R3: SS Awesome Fireballs (3)

[Skandia]

I'm slowly making my way through In Death series and I'm up to book 5. It's really good series but I'm not so good series reader and there are so many :)

[Skandia]

Mean Streak by Sandra Brown

Week 6, spot 38 (2014)

Finished 10/04/14
4 stars

While training for a marathon, Dr. Emory Charbonneau, a pediatrician , disappears without a trace on a mountain road in North Carolina. The search is hindered by the extremely difficult weather conditions. Despite of the conditions, her husband and local police detectives try to find out what happened to her and are determined to find her.

With this mystery Sandra Brown has again established herself as a great suspense writer and this could easily be one of the best books I have read by her. No slowing down, no long boring descriptions and no repetitiveness sometimes typical to her writing. The story was fast paced with twists and turns and surprises I could not predict and for me this makes a mystery worth reading. There were some small questionable moves but they absolutely didn't interfere with enjoying the book in whole.

I don't read much mysteries because I usually figure out the plot quickly and after that loose interest in a story. This was definitely not the case this time. Good mystery, great suspense and some romance, which to my surprise was the least favorite part of this book. (view spoiler)[I was hesitant to buy the Stockholm Syndrome plot but it too, eventually, grew on me (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Week 6: Space 38
3rd in a series
Silence
Completed September 7, 2014

Well this was definitely a huge improvement over the last book! I found Nora much less annoying (the main trait that irritated me was her jealousy (view spoiler)[the fact that she couldn't remember Patch for a good half of the book might have had something to do with this improvement! (hide spoiler)]) I also really appreciated the reduction in Vee's importance. I just really don't like her, she is a terrible friend and way to enthusiastic for me. I also felt Scott's character was greatly improved.

I found the plotline of this one really grabbed me. I listened to the audiobook and I just didn't want to stop listening! The cliffhanger at the end makes me really excited to read the next one!

[Cathy]

Week 6: Space 38
2014

Completed: 10/8/14
Rating:4 stars

Even though parts of this book were predictable and the heroine was being stupid, I enjoyed this book. I like the main male character (who has been in the previous books in this series) and I was glad that he got his HEA.

[Melissa]

Cathy wrote: "Week 6: Space 38
2014

Completed: 10/8/14
Rating:4 stars

Even though parts of this book were predictable and the heroine was being stupid, I enjoyed this book. I ..."

I have yet to read one of her books but I know so many people who are big fans of hers

[Skandia]

Team : Awesome Fireballs
Roll 6: rolled 5 (4+1)
Space: 38


Skandia - Mean Streak by Sandra Brown (2014) 10/4/14 review
Kelsi - Silence by Becca Fitzpatrick (Hush, Hush #3) 10/7/14 review
Cathy - Then Came You by Jill Shalvis (2014) 10/8/14 review
Barbara - Dark Blood by Christine Feehan (2014) 10/8/14 review
Melissa - The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (2014) 10/10/14 review

[Barbara ★]

Kelsi wrote: "Haha you're brave Barbara! That Dark series does look good though, I added it to my list! Hopefully I will get to if eventually :p"

It's not a series you want to read back to back as they are very similar. Better to space this one out.

[Barbara ★]

Skandia wrote: "I'm slowly making my way through In Death series and I'm up to book 5. It's really good series but I'm not so good series reader and there are so many :)"

This is one of the best series out there. I'm waiting for #39 to become available as an audiobook. I just love the narrator who does a spectacular Rourke!

[Barbara ★]

Week 6 - Spot 38

Dark Blood - Christine Feehan (published 2014)
FINISHED 10/8
4 stars

I've been a fan of this series since the first book. I love the alpha males (though honestly Zev was rather rough, sexually anyway, with Branka). Feehan's heroines have always been super independent and capable of fighting just as any of the men are. I really like that. Branislava has unbelievable magic and it was a real pleasure to see her kick the ass of both Xaviero and Xavyion.

