R3: SS Sistas With Books (13)

[Lauren]

I will read - alternate: 4 Stars

[Lauren]

Week #6: Spot 60



Book: Wait for Me by Elisabeth Naughton (alternate 4 Stars)
Finished: October 13th
4 Stars

Although classified as romantic suspense, Wait for Me is more of a contemporary romance with a smidgeon of suspense as the investigation into Annie/Kate’s disappearance takes a back seat to the to emotional angst of Kate’s reunion with her family and especially with her husband, Ryan.

Kate and Ryan’s relationship is the focus of the story. She is a resilient heroine and the straightforward manner in which she goes about uncovering the truth and fitting in with her old/new family adds an element of realism to a plot that would otherwise require a large dose of suspension of disbelief.

Ryan suffered tremendously from the loss of his wife and as such finds it difficult to reconcile the person she once was with the woman she has become. He is understandably angry and belligerent, but slowly comes to realize that he will have to change if he wants to keep the woman he has always loved. The fact that he and Kate do not immediately fall into each others’ arms and declare undying love for one contributes to the intensity of their romance as they begin to fall in love all over again.

As said, the mystery is secondary and the solution, which is rather far-fetched, comes somewhat out of the blue. Nevertheless, I did manage to guess the culprit, mainly because all other suspects are quickly removed, and the climax is exciting and satisfying.

The secondary romance between Annie/Kate’s brother, Mitch and her lawyer, Simone is sweet but I’m not sure it is interesting enough to read the sequel. I guess only time will tell.

All in all, a solid read with a compelling premise and engaging characters. Fans of Elisabeth Naughton will not be disappointed.

[Anita Reads]

I loooved Wait for me. I didn't have any expectations about the book before reading it, so I was pleasantly surprised by it.

[Anita Reads]

Week 6: Spot 60



Standalone: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Finished: 10/16/14
Rated: ★★★

Review:
So I finally got around to read this one. I've always pushed it off, maybe because classics usually don't capture me at all.
Anyway. This book centers around Elizabeth Bennet and her family as they deal with manners, upbringing, education and marriage. It doesn't take long before we meet Mr. Darcy, who at first hand seems very arrogant. Elizabeth, is also quick to dismiss him. Over the book she quickly finds that she has misjudged his character, and eventually decides to marry him.

I had a hard time really connecting with the book. I'm not used the the old language. I liked the characters alright, and they were very well defined. I hoped that I would have liked it more, but I was close to put it down a few times, because I kept falling out of the story. I'm glad that I finally found a reason to read the book though, so I could understand what everyone was talking about.

[Trinity]

Alternative: 4 Stars
Finished: 10/16
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: I thought the book and movie were different and similar but I enjoyed the book just a little better, I thought the movie was really well done. I love Percy in both the book and the movies, I also love Camp Half Blood and I just loved this book.

[Lauren]

Anita wrote: "I loooved Wait for me. I didn't have any expectations about the book before reading it, so I was pleasantly surprised by it."

Yeah, my expectations were about the same. I do enjoy Naughton's writing so I knew I wouldn't be disappointed.

[Anita Reads]

Yeah I loved her writing, too. For me it was the first and only book I've read by her. I do have 2 other books from her as well though. and . Then we'll see if they're anything good.

[Trinity]

Roll 8: 3 + 5 = 8
Space: 68

* Read a 6th book in a series
* Read a 8th book in a series
* Read a 68th book in a series
* Alternative: Title T

✔ Angie ~aka Reading Machine~: Quinn's Undying Rose → Review
✔ Lauren: Trouble in High Heels → Review
✔ Trinity: The Transfer → Review
✔ Sue: Tangled Beauty → Review
✔ Anita: Tangled → Review

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Spot 68
by Tina Folsom
Finished:10/22/14
Rating:4 Stars
Review:Rose Haverford remembers simpler time before being turned into a vampire. Rose has many regrets one of them being Quinn Ralston. Quinn is a vampire and works for Scansguard in New York City. Quinn finds his life turned upside down and right side out unexpectedly. Can Quinn find the balance in his life? How does Rose change things?

[Anita Reads]

I'm going to go with the alternative, as I am nowhere near a 6th of 8th in a series.

Book of choice will either be
or

[Lauren]

I'll probably go with the alternate as well. Will be back with my choice once the PtP challenge theme is called.

[Sue]

Spot 68
Alternate:T title

Finished:10/18/2014
Rating:***
Review:This is not a genre I read all the time...Though the writing was good the story was lame...
Sinclair Jeffries thought she knew what she was getting into when her zany, gay friend, Jesse Eddington, talked her into portraying his girlfriend during his parent's anniversary party on Huntington Beach. That is, until she met Reed, Jesse's sexy as hell older brother, and ends up getting much more than what she'd bargained for.

Reed Eddington assumed his future was settled until he met Sinclair, his brother's so-called "girlfriend", but the raw, sexual tension between them is hard to ignore. As he watches their ruse from the sidelines, he finds himself wanting to uncover more than just their amusing little facade.

[Lauren]

I will read for the alternate T title.

