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R15: Team #10 ~ Nerd Herd
message 51:
by
Katharine
(new)
Aug 10, 2017 06:20PM
Ladies, I am going to have limited computer/internet access from tomorrow until Monday evening.
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Too bad on that one, Elaine. I've had the freebie for a while, but haven't gotten around to reading it. Guess I'll be in no rush now.
Shelf #1: Kindle Freebie
Book: Claimed by Evangeline Anderson
Pages: 321
Date Read: 8/12/17
Rating: 3 stars
I really like Evangeline Anderson. I know exactly what I'm getting with her books. They might not ever be a 5 star read for me but they will be funny, sexy and I am guaranteed to enjoy them. The perfect guilty pleasure. I picked this book up years ago and have eyeballed it so many times over the years. I think the Sci-Fi setting is what always held me back before, but I'm reading more of it these days. I just have a hard time picturing the scenery in my head. Luckily, this wasn't so technical that I couldn't "see" the setting.
The Kindred have saved the Earth from the Scourge invasion. They are a race of mostly male aliens that are compatible with humans and have made a treaty to take human Brides. There is a draft for the women, a contract and a claiming period. It's all very business like. Olivia has been dream-sharing with a Kindred for months before she's drafted and she is not very happy about being rooted from her life to become the mate of a Kindred. She drove me nuts!!! And is the reason this got 3 stars vs. the 4 it deserved. She was so ridiculous in her fight to null the contract from the big alien warrior that was made for her. I would take Baird in a heartbeat! He was kind, sexy, protective and just wanted to please her in all ways, not to mention he was smoking hot. So, what's the problem? Well, Olivia is an independent woman and blah, blah, blah!
There was so much to like about this book. The Kindred and their mating rituals *ahem*, the ship itself with it's sentient furniture, the food- okay, that might have taken me a while too, lol. Anyways, it was interesting to be on the ship and to have a sexy Kindred, or two, sounded like Heaven to me :)
I'll definitely be reading more from this series. I just hope that we get better heroines. Unfortunately, I don't think will be in the next book as it is about Olivia's sister and she's even more prudish. *Shaking my head* These Earth girls don't know what they're getting :P
I've had that Freebie for a while too, Elaine. I guess I won't be dusting the virtual cobwebs off any time soon :)
I have that one, too. Gonna post my review shortly. 😊
Born in Fire by K.F. Breene
Series: Fire & Ice Trilogy #1
Shelf: Kindle Freebie
Read: 11 Aug
Rating: ✮✮✮☆☆
Review:
Born in Fire introduces us to Reagan Somerset, an independent bounty hunter living in NOLA working paycheck to paycheck. She's offered a bounty, but she'll be required to have a vampire partner. She's not very happy about that because they'd just stolen her previous bounty, yet the fifty grand payout is too appealing to pass up.
In this world, "the Realm, the magical world basically run by the elves", is hidden from humans and only accessible to those with sufficient magical abilities. "The shifters represented the elves in the human world, policing the magical people to ensure our kind was kept secret." Humans live in "the Brink".
The vampires in this world made me think of those in depicted in Nosferatu: "...his monster form bubbled out, a kind of pasty-white thing with long, fierce claws and black, stringy hair". Doesn't sound very appealing and, while there isn't much romance in this installment, Reagan and Darius (vamp partner) have some chemistry and heated moments while on their mission.
Reagan's determined to keep her true abilities hidden, so throughout we're only given hints. It isn't until about 80% in that we learn her parentage.
My expectations were a bit high after seeing so many 4-5✮ reviews, but I liked it enough to want to read the other two books in the trilogy to see how Reagan's story plays out.
Haha! That just made my day! I see you!
Series: The Dowser #1
Shelf: Kindle Freebie
Read: 12 Aug
Rating: ✮✮✮
Review:
For me, a foodaholic and a mystery and fantasy junkie, the book has a strong-ish (but not original) premise: half-blood witch owns local bakery, were-deaths start happening. 1 point in the :) column but yet minus a fraction of a point for lack of originality (but I love the sub-subgenre, so I'm feeling conflicted).
