R20: Team #2 ~ Too Hot to Handle

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Team #2
Captain: D.G.

Members:
Steph
Deanna
D.G.
Katharine

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Just a Hop, Skip & Click Away
Happy Reading!

Shelf Announcements ~ Check for the latest shelf announcement & review the requirements for each shelf
Captain's Log ~ Share team shelf stats prior to requesting a stamp
Stamp Me! ~ Request a stamp for your bingo card
Discussions ~ Throughout the game, head here to chat with other players & shelf chant til your heart's content
Bingo Rules ~ Rules of the game
Free Space Rules ~ Where to look when pickin' your free space book
Bingo FAQ ~ Don't hesitate! If you have a question, let us know.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hiya, Team Caps! Thanks for volunteering to guide your team through a round of BookShelf Bingo!

Your job, should you choose to accept it, will require a few things:
1 ~ Be our go-to person should we have any questions about your team
2 ~ Organize your teammate's weekly reads for each shelf/category so that the BSB Ninjas can quickly and easily verify and approve your stamp request(s)
2a ~ Create a master list in a post (preferably on the first page of your team's thread) and update it weekly or as often as necessary
2b ~ Post your team's stats on the Captain's Log prior to requesting a stamp
3 ~ Encourage and motivate your team (you may also ask to borrow Judithe's whip whenever necessary)
4 ~ Post regularly to ensure your team is communicating and on track each week
4a ~ Send them a PM and friendly poke if they haven't posted at least once a week, noted their book choice, and/or appear to have dropped out of webspace
5 ~ Send us a PM (Steph, Sandra or Judithe) should you need us for any reason throughout the game

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Link to print your own copy: BINGO card

[Steph, Serious series addict]

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[Steph, Serious series addict]

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[Steph, Serious series addict]

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[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi y'all! Just wanted to say Hi and I'm lookin' forward to reading along with y'all this round. Hope you're all doing good and ready to get started.

Anyone up for captain? I honestly cannot, sorry. But, I'll be a helpful hand anytime it may be needed.

Cheers to R20! 🤓

[D.G.]

**BSB20 T2: Too Hot To Handle**

Free Space - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Megan's Mark by Lora Leigh (SOS Bookshelf) - 3/8 ★★★½ review
✔ Deanna: Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews (SOS Bookshelf) - 2/27 ★★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie (SOS Bookshelf) - 3/6 ★★★½ review
✔ Steph: Magic Misled by Keri Arthur (SOS Bookshelf) - 2/27 ★★★½ review


Shelf 1: Book Boyfriend(s) - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills - 2/26 ★★★½ review
✔ Deanna: Glory in Death by J.D. Robb - 2/25 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover - 2/27 ★★★ review
✔ Steph: Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost - 2/25 ★★★½ review


Shelf 2: Sci-Fi Romance - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Sweep in Peace by Ilona Andrews - 3/5 ★★★★½ review
✔ Deanna: Fractured Souls by Anna Carven - 3/5 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Rescued by Tordin by Mychal Daniels - 3/9 ★★★½ review
✔ Steph: Shades of Allegiance by Sandy Williams - 3/5 ★★★★ review


Shelf 3: Series to Finish - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Shadow's End by Thea Harrison - 3/14 ★★★½ review
✔ Deanna: Honor Bound by Rachel Caine & Ann Aguirre - 3/13 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins - 3/14 ★★★★ review
✔ Steph: Echoed Defiance by Kristen Banet - 3/11 ★★★½ review


Shelf 4: Shapeshifter(s) - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Minimum Wage Magic by Rachel Aaron - 3/19 ★★★★ review
✔ Deanna: Echoed Defiance by Kristen Banet - 3/18 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Heart of Malice by Lisa Edmonds - 3/28 ★★★★ review
✔ Steph: Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs - 3/20 ★★★★ review


Shelf 5: Auto-Buy - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs - 4/2 ★★★★ review
✔ Deanna: Wild Sign by Patricia Briggs - 3/26 ★★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione - 3/28 ★★★★ review
✔ Steph: When He's an Alpha by Suzanne Wright - 3/26 ★★★★ review


