PtP - The Naughty Niners

[Logan]

To keep everything organized, I have modified Post 9 to serve as our team progress headquarters. Each week, I'll be tracking our book choices, completion/review status, and pass usage for the game. If you ever have a question of what the theme is or which book you picked, it'll all be saved there.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

oh awesome! That will make it easy to see who's reading what!

Thanks, Logan.

[Lindy]

It is Wed in CT

[Nichole]

Approx. 2-ish hours left. Yay!!

[Logan]

I am typically just getting off work when Jane posts the theme each week, so please feel free to post here if you see the announcement before I do!

[Nichole]

Week 1

Theme: 7 - Read the first book of a new (to you) series
Option 2 key date: 27 November 2013 (must be rated at least 3 stars, and you can't go back further than this 'date read' if you select from a team-member's bookshelf)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Week # 1: First book of a new (to you) series
Slave to Sensation
Page numbers: 352 pgs
How the book qualifies: First of "Psy Changeling" series.

[Vi]

Darn it - I just finished a First book a new to me series. Off to look.

[Logan]

Week 1: First book of a new (to you) series
Zero at the Bone
308 pages
First book in Zero at the Bone series

[Nichole]

Week 1: First book of a new (to you) series
by Anne Stuart
Page numbers: 409 pgs
How the book qualifies: The House of Rohan, #1

[Logan]

To remind everyone, you have 3 options this week:

1) Read a book that is first in a series you haven't read yet;

2) Read a book rated 3 stars or higher on a teammate's shelf, finished between November 27, 2013 and today;

3) Don't read any book and use your pass.

In order to count your book, you must include in your selection post:

Week 1
Link to bookcover or title
Page count
How it fits the theme or option chosen

Let me know if you have questions!

[UnusualChild{beppy}]

week 1: first book in a new to you series
Sacred Waters by lydia michaels
page count: 237
how book fits the theme: first book of the mccullough mountain series

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

All the selection posts look great so far :)

[Vi]

So I have a looot of first in a series. I'm still debating between , &

I'll come back with my selection tomorrow.

[Logan]

I know what you mean Vi! The only reason I made a decision so quickly is that I'm reading that book for another challenge this week.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Vi wrote: "So I have a looot of first in a series. I'm still debating between , &

I'll come ba..."

Um Vi - that third book listed in a second in a series... or at least 'Spymasters, #2' is what shows when I hover my mouse over the bookcover...

[Vi]

See, that's what so weird about this series. When you go to the book page it says Spymasters #1. Basically, according to the series page, The Spymaster's Lady is #1 according to publication order but #2 according to chronological. Which one would you go by then, Jane?

ETA: GR hovering is so weird. is listed as #1 in a series according to title but it is actually a standalone.

[Vi]

Also, I have a question. I just finished reading which is #1 in a series (410 pages). Can I count it for week 1 or books starting from tomorrow is only counted?

[Logan]

Vi wrote: "Also, I have a question. I just finished reading which is #1 in a series (410 pages). Can I count it for week 1 or books starting from tomorrow is only counted?"

Vi, you can count any book you started after the theme was announced on Wednesday, so you can use Keegan's Lady if you want. Just post an official selection post, and then post your completion/review post separately and you'll be done for the week!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Week # 1
Finished 5/30/14
Rating: ★★★½ Stars
Review: I really enjoyed watching Sascha discover her "true" self and thought the Psy were an original spin on the day-to-day psychic. The plot was great, the pack dynamics were great, but the ending was too rushed for me. I liked Sascha and Lucas as individuals, but just didn't connect with them for some reason. It WAS good and I'll move to the next book. Vaughn's character intrigued me and I'm curious about his back story.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Has anyone else read the Psy Changeling Series? They received such high praise and I thought I heard the best books are further into the series. Loved the originality, but the first book fell a little short for me. Am I on the right track here? Would love some feedback. : )

[Logan]

I had the same reaction Becky. I had a friend gift it to me because it's her favorite (well, okay, *one of* her faves) and it fell short for me too. I still haven't read the next book. Does it fit any of our categories? Maybe we could both read it if it does.

[Nichole]

I personally like her Guild Hunter series better. That being said, I've only read the first 2 books in the Psy-Changeling series... I have #3 and #4 lined up in the M&G challenge though.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Logan wrote: "I still haven't read the next book. Does it fit any of our categories? Maybe we could both read it ..."

I didn't dig too deep on the themes, but is on Beppy, Vi and Nicole's read shelves. Beppy read it within the last six months (Mar '14), so it would qualify. I'd love to read it with you if we get a chance! I'll have to see if it's available through my online library.

