R:8 - Psychotic Pineapples

[Jennifer H]

Leslie, Lizz had already claimed flame so if you could pick another "4 elements" that would be great! :)

[Mandy]

Week 5
Read:
Finished: 8/13
Rating: 5 star
Review
I knew from the moment I saw the cover that I had to read Storm Siren because it’s just so beautiful. Storm Siren is a fantasy novel that captures the reader right from the start loaded with action, suspense, and even a little romance. I’ve been burned out on epic style fantasy for a while but I found the story unique and refreshing it left me wanting more. I connected with Nym she’s not perfect and comes from a tragic back story which made her feel more real. I also found a few other characters in the story interesting even if I didn’t care for her Adora was very unique. I really enjoyed the way the novel is written it flows smoothly from start to finish it’s one of those books that’s easy to get lost in and I did lose all track of time. I loved Haven she didn’t have any lines but she found a place in my heart. The author has created a spellbinding new series that is must read for all fantasy fan it has everything you could possible need. I highly recommend it, and it was a perfect book to pull me out of my fantasy funk. I can't wait for the next one.

Items Claimed
4 Elements--Fire ~ Pg 50 “An Elemental.” He moves to return the boiling liquid over
the fire.
Gemstones--Stone** ~ pg 71 I lean against the stone of my room’s fireplace and push the
knife blade farther into my arm, just above my elbow, until the scorching pain sucks the air from my lungs.
Holidays--Soldier ~ pg 105 The soldier’s chair flips out behind him as he jerks up and stands to wave his hand at Breck and the officials.
The Head--Tongue ~ pg 92 With a low click of my tongue, the two of us
are off in an awkward, arrogant gallop onto the main road before
Colin’s even mounted.
Bonus--Smoke* ~ pg 89 I cough in the thickening
smoke and begin to cry, but this time when I call for Mum, I already know she won’t come.

[Christina T]

Week 5

Blood BoundbyPatricia Briggs
8/13/14
Rating ★★★★

Review: It's been a long time since I read the first book in the Mercy Thompson series and I was afraid I'd be lost. I was able to just pick up where I left off pretty easily except some of the secondary characters just didn't ring a bell with me. I was surprised by all the new world building that happened in this book. By book 2 we've already established general rules and such but this book focused on vampires. There were a lot of vampire rules. At times I felt there was almost too much information coming my way and the term "info dump" kept sneaking into my brain while reading. What I liked about this book was Mercy, although preternatural, was not super-human. She was quicker than a human but if someone punched her, it hurt her. Unlike some other paranormal characters, who could get beat within an inch of their lives and still walk to the local pub for a pint afterwards. I also liked some of the secondary characters. Stefan is such an interesting character and one I'd like to see more of. Adam and Samuel are also pluses but they didn't intrigue me as much as Stefan did.
What I didn't like: The love....um double triangle? We have Mercy and Samuel. Mercy and Adam. And the possibility of Mercy and Stefan (he cares for Mercy, in my eyes, more than just a friend.) I don't care for love triangles let alone something this complex. Another thing I'm not loving is all the dominance being thrown around with the werewolves. The all seem to want to dominate Mercy. I understand their need to protect but there is a lot of subservience going on that I have a hard time going a long with no matter how much Briggs explains it. Also, what is up with the cover? Mercy has one tattoo. ONE. Why does she have tons on the cover?


WoW-Stone~~Page84 It wasn't Adam's or Peter's fault that werewolves had yet to come out of the Stone Age.
Bonus-Smoke~~Page 55 He smelled of coconut sunscreen and cigarette smoke.
Element-Earth~~Page148 "Beings who would scare the human population into launching a genocidal wave that would wipe out every fae off the face of the Earth if they knew them."
Holiday-Fireworks~~Page13 Apparently, as in werewolf fights, battles between vampires have a lot of impressive fireworks before the main show.
The Head-Pupils~~Page68 His eyes looked blind, with irises that were startling white, and no pupils at all.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

I've updated the spreadsheet. Please make sure your items are posted correctly.

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/c...

