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R4: SS A Novel Idea (3)
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Denise, Manufacturing Director
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Nov 24, 2014 12:32AM
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Dude, you guys have finished your ones before I"ve even started this week's!
Lol I had a couple of days to myself Nicole so I got through a 14hr audiobook, I couldn't put it down haha!
Week #3: Spot 24 - Alternate published in 2010
Book: Lord of Devil Isle by Connie Mason
Read: Nov 25th, 2014
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review:
Known as the “Lord of Devil Isle”, Nicholas Scott is a skilled ship’s captain and a notorious womanizer. So when he pulls Eve Upshall from the waves, he naturally assumes she will be his latest conquest. Eve, however, has other ideas on the matter …
A sweet and steamy read although it did lose some momentum at the end.
Eve and Nick have incredible chemistry and their banter is a highlight of the book. Eve certainly knows how to handle herself both verbally and physically. Thankfully there are no ridiculous misunderstandings or silly secrets, and the obstacles to their relationship come in the form of their own mutual stubbornness.
The resolution is where the weakness lies as if the authors had difficulty wrapping the story up. The inclusion of the (view spoiler) comes out of nowhere and there is little to no build up to the (view spoiler). The enmity between Adam and Nick also lacks closure and an epilogue in which Nick’s fears of (view spoiler)are laid to rest would also wrap things up nicely.
Nevertheless, Lord of Devil Isle is an entertaining read, but the book is probably not for those readers who prefer historical detail and accuracy in their historical romance. I will certainly be reading more from these authors in the future.
Mod
Current Spot: 24
Read:
Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (Bridgertons #4)Finished: 28 November 2014
Rating: ****
After the somewhat offputting An Offer From a Gentleman I was slighly disenchanted with this series for a while, but I'm very glad I finally decided to pick up the next book! The story of how Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington defy all expectations, their own as well as those of society as a whole, and finally discover their feelings for each other after a decade-long friendship was an absolutely delightful read and might just be my favourite from the series so far. And even more importantly: The mysterious and ever entertaining Lady Whistledown is finally unmasked! I just hope that doesn't mean we won't get any more of her wonderfully amusing columns for the rest of the series... 4.5/5
Finished mine yesterday but forgot to review it lol.
WEEK 2Spot 17
Book:
#1 in series
Finished 27th Nov
Rating *****
Review
I really enjoyed this book, I was slightly worried as me and PNR do not seem to get on very well, however I was slightly in love with the authors other series and I hoped that this would be as good………..and it was phew!!
Layla lives with the wardens, who are gargoyles and protect the world from Daemons, trouble is although Layla herself is half Warden, she is also half Daemon too !!!
Ms Armentrout tends to write her hot men HAWT, Zane didn’t sound like my cup of tea (although I’m sure I probably wouldn’t kick him out of bed if he farted!!) but Roth PPHHEEWWW!!!! He was smoking hot
Zane is a warden, Roth is a daemon, queue the love triangle, however it wasn’t a roll your eye type of triangle as one of the people involved Layla can not even touch!
I can’t wait to read the next book in the series to find out what happens as the book ends on a bit of a cliffhanger!
Just finished mine, writing up the review now. Thank god we don't need to check in till next friday for both!!
lol I forgot to put mine up till today
Haha, awesome. Week #2: Spot 17 - 1st in series
Okay, I have Holly Black's The Coldest Girl in Coldtown for 5 STARS.
There is only one problem that I have with picking up a new Holly Black book, and that is that you have to be really, really careful about what you pick up next, because otherwise it's just going to pale in comparison.
That is true even in this vampire story. People who think that nothing new can come out of the teen vampire genre really need to get their hands on The Coldest Girl in Coldtown. Right. Now.
This story originated as the first short in Holly Black's anthology The Poison Eaters, which I first read pretty much exactly a year ago, largely because I knew this full novel was about to be published.
Both the novel and the short story centre around the idea that vampirism is a disease that humans can catch through being bitten by a vampire, but not killed. There starts 88 days of torture as the human body goes through the disease and the vampire toxins trying to help your body into the change of becoming a vampire. The only thing you need in order to change during this time is the taste of human blood.