Beppy? Vi? Nicole? What did you think?

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nichole wrote: "I personally like her Guild Hunter series better. That being said, I've only read the first 2 books in the Psy-Changeling series... I have #3 and #4 lined up in the M&G challenge though."

Thanks, Nicole! I'll have to check out the Guild Hunter series. I loved her imagination. The idea was very, very creative.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Vi wrote: "See, that's what so weird about this series. When you go to the book page it says Spymasters #1. Basically, according to the series page, The Spymaster's Lady is #1 according to publi..."

Ok - that is just plain strange!!!

It is also the first book in the series on the author's main page which is how I told Breann to 'judge' if the book was in a series - so I'm happy for you to use it; or (as Logan confirmed) you can use Keegan's Lady since you started that after the theme was announced :)

[Logan]

I sent Lindy a PM so she would know the theme since she hasn't checked in yet.

[UnusualChild{beppy}]

regarding Visions of Heat, i had to check and see what my ratings were, and then try to remember why i ranked the second one lower, since i haven't written any reviews this year (laptop crapped out just after christmas, and i refuse to use the ipad keyboard to type my reviews).
i did enjoy it, but i didn't connect with faith as much as i did with sascha. also felt that the love was more insta, with more emphasis on individual stories, so you get to know both vaughn and faith separately, as well as other pack members. vaughn was interesting, and faith was brave and a little bit of a rebel. i did enjoy it enough to want to keep going in the series. i've heard, though, that the 3rd one is many readers' favourite book.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Now I LOVED Slave to Sensation - I loved the Psy thing. It was so well thought out. But I know book 2 (Visions of Heaer) wasn't such a great hit with me. Book 3 (Caressed by Ice) is possibly the best of the series IMHO...

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

beppy wrote: "regarding Visions of Heat...felt the love was more insta, with more emphasis on individual stories..."

Exactly how I felt about Sascha and Lucas. I liked them very much, just didn't get the sense of intimacy between the couple. Of course, maybe it's because I just read Outlander. Jamie and Claire are a tough act to follow. : )

I will keep reading the series if I can get the book from the library.

[Logan]

OUTLANDERRRRRRR!!!!

Ahem.

My favorite of all time! I have August 9th marked on my calendar for the TV premiere. :)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Now I LOVED Slave to Sensation - I loved the Psy thing. It was so well thought out. But I know book 2 (Visions of Heaer) wasn't such a great hit with me. Book 3 (Caressed by Ice) is possibly the..."

I totally agree with the Psy thing, I just wanted more for the plot resolution. The world the author created was fantastic! Very original and I love, love, LOVE psychic stuff. Giving it an emotional twist/characteristic was really cool, too.

Would you say book three could be read as a stand alone? Or should the series be read in order?

[Nichole]

Becky wrote: "Beppy? Vi? Nicole? What did you think? "

I enjoyed it (4 stars). She writes great PNR but it's been months since I've read it. That special something was missing though. That spark that makes me want to devour every book right away. Maybe the 3rd book will be the one that catches. Still, it's a good PNR if you're in the mood for it.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Logan wrote: "OUTLANDERRRRRRR!!!!

Ahem.

My favorite of all time! I have August 9th marked on my calendar for the TV premiere. :)"

LOL! I hear ya! I had to read it before the show aired. I'm dying to start Dragonfly in Amber, but I'm forcing myself to wait until I've finished my other June challenges.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nichole wrote: "Becky wrote: "Beppy? Vi? Nicole? What did you think? "

I enjoyed it (4 stars). She writes great PNR but it's been months since I've read it. That special something was missing though. That spark t..."

Thanks, Nicole! Missing the spark or something is a good way to phrase it. When I was writing my review, I couldn't put my finger on it, but that's exactly what was missing. It was still a great switch from all the historical romance I've read lately.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Becky wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Now I LOVED Slave to Sensation - I loved the Psy thing. It was so well thought out. But I know book 2 (Visions of Heaer) wasn't such a great hit with me. Book 3 (Caressed by Ic..."

It's at least 3 years since I read any of them - let me check - scratch that - February 2009. So back then I guess it was all pretty *hot dayam*...

CBIce picks up on Brenna's healing. I think she was damaged in book 1? If not, then you REALLY need to read book 2, before you read book 3.

My gut feel is that they should be read in order...

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Oh good! Yes, Brenna and her family were in book one. I'm glad to know we will get more of her story.

