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Paris
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Sep 18, 2014 07:19AM
I read the second book at work which was a bad idea. I had tears in my eyes from trying to hold in the laughter.
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Haha! Troubles and Treats today? :)
Roll 3: Spot 21 - Stand alone
Beyond Duty
★★★★
Why did I wait so long to read this book? I read the short long time ago and loved it. I guess I assumed that it was going to be heavy BDSM theme book or something. This had scene or two but that wasn't main focus of the story. The focus was two buddies who getting ready to retirement after more than 20 years in US Marines and finally ready to nut up about what they really had between each other. This is journey of them coming out of the closet to everybody in their lives and with their feelings for one another.
Overall it turned out to be really sweet story with some very hot hmm hmm scenes. I had no trouble connecting to already established couple. Which at times could be really difficult for me but everything work for me. I also have say that I wouldn't mind a prequel to this story. Mac and Gunny in their early years.
Nice review Tayajay! I was just wondering how everyone was doing with their books this week. Looks like you found a good one ;)
I read my book nearly week ago. I'm sort of distracted by other challenges over in the MM group.
Kristin wrote: "Haha! Troubles and Treats today? :)"Ifi didn't have a book that i have to finish and review by tomorrow I'd definitely be reading Troubles and Treats today.
Paris wrote: "Kristin wrote: "Haha! Troubles and Treats today? :)"Ifi didn't have a book that i have to finish and review by tomorrow I'd definitely be reading Troubles and Treats today."
hahah and I couldn't read the other book at work, so I read Troubles and Treats today and holy crap. Hilarious. I nearly hurt myself not laughing out loud.
LOL!! You are hilarious Paris! It was a fabulous series! You're going to have the whole thing read in 3 days! Haha!!I'm going to have to get those books back out pronto.. I'm watching The Fault in Our Stars and boo-hooing like a big baby & in need of some big laughs now!
You cannot go wrong with the Chocolate Lovers series. I hope the Chocoholic series is just as good. I've now finished all 3 full length novels and the novella in the Chocolate Lovers series. Too damn funny. Definitely re-readable and something I'll recommend to everyone I know.
Week # 3The time I had found out that all my team members are new friends of mine, I was super-excited to get a chance to discuss and read what you guys like. I am getting that in bits and pieces from the comments here but I hate that I am not able to be a part of the discussion due to a heavy work load recently. Hopefully I will get to hang around a bit more.
Roll # 3
Spot on the Board : 21
Requirement : First in Series
Book Read : Alpine for You | Maddy Hunter | 9/18/2014
Rating : ★★★★
Review
A cute divorcee in her late twenties accompanies her grandma on a tour to the Swiss Alps along with a few other septuagenarians. Then follows a series of deaths in suspicious circumstances, and by chance she gets to the core of the mystery, meanwhile finding time to romance a sexy Swiss police inspector and lose and reclaim her luggage.
Just as cute is the story sounds, its equally, if not more, funny ! Cozy fluffy mysteries are everyone's favorites (or so I think), and this one is a superb fit to the description. I had no inkling to anything pertaining to this book, author, storyline before this, but I chanced upon this and loved it.
What truly appealed me was that Maddy Hunter got a perfect blend of the character sketch and mystery going. Her weave of the humor in the suspense was appealing and tight. I might definitely read more of this series, as I truly feel that it is books like these which might not be a literary masterpiece, but they make you smile after a long hard day at work. :)
Here's mine, sorry it took me so long.Roll 3: Spot 21 - 1st book in the series
Book: Enchanted (Woodcutter Sisters, #1) by Alethea Kontis
Finished: 9/18/2014
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Enchanted is the first book of Woodcutter Sisters series and it tells the story of Sunday, the youngest sister who also happens to be the seventh of the seventh daughter which means that she is destined for some very great things.
I haven’t read too many fairy tales retellings but I like the idea a lot and I really enjoyed this tale. It’s sweet, romantic, clever and witty with plenty of magic and a few dark secrets. The story of The Princess and the Frog is at the core of this book but not the only familiar story involved. Alethea Kontis took some of the most beloved fairy tales and worked them into her book in the most delightful way. Some only make a minor appearance, others play important part in the plot, but I had a great joy recognizing and re-imagining them regardless of their importance for the narrative. I probably missed some which kind of makes want to look into it. Characters were for the most part very likable, charismatic and appealing (except for the bad guys obviously) and I can't wait to get to the second book which features Saturday Woodcutter, one of my favorites, as a main character.
