R9: Team #5 ~ Quintessential Readers

[Jenne]

I need help! Any UF books in mind?

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Jenne, the Weather Wardens & the spin offs have a lot of vehicles on the cover.

[Jenne]

Thanks Sandra! I think I'll go with that :)

[Thenia]

Christina in the general discussion thread Sandra said that if the horse is saddled you're good to go. See the comment here.

[Thenia]

Congrats team ~ our Red Cover Colour stamp is on the way!

You can find the updated list with our choices for our 'Hit the Road' shelf here. Enjoy your books!

[Thenia]

Steel's Edge - Ilona Andrews
Hit the Road
Read: 7/7/2014
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

Probably my favorite book in the series, in part because of the lack of chapters from unnecessary points of view (like the Hand's agents in the previous books).

Our two heroes are on a mission with little hope of success but with noble intentions.

Richard has been trying to wipe out the slavers trafficking humans in the Weird for a couple of years already with some success, but he realizes he needs to go to the source if he wants to make a lasting difference.



Charlotte joins him after slavers destroy the home she'd made for herself after her marriage fell apart and she run away fearing (view spoiler)[that she'd lose control of her magic if she remained in the Weird (hide spoiler)]. Having nothing left to lose and realizing that she can prevent what happened to her from happening to other people, she joins Richard who, despite his reluctance, admits that he could use her help and her unique talent.



Their adventure takes place in two parts - one an outright attack on the base of operations of the slavers and the other a subtler manipulation of events to expose the leaders who cannot be touched otherwise.

They are a well suited couple and they need each other, but they try to keep their feelings from interfering with their mission, hoping that they'll have their chance once they've accomplished their goal.

A very well done audiobook of the story that closes some loose threads (view spoiler)[like Spider's demise (hide spoiler)] and concludes the series with the promise of more time with Goerge and Jack in the Innkeeper Chronicles.

[Jenne]

I went ahead and started

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Quintessential Readers!
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

[Jenne]

Thanks Steph!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Welcome :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp QRs!

[Michelle]

Thanks, Ladies :)

[Jenne]

I should be done with mine tonight.

[Jennifer H]

Hit the Road


by Gail Carriger
Finished: 7/8/14
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

I am indeed bereft at this being the last book in the fabulous and thrilling adventures of our glorious, glamorous and completely nuts Lady Maccoon aka the one and only Ruffled Parasol. Yet, everything concluded fantastically!

Many thanks to the brilliant Gail Carriger and her hilarious and exciting world of werewolves, vampires, hats, queens of varying "types", tea, cakes and Alexia. I have enjoyed her adventures with such immense pleasure, both during the tears of upset and immense laughter! Right time for tea and cakes I think!!!

[Jenne]

Hit the road:
Read Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
Finished: 7/8/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
4.25
What a strong start for a first in a series! I'm having one of those why did I wait so long to read this moments! A totally unique world and not to mention a smoking hot djinn! I will be reading more of these ASAP no doubt! If you like action packed, unique, fun reads this is the book for you!

[Jenne]

Thanks for the rec Sandra! I loved it!!!!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

You're welcome Jenne :)

[Michelle]

I am still reading my book, hopefully I will finish tonight!

[Christina T]

Hit The Road
by Kerrelyn Sparks
Finished 7/10/14
Rating:★★★★

Review: Although there were things that I liked in the first book that I felt were lacking in this one (most of the humor) I actually might have liked the romance in this book more. Despite the love aspect being a cross between fated/mated and insta-love I actually didn't mind it. Their feelings seemed genuine to me even though I'm not sure how they fell in love. Darcy and Austin's chemistry was sizzling and the backdrop of a reality "Bachelor" type show was interesting to me. I think one of the big minuses in this book was the constant I Love You's going on (especially when I'm not sure why they fell in love. I really did enjoy this enemies to lovers book though and will definitely read more in the series.

[Jennifer H]

I'll be reading for the Armed & Ready Shelf.

