R8: SS Team Spine Crackers (11)

[Sarah]

I'll be finished with my book by Friday

[Sarah]

Roll 6: 49 - 4th in a series
Book: Aflame by Penelope Douglas
Pages: 262
Read: 8.25.16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

I am a big fan of Penelope Douglas's books, the first book in this series (Bully) is what really got me hooked on New Adult Romance. They are always steamy, but they are always very heartfelt. The chemistry always sizzles.

Tate and Jared are from the first book in the series, and by the almost conclusion of the series their relationship had become rocky. At least for Jared. They were very young when they got together and he felt like he was holding her back so he wanted to leave for a little while to find himself.

This is the first time that their paths have crossed since Jared and Tate had last seen each other 4 years ago. There is a lot of tension, and they are both still holding on to a lot from their pasts.

Just in case anyone is interested in the series, I don't want to give anything away.

All of the other books in the series were 5 star reads for me, however, this one fell a little short. I think I was frustrated that I felt like we had to do the same song and dance all over again. I do realize that there was a lot of character development and things that needed to happen in order for Jared and Tate to give their all to each other. I don't mind the growth, I just wish it didn't have to happen like this. The only thing that really saved it was the sizzle! I don't know how Penelope Douglas does it, but she is very very good at it!

[Annika]

Completion post: Spot 49


Dangerous Tides
Read: 8/25
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: #4 in series


Review:
This was a re-read for me and it wasn't as good as the first time around. It is nice to go back to Sea Haven and visit,, the books are for the most part light-hearted and easy reads, this one is no exception. I think I would've liked this book a bit less if I hadn't had a soft spot for nerds and scientist.

[Mandiann]

Week Six
Roll: 9
Spot: 49
Alternate: Author I
Book: Ashes
Read: 08/25/16
No of Pages: 465
Rate- 2.5 stars

Review:
I wanted to like this one and I feel bad rating it so low because there were parts I really liked. Unfortunately the pacing was off in my opinion and the parts I wanted more of were quickly glossed over and the parts I could have done with less of were slow and in too much detail. Will continue the series and hope the pacing gets better as the world is interesting and I don't hate the characters.

[♎ Nereta♎]

Week Seven

Rolled 5

Old spot: 49
New: 54

Task:
1)5th in series
2)4th in series

Alternative 54. Cover Item: 2 or more People

[NayNay]

I will read

Week 7
Roll: 5
Spot: 54
Task: Plantagenet Saga #4
Book: The Prince of Darkness by Jean Plaidy
No of pages: 416
Date Read: 0/31/16
Rate: 4 stars


John was always upset over being the youngest son. He was referred to as John Lackland and was thought to become a priest. But, then two of his older brothers die. He knows that he will get some titles now. Then his brother, King Richard, goes on a crusade...and dies! John now is king!
But some think his nephew Arthur has a better claim to the throne. Arthur is the son of Geoffrey, who was the third son of King Henry II and Eleanor of Aquitaine, while John is the fourth son. But Arthur is a foreigner. The English hate foreigners.
John sees the most beautiful girl, Isabella of Angeloume who is pledged to Hugh de Lusignan. This does not stop John, he abducts her from Lusignan. He marries her and makes her Queen of England with many other titles. He is so taken with his Queen that he neglect's his duties.
All of the land that his father worked so hard to get in France is taken back by the French. England is falling apart. John is a very destructive man, he created so much chaos in England that the barons rise against him, eventually leading to the signing of the Manga Carta
This is a king who nearly ruined the whole Angevin empire. He was so aweful that he was thought to be the devil on earth, he was the Prince of Darkness.

Jean Plaidy always entertains her readers. So much going on in this book that I flew through the pages. Well written, some of my favourite people in history, they all come alive. I look forward to continuing with this series!

[Annika]

Completion post- spot 54


Cherish the Land
Read: 8/27
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: #5 in series

Review:
I loved Seth and Jason's story, and that they finally found each other. It was a sweet read and not only focusing on our two MC's but the rest of the characters we've gotten to know throughout the series. I also really liked the fact that Seth was a cutter, never did see that one coming, and it's not something I come across often in books. I loved the fact that there was no miracle cure for it and that it was handled very realistically. I do have a weakness for emotionally scared characters, no one is perfect - not even in books.

[Sarah]

I'm going with Opal, it has 2+ people on the cover, 386 pages.