Apoorv wrote: "Week # 3The time I had found out that all my team members are new friends of mine, I was super-excited to get a chance to discuss and read what you guys like. I am getting that in bits and pieces from the comments here but I hate that I am not able to be a part of the discussion due to a heavy work load recently. Hopefully I will get to hang around a bit more."
Work can be a bummer. I totally understand. Participate in the conversation when you can, it's not mandatory, just the one book a week is. But we'd love to chat with you when you have time. And definitely check out what we have to say about our books. You'll probably find yourself adding a ton of things to your to be read shelf. I know I do. Mine has become a never ending mountain of books. I don't think I'll ever run out of things to read.
Your book sounds fun. I just added it to my TBR.
ETA: I just added Elena's too. lol
I rolled a 7 tonight so we are on spot 28.Options
~Book 2 in a series
~Book 8 in a series
~Book with an author whose name starts with T (first, middle or last)
Hmm.. Decisions..decisions.. I've got it narrowed down to either:
--> "T" Author; 302 pages
--> 2 in series; 352 pages
-> 2 in series; 385 pages
Apoorv wrote: "Week # 3The time I had found out that all my team members are new friends of mine, I was super-excited to get a chance to discuss and read what you guys like. I am getting that in bits and pieces..."
Totally understand about work so don't feel bad - just glad to have you on the team!
Paris - I'm going with
this week. I loved the first book so like having a good reason to get to the next book in the series.
Nice Kristin, but you have to read Harder soon! LolI need to narrow down my choices today while I'm at work. But I think I might read another Tara Sivec book.
I am hoping to read "Harder" soon too! Just left a message with Ezi & Vicci to see if by chance it works for one of their challenges this week.... Not to be a pest... **cheesy smile**Wondered if you had any Tara Sivec books left?!! LOL!
Kristin wrote: "I am hoping to read "Harder" soon too! Just left a message with Ezi & Vicci to see if by chance it works for one of their challenges this week.... Not to be a pest... **cheesy smile**Wondered if you had any Tara Sivec books left?!! LOL! ."
Totally be a pest. They need to read it too!!
I actually have all of her books left except the Chocolate Lovers series. I own most of them, but just haven't had a chance to read them cause I'm lame.
HaHa! Paris - You are soooo far from lame! You are a total reading machine!!
Spot 28Book 2 in a series
by Rhonda ShawRating: 4 Stars
Finished: 9/19/14
I enjoyed the first book, The Changeup, in Rhonda Shaw’s Men of the Show series, but I didn’t really connect with either of the main characters. I did, however, like what I saw of Jerry and Karen, so I was eager to get to this book. They were just as awesome as I expected them to be. They are both witty and sarcastic, they fit so perfectly together. And holy cow were they hot together. I couldn’t get enough of them. I also loved the amount of baseball thrown into this story. Jerry’s issues were addressed in a realistic way and I’m such a sucker for baseball players, that I loved seeing him struggle and then find his way again.
I was not expecting the drama that happens in this book. I figured it would be your typical friends with benefits until they both give in type of story. One would fight it so hard that there would be a huge gap between them and then something would happen to make that one realize what they were missing…usually it’s seeing the other one with someone else. While there was the gap and the something to show them what they were missing, it was all very far from typical. It was great, although, I think it wrapped up rather abruptly. I absolutely loved the end and I hope we get more in this series and when we do, we see more of Jerry and Karen. In fact, I kind of have a feeling Karen’s sister Shannon might be next. Maybe with a certain catcher as her leading man?
Kristin wrote: "HaHa! Paris - You are soooo far from lame! You are a total reading machine!!"hahaha thanks Kristin. Most of the time I just can't stop myself.
So we've got two days until the next roll, how are everyone's books coming?
I had to change my original book choice because the author decided to postpone the release of the book. Now I'm about halfway through my new choice.
TayaJay wrote: "I had to change my original book choice because the author decided to postpone the release of the book. Now I'm about halfway through my new choice."I hate when that happens. I've got a book I've been waiting on...not even one of my favorite series or anything, just an interesting one. It was supposed to come out early this year, then was pushed to July and is now scheduled for March of next year.
