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R7: SSS "Two Hot to Handle" (2) **WINNING TEAM**
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Shannon
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Feb 20, 2016 08:21PM
We are all set. I'll roll in about 1 1/2 hours. New page, new category...that never happens so nicely! :)
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Week 6.5 - SundayRolled: 3
Old Space: 45
New Space: 48
4th in Series
8th in Series
48th in Series
Alt. Option: Text Item "Desk"
Shannon: (Watch Me) Save You, Review Post 312
Shelby: Prelude, Review Post 311
Debbie: Sins of the Night, Review Post 314
Kim: Roomies, Review Post 309
So, I guess I'll just keep going with the series I've been reading for this....Yay!!Week 6.5 - Sunday
(Watch Me) Save You by Avril Ashton
Pages: 286
Qualifies: "Run This Town" #4
So for the alternate option, the word "desk" just has to be somewhere in the text of the book, right? Seems too easy....
Kim wrote: "So for the alternate option, the word "desk" just has to be somewhere in the text of the book, right? Seems too easy...."That's correct. It does seem too easy. It must be a trick! Like maybe you read the book and it meant "sex ON a desk". lol
Yeah. I said out loud, "What's the catch?" Found my book, but I shouldn't have been up. It's only 4:30 am here. So I made myself go back to bed... where I'm still on Goodreads apparently. I will post my book info in the real morning.
Week 6.5
Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Pages: 384
Qualifies: Desk - Page 275 "I don't think so." "And why is that?" Stryker went to his desk…
Week #: 6 - SundaySpace #: 48
Book Title:
Qualification: Alternate - Text Item "Desk"
"It is enough to make me spring up off my bed and rush to my desk" (page 2)
Completion Post - Week 6/Sunday (Space 48)
Roomies by Sara Zarr
Pages: 279
Qualifies: Alternate - Text Item "Desk"
"It is enough to make me spring up off my bed and rush to my desk" (page 2)
Date Read: 2/21/16
Rating: 3 Stars
I read another book by Sara Zarr called How to Save a Life, which I really enjoyed, so I had added most of her other works to my TBR at that time. Roomies has a fairly low rating on GR (3.64), which would usually steer me away from the book. But, recently, I'm finding that those ratings are not always a good portrayal on whether I will enjoy a book or not, so I've been trying not to weigh my decision to read a book too heavily on that rating.
With that said, I enjoyed Roomies. It was not as striking to me as How to Save a Life was, but I still enjoyed it. The only thing was frustrating to me was how the book ended. The story is basically about two girls from opposite sides of the US who find out they have been paired to be college roommates after the summer is over. They communicate via email and become friends, but also have struggles with their communication and with trusting each other. I was so excited to see how they did when they finally became roommates, but the book ends before we get to see any of that, which was kind of a bummer for me.
Week 6.5Prelude by Shira Anthony
Qualification: Series #4
Read: (2/21)
Rating: ★★★★★
Beautiful. Just utterly beautiful. I feel no shame in admitting I cried for David in this book. You could just feel his confusion and struggle to get out of his own head an allow his emotions to really come into play. What he truly felt for Alex was overwhelming and he wasn't equipped to deal with it. These two finding each other was just gorgeous.
David Somers has always been known as the iceman in the music world. He conducts his orchestra's with precision and expects nothing short of perfection from those around him. No one knows that underneath it all he's swimming in his own insecurities, most especially when it comes to his composing. Without his departed wife to guide him through the social morays David's retreated farther and farther into himself, fulfilling his orchestral social obligations and little else. When an illness has his star violinist out at the last moment, David is pragmatic until he hears who they've gotten as a replacement. No rock star could ever be truly capable of playing the classics with the kind of skill they require.
Alex Bishop has spent his career making a name for himself across genres with his violin. He's played with orchestras, rock bands, in jazz clubs. He plays for the love of the music. The one thing that got him through a tough childhood in the foster system and later on the street. Never one to doubt his talent, he's still disappointed at the maestro's reaction to his performance. There's something about David Somers that calls to him and he wished they'd gotten off to a better start.
These two were just so touching to watch dance around each other. Both unsure a lot of the time about what to say and how to explain themselves. Never quite comfortable with where they stood with the other, but desperate to not lose that connection. The music fairly soared through this book. The pages pulsed with the feelings these two men were going through. One of the things I find the most fascinating about this series is the way that Ms. Anthony and Ms. Keyes manage to capture the music and make it's presence felt even in the written word. I can normally read just fine with music playing in the background and yet find I need to read this novel in the quiet to hear the music it describes.
Really beautiful story. I truly loved this one.