A rich and vibrant world is painted on this premise, but what I really loved about this novel is the depth it went in exploring these nuances. There are twists and turns in this book that would have some thrillers spinning their wheels in comparison.
And the characters! Tana is a main character who is definitely nobody's idea of a damsel in distress. The way she goes from bad decisions because she thinks she's already doomed to kicking ass for the sake of herself and those she cares about is amazingly drawn out. I really felt like I understood exactly what she was going through. Aiden, though I wanted to kick him in the pants for vast parts of the early book, was an interestingly bi-sexual teenage male and managed to redeem himself by the end. Pauline, who we see so very rarely nonetheless has a solid presence in this book, and I have all the wishes in the world of Tana and Pauline reconnecting after the events of this novel. Pearl, Tana's younger sister, we see a lot more of in the flashback chapters that occur in between every chapter of the current action, and my heart went out to her multiple times throughout this book. She seemed often so much older than twelve, which I put to the fact of how much her character has to go through, even though she's peripheral.
And Gavriel. I know I certainly looked at him critically as the obvious main-character-who-is-also-a-vampire-in-a-teen-novel. But his arc was really interesting and there was something that worked about him, largely because he was made out to be no more than just one character in this cast of so many interesting people. Yeah, he was a love interest in the end, but that wasn't really what his whole story was about, nor Tana's.
I loved the ending, both sequences that I considered to be 'the ending', though for obvious spoiler reasons I can't say why.
woah 5 stars, I couldn't get on with that book at all Nicole lol
Oh really? What troubled you with it?
I'm not really sure, I just didn't like it, the MC made me angry most of the time, and I wanted to strangle Midnight and Winter lol
Midnight and Winter were pretty terrible, the worst characters of the book, I thought. But I really liked Tana. Huh, I guess every one has different tastes ;)
Week #2: Spot 17 - 1st in series
Book: Endgame by Dee Davis
Read: Nov 29th, 2014
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review:
Members of a consortium involved in economic discussions with China are being picked off one by one. FBI Profiler, Madison Harper, is partnered with CIA operative, Gabriel Roarke, and together the two must overcome their differences to stop a determined killer before he strikes closer to home.
An action packed plot and a steamy romance, but it does require a certain suspension of disbelief.
The Last Chance team is tasked with investigating a series of murders, but none of the group’s members is actually an investigator. A profiler, two CIA agents, an MI6 operative and a computer geek do not have the necessary skills to solve a murder and this becomes obvious as the team follows one false lead after another and the body count rises.
The mystery is good although it can get confusing at times with too many twists and turns to easily follow. The multiple POVs does not help with this as the information comes from several different directions. Nevertheless, there are some exciting action scenes and the climax and resolution are compelling.
The romance is the strongest aspect of the book. Gabriel is the typical dark and moody agent with a chip on his shoulder and Madison has obvious daddy issues and a desire to prove herself in a man’s world. That said, they are likable characters and their love-hate relationship results in amazing chemistry. It is fun watching them give in to their attraction against their better judgement.
The secondary characters are engaging in their own right. Payton, in particular, appeals to my scarred and tortured hero fetish.
In sum, solid writing despite the tendency toward information dumps, an interesting mystery and appealing characters. Will definitely pick up the next in the series.
Nicole can you edit your review to show what week, spot and date finished for me please, I don't want to link your review to the wrong spot and get put in the naughty captains corner lol
Edited to add! You're not a naughty captain at all :)
Week 3Spot 24
Book
(2010)Book: Secret DaughterFinished: Nov 30
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: Secret Daughter is a tug ar your heaet strings type of book. Two women frim two very different worlds and the loss they experience and the love they give for their daughter. Its also an eye opener to those unfamiliar with the living conditions some people have to endure and their struggle to surive.
Don't forget that we need our 2 reviews in by tomorrow night latest girls, so that we can roll on Friday morning :●D
Yup yup, I'm churning through my second read so I will have it in on time.Hope everyone else is doing well!