[Jennifer H]

Just a reminder, Leslie. Lizz had already claimed flame in post 55 so if you could pick another "4 elements" that would be great! :)

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Week 6:The Head~Freckle and Bonus~Chair

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Leslie~I'm sorry I should have given you the of items already claimed.

4 Elements:Flame, Ocean/Sea, Magic, and Element
Gemstones:Diamond, Crystal, Sparkle, and Stone
Holidays:Champagne, Egg, Flag, Fireworks, and Gift
The Head:Skull, Pupil, Eyelash, Eyebrow, and Jaw

I hope this helps you for future reference!

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Here's my list of words:

4Elements~Earth
Gemstones~Emerald
Holidays~Champagne
The Head~Freckle
Bonus~Chair

[~Leslie~]

Sorry!! I'm fixing it now. Will update post if that's okay or do you want me to repost?

[Jennifer H]

Just update and let me know you have :)

[~Leslie~]

Updated!!

I'll be reading for Week 6

WOW: Freckle
Bonus: Chair

Elements: Water
Gemstones: Emerald
Holidays: Beer

[Christina T]

Another week and one of mine has been called again. What rotten luck!

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Christina wrote: "Another week and one of mine has been called again. What rotten luck!"

I know the feeling one of mine was called too.

[Mandy]

Week 6

Claiming
4Elements~Water
Gemstones~Sapphire
Holidays~Dinner
The Head~Freckle
Bonus~Chair

[~Leslie~]

Finished my book. Will write up a review and post tomorrow.

[~Leslie~]

**Updated**

Week 6

8/16/14 4★
Review: I have kind of a love-hate relationship with this series but with this one, I'm back to loving it. The whole series works so much better when Reyes is part of it. I loved the storyline of the dead women - though it was really creepy. And I loved that Reyes is back in her life - though the scene on the dining table was a little much! Looking forward to the next one.

WOW: Freckles p. 89 she was a blond with freckles
Bonus: Chair p. 40 I sat on a chair
Element: Water p. 185 a blast of scorching water
Gemstones: Ruby p. 129 with a ruby in the center
Holidays: Beer p. 132 I had a few beers

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Leslie, you already claimed Earth. Could you please pick another word from 4 Elements please?

[~Leslie~]

Sorry, your problem child strikes again! I will fix it.

The correct element is water.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Thank you!

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Week #6:Freckle and Chair
by Diana Gabaldon
Finished:8/17/14
Rating:5 Stars
Review:Another sweeping addition to The Outlander Series. Words can't express how deeply moving and how powerful this story is for me. I've read other historical fiction novels but none compare to Diana Gabaldon's in my humble opinion. If you've read Outlander I urge you to run to your nearest book outlet or library to do so.

Items Claimed
4 Elements~Earth:Part of earth and stone and water. Page 152
Gemstones~Emerald:Trees hang heavy as emeralds. Page 1185
Holidays~Champagne:She picked up the bottle of champagne. Page 246
The Head~Freckle:His facelooked like a patchwork, dark freckles. Page 712
Bonus~Chair:The gentleman occupying the only chair. Page 38

[Christina T]

I'm reading

[Mandy]

I'll be done tomorrow night with my book.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Sounds good to me.

[Mandy]

Week 6 Freckles & Chair
Read
Finished 8/21/14
Rating 4 stars
Review
I’ve had Songbird on my kindle since it first came out. I fell in love with the concept and the cover was just a bonus but I never found the time till just now. I can’t believe I waited so long because I really enjoyed the story. I really liked the characters I was able to connect with Melodee she’s a cage fighter and I found her very interesting. Songbird is a happy ever after novel with two people from different worlds who find love after a tragedy. I really loved the chemistry between Melodee & Nate they just worked right from the start. A fast paced novel that I had a hard time putting down I was enchanted with the characters that I had to know how it would end. I really loved the story it was beautifully written and a fantastic first installment. I also liked that we are giving a taste of the Sinclair brothers and look forward to seeing future novels with them.

