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R7: SSS "Two Hot to Handle" (2) **WINNING TEAM**
Mine isn't too bad and we do have until Wednesday so I can do this, dammit! I don't what it is about a book that 400+ pages that freaks me out. 399 is fine, 401...not so much! lol
Completion Post - Week 4/Sunday (Space 31)
A Grimm Warning
Pages: 448
Qualifies: Series 3
Date Read: 2/9/16
Rating: 4 Stars
I just love this series. It has quickly become one of my favorites. Colfer has such a way with words. And his audio narration is in a league of its own. I'm curious if I'm enjoying the books more because of how good his narration is. Excited to read Book 4 and then wait for Book 5 to come out this summer.
OMG, I can see the end in sight. Finally! At 93% and finishing this sucker today if it kills me!! :)
Did you see my big girl book of 448 pages???
Week 4 - SundaySpace: 31
Bad Boys Need Love Too
Pages: 440
Qualifies: "Bad Boys Need Love Too", #1
Read: 2/9/16
Rating: ★★★
First things first...this book was way too long. It could have easily been 100 pages shorter and given the same feels. Speaking of feels, I didn't have many. I'd think after being with these guys for so long I would be heartbroken at parts, angry at others but nothing. Not to say it wasn't a decent read but I guess I was expecting more. More what? I don't know, just more. The smexing was the super hot, angry rough kind but even that got old after a while. I did actually like both MCs but didn't love either. A lot of time spent for an okay book.
Kim wrote: "Did you see my big girl book of 448 pages???"I did! I hope yours was better than mine! :)
Week 4.5Bonds of Hate by Andrew Ashling
Qualification: Series #1
Read: (2/8)
Rating: ★★★½
I'm rounding this one up in my head even as I write this. I did not really enjoy the reading of this. I kept getting distracted. I did not like Anaxantis every time he dealt with his half-brother Ehandar. But then he'd go out and be kinda an awesome ruler as he fought to prove his father wrong. I liked the political intrigue, I liked the world, but I did not like how Anaxantis and Ehandar's relationship is portrayed.
This story is difficult for me. I wanted to like it. The writing is good, the story is interesting, and it has some really wonderful intrigue elements and great secondary characters. But I just can't buy the relationship between the two main characters. The flip-flopping I love you/I hate you moments just felt contrived to me. The only thing that made them more believable was Anaxantis' breakdown towards the end. His reasoning made a little more sense and I get his struggle. But I'm still not sure I understand Ehandar. I'm fighting to like them together and I'm not sure how they come out of this in a manner that makes their relationship one I like.
Still I'm curious about the story and where it will go in the future. I do think I'll be very particular about when I read the next book as I know now what I'm getting into as far as picking to read this particular series. I'm rating this at 4 stars though for me personally it's probably only a read. I'm rounding up on quality.
I'll be done with my book either tonight or by mid morning tomorrow.
Perfect. We're kind of an awesome team!!
Yeah. No drama. That's a breath of fresh air.
Kim wrote: "Yeah. No drama. That's a breath of fresh air."Most definitely. The drama is one of the main reasons that I don't sign up for very many team challenges. I am loving this team!!
Week 4 Completed"Space 31
- Book 3 Thunder Point SeriesFinished: 2/9
3.50 stars
Review:
The Hero is book 3 of Robyn Carr’s Thunder Point series. I have really enjoyed this series so far but found that this one was lacking for me. I would have liked more character building of Spencer and possibly Devon. I found Devon’s predicament to be unbelievable. She did not appear to me to have recently left a commune. I did enjoy learning more about Rawley who has been in the last two books. It was nice to see that Rawley had a pre-made family. Devon and her daughter softened old Rawley who quickly embraced the two as his own.
Devon and her 3 year old daughter fled from a communet where she realized that she was in danger. Rawley just happened to be driving and spotted the two. He took them to Thunder Point where he gave Devon and the tot a place to live. Like several other Thunder Point residents, Devon was immediately welcomed and met Spencer, who was recently widowed.
Spencer was introduced in the last book, and before his wife passed away they found out that their son wasn’t Spencer’s. Spencer moved to Thunder Point to take the head coach position at the local high school. This move also put Spencer and his son close to Cooper, who was recently told that Austin was Cooper’s. Spencer certainly wasn’t looking for love so soon after his wife’s death. With Spencer’s help, Devon began to slowly put her life back together.