I liked how this one ended and look forward to future books where Zev and Branka return as secondary characters. I'd like to see Zev being a daddy, if (when) they have children.

[Barbara ★]

Melissa wrote: "Cathy wrote: "Week 6: Space 38
2014


I have yet to read one of her books but I know so many people who are big fans of hers "

If you like sweet romances set in small towns where everyone knows everything (and has no trouble interfering), oh and animals too, you'll like this series. Her series set in Lucky Harbor is even better.

[Skandia]

I'm a small town romance fan but somehow I wasn't that impressed with the first Lucky Harbor book by Jill Shalvis. I must try the Animal Magnetism series.

[Melissa]

I should have my book done either tonight or early tomorrow morning. I've been working extra hours this week so haven't had as much time to read as I would like.

[Melissa]

Week 6 space 38-2014
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski]
Rating: 4 stars
Read: 10/10/2014


First let me say that I love love love the cover. With her hand holding the R. I could stare at this cover all day.

The story started off slow but soon enough I was dragged into it and didn't want to stop reading. I loved the slow build of friendship to love between Arin and Kestrel. I loved that Kestrel was a strong female who kicks butt but yet is flawed and has many weaknesses. This didn't quite end on a cliff hanger and yet I sooooo want to read the next book.

[Skandia]

I rolled a 8 (6+2) and we are now on spot 46

- #4 in series
- #6 in series
- #46 in series
or book from On Kindle shelf

[Skandia]

I will read by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #4)

[[deleted user]]

I'm going to read The Giver which is #158 on the On Kindle list (I think, for some reason this list has no numbers...it's on page 4 anyway)

[Barbara ★]

I'll read - Jaye Wells (Sabina Kane #4)

[Cathy]

I'll read . It is on page 2 of the on kindle list.

[Melissa]

I'll read did a search on it's shelves and on-kindle is listed https://www.goodreads.com/work/shelve...

[Barbara ★]

Week 7 - spot #46

Silver-Tongued Devil - Jaye Wells (Sabina Kane #4)
FINISHED 10/11
4 stars

I've enjoyed this series tremendously and Sabina Kane has matured into a responsible, self-possessed magepire (mage/vampire). She has come into her own and is finally taking things seriously. All hell breaks loose on the night of the peace treaty signing. I admit that I didn't see that coming. Well yeah I knew something had to go wrong since everything had been pretty easy going up to that point. But man was that ending a shocker. I can't wait to see how everything is eventually resolved in New Orleans.

[Skandia]

Fall from India Place by Samantha Young
Week 7, spot 46 (#4 in series)

Finished 10/13/14
4,5 stars

I love Samantha Young's writing and I love this series. It's easy reading but emotional and witty. Her books make you laugh and also make you feel the hard times and troubles with the characters.
This fourth book is about Hannah - Ellie's and Braden's kid sister and the smart, funny girl is all grown up now. She has got herself through tough heartbreak very young and has left the sorrows behind her or has she really? This gorgeous boy who broke her heart so many years ago is back and wants a second chance. There is still so much to go through before these two will have their HEA.

In my opinion this is one of the best books in series and I enjoyed Hannah's and Marco's story very much.

[Cathy]

Week 7
Spot 46
On Kindle shelf

Completed 10/14/14
Rating: 4 stars

Review: This book is very dark. Olivia is kidnapped by Caleb and the entire story is about how he works to train her to be a pleasure slave. He has a plan to gain revenge on the man who did the same to him, and he needs Olivia as part of that. It is fascinating to watch the interactions between the two of them. I'm looking forward to reading the second book in this story.

