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R8: SS Team 1 for the Money (1)
Week 2, Spot 19Selection Post:
Criteria: Nerd/Geek/Genius Romance, AND 1st in series!!!!
Pages: 403
Start Date: 7/24/16
End date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
I'm looking for a change from Cozy mysteries, so I'm gonna crack the cover of a few romances this week!
Mod
Destiny Binds by Tammy Blackwell
Criteria: 1st in series
Pages: 233
Date Read:
Rating:
Review:
I finished Nevermore last week, on Tuesday. It took me two days to read, and I rate it about 3 srars just because it was poorly written, but could possibly have been better with a dufferent author. By the end of the book, I was unwilling to read the rest of the series, and almost gave up reading it.
Mod
Destiny Binds by Tammy Blackwell
Criteria: 1st in series
Pages: 233
Date Read:7/25/16
Rating:5 stars
Review: I absolutely loved this book. Only in a book does a girl get to choose between two hot guys that are in love with her. LOL. The ending was a complete surprise but I can't help but feel that what her friends are telling her is not quite what happened. I can't wait to read book 2 to see what happens next.
Still figuring out what I want to read
Week 2, Spot 19Completion Post:
Criteria: Nerd/Geek/Genius Romance, AND 1st in series!!!!
Pages: 403
Start Date: 7/24/16
End date: 7/24/16
Rating: 5 Stars
Final Thoughts:
This was really good and sooooooooo funny! I absolutely loved this book. The way she is so smart and so literal and linear in her thinking that she totally overlooks the obvious is adorable. I know/have friends like this and sometimes have similar thought processes. Tangential thinking at its best, really makes the plot work well. That she has no comprehension of when he is flirting with her, especially at first, before you get to understand the character is what really moves the plot, almost as if her literal mind is an additional character. Of course she doesn't "get" flirting, she's had no experience with it!
Criteria: 1st book in a series
Pages: 503
Dates read:7/25-7/26/16
Rating: 5 stars
This book is amazing! Christopher Paolini manages to capture the feelings of young Eragon and his journey through Aglaesia. This is the second time I have read it, yet it continues to hold my interest, especially since Paolini was only 15 when he wrote it!
Week 2 - Roll 11; Space 19
Book: Blood Will Tell by Samantha Young
Read: 7/27/16
Rating: ★★★
Review
Better than I thought it was going to be. Eden is on the cusp of her Awakening, which means she will now consume souls to live. But she fights that half of herself. She may be a monster but she isn't a murderer. The story touches on some darker aspects, which I didn't expect, but it works since she is the anti-hero and her family is just...anti. I don't usually like YA cause I find them to be whiny, but I could really feel the hardships Eden was forced to endure. Loss, betrayal, heartache.... I'm definitely interested in reading the next in the series.
Week 2 - Roll 11; Space 19Review Posts
Sunshine✰✰✰ - (#1) Blood Will Tell - Post 61
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (#1 & Alt) Neanderthal Seeks Human - Post 58
Shelby - (#1) Oleander House - Post 65
Jessica - (#1) Eragon - Post 59
Delitealex - (#1) Imperfect Chemistry- Post 66
Donna - (#1) Destiny Binds - Post 56
Hey everybody! Don't forget that reviews are due by tonight so that Sunshine can roll at Midnight and help us get a jump on the next week!
Week 2Oleander House by Ally Blue
How Fits: Series #1
Read: (7/28)
Rating: ★★★½
So this will be kind of short as I'm posting this on my phone while sitting waiting for my next flights to board. But I wanted to make sure we could roll as soon as possible.
I enjoyed elements of this book. The paranormal entity was interesting and I liked that the pursuit of it was handled in a manner concurrent with paranormal research as it exists today. (I actually have a friend who does this stuff.). Nothing they were trying was outside of modern realism as long as you accept and believe in the possibility of the paranormal/ghosts among us. I appreciated that this particular book took the realistic slant.
I liked the characters in the story as well. And I was cheering for Bo and Sam's attraction to one another. But this story does have one element that I really dislike. I hate seeing the married but confused and while things don't go all the way there it's still cheating to me. It irks me.
Still I enjoyed the story and would be curious about another book in the serious. I understood the way the ending came about but I wasn't actually expecting it and didn't love it but it was fitting for the story in some ways.
Imperfect Chemistry by Mary Frame
Fits: series #1
Read: 7/28
Rating: 4 stars
I enjoyed all the geeky awkwardness. Lucy was funny especially when trying to figure people out. I was happy to find this freebie the characters were funny. I will probably end up reading the next book in the series.
Rolled a 6 moved to spot 25 ignore if you still didn't want me to roll#2 #5 or #25 in series
Alt choice
25. Released the month you rolled (year doesn't matter)
Thank Delitealex. I posted our check in and new spot.I'm going to read Fuzzy Navel - Book #5
I've been dying to read this but can never make it work for other challenges, so, Yay!
