Meet & Greet Challenge Round 7 (Dec/Jan): READING!

[Catherine]

Group 3 update

not sure if I already put this one up...but I finished early in the month :) I know a few of you chose it for me..thank you! I loved it

so I've actually read 4 of my numerous pics :)

[Jennifer]

Completed , and .

Pleasure Unbound with a reread and I still loved it. Stranded with a Billionaire was just so-so.
Bound by Night was great and passed my expectations. This was definitely a new way to view vampires. I can't wait to read the next.

Well officially I've completed this challenge with 5 completed. I can't wait to see how many more I can read.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Tara Jo,

I just finished and enjoyed it. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Dee]

Jennifer - i'm hoping to read Bound by Night over the christmas break - i've had it for a while but been putting off reading it

[Dee]

i started Pelican Point - recommended by Donna - i love lighthouses - so i think i'm going to enjoy this

[Catherine]

Group 3 update

currently reading

[Melissa]

It looks like I'll fail this one. I've only gotten one and half books done. I work retail so I haven't had a second to myself. I'm hoping to catch up next month

[Catherine]

@ Melissa you've still got time :)

[~Melissa~]

Becky ♡The Bookworm♡ wrote: "I've finished four books from my picks:

Lizz: was great, but there was a little too much wandering around in the first half. I loved the magical elements though an..."

Becky ~ so glad you like Eve and Roarke!!

[Katherine]

Hi Jane, I want to know when will be the next meet and great challenge? And if I could now sign for next challenge?

(Damn, Why i didn't sign for this challenge?)

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Melissa...I'm hooked on the In Death series! I'm eager to get back to it! Thanks for the pick! It's one of my favorites in this round!

[Dee]

Katherine - next one will be Feb/Mar - look for sign-up mid-january

[Grace]

Teresa~~I finished and really enjoyed it. It was a cute, light-hearted story, and perfect for this time of year. Thanks for the pick!

[Catherine]

Katherine wrote: "Hi Jane, I want to know when will be the next meet and great challenge? And if I could now sign for next challenge?

(Damn, Why i didn't sign for this challenge?)"


if yo'd like...I would be happy to make some picks for you :) just let me know :)

[Katherine]

Catherine wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Hi Jane, I want to know when will be the next meet and great challenge? And if I could now sign for next challenge?

(Damn, Why i didn't sign for this challenge?)"


if yo'd like..."
Thanks but i like to do chllenges. :D
so no need for you to make for me any picks. But thanks.

[Catherine]

Katherine wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Hi Jane, I want to know when will be the next meet and great challenge? And if I could now sign for next challenge?

(Damn, Why i didn't sign for this challenge..."

this isn;t a real "challenge" as you only need to read 5 books between now and end of Jan. I've already read 4 of my picks..I am just going to keep going to see how many I can finish :)

[Katherine]

Catherine wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Catherine wrote: "Katherine wrote: "Hi Jane, I want to know when will be the next meet and great challenge? And if I could now sign for next challenge?

(Damn, Why i didn't sign ..."

Good luck!

[~Melissa~]

Finished up my first 3 for this round

- really enjoyed this fantasy book - such a different change of pace from her Flesh Cartel series (which I can't really stomach after reading the first season lol) - this was a slow build with lots of verbal sparring that was fun - thanks Jennifer - gave it 4♥'s


- ok this was another slow build - didn't like it as much as Counterpoint - I found it to be rather frustrating and since I knew it was a menage book - I kind of expected the heat level to be higher than it was. I totally understand why nothing happened during part 1 but part 2 - really long and frustrating - I think I would have liked to have been in Jeff and/or Evan's head for part 2 instead of just Dan's. would have been nice to know what they were thinking. thanks Emelie for the recommendation - 3♥'s I will read the next book to see if it gets better.

- total insta-love smexy book that I sooo needed after the last two slow build books. Not always like the insta love but I think I was in the right frame of mind for this one. I loved watching Trent and Shawn fall in love and see Trent deal with his issues. Thanks Roger for the rec - 4♥'s

[Grace]

MountainKat I just finished reading and enjoyed it. I really love this series and haven't read a bad book in it yet. Thanks for the pick!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Group 4

Melissa I just finished your pick. Thanks for the recommendation.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I'm glad you liked it Grace, I really enjoyed that series too!

