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Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R15: Team #14 ~ Saperlipopette Reading Xpress
Stacey wrote: "I tried not to be spoilery in my review. :) The first book was one of my favorites -- such interesting characters. I hope you enjoy it! ."I'm really, really enjoying it! Close to finished so will get to my shelf-book very soon, but will definitely be reading more of these, too.
We're getting a typhoon this weekend, Talim...and what an eye it has! So, will be staying in, and doing a bit of reading...quieter way to spend the holiday weekend.
Question... I would like to read
but its tagged Spin Off series 3 times, not just spin off. Will that work?? I have another option, but thought I would check and see if you all thought it would work.
It must be Spin Off only Stacey, sorry. I had the same problem.
Sorry I'm holding us up this week... I'm over half way there just been a crazy week with kiddos and fall sports. Son's fall baseball and Volleyball season is here and I have a daughter playing, one niece's last year in high school and one playing in college, of which my SIL and husband both coach our high school team and my nephew coaches the college team. So 9 games in less than a week and a full work week+ I'm slacking. On a good note our HS team is undefeated and we hope to get our 4th year of section championship in a row...
Lis: don't feel bad. It's only a game and I don't think we are at a critical level yet. You have time.Here are the shelves still opened....and tell me if I'm missing something:
Shelf #5 ~ 9/6/17: Vampires ~ Stamp Requested
4/4
Judithe: Midnight Marked by Chloe Neill, 4.5✮, 09/09/2017, Review
Lis: Wicked Bite by Rebecca Zanetti, 4.5✮, 09/17/2017, Review
Stacey: Of Silk and Steam by Bec McMaster, 4✮, 09/13/2017, Review
Valerie: Cold Reign by Faith Hunter, 5✮, 09/12/2017, Review
Shelf #6 ~ 9/6/17: Spin Off ~ Stamp Requested
4/4
Judithe: Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost, 4✮, 09/18/2017, Review
Lis: Lost in Me by Lexi Ryan, 3✮, 09/18/2017, Review
Stacey: Built byJay Crownover, 3✮, 09/18/2017, Review
Valerie: Moonshadow by Thea Harrison, 3✮, 09/20/2017, Review
Sandra wrote: "It must be Spin Off only Stacey, sorry. I had the same problem."I will find a category that book works for before the end of this challenge!
Instead I'm going to read
Completion post Lis: Wicked Bite by Rebecca Zanetti, 4 1/2★s, 9/17/2017, Review
Title/Author: Wicked Bite by Rebecca Zanetti
Series: Realm Enforcers #5
Date Read: 9/17/2017
Shelf: #5 Vampires
Pages: 298
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Review: Extremely happy with this match up and action packed story that has the laid back Bear, alpha shifter of the grizzly nation and a former council nine witch healer who has decided that mating with Bear, a sick bear/dragon shifter might give her fire. Benefit in mating a healer might cure the damage Bear's done by shifting to dragon. Lots of secrets and species prejudices as these two navigate his territory and responsibilities while trying to figure out who's trying to kill her and continuing storyline of who's behind the witch killing drug apollo. This is a great series follow up to the Dark Realm series which follows the matings of the Karys Vampires and battles against the Kurjans and the Realm Enforcers are the supporting characters and allies focusing primarily on the witches and the battle against Apollo. I discovered Rebecca Zanetti via her zombie series last year and have been binge reading all of her books since. Lots of action, strong couples and female characters, along with smexy scenes.
Completion Post -- Spin Off Book:
by Jay CrownoverCompleted: 9/18/17
Pages: 352
How It Fits: Tagged spin off 6 times
Rating: 3 stars
Review: If I had had to give this book a rating at the 50% mark, it would have been 1 star. There was soooo much internal dialogue/info dumping in the first half of this book I ended up skimming a lot of it. And it was pages of it... in the middle of conversations...so that by the end of the info dump, I'd have to page back to see what the last person who actually spoke was talking about! (end of rant) Fortunately, the characters FINALLY started talking to each other around the midway point and things got a little more normal and easy to read. The characters were lovely, the situations pretty believable and for a change it was the heroine who had to do some serious changing to make things work. It was a good story, with nice characters buried under a bit too much info. Now I have to decide if I actually want to try this author again....
Oups, sorry......I'll request the stamp tomorrow.
