R8: SSS Team Order of the Phoenix (5)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Thanks but use the same post earlier, okay?

[Sarah]

I'm going with Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison, the second book in the Madison Avery series. It's 228 pages.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

How does it fit? Page numbers too.
Lol, you gotta work Sarah!!!

[Sarah]

Crap! My brain is just not what it's supposed to be today!

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Sarah wrote: "Crap! My brain is just not what it's supposed to be today!"

LMAO. I haven't even chosen my book for my SSS team. I don't know what I want to read

[Sarah]

ThatEzi wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Crap! My brain is just not what it's supposed to be today!"

LMAO. I haven't even chosen my book for my SSS team. I don't know what I want to read"

I'm trying to actually finish what I've said I will so I'm reading books that I've put in challenges. A lot of them are books I've been setting aside. So far so good. Maybe there's something you've been putting off, it might fit for your SSS spot.

[Katherine]

Week 3 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #26 ~ Alternative #26 ~ Science Fiction

Erin ~ Scarlet ~ 2nd book ~ Review
Katherine ~ Forever and a Day ~ 6th book ~ Review
Shelby ~ Strong Enough ~ 2nd book ~ Review
Sarah ~ Early to Death, Early to Rise ~ 2nd book ~ Review

[Katherine]

Week 3 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #26 ~ Alternative #26 ~ Science Fiction

(Lucky Harbor #6) by Jill Shalvis (324 p.)

[Erin L]

Week 3 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #26 ~ Alternative #26 ~ Science Fiction

(Lunar Chronicles #2) by Marissa Meyer (464 p)

[Sarah]

Roll: #6 (Saturday), 26 - 2nd in a series
Book: Early to Death, Early to Rise by Kim Harrison
Pages: 228 pages
Read: 8.1.16
Rating: ★★★
Review:

It's been quite some time since I've read the first in the series, so only have a very vague idea what it's about. I knew this one would be a little hard to get into because I don't remember the full backstory. However, I think Kim Harrison did a good job of bringing up past events that are important to the story without a huge summary.

Madison, as the new dark timekeeper, wants the chance to change the way seraphs deal with people who are going to do bad things that will tarnish their souls. Usually, those people are killed before they do something bad. Madison wants to give the people a chance to change their minds on their own before sending in a grim reaper to take their soul.

Madison ultimately wants to get her body back. Barnabas, a former light seraph, is tasked with helping Madison. Nakita, is a grim reaper. Both are having trouble with Madison's new system, and they are both experiencing doubt in the way things have run for the last thousand (or more) years.

This was a very quick read. I don't know if YA is the genre for Harrison, but I really love her UF/SciFi stuff. I'm glad this was the only series she came out with that's YA. There isn't a lot of action, and it isn't quite as exciting as other YA series out there. It's very straight forward, and the characters aren't very dynamic. I will be reading the last book in the series, because I own it and I really want to be able to cross it off my TBR.

[Erin L]

Nice review. I really need to get around to Kim Harrison's UF series. I keep meaning to and I had Bitten out from the library once, but had to return it before I got around to it. Bad library borrower :)

[Katherine]

Week 3 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #26 ~ Alternative #26 ~ Science Fiction

(Lucky Harbor #6) by Jill Shalvis (324 p.)

Finished: 2016/8/2
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: 6th book in a Lucky Harbor series
Review:
Grace is looking for new job. By trying to get a good paying job in some big city, she tries to do some interesting little jobs. She becomes a model, dog walker, babysitter. She is looking for fun.

Josh is a doctor, single dad and a big brother to twenty one year old handicapped sister. His life is a chaotic mess and he does not have time for fun.

[Sarah]

Erin wrote: "Nice review. I really need to get around to Kim Harrison's UF series. I keep meaning to and I had Bitten out from the library once, but had to return it before I got around to it. Bad library borro..."

Her UF series is what got me hooked on UF!

[Erin L]

Sarah wrote: "Erin wrote: "Nice review. I really need to get around to Kim Harrison's UF series. I keep meaning to and I had Bitten out from the library once, but had to return it before I got around to it. Bad ..."

I had a friend recommend Jim Butcher years ago and I got hooked.

