, and the woman has to accept them. Not saying that is a bad thing, but I would for once like to see it the other way around and see how one of her men would react to having to deal with children he didn't father. It seems like he has kids, and she should be grateful because she is too old to have her own. That sucks.
Another thing is that I didn't like the fact that her feelings about a situation that took place was belittled when this had previously been the cornerstone of their relationship upset me a little. Yes, she may have overreacted a bit, but she was totally justified to feel the way she did. You all will just have to figure out what I mean by that.

Overall, though it was pretty amazing, as I expected going in. Like I said before, you really can't go wrong with a KA book.

[Cait S]

Week 4
What We Rolled: 7
We Are On Spot 28
What You Can Read:
- #2 in a series
- #8 in a series
- #28 in a series
- a book from this shelf: Amazing

Cait- Days of Blood & Starlight by Laini Taylor :: #2 :: Review
Joeera- Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks :: #2 :: Review
Sha- Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews :: Shelf (p. 10) :: Review
Stacey- Too Hard to Handle by Julie Ann Walker :: #8 :: Review
Maria Helena- The Rook by Steven James :: #2 :: Review
Shan- Seduction and Snacks by Tara Sivec :: Shelf (p. 18) :: Review
Rosina- Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews :: Shelf (p. 10) :: Review

[Cait S]

Good morning!

This week I'm going to read by Leila Sales, it's found on page 10 of the "Amazing" shelf.

[Elle]

Good morning team! I'm going to read Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews from page 10 of the "Amazing" bookshelf.

Have a great weekend everyone!

[Rosina]

I love book picking day and seeing everyone's selections.

I will read from page 99 of the "Amazing" shelf.

[Cait S]

Apparently the library lost their copy of the book I had initially chose, so I'm going to change to by Laini Taylor for the #2 option.

[maria helena]

I think I will read #2 in a series

[maria helena]

Cait wrote: "Good morning!

This week I'm going to read by Leila Sales, it's found on page 10 of the "Amazing" shelf."

I really liked this one!

[Joeera]

I will start tonight


( #2 )

[Stacey]

I'm going to read by Julie Ann Walker. It is #8 in the Black Knights, Inc series.

[Shan ~A~]

Going to read by Tara Sivec. On the Amazing list pg. 18 https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Joeera]

I am finished will post my review tomorrow

[Elle]

Week 4 Spot 28
Date Finished: 2/7/2016
Rating: ★★★
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews ("Amazing" Bookshelf)

Review: Kate Daniels is a mercenary who discovers that her guardian is murdered. She is determined to avenge his death and we are introduced to a number of people and creatures she encounters in her quest. There are a lot of different creatures, rules , and "stuff" in this book. I am a big fan of Harry Dresden so I'm not completely new but Magic Bites seemed to have a bit too much for me. I think for the first book, I would have liked to get to know Kate a little more while simplifying the plot a little. She is snarky and a loner and pretty uptight but I really didn't feel like I knew why. This series is extremely loved and incredibly popular. Unfortunately, I will have to be the minority of urban fantasy enthusiasts and say that I "liked" it but I didn't love it and I don't think I will read any more of the series.

[Stacey]

Sha wrote: "Week 4 Spot 28
Date Finished: 2/7/2016
Rating: ★★★
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews ("Amazing" Bookshelf)

Review: Kate Daniels is a mercenary who discovers that her guard..."

Sha, when I finished Magic Bites, I was totally not seeing the hype either. I didn't feel like I understood anything that was happening in the first book at all, I couldn't keep track of all of the people, and Kate was just confusing. I was encouraged to read the second book before I gave up on the series and I liked it MUCH better and the rest of the series has only gotten better. But I totally get your review.

[Elle]

Stacey wrote: "Sha wrote: "Week 4 Spot 28
Date Finished: 2/7/2016
Rating: ★★★
Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews ("Amazing" Bookshelf)

Review: Kate Daniels is a mercenary who discovers th..."

Interesting- ok, now I may give the second book a try. :D I'm so glad I'm not the only one who was a little disconnected with the first one.

[Shan ~A~]

Week 4 ~ Completion Post
Book: by Tara Sivec
Finished: Feb 6th
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
** spoiler alert ** This book is extremely hilarious. I laughed so hard that I almost peed my pants, seriously.

