R16: Team #16 ~ Seeing Double

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Well, that sounds like you liked it. LOL.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I did 😁

[Lis]

Completion post - Shelf 1 - Finished



Title/Author: Hunter's Claim by S.E. Smith
Series: The Alliance #1
Date Read: 3/13/2018
Shelf: Shelf 1 - Futuristic Romance
Pages: 236
Rating: ★★★☆☆

Review: This is the first book in SE Smith's Alliance series. This follows the aftermath of the Alliance's arrival on Earth and the four years of survival that Jesse and her younger sisters, Jordan and Taylor. Hunter is a Trivator, which is an alien race that has taken control of Earth and fighting several resistance groups that are destroying the earth. Its basically a free for all with the worst of society showing its true colors and fighting the aliens that were called here to help. Jesse stumbles across Hunter when she is searching for food to feed her sisters and decides to rescue the warrior before the gang that captured him kills him. The story then turns into classic Alien sees pretty human girl, hunts her down and decides she is to be his mate, known as an "Amate" to the Trivators.

The good, I liked the characters and the storyline was interesting enough for me to continue with the series. The main characters had decent chemistry.

The bad, little cheesy at times and somewhat predictable. Typical, "me 7 foot alien alpha male stud muffin will take care of you weak 5 foot beautiful and spunky human girl" premise. This is a PNR series, so I had a little difficulty with the younger 17 and 15 year old sisters basically being matched up with Hunter's fellow (just like brothers) warriors. Nothing physical, just the territorial behavioral actions and growls that sorta stake the claim...

I guess I thought this series was related to her other alien series, Dragon Lords of Valdier or Sarafin Warriors, but it was not. I do plan to keep on reading this one, it just won't be bumped up to the top of my must read pile just yet.

[Lis]

Yay! I'm only 3 books behind schedule... Does anyone else set yearly reading goals then feel like a bad kid when you fall behind schedule? I feel like I'm back in school and deficient on homework. All self imposed mental craziness, I know. But I was so excited when Bingo popped up because I'll no longer be behind.

I also feel like I was a little harsh on this book, but it's so hard to transition from KMM or any of the authors I place on my personal high expectations pedestal then compare to a pure quick PNR romp in the same way. When you have years invested in Dani, Mac/Barrons or a Kate/Curran characters, then try to be fair to what I consider a more fun fluff read, I sound "witchy" Arghhhh!

[Kaity]

Book - Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh
Shelf - Futuristic Romance
Pages - 345 pages
Date Read - March 13
Rating - 5 stars
Review - I put off reading this for way too long! I really love the romantic relationships between Psy and Changelings, reading Mercy and Riley's story wasn't high on my priorities. I loved it from page one though, yum! It was really interesting watching them come to terms with being more than just partners and uneasy allies. Nalini Singh does such an amazing job writing tortured heroes. I fell madly in love with Riley so quickly.
As an added bonus, I loved the little snippets we saw of Sascha Darling.

[Kaity]

Steph wrote: "I enjoyed this introduction and Raime's story so much that I immediately searched for, bought and started reading book two, Shades of Honor. This book doesn't end on a cliffhanger, but I wasn't quite ready to let go of her story just yet. "

Wow...! That's awesome that you've already found a winning new series. :D Hope you're enjoying the second book.

[Kaity]

Lis wrote: "Yay! I'm only 3 books behind schedule... Does anyone else set yearly reading goals then feel like a bad kid when you fall behind schedule? I feel like I'm back in school and deficient on homework. ..."

I'm only 1 behind currently!... but I lowered my goal significantly from past years. I've been in a really weird reading slump lately where I only want to read "fluff" books or my favorite parts of books I've already read.

I can relate, especially on the Kate Daniels front. I know whatever book I read next is going to be judged unfairly. I usually try to pick something to read next that I won't be disappointed if it disappoints me, if that makes sense :P A random novella usually does the trick.

[Lis]

Kait wrote: "I've been a really weird reading slump lately..."

Me too! It's hard for anything UF or PNR to grab my attention... Except for a few of my "go to" series. And I really like UF... It sucks! I even went after several historical and contemporary romances over the holidays and a few WW2 stand alones to try and knock me out of it. (BTW All the Light We Cannot See and The Nightingale were pretty good). I think Bingo might do it.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Lis wrote: "Does anyone else set yearly reading goals then feel like a bad kid when you fall behind schedule?"

All the time! I always join GR's challenge and have lowered it dramatically (200 down to 100) because I've been reading less since we're traveling so much and, more importantly, I got sick of feeling bed whenever I spotted the "you're 10 books behind"! LOL!

Kait wrote: "Wow...! That's awesome that you've already found a winning new series. :D Hope you're enjoying the second book. "

Thanks. I am. It's not as good as Ann Aguirre's sci-fi series, but it fills that void for now. :)

I ❤ Nalini's Psy-Changeling series, but I've fallen behind a bit b/c I was kinda scared off Allegiance of Honor with all the poor reviews. But, since she's almost out with book two in the Trinity spin, I need to get back to it.