[Erin L]

Completion Post
Week 3 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot: 26 ~ Alternative ~ Science Fiction

(Lunar Chronicles #2)
Pages: 464
Read: Aug. 2
Rating: 4 stars

It's crazy. I have several issues with these books, but I find them extremely readable. I get sucked into the story and wanting to know what happens next and I stop caring that there is no real world development. I don't care that all of the characters have no individuality - the Chinese characters have little to differentiate themselves from the French characters. There is no background to the Lunar society. And I don't care.

This book continues Cinder's story from the first book and it's getting good. We also add Scarlet (Red Riding Hood) and the wolf along with our previous Prince Charming (Kai) and, of course the evil queen. And werewolves.

Sigh, I should hate this book. But I don't.

Four stars for readability. But, darn it, I want to know what happened to old Beijing. And why isn't there a New Paris, just Paris?

[Shelby]

Week 3.5: (26 - Series #2) - Strong Enough - 247pgs/GR

[Shelby]

Week 3.5
Strong Enough by Cardeno C.

How Fits: Series #2

Read: (8/3)

Rating: ★★★

So I think my problems with this book all stem from the opening. I really didn't like how these two first came together. Emilio came on way to strong for me and it left me feeling entirely too creeped out for a long time. Sure he was super understanding and careful with Spencer as he took in Spencer's nerves and hesitancy, but it was all a bit much for me.

This story pretty much hits my two minor irksome pet peeves. Age-gaps and instal-love, and with the younger guy being the aggressive partner here it just never really worked for me. I loved Emilio's family and the later interactions in their relationship were nice, but I never quite got over how they came together. It never felt very real to me. Spencer is too shy and tongue-tied for Emilio to believably be with when the age gap is sooooo huge.

The story was good, but that's all it is for me. It left a lot of unanswered questions and the Peter plot device felt a bit overblown to me. The timing and all didn't make sense within the narrative. An easy read, but not one of my favorites.

[Katherine]

Week 4 ~ Thursday Roll
Spot #29 ~ Alternative #29 ~ Title: T

Sarah ~ Until the Beginning ~ 2nd book ~ Review
Shelby ~ Stay ~ 2nd book ~ Review
Erin ~ The Good Thief's Guide to Paris ~ 2nd book ~ Review
Katherine ~ Fire Touched ~ 9th book ~ Review

[Erin L]

Selection Post
Week 4 ~ Thursday Roll
Spot #29 ~ Alternative #29 ~ Title: T

(Good Thief's Guide #2) by Chris Ewan
Pages: 280

[Katherine]

Week 4 ~ Thursday Roll
Spot #29 ~ Alternative #29 ~ Title: T

(Mercy Thompson #9) by Patricia Briggs (380 p.)

[Sarah]

I will be reading Until the Beginning by Amy Plum, 2nd in the After the End series, 336 pages.

[Erin L]

Week 4 ~ Thursday Roll
Completion Post
Spot #29 ~ Alternative #29 ~ Title: T

(Good Thief's Guide #2)
Read: 08/06
Rating: 2 stars

This was just not a good read for me. I think that the idea is a good one - an author of mystery books and sometime thief gets caught up in situations out of his control. In this instance, he's tied up in a web that begins over some drinks when he's asked to help a fan break into the fan's own house. Things quickly start going wrong and a woman ends up dead in Charlie's hotel room.

Here's the problem, the other over describes everything. There's just SO much detail that it's hard to slog through it. Add to that too many scenes spent theorizing on the crime and I was very bored throughout this book. A mystery should not be boring, especially one starting with this premise.

[Sarah]

Roll: #7 (Thursday), 29 - 2nd in a series
Book: Until the Beginning by Amy Plum
Pages: 321
Read: 8.6.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

The way After the End concluded left me very excited for Until the Beginning. I didn't want to purchase the book, because I knew I was going to trade away the first book, and I don't like to keep series unless I have all of them. Weird I know. Therefore, I had to wait for it to be available at the library - even though my library didn't have a copy, they quickly got one.

I wanted to dive right into the action. I don't know exactly what makes these books so quick to read. Amy Plum makes it seem effortless to just continue on with the books, chapter after chapter. I wonder if it felt that effortless to write (probably not).