[Cristal]

Group 1 (3/17)

Runell I finished reading and it was amazing. Thanks for recommendation!

Sadie I finished reading and you were right, I loved the book. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Donna I finished reading today and I really enjoyed. I didn't expect to like as much as I did. Thanks for the recommendation!

[Dee]

seems for every book I finish, I DNF another one - on the bright side, I'm knocking books off the pile

I finished up Pelican Point last night - Donna - hit my small town likey button and I loved the whole woman who restores lighthouses as a career - i'm looking forward to seeing where the series goes in the future.

I DNF'd Romeo, Romeo - Amie/Kai I just don't know what to say - I had high hopes, but ugh - a woman who doesn't know who the highly touted (within the Italian community) Bachelor of the Year is (when she is in a lively Italian family) - and the writing just didn't work for me

[UnusualChild{beppy}]

kathy 2.5 stars this was all right for me. it felt as though it was a first book and it was a good effort.

nadine 1 star - this felt as though it wasn't edited, jumped all over the place and, yeah. oh, well.

nichole 3 stars - this was so much better than i thought it would be.

melissa 4 stars - i found this amusing and well written.

jojo 3 stars - the story was interesting, but the execution felt a little dry.

toka 3 stars - the historical aspect of this book felt really well researched, down to the fact that no one used contractions while speaking.

doruntina 2 stars - uggh. it was interesting for the first couple of chapters and then it went off the rails.

celeste 3 stars - i was surprised by this book as well. it was well written with interesting characters.

BONUS PICKS

laurla 1 star - doouble uggh. if i hadn't needed to finish this for a title challenge, i would've dnf'd the thing within the first 5 pages.

karla 3.5 stars - i enjoyed it. the writing was professional and the characters were intersting.

raine 3 stars - i was surprised by this one as well, and really happy that the kitchen, baking and cooking were accurately portrayed.

becky the bookworm 3.5 stars - amusing and sweet...if one can say that about a vampire story.

sadie 3.5 stars - another one i was surprised by. i liked both main characters.

debbie 5 stars - i really liked this one. the one main character grew so much.

lizz neill 5 stars - so far this month, this is the winner. it was so well written with an intersting story and characters and the world building was top knotch.

i've actually had a better month than i thought i would, just because i had so many books i *had* to read for challenges. some of them have actually been pretty good. i'm still planning on reading 8 more books this month.

[Dee]

finished Must Love Otters - Skandia - i've put off reading this book for a while because i was scared it wouldn't live up to the hype, but it was the perfect read this evening - i got sucked into the story; Hollie reminded me of me, always getting into scrapes and i loved the romance between the 2 main characters - i'm calling this a new sub-genre - resort romance

[Jennifer]

Completed and

[Dee]

finished Captured in Surrender - Raine/MacWolfe(Elise) - I liked this entry in the series, but it was too short - it was too steamy and not enough plot - the ending was just kind of wham/bam/thank you ma'am - 3 stars

now reading Death Cache - recommended by MacWolfe(Elise)

[Nadine Bookaholic]

I finished my sixth book:

Doruntina - ★ I finished this because I won't not finish a book. Really didn't like it at all. I'm just grateful I didn't pay for this book I had won it in a challenge.

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Finished my seventh book:

Becky (Fibrobabe) - ★ ★ ★ ★ this was a great anthology of short and sweet Christmas stories.

[Becky ♡The Bookworm♡]

Group 3 Update
Finished 10 of 43

KarenH - Finished with . The writing was lacking a bit in polish, but the plot more than made up for it. Anna, a 28 year old tutor is stranded on an island with T.J., her 16 year old student, after their seaplane crashes in the Indian Ocean. Rescue is a long time coming and as T.J. grows from a teenager into a young man, their relationship grows into something much deeper. I was worried about the squick factor here, but it really wasn't an issue. I was firmly in the couple's corner by the end of the book. A very interesting and engaging read! 4 Stars

Thanks for the pick! I've wanted to read this for a long time and really enjoyed it!