I been waiting for this book for nearly a year. But it was postpone two days before its release for personal issue, which is understandable. I finished roll 4 book and should be posting my review before the next roll.
I'm done with mine, one review coming up! I read Castle in the Air - second in the series, 383 pages.
It looks like we are shaping up nicely this week for our roll tonight! :). I may or may not have been stalking Apoorv's updates and saw he was just over half way through a series 2 book... He seems to be a fast reader. ;)
Roll 4: Author: T - Prince Among Wolves by tylerfucklin
★★★★
Oh! I heart Sterek's fanfic and I heart this book. I discovered it two months ago and never look back. I can't even tell you how much I love this. The kids were cute and the sexual tension was just right on the border of being too much. This is one of the good ones. I know these two characters from the show and just love discovering each authors take on these two character. I would recommend this book to Sterek's fan.
Favorite Quote:
"Mommy is a gold diggin', blood tirsty hoah who will never see a single hair on our heads,"
Week # 4You really understand how much you love something, when you start missing its presence. These days reading has been just that for me. Thanks for these challenges, I make it a point to finish my one-book-a-week thingy atleast.
Roll # 4
Spot on the Board : 28
Requirement : Second in Series
Book Read : Top O' the Mournin' | Maddy Hunter | 9/25/2014
Rating : ★★★★
Review
I am not really a 'series' reader. I tend to read more standalones than series books coz I know I will have to / want to read the whole series and I have a nagging nerve which stops me from picking up a book in the middle of a series. So I tend to keep away from Series Books, normally. But then out of nowhere, you bump against an absolutely unknown author and unheard series' first and you get hooked and then there is no looking back. The same thing happened to me last week and the hangover continues thus far..
Maddy Hunter and her crazy antics in this Passport to Peril series has made my stress-inducing life absolutely cheery and dandy these past two weeks. I read Alphine for You last week and thanks to a wonderful roll this week, had to continue on to the next book in this laugh-riot series.
Maybe its just me, but I absolutely am loving Emily, her grandmother Nana and their outrageous activities. Emily, like last time, escorts the seniors' group to another trip, this time to Ireland. So, when these Iowans land in this beautiful place, their craziness reaches the roof. I dont know how many times I have in literal sense of the word, laughed out loud.
Irreverent, Irresistible, Incredible tale that is plain, even stupid, but very 'cozy'. I think, this series will turn me into a series reader. :)
Roll 4: Spot 28 - 2nd book in the series
Book: Castle in the Air (Howl's Moving Castle, #2) by Diana Wynne Jones
Finished: 9/24/2014
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Castle in the Air is the sequel to the wonderful Howl's Moving Castle and though all the familiar characters assume secondary roles and don't appear until much later in the story, the book is able to hold its own very well. It is set in Rashpuht, land south of Ingary (where the first book takes place), and follows the adventures of Abdullah - a carpet merchant and a notorious daydreamer.
Diana Wynne Jones pays a lovely tribute to The Arabian Nights tales (which I loved reading when I was growing up) in this book. You'll find it all here - an oriental bazaar, genie in a bottle, magic carpet, Sultan's daughter, and much like with the first book nothing is what it seems and every little detail counts. The writing is brilliant, very witty and imaginative, Jones' interpretation of Arabic flowery way of speaking had me in stitches. I am very glad I finally read this story and really looking forward to reading more of this remarkable author.
I rolled a 7 tonight so we are on spot 35.Options
~Book 3 in a series
~Book 5 in a series
~Book 35 in a series
~Book with an author whose name starts with K (first, middle or last)
ROLL 5 - Spot 35: Series Book 3 & Author "K"
is calling my name!
Kristin wrote: "ROLL 5 - Spot 35: Series Book 3 & Author "K" is calling my name!"YAY!!!!! This makes me happy. lol
Me too! I was pretty sure I would get to use this book this week.. Woo-Hoo!
Roll 5 - Spot 35: Series Book 3 & Author "K"
Book: Dead Sky Morning by Karina Halle
Read: 9/30/2014
Rated: ☆☆☆☆☆
Review: My Review
I am horribly slow this week due to excess work load.. I will try and squeeze in my review before I sleep tonight.. I dont remember off the top of my head, but do we have to specifically post before midnight today or do we have the leeway to post our reviews over the course of Friday as well ? This is incase I dont get back home before midnight and get to write my review.