Includes some what at least sound like to-die-for recipes. Another point in the :) column.
Sweet (pun kinda intended) yet naive can-do-no-wrong, uber-talented, beautiful, well-loved Jade runs a successful bakery (at 23?) in Vancouver (a city I adore, another point in the :) column). Multiple heartthrob love interests come knocking at her door and while there is a cup or so of romance in the story, there are at least 2-3 cups of magical lore-related plot (another :) point added). Twists in the story (is Jade who she thinks/has been taught to believe she is?) are predictable and the writing isn't anything to write home about (!) and even annoying at times, and some pacing issues (what happened? vs. yes, I get it already, minus 1.5 points), yet I found myself enjoying a bit of meringue in what has been a dense, doughy few weeks for me. Overall, a bit better than I expected but not quite as good as I hoped.
Great job, Ladies! Off to request our first stamp!
Week 1: Kindle Freebie~✔StephB- Born in Fire by K.F. Breene| 3 stars| 8/11/17| Review
✔Katharine- Cupcakes, Trinkets, and Other Deadly Magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge| 3 stars| 8/12/17| Review
✔Nichole- Claimed by Evangeline Anderson| 3 stars| 8/12/17| Review
✔Elaine- Samson's Lovely Mortal by Tina Folsom| 2 stars| 8/9/17| Review
Woohoo! 👍🏼 I'll be stamping cards soon. I'm reading
for my FS book (found on bookshelf & best of list). It's frustrating for several reasons but mostly b/c although Qhuinn has always been a favorite of mine he's being a total ass so far.
CONGRATULATIONS, Nerd Herd!We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'kindle freebie'.
[Our updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Yay!! :D
Yay! We won the game! 😉Steph, is that how you wanted the stamp requests? Or was I supposed to link back to the tracking post or Captain log? I've always just linked the tracking post before but I know you guys are trying to make it easier to verify. I don't mind either way :)
Steph wrote: "Woohoo! 👍🏼 I'll be stamping cards soon. I'm reading
for my FS book (found on bookshelf & best of list). It's frustrating for several reasons but mostly b/c althoug..."I really need to catch up on that series!
You can cut & paste your post (as you did), please also include a link to the Captain's Log post on the stamp request thread. Thanks :) I have a love/hate relationship with Ward's BDB.
Okay, I went and edited it to include the link. I'll remember it next time!Yes, me too. I blazed through the first 6-ish books and then it's been about 2 years in between the others... I'm up to 10 now.
Thanks. No worries :) It's new, so no doubt we'll be tweaking it as we go.
Congrats on the stamp Nerdies!
Series: Vintage Magic Mystery #1
Shelf: Free Space
Read: 15 Aug
Rating: ✮✮✮
Review:
If I gave 5 star ratings out easily, this book would probably get 4 stars. And really, I think I would have given it 4 stars regardless if there wasn't so much focus on fashion and related name-dropping. Of course, what did I expect with a main character who has a significant past (and present) in the fashion industry? Still, I think there was a bit much; but, for others who have interest in fashion, what I didn't like could make this a 5-star read for them.
Anyway, I like Mads and didn't find her annoying, shallow, or derivative as I was thinking she would be (fashion again). I like that she finds her special talents in an antique wedding dress after being called to help plan and set up her sister's wedding, when, of course, a murder occurs and Mads' special gift reveals itself and helps her solve the murder and save the day, so to speak. Blair's writing and the flow of the book is solid and enjoyable. I will be reading the next book in the series.
Way to go, Katharine :)I'm going to change my FS book to
which is on the group bookshelf. I needed it for another challenge.
Shelf #2 ~ 8/16/17: 2nd, 3rd or 4thSecond, Third or Fourth book in a series
Shelf: Free Space
Book: Burn by Suzanne Wright
Found on the group Bookshelves
Pages: 301
Date Read: 8/15/17
Rating: 4 stars
This is a new series for me by Suzanne Wright and I'm hooked! Welcome to her Demon world.