[Lindy]

Krentz, Jayne Ann Light and Shadow bk 1



Link to bookcover or title above
Page count: 543
How it fits the theme or option chosen bk 1 in a new series

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Lindy wrote: "Krentz, Jayne Ann Light and Shadow bk 1



Link to bookcover or title above
Page count: 543
How it fits the theme or option chosen bk 1 in a new series"

Hi Lindy - could you please edit your selection post and add 'week 1' to it? Thanks :) Otherwise looking good!

It's not such a big deal now (although it is also part of the rules so I DO need it) but further into the challenge, I need the week # to keep track of where everyone is at.

[Vi]

Ok, chiming on Nalini Singh's series:

Psy-Changeling series - the first book is sort of easy on the romance and gives equal importance to the world building. Basically the first book sets up the world. The second book is an ok book - it's purpose is to really highlight how the Psy are. Sascha was different in the sense that she was not completely Psy-conditioned. But the third book, IMO, is the best out of the first 3. That's what got me hooked to the series. Brenna & Judd really rocked. And Brenna comes in the first book. The one thing you have to note regarding the series is this: while each book features a different couple, the overall world is built across the series. So if you skip a book, you are the likely to miss the world development that happens in that book. Also, please ignore the covers in this series . They're horrible.

Guild Hunter series - I like this one too but I didn't like the third book featuring Raphael & Elena - too much sex and little else happening. I felt that a lot of scenes could be cut and made the book a little tighter. But otherwise I love this series too. I'm so waiting for Bluebell's book.

And I'm a total NAlini Singh fan.

[Vi]

I'll post my book selection and review post later today.

[Nichole]

I agree about Raphael & Elena. I like them but I'm more interested in the others books now.

I finished my book and will get my review up tomorrow.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

I'll probably read the next two Psy-Changeling books, although it might not be right away. Nalini has an incredible imagination to build such an intriguing world. I have to agree about the covers, though. Ugh.

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

I agree with your comments Vi.

Having read most of the Psy series and the first four in the Guild Hunter series, I now prefer the Psy series. That world is constantly evolving and full of interest. The Guild series sort lost momentum for me from book 3... I can't work up the enthusiasm for more of Elena and Raphael and their band of angels/vampires/whatever.

[Nichole]

Week 1: First book of a new (to you) series
by Anne Stuart
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
Plain Elinor Harriman must enter the bowels of Hell to find her mother before she gambles away the last of what they have to survive. After a lifetime of being told she is ugly and disregarded by almost everyone, she feels relatively safe entering the Heavenly Host playground. She doesn't expect to catch the eye of the wicked Lord Rohan, otherwise known as the Devil.

Lord Rohan is known as the King of Hell. He has seen and done almost everything and has become bored. When he sees Elinor he decides to have her. He becomes her Protector, against her will, by providing them with food, furniture and all the small luxuries they have lost. He ruthlessly propositions her, not for her body but for her sister's safety. Elinor is not the virgin he thought she was and he wants her story.

Lord Rohan showed a very kind, protective side toward Elinor. He took care of her and her sister and hid under wickedness and corruption. I felt so sorry for Elinor. Her mother was whorrid (pun intended), treating her like she was nothing, along with everyone else. She was constantly reminded of how ugly she was and dismissed so often that it made me like Rohan more. He was her Champion in a backward sort of way. How the mighty fall! He risks all to save her life. I liked it and will continue with the series at some point.

[Vi]

Great review, Nichole. I should continue the series too. Have you read her other works?

[Nichole]

Thanks! She is a new to me author. I know she writes Romantic Suspense but I'm not big on that.
I really thought this would be more naughty but I just finished and so it was pretty tame, lol.

[Lindy]

week 1


Lindy wrote: "Krentz, Jayne Ann Light and Shadow bk 1



Link to bookcover or title above
Page count: 543
How it fits the theme or option chosen bk 1 in a new series"

[Logan]

Week 1: First book of a new (to you) series

Rating: 2 stars
Review:
I wanted to love this, but it was too slow for me. I'm all for character development, but the prolonged hideouts were repetitive and then a whe slew of twists at the end that piled on endlessly. I can't say I was hoping for them to end up together either. I couldn't picture them as more than a fling and the romance did nothing for me. Plus, the accent written in for D grated on my nerves. Liked the story okay, but was not prepared for the length or pace of it.

[Vi]

Book Selection- Week 1

Title: Keegan's Lady
Page Count: 410
How it fits: First Book Keegan-Paxton series.