[Jenne]

OMG you'll love Owen!!! 2 4 in a rows for us now :)

[Jenne]

I'm gonna read

[Christina T]

As of right now I'm going with
It's waiting for me at the library but I'm not sure if I'll be able to get it before Wednesday. I may change my mind (which I tend to a lot LOL.)

[Jenne]

There's a 40% next week will be a winning shelf and were the only team with 2 4 in a rows :)

[Michelle]

I haven't finished my book yet, turned out to be a slow read. Fingers crossed it will be done today. Will let you know my choice for this shelf when I get home.

[Thenia]

Shelf #9 ~ 13/7/14: 'Armed & Ready'


✔ Christina - Spider’s Revenge - Jennifer Estep - ★★★★ Review (7/17/2014)
✔ Jenne - Midnight - Ellen Connor - ★★★★ Review (7/14/2014)
✔ Jennifer - Shattered - Kevin Hearne - ★★★★★ Review (7/14/2014)
✔ Michelle - After the Storm - Maya Banks - ★★★★★ Review (7/16/2014)
✔ Thenia - Sins of the Demon - Diana Rowland - ★★★★ Review (7/15/2014)

Done: 5/5 ~ stamp pending

[Jennifer H]

Armed & Ready


by Kevin Hearne
Finished: 7/14/14
Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥

New readers, go to the beginning of the series. There is way too much to the series to start here. Even though Kevin Hearne tries to catch the reader up, as someone who read all books thus far, I still had trouble remembering who did what to whom.

That being said, this book just takes all of the pieces that have been on the playing field and stirs them up again. Atticus is off again dealing with stopping the world from ending. In this book, there are three plot lines that are interwoven and they work well. Some chapters have Atticus doing the storytelling. Some have Granuaile. And some have Owen, Atticus's teacher who is back after thousands of years. The action is fast and the story fun. Some of the scenes between Atticus and his dog are snort-out-loud worthy for sure. Overall, it's a well done book in the series and worth the money / read.

P.S. Jenne, I did love Owen!

[Jenne]

Did you listen to it? Just the voice he does for Owen cracked me up. All of the goat comments about had me wiping tears from my eyes.

[Jennifer H]

Yes, I listened to the whole series. IMO you have to listen to the audiobooks for this series. Luke Daniels is a phenomenal narrator and makes these books come to life.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

I love the snippets Oberon does on the website :)

[Jenne]

Armed Shelf:
Read by Ellen Connor
Finished:7/14/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This was just as good as the first one! You don't find many dystopians that aren't YA. I liked the characters, Chris was a pretty cool guy. There are a few holes in the story that bothered me, but maybe I just don't remember from the first one. All in all a good read and I think romance readers would like it!

[Michelle]

Shelf - Hit The Road



Finished: 15/7/14
Rated: 3.5 Stars
Review: I loved the first book in this series but I struggled with this one initially and I was looking forward to getting to know Becky & Boss (Frank) better. I'm glad everyone finally knows about Michelle though. It did pick up quite a bit and I'm curious about what will happen next so I will continue the series!

[Michelle]

Sorry girls, I have been so busy this week and I truly struggled getting into the book. Are we up against anyone next week if a winning shelf is called? I may need to stay up late Saturday night to read if we are, it's Caleb's birthday party on Sunday and I'll have a houseful.

[Michelle]

I'll be reading for the new shelf

[Jenne]

Here's the last stats from the discussion thread:

Stat Breakdown:
The following teams have 4 in a row (once all stamped received).
The 6 winning shelves are: Urban Fantasy, PNR, Romance Genre (2 teams), Witches, Favorite and Black Cover
15 shelves left in play; 40% chance of winning shelf call next week.

Most popular (non-winning) shelves:
New2You Series which would help out 8 teams get a 4 in-a-row. Missing Persons, Vampires, and Headless H/h would help out 5 teams. The least "popular" are: White/Beige/Pink and Two's Company help out 2 teams.