How many of us have been some version of Claire or Liz, or at least had a friend who fit the bill? These characters are completely relatable in some ways.

Claire has a one stand and gets pregnant, tries to find the man who knocked her up, but he is no where to be found. It totally sucks to lose your v-card and end up pregnant.

Anyway, years later in walks her baby daddy, Carter. He too had been looking for her, but he doesn't remember what she looks like, just that she smelled like chocolate. That is what a drunken hookup will do to you.

After, they "meet" again, hilarity ensues. Along with a lot of other shenanigans.

The only problems for me were the fact that the author seemed to lose track of time, Claire went into labor at 21, now she is 24 and her son Gavin is 4 1/2. That doesn't add up. The other thing is the amount of profane language used in front of Gavin. I always hate to see little kids being overly exposed to things that could very well be avoided in their presence.

Other than that it was a fun story, full of friendship, love, and great sex.

[Rosina]

hi everyone

I am going to swap my book this week and change it to Magic Bites

By changing I can use it for two other challenges.....

Just a note I am travelling on Thursday and again on Sunday but I will try to get online some time on Friday to see our roll...

Have a good week everyone!!

[Joeera]

Week 4 Friday. Spot 28

( #2 The Montgomerys and Armstrongs )


Highlander Most Wanted ( by ) Maya Banks

( r-f-Feb 5-6 )


Rated 5 stars


Review


This book was just heartbreaking and beauriful. I was captivated and swept up into the romance of this love story. There was a nice mix of romance, action, and drama. Set in the highlands. The story was filled with love, hope, dsepair, and many many endearing moments

[Cait S]

Cait's Week 4 Review
by Laini Taylor
Date Finished: 2/10/2016
Rating: ★★★★★

Amazing, amazing, amazing. There has yet to be another series that fills me with the same range of huge emotions. Fear, happiness, hatred, PANIC-- Every chapter is a new pool of feelings to drown in.

I enjoyed this book more than the first, which is saying a lot because the first is one of my favorites. Here, there was less "WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?!" and more "Oh snap, how could this all possibly work out?" Walking that thin line of trepidation almost the entire book was a heavy feeling, but enjoyable all the same.

I was thrilled with the return of some of my favorite characters from the first book. A little less thrilled with the return of some others. But happy across the board at how all the different threads are progressing and tying together.

Cannot wait to get my hands on the third one.

[Rosina]

Week 4 Spot 28


Magic Bites - Ilona Andrews
Date Finished: Feb 10/16
Rating: 3.5★
How it qualifies: page 10 from "Amazing" Bookshelf

Urban fantasy is one if my favorite genres. I like to wait till there are a few books already out before I jump in. Magic Bites was a fair story. I really didnt feel a compelling urge to drop everything and just read. There were a few inconsistencies which made me flip back a ways in the book to verify I hadn't read it wrong. The plot was pretty predictable but I was intrigued by Kate and Curran so I can forgive that. I am very curious about Kate and exactly what she can do magically and by her odd relationship with Curran. I did like how the vampires were described and how they operated by a handler. I am willing to try out another couple books and see what direction the series is headed. The story is from Kate's POV so we don't get to see what is happening with Curran from his perspective. Overall I enjoyed the story but I felt something was missing.

[maria helena]

Week #4 (Spot #28)



Read: Rook by Steven James
Date: Feb 10, 2016
Criteria: #2 in the Patrick Bowers files
Rating: ★★★
Review: Patrick Bowers is a slightly different crime solver, being an FBI agent specializing in environmental criminology. In this book, he is called in to investigate a case where an arsonist has struck a top-secret research facility at a key US naval base. At times, this book was a bit slow going, but the last few chapters were really good. I really like that some of the focus is on Bower's personal life, especially the relationship with his step-daughter Tessa. This book also introduced a new villain, who surely will be present in the following books of the series.