The second book picks up right where the first book left off, which I won't get into because spoilers. It was so exciting and interesting. Juneau is still on the hunt to find her clan, but there's a complication she wasn't prepared for. How can she find her clan and take care of everything else going on? Who can she trust? Will they be prepared to fight their way out if they need to?

I didn't find this book to be quite as good as the first one, but it wasn't so far from it that I felt it needed a lower rating. I think they're about the same as far as that goes. I'm happy with the way the series has ended. I don't think there are going to be any more books following this one, and I'm glad it won't be a drawn out thing like some series can be. I really enjoy books/series where the main character goes through some sort of change or growth that allows them to be who they are meant to be in a completed way. Amy Plum fulfilled that completely with Juneau and Miles.

[Shelby]

Week 4: (29 - Series #2) - Stay - 361pgs/GR

[Shelby]

Week 4
Stay by Riley Hart

How Fits: Series #2

Read: (8/6)

Rating: ★★★★★

Yep, I knew I'd love this one before going in and I wasn't disappointed. I enjoyed the first book in this series but I think I liked this one more. I loved these two guys together and Jessie was just plain adorable. You really feel for what Wes and Jessie have been through. Braden doesn't really know what he wants, he's content to live his life and be happy. Meeting Wes throws his entire life into a spin.

I appreciated that Braden wasn't sure himself what he was doing, just felt himself drawn to Wes. He was beyond lovely with how he dealt with Jess too. I really enjoyed their relationship with each other as much as I enjoyed Wes and Braden together. It was sweet how Wes and Braden just kept knocking down each other's walls without really thinking about it. Neither was trying to be in a relationship yet that's exactly what they were in.

Such a good feel feel good story. Everything sweet, and warm, and loving. I could read this one over and over again.

[Katherine]

Week 4 ~ Thursday Roll
Spot #29 ~ Alternative #29 ~ Title: T

(Mercy Thompson #9) by Patricia Briggs (380 p.)

Finished: 2016/8/7
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: 9th book in a Mercy Thompson series
Review:
Mercy and her Alpha are called upon to stop a troll. Where they meat a human child with fire abilities.
The pack tries to keep the child save and to make a safe place for everyone (werewolf, fea, human and others).

[Sarah]

I'm going with Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen, it is the 3rd book in the Scarlet trilogy, 304 pages.

[Erin L]

Week 4 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #33~ Alternative @33 ~ On Teammate's shelf
Selection Post

(Adam Dalgliesh #3) by P.D. James
Pages: 218

[Katherine]

Week 4 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #33 ~ Alternative #33 ~ On Teammate's shelf

(The Proposition #3) by Katie Ashley (309 p.)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Hey Team,
I just wanted to let you know that Katherine will be gone for a couple of weeks and can no longer continue with the challenge.
I am in the process of appointing a new member...but will one of you be able to take over captain duties?

[Sarah]

I can try being Captain.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Sarah wrote: "I can try being Captain."

Thank you. Ask if you are unclear about anything I can help.

[Sarah]

ThatEzi wrote: "Sarah wrote: "I can try being Captain."

Thank you. Ask if you are unclear about anything I can help."


Gotcha! Thanks!

[Sarah]

Week 4 - Sunday Roll
Spot: 33
Alternative: On Teammate's Shelf

Erin - Unnatural Causes (Adam Dalgliesh #3) Review
Sarah - Lion Heart (Scarlet #3) Review
Shelby - The Mane Attraction (Pride #3) Review

[Sarah]

How's everyone doing with their book?

[Erin L]

Completion Post
Week 4 ~ Sunday Roll
Spot #33 ~ Alternative #33 ~ On Teammate's shelf

(Adam Dalgliesh #3)
Pages: 218
Read: Aug. 09
Rating: 3 stars

Police Procedurals tend to be rather dry and boring, especially when you read some of the earlier versions. You basically follow the investigator around as he investigates. Hint: it isn't as interesting as TV would have you believe. This book from P.D. James actually has more interesting characters than the previous books in the series and as Dalgliesh isn't officially investigating (he's on vacation), it's from a slightly different slant than normal.

I found the ending rather boring. Post-climax that is. I'm not sure I like how it was handled - basically a tape recorded confession is told in full (page after page after page) and I skimmed much of it in frustration.

