SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R9: Team #3 ~ Reading Ménage..rie
yall I should have my book finished tomorrow. busy work week and personal life!
Shelf #6 ~ 22/6/14: 'Reader's Choice'Any book you like as long as it is at least 200 pages and isn't a graphic novel.
Been busy too, RL kicking my butt this week and probably the rest of the month too. Finishing my book this morning and will try to pick a book for the new shelf.Heather glad you liked Vasic's story. I started listening to the audio this week. If I would have known we had a free pick week, I would have waited. Oh well...
Book: Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett
Shelf: Week 5 - Green / Teal Cover
Finished: 6/22/2014
Pages: 384
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Wow... What a great conclusion to this series. So sad to see it end but a great wrap up by JB. All the books have been leading up to the final confrontation with mommy dearest and this didn't disappoint. Love seeing Cady come into her powers and the strength she draws from them and the loved ones that support her. True family doesn't always share your blood... I really hope we get a Jupe spin-off in the future or some little nugget that lets us glimpse how it goes in this little universe.
I think I was procrastinating on this read because I really didn't want this series to end... Very good storyline with great support characters and creative world building.
I'm reading
for the shelf this week. This was perfect for me. I had a ton of books on hold at the library I was in line for and they all came up at the same time.
I think I will go with
for my reader's choice pick
I'm going with a really random choice for this week:
- the writing is so far amatuerish but I'm enjoying the story telling
Danielle, that's why I love Bingo - you get to see some very different books from what you have on your to read list.
Week #6: Reader's Choice
Before We Kiss by Susan Mallery
finished: 6/22/14 ★★★★
This is one of my favorite go-to series. Yeah the story is predictable, but they are such fun to read. This go around it is Dellina and Sam's story. They had a one night stand in a previous story, but Sam was scared off by the gowns Dellina was storing for a friend, and her sister's list of how to get her boyfriend to propose that he discovered in a room he accidentally found. Sam has had horrible luck with women, so he has sworn them off completely. Dellina raised her young teenage twin sisters after her parents died suddenly while she was still a teenager herself, so she feels like commitment and a family is something she has already done. If you've ever read a Fool's Gold book, you know the formula, but I can't help but read each book when they come out.
6/24/14Week #6 - Reader's Choice
- 4 starsA bit of a slow start to this amusing story about a young boy who plays with magic and finds out that he got more than he bargained for. Sean Wyndham finds an old book and inside the book an old newspaper clipping advertising for a magician's apprentice - only the ad has an email address. Curiosity gets the better of Sean and he applies for the position. His first assignment is to summon an aether-newt, a harmless familiar. Of course, things don't go as planned.
This is a fun story and the magic is quite intriguing. I especially liked Geldman's pharmacy - so cool. This is a perfect story for kids in middle school and up, though younger readers may find parts a little scary.
Shelf #6: Reader's Choice
by Sarah MacLeanRead: June 24th
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
Simon Pearson, Duke of Leighton, is in need of a wife to forestall the imminent scandal to his family name. Juliana Fiori, the high spirited and tempestuous half-sister to the Marquess of Ralston is the last person, Simon would consider suitable marriage material but that does not stop the two from clashing at every turn.
A disappointing conclusion to a series that begins so well.
Neither Simon nor Juliana are particularly appealing either as individuals or as a couple. Juliana’s numerous TSTL moments grate on the nerves and her derision towards Penelope makes her quite unlikable. Simon’s excessive arrogance and disdain for those he considers beneath him are a complete turn off. Although this is mitigated at the end, it is not sufficient to overcome his initial bigoted characterization.
The romance feels forced as the development of Simon and Juliana’s feelings is inconsistent with their personalities. It is difficult to believe that someone as preoccupied with social status, reputation and propriety as Simon would act in the way he does. Moreover, Juliana’s constant rejection of Simon’s proposals is incomprehensible considering her own status in society and desire to be accepted.
That said, Sarah MacLean’s writing is very engaging and the updates in the lives of characters from the first two books is lovely. Even though this installment is weak, the first book in the series Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake is absolutely fabulous and I cannot recommend it enough!
On a final note, I’m looking forward to reading A Rogue by Any Other Name, the first book in the spin-off series, which focuses on Penelope.
