PtP - The Naughty Niners

[Vi]

beppy wrote: "i actually own Heart of the West by Penelope Williamson and plan on reading it someday, since i really like Penelope Williamson as an author. unfortunately, i burned myself out on historical romances last year, and just can't bring myself to read one, even though i'm supposed to read The Windflower by Laura London , Night in Eden by Candice Proctor , The Madness of Lord Ian Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, #1) by Jennifer Ashley and Again the Magic (Wallflowers, #0.5) by Lisa Kleypas this year. "

I totally understand burning out. I was in the same situation last year. Now, I space out the genres I read and I've even wanted to read some HR late last year. If you do decide to read Heart of the West let me know - I would love to discuss it. While it can certainly be classified as a classic Western, somehow I couldn't fully appreciate the book. Among the books you've listed, I'll certainly second . It was a great read.

[Nichole]

Just a heads up! I will be on vacation from 6/27-7/6 and I'm not sure if I'll have internet access for the first few days. Hopefully I can at least post something from my phone but I dunno. Either way, my book will probably be a little late for that week. I should be able to catch up though.

[Logan]

Have fun! Where are you going?

[Nichole]

Nothing super exciting lol. This is a family vacation with my in-laws (Mother, Father, Sister, Nephew). We rented a condo on Table Lake just south of Branson. Then on the 3rd we are heading back to their house (Kansas). We always do a ton of fireworks and spend a lot of time at the lake. It will be nice but I won't have much reading time and I'm not sure about the signal at the lake. Once we make it back to their house I should be able to pop in and make my choice, if not at the lake.

[Logan]

That sounds awesome! Enjoy the relaxation and fireworks!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Oh! We went to Table Lake on our honeymoon and stayed in a time share across the bridge from Kimberling City. LOVE that lake! Have a great time!

[Nichole]

Thanks :) It will be nice.

[Nichole]

Totally unrelated to this challenge but I laugh my butt off every time I see this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fk-1m...

[Logan]

Yes! I love that!!!

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Love the expression on her face and those eyes...soooo innocent! CUTE!

[Vi]

Week 3: Book Length > 450 pages



Date Finished: 20 June
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This is going to be short as I'm feeling very lazy.

A very good fantasy book though it was very derivative - LTTR and Mercedes Lackey. Yet, I really enjoyed it. I loved Karrigan - she was such a kick ass (though she does look to be an almost Mary Sue). The world building was really good and I couldn't almost put down the book. When I finished the book, I checked out the next book from the library.

But! I checked the release dates and each book is out every 3-4 years!!!! Very GRRM. And the latest books has such poor reviews that I'm thinking of not continuing the series. Ugh. Thankfully, I didn't buy the next book.

A great non-review fm me :)

[Nichole]

Okay, now that you've read and reviewed it I feel like I can say something :) I really enjoyed the first 3 books of this series and I was lucky enough that when I read them I only had to wait about a year for the 4th book. However, I was so disappointed with the wait and the way she started to steer the series that I can't bring myself to read the 5th book. I started it and got about 5 chapters in but I felt a little lost. One day I might go back and read them but not until they are all finished.

She lost readers when she teased us with a romance between Karrigan and the King. Only to put a big fat wrench in that plot to prove that, as she said, "this is not romance, it's fantasy". Well she wrote it that way, why wouldn't readers want romance? Also with the 4th book she threw in so many new twists and side stories that just didn't make sense. Maybe in the next books it will all come together but it was a little bizarre at the time. It was an interesting world and I was hooked but I think I'll wait for them all to be finished before I decide to continue or not.

[Vi]

I spent a good one hour after my post reading through reviews and spoiling myself the major plot points. So I know what exactly you are talking about regarding the romance. I think fifth is the book where she lost a good many if her fans if the first page of reviews is anything to go by.

I've come to the same decision - I'll wait for the series to progress, if not complete before I make the decision. I don't have the time or inclination to start a new series and then stop halfway like I did with GRRM. Btw Nichole, have you read Robert Jordan's series?

[Nichole]

I haven't but it's been on my tbr for a while. I even bought the first book. I've been trying to talk my husband into reading them because I think he would like them. I really like Fantasy but I have to be in the right mood for it. Especially if there isn't much of a romance in it. I'm not talking full out romance either, I love UF so a good dose of sexual tension, at least, will work :)

I have to try and find books for my husband but he has all these rules and it makes it hard sometimes lol.

1. No ongoing series, must be complete.
2. Needs to have magic, or necromancy, dragons... etc. Basically high fantasy.
3. Not a too long series (10+)

and so on... I keep telling him he's missing out with all the rules but he's stubborn.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nichole wrote: "I have to try and find books for my husband but he has all these rules..."

Sounds like my hubby. He's an engineer. When I met him he was wearing a t-shirt that said, "As a matter of fact, I AM a rocket scientist." I would've laughed if he weren't holding a four foot hobby rocket that looked like a missile. Six months later, his buddies blew out the north windows of their friends house testing a motor. Yes, they're fine. They were in the country and the only other damage was a crack in the driveway, although I'm sure his pal's wife inflicted her own damage for several days (or weeks) later.

