R18: Team #1 ~ ONE More Chapter

[Angie ☯]

I have to pick a book for this shelf!! Lol! I keep changing my mind.

[Megan]

Switched my book for favorite author to (shelved 1 time).

[Megan]

Shelf: Favorite Author

Book: Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter
Date Read: 4/8/19
Rating: 2 stars
Number of pages: 480

Review:
The opening chapter was gripping and made me want to keep reading, but the story became tedious and unrealistic the further along I read. I never connected to the characters, so when anyone was in danger I just didn't care. The ending mostly wrapped everything up. I personally wouldn't recommend this book.

[Angie ☯]

Selection Post ... Shelf #4 ... Vampires - Werewolves


Book: Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland vampires #3
How it Fits: Shelved 6 times as Vampires - Werewolves (on page 4 of list)

[Angie ☯]

Shelf #5 ~ 4/10/2019: Science Fiction

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

For Science Fiction shelf I'll read Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey (isbn 13 = 9780316202282)

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Favorite Author Shelf

Vamps and the City by Kerrelyn Sparks
Finished: March 30, 2019
Series: Love at Stake, #2
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Number of pages: 400

Review: I actually don't have much to say about this one other than it was a fun, romp of a read. I liked the first book of this series better, possibly because less breezy.

I rooted for all the good guy characters. And it was good to see the harem from the first book get a good resolution in this one.

The ending seemed kind of forced. As fun as the book was, everything was pretty predictable and in some instances too lighthearted or humorous. In other instances, the humor was spot on for me.

If I dwell on the ending too long, I'll start taking stars off my rating because was very much just too glib, almost deus ex machina

[Angie ☯]

Completion Post ... Shelf #4 ... Vampires - Werewolves


Book: Twice Bitten by Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires #3 | Media: Audible & Kindle
Read: 4/10/2019 | Pages: 488 | Rating: ★★★★☆
How it Fits: Shelved 6 times as Vampires - Werewolves (on page 4 of list)
_______________
Review:
This is my favorite in the series so far (I know, it's early still with this being #3).

Merit is growing into her Vampire/Sentinel role.She is learning more of what her path is now and accepting her place in her new "family". I love her snark!

This book showed a new side to shifters that I haven't experienced before and it showed a look into the shifter/vampire communities and the bonds that these two groups are trying to build. It was very interesting and entertaining. Of course there is emotions and conflict and humor - but that makes a good read for me!

[Megan]

For Science Fiction, I think I'll read .

[Lady Jaye]

For the science fiction shelf I will read
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams

It is found on page 1, and has been shelved 5070 times as Science Fiction

[Angie ☯]

Selection Post ... Shelf #5 ... Science Fiction


Book: The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders
Series: The Rule of One #1
How it Fits: Shelved 77 times as Science Fiction

[Lady Jaye]

I think I have changed my mind. For this shelf, I want to use one of my alternate choices.

So I will instead read

The Curse of Chalion, written by Lois McMaster-Bujold.

(How it fits: Her last name begins with a 'B' or an 'M' depending on how you look at it, hehe)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

That book is actually on the science fiction list, Lady Jaye. 54 people.

[Angie ☯]

Completion Post ... Shelf #5 ... Science Fiction


Book: The Rule of One by Ashley Saunders
Series: The Rule of One #1 | Media: Audible & Kindle
Read: 4/11/2019 | Pages: 258 | Rating: ★★★★☆
How it Fits: Shelved 77 times as Science Fiction
_______________
Review:
That was interesting.... A tale about identical twins written by twins! The story is told in the twins POV with alternating chapters. I think that it's really a cool concept that our writers (Ashley and Leslie) each voiced a twin.

Our book twins, Ava and Mira, live in a futurist society in the US that only allows one child. As far as everyone knows there is only 1 - Ava - which forces the girls to alternate "being" Ava. They shared one life and lived in fear of being discovered.

The story was face paced and kept my attention. Half way into the book or maybe a bit more, the story took a turn I wasn't really expecting. From there, I was invested in knowing the outcome. I really liked the ending....but cliff hanger!

I will be reading the second book!

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Vampires-Werewolves Shelf

Magic Binds by Ilona Andrews
Finished: April 12, 2019
Series: Kate Daniels, #9
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Number of pages: 336

Review: I began giving this series another chance after years of peer pressure and White Hot series blew me away. Honestly, I"m still lukewarm on this series nine books in -- but, at this point I do want to see how the stories ends so will finish if next book is last in series.

This one really did not flow well at all for me. It read more like an anthology than a novel or maybe a bunch of serial installments collected together. Too jumpy. Some chapters I did like and of course I liked the ending (view spoiler)[the wedding (hide spoiler)] with all the twists to that. The characters at least did stay in character and I do love the handling of free will issues.

[Lady Jaye]

Shelf: Science Fiction
Title: The Curse of Chalion, by Lois McMaster-Bujold
Date finished: 12th April 2019
Series: World of the Five Gods, #1
Rating: ★★★★★


Review:
What an utter delight! Superlative, Magnificent, Fabulous, Awesome, Marvelous, Glorious, Enchanting....... it deserves alllllll the words of praise and then more.