Book: Return of the Assassin by Donya Lynne
Shelf: Week 6 - Readers Choice
Finished: 6/25/2014
Pages: 345
Rating: ★★★1/2
Review:
This is the 5th book in the All the Kings Mens series. This covers the vampire warrior Malek and the assassin Gina's story. Both are pulled towards each other as "mates" which Malek discovered in a previous book, but in denial and fighting natures calling. Malek barely survives his first mates death over several hundred years ago and does not want to dishonor her by mating another. Gina's first mate was abusive due to his part Dacian heritage and she killed him in self defense. This series is similar to the Adrian's Midnight Breed and Ward's Brotherhood series if you like a group of vampire warriors protecting their race from baddies, drugs, and protecting the King. The enemy are Drecks that are producing cobalt and using it to weaken drug addicted vampires. Kind of a dark series and for me the negative is the over abundance of inner dialog. It was a good read.
Stamp update - 1 more review needed for the Green/Teal Cover stamp and 1 for the Reader's Choice stamp. Way to go, Reading Ménage..rie!
Go team 3... Nice update Captain Lauren. Readers Choice gives another three in a row.FYI if anyone is interested in All the Kings Men series, the first book
is free on Amazon US.
Lis wrote: "Go team 3... Nice update Captain Lauren. Readers Choice gives another three in a row.FYI if anyone is interested in All the Kings Men series, the first book [bookcover:Rise of the Fallen|135..."
Thanks Lis. I'm going to get it :0)
Week 5: Green/Teal Cover
4.5 stars
6/25/14
I think Xandra is fastly becoming one on my favorite PNR heroines. She's smart, extremely kickass, and has a sexy Alpha wolf all over her.
I'm sad that this series is only a trilogy so with reading book 2, my dive into this world is ending soon.
In this installment, Xandra is searching for her brother, dealing with the aftermath of the great reveal from book 1, and still getting her footing with her relationship with sexy Vex.
The world that Kate Locke has created is really unique and as my first and only foray into steampunk, this series has set some high expectations for those who follow. The mystery of the laboratories is still up in the air however it is starting to get clearer how deep the conspiracy goes. I'm both excited for and sad for the conclusion of this series. I won't say much else about this book since quite a bit can be viewed as spoilerish. But great read and I hope to read book three next month!
Thanks Lis, I grabbed it too :)
Yay! We get a new stamp!Week #5: Green/Teal Cover
✔ AH: Poison Promise by Jennifer Estep, June 16th 4★, Review
✔ Lis: Banishing the Dark by Jenn Bennett, June 22nd 5★, Review
✔ Lauren: Hope Flames by Jaci Burton, June 17th 2★, Review
✔ Heather ~ Marceline: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh, June 19th 5★, Review
✔ Danielle: The Queen Is Dead by Kate Locke, June 25th 4.5★, Review
CONGRATULATIONS, Reading Ménage..rie!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'green/teal cover'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Menageries!
I love it when the Stamp fairy visits... Thx!I will be heading on a short trip over the weekend and should be able to check in. If I do have wifi troubles, it will be Tues/Wed before I check in. Loaded with books and should be able to find something for a shelf called.
Shelf has been called - Shelf #7 ~ 29/6/14: 'Red Cover Colour'The majority of the cover must be red.
I'll be reading
for the red shelf.
I think I'll go with
which I happened to bring along on my mini vaca. :) along with 3 other TBR books.
I'm sticking with the Phoenix Pack series and reading
Hey ya'll I'll be reviewing my Reader's Choice by tomorrow (maybe even late tonight) and still looking for red covers...
for red cover - gonna check and see if it's a go
6/30/14 - Finished my Red book
- 4 starsThis was a really fun book to read and I was not aware that this is a spinoff from the author's Spooks series. (By the way, there is a movie coming out in January 2015, so read them now, the movie looks like an action packed adventure!) Anyhow, back to the book - I had no idea what to expect and I was pleasantly surprised. Tom is the seventh son of a seventh son and because of this, he has some abilities. He is now the Chipenden spook and he is on his own. He guards his country against ghosts, ghasts, boggarts, witches, and other things that go bump in the night. The story is told from two points of view - Tom and his apprentice Jenny. The story is captivating and I almost read it in one sitting. It's a lot of fun and should appeal to young adult readers and up.
Week 6 Reader's ChoiceChanged my book to:
Finished: 6/30
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
So disclaimer for this book. Please do not be put off by the awful cover...uggghhhh such an eye sore. Overall I've enjoyed this series though this book has my lowest rating at 3 stars. Don't get me wrong. I love Willow, the narcopleptic vampire, her ragtag gang of allies, and her far reaching ability to get herself into major trouble. But in this book, a good majority of the middle portion DRAGGED. I mean really dragged. Some the characterizations were a little weird too. Like Willow being all badass one minute and forgiving and softhearted the next. Maybe she was confused cause she came off as confusing to me as the reader. Also Willow is kind of a religios vampire who is having a crisis of faith. There was quite a bit of waffling around with this idea, amongst other inner dialogue made the middle of the book move slowly for me.