He's not allowed to play there anymore.

[Nichole]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "He's not allowed to play there anymore."

Hahaha! That's hilarious.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

And here I thought being married to a scientist/nerd would be boring. : )

[Logan]

Week 4

Theme: 19 - Main character has a pet (animal).
Option 2 key date: 18 December 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)


The pet must be an animal and must have a name. No shifters (not that I know how they could be a pet ;) Alien pets are OK.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

ARGH! I just read A Time For Home. I don't think I can stomach another round of that series right now. The dog was my favorite character.

I'm off to dig through everybody's shelves! MWAHAHAHA...

[Logan]

Week 4: Main character has a pet (animal with name)


Pages: 236
How it fits the theme: Zach has a cat named Geisha, pet is also mentioned in précis

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Week #4:


Pages: 292
Qualification: Book #2 of Mercy Thompson Series.
Nicole read Night Broken, Book #8, 6/20/14 Four stars

[Nichole]

Becky, before you get too far in, I'm not sure if you can substitute books within a series. I would ask Jane. Hopefully you can because I just love that series!!

I have a couple of books lined up but I'm waiting to see what I need for another Team challenge. So I'll post my selection either later tonight or tomorrow :)


**Mercy has a cat though!**

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Thanks, Nicole. I asked about this back on June 10th in the Q&A thread and it's within the rules, thank heavens. I have a TON of series to catch up on! LOL! ; )

Here's my question: Post 67 and 68 and Jane's response: Post 70

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Nichole wrote: "Becky, before you get too far in, I'm not sure if you can substitute books within a series. I would ask Jane. Hopefully you can because I just love that series!!

I have a couple of books lined up ..."

You can Nichole - if a team-mate has read book 4 in a series (rated 3/+ stars in the last 6 months), but you are only up to book 2, you can read book 2 :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Clarification for week 4's theme:
I would like each selection post to either name the pet, note the book mentions the pet in the precis or post to a link that shows that the book qualifies - link to a shelf etc.

[Nichole]

Oh Yay! That's good to know. For some reason I haven't been getting notifications so I missed a lot :(

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Holy cow, Nicole! I forgot all about Medea! How weird is it that the first series book I grab fits the theme!?

Bizarre...

[Vi]

I have a couple of western romance which are bound to have one pet or another but I'll have to read to confirm it. Also, I just realized I haven't continued the Mercy Thompson series - I have to read . Decisions Decisions. I'll decide among them and post soon.

[Logan]

I just finished Frost Burned and it was really good! I wasn't a huge fan of River Marked and this one was much more classic Mercy.

[Nichole]

I agree! I was a little nervous after River Marked. Thinking that once they got together the series would fizzle. But I really liked Frost Burned and Night Broken!

[Vi]

Oh that is really good to hear. One of my friends gave 2 stars to Frost Burned which was the major reason I kept hesitating. And she liked this series!! I'll maybe go with this depending.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nichole wrote: "I agree! I was a little nervous after River Marked. Thinking that once they got together the series would fizzle. But I really liked Frost Burned and Night Broken!"

Gosh...I'm SOOO far behind. On Every. Series. Ever.

Oh, well. I'll have fun catching up! No waiting between books! WOOHOO!

[Nichole]

Dammit! I'm sorry Becky. I should have used spoiler tags. I read it for Bingo and we've been talking about it. I'll try to check my blonde moments from now on.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nichole wrote: "Dammit! I'm sorry Becky. I should have used spoiler tags. I read it for Bingo and we've been talking about it. I'll try to check my blonde moments from now on."

Oh, no! Don't worry about it! I didn't see anything that looked spoiler-ish! Chatter away!

I'm LOVE the Mercy Thompson series! Blood Bound is starting off even better than the first one!

[UnusualChild{beppy}]

week 4: main character has a pet
At Piper's Point by ethan day
pages: 261
how it fits the theme: shelved as books with pets here

[Nichole]

I'm still trying to decide. I'm feeling kind of blah today but I'll have my post up tomorrow. I'll be starting a new audio tomorrow...

[Vi]

I started Seventh Heaven by Catherine Andersen. It does have a dog in it but I'm reserving judgement about the book. So, um, will most likely go with Frost Burned.

[Nichole]

Week 4
by Nalini Singh
Pages: 352
Qualification: Option 2 (Psy-Changeling #3)
Becky: Slave to Sensation 5/30~3 stars. (Also works with Beppy and Vi)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Nichole wrote: "Week 4 Slave to Sensation..."

That's another series I need to get back to, but I'm really engrossed with Mercy Thompson. I was up in the middle of the night reading Blood Bound and came across the part where Littleton (view spoiler)[was scratching on Mercy's window while she slept (hide spoiler)]. Freaked me the heck out! All of a sudden, my little clip-on reading light wasn't cutting it. With my husband working nights and my (view spoiler)[window being right by my bed (hide spoiler)], I was awake until the sun came up.