I love Robyn Carr and will definitely continue with the series. I want to learn more about the citizens of Thunder Point.
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Kim wrote: "Yeah. No drama. That's a breath of fresh air."Most definitely. The drama is one of the main reasons that I don't sign up for very many team challenges. I am loving this team!!"
Drama? Seriously? What in hell could there be drama about in a reading challenge? I'm confused!
Shannon wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Kim wrote: "Yeah. No drama. That's a breath of fresh air."Most definitely. The drama is one of the main reasons that I don't sign up for very many team challenges. I am lovin..."
Team members posting nasty comments about reviews or books in general. I like to read paranormal, and one of my team members blasted me that I was reading fluff and made nasty comments. Another time teammates were arguing and I had to drop out - this one was a different challenge with a different group. I've also had members not to check in and we missed our roll. And the list goes on....
My biggest ones are always people who don't get along with the captains or think the captains aren't doing their job right. Then they're sending PMs and talking about people behind their back, trying to get a mutiny going. Ain't nobody got time fo' that!I get along with everyone and I feel like if someone takes extra time out of their day to run a challenge for a group (they are VOLUNTEERS!!!), that people should at least be nice. I know a lot of it is because we are typing and not talking and intentions can be misconstrued, but then there are other times when there's no way that it could have been intended as any other way but snarky, rude, and just plain mean. I think people see an empty text box as an invitation to type whatever is on their mind, but sometimes you just gotta keep your opinions to yourself.
Debbie, I'm sure your "friend" who complained about your fluff would love me and all my YA books. Ha ha.
Kim wrote: "My biggest ones are always people who don't get along with the captains or think the captains aren't doing their job right. Then they're sending PMs and talking about people behind their back, tryi..."Totally agree with you! I teach online, and students tend to be more snarky than actually in the classroom. This is similar to challenges, because some will easily type what's on their mind but would never speak to you in that manner in front of your face!
When I read for pleasure, I read what I want to. I do so much research for work that I read very few non-fiction which is where the issue came from. I also like some YA - I read what my 17 year old reads so that we can discuss. Some YA can be pretty hot, which I try to tell my daughter to steer clear!
Exactly, Debbie. I have a 15 year old, who has always read well beyond her reading level. I've always read books that she's interested in so I can give her the yay or nay on books. And I guess I just got hooked! Also, my family reads a lot out loud. We read a book together as a family. My husband likes to be read to. And my little guy only wants to read his school chapter books if I promise to read something out loud that he's actually interested in. And, hey, if these books fall within guidelines for challenges, you better believe I'm going to use them! Ha ha. My son will sit with me and have me read an entire Maze of Bones book in a day. That's an entire day where I'm not reading "my" book, so I want to count it, gosh darn it! Ha ha.
Oh, I could read out loud to my kids and hubby. They would probably run out of the room screaming and maybe crying but I would be completely entertained. Hmmm, now I'm getting ideas. "Hey family...it's reading time!! Tonight I'll be reading Dick, It's What's for Dinner...everyone ready?"
My god, can you imagine if I was on a team with the jerk who said you read fluff? Ha, I WIN, I WIN!!
I guess I've been lucky and most of my challenges are in the M/M group so what are they say about my reading choices? lol
Ha ha. Oh man. I haven't broken into that genre is yet. What would you suggest for M/M virgin? Not that I need it to be tame or anything, but something that you would recommended to get me hooked?
I got hooked accidentally reading the Rough Riders series. I was so disgusted with myself for thinking the man on man action was so hot. Then I had to test the theory by finding some more on Amazon. Ended up reading some weird Siren books. Then I found the M/M group here and holy crap, that was the beginning of the end. I found other perverts just. like. me!! lolLet me think on a great first time read, I don't want to give you an epic fail book!
What are your favs? It's gonna be a romance but do you like a mystery, or cops or bdsm or just light and fluffy, super angsty...I need some guidance, we're heading into that territory where I have to just pick a random book. Freaks me the hell out! :p
Lol! Don't do that to poor Shannon it's just not fair. And she's right, guidance is always helpful when giving someone an MM book to start with. There are so many great ones to recommend, but what to actually start you with. Because if you like reading romance they're like crack once you're hooked you're hooked. ;) I like to recommend The Student Prince to MM virgins as it's a Merlin/Arthur fanfic and free to download online. It's a really great take on the modern myth and is less graphically MM. Good easy one to come in with. :D Has some great humor and really well written.