Team 4: "G:" Romance Genre

Team 5: 4th row: PNR
"G:" Favorite

Team 6: 3rd row: Romance Genre

Team 7: 3rd Row: Black Cover

Team 8: "B:" Urban Fantasy

Team 10: Diagonal #1: Witches

[Michelle]

Thanks, Jenne. I didn't want to let you all down if one of our shelves were called and we were racing against another team.

[Thenia]

Sins of the Demon - Diana Rowland
Armed & Ready
Read: 7/15/2014
Rating: ★★★★
Review:



Why would you end the book like that?!

Kara has another weird case on her hands, but this time it seems to be personal, since she knows and isn't particularly fond of the victims.

She has grown accustomed to demons and now has one for a roommate/bodyguard, since she needs protection from attacks from various fronts. One of her biggest concerns is that someone is trying to summon her to the demon realm, where she'll be more or less a demon lord's slave.

There's some forward progress in her relationship with Ryan, but she doesn't get to explore things very much since (view spoiler)[they both admit they love each other right before she gets dragged into the demon realm (hide spoiler)] and then, before we can get more than a glimpse of the new situation, the book ends!

I'm really glad I don't have to wait for the next book in the series, Touch of the Demon.

[Thenia]

Congrats team! ~ our Hit the Road stamp is on the way and we're two books away from our Armed & Ready stamp.

Enjoy your books Christina & Michelle!

P.S.: Happy birthday to Caleb!

[Michelle]

I just finished my book but it's after midnight so I will post my review in the morning.

Thanks! He is super excited and counting down the sleeps while I am running about daft getting organised.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Ah, counting down the sleeps to a birthday, how exciting to be a kid. Happy Birthday to Caleb!!

[Michelle]

Thanks Sandra, I am just hoping he realises that Mum wearing a batgirl costume in public is testament to how much I love him! He rarely asks for things but I am a little nervous about the 3 tier birthday cake I've to make with Flash, Green Lantern and Batman... We'll see how it goes, I am trying to come up with a back up plan just incase. Wish me luck? I am so going to need it!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Lots of good luck winging its way to Glasgow :)

[Michelle]

Sandra wrote: "Lots of good luck winging its way to Glasgow :)"

Much appreciated! :)

[Michelle]

Shelf: Armed & Ready



Read: 16/7/14
Rated: 5 Stars

My Review: Ok, so it's no secret that this is one of my all time favourite RS series, I even stuck with it when she added the @human with abilities' twist to some of the books but this one reminds me of all the reasons why I fell in love with the series in the beginning.

The KGI books, at heart, are about the bonds of family. The family you are born into and the family you choose for yourself, the men are all strong alpha male types, their strengths and weaknesses differ enough that they don't blur into one character. The girls on the other hand are damaged, but they possess an inner strength that you can't help but admire. I love reading RS books with kids involved and this one was no different. It was nice to catch up with each of the brothers and their wives as well as the rest of the Kelly clan. I am so looking forward to the rest of the series.

Often when reading these books I am reminded of just how well Maya can write, the KGI men have a way with words that get this girl all weak at the knee's!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Quintessential Readers!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'hit the road'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp QRs!

[Jenne]

Thanks Steph & Sandra!
Maybe one of our winning shelves will be called today?!

[Jenne]

Headless shelf.

[Jennifer H]

I will be reading

[Thenia]

Shelf #10 ~ 20/7/14: 'Headless H/h'


✔ Christina - Deliver Me from Darkness - Tes Hilaire - ★★★ Review (7/25/2014)
✔ Jenne - Trust - Terry Towers - ★★★ Review (7/22/2014)
✔ Jennifer - A Lick of Frost - Laurell K. Hamilton - ★★★★★ Review (7/22/2014)
✔ Michelle - Targeted - Katie Reus - ★★★★ Review (7/22/2014)
✔ Thenia - Night Embrace - Sherrilyn Kenyon - ★★★★ Review (7/21/2014)

Done: 5/5 ~ stamp pending