Completion post - Spin off - Lis: Lost in Me by Lexi Ryan, 3★s, 9/18/2017, Review
Title/Author: Lost in Me by Lexi Ryan
Series: Here and Now #1
Date Read: 9/18/2017
Shelf: Spin Off
Pages: 216
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review: This was a contemporary romance with the main character Hanna waking in a hospital with amnesia and missing her memories of the last year. She is now 50 lbs lighter with an engagement ring to her childhood crush, Max and the owner of her own bakery. She remembers her twin Lizzy, and sisters which stories are told in the Splintered Hearts series. But does not remember the Rocker Nate Crane and what he meant to her. Little mystery and love triangle action as slowly her past year of memories return and she is trying to figure out where she was in life and her feelings when she took that fall down the steps. This was a freebie and kind of a serial written in a soap opera fashion, a very quick read with a cliff hanger to suck you into the next book that is a continuation of the Hanna - Max - Nate saga, three books total. This book is primarily from Hanna's POV, but skimming the first few chapters of the next (yeah I bought it...) the POV shifts to Max and Nate too, which makes it a little more interesting and less mysterious.
Completion PostJudithe ~ Into the Fire by Jeaniene Frost 4✮ rating 9/18/17 LINK TO REVIEW
Shelf 6: 9/14/17 Spin-off
Date finished: 9/18/17
Rating: ★★★★☆
Thoughts:
What can I say? I hate to say goodbye to characters I love. While not as wrenching as Cat & Bones' last book....ugh. There are hints of an Ian book....would love to see what happens with that!
Anyway. I wish I'd had time for a reread before this. Too many things I couldn't remember well, but it was still exciting and thrilling. Lots of action and finally, hopefully, Leila and Vlad will get some quiet (well, relatively speaking).
Leila is bound to Mircea...physical attacks on his body also affect hers, and vice versa. As Leila and Vlad are finally getting close to him, he's kidnapped by some of Vlad's enemies, and the race is on...to save Leila's life, but saving someone Vlad knows as a betrayer (big, bit black mark).
HEA, but lots of doubts and thrills along the way.
Done with my book, review will be up tomorrow.
Thinking out loud for a list of books...again. I have way too many to choose from and literally hundreds of books in my TBR list.I don't want to start another series but i can't decide. HELP!!
Obviously I won't read the skull throne because there is too many pages to be read in a week but this fantasy series is gripping and worth a try (audiobook is very nice too).
I'd go with
every time Val. I love Cassie but she is always very complicated as is Kara, and Bo Blackman is the first in the series.
I'm halfway through
, but was at that point BEFORE the shelf was called...So planning to read
or
I'm going with
even though it will mean I'm caught up with the series (sob) and I can't figure out where the demons are.....
I'm leaning towards
which I tried to start back in March but never made it past the first chapter. Backup
Wildfire is a great choice. Jealous that it's not an option. ;)
Completion Post: Spin Off
Moonshadow by Thea Harrison
Date finished:09/20/2017
Rating: 3✮
335 pages
Review: I think I'm the only one that did not get swept by this briliant story.
While I love to read about an heroine not being a doormat and standing up for herself....hurling names and obscenities to the hero all the length of the book and have a passionate, carnal relationship with him is hard to believe.
The downside of a story taking place over a handful of days means that there is little story development, no real time for the protagonists to actively search the people attacking them. All they do is react to events and get snippy with their partner.
The Elder Races lore is rich and the world has not been built up in the last 2 books so I wonder why the author keep publishing books if she has no story to tell?
Sorry, I tried to wait before writing this review and be less bitchy about it but it was not to be.
OK......requested stamps for both Vampires (don't know why we did not get it yet) and Spin Off.So to recap:
Shelf #7 ~ 9/20/17: Demons
2/4
Judithe: Reaver by Larissa Ione, 4✮ 9/23/17, Review
Lis: Blaze by Suzanne Wright
Stacey: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Valerie: White Hot by Ilona Andrews 5✮ 9/30/17, Review to be written
Valerie ~ Val Hall ~ wrote: "Completion Post: Spin Off Moonshadow by Thea Harrison
Date finished:09/20/2017
Rating: 3✮
335 pages
Review: I think I'm the only ..."
I haven't really loved the books in the new setting either. They seem to be missing the sass and fun of the ones that involved her original characters.
CONGRATULATIONS, Saperlipopette Reading Xpress!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'vampires' and 'spin-off'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
Congrats on the stamps Surprised Delights!
Yay teamies!! Stamp dance time.... Crazy busy week again so I'll be behind on my review. Went with
Completion PostJudithe ~ Reaver by Larissa Ione 1-5✮ 9/23/17
Shelf 7: 9/21/17 Demons
Date finished: 9/23/17
Rating: ★★★★☆
Thoughts:
I actually started this book in 2015, on an airplane on a trip back "home" to visit my parents and sisters. Then, I couldn't get into it. This time, it was "easy" to read, and really hit.
