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R10: Team #2 ~ 2BR Destroyers
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Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required
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Nov 21, 2014 05:26AM

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I'm finding that problem too and I think it's that the "freebies" aren't the best selling authors or series, so they are very hit or miss. I've never given so many low ratings as I have this Bingo round. But I have found a couple that are good enough to continue with... Once Bitten isn't bad if you need a "L" book and like shifters, vamp kick a$$ heroine types. Reminds of the Secret McQueen series.




Book: Imprinted by the Alpha by Jocelyn Thomas
Source Kindle Freebie
Date finished 11/22/14
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I got this book as a kindle freebie. I enjoyed it at the start. As the book moved along I was still interested and had some high points and low points. Towards the end I just felt it was rushed to get to the climax.
Ava has a future that she knows nothing about. Her mother has to tell her because her powers will come to light on or after her 21st birthday.
Ava did not know that supernatural beings were real and that she is one. She is the Oracal. She will have powers, visions and the ability to end some supernatural beings.
Ava meets Caleb who is a were wolf and this is her first introduction to the supernatural world and before she knows anything about herself. Caleb is drawn to her, imprints her and will always be there to protect her.
Where is Caleb at the end of this book? He isn't there to protect her. Will he show up at the start of the next book? Those are some of the questions I was left with. Will Ava survive Caleb's step brother? Who knows. I will look into possibly reading the next book if I can find a way to borrow the book.


Book: Once Bitten by Trina M. Lee
Source: Kindle freebie
Date Finished: 11/22/2014
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review: Alexis is a were wolf and female alpha of her pack. She is called in by her old Alpha Raoul who's mistresses appear to be a serial killers targets and he's the main suspect. Alexis is also battling her old feelings for Raoul, her attraction to the dark vampire Arys and her love for fellow pack mate Shaz. Arys' vampire energy sings to hers and part of her is drawn by this power they make together. This power ability is rare and makes her both crave and fear the possibilities as she discovers what her new abilities will cost. I really enjoyed this book, it had a kick a$$ heroine, some smexy scenes and interesting supporting characters. Will definitely continue with this series. And this book is still free...

✔Jennifer~River Marked by Patricia Briggs~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Christina~Dying Bites by DD Barant~Library~Review
✔Lis~Imprinted by the Alpha by Jocelyn Thomas~Kindle Freebie~Review
✔Monica~Imprinted by the Alpha by Jocelyn Thomas~Kindle Freebie~Review
✔Amanda~No Ifs Ands or Bears About It by Celia Kyle~B&N Gift Card~Review

✔Jennifer~Naked Edge by Pamela Clare~Library~Review
✔Lis~Taming the Wolf by Stephanie Nelson~Kindle Freebie~Review
✔Amanda~First Drop of Crimson (Night Huntress World)~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Christina~Wicked Ways by Nancy Bush~NetGalley~Review
Monica~Never Buried by Edie Claire~Kindle Freebie~

✔Jennifer~Suddenly Royal by Nichole Chase~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Lis~Captured by SJ Harper~Kindle Freebie~Review
✔Amanda~Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowlings~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Monica~Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowlings~Library~Review
✔Christina~Charming by Elliot James~NetGalley~Reiview

✔Jennifer~Deeper We Fall by Chelsea M Cameron~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Lis~Draken by Solease M Barner~Kindle Freebie~Review
✔Amanda~Night Play by Sherrilyn Kenyon (Dark Hunter)~Amazon Gift Card~Review
✔Monica~Damaged by Becca Vincenza~Kindle Freebie~Review
✔Christina~Angel's Ink by Jocelynn Drake~free from Scribd~Review

✔Jennifer~Unbreak Me by Lexi Ryan~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Lis~Once Bitten by Trina M Lee~Amazon freebie~Review
Monica~Private Demon by Lynn Viehl~Friend~
✔Amanda~Always On My Mind (Lucky Harbor) by Jill Shalvis~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Christina~Getting Rowdy by Lori Foster~NetGalley~Review

