R9: Team #4 ~ Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies **WINNING TEAM**

[Josie]

I've finished my Reader's Choice, I chose Enslave Me Sweetly. Will have a look to see what red covers I have - great that we (will) have a 4 in a row!

[Josie]

Title/Author: Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter
Date finished: 29/06
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: I've been in a huge reading slump recently, but hopefully coming out of that now! This book helped, it had a nice combination of action and romance. I liked the main characters - the heroine was a little irritating and the hero could have done with a little bit more depth, but good overall.

It was also different reading a PNR in first person. It almost allowed a more UF feel to it. I would definitely consider reading the next one as the writing is good and the world is interesting.

[Josie]

I'm half way through my red cover book, .

[Daffodil]

I started for the red cover shelf.

[Suzanne]

I'll be reading

[Josie]

I've finished the red cover shelf.



Title/Author: Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion
Date finished: 30/06
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is a weird book. It's a zombie Romeo and Juliet, but it is more than a zombie romance - it also explores death, living, humanity, and is quite scary and hopeful all at the same time.

R, our hero, is a zombie. I liked R, even though he doesn't talk overmuch and he did eat brains. R's progression through the book was great to watch, and though I wasn't blown away by Julie, she did have courage and wasn't afraid of R long which was good.

I thought it ended on a nice note too - left a little open but still satisfying. I'm pretty sure I saw there was a #2 in the series, but wouldn't like it to ruin how #1 was left.

[Rachel-RN]

Red Cover
(Dance With The Devil)
3.5* June 30th
Better than book 2. I liked Zarek and "got" why he was like the way he was. It was a bit cliche- a certain person being a virgin. Yes, it was explained, but not buying. It annoys me when there is a character who happens to be immortal (or very long lived) have miniscule experience in the sex department. Then, getting it on while someone's hunting you down, smart! That aside, it was a sweet romance. I enjoyed the parts with Acheron and Simi more though.

[~Leslie~]

I should be starting my red book tomorrow and I will definitely be done in time - no worries, team!

[~Leslie~]

I have changed my book - again! I started and can't put it down. I should be done with it tomorrow.

Have a great day, everyone!

[Suzanne]

Week 7: Red Cover



Read: Working for the Devil by Lilith Saintcrow
Rating: ***
Date: 7/2/2014
Review: This book was ok, it's a Necromancer/Bounty Hunter theme. I liked the main character and the story was good. The only think I didn't like was that it dropped you in the middle of the world and didn't really explain the setting. Is this set in the future or an alternate universe? I will definately check out the next book in the series though.

[Daffodil]

I have mixed feelings about the series Suzanne. The overall concept was interesting and I liked Dante's outlook in the first book. ... But, I did not like how the series ended. No major spoiler, just a general observation, but just in case: (view spoiler)[ The last book was extremely pessimistic. By the end, Dante's outlook had changed to one of no hope. More of a this is my life, such as it is, what are you going to do? (hide spoiler)]

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Happy 4th of July to all the US players :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies!
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

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Firery Duckies!

[~Leslie~]

Week 7: Red Cover

7/3/14 3.5★

Review:This is a hard book to review. It was not what I expected at all and I ended up becoming quite engaged in the story and the characters. It is straight up YA historical fantasy and it is appropriate for younger people. The story of Will Laurence and his dragon Temeraire, who end up in the Dragon Corps fighting Bonaparte, is really sweet and of course, because it's about dragons - totally cool. It is written in a very straightforward manner, a tale simply told. And in the end, that's what keeps it from being a better story - for me.

[~Leslie~]

Yay, another stamp!!!

Happy 4th of July to the Americans in the group! Hope you have some good barbecue today!!

[Daffodil]

Red Cover
Black Arts, Faith Hunter, 7-4-14
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Another great entry in the Jane Yellowrock series. Jane's growth is really evident in this book. She faces her previous actions and eventually reaches acceptance for them. She recognizes there are cases in which she acted without be fully informed, but in others she did the best she could in some tough situations.

Jane has stopped hiding who she is from others and is able to act openly in dangerous situations. I loved her discussions with Beast and wish there had been more of them. I look forward to seeing where their new understanding leads them.

Overall I really enjoyed this and will definitely be buying the next in the series.