Week 6.5 - Sunday
(Watch Me) Save You by Avril Ashton
Pages: 286
Qualifies: "Run This Town" #4
Read: 2/22/16
Rating: ★★★★★
FINALLY! I've been waiting for another book in this series to be as good as the first one and this one is it. Holy ever lovin' hell, I am wiped out after reading this. Tek has been a mystery throughout the series and Quinn is Xavier's ex so we've met them both already. These two seem broken beyond repair but that just goes to show you, there's always hope. The scene with Xavier and Quinn had me a sobbing mess. And Tek, oh what to say about this cross-dressing, messed-up but lovable guy. He's such a bad guy but I really loved him. These books are all about the bad guys...like really bad guys but Avril Ashton somehow makes us cheer for them. Amazing. LOVED THIS BOOK!
OMG - I almost had heart palpitations! I was about to post my book and forgot about the alternate choice, which I chose BTW. All that I saw was book 4 or 8 - my book was a 7. Whew - I chose desk!
Space 48
Sins of the Night
Pages: 384
Qualifies: Desk - Page 275 "I don't think so." "And why is that?" Stryker went to his desk…
Completed: 2/23/16
3 stars
Review:
So far in this series, I have given all books 4 to 5 stars. Unfortunately, this one was not up there with my favorites. While it was important to answer a few lingering questions, I just could not get interested in the plot. The Dark Hunters in Mississippi are being led astray by none other than Daimons.
Fearing rebellion, Danger, a female Dark Hunter, calls upon Ash to settle this matter once and for all. Ash brings out the big guns in the form of Alexion who is always called to restore peace in any manner that he deems fit. Danger must work with Alexion but both are immediately attracted to each other.
Danger and Alexion’s attraction were enough to enjoy the story, but the plot just fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and I found my mind wandering to other more pressing issues, like what to cook for dinner. I did listen to the audio and love the narrator. I am looking forward to the next installment and getting back to the world of the Dark Hunter.
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "OMG - I almost had heart palpitations! I was about to post my book and forgot about the alternate choice, which I chose BTW. All that I saw was book 4 or 8 - my book was a 7. Whew - I chose desk!"Don't you hate that? I read a book and then can't figure out which challenge it was for....all the time! :/
Week 7 - ThursdayRolled: 6
Old Space: 48
New Space: 54
4th in Series
5th in Series
54th in Series
Alt Option: "Cover Item: 2 or more People"
Shannon: Wulfgang, Review Post 326
Shelby: Not His Kiss to Take, Review Post 324
Debbie: Turn and Burn, Review Post 325
Kim: Since You've Been Gone, Review Post 327
Week #: 7 - ThursdaySpace #: 54
Book Title:
Qualification: Alternate - 2 People on Cover
Shannon wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "OMG - I almost had heart palpitations! I was about to post my book and forgot about the alternate choice, which I chose BTW. All that I saw was book 4 or 8 - my book was a 7. W..."I do the same and every year, I tell myself I am not going to sign up for another challenge. Well, my inner self says challenge - sign me up!
I have to keep a spreadsheet so I know what's due when. It's exhausting, but I still sign up for everything.
I only do team challenges now so I'm only in 4 at this time. Kind of perfect, keeps me in the reading without having to choose a book all by myself. Too hard!!
Week 7Not His Kiss to Take by Finn Marlowe
Qualification: Cover: 2 people
Read: (2/25)
Rating: ★★★★★
Kinky and lovely all at the same time. This is a very interesting take on a gay for you storyline. The potential is there for things to feel forced or for the slightly twisted nature here to feel like advantage was taken. Instead the feelings that develop here feel natural and honest.
Dr. Evan Harrison's life has been stripped away from him by his own body turning against him. It's hard to work in the ER when blinding migraines never seem to stop. In turn Evan's become extremely isolated even as his migraines have come on less and less. One rare night out at a bar changes everything. When the young blond guy walks in Evan is stunned by how gorgeous he is. Drooling from afar seems like the only option since Evan's pretty convinced the guy is straight. But when he disappears and his jacket remains at his table Evan becomes concerned. Finding the boy in the bathroom having been ruthlessly attacked Evan's never forgotten skills take over and when the boy protests the hospital Evan does the only thing he can think of and takes the boy home to treat him.
So Jamie's snark in this was fantastic. I love all his nicknames for Evan. They may have started out as insulting and a distancing mechanism but they clearly became affectionate and all out of good sense of fun. His acceptance of Evan was gradual and it was interesting to see how his feelings developed. There were some measures of his situation that seemed a little unreal and pushed to bring about his and Evan's becoming a sexual couple, but they didn't detract from the story ultimately. I still enjoyed reading these two figuring out what they really wanted. It wasn't always easy, but they really discovered what they both truly wanted deep down. And that first kiss...wow!