✔Jennifer~Recklessly Royal by Nichole Chase~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Lis~The Chief by Monica McCarty~Amazon freebie~Review
✔Amanda~Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowlings~Library/Overdrive~Review
Monica~6.19 per Witching Hour by Joanna Mazurkiewicz~Free~


Finished~11/22/14
Rating~♥♥♥♥
Iv'e read a lot of new adult romances lately..and the majority of them are not worthy of the hype. Unbreak Me was really good story. I wasn't in love with the triple POV but was use to it by the end of the book. I found Maggie such an interesting character...she was so strong and week at the same time. This is not an upbeat love story, but a story of a women trying to leave her past behind, but finds she mush face it first. Glad I took a chance on this book.


Finished: 11/22/14
Rating: ★★★★
I was surprised by how much I liked this book. It was a cute story about a town of werebears in Georgia where Mia finds herself after her grandfather dies and she inherits his house. A bear cub sneaks in her house and she becomes attached to him and very protective. Ty is the sheriff and the Itan of the werebear clan. He steps in to help with the cub and comes to realize he wants Mia for his mate. His alpha protectiveness of both Mia and the cub is sweet. Both of their families are a little crazy and I am interested to see how the dynamic continues in the rest of the series. This is my first book by Celia Kyle and I will definitely look for more of her books. She manages to weave intriguing characters, a little bit of mystery, romance and humor together for an entertaining story.


You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'Free Space'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D



Finished: 11/20/14
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I have to say for some of the Freebies I have been reading so far I have not been disappointed, now that I wrote that I will probably get one I regret reading.
Audrey is saved after being kidnapped, yet she still thinks she is still going to be tormented by her savior Stone. I read a mix of genres and I am not all that familiar with the Paranormal besides vampires. This was a nice change of pace from the typical paranormal that have vampires at the center.
I look forward to looking into reading the next book(s) in the series.
Sorry forgot to post it earlier.


Library/Overdrive
Finished: 11/24/14
Rating: ★★★★
I love this series. Lucky Harbor is a small town romance that feels like catching up with old friends in each book. This is Leah and Jack's book. They have been friends since they were kids and always looking out for each other. A pretend romance to help boost the spirits of Jack's mom through her cancer battle turns into the real thing and they are both scared. Their HEA was perfect and I look forward to reading the final books in the series.


✔Jennifer~A Bite to Remember (Argeneau) by Lnysay Sands~Library/Overdrive~Review
✔Lis~The Wicked Kiss (Alexia O'Brien) by Trina M Lee~Kindle Freebie~Review

✔Jennifer~It Must Be Love by Rachel Gibson~Library/Overdrive~review
✔Lis~Gathering Tinder by Julie Wetzel~Kindle freebie~Review
✔Amanda~The Good the Bad and the Undead by Kim Harrison~Library/Overdrive~Review

Alexia O'Brien series #2 The Wicked Kiss by Trina M. Lee for "A" shelf, both kindle freebies


Library/Overdrive
Finished: 11/26/14
Rating: ★★★★
I think this is probably my least favorite book in the series, but I enjoyed rereading it anyway. There were things I had forgotten in this one that were fun to revisit. There is a darker tone in this book and the main characters seem to realistically mature. A few annoying characters appear, like Lockhart, Moaning Myrtle and Dobby. But I like how Dobby looks out for Harry and how Harry helped him in the end.


It pulls up on my shelf as Gathering Tender. Gathering Tinder. Use this book version... Kindling Flames is the series name.

Happy Thanksgiving to all the Readers enjoying the holiday, may you find time between the turkey and Friday shopping for reading time...