[Skandia]

Team : Awesome Fireballs
Roll 8: rolled 5 (6+2)
Space: 46


Barbara - Silver-Tongued Devil by Jaye Wells (Sabina Kane #4) 10/11/14 review
Skandia - Fall from India Place by Samantha Young (On Dublin Street #4) 10/13/14 review
Cathy - Captive in the Dark by C.J.Roberts (On-Kindle list page 2) 10/14/14 review
Kelsi - The Giver by Lois Lowry (On-Kindle list page 4)10/16/14 review
Melissa - Demon Hunter and Baby by Anna Elliott (On-Kindle list page 169) 10/16/14 review

[Melissa]

Demon Hunter and Baby by Anna Elliott
Finished: 10/16/14
Rating: 3 1/2 stars
On-Kindles shelf

I enjoyed this one. I loved how she was a kick butt demon hunter chick with the twist of being a mom. It gave a great spin on the genre and answers the question on what a hunter like her does once they have children. Her only real skills are as a demon hunter and how better to protect her daughter from demons than to continue to do what she does best. This was a quick fun read.

[[deleted user]]

The Giver
Finished October 16, 2014
On-Kindle list, page 4
Rated 5 stars

I loved this one! Sad that I waited so long to read it.

In a world where everything is exactly the same people have forgotten how to see colour, are forbidden to feel pleasure (because it is not predictable), and they don't know what snow or sunshine are (because they control the weather for the sake of sameness). Jobs are assigned based on character traits, so everyone always does exactly what they are good at. Nothing is left up to chance or choice. It is all decided for them. Everything is always perfect, there are no mistakes.

Jonas becomes a receiver, the only one in the community. As the receiver he receives the memories from the past. He learns what life was like before sameness and realizes what he is missing. What life is like with choices and feelings. So thought-provoking. Definitely recommended.

[Skandia]

Great reading this week! We are ready to roll in an hour. Yay!

[[deleted user]]

Yay! Good job everyone!

[Melissa]

Whoo-hoo! Can't wait to see what we read next

[Skandia]

I rolled 6 (3+3) and we are now on spot 52

- book #5 in series
- book #2 in seies
- book #52 in series
or
- book published 2008

[Melissa]

Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter
Book #2 in series

[Skandia]

I have so many #2 books that I have to think about it for a while and see what I can fit into some other challenge as well.

[Melissa]

Skandia wrote: "I have so many #2 books that I have to think about it for a while and see what I can fit into some other challenge as well."

I'm in another team challenge right now and usually I pick one book for both challenges but I requested a pass this week for the other one. They wont announce the category till tonight and today is my only day off of work till next Friday. So I figure better to start this one right away and just skip the other one.

I have a bunch of #2 as well to read.

[Skandia]

I'll be reading by Kate Quinn , The Borgias #2

[Barbara ★]

I'll read by Katherine Irons (Seabourne #2)

[Cathy]

I'm going to read published in 2008.

[[deleted user]]

I will read Gathering Blue, #2 in The Giver series.

[[deleted user]]

Spot 52: book #2 in series
Gathering Blue
Completed October 22, 2014
Rated 2 stars

Hmmm...definitely didn't enjoy this one nearly as much as The Giver. I felt bored through a lot of it and am honestly not sure why this is even part of the series. The world seems completely different and there aren't even the same characters as The Giver. The only similarity I could see is they are both dystopian.

This one was about a young girl named Kira who is crippled from birth. She should have been sent to the field because she was unable to contribute to the society but her mother fought to keep her so she was allowed to stay and do simple work. Her mother dies and she is almost kicked out but is kept because she has talent as a weaver. The pacing and excitement of The Giver just isn't present in this one, the things that happened just didn't seem important and I didn't feel nearly as connected to Kira or the other characters.

I will still read the third book as I have heard it continues with the original storyline, hopefully it is better.

[Barbara ★]

Week 8 - spot #52

Oceanborne - Katherine Irons (Seabourne #2)
FINISHED 10/22
3 stars

I definitely had issues with this book. Those Atlantean swear words are just totally ridiculous and just rip the reader right out of the story. Can you imagine some guy actually saying any of these in place of "holy shit"?

-By Zeus' bullocks!
-By Ares' foreskin!
-By Aphrodite's sweet mound!
-By Ares' shaft!
-By Hades' rotten cock!

