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R7: SSS "Two Hot to Handle" (2) **WINNING TEAM**
Space 20
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
Completed 1/30/16
4 stars
How the Book Qualified: Book 2 in the series
Review:
This is my second book by Elle Kennedy, and I am really enjoying her writing style. Although her characters are young, this is by no means a YA book. There are some detailed adult scenes that really isn’t meant for high schoolers, in my opinion. What got me engrossed in this book the most is that it isn’t all about sex but does have some important growing up lessons. John Logan can have any girl that he wants, but he is honing in on freshman Grace. There is an air of seriousness when Logan is looking at his bleak future after graduation. He has some very important decisions to make, and one includes Grace. He can either play professional hockey or be stuck running his dad’s garage.
I was a little worried about listening to this book. However, the narrator was excellent, and didn’t sound or appear to be younger.
This was an excellent follow up to book 1 in the series, which is The Deal. This book could be a stand-alone, but several of the secondary characters were in book 1. I will definitely check out more book by Elle Kennedy.
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Space 20

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy ..."
I liked this series as well. I am waiting for book 3 on audio

The Mistake by Elle Kennedy ..."
I liked this series as well. I am waiting for book 3 on audio
ThatEzi wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Space 20
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy ..."
I liked this series as well. I am waiting for book 3 on audio"
I am also on the audio. I really liked this narrator!
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "I changed my original book. I just wasn't in the mood to read it."God, I hate that! Especially when I've got a couple days invested. Of course, if I've tried to read it for a couple of days and I'm still not finished....that's just not good. lol
Shannon wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "I changed my original book. I just wasn't in the mood to read it."God, I hate that! Especially when I've got a couple days invested. Of course, if I've tried to read it for a..."
I really like the series, but I guess I'm just not in the mood to read it.
Week 3 - SundayOld Space: 20
Rolled: 5
New Space: 25
#2 in Series
#5 in Series
#25 in Series
Alt. Option: "Texas"
Shannon: Mating Addiction, Review Post 165
Shelby: The Merchant of Death, Review Post 169
Debbie: Creation in Death, Review Post 170
Kim: Wicked Business, Review Post 166
Week 3 - Sunday
Mating Addiction by Abraham Steele
Pages: 212
Qualifies: Series "Fated Date Agency" #5
Week #3 SundaySpace #25
Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
Pages 322
Qualification: #25 in the In Death Series
Shannon wrote: "Wow Debbie, I'm impressed with the #25 in a series!! lol"This series is huge. I think there are around 40 books! It has taken me years to get this far - lol!
I am determined to finish my NFL challenge for the MM Romance group and I've got like 6 books to read this week for that. So YAY for this one fitting. :DWeek 3.5
Space: 25
Book Title: The Merchant of Death
Page Count: 222pgs
Qualification: Series #2
Week 3 - Sunday
Mating Addiction by Abraham Steele
Pages: 212
Qualifies: Series "Fated Date Agency" #5
Read: 2/1/16
Rating: ★★★
So I wasn't expecting much but I was pleasantly surprised. I haven't read a book about sexual addiction before and that alone made it interesting. Realistic? No, but still fun to read. Raymond was a giant douche at the beginning and Diago was the perfect little omega. Kind of. Anyways, they're fated mates so of course things are going to work out. I did expect Diago's ex to make a lot more trouble for them but he was just an asshole. Fun read, not much brain power required.
Completion Post - Week 3/Sunday (Space 25)
Wicked Business by Janet Evanovich
Pages: 299
Qualifies: Series 2
Date Read: 2/1/16
Rating: 3 Stars
This is a really funny series IF you're into really immature humor, which I am. I mean if you can tolerate fart jokes, this ones for you. The audio is especially funny because the narrator is forced to actually make farting sounds. It was a nice read in between some more serious ones. And this series always makes we look like such a creep when I'm at work laughing out loud to the voices in my head (i.e. my headphones).
It's fun, isn't it? I never have to try and pick a book out all random-like by myself. I can no longer do that. :/
Week 3.5The Merchant of Death by Lisa Henry
Qualification: Series #2
Read: (2/1)
Rating: ★★★★★
Oh man I'm totally falling for these two! Henry is such a lost soul and Mac is the total straight lined cop who might just be able to save him. I adore the way Henry dives headfirst into things where his heart is concerned all brass and protesting he can handle the world, but underneath he's just so fragile.
Of course this story has things spiraling further out of control for our star-crossed lovers. Henry's twin sister is in trouble and he'll do anything to protect her, even if that means a little cross-dressing and undercover work. Meanwhile Mac's career is on the line as unknown elements are conspiring against him. And of course the pull between these two just won't stop no matter how wrong being drawn to a witness is for Mac.
This was quirky and fun in all the best ways. I really enjoyed this story, probably even more than the first. So much so that I'm not even that mad at the cliff-hanger ending. It was kinda a natural conclusion sort of point and I can't wait to read the next book to find out the next piece of this arc.