Week 2 Spot 17
Book:
Finished: Dec 3rd
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: The Doctor and Rose travel back to 1920s London to check out the British Empire Exhibition. What they get really is a missing Tardis, members of the help being attacked and hurt badly or worse. And mysterious ticking sound. Who or what is behind all of this. Another adventure in the past for them both.
For my first Doctor Who book I was quite impressed. My plan was to try and read the books in relation to the show but alas I was enjoying it too much to slow my viewing. I'm hoping to get all of the 9th doctor books read before watching too many of the next.
Whoop whoop, just 1 more review in and we're done, GO TEAM !!!
Carrie wrote: "Week 2 Spot 17
Book:
Finished: Dec 3rd
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: The Doctor and Rose travel back to 1920s London to check out the British Empire Exh..."
Love Dr Who, my little boy is mad for him (He's not to keen on the new Doctor though) I've never read any of the books though.
I have seen any of the new Doctor yet so I can not give any opinion lol.
He's ok, older though so very different to Matt Smith who is my absolute favourite.
And done! Week 3Before I Fall
5 stars.
Whoa. I really should give it some time before writing this review so that it sits with me for a while, but I really wanna just pound my thoughts out and let everyone know why this was a good book.
Was it a good book because of the characters? No. Not really. The main characters of this book were largely vapid to the point when, even when described as doing a good deed, it largely felt like they were doing it for their own good rather than the goodness of the deed. The other three mains ere just like the mean girls in every high school. Though it was interesting to see a story told from the point of view of these kinds of characters, they weren't likeable. The main exception of this seemed to be Kent. He was a babe.
Was it a good book because of the side characters? Not quite, or, at least, not on its own.
Was it a good book because of the intersecting stories of these side characters. Yes. The fact that the unique nature of this story gave way to some truly interesting insights on what was going on in the so-called side characters lives was amazing. Just thinking of some of those moments now makes me....nyah. I think some of these were better than the inevitable end.
Most of all, I think this and the style of narrative that made these intersecting stories possible, without being boring or needlessly repetitive, was what made this book for me. If I hadn't read Delirium before this, Before I Fall would have convinced me without a doubt of just how much talent Lauren brings into her writing.
There wasn't a dull point, and although there were parts that made me cringe, the pull of the story kept me going relentlessly to the end.
Just a reminder, we roll tomorrow. If anyone has a team mate that hasn't checked in lately, captains go ahead and send a pm.
Jenne wrote: "Just a reminder, we roll tomorrow. If anyone has a team mate that hasn't checked in lately, captains go ahead and send a pm. "Thanks Jenne, we are all ready to Rock 'n' roll here !!
WEEK 3.
ROLL
6+1=7
LANDING US ON SPOT # 31
THIS WEEK WE CAN READ.
#3 in a series
#1 in a series
#31 in a series
A Stand Alone
Alternate 1999.
Reviews must be in no later than Thursday evening in able for us to roll on Friday morning.
Happy Reading :●D
Denise - Review
Lauren - Review
Vicci - Review
Carrie - Review
Nicole - Review
Mod
.
I'll read
#1 in a series or
#3 in a series
Mod
Current Spot: 31
Read:
The Swan & the Jackal by J.A. Redmerski (In the Company of Killers #3)Finished: 05 December 2014
Rating: *****
Thrilling, uncompromising and intense, just like the first two books in the series. I've been intrigued by Fredrik's character ever since his first appearance in the previous novels and couldn't wait to get to his story. The book kept me at the edge of my seat from page one and turned out to be all I could have hoped for: It's dark, it's brutal, it's twisted and I loved every single bit of it. Gimme more!
Wow Denise you are a reading machine lol
I have the 2nd and 3rd one in that series to read, glad it sounds just as good as the 1st.
Mod
Said the queen of buddy reads. ;) And with those books, it's kinda impossible not to read the whole thing at once anyway. :D
Lol, yeah I have them to read, just need to fit them in somewhere haha!@Nicole Loved that book
ahhh I ♡ that book. Ms Hoover can do no wrong in my humble little opinion!!