[Shelby]

Week 4.5: (33 - Series #3) - The Mane Attraction - 385pgs/GR

[Shelby]

Week 4.5
The Mane Attraction by Shelly Laurenston

How Fits: Series #3

Read: (8/9)

Rating: ★★★★★

I just plain love this series. I love the silly snark and super confident women. This series walks the edge of ridiculousness when it comes to dialogue, but for me it falls into the perfect side rather than too over the top. Plus I admit I've been waiting to read Sissy Mae's story, she's been one of my favorites from the beginning of the series.

I loved Sissy and Mitch together. I loved how their friendship disguised their attraction to each other and kept everything safe. They knew they could rely on and trust each other. Even if Sissy is going to pull some crazy ass shit as soon as she's home in her backwoods town. The antics in the town absolutely made me giggle. I loved their stupid insane shifter competitions across town.

This book and this series as a whole just make me smile. I love the brash characters, I enjoy the way that the intrigue/suspense plays in. It's there, but doesn't over power the story, but also doesn't feel like a total afterthought either. At the end of the day anything that puts a smile on my face though is tops in my book.

[Sarah]

Erin wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Erin wrote: "Nice review. I really need to get around to Kim Harrison's UF series. I keep meaning to and I had Bitten out from the library once, but had to return it before I got arou..."

LOVE his series too!

[Sarah]

I am still pushing to finish my book tonight. If I don't I will be finishing it tomorrow and then roll.

[Sarah]

Roll: #8 (Saturday) 33, 3rd in a series
Book: Lion Heart by A.C. Gaughen
Pages: 304
Read: 8.11.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

I have been waiting and waiting for this book to be available some where! Either the library, or Scribd (which if you haven't used it I recommend trying it out with the free trial if you read a lot of e-books). Basically, the series is a retelling of Robin Hood. Now I don't know the originally story very well. But the main character in this series is Scarlet, who is a friend of Robin Hood and fellow thief, but there is way more to her than she allows anyone to see.

I really don't want to give too much away, because it is such a good series! In case anyone wants to read it I want this to be spoiler free. Lion Heart is the last book in the series. I kept going back and forth on rating this 4 or 5. For now it's a 4, because the first half of the book was very slow. The other books had more action so it moved quicker. I thought this book would be the same and it wasn't. However, the last half is where the magic happens!

[Sarah]

Thursday Roll

I rolled a 3, puts us on spot 36

- 36th
- 3rd
- 6th
- Alternative: Audiobooks

[Sarah]

Week 5 - Thursday Roll
Spot: 36
Alternative: Audiobooks

Erin - On Vacation
Maya - Next Roll
Shelby - When Beauty Tamed the Beast (Audiobook) Review
Sarah - Midnight Alley (Morganville Vampires #3) Review

[Sarah]

I'm reading Midnight Alley by Rachel Caine, 3rd in the Morganville Vampires series, 245 pages.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

So Erin is on Vacation for 8/11-20,

And we have a new member Maya to replace Katherine too.
So Welcome Maya

[Sarah]

Hello Maya! Welcome to the team!

[Maya]

Hi new friends! Excited to be doing this with you guys :)

[Maya]

I'm really hoping to land in the 40s so I'll be able to read the same book for both this week. Go dice, go!

[Shelby]

Week 5: (36 - Audiobook) - When Beauty Tamed the Beast - 372pgs/GR

[Shelby]

Week 5
When Beauty Tamed the Beast by Eloisa James

How Fits: List: Audiobooks (shelved 19 times)

Read: (8/13)

Rating: ★★★★½

4.5 stars overall for a very enjoyable read. Lots of quality snark in this book which always lands it high on my list. I loved how little crap Linnet was going to take from anyone including Piers. Of course Piers is the wonderfully grumpy beast, highly intelligent with little patience for the world.

I enjoyed the medical element to this story. It was an interesting take to have two members (cousins yes) of the peerage having completed their medical training and essentially running a hospital out of their family home. I enjoyed the battle of wits and personality between Linnet and Piers when it came to Piers' patients. She wasn't squeamish but she has the human sympathy all of those people really needed in their circumstances.

As a retelling of the beauty and the beast tale this was well done. It carried the elements you'd want from the fairytale while putting it in a real world historical circumstances. And true to it's fairytale roots everyone comes out with their HEA. All past hurts are dealt with and everyone is redeemed. Lovely story.