Shelf 6: Urban Fantasy - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Part-Time Gods by Rachel Aaron - 4/12 ★★½ review
✔ Deanna: When Death Knocks by S.C. Stokes - 4/4 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Dead to the World by Charlaine Harris - 4/6 ★★★½ review
✔ Steph: Shades of Hate by Kristen Banet - 4/3 ★★★★½ review


Shelf 7: Magic - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Smoke Bitten by Patricia Briggs - 4/21 ★★★★ review
✔ Deanna: Slouch Witch by Helen Harper - 4/9 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Alanna: The First Adventure by Tamora Pierce - 4/10 ★★★★ review
✔ Steph: Bounty Hunters and Black Magic by Kristen Banet - 4/8 ★★★½ review


Shelf 8: Kick Ass Heroine - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Sweep of the Blade by Ilona Andrews - 4/15 ★★★★½ review
✔ Deanna: Shades of Hate by Kristen Banet - 4/21 ★★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Here Be Sexist Vampires by Suzanne Wright - 4/18 ★★★★ review
✔ Steph: Dragons Don't Eat Meat by Kim McDougall - 4/15 ★★★★ review


Shelf 9: Alpha Male - STAMP REQUESTED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Love's Rhythm by Lexxie Couper - 4/25 ★★ review
✔ Deanna: For Fox Sake by Emma Dean - 4/22 ★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley - 4/26 ★★★½ review
✔ Steph: Over the Top by Rebecca Zanetti - 4/22 ★★★½ review


Shelf 10: Vampire(s) - STAMPED!
Completed: 4 / 4
✔ D.G.: Scarlet Heat by Evangeline Anderson - 5/8 ★★ review
✔ Deanna: Paranormal Nonsense by Steve Higgs - 4/30 ★★★★★ review
✔ Katharine: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead - 5/7 ★★★★ review
✔ Steph: The_Slaughtered Lamb Bookstore and Bar by Seana Kelly - 4/30 ★★★ review

[D.G.]

For some reason, the only thing that comes to mind re-names is something to do with Twins...I'll think of something tomorrow. :)

[D.G.]

I guess I should also introduce myself for those who don't know me.

I'm widowed (no kids) and live in NYC. I stopped reading for a while but now I'm (mostly) back, although my tastes have change a lot. I listen mostly audiobooks and my goal for this challenge is to catch up on a lot of series. Let's see how I do!

I've also played this many, many times before.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

So glad to see you back D.G.

[D.G.]

Sandra wrote: "So glad to see you back D.G."

Thanks, Sandra. It's nice to be back doing normal things I enjoy. :)

[Deanna]

Hey team! Looking forward to playing Bingo with everyone! This is my favorite team challenge because I always find the best books to add to my tbr.

[Katharine]

Hi team! Yay Steph! Miss you! Can't wait for this to start

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Hi y'all! I know, D.G., it's hard to believe it took 20 rounds to get us on a team together. Glad you enjoy our BSB, Deanna. Always makes me smile to hear it. *waves to Katharine* Happy to be reading along with ya again.

Okay to make you captain, D.G.? You ladies good with that?

I'll think on name suggestions too.

[D.G.]

Yes, I can be Captain. Some (not so great) suggestions for team names:

-Twin Freaks
-Den of Sin (initials DOS=2 in Spanish). I used to belong to a group of erotica readers a million years ago with this name. :)
-Double Trouble
-2 Legit 2 Quit (I'm laughing so hard!)
-Tomb Raiders

I have a final interview tomorrow so I need to shut down and work on preparing. I'll probably check back in the afternoon, once my interview is over.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I'm 100% open to any name everyone likes. I'm not great with coming up with names, but here's what my hubster & I could come up with ...