[Rachel-RN]

We are all caught up! Red Cover stamp requested.

[Daffodil]

Yeah! Crossing fingers that romance genre is called. But I'll be satisfied with a non-winning shelf too.

[~Leslie~]

We've done really well!!

[Josie]

We have!! :D

I went and picked up from the library today, I put it on reserve before it was released and it has finally become available - can't wait to read it, so fingers crossed that it fits a shelf that's called tonight!

[~Leslie~]

Oh, I really liked that book!

[Rachel-RN]

Shelf #8: 'Hit the Road'
Any mode of mechanized transport on cover qualifies.

I made a list when game started, so will be back with choice after I update stats...

[Rachel-RN]

Stat Breakdown:
The following teams have at least 3 in a row (once all stamped received).
5 winning shelves: Urban Fantasy, PNR, Romance Genre, Witches, and Black Cover
16 shelves left in play; 31% chance of winning shelf call next week
Any shelf called from here on out will give someone a 4 in-a-row.
Most popular (non-winning) shelves:
New2You Series which would help out 8 teams get a 4 in-a-row. Next popular is Favorite which helps 5 teams.

Team 1: 4th row: Blue/Purple and Favorite
"G:" 1st,2nd,3rd and Blue/Purple
Diagonal: 1st, 2nd, 3rd and Black

Team 2: 4th row: New2You Series and Blue/Purple
O: Headless H/h and UF

Team 3: 5th row: New2You Author and Missing Persons
Diagonal: New2You Series and Headless H/h
"B:" Romance genre and Blue/Purple
2nd Diagonal: Vampires and Favorite
2nd row: New2You Series and PNR

Team 4: 4th row: New2You Series and Witches
"G:" Romance Genre
B: New2You Author and Two's Company

Team 5: 4th row: PNR
Diagonal: New2You Series and Missing Persons
"G:" Armed & Ready and Favorite

Team 6: Diagonal: Black Cover and PNR
5th Row: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd and Headless H/h
B: New2You Series and Witches
3rd row: Romance Genre and Armed & Ready

Team 7: 1st Row: Favorite and Urban Fantasy
3rd Row: Black Cover
Diagonal: New2You Series and Romance genre

Team 8: "B:" Urban Fantasy
Diagonal: Witches and Black Cover
N: Vampires and PNR
4th Row: Headless H/h and Blue/Purple

Team 9: N: Black Cover and Romance genre (both shelves are winning for other teams)
Diagonal: Missing Persons and New2You Series
2nd Row: White/Beige/Pink and Romance Genre

Team 10: Diagonal #1: Witches
Diagonal #2: 1st, 2nd, or 3rd and Favorite
2nd Row: Vampires and Romance Genre
N: UF and PNR (both winning shelves from other teams)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Wow, very comprehensive Rachel :)

[~Leslie~]

Ok, it took me awhile to find a book, but I will be reading

motorcycle on cover

[Rachel-RN]

Helicopter in background

[Suzanne]

Josie wrote: "We have!! :D

I went and picked up from the library today, I put it on reserve before it was released and it has finally become available - can't wait to read it, ..."

I thought it was really good!

[Suzanne]

I will be reading either or

[Daffodil]

Darn, I just bought Shield of Winter and not one mode of transportation on it at all.

Trying to decide between:
I decided to read it in July for RRRC's PIFM.
since I need to return it to the library in 11 days.

[~Leslie~]

I have Shield of Winter to read as well, Daffodil! I was also hoping it would work!

[Rachel-RN]

Daffodil-
Looking forward to your review if you pick . I've had this on my TBR for forever.

[Josie]

Boo! No mode of transport of Night Broken either! Ha, never mind, will find another one. I may go with Faith Hunter as well,

[Rachel-RN]

Hit the Road
4* July 7th

This was enjoyable. I really liked both Hugh and Amelia. Holy moly. Neither Hugh nor Amelia really get a break. First there is the earthquake and then kidnapping. Don't worry- they still find the time (and energy) for many sexy-times! I also enjoyed the other side stories with the other couples: Aidan and Lizbeth and Liam and Rachel.

[Daffodil]

Way to go Rachel!

In true I can't decide fashion, I've started both books and am still not sure which one I'll continue and finish first. Let the "moody" reading begin. LOL.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Fire Breathing Rubber Duckies!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'red cover'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[~Leslie~]

Way to go, Duckies!!!