You can post up until midnight Central time on Friday if you need to.
How's everyone else doing on their books? I have my review written, I just have to post it tonight after work.
Hello, fellow renegades! I'm reading
(3rd in the series). Not quite done yet but have time so should be good for tonight.
Spot 35Book 5 in a series
by Tess BaileyRating: 5 Stars
Finished: 9/30/14
I knew Matt’s story was going to be smoking hot, but damn. I don’t even know what to say. The first time Matt and Lucy get together, I think my computer melted. It started acting funny right after I finished that scene. I had a feeling about Matt as we got to know him in the previous books. He was also so quiet and controlled that he had to have something that he was keeping from his friends and I had a feeling I knew what it was. What I didn’t know, though, was what Matt was hiding about his past. I felt so horrible for Matt. The guilt he felt, even though ultimately, he had done nothing wrong.
I also felt for Lucy. She had made some decisions in the past that had her family labeling her and expecting the worst from her. But from where I stand, she is far from the nuisance or unpredictable girl they had all described. I really didn’t get that vibe from her at all. I think she and Matt were perfect together. They were exactly what the other one needed so that they could stop living under the weight that had either been forced on them or that they had taken upon themselves.
Every single one of their intimate scenes was scorching hot. I was sad that this book was shorter than the others, but the story was told so well. There were some dramatic moments that I wasn’t expecting. I figured most of the drama would stem from Lucy being Brent’s sister, but that was barely a blip on the radar of trouble. I definitely think that Tessa Bailey saved the best for last in this series. I would love to get one last glimpse of these couples; maybe a wedding novella or something. Anything that will give me a chance to enjoy them one last time.
--10/2Roll 5 - Spot 35: Author: K
Guns n' Boys: Book 1, Part 2 by K.A. Merikan-- 90,000 WORD COUNTS
★★★★★
This story should not be read out of order. I recommend you read part 1 before you read this. The second half of book 1 was even more delicious and funnier than the first half. If you want a nice love story then this not the book for you .This book is full on intense passion story with really f*ck up sh*t on the side. You learned that just because Domenico is not throw out the "I Love you" like skittles doesn't mean he doesn't feel for Seth. You get a very clear view of Dom's passion for Seth. As for the Family, it's bit slow on that corner but people do make definite move on what side they're on. I'm hook on this series and I just can't wait to so where the authors goes to next.
Okay, I'm off to bed. I can't roll tonight cause we are missing two reviews. I'll try to check in before I go to work in the morning. Checking in from work is tricky cause I cannot use my work computer so I have to do everything from my phone or Kindle Fire.After 5 pm PST tomorrow, I will not be able to roll. I have plans with friends and will not be able to get online until well after midnight central time (likely well after midnight my time). Someone else will need to roll if our reviews are in after 5 pm PST tomorrow. If they don't, I believe we will be a roll behind. It might be that as long as the reviews are posted before midnight central time, then I can roll after that and we'll be fine, but I'm not sure.
Hopefully, we won't have to worry about that and the reviews will be in before 5 pm pacific time.
Sorry I'm so late with this! I wrote it very late at night, hope it makes at least a little sense :)Roll 5: Spot 35 - 3rd book in the series, author K
Book: Hammered (The Iron Druid Chronicles, #3) by Kevin Hearne
Finished: 10/2/2014
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
The third book of The Iron Druid Chronicles picks up where the previous one left off - Atticus honoring his promise to steal a golden apple from Idunn in Asgard for Laksha. And from the very first page he gets himself into the kind of trouble one can only wonder how he's ever going to get out of. And let's not forget that he swore an oath to Lief - his trusted friend and lawyer who's also a vampire - to help him kill Thor, the powerful Norse god.
I wasn't sure what to expect from this book knowing that it offers yet another look at so popular these days theme of Norse mythology, but I didn't need to worry. It was still plenty enjoyable with Hearne's trademark humor, multiple pop culture references, new characters, enough action and Thor being a bad guy. HAMMERED has a darker tone to it and touches on some serious subjects which sets it apart from the first two much lighter books. There's nearly not enough Oberon (the adorable Irish wolfhound and my favourite character) or a couple of others for that matter but all in all it is a very satisfying read which ends with a cliffhanger (of course!) so on to the next one I go.
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