Harper Wallis was raised by imps and has many characteristics of an imp. Imps are sneaky, they steal, they lie, they cheat, they trick you and all of these little things that cause trouble. It always comes as a surprise when people find out that she is NOT an imp and has a power that can bring her enemies to their knees. Which is exactly how she catches the eye of the most powerful Demon around.
Shortly after Harper and Knox meet, they discover that they are anchors. An anchor is supposed to help you control your Demon and balance the power so they don't lose control or go mad. Knox is one scary dude but Harper never lets him push her around. She keeps him on his toes with her unpredictability and it makes for some very funny moments!
Anyway, without going into a long spiel about the book, I'll just say that it was funny, action packed and full of the hot and steamy. I loved the world and the different types of demons to go along with it. I'll definitely be reading the rest of the series and bumping up her Vampire series too. I can't go wrong with Suzanne Wright!
My plan is to read
for the next shelf. I just need my other challenges to cooperate with me...
I think that might bug me a bit too, Katharine. ;)I love that series, Nichole. That book was the first of her's that I read and I was hooked from the start. I've since started her Phoenix Pack series (1-2), but like Dark in You more. I have several of her Deep in Your Veins books, but haven't started that one yet.
For this shelf, I'll either read
or
. I should be finished with my FS book tonight.
Selection Post: 2nd, 3rd or 4th in a Series
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
389 pages
#2 in The Hidden Legacy series
I
love
that series, Elaine, enjoy! :D
The Chosen by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #15
Shelf: Free Space
Read: 17 Aug
Rating: ✮✮½
Review:
The Chosen is Xcor and Layla's book yet, like many others in the series, time is spent on a couple of WTH storylines. Three WTH storylines were deeply frustrating and head-scratching ~ (view spoiler)
I was happy to learn more about Xcor, who you could tell had a horrible past and deserved a HEA. Layla definitely comes into her own; no longer wishing to be called The Chosen, she's learning who she is as a woman.
She was Chosen no more ... She was a mahmen. She was a lover. She was a proud female, a strong female, a female who knew right from wrong, family from stranger, good from evil.And, the best O.o moment was learning that (view spoiler)
I continue to have a major love/hate relationship with this series. This wasn't one of my favorites for many reasons mentioned above. I don't think it will ever be what it was in the beginning, which is sad, but I'm invested so I'll continue on.
Steph, I'm just amazed that you're still reading it .... WHY????And don't say for all the reasons above, cause they are the reasons to stop. LOL.
LOL! I know. I just want to find out how it'll all end. When will it end, is what I find myself wondering now though. I don't know. I say to myself, that's it, I just can't anymore, but then I buy the next book and start the cycle over again.
Great Review! And yes, I read the Spoilers, lol. I can't help myself! I used to open my Christmas presents as a kid, so... It's no wonder it takes me 2 years in between books to read them! (view spoiler)
This series makes me think of Anita Blake. I LOVED the first few books. In fact, I stuck with it longer than most people. Now though, I just can't make myself. I think about it every once in a while because someone will say that 'this one is better' and yet...nope.
I always read all the spoilers as well. LOL. I got about half way through I think it was #7 and I just decided I'd had enough, even though I've got a couple more books sitting at the back of the shelves somewhere. It's a definite nope from me also.
LOL! Y'all are too much. I know I should drop the series, but I haven't been able to - so far.
Series: Cambio Springs #3
Shelf: 2nd, 3rd or 4th
Read: 18 Aug
Rating: ✮✮✮✮☆
Review:
I love Cambio Springs for several reasons. First, Hunter's unique shifter community. Second, the setting is a spot that's close to my heart; I lived in Twentynine Palms for years and, while the Mojave Desert can be harsh, it is full of great beauty. These stories always bring back fun memories of the area.
Waking Hearts is the touching story of fox-shifter Alison Smith and bear-shifter Oliver (Ollie) Campbell. These two have known each other since they were children. Ollie has been in love with Alison since his awkward HS days, but she married another before he got the nerve to make his feelings known to her. For twenty years he's kept a protective eye on her and been a friend when she needed one.