[Sarah]

Roll 6: 54 - Alternative: 2 or more people on cover
Book: Opal by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Pages: 386
Read: 8.28.16
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:

I'm making this short and sweet, because it's my birthday today! So far I have loved everything JLA has written that I've read! The Covenant series was awesome, and I love her NA romances. The Lux series is no exception. I highly recommend all of these series. I don't usually enjoy Sci-Fi, but this I really love! I never thought aliens could be hot, and have such depth.

Daemon is just enough frustrating, broody, and hot for my tastes. Plus it doesn't hurt that I actually like the main female lead, Kat. JLA writes great heroines! Really loved this book and I can't wait to see where this all leads!

[Annika]

Happy Birthday Sarah!
Hope you have a great day :)

[Sarah]

Annika wrote: "Happy Birthday Sarah!
Hope you have a great day :)"


Thank you Annika!!

[Mandiann]

Shoot. I am so sorry. It has been a crazy week. I didn't read much as I was busy prepping for a medical procedure and felling pretty awful as a result. I thought I had more time and realize now that I don't. I will try to get through The New Evil quickly tonight, it should be doable but my BF's grandma died this week and the funeral is tomorrow so it is possible that I may get pulled away from my book to do family stuff that I can't decline. Will start reading right now and update soon.

[Mandiann]

Okay, I have gotten a good chunk into my book and it is going really quick as it is a low reading level. Hope to finish before I head to a family gathering but if I do not, will finish as soon as I get home and will definitely post tonight.

[Mandiann]

Roll 6: 54 - 4th in series or two people on cover
Book: The New Evil by R.L. Stine
Pages: 199
Read: 9/1
Rating: 2.5 stars
Review:
Well at least it was quick. I thought the story behind the evil was a little bit more interesting than books 2 and 3 but I dislike how cavalier Stine is about characters deaths.

[Mandiann]

Sorry I took so long.

[Sarah]

Are all the reviews in so that we can roll?

[Annika]

I think we are waiting for Nereta's, before we can roll.

[Sarah]

I messaged her and Ezi, because we have to roll by midnight Ezi's time.

[Annika]

Thanks Sarah!
I hope she is still playing.

[Sarah]

We have an hour left. I don't know what happens after that.

[Annika]

Lets hope for the best :(

[Sarah]

I think we will have to use our free pass

[Annika]

Sarah wrote: "I think we will have to use our free pass"

Probably.

You want to use it and roll for us?1

[Sarah]

I'll wait until we hear back from Ezi.

[♎ Nereta♎]

I am sorry guys for not replaying. My school year started and I notified Ezi that I wont be playing anymore.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Can someone else step up to be captain and roll? No need to use your free pass.

[Sarah]

I'll be captain.

[Sarah]

Week 7

Spot: 54
Alternative: 2+ people on cover

Annika: Cherish the Land (Lang Downs #5) Review
NayNay: The Prince of Darkness (Plantagenet Saga #4) Review
Mandiann: The New Evil (Fear Street Cheerleaders #4) Review
Sarah: Opal (2 people) Review

[Sarah]

Week 8 Roll

I rolled a 6, we are on spot 60

- 60th in a series
- 6th in a series
- Standalone
- Alternative: Title S

[Sarah]

Week 8

Spot: 60
Alternative: Title S

Annika: Catch My Breath (Standalone) Review
NayNay: Shadow on the Crown (Title S) Review
Mandiann: Hold Still (Standalone) Review
Sarah: Carpe Corpus (Morganville Vampires #6) Review

[Sarah]

I'll be reading Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine, 244 pages, 6th in a series.

[NayNay]

I will be reading

Week 8
Roll: 6
Spot: 60
Alternate: Title S
Book: Shadow on the Crown by Patricia Bracewell
No of pages: 416
Date Read: 09/05/16
Rate: 4 stars

In Shadow on the Crown, Patricia Bracewell has written an engaging story about Queen Emma and her journey from Normandy to England, embellished with forbidden love, crushing sense of duty, and ultimately hope.
King Æthelred (the Unready) uncrowned wife has died in childbirth, and among unrest on his council and Viking raiders on England's shores, he is forced into an alliance with Normandy. And that alliance is for King Æthelred makes Duke Richards sister Queen of England. To Emma's disappointment, her new husband is a brute who resents and mistrusts his young Norman bride, and many do not agree with his choice of a wife, including the Lady Elgiva who wanted the throne for herself. The only light in Emma's new life is Æthelred's brood of young children, and surprisingly his eldest son Æthelstan.
Emma is the anointed Queen of England, and she does everything she can, even at her own personal cost, to do the best thing for England and it's people.
Well-written, the plot moved quickly and easily. The forbidden love story was a lovely and heartbreaking relationship.
Shadow on the Crown is the first in a series of books and I eagerly look forward to reading THE PRICE OF BLOOD (already ordered)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Sarah wrote: "I'll be captain."