Other than those criticisms, I enjoyed this book because I'm starting to enjoy darker pnr with creatures that aren't romanticized. I LOVE that their is a multicultural cast from Willow being a black girl from the Southwest to Aaron, an Israeli, to Punch our black werewolf with dreads. You don't get a lot of that in many PNR worlds so I try to support artists who bring that dimension to their work.
And we get another stamp! WTG ladies!Week #6: Reader's Choice
✔ AH: Summoned by Anne M. Pillsworth, June 24th 4★, Review
✔ Lis: Return of the Assassin by Donya Lynne, June 25th 3.5★, Review
✔ Lauren: Eleven Scandals to Start to Win a Duke's Heart by Sarah MacLean, June 24th 3★, Review
✔ Heather ~ Marceline: Before We Kiss by Susam Mallery, June 22nd 4★, Review
✔ Danielle: Fitzwilliam Darcy, Rock Star by Heather Lynn Rigaud, June 30th 3★,Review
Shelf #7: Red Cover
by Nora RobertsRead: July 1st
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Half-sisters, Tess, Lily and Willa Mercy are forced by the terms of their fathers’ will to live on the family ranch together for one year. Against the backdrop of a Montana ranch, the sisters learn to love and trust each other and the men in their lives as danger looms from outside forces.
Just as enjoyable as the first time around. Each of the Mercy sisters is engaging in her own right whether it be the spoiled and sophisticated Tess whose met the one man with all the patience in the world for her foibles; timid and vulnerable Lily who learns that the right man can indeed be trusted, and strong and fearless Willa who realizes that she can let her guard down and rely on the man she loves.
The suspense elements in the book are intense and exciting with two equally deranged villains, and the writing is some of Nora’s best. All in all, an entertaining family saga with charming characters and fantastic descriptions that more than withstand the test of time.
Week #7: Red Cover
Wicked Cravings by Suzanne Wright
finished: 6/30/14
★★★★
I might have actually enjoyed book two more than number one. The story of Jaime and Dante sucked me in just a little bit more than Taryn and Trey. I'm not sure if their stories grabbed me more, or if it was just my frame of mind this time, but felt more drawn to this book. Once I got past page 50 or so, I really couldn't put it down. This book too had plenty of laughs, involving both Greta and the other wolves. When they were in the office and Jaime started talking to Marcus through the door about Scooby Doo, I couldn't stop laughing. I will definitely keep reading this series.
Book: Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston
Shelf: Week 7 - Red Cover
Finished: 7/2/2014
Pages: 307
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is the 6th book in the Pride series and follows the dysfunctional pairing of rich boy chef, Ulrich "Ric" Van Holtz and assassin Dee Ann Smith of the TN wolf pack. Ric has been trying to get Dee Ann nekkid for awhile and she just thinks he's supermodel pretty and kidding. Enter Blayne and operation "Wolf Wolf" and these two don't stand a chance. Lots of family drama and frenemies working together to investigate who's behind the hybrid shifters kidnapping and cage fights. This is probably one of my favorites of the series so far. I really enjoy her use of animal behavior in the development of her characters. Always a fun read...
I love the Pride series!
So do I!!!!Happy 4th of July to all the US players :)
Lis wrote: "Laurenston|65137]
Shelf: Week 7 - Red Cover
Finished: 7/2/2014
Pages: 307
Rating: ★★★★[book-Big Bad Beast-8538297] by [author-Shelly
Review:
This is the ..."
Great series! I'm two books behind in that one. I need to get caught up.
CONGRATULATIONS, Reading Ménage..rie!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'reader's choice'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamp Menageries!
Shelf 8Shelf #8 ~ 6/7/14: 'Hit the Road'
Any mode of mechanized transport on cover qualifies.
Remember, any cover of the book you read qualifies.
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
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Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh
finished: 6/19/14
★★★★★
UUGGHHHH, I love her books so much!!!! This book was a wonderful read, and such a great addition to the series. We have been reading about the E Psy through the last few books, so to read so much about them this book was great. Ivy and Vasic's story was so sweet, and heartbreaking at the same time, like so many in this series. I took my time and savored this book like I really wanted to, and it payed off.