Finished 11/26/14
★★★
Review: A new author and a new series that has a lot of potential. The MC reminded me of Harry Dresden a bit. The big downfall of the book, to tell the truth was the humongous info dump world building. The hero comes from a long line of Charmings....I assumed incorrectly that he and the book would have some sort of fairytale theme but other than the name Charming it's the only connection. They are not princes on white steeds but a long line of Templar Knights who protect something called the Pax Arcana which is a veil that makes sure those who are only human never realize that werewolves, vampires, fae and other things exist on Earth. Our MC was thrown out of his order of Knights when it was discovered that he was half werewolf. The entire concept was good. The secondary characters were good. The action was really good. I very much enjoyed the MC's voice and smart alack attitude. What I didn't care for was the huge amounts of info dumps every time I turned around. What is scary is that at the end of the book there is a interview with the author who said that he hated the fact that he had to cut an enormous amount of background world building information out of the book. Holy Buckets I'd hate to think what the book would have been like had he left all of it in! On one hand I felt there was too much information being mentioned but on the other hand some otherworld creatures were mentioned but never explained what they were. I'm hoping that the next book in the series will move along faster and easier to read as there shouldn't be as much world building needed. I'll put the second book on my TBR list because I really do think this series has potential.


Book: The Chief by Monica McCarty
Source: Kindle freebie
Date Finished: 11/27/2014
Rating: ★★★1/2☆
Review: Scottish tale of Macleod clan on the isle of Skye during Robert the Bruce and shortly after Wallace was killed for treason. The clan is trying to avoid war and balancing the line between its loyalty to Scotland vs England. Tor, chief of the clan is tricked into marriage to one of Fraser daughters. Slowly they come to care for each other despite the circumstances. Looking for a non PNR read and this was a good break. I like my heroines with a little more spunk but she fit in the times of wives without voice or opinion.


Finished~11/29/14
Rating~♥♥♥♥
I really loved this second book in Nichole Chase’s Royals series. Cathy is an absolute sweetheart. She’s a sweet, loving, pure character that you will desperately want to find true love. The opening scene at Sam’s bachelorette party is a total riot! You can’t help but find Cathy so endearing from that moment forward. David is a good guy. Just a genuinely good guy. The scenes are all so well written that I got butterflies when the two were together! Recklessly Royal actually has a pretty good villain too! (You’ll know her when you see her!)


Finished~11/30/14
Rating~♥♥♥♥♥
I love this family.
Intrigue, romance, sex (hot steamy sex) sadness,devastation, heart break and fun,, what is there not too love about the family that faces all these life changing things and still see the benefits of loving and caring for each other is what life is all about!!!!

You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'HA'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D


Book: The Wicked Kiss (Alexia O'Brien series) by Trina M. Lee
Source: Kindle freebie
Date Finished: 11/30/2014
Rating: ★★★★☆
Really enjoying this series. Alexia is still adjusting to her new powers brought on by her relationship with the vampire Arys. Which is also attracting other powerful vampires including Arys' maker Harley who is very very dangerous and wants Alexis for himself. Alexis as pack Alpha is also dealing with challenges for Alpha male and her mate is all up to claim that spot. But can Alexis allow Shaz to be that wolf or will her fear for his safety interfere... and how is the love triangle going to work out... All interesting twists that will definitely keep me reading on with this series.


Finished 11/30/14
Rating ★★★★
Review: While I have been fascinated with Rowdy since reading the first in this Love Undercover series I was actually not a big fan of his womanizing ways that bombarded the first part of this book. To tell the truth there is a scene in the first 1/4 of the book that almost lost me as a reader (view spoiler) . However by the end of the book I was caught up in everything that was Rowdy despite the spoiler section. He has a very strong protective streak that makes him a champion and pretty wonderful. His interactions with a young boy named Marcus was touching and helped give Rowdy even more depth. Unfortunately, the suspense part of this book, like the last, was very secondary to the character building. Meaning this book is more about the characters than the plot which falls right in my wheelhouse but might not work for other readers who love strong suspenseful plots. Overall this was a good book and I'm glad I got the opportunity to read it.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>


Finished~12/1/14
Rating~♥♥♥
This was an OK read, but I found my patience tried by the silliness of the main character. I think perhaps RG went beyond her range in trying to create a new-age, flakey but likable heroine. Although the author tells us several times that Gabrielle is actually bright, there is little in her actual behavior (except for the really great first meeting) where she demonstrates any brains at all. My guess is that the author doesn't have much understanding of the thinking of a person like the one she has attempted to create.