And my head almost spun completely around when Morwena came back from the dead and things went as normal as if the previous few chapters never happened. It took me a while to figure out what the heck did happen. It was those damn fairies and time travel. This totally threw me and I kept checking chapters to make sure the book was published in the proper sequence. What a mess.

The story was just too convoluted with no explanation for events and was really just too distracting. I really did like Orion and Elena and liked them together too...lots of chemistry.

[Skandia]

Lol @ those Atlantean swear words. They sure are distracting.

I'm halfway done with my book and I'll finish today, early tomorrow.

[Skandia]

Team : Awesome Fireballs
Roll 9: rolled 6 (3+3)
Space: 52


Kelsi - Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry (The Giver #2) 10/22/14 review
Barbara - Oceanborne by Katherine Irons (Seaborne #2) 10/22/14 review
Melissa - Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter (Alien Huntress #2)10/24/14 review
Cathy - Private Arrangements by Sherry Thomas (2008) 10/22/14 review
Skandia - The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn (The Borgias #2)10/24/14 review

[Cathy]

Week 8
Spot 52- published in 2008

Completed 10/22/14
Rating: 5 stars

Review: I always enjoy Sherry Thomas's books. The story lines are unique with a lot of emotion. In this one, the main female character made a big mistake and paid for it for a long time. I saw it coming and kept saying "don't do it, don't do it" but of course she did. The main male character is definitely stubborn. I can't believe he held onto his anger for soooo long. The amount of lost time is so sad even if the book ends happily.

[Barbara ★]

Skandia wrote: "Lol @ those Atlantean swear words. They sure are distracting.

I'm halfway done with my book and I'll finish today, early tomorrow."

the funny thing is that they are all said by the hero. I wasn't aware guys talked about other guys junk. lol

[Melissa]

I probably wont have my book done till tomorrow. I have quarter of the book left. I'll try and get it done tonight and put up review tomorrow.

[Skandia]

The Lion and the Rose by Kate Quinn
Week 8, spot 52 (#2 in series)

Finished 10/24/14
4 stars

Second book in The Borgia series set in Medieval Rome and told through the eyes of three main characters : Giulia – Cardinal Rodrigo Borgia's (Pope Alexander VI) concubine and the most beautiful Lady in Rome; Leonello – the dwarf bodyguard for Giulia, and finally Carmelina – the runaway cook from Venice.
Much darker and "bloodier" than the first book. All the characters fight for their lives and to break free from the iron hold of corrupt reign of the Borgias.
I liked the great atmosphere of medieval Rome the author had created and the spunky characters with different personalities. The narration that alternates between the three main characters worked really well for me.
I'm not sure if the more of chick-lit style historical story telling bothered me or was it a welcome change from the usual, more serious historical novels.
All in all a very good series with great characters and I will read more Kate Quinn's historical books in near future for sure.

[Melissa]

Enslave Me Sweetly by Gena Showalter
Week 8 Spot 52 read #2 in series

Finished 10/24/14
4 stars

This is the second book in the Alien Huntress series. I actually enjoyed this one more than the first one. I loved that it was totally separate from the first one and can be read on its own. I loved that again there was a kick ass female. However she had a vunerable side and was constantly forced to prove herself. I loved that she was an alien which gave it a different spin from the first.

[Skandia]

I rolled a 9 (6+3) and we are now on spot 61.

Looks like we'll have a winner this week. More than one team has rolled over the finish line.
It's totally up to you guys if you want to read a book for this likely final week or not. I'll have a stand alone book to read next week anyway so I might as well go on and read it.

[Melissa]

Yeah it looks like it is the final week. I'm not sure if I'll read or not. If I do I'll let you guys know. It's my birthday weekend so I might just read whatever I want :)

[Barbara ★]

I'm going to read anyway so it may as well count for this as well. #3 in series.

[[deleted user]]

I probably won't read one for this week then...thanks for a great run everyone! :)

[Melissa]

I'm going to be reading for another challenge but because of its length doubt I'll get it done in time for this week anyway. It was fun reading with you ladies!