Space 54
Turn and Burn by Lorelei James
Pages: 368
Qualifies: #5 in series Black Top Cowboys
4.25 Stars
Completed 2/26/16
Review:
Turn and Burn begins two years after the last installment - One Night Rodeo. Tanna’s mother has passed away and her family’s ranch has been sold. Tanna Barker was at the top of her game as a three time world champion barrel racer when tragedy struck. Tanna lost everything and decides to lick her wounds by accepting a temporary job in Wyoming. Luck would have it that her sexy one night stand just happens to be the vet whose practice is big stock animals. Since Fletch is a favorite veterinarian and doesn’t have anyone working with him, he stays extremely busy. His lifestyle does not have room for a woman longer than a one night stand. As luck would have it, Fletch is enamored with Tanna and wants to have that happy ever after moment. Unfortunately, Tanna has plans of her own, which does not include making permanent residence in Muddy Gap.
Fletch is forced to take a six week vacation, which gives him the opportunity to stay in the same resort where Tanna is working and living. While both Tanna and Fletch are hot, the sex is even hotter. Both begin to see each other in a different light. Tanna must make her decision to either move on or stay in Muddy Gap. Being offered a chance of a lifetime doesn’t make Tanna’s decision any easier.
I loved both Tanna and Fletch. Tanna had to overcome obstacles after her accident and is a very strong character but is very tender hearted. She would be an excellent friend to have but don’t expect Tanna to open up and share her feelings unless she sees fit. Celia, who we met in book 4, is Tanna’s best friend. She is the one who convinced Tanna into coming to Wyoming and work with Eli. Eli is nothing short than a horse whisper and feels that he can help Tanna overcome her fear of horses and riding.
I also liked Fletch, who was a sexy alpha male. He brings out the best in Tanna and wants more than just a sex buddy. Although Fletch is well aware that Muddy Gap is only temporary for Tanna, he wants to see their relationship to the end. The one problem that I had with Fletch is his nickname for Tanna - Sugar Twang. Although this does fit Tanna, I found myself rolling my eyes on several occasions. I listened to this one on audio and really liked the narrator. I am sure that she also was rolling her eyes.
I did like the fact that Tanna and Fletch were open with each other. Both knew what they wanted and were not bashful especially during sex. There were definitely some hot moments between these two in and out of the sheets. Secondary characters in this installment were also mentioned. So far, this is one of my favorite books in the series and I am looking forward to the next book.
Week 7 - Thursday
Wulfgang by Erin M. Leaf
Pages: 162
Qualifies: Alt Option "2 People on Cover"
Read: 2/27/16
Rating: ★★★
This one was just okay for me. Took me a couple days to finish this and it's a short book. I liked #2 much better. The M/C didn't connect for me and the story just didn't hold my attention that well. Don't know why. It wasn't bad but not really good either. Might have just been me. Who knows.
Completion Post - Week 7/Thursday (Space 54)
Since You've Been Gone by Morgan Matson
Pages: 449
Qualifies: Alternate - 2 People on Cover
Date Read: 2/27/16
Rating: 3 Stars
I usually really enjoy contemporary YA, but I'm in a bit of a funk right now due to some real life stuff that's been going on. So I feel bad only rating this one three stars because I feel like I would have enjoyed it much more if I hadn't been reading it while sitting with my new nephew in the NICU. I don't think I would have enjoyed any book that I read.
With that being said, I did enjoy Matson's writing style. I hadn't read anything from her yet and I will be reading more of her stuff, especially when I'm in a better mood. This book begins with a girl whose best friend goes MIA without a trace. Eventually a letter comes in the mail from the missing friend and includes a list of things that she wants the MC to do. Many things are subtle pushes to get the MC to do things that she wouldn't normally do or to improve on areas of her life that needed improving. It had lots of feels, just not the feels that I needed at the time that I read the book.
Mwahahahah, I beat you by 7 whole minutes Kim! lol
Only because I forgot and your notification reminded me!!!! Ha ha.
Well crap, that just ain't the same! :p
Ha ha. I was really worried about finishing today. These Thursday ones are tough!
AND I was stupid and picked a big girl book. 449 pages! What was I thinking?!
WTH were you thinking? That's like a growned up book!! Crazy!
I know right?! I'm living in the NICU with my brother's baby right now, so had to pick from what I had on hand. Ha ha.
Oh no, what's wrong with your brother's baby? Just preemie?