Hope Bingo helps ya both with the slump. Hate when those hit!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

I didn't think Allegiance was so bad, probably cause I'd lowered my expectations and then was pleasantly surprised :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

That’s what I’m hoping for myself when I read it :)

[Carrie]

Book - Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb
Shelf - Futuristic Romance
Pages - 343 pages
Date Read - March 14
Rating - 4 stars
Review - Book 6 out of oh my good who knows really?? I have been doing a book a month basically of this series and in my opinion this book was definitely the better of the bunch so far and I've enjoyed all to date.

Books/Movies/Tv shows that have religious murder or people who think that they are doing "gods" will by hurting others I find very fascinating.

Summerset, one of her husbands nearest and dearest is being set up to take the fall for the latest string of murders that detective Eve Dalles is working on. She's getting phones calls and riddles and it's up to here to solve them before he kills. The victims all people from her husband, Roarke's past from when he lived in Ireland.

Will I read the next book? Well of course.

[Lis]

@ Carrie I always feel like I'm watching a TV series when I read these. I'll be savoring 1-2 per month along side of you... I love the dislike / hate relationship between Summerset and Eve. The home life dynamics including the cat, crack me up. Lucky for us, the In Death series books appear on almost every Bingo shelf called...

[Carrie]

I can totally see where you are coming from. It would make for a good show tbh. We need more of her cat and I want more Peabody.

[Lis]

Wonder if we could get Netflix to do it... hmmmm...

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Kait, you need to request the Stamp on the Stamp Request thread and link it back to the Captain's Log, otherwise the Head Ninja can't stamp you :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Seeing Double!
We now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'futuristic romance'. 

[We updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Yay!! :D

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sandra wrote: "Kait, you need to request the Stamp on the Stamp Request thread and link it back to the Captain's Log, otherwise the Head Ninja can't stamp you :)"

I covered for us on this one, Kait ;)

[Carrie]

Lis wrote: "Wonder if we could get Netflix to do it... hmmmm..."

They seem to be making everything else, what's one more lol

[Kaity]

Sandra wrote: "Kait, you need to request the Stamp on the Stamp Request thread and link it back to the Captain's Log, otherwise the Head Ninja can't stamp you :)"

I can request before it's verified in the Captain's Log? (I was thinking I had to wait for verification)

[Kaity]

Carrie wrote: "
Book - Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb
Shelf - Futuristic Romance
Pages - 343 pages
Date Read - March 14
Rating - 4 stars
Review -..."

I loved the look we got at Roarke and Summerset's backgrounds. I love 'mysterious Roarke' but I still want to know everything about him!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Yeah, we verify the log posts, but you don't have to wait for that before requesting stamp. One of us will let ya know if there's an error keeping team from getting stamp. Thanks :)

[Kaity]

Lis wrote: "Wonder if we could get Netflix to do it... hmmmm..."

Sign me up!

[Kaity]

Steph wrote: "Yeah, we verify the log posts, but you don't have to wait for that before requesting stamp. One of us will let ya know if there's an error keeping team from getting stamp. Thanks :)"

Sounds good! I will remember for the next one :) I couldn't remember from last round but managed to talk myself into needing to wait.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

No worries.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Tired & Emotional!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

😛

[Kaity]

Shelf #2 ~ 14/3/18: Immortals
DIRECT LINK - https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

[Carrie]

Kait wrote: "Carrie wrote: "
Book - Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb
Shelf - Futuristic Romance
Pages - 343 pages
Date Read - March 14
Rating - 4..."

This was a hard book at times, poor Summerset, his little girl. Monsters :(

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Woot Woot! Guess what's on this shelf, ladies?!
<-- is shelved as Immortals by one lovely person! Yay! :D
That's my book choice for this shelf.

[Carrie]

Oh my gods there is so many to chose from.

[Carrie]

So I have narrowed it down to 2 possibilities or

[Lis]

Woot Woot! Squared.... I will be reading for my Immortals shelf.

Yay! Stamp dancing too.

[Kaity]

I will be reading for Immortals.

[Kaity]

Steph wrote: "Woot Woot! Guess what's on this shelf, ladies?!
shelved as Immortals by one lovely person! Yay! :D
That's my book choice for this shelf."

Yay! What a kind, fortuitous shelver for you and Lis :D

[Kaity]

Carrie wrote: "So I have narrowed it down to 2 possibilities or "

Both good choices! I was debating between the book I ended up going with and the fourth in that Argeneau series

[Carrie]

After I slept on it it is

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Enjoy, Carrie :)

I'm almost done w/my book. Didn't wanna finish it in one sitting, so I forced myself to put it down for a bit.

[Lis]

Steph wrote: "I'm almost done w/my book. Didn't wanna finish it in one sitting, so I forced myself to put it down for a bit."

Half way there... trying not to rush it too much, the wait between books kills me... I would really like to have a book or novella from Bran's POV someday.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Lis, I was looking at her website yesterday and she specifically says in the FAQ that there is no way that is gonna happen. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. :(

[Steph, Serious series addict]

😣 waaaaah, that stinks, but I just re-read her answer to the question and guess leaving him a mystery will have to suffice. I saw she'll be writing another book this year featuring characters from Seeing eye.