Reaver has been through a lot. Thousands of years worth of a lot. He doesn't remember much of it, but the echoes are there. He makes the choices for what he thinks is right, based on who he is now, and the moral compass he has now. Not easy, but worthwhile.
He gets his HEA. There are certainly still issues to deal with, but he has folks to stand with, and who will stand with him. That is pretty much all there is.
Next book is on hold at the library....
Real life is getting in the way of my reading so I'm not done yet with my book either Lis.I have an artisan market this weekend so I have a ton of things to make and prepare...and I won't have much time to read.
Shelf #8 ~ 9/27/17: Reader's ChoiceReader's Choice ~ must be a book within a series
So to recap:Shelf #7 ~ 9/20/17: Demons
3/4
Judithe: Reaver by Larissa Ione, 4✮ 9/23/17, Review
Lis: A Demon Bound by Debra Dunbar
Stacey: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews, 4✮, 10/1/17, Review
Valerie: White Hot by Ilona Andrews, 5✮ 9/30/17, Review
Shelf #8 ~ 9/27/17: Reader's Choice
3/4
Judithe: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh, 5✮ 9/29/17, Review
Lis: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh4✮ 10/03/17, Review
Stacey: Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh 3✮ 10/05/17, Review
Valerie: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Shelf #9 ~ 10/4/17: Magical Realism
0/4
Judithe:
Lis:
Stacey:
Valerie:
I should finish my Demon book on Friday -- its been a slow reading week. For Reader's choice I'm still deciding but probably finally
for me, too! Happy, happy me...saw the shelf and couldn't even check in before starting the book. Already read...just need to review! Sorry!
Just finished last week's book....and I want to know what comes next so I'm going with
.I'll be out of touch until Monday because I have an out-of-town artisan market to attend to.
Good luck with the soaps Val, and you'll love Wildfire :)
Sandra wrote: "Good luck with the soaps Val, and you'll love Wildfire :)"Thanks! it's more a hobby than anything else because, for the first time this year, I'm turning a profit since beginning of September. Nothing to write home about but at least the hobby is paying itself now.
Yay!!!! Can't ask for more than a free hobby!!! And you never know what's gonna happen in the future :)
Completion Post -- Demons Book:
by Ilona AndrewsCompleted: 10/1/17
Pages: 391
How It Fits: Tagged demons 6 times
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I don't want to spoil anything, so I'll stay general. Nevada and Rogan continue their fight against all the bad guys (and I think I know who the big bad is), we find out a bunch more about Nevada's sisters and Leo and their magic, there's lots of funny, lots of action and just a good time with a book. And now I'm sad because I'm caught up with this series and Kate Daniels and have to start waiting along with everyone else. :(
Completion Post -- Shelf #8 Reader's Choice Book:
by Nalini SinghCompleted: 10/5/17
Pages: 381
Rating: 3 stars
Review: While I enjoy the Guild Hunter series, I have never really loved it. And this book is about the same. This book was different in that it put all the Cadre in a different location where they were forced to interact, which was interesting to see. Raphael and Elena were happy and in love as normal, and we get some new and interesting information on Elena's heritage. The pace of the book was good, with the climax exciting, but I have to admit to being a little disappointed in the "big reveal" at the end -- I felt it should have been... more.
Sorry! I changed my book again. And Magical Realism may be a struggle for me. I will probably pick once I get some info for my other challenges tomorrow and Saturday.
COMPLETION POSTJudithe ~Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh 5✮ 9/29/17 LINK TO REVIEW
by Nalini SinghShelf 8: 9/28/17 Reader's Choice (must be a book within a series
Date finished: 9/29/17
Rating: ★★★★☆
Thoughts:
Confessions first. I love Nalini Singh's novels. She is one of my buy-as-soon-as-preorder-is-up authors. I love the characters and worlds...and have read everything of hers I can get a hold of (OK, I'm behind on the newsletters...but all the novels have been read!)
I've seen some positive and some lukewarm reviews for this latest in the Guild Hunter Series. This is not my most-loved nor awaited book, but it hit all the points I want and expect. And it was just perfect timing/escapism into a tricky and terrible world, and with an HEA that made me smile and say ahhhhh.
This is the story of Venom and Sorrow....both incredibly and horrifically (to some) touched by archangels. There are strong threads of acceptance and love, and overcoming the horrors that can be manifest in this crazy journey.
I gave it 5 above, rounded up, and it's more like a 4.7 (personal timing and all of that). It's a very nice addition to the series, and I look forward to visiting their story again.