[Lauren]

Week #7: Spot 68 - Alternative T Title



Trouble in High Heels by Christina Dodd
Finished October 21st
3.5 Stars

When Brandi Michaels’ cheating fiancé elopes to Las Vegas, she decides to pawn his engagement ring and treats herself to a one night stand in the arms of a gorgeous stranger. Little does she know that said stranger, Roberto Bartolini, is about to become a whole lot more familiar come morning . . .

A cute read, but Brandi and Roberto’s chemistry is lukewarm at best and the suspense plot lacks any real excitement.

Aside from their mutual attraction, Brandi and Roberto’s relationship is not all that believable. She is intelligent and resourceful, but also organized, rational and looking for security. He is charming and debonair, but not exactly stable considering his secrets. Although their sexual close encounter is reasonable given the circumstances, the rest of the romance plot doesn’t make much sense.

The suspense sub-plot involving Roberto’s sideline business reads like a paint-by-numbers robbery caper with events unfolding one after the other in a predictable fashion and connections made rather conveniently and coincidentally. The climax lacks any real tension and the big reveal is obvious.

All in all, a quick, light read but Dodd has certainly written better.

[Anita Reads]

Hey I actually just wrote the review, but then GR said there was a problem saving the comment, so I'll have to rewrite it. Give me 5 minutes.

[Anita Reads]

Week 6: Spot 68 - Alternative: T-Title



Book: Tangled by Emma Chase
Finished: 10/23/14
Rated: ★★★★

Review:
In this book we meet Drew. Drew is the typical bad boy, having a different girl each weekend, everyone with no strings attached. That's until drew meets Kate, she changes everything for him. The thing is though, that Kate is engaged to be married to another man. Drew takes on the mission to win Kate's love.

I had some difficulties with Drew at times, he was really and ass in the beginning, but he changed for the better during the story. He did win points for the way he treated his niece through the whole story. Kate was pretty cool, full of determination and has some whit.

I loved the way Emma wrote this, although it was strange seeing the POV from a male for once, she managed to add a lot of humor to the tone. I definitely don't think it's the last time I've read a book by her. Overall it was a 4 ★ read for me.

[Lauren]

Anita wrote: "Hey I actually just wrote the review, but then GR said there was a problem saving the comment, so I'll have to rewrite it. Give me 5 minutes."

I hate it when that happens :0(

[Anita Reads]

It's really annoying, and then GR wouldn't refresh the page and it was over capacity. So I was panicking a little.

[Book Concierge]

Anita wrote: "It's really annoying, and then GR wouldn't refresh the page and it was over capacity. So I was panicking a little."

That's why I always write my reviews in a word document, save and then copy/paste.

[Anita Reads]

That was a good idea. I'll remember that next time :)

[Lauren]

I've started writing my reviews in Evernote and then copying them into GR from there. Evernote syncs across all my devices, so I can write down thoughts about the book wherever I am.

[Trinity]

Alternate: Title T
Finished: 10/23/14
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: I loved that this was in Tobias's point of view. It was so sad to see how he lived before he went to dauntless and I love seeing how he got his name and the whole process of his beginning. I am so happy that there are more books in his point of view because I loved it.

- Tobias
I love Tobias, he is just incredible. It's so sad seeing him in a weak form, how frightened he was growing up. I am glad he has changed from that because it was just terrible reading those scenes, they made me tear up really bad.

- Marcus
Ugh. I do not like Marcus. He is so abusive and horrible. I don't understand why he likes seeing his son in pain and always "teaching him a lesson".

Overall, I loved the book and I am glad I gave this novella a try. I am excited to read the rest of them, they all look so good and I want to see Tobias's life before he met Tris.

[Trinity]

Roll 9: 2 + 3 = 5
Space: 73

* Read a 7th book in a series
* Read a 3rd book in a series
* Read a 73th book in a series
* Alternative: 2009

✔ Angie ~aka Reading Machine~: Oliver's Hunger → Review
✘ Lauren:
✔ Trinity: Isla and the Happily Ever After → Review
✔ Sue: Vampire in Atlantis→ Review
✘ Anita:

[Jenne]

Y'all were so close!

[Lauren]

Jenne wrote: "Y'all were so close!"

Glad we made it :0)

[Trinity]

Jenne wrote: "Y'all were so close!"

yay! This was a really fun challenge, we still have this week and another week to go :)

[Trinity]

I'll read 3rd in series.

[Angie ~aka Reading Machine~]

Spot 73
by Tina Folsom
Finished:10/25/14
Rating:4 Stars
Review:Oliver is still being ruled by his hunger but finds his reason for being. Ursula is used to being controlled for her blood. She seeks escape from this hellish existence. Ursula discovers that Oliver is different and wants to help him find others like her. Can they work together? Your answers await you in Oliver's Hunger.

[Lauren]

Actually, I think the challenge ends this week as team #1 is on spot 77. Is that right?

[Trinity]

Lauren wrote: "Actually, I think the challenge ends this week as team #1 is on spot 77. Is that right?"

Oh, it seems like it.

[Jenne]

We have two teams (2 & 14) that rolled past 75 today. If either finishes before the next roll (very likely) then that'll be the end. We'll be opening back up the game very soon, the mods are working out a holiday schedule and I'm designing a new board.