V Audio Nerd wrote: "Lol, yeah I have them to read, just need to fit them in somewhere haha!@Nicole Loved that book"
Gosh, I loved it too!! Now I just need to write up the review :)
Here we are, week 4The Raven Boys
**** stars
This book was surprisingly amazing. I'd been wanting to read it for a long while, and was elated when it just happened to be sitting there on the library recent returns shelf.
I'm not sure why I was surprised at the quality of this very gothic tale for young adults. Maybe it's just because I heard it had been popular, and I know what often sells as popular for teenaged girls. But this book was very light on the romance, if it had much of it to speak of at all.
Instead, what we had was atmosphere, and lots of it. Solid characters. A plot hook and then so many plot twists that I hardly knew which way I was standing. And, you know what, I loved every single one of those twists and turns.
Gansey is not an immediately likeable character, but he grows on you. I think one of the amazing things Maggie chose to do with this book was share it from so many different points of view. When seen from the point of view of another main character, Blue, early on, there didn't seem much to him. Behind the scenes of Gansey himself, on the other hand, you see a very complex and torn teenage character.
Adam was far more likeable right from the start, and his home life was gut wrenching at times. I feel like I still don't quite understand what happened to him at the end of this novel, and am hoping that the next one serves to illuminate.
Blue was gorgeous. I loved her family and the whole life she had alluded to up till this.
I even loved the chapters that came from Whelk's point of view, especially the ones at the start.
I found I was disappointed, in the end, that we got so little--if anything at all?--from Ronan's point of view. I had this feeling like he could have been the most interesting of them all.
I rated this as 4 stars because I feel that there is so much more that book two can be, and because so much of this book mentioned how things were 'just starting'. I look forward to seeing whether Maggie can 'bring it' for the next two books in the trilogy.
Finished this a couple of days ago but forgot to post my review:Week #4: Spot 31 - 3rd in series
Lead Me On by Victoria Dahl
Read: Dec 8, 2014
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review:
Due to her troubled past, Jane Morgan has changed her name and created a new life for herself. The only thing missing is a man to share it with, but Jane is weary of the staid men that she has been dating. Enter William Chase, a physically intimidating and tattooed demolitions expert, who rings all of Jane’s bells, but epitomizes everything that she has renounced in her life. Can Jane accept who she truly is in order to be with the love of her life?
Barring one or two small issues, the first two books in the Tumble Creek series are fun and entertaining. Lead Me On, however, takes things to a whole new level.
Jane’s past has caused her to be wary of a certain type of man and some readers my find her snobbish persona off-putting. Nevertheless, for me she is a very sympathetic heroine who becomes even more so once her traumatic history is revealed. Chase is simply scrumptious; a gentle giant who realizes that Jane is "the one" from their first meeting, now if only he can convince her of that fact. Their chemistry sizzles and fans of steamy romance will not be disappointed.
The suspense plot is minor but that doesn’t matter as the secondary characters from Jane’s overprotective stepfather to her irresponsible brother and her eccentric grandmother are responsible for many of the sweet and humorous moments in the book.
All in all, an exceedingly entertaining book and I’m going to read more of Dahl’s contemporary works.
WEEK 4SPOT 31
BOOK
#3 In a series
READ 10TH DEC
RATING ♡♡♡♡♡♡
This was the 3rd and final book in The Darkest Minds trilogy, and what a ride it has been.
I can safely say that this is one of my favourite series that I have read.
In this book we get answers to a lot of questions about IAAN and how/why it exists, we also meet the old crew again, and some surprise meetings!!
Ruby is still as kick ass as usual and with the help of the old crew manage to help children from other camps escape, make a trip back to Thurmond **shudder** and also have to deal with the likes of Clancy, erghh he makes my skin crawl.
Liam, Chubbs, Vida and Cole are still there, arguing and planning rescue missions.
I love how this book finally lets you see what happened to all of the colours that were captured, Oranges, Yellows, Greens, Blues, and even Reds !!
The world building in this series has been phenomenal and I am sad that it has finished, however it ended just how I wanted it to.
Good going, everyone! It's not even Thursday yet :D
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