Week 3, Spot 25Selection Post:
Criteria: 5th in a Series
Pages: 259
Start Date: 7/29/16
End date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
Mod
Title: Time Mends
Author:Tammy Blackwell
Criteria: 2nd in a Series
Pages: 269
Date Read:7/30/16
Rating:5 stars
Review:
Wow, I am even more confused than I was at the end of the first book if that is even possible. Book 1 left me hoping that Alex was still alive. Book 2 has me wondering why everyone is so determined to kill her. Poor Scout is confused and has no idea what is going on around her. Liam's whole part in her rescue has me wondering who and what he really is. Is Alex really dead and will all her friends and brother make it out alive? I have soooo many questions. Yes, the author has made it almost impossible for me to not want to read book 3 immediately. I guess I will be heading to Amazon to find a copy...
Week 3, Spot 25Completion Post:
Criteria: 5th in a Series
Pages: 259
Start Date: 7/29/16
End date: 7/30/16
Rating: 4 Stars
Final Thoughts: This was good, but a bit overdone, I think. Way too many suspects and false arrests that kept it seeming like it was never going to end. Never thought the bad guy was really a contender... really a bit much for me. Still, lots of good drama and good dialogue. Really clever in the end, but still maybe a tad overdone.
Week 3The Heiress Effect by Courtney Milan
How Fits: Series #2
Read: (7/31)
Rating: ★★★★★
I really enjoyed this book immensely. It's filled with the sorts of women I love. Determined women who are not willing to back down and cave to the men in their time that feel they should only be under their thumb. Best type of historical in my opinion.
This one was particularly lovely with multiple woman who deserve to be called strong. And I loved Jane and Oliver together. They both want so much to be out of the box that society would put them in and together they find the person that they each deserve to be. Standing strong on their own.
Fantastic continuation of this series. :D
Mod
*It can only be used once, and cannot be used on the last week to win
Week 3 - Roll 6; Space 25
Book: Fuzzy Navel by J.A. Konrath
Read: 8/6/16
Rating: ★★★★★
Review
Oh. My. God. Did Konrath really just end the book like that?! Yes. Yes he did. I reread the last 3 chapters three times and then gawked in disbelief. Good thing I already have the next one cause I can't stand the suspense! Who died?! Who DIED?! It's not a spoiler cause I don't know either!
Week 3 - Roll 6; Space 25Review Posts
Sunshine✰✰✰ - (#5) Fuzzy Navel - Post 75
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (#5) Wedding Bell Blues - Post 71
Shelby - (#2) The Heiress Effect - Post 73
Donna - (#2) Time Mends - Post 70
Hey Delitealex and Jessica! Heads up! Tonight at midnight, we can roll again. Your teammates are counting on you! Gonna pony up or no show? BTW, it really shouldn't be your teammates' or Captain's responsibility to remind you each week when it is we roll and when your reviews are due by...
Team, I got a pm from Delitealex that she will no longer be able to play. I have let Ezi know.I have posted our check in and our new roll.
Week 4 - Roll 4; Space 29
Alternate: Title starts with T
Mod
Say hi to her and orient her if she has questions.
Ezi
Hi team! I'm excited to join you!!So I read a book that starts with T and post a short review here by next Thursday. Is that about right??
I read a good bit as I left my teaching job due to health reasons 3 years ago. I do take part in lots of challenges though, so if you have to give me a yell, I won't be offended at all! :)
I'm looking forward to reading with you all!!
Mod
Welcome to my other team (we are on the same wobble team). Basically we are on space 29. You can read a book that is 2nd, 9th or 29th in the series or you can read the alternate (this week is a book starting with a "T"). Then post your review Thursday by Midnight.
Donna wrote: "Michelle, Welcome to my other team (we are on the same wobble team). Basically we are on space 29. You can read a book that is 2nd, 9th or 29th in the series or you can read the alternate (this w..."
Hey Donna!
Great to see you here! Thanks for clearing that up. I see where to find that information now. I think I'm going with the alternate task this week.
Is there a page count limit?
Welcome Michelle! Let's get this team back on the road to a championship!
Mod
Welcome to my other team (we are on the same wobble team). Basically we are on space 29. You can read a book that is 2nd, 9th or 29th in the series or you can read the alt..."
minimum 150 pgs
Donna wrote: "~Michelle~ wrote: "Donna wrote: "Michelle, Welcome to my other team (we are on the same wobble team). Basically we are on space 29. You can read a book that is 2nd, 9th or 29th in the series or y..."
Thanks!!!