I have started my book and should be finished by tomorrow.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Firery Duckies!

[Daffodil]

I'm almost halfway through for Hit the Road and kicking myself for not reading this a few years ago. It's not what I expected - in a good way. Unless things take a drastic turn for the worse, I can tell I'm going to be tracking down the next 5 books in the series.

[Suzanne]

Shelf #8: 'Hit the Road'
Any mode of mechanized transport on cover qualifies.



Read: Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks
Rating: ****
Date: 7/7/2014
Review: These books are absurd but in a good way. They remind me of Maryjanice Davidson, they're funny and goofy with cute dialogue and Monty Python references. No one expects the Spanish inquisition!

[~Leslie~]

Week 8: motorized vehicle on cover

7/8/14 3.5 ★
Review: I have steadily worked my way through this series and for the most part really enjoyed them. But there are a few things that bug the crap out of me and unfortunately, this one had more of those. So while I still really like the characters and the storyline, the "bug the crap" moments were a little too many.

[Daffodil]

Hit the Road
Vicious Circle, Linda Robertson, 7-9-14
Rating: 3 stars (almost, but not quite, 3.5)
Review: A solid start and it has possibilities. I will probably pick up the second book to see where things are headed. There is some interesting world building. Witches, Waeres and Vampires are the only supernats we meet, though Fairies are mentioned. I particularly liked the origin story told later in the book. However, the little revealed about the Waerewolf infection in the beginning left me with bigger questions. I felt like I was missing something and pieces sorta clicked into place later on.

Persephone could have been a much stronger character with a few minor changes. She agrees to kill a murderer. Fine. She also agrees to accept money for it. Also fine. She rationalizes the killing as justice and rationalizes the financial gain in a "I'm going to do it anyway and need the money" sort of way. It could have been a powerful moment in the book. Instead, something about the process made her come across as weak.

Given her childhood, Persephone's rather naïve about other people's motivations. She acts on key pieces of information without considering the source, which leads to trouble.

It's not all bad, Persephone also had points in the plus column. She cares about the people around her and is willing to help them out. I was intrigued by her meditation and conversations with her spirit totem. I want to stay tuned in order to see where these will lead her.

[Josie]

I'm nearly finished my read, so should have the review up soon and then we can have our stamp before the next shelf :)

[~Leslie~]

Yay Team Duckies!! Can't wait for the next shelf!

[Josie]

Title/Author: Skinwalker by Faith Hunter
Date finished: 12th July
Rating: 3.5-4 stars, but I'll go with 4
Review: An interesting start to a UF series. I've been meaning to read this for ages, but so many books!

I liked the concept, the plot, and Jane (and Beast). It's a series I'd definitely carry on as I'm intrigued to see where this is going.
I'm not really keen on Rick. And sometimes I was a little confused - for example (view spoiler)[I was a bit lost with what Anna and the Mayor's role was, it seemed a little disconnected. (hide spoiler)]

And I'm sorry if anyone lives in New Orleans, but I really don't like when books are set there. A bit random I know, but I still liked the book!

[~Leslie~]

Josie, I'm from New Orleans and I have to agree. I'm not crazy when books are set there. They always get it wrong (or almost always). And the city becomes almost another character. But I just end up annoyed and that takes me away from the book.

I didn't realize that series is set in NO. I've been meaning to start it and now I'm not so sure.

[Josie]

Exactly! It must be even worse for you!

It's like if authors choose New Orleans as their setting, they have to keep reminding readers that "oh by way! We are in New Orleans!" Yes, I get it. And honestly, I'm not even fussed where the book is set!

[~Leslie~]

Well, it is an amazing city! There's a line from a song that people who are displaced from the city often quote - "do you know what it means to miss New Orleans!" And it's true, being away is like a physical ache.
But the New Orleans that is in fiction - especially PNR and UF, is usually not the real NO. Trust me, there is not that much voodoo going on! And don't get me started on how movies and TV shows get it wrong!

[Rachel-RN]

Shelf #9: 'Armed & Ready' (any form of weapon on cover)

[Rachel-RN]

Good thing I saved this one:
He has what looks like a gun holstered at his hip and he is reaching the one he carries on his back.