With two shelves called, it could be a read off race...


Library/Overdrive
Finished:12/2/14
Rating: ★★★★
Rachel Morgan is a witch working as an independent investigator and living in a church with a vampire and pixie. She accepts a case to help find a serial killer that is killing ley line witches in the city. The culprit is not who she thought it was which turns into a good mystery and she also learns some secrets along the way. This book was an entertaining read with quirky characters and better than the first book for me. I love Jenks and his kids, they are hilarious. The world of the Hollows is intriguing and I look forward to Rachel's next adventure.


Finished 11/29/14
Rating ★★
Review: This is my first attempt at Jocelynn Drake's writing and I'm not sure she pulled it off. She wrote this from Gage's perspective but his internal musings were a bit too soft for me. He mentioned several times how much he adored Trixie because she was just so wonderful. I had issue with this because we didn't know why Trixie was just wonderful other than Gage telling us she had a kind heart amongst other things. I like to come to my own conclusions about the characters in the book rather than being told how I should feel. Another issue with this is that it was hard for me to see Gage as an Alpha type character since he one step from writing poetry about Trixie. Overall, the romance fell flat because it wasn't believable since we never saw the characters fall in love.
The action was decent but there was also an issue with believability. I had problems believing that Gage's life was bombarded with one life changing event after another all within a day. There was way too much happening in this book. His old mentor (the warlock mentor not the tattoo artist mentor) wanted to kill him forever and finally made his move to do so. This would have been sufficient plot device in addition to a believable romance to carry the book forward. But noooooo Drake threw in a scary mob boss, a faerie king who complicated Trixie's life, the betrayal of a friend, a talking magical cat, a dying woman whose last request is to be tattooed with angel wings, a hall monitor type warlock keeping Gage in check and a past tattoo client who keeps popping into the book like a bad penny. Throw in a 3 day time limit and you've got just too much going on.
If those had been my only issues this book would have been worth 3 stars but I actually listened to this book and absolutely hated it. The narration for Gage was ok. The narrator (Michael Urie) was able to have many different voices for the plethora of men in this book. Unfortunately some of them sounded a bit too alike because when I say plethora, I mean PLETHORA. OK maybe there were only 9 or 10 men who had dialogue but to come up with voices for all of them had to be hard and Urie just didn't pull all of them off. In addition his voice for the female characters was not pleasing to the ears. Trixie came across sounding like a drag queen. This in itself wouldn't be horrible if this were a romance between two men but as romance between a man and woman it made it a bit awkward to listen to.
On the upside, Urie's voice for Gideon was kind of hot. Think Christian Bale in The Dark Knight hot. Unfortunately this was not Gideon's story but Gage's. Urie's voice for the talking cat Sophia was pretty decent too but it didn't save me from hating the narration aspect of this book. I'll not be listening to any more of these unless there is a different narrator.


Book: Gathering Tinder by Julie Wetzel
Source: Kindle freebie
Date Finished: 12/3//2014
Rating: ★★★☆☆
Review: This book was OK. Starts off with ominous fires that are destroying homes and people are killed. Victoria and her college friend know most of the victims. Then the bulk of the story shifts and centers around Vicky taking a new temp job for a powerful business man. He is very eccentric and makes strange requests. She discovers that she is his 9th temp but really wants the job. Then thru some mishaps discovers he's a master vampire and werewolves and other creatures are real. Parts of the story seemed under developed. The mystery of the fire is almost forgotten and just didn't flow well. The story idea is good just fell short on delivery.
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