Ummmmmm.... It's hard to say, really, because I read pretty much everything. I knock out a book a day, and it's a very diverse group of books. I'm talking Harry Potter one day, Pride and Prejudice the next, followed by some horrible BDSM the next. So, with that being said: suspense is good, angst is probably great, light and fluffy is fine. Haven't read any cop books I don't think, but I'm certainly not opposed.
I don't think I helped you at all, did I?
I haven't read many MM books, but I really liked the Cut & Run series. These books include mystery, which is one of my favorite genres.
I've heard good things about that series, too, Debbie.
Ooooohhhhh Shannon and I can play suggest all our favorite MM books with the two of you. :DAnd yes Cut & Run is fantastic. The first book was a little over the top for my taste (though better on the second read since my expectations weren't as high), but it just gets better and better.
Oooh this will be fun! I haven't read "Student Prince" yet (I know, I know) because fantasy is not my favorite genre. My recs are...Our star rating is in the ( )
Frog (Me 5, Ezi 3, Shelby 5)
Chase in Shadow (Me 5, Ezi 5, Shelby 4) **Bring Tissues...lots and lots of tissues**
The Rebuilding Year (Me 4, Ezi 5, Shelby 5)
Him (Me 5, Ezi 4, Shelby NA)
Collide (Me 5, Ezi 5, Shelby NA)
Faith & Fidelity (Me 5 , Ezi 5, Shelby 5)
More Than Make-Believe (Me 5, Ezi hasn't read, OMG, Shelby Either WTF?) **This is the only book that I've read more than once....like 3 times**
And of course the "Cut and Run" series. I must admit I got kind of sick of them and haven't read the last book yet.
OK, so it took me 15 minutes to figure out how to use Goodreads on my phone because my computer took a crap.I rolled a four. I'll be back to make it pretty when I can get my computer up and running.
Week 5 - Thursday RollRolled: 4
Old Space: 31
New Space: 35
3rd in Series
5th in Series
35th in Series
Alt. Option: Law Enforcement/Military
Shannon: Fire and Ice, Review Post 247
Shelby: Full Domain, Review Post 249
Debbie: Divided in Death, Review Post 251
Kim: Naked in Death, Review , Post 255
And of course I'm reading one of those right now. Guess I'll move on to #2 in the series then!Week 5 - Thursday Roll
(Carlisle Cops, #2)Fire and Ice by Andrew Grey
Pages: 200
Qualifies: #489 on the Best Gay Cops/Security Guards/PI's List
Week #: 5 - ThursdaySpace #: 35
Book Title:
Qualification: Alternate - Law Enforcement
Week #5 - ThursdaySpace #35
Divided in Death by J.D. Robb
Pages: 354
Qualification: Alternate - Law Enforcement
Kim, this would have been a good to lose your m/m cherry! The Cut and Run series would have definitely worked. You let me know if you want to try any books we pick and I'll gift you your very first one! lol
Shannon wrote: "Oooh this will be fun! I haven't read "Student Prince" yet (I know, I know) because fantasy is not my favorite genre. My recs are...Our star rating is in the ( )
Frog (Me 5, Ezi ..."
Well based on that recommendation I guess I must go and add it to my list immediately and I fully expect the next time you play GB or M&G with me you better recommend it so I add it to my queue to actually read. :D
How in the hell is it that I don't have a 3, a 5 OR a military/cop anywhere on my immediate read list?!?!?!?!?! Any of those should be easy. :-p Guess I'll have to dig deeper into my actual lists than I was expecting to.
Shelby wrote: "How in the hell is it that I don't have a 3, a 5 OR a military/cop anywhere on my immediate read list?!?!?!?!?! Any of those should be easy. :-p Guess I'll have to dig deeper into my actual lists t..."How do you not have I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier anywhere on any list?!?!?
OK. I'm here! Thanks for compiling some suggestions for me! I'm going to add them to my list and see what I can get my hands on. (hee hee) Sorry I was MIA for a minute there. My husband came home yesterday and told me his brother was moving in with us. Today. So, things have been a bit Crazy Town over here.
Wow! I'm shocked! My library has Faith & Fidelity. I think I'll use that one to pop my cherry since you guys all gave it 5 stars! By the way, my husband looked over my shoulder and saw I'll Be Your Drill, Soldier and was like WTF?!