Week #3 SundaySpace #25
Completed 2/3/16
Creation in Death by J.D. Robb
Pages 322
Qualification: #25 in the In Death Series
4.5 Stars
Review:
The In Death series never fails me. Even at book 25, I am still engaged. I love all of the characters, especially Eve and Roarke. Although the cases are familiar, sometimes it takes me through half of the book to determine who the murderer was. 9 years ago, a case of Eve’s and Feeney was never resolved. Both felt like a failure and are more determined than ever to bring the killer to justice. This time the case is close to home. The killer purchased expensive sheets, shampoo, and soap from companies that Roarke owns. To make matters worse, the women that are abducted are employees of Roarke. Roarke feels responsible for the loss of lives. Of course, Eve brings in Roarke to help solve the case.
It has been a while since I have rea this series. I missed all of my favorite characters and the angst between Eve and Roarke. The narrator is excellent. This is an easy and fun read! The reason that I gave this a 4 star is due to the numerous serial killers that Eve has gone after. I would like to see a variety of investigations. There were also some areas that were extremely slow. Of course, I will continue with this long series!
Week 4 - Thursday RollRolled: 4
Old Space: 25
New Space: 29
2nd in Series
9th in Series
29 in Series
Alt Option: Title "T"
Shannon: Trained, Review Post 190
Shelby: Tempest, Review Post 194
Debbie: Angel's Peak, Review Post 189
Kim: A Thousand Pieces of You, Review Post 191
Are you kidding me right now? I have nine library books checked out and not a single one will work. The library opens in a few hours. I'll run over and grab something and then post here.
Kim wrote: "Are you kidding me right now? I have nine library books checked out and not a single one will work. The library opens in a few hours. I'll run over and grab something and then post here."I hate it when that happens!
Well that's convenient. :)Week 4
Space: 29
Book Title: Tempest
Page Count: 226pgs
Qualification: Title: T
Kim wrote: "Are you kidding me right now? I have nine library books checked out and not a single one will work. The library opens in a few hours. I'll run over and grab something and then post here."What's a library? I bet it's that pretty building we have downtown. I do see people with things in their arms walking around down there. They must be books, made out of paper and everything!
I'm thinking I would probably read maybe 1 book a month if I had to put any effort into actually getting them. It's sad really. :)
Shannon wrote: "Kim wrote: "Are you kidding me right now? I have nine library books checked out and not a single one will work. The library opens in a few hours. I'll run over and grab something and then post here..."Our library is absolutely horrible. The last books that I picked up were nasty. Before I moved five years ago, I used my local library all of the time.
I don't read too many actual books from there. I get my audio there mostly. I am able to listen to an audiobook a day on average while I'm at work. So audible is not in my budget. I check out Playaways at the library. Fo actual books, those are mostly things I have accumulated on my kindle or bargain books on my own shelf (ok that should be plural - I'm a bit of a hoarder). However, my library participates in the Overdrive program, so there's a pretty extensive ebook collection I can pull from. I'm pretty fortunate that if I need something, they'll pull it for me from any library within an hour drive in about two days. This Thursday roll is what I'm most worried about between the two because on the weekends I have to actually spend time with my family. Gasp! So I need to make sure I snatch an audio on Thursday so it's done by Friday just in case I have to be an actual parent or something.
Kim wrote: "I don't read too many actual books from there. I get my audio there mostly. I am able to listen to an audiobook a day on average while I'm at work. So audible is not in my budget. I check out Playa..."lmao, not an actual parent!! Say it ain't so, that's just tragic!!
Yes! Like next week, I have to room parent for my 2nd graders Valentine's Day party AND do his 8th birthday party. That's TWO parent-y things in two days. That's too many.
Kim wrote: "I don't read too many actual books from there. I get my audio there mostly. I am able to listen to an audiobook a day on average while I'm at work. So audible is not in my budget. I check out Playa..."I'm the same way with audio. I can listen and work, and Audible gets expensive. My library also participates in Overdrive, but they are very limited in what they allow.
Kim wrote: "Yes! Like next week, I have to room parent for my 2nd graders Valentine's Day party AND do his 8th birthday party. That's TWO parent-y things in two days. That's too many."Ewwww, I remember that room parent thing. It's awful! Field trips were the worst!! My kids are in 7th and 10th grade so they really don't want their parents anywhere near them. Yay, finally!!
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Kim wrote: "I don't read too many actual books from there. I get my audio there mostly. I am able to listen to an audiobook a day on average while I'm at work. So audible is not in my budget. I che..."I actually have audio books and have never listened to one. I tried once but they seem to go really slow which just freaks me out. :)
Shannon wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Kim wrote: "I don't read too many actual books from there. I get my audio there mostly. I am able to listen to an audiobook a day on average while I'm at work. So audible is no..."I have mine set up as 3 times the normal reading rate. I never cared for audios until last year. Now, I am really enjoying them.