*Makes mental note: Don't read urban fantasy in the dark.*

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Week #4: Finished 6/22/14
✰✰✰✰✰ Stars

Review:

This was an exciting book that took off fast and sucked me right into the adventure...pardon the pun. As always, the writing was clean and consistent, the characters unique and well developed. I was on the edge of my seat and the suspense was written so well I had goosebumps. The plot was well thought out and while complex, it was communicated in a way that was simple to follow. I loved it!

Mercy is still struggling with "what" she is and what powers she has when a situation with the vampires forces her into the line of fire. She develops uneasy alliances and discovers new aspects to her relationship with Adam and his pack. We also learn more about Stefen's character and the long term goals of the vampire seethe. A big aspect of this book draws the clear line between good and evil in Mercy's magical world.

We also get a glimpse of a few new players. I like that we get to see a vulnerable side of Sam and I enjoyed the touching scenes shared with Mercy. I worried for him and realized I like him more than I thought. Adam still intrigues me as well and I'm curious how Mercy will handle her suitors. I'm eager to see where the next book leads!

[Logan]

Week 4: Main character has a pet


Finished: 6/25/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I was surprised at how much I liked this one. I was worried that the magic would be lost without Matt and Jared, but I liked Zach and Angelo almost as much. Zach was a bit vanilla and made some really bad decisions at times, but Angelo really drew me in. His struggles with family and love were well written and believable. Looking at the next installment's reviews makes me wary to continue on in the series, but I do like these characters, so who knows?

[Vi]

Book Selection Post - Week 4

Title: The Passion Of Patrick MacNeill by Virginia Kantra
Page Number: 256
How it Fits: The female lead has a black cat named Blackie and the male lead has a dog named Silkie. I can't find any mention of them outside the book.

[Nichole]

Week 4: Option 2 (Becky)
by Nalini Singh
Finished: 6/26/14
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review:

First of all, tell me the guy on the cover doesn't look like Mark Wahlberg.


This really is a great series. This time we have a male Psy with a female changeling. Not just any Psy either, like they're all not special in some way, lol. Judd is an Arrow, a trained killer and very strong TK. This poses a problem because Brenna was kidnapped and tortured by a maniacal TK Psy. They have a lot of issues to work out between them.

So, I enjoyed this but I had the hardest time getting into it, hence the 3 stars. I never really connected to the characters. I think I was just too distracted this week *Ahem-NBRC team challenge* to enjoy it like I feel I should have. Also, I listened to most of this and I'm not a big fan of the narrator. She does an okay job but I felt more connected when I was reading it. So, I'll read the next one and hopefully I can appreciate it more :)

[Nichole]

I just wanted to remind you that I might not be able to check in for a few days after the shelf is called. I'll have my kindle and have a few books to choose from that were on Read shelves so I can at least start something. I don't know if I'll have my review up before the next shelf is called though. I'll be back on the 6th and can post a review then. Hopefully :)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Have a great trip, Nicole!

Nice review! I agree, not Mark Wahlberg. Maybe a cross between Chris Pine and Ryan Reynolds, but definitely not Mark Wahlberg. It's too bad the author hasn't been able to get her characters into the deeper emotions...if that makes sense. The world she creates is an awesome fantasyland.

I tired to listen to Iron Kissed on audio, but I didn't get very far. It might just be me, but the narration was cheeky. I lost interest when the female narrater broke into a horrible Texan twang. The Warren in my head does NOT sound like that. Nobody should sound like that. Ever.

I don't think it's just that narrater either. When I read I build this world in my mind. People look and sound just so and when that gets out of whack...eh...it ruins the experience for me.

[Logan]

No problem Nichole. Do you think you'll be able to post your selection post before next Friday? The review isn't time sensitive, but your book selection needs to happen the week the theme is called. I noticed this in the Q&A, though:

Q: If a team member is going to be away during the week of a theme, can they leave a list of pre-selected books (for all remaining themes) with the Team Captain to post that week?

A: Yes. If the team member has already highlighted that they will be away for a particular week, or has an operation etc, I am happy for the Team Captain to post that participant's book selection post. They must have pre-selected a book for that theme though.

The alternative is for the absent member to pre-select a book that complies with option 2, taking into account the 6 month date that will apply during that week.

So, I'm happy to post a selection on your behalf if you have some books in mind!

[Vi]

Ah, Caressed by Ice is my favorite books in the series. So sad you didn't get to enjoy it much, Nichole!

Have a fun vacation!!

[Vi]

I've finished my book some two days back but too lazy to put up the review. I'll do so later today.

[Nichole]

Thanks! I'm sure we'll have lots of fun :)

Sorry, I got distracted again with Strategy in the other group! I'll go ahead and pre-select a book using option 2. Let me go decide for sure and I'll be back.

[Nichole]

Week 5: (Pre-selected book)
by Anna Martin
Pages: 244
Qualifies: Option 2
Read by Beppy on 6/7/14, 3 stars