Kim wrote: "Wow! I'm shocked! My library has Faith & Fidelity. I think I'll use that one to pop my cherry since you guys all gave it 5 stars! By the way, my husband looked over my shoulder and saw I'll Be Yo..."
lmao, if you end up liking m/m that won't be the only time he says that! :p
Shannon wrote: "Shelby wrote: "How in the hell is it that I don't have a 3, a 5 OR a military/cop anywhere on my immediate read list?!?!?!?!?! Any of those should be easy. :-p Guess I'll have to dig deeper into my..."Because I read it ages ago, long before I started utilizing the stars for every book. So it's marked as read but doesn't look like it unless you really click on it on my shelves. :D
Shelby wrote: "Shannon wrote: "Shelby wrote: "How in the hell is it that I don't have a 3, a 5 OR a military/cop anywhere on my immediate read list?!?!?!?!?! Any of those should be easy. :-p Guess I'll have to di..."Aaaah, sneaky!
Now you have me curious on some of the books that you have mentioned. I'm going to see what fits for my mounds of challenges that I signed up for!
Week 5 - Thursday Roll
(Carlisle Cops, #2)Fire and Ice by Andrew Grey
Pages: 200
Qualifies: #489 on the Best Gay Cops/Security Guards/PI's List
Read: 2/12/16
Rating: ★★★★
Well that was sure a convenient coincidence there at the end. All wrapped up with a shiny bow. A little too shiny, but still very sweet. Alex sure deserved his new family. I've now read two from this series in the last 2 days and see quite the theme. Insta-love and perfect, tidy endings. But, I did really enjoy this quick read. It was sweet and bitchy and dealt with some ugly crap but still managed to be a feel good book in the end. I'm sure I'll read the next one as well. If I must. :)
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Now you have me curious on some of the books that you have mentioned. I'm going to see what fits for my mounds of challenges that I signed up for!"Nice! We'll convert you both yet. It's all in the guidelines of our
Week 5Full Domain by Kindle Alexander
Qualification: Series #3
Read: (2/12)
Rating: ★★★★★
I do really enjoy this series. It's just kinda a happy place for me. It's hot and sexy, there's tattoo's! And in this book we finally get the ultimate completion of the mystery started in book one. This book is a very fitting conclusion to this series even as it left me wanting more with these characters.
Mitch and Cody are still recuperating from the effects of the last attack. With his partner now too visible a target Kreed's on his own to pull together the FBI and Marshall's office's resources to find the one's pulling the strings. But they've got to keep it contained because there's no telling who else could be involved. Dragging Mitch's IT specialist friend Aaron up to DC to keep helping to dig into the case may not have pleased Aaron, but it carries some amusement from Kreed. That is until he gets a good look at Aaron in person and then all bets are off.
Aaron's got a ton going on in his life, his hacker background may have gotten him into the NSA originally, but there's a lot more to his life than most people have any clue of. Getting dragged personally into this case is more than irking. He's perfectly capable of helping from the comfort of his own home, he has no need to be in the heart of the FBI. That is until he gets a good look at Kreed. That sexiness certainly peaks his interest. Of course going undercover himself is the last thing Aaron wants to do.
I do see why some reviews seem to feel this book was too long, but for me I just love Aaron and Kreed so much it was all awesome to me. I do love my smexy tattoo'd and pierced seeming bad boys all hot and bothered for some good old fashioned law and order. Of course Aaron skirts such a lovely fine line with his skills. So the mystery here is pretty much just the culmination of all the work the team'd started in the previous books. Busting the big boss calling the plays though perfectly throws Aaron and Kreed together and boy are they HOT!
I was just a ball of happy reading this story. :)
Shannon wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Now you have me curious on some of the books that you have mentioned. I'm going to see what fits for my mounds of challenges that I signed up for!"Nice! We'll convert you bot..."
Shhhhhhhhh! We're supposed to be more sneaky than that! Remember, it's all about the subtle conversion to the dark side. ;)
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Burn (other topics)Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir (other topics)
Burn (other topics)
Sinner's Creed (other topics)
Skin Tight Levi's (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
T.J. Klune (other topics)Jenny Lawson (other topics)
Kim Jones (other topics)
Jenny Lawson (other topics)
Kim Jones (other topics)
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Week 4
Space: 31
Book Title: Bonds of Hate
Page Count: 425pgs
Qualification: Series #1