Kay (Brigidsmomma) wrote: "Welcome Michelle! Let's get this team back on the road to a championship!"Hi Kay! Let's get rolling!!!
Week 4 - Roll 4; Space 29Selection Post:
Book:
Tsura by Heather AnastasiuCriteria: {Alternate Task} Starts with T
Pages: 250
Start Date: 8-5-2016
End date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
Week 4 Completion Post:
Criteria: Starts with a T
Pages: 194
Start Date: 8/5/16
End Date: 8/6/16
Rating: 5 Stars
Final Thoughts:
This was really good. I've had it in my TBR for over a year now, and just hadn't gotten around to reading it yet. Nice how this worked out... Really like the series and this one started it all out so nice. A friendly protagonist who runs a local cafe in a seaside village in southern England and who happens to be friends with the local Chief Inspector (and maybe more, if things work out her way?). She discovers a body onboard a boat when going to meet with one of the occupants of the boat about catering a party for them... was the murderer a local or someone else? And why was the body on the boat in the first place? Really good mystery and lots of interesting characters to fill out the pages. It was so good, I went on a marathon and read 4 of the 5 books currently in the series all in one go!
Hi ~Michelle~! We're happy to have ya!I'm going to read
Series #2
Week 4 - Roll 4; Space 29Review Posts
Sunshine✰✰✰ - (#2) Spectyr - Post 97
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (Alt) Tapas, Carrot Cake and a Corpse - Post 88
Shelby - (#2) Stay - Post 93
Donna - (#2) Friday Night Bites - Post 94
~Michelle~ - (Alt) Tsura - Post 95
Mod
Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Criteria: 2nd in series
Pages: 372
Date Read:
Rating:
Review:
Week 4Stay 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.
Mod
Friday Night Bites by Chloe Neill
Criteria: 2nd in series
Pages: 372
Date Read:8/9/16
My Rating:5 stars
Review:It has been a while since I read book 1 but as I eased into this book, I remembered book 1 vividly. There is just something about this book and this series that you don't forget. I felt bad for poor Merit as she isn't really told much but expected to know everything anyways. Plus she has been through so much that most people would just throw the towel in at some point. I love the little bit of shifter drama thrown in with the vampire drama. I am definitely looking forward to book 3.
~Michelle~ wrote: "Week 4 - Roll 4; Space 29Criteria: {Alternate Task} Starts with T
..."
Week 4 - Roll 4; Space 29
Selection Post:
Book:
Tsura by Heather AnastasiuCriteria: {Alternate Task} Starts with T
Pages: 250
Start Date: 8-5-2016
End date: 8-19-2016
Rating: 4*
Final Thoughts:
Tsura is set in Romania during WWII. I found the main character to be very likable - after the first part of the book. She tends to grow on you after that!
This book sheds light on the many difficult choices being made and the unbelievable risks being taken during this time of war. Also, relationships may or may not be as they appear on the surface.
Throughout the story, Tsura is looking for her brother Luca who was wounded during the war and possibly taken to a concentration camp. Does she ever find him?
She was to be married to her first love, Andrei, but finds herself in a sticky situation with her brother's best friend, Mihai, and has no choice but to marry him within a few days instead of Andrei. Will she get the annulment after the war that she's hoping for to be able to marry her first love as promised?
Tsura tells herself and Andrei that this "marriage" to Mihai isn't a real one, but does she ever consummate the marriage? Will she fall in love with Mihai as more time goes by and they are forced to rely on each other for survival?
Some questions are answered in this first-in-series novel and hopefully the rest will be answered in the second book, which is already out. I will be adding it to my list as well!!
Never fear team! I am about 80% through my book and once I get home from work I will have time to power read before Hubby gets home, so will post review later tonight.
Week 4 - Roll 4; Space 29Book: Spectyr by Philippa Ballantine
Read: 8/11/16
Rating: ★★★
Review
While I liked the book, I got lost a bit with the vast religious plot. A large section was with Merrick going to the past, which was the author's way of showing the back story of the "gods". But it wasn't just that. In the present, we have Hatipai, who is a Geistloard, but fancy's herself as a God.
We got so much more insight into Sorcha & Merrick & Raed. I love seeing how their Bond strengthens how their past has shaped them and who they are as a person now. For that alone, I'm dying to read the next book.
Woooo whooooo! Everybody's finished in plenty of time this week! How AWESOME is that?
Alrighty! All checked in and our new roll is:Week 5 - Roll 8; Space 37
Series number 3, 7, 37 or Title B
Week 5, Spot 37,Selection Post:
Killing two birds with one stone as this is also one of my FWYS reads...
Criteria: 7th in the Liss MacCrimmon series
Pages: 289
Start Date:
End Date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
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Kay, Thanks for rolling. I will read Blood Will Tell by Samantha Young.