[Stacey]

Week #4, Spot #28



ReadToo Hard to Handle by Julie Ann Walker
Date: 2/10/2016
Criteria: #8 in Black Knights Inc.
Rating: ★★★
Review: This book has all the stuff that I expect from this author in this series--lots of action, lots of smexy times and lots for snappy dialogue. Julie Ann Walker has a great way of writing about people in dangerous situations without making you feel like they are truly in peril. Unfortunately I really didn't care for the ending which cost the book a star. It was like the author had written herself into a corner and so she just fixed it quickly and ended the book. I also took a star because of (view spoiler)[ Penni's pregnancy--it's my least favorite trope in contemporary romance. (hide spoiler)]

[Cait S]

Woohoo! That's everyone! All our reviews are in WELL ahead of time this week. Thank you guys so much, that's really awesome.

See you tonight for our new roll!

[Cait S]

Week #5
What We Rolled: 9
We Are On Spot: 37
What You Can Read:
- book #3 in a series
- book #7 in a series
- book #37 in a series
- a title beginning with "B"

Cait- Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent :: B Title :: Review
Joeera- Boundless by Cynthia Hand :: #3 :: Review
Sha- The Beach House by James Patterson :: B Title :: Review
Stacey- Rock Redemption by Nalini Singh :: #3 :: Review
Maria Helena- Borderline: An Annika Bengtzon Thriller by Liza Marklund :: B Title :: Review
Shan- Sweet Seduction by Maya Banks :: #3 :: Review
Rosina- Blood and Fire Book 1: A Paranormal BBW Werewolf vs. Vampire Special Forces Romance :: B Title: Review

[Cait S]

Sorry for the delay in roll. My 4 year old has the flu and last night was...super fun to say the least.

This week I'm going to read by Rachel Vincent for the B title option.

[Elle]

I'm going to read The Beach House by James Patterson.

[Stacey]

I'm going to read --Book 3 in Rock kiss series.

[Shan ~A~]

Going to read by Maya Banks
Book 3 Sweet series

[maria helena]

I will read - title starts with B

[Rosina]

not sure what I am reading but it will be a B title.

[Elle]

Week 5 Spot 37
Date Finished: 2/13/2016
Rating: ★★★★
by James Patterson
(Book that starts with 'B')

Review: This was my first James Patterson book. It was fast, fun and different. Jack Mullen is a young wanna-be lawyer and his brother Peter does services like valet parking for the rich. They live in the Hamptons amongst the most rich and wealthy. Peter dies and his brother knows it was no suicide or accidental drowning that killed his brother. Determined to find the killer/killers, Jack risks his life and the lives of others. There was a little bit of predictability, however I doubt anyone could predict what the climax of the story was going to be. It was pretty creative. Unbelievable? Maybe, but creative nonetheless and most certainly entertaining. I'm not too sure why Patterson and his co-writer decided they needed to start a new chapter every 2 pages making this a 100+ chapter book. That was the only thing slightly annoying. Other than that, I'm glad I started with this one because I hear that it is one of his weaker books, especially compared to his Alex Cross series. I have a few more that I will likely read in the near future.

[maria helena]

Sha wrote: "Week 5 Spot 37
Date Finished: 2/13/2016
Rating: ★★★★
by James Patterson
(Book that starts with 'B')

Review: This was my first James Patterson book. It was fast, fu..."

I'm not a big fan of the Alex cross books, but his Women's Murder Club series (starting with 1st to Die) is very good.

[Elle]

maria helena wrote: "Sha wrote: "Week 5 Spot 37
Date Finished: 2/13/2016
Rating: ★★★★
by James Patterson
(Book that starts with 'B')


Oh- I have not heard of that one. I'll check it out!

[Cait S]

Cait's Week 5 Review
by Rachel Vincent
Date Finished: 2/16/2016
Rating: ★★★

I really still cannot tell you why I'm continuing this series. Six books in and I can't tell you. I don't like the characters. The writing is overly dramatic and trite. The plot is confusing and not all that interesting in the spots it's not confusing.

Why am I here? Why are any of us here?

My favorite character, the only one I liked at all, has become unbearable due to his proximity to Kaylee. If I read one more Romeo declaration of doomed love I was going to puke.

But guess what I'll do in a few months?

Read the next one.

[Cait S]

Hey all, just checking in.

It's Wednesday afternoon and I don't have book picks for everyone yet. Joeera and Rosina, could you guys give a shout if you're here? Just want to make sure we haven't lost anyone :)

Hope you're all having a great (and healthy!! Flu season needs to be over now, thank you)) week!

[maria helena]

I should finish my book tonight or early tomorrow :)