[Lauren]

Jenne wrote: "We have two teams (2 & 14) that rolled past 75 today. If either finishes before the next roll (very likely) then that'll be the end. We'll be opening back up the game very soon, the mods are workin..."

Great news about the new round. Thanks Jenne :0)

[Trinity]

Jenne wrote: "We have two teams (2 & 14) that rolled past 75 today. If either finishes before the next roll (very likely) then that'll be the end. We'll be opening back up the game very soon, the mods are workin..."

Ah, I see. Anyhow this was really fun, I can't wait for the next round when it comes. :)

[Lauren]

Trinity wrote: "Ah, I see. Anyhow this was really fun, I can't wait for the next round when it comes. :) "

It was fun. Thanks for being such a great captain, Trinity, and thanks to all out other Sistas for being such wonderful teammates. Hope to see you all in the next round.

[Anita Reads]

Should we still read this weeks book then?

I had fun with this team, too. You did great as a captain, Trinity

[Sue]

7th in series
Finished:10/26/2014
Rating:****
Review: I love this series and can't wait to read the next book but it will be over soon....:(

The most unexpected of all allies to Poseidon's warriors has proven to be the fiercest-Daniel, a vampire and Night Guild mage. But even the strongest alliance can be destroyed when a vampire's oath crosses paths with a maiden's quest, and an eleven-thousand-year-old desire is reborn.

Ready to face the dawn and die after 11,000 years as a vampire, Daniel walks into the Reflecting Pool on the Washington Mall and ends up in Atlantis, at the mercy of Serai, a long-dead warrior princess he could never forget.

Yet Serai is not dead. Centuries earlier she and several others had been magically put into suspended animation to ensure the continuation of the Atlanteans. But the magical jewel that keeps them safe has been stolen, and, now awake, Serai must find it to save the other sleeping women.

Together, Daniel and Serai search for the stone and renew their relationship, stalked by an evil that isn't about to let them succeed.

[Trinity]

Aw thanks guys ☺ Great job to my Sistas being such great teammates too, you all did such a great job

[Trinity]

3rd in Series
Finished: 10/26
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: “I smile up at him. "It's beautiful. But what comes next?"
"The best part." And he pulls me back into his arms. "The happily ever after.”

My rating for this book is 3 stars, at first I gave it 5 stars but that was because I had just finished reading the book and I was exaggerating with 5 stars. I was so ecstatic when I got this book from my library, the cover wasn't what I was expecting but it is still really nice. This one was sadly the least of my favorites from this series, Anna was the best, then it was Lola and now Isla. That would be the order I would have them in. I think my favorite part was near the ending but that isn't good because the part at the near end wasn't really focused on Isla, I was glad to see Anna and Lola and I loved seeing them all together. That was may favorite part but not because of Isla's role in that part but because of Anna and St. Clair but the ending was adorable nonetheless.

- Isla
I found Isla annoying at times, overreacting to things in the worst way and seeing her just falling over this guy is a little depressing. I did like her character though, she was a nice mc but it was a little hard to concentrate because she did whine at many times and now that I look back at the book I am realizing all the flaws it had. I guess I was expecting so much I overlooked the bad parts and only focused on the good parts because Stephanie Perkin's is a great writer. Isla has to be my least favorite out of the three between her, Anna and Lola. She had high expectations for so many things that weren't just going to happen.

- Josh
I have to admit that I loved Josh. I always love reading about artists but still, what did he expect when he gave her that book in the beginning of your ex? It was very predictable of what was going to happen after she read it but his shock was just too much. But all of his characteristics are just to die for.

Overall, I thought the ending was amazing though, that was the cutest thing ever but the story dragged and was at such a slow pace. It felt as though nothing really happened through the book everything going on a short period of time. This was just unrealistic. Falling in "love" with someone over just a month? That is very unbelievable and honestly at least there was such realistic things going on in Anna and Lola's story, but where did it go? Things happened in the weirdest way. I am only really keeping this at 3 stars because I do believe it was adorable and it was a Stephanie Perkin's book so I finished the book pretty fast. I didn't like how this series ended, I really wish this book was a little better.

[Trinity]

Lauren and Anita, have you guys chosen or read a book for this week?

[Anita Reads]

Um. Sorry, no. I asked if we were supposed to when it seemed another team had already won anyway. For me it sounded kind of like you wouldn't continue, so I was confused. I didn't really get an answer and didn't get the notifications of your reviews.

I haven't really read anything that can fit into the categories either. I'm sorry.

[Trinity]

Anita wrote: "Um. Sorry, no. I asked if we were supposed to when it seemed another team had already won anyway. For me it sounded kind of like you wouldn't continue, so I was confused. I didn't really get an ans..."

It's alright! I didn't see your question until now :)

[Lauren]

Same here. When I saw another team was going to win, I didn't pick a book. Sorry.

[Anita Reads]

Trinity wrote: "Anita wrote: "It's alright! I didn't see your question until now :) "

Good. I'm still sorry though.

[Trinity]

No reason to be sorry ladies, no trouble at all. I had a great time with this team! :)