I will confess that the first couple of pages didn't really hold my attention, but then when my attention was finally caught, it remained caught all the way through. This is one of the best fantasy novels I have ever read. I was enthralled. It was such a treat to be in this world, and also to experience it through Caz's character. I do not have enough praise for the worldbuilding and characters encountered herein. So much goodness. I don't know hooooow it's taken me this long to read it. Excellent, excellent, excellent.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, One More Chapter!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'favorite author'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp I Just Gotta Read....!

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Science Fiction Shelf

Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey
Finished: April 14, 2019
Series: The Expanse, #2
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Number of pages: 490

Review: I'm so in love with this series I'm trying to space out the reads. The storyline continues to grip me and the science fiction aspect is just right up my alley. Not info-dumping but just little touches that give a realistic impression of what space and aliens are like. Plenty of our old crew from first book (description and other reviews had me thinking I wouldn't be following same main characters).

I deliberately still haven't watched the tv series, but I really have trouble imagining how all the emotions and politics and character motives could be worked into tv.

Just full on a grand space epic still engrossing me.

[Lady Jaye]

Shelf: Free Space
Title: Magic Rises
Date finished: 16th April 2019
Series: Kate Daniels #6
Rating: ★★★½

Review:
Not my favorite Kate Daniels novel - in fact, I'd venture to say that this one is my least favorite Kate Daniels entry, not including the other books that don't focus on Kate.

The entire plot felt rather pointless to me. I did not particularly care about the reason for the quest, or for many of the characters involved in the quest, or for the whiny lady that needed protection, or even for Kate's whiny-ness and mopeyness most of the time, or Hugh. I wasn't invested in the main storyline at all.
So I truly felt in the end that all that loss of life and limb was pointless, although (view spoiler)[ I didn't mind Aunt B's death (hide spoiler)].

What unexpectedly surprised me, though, was Mahon. I felt quite touched by his scenes, and found myself wanting to know more about his backstory.

This is still one of my most favorite fantasy worlds to read about, but truthfully, I coulda done without this entry.

[Angie ☯]

Shelf #6 ~ 4/17/2019: Alpha Male

[Lady Jaye]

For the Alpha male shelf I will read The Winter King by C.L. Wilson

It has been shelved by 29 people as Alpha Male

[Lady Jaye]

Shelf: Alpha Male
Title: The Winter King, by C.L. Wilson
Date finished: 18th April 2019
Series: The Weathermages of Mystral, #1
Rating: ★★★½

Review:
This is my first C.L. Wilson book, and it definitely won't be my last. I enjoyed the mythology - it read like a pretty cool melange of Norse and Arthurian legend all spun together. I enjoyed the characters of Wynter and Khamsin. I kinda wished the next books would focus some more on those two, instead of the love stories of Khamsin's other sisters. Good read.

[Megan]

Shelf: Vampires-Werewolves

Book: School Spirits by Rachel Hawkins
Date Read: 4/19/19
Rating: 4 stars
Number of pages: 297

Review:
After reading the Hex Hall trilogy, when I saw this book was about Izzy Brannick I knew it was a book I'd have to read. The story was quite interesting, and I just flew through it once I started. I loved the friendships between Izzy and the members of PMS. The ending was both sad and exciting; sad because of how the ghost was defeated and exciting for the possibilities to come. I'm disappointed that there doesn't seem to be any plans for a sequel, but I'm still glad to have read it.

(view spoiler)[I thought it was obvious from the moment the charm was found who had cast the love spell, so I wasn't surprised. And I guessed that Dexter Nana might have had something to do with Mary's ghost being there, but I didn't think it was for the reason it was. (hide spoiler)]

[Megan]

I'm not sure what I'll read for Alpha Male, but I'll let you know once I decide on a book.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

I'm also deciding on Alpha Male read.

I think I've caught up on posting on all my other BINGO reads. Let me know if I missed a shelf.

[Lady Jaye]

Good luck, Megan and Debbie. The Alpha Male shelf is kinda slim on pickings, IMO. I hope you find something you like.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

I'll read Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks for Alpha Male. After I read the beginning short story in Lover Beware. Been meaning to start the series forever and had actually planned on joining this group's re-read of the series until real life intervened ...

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Alpha Male Shelf

Tempting Danger by Eileen Wilks
Finished: April 20, 2019
Series: The World of the Lupi, #1
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Number of pages: 320

Review: I made a huge mistake listening to other reviewers who said I should read the novella/short in Lover Beware first. It wasn't a prequel; it was an earlier, slimmer version of what became this book. Meaning, a lot of spoilers for me that detracted from my enjoying the book. At same time, were very different works with the short basically a crime procedure with some supes tossed in and the book going more in depth on the supes and the world building.

Because I knew the general outline of what would happen, the read probably lost one or more stars in the rating. On the otherhand, because main and side characters plus the worldbuilding were fleshed out more in the full book, I liked the full book better than the short.