A year has passed since Joe, Allie's husband, left her and their four children without a word then or since. She's been working to keep her family afloat. She's desperate for a divorce so that she can finally move on, but no one has been able to find Joe - until now and there's the mystery.
I'd be holding off reading this book because I was worried it'd be the last in the series. However, the epilogue sets the scene for book 4, which would feature Sean Quinn and someone from his past. Someone who just happens to be Caleb's sister (Shifting Dreams).
Oh, I have book 1 in that series on the line up for September. I really like Elizabeth Hunter.Tracking post is updated!
Hope you like that one. I have some of her Irin Chronicles TBR, but otherwise I've enjoyed both Cambio Springs and her Elemental Mysteries and their spin-offs.
I finished my book this morning and will try to get my review up this evening. How's everyone else doing?
Completion Post: Seconds, Thirds, Fourths
Book: Finding His Home by Thianna Durston
Pages: 200
Date: 8-19-17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: So this is not the book I originally thought I would read, but school is kicking my behind (as the beginning of the year always does)...the to-do list is approximately 426,948,394,947,049,592 items long and growing. So, I flipped through my Kindle for a comfort read and came up with Thianna Durston's 959 Brenton Street series. I tore through three of these books this past Saturday and they were amazing. This, the second of the series, was fantastic. All three books deal with young Mormon men coming to terms with being gay and trying to figure out who they are outside of what they have grown up with, the nicest of which is "gay is bad" but often times ranging through to "gays are abominations." Each relationship involves a college age young man and an older man who can help support them through the trials of coming out to family. The cast grows a bit larger with each book and seeing previous couples show back up is wonderful.
In this book, David and Bastian are two wonderful characters who begin as roommates and slowly evolve into boyfriends. They are supportive of each other in various ways and while David is older and more settled, Bastian has his own endearing ways of being there for David so the relationship never feels one-sided or uneven. While contemporary and not PNR or UF, I still highly recommence these books!
I still hope to get to the second and third Neveda Baylor books but I simply wasn't in a place to enjoy them this past weekend. Maybe for the next round...
I hope to get my Free Space book finished by the end of the week...
Week 2Shelf: 2nd, 3rd or 4th
Book:
by Ilona AndrewsDate Read: 8/22/17
Rating: 4.5 stars
Man, oh man! Good stuff! I expected nothing less from an Ilona Andrews book. They can do no wrong in my eyes!
In Wildfire, we have the Baylors applying to become a House of their own. Things have been heating up for the family and this was the best way to keep them safe. It's also the most dangerous by putting them in the political spotlight. However, to become a House they must pass the trials.
Of course, there is always more going on. Nevada takes on a new case which just happens to be for Rogan's ex-fiance... her grandmother has hired people to capture her, basically death and destruction all around! Lots of action and kick assery coming from the whole family. Things also heat up even more with Rogan and Nevada and it brought a tear to my eye. Awesomesauce!
I don't want to give away any more spoilers, so I'll just say that you must read this series! And all others by IA :) The only reason this didn't get 5 stars from me is because it had a more serious tone. It was still fantastic but I missed the constant zingers we normally get from their books.
And now the wait begins for the next IA book...
How is the new school year coming along? Are you ready for Summer break yet? LOL
LOL Nichole! 😂 I know the feeling!Sounds like a touching series, Elaine.
All's well here. We're in South Dakota for a bit. Enjoying some of the Nat'l & State Parks. We saw bunch of bison and prairie dogs today around Wind Cave and Custer State Park.
Oooh, neat! Have you seen any Bears? I'm watching last night's GoT episode again :)
I added the first book to the Mountain, Elaine :)
Nichole wrote: "Oooh, neat! Have you seen any Bears? I'm watching last night's GoT episode again :)"
We saw a bear when we were in Yellowstone last year. :)
Can't believe we're already comin' up on the finale. 😩
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
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