I can only listen to them if I'm in a confined space...aka my car or something. I get to distracted by other things and loose track of the narrative otherwise. But in my car I'm good. :) There they help make LA traffic less offensive. ;)
space 29
by Robyn CarrAngel's Peak
Pages 379
Qualifies: #9 in the Virgin River series
Completed 2/5
3.75 Stars rounded to 4
Review:
I have really enjoyed this series so far and have given the majority of the books 5 stars. Unfortunately, this one fell short for me. The plot is one that is not new, and I just couldn’t relate to either the hero or the heroine. Sean and Franci were a hot item until 4 years ago. Franci wanted marriage and children.
Sean was not ready, and they broke up. Fast forward to four years, Sean is visiting his brother in Virgin River and just so happens runs into Franci. Sean had weakly attempted to contact Franci six months after their breakup and couldn’t locate her.
Surprise, Franci changed her phone number and moved close to Virgin River with her 3 ½ year old daughter and her mother. Of course, Sean is the father of Rosie, and he had no clue that Franci was pregnant.
At times, I wanted to discipline Rosie. She was a little smarty pants to be a toddler. Now, Sean sees himself as a family man - as if four years makes such a difference. Sean’s mother has a cameo appearance, and she appears to be a nosy parent. She immediately chastises her son for not doing his manly duties and marrying Franci when she was pregnant - hello - he didn’t know that she was pregnant! It’s not as if Sean was a teenager. He is in the military and flies special helicopters.
I just found this to be choppy and the plot did have so much potential. Many of the favorite characters were present in this book but had little input.
Week 4 - Thursday Completion PostRolled: 5
Space: 29
Trained by NM Pratt
Pages: 158
Qualifies: Alt Option "T" Title
Read: 2/4/16
Rating: ★★★★★
I'm going with a full five stars on this one because I can't believe this is the author's first book. I was honestly hooked from the very first page. It made me teary a few times also, which I love. This just hit all my "oh hell yes" buttons. Straight guy, best friends, emotional connection...the sex could have been dirtier but the way it was written was actually kind of perfect for them. I was so caught up in their story, I probably wouldn't have missed the sex....I said PROBABLY! Anyway, great epilogue and fantastic story.
Completion Post - Week 4/Thursday (Space 29)
A Thousand Pieces of You by Claudia Gray
Pages: 368
Qualifies: Alternate Task - Title T
Date Read: 2/5/16
Rating: 3 Stars
This one was just OK for me. It is labeled a time travel book, but it technically wasn't. I don't usually like time travel books because I find myself confused easily. This one was traveling to a different dimension, however, so it wasn't technically time travel. I figured out the "bad guy" really early and felt irritated when the MC couldn't figure it out. But the story was entertaining and I will probably continue on in the series.
Sorry guys. I finished yesterday but haven't had two seconds to sit in front of the computer and write my review. Just finished it up.
Week 4Tempest by Lisa Henry
Qualification: Title T
Read: (2/5)
Rating: ★★★★½
This was a very satisfying ending to this story even if there were a few elements that were a bit over the top. I still loved Henry/Sebastian and Mac together. I still keep giggling at Henry's inability to shut up, well ever. His love and angst over his sister was lovely. I enjoyed being in her head as well as she struggled to be an adult trapped in her own head, knowing that there's damage done to the way she thinks, but still trying to help and be more than her limitations.
It was fun seeing Mac's family in this one as well. Nice to see his family's not so goody-goody for a couple of FBI parents. Heck their grandfather had an illegal still. ;) All of the good guy side characters in this story were really fun, and there's one moment in this for Henry that just damn near breaks your heart. You wanted it to result differently somehow no matter how unlikely that seemed.
Having Henry and Mac's past come back to haunt them in this manner is where things went a little over the top, but ultimately it just made for a fun ride as these two intrepid heroes worked to make the world a safer place and clear their, ok well Mac's good name. Really fun little series. I really enjoyed it. I'd give this one 4.5 stars that I'm rounding up for overall enjoyment purposes.
Week 4 - Sunday RollRolled: 2 (stinky roll)
Old Space: 29
New Space: 31
Standalone
1st in Series
3rd in Series
31st in Series
Alt Option: Author "Z"
Shannon: Bad Boys Need Love Too, Review Post 207
Shelby: Bonds of Hate, Review Post 209
Debbie: The Hero, Review Post 214
Kim: A Grimm Warning, Review Post 204
Shelby wrote: "Sorry guys. I finished yesterday but haven't had two seconds to sit in front of the computer and write my review. Just finished it up."No worries. Wish I'd stayed up just a little longer! lol
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Like Pizza and Beer by Elle Parker
Qualification: Series #2
Read: (1/29)
Rating: ★★★★
This is one of those strange cases where I think I liked the second book better than the first. In a lot of ways because I knew what to expect going in. Knowing that this was going to be more of a day to day mystery and investigation and a lot less romance, especially since Dino and Seth are already together, made more enjoyable for me.
I liked seeing Seth and Dino again, and watching these two work out a few more of their issues was fun. The cases in this story were entertaining and a lot more realistic than I remember the first book being. I enjoyed seeing a jealous Seth as he tried to deal with Dino working for one of his exes. And Dino was having to come to grips with being ok with people knowing about them and being more willing to be out than he has previously.
All in all this was a fun little story and I enjoyed the light-hearted mystery.