That said, an interesting world and I really liked the main character, a female police detective with supe roots but not supe herself. Veered a bit towards the fated-mate/too-special-chosen-one for me, but I liked enough I will read on in the series.

[Angie ☯]

Selection Post ... Shelf #6 ... Alpha Male


Book: Playing for Keeps by R.L. Mathewson
Series: Neighbor From Hell # 1 | Media: Audible & Kindle
Read: xx | Pages: 332 | Rating:
How it Fits: Shelved 128 times as Alpha Male

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

I'll read Branded by Fire by Nalini Singh for Psychic Abilities shelf.

[Megan]

I'll read I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore for the Psychic Abilities shelf.

[Angie ☯]

Shelf #7 ~ 4/24/2019: Psychic Abilities

SOS Bookshelves
Human with Abilities
Psychic

You can also use the 2 SOS shelves listed for books as well as the popular list. Minimum 200 page count still applies.

[Lady Jaye]

For the psychic abilities shelf I will read The Restorer by Amanda Stevens.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

LOL, just saw where someone is getting $35+ for posting 3-5 star reviews here on goodreads and amazon. The "+" comes from offering to upgrade rating/reviews that are lower sent privately to author after author purchases additional "word refining" services.

Hope that not too many authors fall for that ransoming of ratings bit. Hate those scams!

(plus commercial/paid reviews are only allowed in editorial description section on amazon; nevermind the TOS, paid reviews are 100% illegal in with consumer/customer reviews on any U.S. site unless payment and conditions like star ratings are immediately disclosed because takes two clicks to file the FTC complaint online).

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Wow

[Angie ☯]

Selection Post ... Shelf #7 ... Psychic Abilities


Book: Darkhouse by Karina Halle
Series: Experiment in Terror #1 | Media: Audible & Kindle
Read: xx | Pages: 346 | Rating:
How it Fits: Shelved 1 time as Psychic Abilities

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Angie, could you please update the Master List. Pretty sure you've got a Free Space stamp waiting, and possibly some others as well.

[Angie ☯]

Hey Sandra - I was actually just updating. So sorry! I've been traveling so much for work (unplanned) that I don't know what day it is anymore!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

No worries :)

[Angie ☯]

Completion Post ... Shelf #6 ... Alpha Male


Book: Playing for Keeps by R.L. Mathewson
Series: Neighbor From Hell # 1 | Media: Audible & Kindle
Read: 4/21 | Pages: 332 | Rating: ★★★★☆
How it Fits: Shelved 128 times as Alpha Male
_______________
Review:
This isn't my normal type of read, but it was a fun read. I wanted to smack both Jason and Haley at different times throughout the book! And still I enjoyed the story.

The interaction of the characters is both hilarious and sad. There is so much love in Jason's family and the men's addiction to food is great. There is so much indifference in Haley's family, that it makes you wonder how people can be so cruel. But the book was really good and the interaction between the characters is so much fun. Grandma is the bomb!

Looking forward to reading more in the series.

[Angie ☯]

Completion Post ... Shelf #7 ... Psychic Abilities


Book: Darkhouse by Karina Halle
Series: Experiment in Terror #1 | Media: Audible & Kindle
Read: 4/28 | Pages: 346 | Rating: ★★★★☆
How it Fits: Shelved 1 time as Psychic Abilities
_______________
Review:
This is my first book by Karina Halle. What a great start to a series! I love Perry and Dex and the fact that neither of them fit the mold of what most people would call "normal". But I wouldn't call them crazy, more like, extremely interesting! Another series to add to my ever growing list.....

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

I'm reading while I should be packing.

[Megan]

Shelf: Psychic Abilities

Book: I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
Date Read: 5/1/19
Rating: 3.5 stars
Number of pages: 452

Review:
I have tried reading this book many times over the years, but for some reason or other never finished it... until now. The story was okay, and I'll probably continue at some point with the series, but I'm not in any hurry.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, ONEmore Chapter!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'free space' and 'vampires-werewolves'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamps I Just Gotta Read....!

[Angie ☯]

Shelf #8 ~ 5/01/2019: Series

SOS Bookshelves
Series Read

You can also use the SOS shelf listed for books as well as the popular list. Minimum 200 page count still applies.

[Angie ☯]

Debbie's Spurts (D.A.) wrote: "I'm reading while I should be packing."

I have been doing that a lot lately! :-)

[Angie ☯]

Megan wrote: "I'm not sure what I'll read for Alpha Male, but I'll let you know once I decide on a book."

Hi Megan - did you choose a book for the Alpha Male shelf?

Thanks!

[Angie ☯]

Megan wrote: "For Science Fiction, I think I'll read ."

Me again, Megan! I'm so sorry....I thought I saw a review for this, but now I don't see it. Just checking to make sure I wasn't missing it or that it didn't get accidentally deleted.

I am in no way rushing you! I just wanted to check on these two shelves since you posted the completion for last weeks.