Not sure what's up next. Hmm...so many great books to choose from!

[Breann]

I've finished a few more

Snowman With Benefits - Thanks Melissa! It was cute. I was expecting more of an erotic story given the cover, but it was fun.

O Come All Ye Kinky - Thanks Sassafrass! A very kinky collection of stories

David's Selfie - Super cute, holiday read. Thanks Melissa :)

[Ezi]

@Sunshine: I finished Heart and gave it ★★★. Very sad reading for the holidays. But the author is a really good writer.

@ Logan: Listened to No Good Duke Goes Unpunished and gave it ★★¾ because Mara (the heroine) was the worst!

@Catherine: I sure loved this one. I gave the Devil of the Highlands ★★★★. It wasn't light and fluffy but a heroine with some character.

@Breann: I knew I didn't enjoy lorelei james much but I had hoped i could like this one a little but nope! ★★ for Cowgirl Up and Ride. It was just like watching one of those plumber porns. I guess I had to be in the mood for that :D

@~Leslie~: Murder Game was ★★★★½. I love this series as you know.

THANK YOU FOR THE RECS

[Catherine]

group 3 update:)

finished ..thanks beppy and Dana...it ws a really good read....took me a while because there is so much history to absorb :)

[☘KathyD☘]

Happy New Year to All!
Figured I'd round out the year by updating my progress so far! :)

10/18

Reaper's Legacy — Tara Jo — ★★★★★ 12/4

Ho hum....what can I saw...I so love the Reaper's! And oh my Ruger....ya....he had me long before he told Sophie the story about her fingernail tattoo, but man that one pushed me over the edge! I really liked being able to see how their story began with Ruger's a** of a brother.


Entwined — Diane — ★★★★★ 12/12

I really love how this series works...the melding of contemporary time with mythology! Even though there were a couple of different stories going on, Zander and Callia were the main focus...theirs is a complicated history and I enjoyed seeing it unfold. So much passion between these two!


Own the Wind — Kristy — ★★★★★ 12/2

So...I know there are a ton of Kristen Ashley fans, and after (finally) reading this book I can see why! I loved how this story unfolded from both sides...loved seeing how both Shy and Tabby grew up and grew in love. This was my first KA novel, but certainly not my last!


Under the Mistletoe with Me — Toka — ★★★★ 12/2

This was a sweet, short holiday story! I like Stacy and Issac's story...being married, some of the shiny, new passion can start to tarnish, but a weekend away helps them reconnect. And I seriously loved how it ended...their Christmas gifts to each other....so...fricking...awesome!


Tangled — Beppy — ★★★★★ 12/17

So...I listened to this book...for the most part at work...and it seriously should have a warning! I kept cracking up and had such a difficult time keeping it down at work! I really enjoyed this story...even though Drew could be kind of a jerk, I appreciated his bluntness and how the story unfolded. So looking for to the next in the series.


Hard and Fast — Becky — ★★★★★ 12/19

I really loved Ty and Imogen's story! I also loved them as individuals...Ty with his good ole' boy swag and Imogen with her bookish dry humor. They are a very sweet, yet real feeling couple. It was nice to see Elec and Tamara, as well as Suzanne and Ryder.


Lick — Sunshine — ★★★★ 12/20

What a fun book! I was glad that David and Evelyn weren't all goo goo for each other. They had some big obstacles to overcome related to their hasty nuptials. I've had this book on my radar for a while and am glad I finally met the boys of Stage Dive!



— Nadine — ★★★★ 12/22

This book was definitely hot! Having read the very short story with Jason and Tony, it was interesting to see their relationship grow in a different direction. Kate wasn't a bad character, but she kind of annoyed me most of the time. Now, her niece Veronica was something else! I do hope to see more of that young lady in future installments!


Becoming Sir — Doruntina — ★★★★ 12/24

When I started this book, I felt like I had missed some of the story since it seems to follow after another couple's story. While I'm sure it would have been nice to to know more of the backstory, I was able to follow just fine and enjoy Sawyer's journey. It was fun to see how he dealt with his training to become a dom, especially since his personality screams alpha/dom male. Still, watching him grow into his role while forging new connections was awesome...and seriously HOT!