Claiming
4Elements~Water - 62% - Melodee took a small drink of water before dumping the rest down the sink.
Gemstones~Sapphire - 78% - It's diamond and sapphire, to match your stunning eyes.
Holidays~Dinner - 50% - After dinner they crowded into the living room.
The Head~Freckle - 95% - I was just grateful I didn't have the freckles usually accompanying red hair and fair skin.
Bonus~Chair - 49% - Charles brought forward the high chair which had been against the back wall, so far unused.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Holidays~Fireworks
Bonus~Sun

Here's my list of words
4 Elements~Wind
Gemstones~Jewelry
Holidays~Fireworks
The Head~Tongue
Bonus~Sun

[~Leslie~]

Darn, I've already done Fireworks. Oh well!

I will look for a book.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

~Leslie~ wrote: "Darn, I've already done Fireworks. Oh well!

I will look for a book."

I know the feeling!

[Mandy]

Will planet earth work or does it need to be earth to plant flowers

[Jennifer H]

Any type of earth will do :)

[Mandy]

Your fast Jennifer. Thank you

[~Leslie~]

I am really struggling finding a book. All the ones I had planned to read this week don't have the words I want. Ugh. Keep looking!

[~Leslie~]

I will be reading

My words will be:

Holiday: Fireworks (already picked)
Bonus: Sun
4 Elements: Rock
Gemstone: Onyx
Head: Tongue

Angie - my book has jewelry as well. Would it help us if I chose that word instead? And I can do wind, too. Just let me know!

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

~Leslie~ wrote: "I will be reading

My words will be:

Holiday: Fireworks (already picked)
Bonus: Sun
4 Elements: Rock
Gemstone: Onyx
Head: Tongue

Angie - my book has ..."

Leslie if you want to use Jewelry too it would help us finish that category this upcoming week. That would be great but no pressure to do it from me okay.

[~Leslie~]

That's fine, Angie! That's why I asked.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Good to know!

[Mandy]

I'm reading

Claiming
Holiday: Fireworks
Bonus: Sun
4 Elements: Earth
Gemstone: Pearl
Head: Forehead

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Week #7:Fireworks and Sun
by Jim Butcher
Finished:8/24/14
Rating:4 Stars
Review:Our hero Harry Dresden goes up against The Denerians again while trying to protect Macrone's interests as signer of The Accords. Harry brings in the Archive whom he calls Ivy only to have her kidnapped in the process. Now it's up to Harry and company to rescue both Macrone and Ivy too from Denerians schemes. Can our hero pull off the rescue? Your answers await you in Small Favor.

Items Claimed
4 Elements~Wind:Then the wind came. Page 38
Gemstones~Jewelry:They gave me jewelry. Page 140
Holidays~Fireworks:Or a kid with fireworks. Page 231
The Head~Tongue:The coffee which burned my tongue. Page 62
Bonus~Sun:I spoke a quiet word and a sphere of fire, bright as a tiny sun. Page 161

[~Leslie~]

Nice review, Angie! That one is next to read for me.

I started my book!

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

~Leslie~ wrote: "Nice review, Angie! That one is next to read for me.

I started my book!"

Thanks, I just love this series! I csn't get enough of it. I've been doing a re~read its probably either my fifth or seventh one.

[~Leslie~]

So, do you rate them differently the different times you read them? Just curious. I'm re-reading a series and I find that I sometimes give a different rating.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

~Leslie~ wrote: "So, do you rate them differently the different times you read them? Just curious. I'm re-reading a series and I find that I sometimes give a different rating."

Ratings for me usually go as follows for re~reads:
Did my original rating change with reading it again
Was my enjoyment the same or better
Did I learn something new from reading it again.

I tend to rate my reviews at 4 Stars mostly and 3 Stars. 1 and 2 Stars very rarely. It takes alot for me to give a 5 Star rating.

[~Leslie~]

I find that I give out 5 stars more easily for some genres than others. I am much harder on Romantic Suspense than I am on Historical Romance. The same goes for Paranormal Romance. I more easily give out 5's to a PNR book than I do to Urban Fantasy.

Good system on re-reads - I may steal it. I always struggle with it. Do you shelve the book each time you read it, or change the original book you posted?

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

I don't specific shelves on here. Well that's not exactly true:I've got a first reads shelve for book reviews. Other than that it's the standard read shelve on here.