I appreciate you

[Mandiann]

Thanks Sarah!!

[Sarah]

No problem guys! :)

[Sarah]

Roll 8: 60 - 6th in a series
Book: Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine
Pages: 241
Read: 9.3.16
Rating: ★★★
Review:

Ok. This series has moved in a direction that is completely different from anything I could have guessed. I am really just pushing through these to get them done and gone. I'm disappointed.

While there is action, it seems disjointed and confusing. I never know who the bad guy is or the who the good guy is. Which I usually find interesting, but here just feels difficult. A lot of things are done for shock value, and IMO not for the movement of the plot or the development of a character.

Mr. Bishop was ruling over Morganville, but Amelie and Co. are prepared to try to take it back and end Mr. Bishop once and for all. What what happens to the people caught in the crossfire?

Overall, I guess it was decent. I really hope the next ones are better, I still have I believe 9 more books in this series to get through.

[Annika]

Thanks Sarah for stepping up to captaining us!

I'll have a look at my books and let you know what I'll be reading.

[Annika]

Sarah wrote: "Ok. This series has moved in a direction that is completely different from..."

I know what you mean. I felt the same way, and had to force myself to read the last ones before I gave up on the series. I think it would've been best if the author stuck with her original plan for 9 (I think) books, now she's only milking it.

[Sarah]

I really like her other series (Weather Wardens, Outcast Season), and because this is so popular and has so many books I was really hoping it would be good. All the books have pretty great ratings so I don't know.

[Sarah]

Annika, and Mandiann, how are your books going? I hope you're enjoying them! :)

[Mandiann]

I have finished a few that will count, just need to write a review. Will get it up after work tonight, I promise.

[Sarah]

Sounds good :)

[Annika]

Completion post, spot 60


Catch My Breath
Read: 8/9
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Standalone

Review: This is kind of a go to book when I'm in the mood for something ûbersweet romantic, cute and light hearted. I just can't get enough of Delly, and the book just gets me in a good and mushy mood. It is definitely the kind of book you want to read after reading something heavy.

[Mandiann]

Week 8 Roll

I rolled a 6, we are on spot 60

- 60th in a series
- 6th in a series
- Standalone
- Alternative: Title S

Hold Still by Nina LaCour
Pages: 229
Read: 9/5
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: standalone

Review: Not bad for a contemporary book dealing with depression and suicide but it doesn't have anything to make it standout from the others like it. I wouldn't reread it and would only recommend it if this is a genre you enjoy.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

For 60, for "0", you can read #1 in a series as well as a standalone

[Sarah]

ThatEzi wrote: "For 60, for "0", you can read #1 in a series as well as a standalone"

Gotcha! Thanks Ezi!

[Sarah]

Week 9 Roll

I rolled a 9, puts us on spot 69

-69th in a series
-6th in a series
-9th in a series
-Alternative: Priority Reads

[Sarah]

Week 9

Spot: 69
Alternative: Priority Reads

Annika: #Heart (Hashtag #6) Review
NayNay: The King's Confidante (Tudor Saga #6)
Mandiann: Empire of Storms (Priority Reads)
Sarah: Eleanor & Park (Priority Reads) Review

[NayNay]

I will be reading

Week 9
Roll: 9
Spot: 69
Series: Tudor Saga #6
Book: The King's Confidante by Jean Plaidy
No of pages: 320
Date Read: 09/15/16
Rate: 3 stars

Jean Plaidy is one of my favourite historical fiction author's, and I like when a author writes about one of the lesser heard about people of King Henry VIII court. I enjoyed the story, it portrayed Thomas More as a loving husband, father, loyal friend, honorable man. But for me it just lacked Plaidy's finesse, it felt like she took a whole lot of information and rushed it through.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Spot 69?
*snickers*