Lover Reborn — Becca (extra pick) — ★★★★ 12/30
Let me start by saying that I have enjoyed seeing Tohr's story unfold over the course of the series thus far. That being said, I really liked this book, but felt like it dragged a bit too much. There were parts I absolutely LOVED...and there were parts I was really frustrated with. Overall, however, I think the story stayed true to the path Tohr was on and I was very pleased with how the story wrapped up. On a complete side note...what was with the constant description of Jane/Manny's doctor bag...seriously...the old-fashioned bag with a cross on it was mentioned at least three times...it just seemed an odd detail to me to be repeated.


Raw — Nichole

Wild Card — Laurla

Shattered Valor — Jojo

Club Mephisto — Shannan

Soul Scars — Lily

Gabriel’s Rapture — Celeste

Possessed by You — Melissa

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Kathy wrote: " — Nadine — ★★★★ 12/22

This book was definitely hot! Having read the very short story with Jason and Tony, it was interesting to see their relationship grow in a different direction. Kate wasn't a bad character, but she kind of annoyed me most of the time. Now, her niece Veronica was something else! I do hope to see more of that young lady in future installments!"

She does....unfortunately it's in book 8! so you have several more to read before her story.

Glad you enjoyed it.
Happy New Year!

[Nadine Bookaholic]

[☘KathyD☘]

Nadine wrote: "Kathy wrote: " — Nadine — ★★★★ 12/22

This book was definitely hot! Having read the very short story with Jason and Tony, it was interesting to see their rela..."

i saw that nadine! i plan on getting to that story sometime in 2015! :) i have book 2 on deck for january! :)

[Nadine Bookaholic]

Kathy wrote: "i saw that nadine! i plan on getting to that story sometime in 2015! :) i have book 2 on deck for january! :) "

Let me know how it is when you finish it.

[☘KathyD☘]

Nadine wrote: "Kathy wrote: "i saw that nadine! i plan on getting to that story sometime in 2015! :) i have book 2 on deck for january! :) "

Let me know how it is when you finish it."

will do! :)

[Joyce]

Meet & Greet 7
12/1/14-1/31/15

5/10 Finished

GROUP 1
✔MacWolfe01- Better Read Than Dead★★★★☆ - This was a light read, the main character is a bit naive but plucky. I would really have perfered to give it 3.5 stars but rounded up because it was a fun read.
Cristal- The Nerd Who Loved Me
Donna -The Corset Diaries
Larissa-Atlantis Rising
Karla - Shadows


BONUS
✔Catherine-Love Bites finished 12/25/14 ★★★★☆ The 2nd book in the Argeneau series. Really good will continue the series.
✔Breann-Night Play finished 12/28/14 ★★★★★ Bride and Vane's story was so good. I love a character that is not stick thin and the hero makes her feel beautiful.
✔Sunshine-The Cinderella Murder Finished 12/14/14 ★★★★☆ Good solid mystery
✔Becky -Proven Guilty Finished 1/4/15 ★★★★★

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I am really doing terrible with updating this challenge this time around! Now I'm up to 12 picks - so I guess I'm updating every six books...

Becca - Dark Witch by Nora Roberts - I listened to this one and enjoyed both the story and the narration!

Penney - Betrayal in Death by J.S. Robb - Another one I listened to and loved, just as I expected! This series is so enjoyable!

Christina - Holiday on Ice by Jaci Burton - This series is always fun, I really enjoyed this holiday novella!

Hadley - Mai Tai'd Up by Alice Clayton - I listened to this one too and it was a lot of fun!

Shelby - Paris A to Z by Marie Sexton - Enjoyable story, seemed more disjointed than the others in the series (or maybe it was just me).

Grace - Sweet Inspiration by Penny Watson - Nice holiday story!

Thanks everyone for the picks!! There is something to be said about the slow updating, I just got to relive all the good books I've read in the last few weeks! =)

[Shannan]

An update for January 3rd!