[~Leslie~]

Week 7
Pleasure of a Dark Prince8/27/14 3.5 ★

Review:
I had my issues with this story, but overall I liked it alot. MacRieve was a sweetie, and I wanted to bash Lucia several times, it's still the worldbuilding and writing that cause me problems.

Holiday(WOW): Fireworks p. 170 New Year's cache of fireworks
Bonus: Sun p. 148 the sun peeked through
Gemstone: Jewelry p. 38 she wore no makeup or jewelry
4 Elements: Rock p. 141 she hung onto a rock cleft
Head: Tongue p. 52 coaxing her with his tongue

[Christina T]

Sorry team. I thought I had posted in all my groups that I was leaving for vacation but I don't see a post from me here. I am back but won't have time to read a book for this week's words and I didn't have time while on vacation to read last weeks either. Since I'll be missing 2 books/reviews would it be best to find another teammate?

[Jennifer H]

Christine, you finished a book on the 15th, Eat Prey Love that has freckle in it. I will let you use that book for the week freckle was the word of the week. You can pick 3 other words from the remaining categories to go with that book. Then all you have to do is read a book that has firework and sun in it for this weeks word of the week. And you will be caught up.

[Christina T]

Thanks Jennifer....

Week 6

Eat Prey LovebyKerrelyn Sparks
8/15/14
★★1/2 (rounded down to 2★s)

Review
I normally enjoy these Love at Stake books but this one just missed the mark. Both H and h were so drawn to each other physically that this was the basis of their relationship. The cute fun humor that I loved about most of the other books in this series is all but missing. The h comes across almost desperate. I don't think Sparks took enough time to develop Caitlyn's character plus the aspect of her father mind manipulating her, her entire life is not really addressed. Plus Sparks' shapshifter world rules seemed to have gotten re-written in this book because Carlos is a cat shifter and not a werewolf like the other shifters in previous books. A disappointing book that would have been 1 star if it hadn't been for the supporting characters being really interesting.


Freckle--WoW Pg 41 "Her nose was sprinkled with a few freckles."
Beer Pg 11 "Beer, she assumed, for the adults."
Jewelry Pg 236 "...two were village workshops for making intricate silver jewelry."
Flames Pg 154 "It looked like a black panther leaping through flames."
Bonus--not claimed

[Mandy]

Week 6
Read
Finished 8/28/2014
Rating - 4 Star

Review
I’ve had Skulk on my kindle since it first came out with every intention of getting to it but never seemed to get around to it. I found the concept for Skulk interesting the author has taken the shifter aspect and put her own unique spin creating an exciting new story. I loved the idea for how Meg became a shifter, the fact that the shifts aren’t the typical species spiders, foxes, butterflies, raven, and rats. I think the author did a great job of creating characters who are easy to connect with as well as characters to dislike. Skulk is fast paced novel that is loaded with action, and suspense that kept me on the edge of my seat dying to know what would happen next to Meg. I honestly really enjoyed the whole story it captured my imagination and Meg stole my heart as my new favorite kick ass shifter. It’s a clean story that teens as well as adults will enjoy. I’m looking forward to reading the next installment because I need to know how it’s all going to play out.

ClaimingFireworks & Sun
Holiday: Fireworks ~ 29% ~ Little details flashed into my mind like fireworks going off.
Bonus: Sun ~ 5% ~ I turned to stare out of the back door, across the lawn, as the sun rose over the roofs of Kensington, behind the sculpted cherry trees.
4 Elements: Earth ~ 9% ~ I knelt down on the patch of earth by the shed, and dug out the triangular plastic protractor from the bottom of my bag.
Gemstone: Ruby ~ 45% ~ Don said our stone was a ruby.”
Head: Forehead ~ 1% ~ There was a stone statue by the side of the gate, a sort of knee-high roaring lion thing that we all called Henry, with at least fifty years’ worth of old chewing gum stuck behind its ears.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Week 8:4 Elements~Flame and Bonus~Lightning

My Word list
4 Elements~Flame
Gemstones~Ruby
Holidays~Candy
The Head~Skull
Bonus~Lightning

[~Leslie~]

I am headed out of town in a few minutes - will look for books and post later. I'll be in New Orleans over the weekend but will have my laptop with me.