I’m writing another Alpha and Omega novel (2018), followed by a new spin-off based on a couple of characters from a short story (“Seeing Eye”). That book (also 2018) will be released as a paperback—as a thank you to fans, and to give curious readers who are intimidated by seeing Book #10 to get a gentle introduction into the Mercy Thompson world.

That was revealed in a Q&A @ Under the Covers blog in 2016, so I'm not sure if the timeline has changed or not.

Will be posting my review shortly. Still sorting my thoughts on it.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #
Shelf: Immortals
Read: 17 Mar
Rating: ✮✮✮✮½

My Review:
Burn Bright mainly focuses on a whodunnit and why mystery, delving into areas of Bran's territory many haven't explored, including us. Over the years, Bran has taken in wildlings, those who "... were, as a whole, both dangerous and fragile." They live in the mountains, "separate from everyone, their homes and territory protected by the pack because it was in everyone's best interest for no one to intrude in what peace they could find." This is Bran's territory, but he's currently out of town. Charles and Anna must do what they can to protect those under his protection until Bran returns.

They were so fragile, these wildlings of his da's. Dangerous as all get out, but they were fragile.

My thoughts: The good, the sad and the WTH ~
The Good:
~ We get to meet some of Bran's most vulnerable, yet powerful wolves
~ Charles reconfirms his spot on my "one of the most sensitive and thoughtful mates in UF" list
~ We see Anna further "explore" her Omega abilities (view spoiler)[and it's wicked! The fact that she was able to break a hundred year old curse on Wellesley, with Charles' help, should prove interesting going forward. Will she be able to help wounded wolves in other new and interesting ways? (hide spoiler)]
~ Leah takes up too much space in this installment for my liking, but Patricia Briggs did a good job trying to help readers understand not just her, but also her relationship with Bran (This was a fail for me, but good effort nonetheless)

The Sad:
~ My heart breaks thinking of Patricia's loss of her husband in early 2017; a theme of this installment was definitely loss - the thought of loss, actual loss, devastation following loss
~ Is this the final installment in the Alpha & Omega spinoff? If so, it definitely feels open-ended with more to be answered/revealed, which makes me sad
~ (view spoiler)[I wish we could've known Hester and Jonesy. What an interesting pair! So sad when she was murdered, which lead to Jonesy taking his own life. His hoard of magical bits and bobs ... will we find out what they were, what they do, who'll protect them from the Gray Lords finding them? (hide spoiler)]
~ (view spoiler)[The thought of Charles having to kill Bran at some point is beyond depressing. I can't even. (hide spoiler)]

WTH?
~ This is a same-world series, so storylines crossing back and forth makes total sense. But, um, what's up with this? (view spoiler)[

"Bran is funny about Mercy."

"Bran's not funny about her," he told Anna, feeling uncomfortable. "He thinks of her as his daughter, and he doesn't have any other daughters alive. There's nothing strange about it."

Yes. I saw it, of course I did. As did Leah. But my da would never have moved on Mercy. Say what you will about him - but his wolf has accepted Leah as his mate, and he will not cheat on her.

"Mercy has never seen him as anything except a father figure and her Alpha. That's what she needed, and that's what he gave her. I don't think Mercy has ever recognized that it could be more than that."

(hide spoiler)]

What the What?!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Great review! And I second the WTH!!!! I'm thinking she was still grieving but I will be very happy if nothing more is ever said about that!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Thanks! Yeah, I was really caught off guard by that and hope it doesn't make an appearance in the next Mercy book.

Do you know if this is the A&O finale? I think I read that somewhere, but I wasn't able to confirm it on her site, so now I'm wondering if I mixed it up with another series.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

I hadn't heard that anywhere so I really don't know. But I hope it isn't so. There were enough dangling bits, especially the witches, that she'd have plenty of material.

I wasn't caught off guard cause I'd read a few reviews with the "eww" factor, but they were all taking it seriously, so I was a bit worried till I read the waffle between Charles & Anna. Really, neither of them are trained psychologists, they haven't interviewed them, its just their impression of events. And so what if Anna is an omega, she doesn't peer into Bran & hardly knows Mercy. Like I said, I think it was just PB having a brain snap & still grieving Mike.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Phew. Okay, that makes me feel better. I agree; there's a lot more there to tell.

Yeah, I skipped all reviews and didn't know it was coming. Hope it was just as you feel - a snafu that wouldn't show up ever again. LOL!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Even if it does rear its ugly head, I won't be believing it!! So there PB!!

[Lis]

Sandra wrote: "Lis, I was looking at her website yesterday and she specifically says in the FAQ that there is no way that is gonna happen. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. :("

Nooooooo!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Lis wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Lis, I was looking at her website yesterday and she specifically says in the FAQ that there is no way that is gonna happen. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news. :("

Nooooooo!!"

Right?!

Sandra wrote: "Even if it does rear its ugly head, I won't be believing it!! So there PB!!"

LOL! Same.

[Lis]

I'm covering my eyes and not reading your review Steph... yet...

Still trying to digest a few things in the first half of the book. 5 chapters to go. Had to stop because I'm "hangery" and need to fix food. Spring diets suck!!