I've now also finished:

****.5 stars. Lily, it was a really great read! I loved the plot idea behind the story and am definitely reading the rest of the series soon.

***** stars. Kathy, it was an amazing book, and a heartbreaking read. I am definitely reading more of Green's work later.

I'm also over 30% done with , nearly 50% done with and I started as well.

[Ezi]

The Meet & Greet Challenge: Round 5 (August - September 2014): Finishing my Bonus Picks
Shelby: Alaska, With Love (Done 1/3) ★★★. Really good smut reading. I needed that!

~Melissa~: Cowgirl Up and Ride (Done 12/30) ★. This is my last book in this series as I can’t stand it. I was hoping to get to Trevor and Edgar, but I give up!

Thanks for the recs Ladies. I am almost done with Round 5 books :D

[Ezi]

The Current Meet & Greet Challenge:
Gea: The Guardian (Done 1/2) ★★. that Ian was an asshat.

Karla: Street Game (Done 1/1) ★★★★. I wasn't pleased with this new ghostwalker team but I will go with it.

Becky The Bookworm♡: Burn for Me (Done 1/2) ★★★½. Ilona Andrews writes great stuff, i just needed alittle more love.

Sassafrass: Running Barefoot (Done 1/4) ★★★½. Good book, just not enough of an emotional high for me.

Laurla: Wizard's First Rule (Done 12/30) ★★★★. I just enjoyed this walk down memory lane.

Sadie: Christmas on Mimosa Lane (Done 12/31) ★★★★. Really good holiday story about second chances to live and love.

Thank you ladies

[~Melissa~]

Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "The Meet & Greet Challenge: Round 5 (August - September 2014): Finishing my Bonus Picks
Shelby: Alaska, With Love (Done 1/3) ★★★. Really good smut reading. I needed that!

~Melissa..."

So sorry you didn't like it Ezi - too many other books I'm sure you'll love :)

[Ezi]

~Melissa~ (~Cainis~ the Elf) wrote: "Ezinwanyi~the Impish Angel wrote: "The Meet & Greet Challenge: Round 5 (August - September 2014): Finishing my Bonus Picks
Shelby: Alaska, With Love (Done 1/3) ★★★. Really good smu..."

don't apologize. I had to try to keep going. something about her books grates my nerves

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Just in case you haven't realised, sign ups for the next round of Meet and Greet are up :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Catherine]

Group 3 update :)


finished last night :) very enjoyable...can't wait to get to he next book :) thank you

[LaurLa]

Oddly enough, I seemed to have read significantly more from my Bonus picks than from my Group picks... not quite sure how I managed that! But no matter - all the picks have been excellent - thanks to all for making them!! Luckily many of my Group picks are on deck for January :-)

Picks from Group 4:
✔Beppy: Flirting with Disaster - Ruthie Knox - 12.27 ★★★★
✔Lily: The Keeping - Nicky Charles - 12.27 ★★★★


BONUS Picks from:
✔Sunshine: Scandal And The Duchess - Jennifer Ashley - 12.26 ★★★★★
✔Karla: All Summer Long - Susan Mallery - 12.05 ★★★★
✔Nichole: Willow Springs - Toni Blake - 01.06 ★★★★
✔Sadie: Summer Nights - Susan Mallery - 12.01 ★★★★
✔Breann: The Darkest Secret - Gena Showalter - 12.31 ★★★★
✔Debbie: Against the Wild - Kat Martin - 12.31 ★★★
✔Shelby: The Darkest Lie - Gena Showalter - 12.28 ★★★★
✔Julia: Betrayed: Days of the Rogue - Nicky Charles - 01.03 ★★★★
✔Catherine: Bedding The Bad Boy - Virna DePaul - 12.25 ★★★

[Dee]

finished up another one - Death Cache - recommended by MacWolfe(Elise) - I know a lot of people rave about this author - but honestly, this had one of my main issues with ROMSUS - the on the run from a sadistic killer and random boinking in the woods - it just irks me, plus I don't think the story was that well developed - I picked up on the who did it early on, but never really felt the why, even after it was revealed