I'm still looking for my magical realism novel. Lots of "hard" going on, so really need something light and fun, or at least nostalgic (thinking about A Wrinkle in Time)....will peruse the list a bit more tonight, and see what I can find from my shelves/the library!
So...pulled up my Rakuten account, and had points galore (up-side to an expensive year!) I got the Wrinkle in Time "quintuplet" for "free" so book for this shelf is decided (it's SOMEWHERE on the list...randomly clicked page numbers at the bottom...) and reading decisions are simple and nostalgically familiar for the rest of this week.(I also found a "few" books I needed to preorder...oops!
COMPLETION POST Lis ~ Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh, 4★s 10/3/17, Review
Title/Author: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #10
Date Read: 10/3/2017
Shelf: Reader's Choice
Pages: 361
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review: Really enjoyed the relationship that progressed between Venom and Holly in a more slower pace vs the insta love formulas we often get. Venom, as one of the Seven was one of the first members of the tower that she encountered after her horrific ordeal with Urem. She has grown stronger since then and adjusted to her new life, duties and training in the tower and Venom has been overseas for several years. Someone has put a bounty on her head and her unnatural transition to a vampire is having some more side effects, which has Venom stepping in to guard and assist her with the investigation. Good: Enjoyed Holly and Venom's banter. Liked seeing some of the supporting characters and the progression of their relationships. Not so Good: Always like visiting the Guild Hunter world, but this one was OK, did not pack the traditional punch of what I expect from a NS book, but still a good read on a normal scale. And very pleased with the HEA ending... I want Blue Bell's book!!
Sorry I skipped ahead and finished my RC book a few days ago. Crazy busy so a little late posting an update. Sorry to report but I switched demon books again and a little over half way thru
which I had on Audio. Afraid I'm going to have a little difficulty picking a "magical realism" book after browsing the first few shelf pages. I have hardly any that are listed, argh. Will post a pick when I find something.
Found another audio that will work for Magical Realism shelf - The Winter Sea which looks like a historical time travel adventure with possibility of kilts... I'll take highlanders over demons any day... Two big tournaments this weekend and little downtime, so I'm going for the commute time and ear bud escape to get it in...
Completion Post: Demon
White Hot by Ilona Andrews
Date finished:09/29/2017
Rating: 5✮
389 pages
Tagged 9 times as demons
I had a hard time getting into this book but once the story took off I could not put the book down.
Honestly love Mad Rogan, the little flashback we see of his life, the world-building as well as the Houses dynamics. I'm not particularly fond of ferrets but Cornelius has delighted me even if he has a very bloody vengeance.
This is an update on where we stand. Could you please check that everything is in order? There was a few book changes and I just want to make sure I got this right. Thanks!Shelf #7 ~ 9/20/17: Demons
3/4
Judithe: Reaver by Larissa Ione, 4✮ 9/23/17, Review
Lis: A Demon Bound by Debra Dunbar
Stacey: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews, 4✮, 10/1/17, Review
Valerie: White Hot by Ilona Andrews, 5✮ 9/30/17, Review
Shelf #8 ~ 9/27/17: Reader's Choice
3/4
Judithe: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh, 5✮ 9/29/17, Review
Lis: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh4✮ 10/03/17, Review
Stacey: Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh 3✮ 10/05/17, Review
Valerie: Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Shelf #9 ~ 10/4/17: Magical Realism
0/4
Judithe:
Lis:
Stacey:
Valerie:
It's funny how everyone is calling Venom ~ Viper in their reviews. Steph & I did the same thing :D
Sandra wrote: "It's funny how everyone is calling Venom ~ Viper in their reviews. Steph & I did the same thing :D"Oops. Duh! And I did it four times... I think it was all the "viper face" comments. Fixed. I probably spelled Urem wrong too....
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
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Dark Debt (other topics)
Mermen (other topics)
Mermen (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Helene Wecker (other topics)Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (other topics)
Chloe Neill (other topics)
Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (other topics)
Mimi Jean Pamfiloff (other topics)
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Shelf 5 : Vampires
Date finished: 9/9/17
Rating: ★★★★ 1/2☆
Thoughts:
The hard part of writing this review is that I couldn't stop...had a short and the finale for this series at hand...and just HAD to know what happened. It was good, satisfying and feeling the sorrow or saying goodbye....though there are plenty of opportunities for good spin-offs from here...
Anyway, Merit & Ethan have begun to dream of a more boring life...where she could actually do some of the social chair things. Her bestie has also gotten married....which leads to some speculation of whether Ethan will truly propose...within this century. Prophesy, tests....lots of things spinning around. And a rich, power & money-hungry villain.
It's funny and hot, action-packed and thrilling. Great book, and it's a series I'll re-read.