Mom went into a diabetic coma on Monday and her body just decided it wasn't a great place for a baby and she gave birth! 26 weeks. He's a little 2 lb nugget. Doing good but we've got a long road.
Holy crap! At least he doing good but he'll be there a while. Poor mom and dad. :( How's mom doing?
Kim wrote: "Mom went into a diabetic coma on Monday and her body just decided it wasn't a great place for a baby and she gave birth! 26 weeks. He's a little 2 lb nugget. Doing good but we've got a long road."Kim, You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers.
Much better today! But, again, she's got a long road too.
I'm not usually this good with the dice. We got another 6!!Week 7.5 - Sunday
Old Space: 54
Rolled: 6
New Space: 60
Standalone
6th in Series
60th in Series
Alt Option: Title "S"
Shannon: The Storm Before the Calm, Review Post 344
Shelby: Ravages, Review Post 349
Debbie: Hillbilly Rockstar, Review Post 345
Kim: Son, Review Post 346
Week #: 7 - SundaySpace #: 60
Book Title:
Qualification: Alternate - Title "S"
Week 7.5 - Sunday
The Storm Before the Calm by Cate Ashwood
Pages: 200
Qualifies: Alt Option "S"
Read: 2/29/16
Rating: ★★★★
So sweet. That pretty much sums it up. Charlie has been tormented his entire school career and finally gets to leave and go to New York for a summer dance class. There he meets Max and we've got us a bona fide couple. Not much angst, no stupid misunderstandings, just a solid romance.
Week 7.5Space 60
by Lorelei JamesHillbilly Rockstar
Pages: 400
Qualifies: #6 in Blacktop Cowboys
Completed: 3/2/16
4.5 Stars
I really enjoyed reading this book. Country star heartthrob Devin McClain has attracted star crazed fans and is in need of a bodyguard. When one of the band members was roughed up, Devin decides to hire a bodyguard from a highly reputable security company. As luck would have it, the bodyguard is an ex. military female who happens to be the sister of an acquaintance from Muddy Gap.
Liberty and Devin started out as employer and employee, but shortly after the tour began, they became much more. Rather than telling the band members and groupies that Liberty was a bodyguard, both used the premise that Liberty was his personal assistant.
This was a typical Lorelei James book that included hot romance and even hotter males. I really enjoyed this installment of Black Top Cowboys. My rating is 4.5 stars as there were some sections that I found a little off. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
Completion Post - Week 7/Sunday (Space 60)
Son by Lois Lowry
Pages: 393
Qualifies: Alternate - Title "S"
Date Read: 3/2/16
Rating: 4 Stars
This was a pretty good finale to this series. I read The Giver before the movie came out and absolutely loved it. I didn't like Gathering Blue at all. Messenger was better. I think what made me so angry was that at the end of The Giver, I was left wondering what happened to Jonas. We don't really catch up with him and find out what's going on with all the other characters until this book. This book is in four parts. The first three parts connect with the first three books in order, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed the first part the best. I think it was a really clever way to wrap the series up and I'm glad to cross off another completed series.
I'll roll as soon as we hear from Shelby. I'll PM her now. :)
Sorry guys it's been an absolutely crazy week. Just finished up my book now.Week 7.5
Space: 60
Book Title: Ravages
Page Count: 264pgs
Qualification: Stand Alone
Week 7.5Ravages by R.A. Padmos
Qualification: Stand Alone
Read: (3/3)
Rating: ★★★★½
This story is one of devastation that leads to unbelievable strength. I wasn't sure what I was going to get reading an established couples story like this, but what I got was really beautiful. Steve and Daniel may have been in the closet as being openly gay in professional soccer was not a good idea, but they were quite happily in love. Ultimately what happened only proved that and strengthened everything they had together.
One random walk changed everything for Steve. He never even knew the area he'd randomly wandered into, but being jumped by a group of gay bashers looking to cause unspeakable pain to someone certainly came out of nowhere. He was sure he'd die from what they put him through and only thoughts of his love for Daniel pulled him through. Daniel refused to be separated from his lover after finding out what happened. Young as he may be he was determined to be by his loves side throughout everything.
This was no easy story to read, but the one thing that showed through bright and clear was Daniel and Steve's love for each other. Steve's life was destroyed by what was done to him, he had to relearn most every basic task due to the severe damage done to him. His brain will never be the same and some things will always be harder. But no matter how damage his psyche one thing never changed his love for Daniel and Daniel's love for him.
This was really beautiful and touching, a love incredibly strong that fought to stay together no matter the troubles. Really lovely story.
Moving our roll to the next page. :)
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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