2/Too related
Two More Minutes
Too Close to Call
Have Your Book & Read it Too
Too Clever by Half
Too Hot to Handle
Two Cents Worth
Two² (kinda covers team & number of members)
Two² Peas in a Pod
Two & Two Together
Two Cents Worth
Twice Removed
Don't Think Twice
Not Too Shabby
Once Bitten, Twice Shy

Book related
Buried under Books
Suckers for a Series
Will Work for Books
To Be Read

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Oops, refreshed and see I missed your post, D.G. I'm gonna add ya as captain, thanks so much!

😆 Too Legit! Oh, gotta love the music of the '90s! I like all those names, so up for whatever everyone likes.

Good luck w/your interview! New job? Go, D.G., Go!! Ya got this!

ETA: I also meant to ask which books you're more into these days? Got some good recs?

[D.G.]

Of yours, I like Two and Two Together and Too Hot To Handle (we can be Hotties for short!!.) Of mine, I like Too Legit (hahaha!) and Tomb Raiders (very PNR and the 2 is implied - we also have a short form built in.)

Interview is for a promotion at work. I’ve been working at this since November. So stressful!!

[Deanna]

I like Too Hot to Handle and Tomb Raiders.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Damn, I like all of those as well 😬 I suuuuuuck at making a decision on a name.

🥳 Let's get the party started! First shelf is: Book Boyfriend (s)
DIRECT LINK(s) ~ Book Boyfriend -OR- Book Boyfriends

I'll be back with my book choice soon. For free space, I'm gonna go with (option 3)

[D.G.]

Steph wrote: "Damn, I like all of those as well 😬 I suuuuuuck at making a decision on a name. "

I guess it depends on whether we want to be Hotties or Badasses (ie Raiders) hahaha!!

Woohoo, first shelf!! And I was so busy I couldn't even chant, boo!!

I'll post my choices a bit later. :)

[D.G.]

Ok here's what I'm considering :) I'll know for sure once I start reading. I've become a very moody reader!

Free Space - from SOS Bookshelf:

A re-read but I need to catch up with this series and I remember nothing.

Book Boyfriends

[Steph, Serious series addict]

D.G. wrote: "I guess it depends on whether we want to be Hotties or Badasses (ie Raiders) hahaha!!"

See now, you'd think breakin' it down for me like that it'd make my choice easier ... nope! 🤔😝😆

[Steph, Serious series addict]

D.G. wrote: "Interview is for a promotion at work. I’ve been working at this since November. So stressful!! "

I totally forgot to say - sheesh that's a long time to work on a promotion! Get 'um, girl! Good luck!!

[Katharine]

Too Legit or Too Hot would be my picks

[Steph, Serious series addict]

👍🏼 Looks like Too Hot has votes from all. Good with Too Hot to Handle, m'Hotties? :)

[D.G.]

Steph wrote: "👍🏼 Looks like Too Hot has votes from all. Good with Too Hot to Handle, m'Hotties? :)"

Yes, that works!!

[D.G.]

Steph wrote: "I totally forgot to say - sheesh that's a long time to work on a promotion! Get 'um, g..."

At my job, you have to go through the interview process to get promoted. This is my third time interviewing for different jobs.

They tell me I'll find out by early next week so we'll see!!

[Deanna]

Steph wrote: "👍🏼 Looks like Too Hot has votes from all. Good with Too Hot to Handle, m'Hotties? :)"

Sounds good.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

D.G. wrote: "They tell me I'll find out by early next week so we'll see!! "

🤞🏼 for you! Hope ya get what you're after!

Adding our team name now :)

For this shelf, I'll be reading:
(shelved by one person 'Book-Boyfriend')

[Deanna]

Free space - on SOS shelves

Book Boyfriend - tagged book-boyfriends 10 times

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Wicked All Night by Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Rebel #3
Shelf: 'book boyfriend' (shelved by 1 lovely person)
Read: 25 February
Rating: ✮✮✮½

My Review:

Wicked All Night wraps up Ian and Veritas' story. Wicked Bite ended with the pair defeating Dagon, yet leaving Ian in an unexpected condition. Veritas has been trying, with the help of her half-brother/half-demon Ashael, to reverse his condition. When Phanes, her unwanted celestial fiancé, suddenly appears she realizes he can help her where all else has failed. His cost requires her to once again leave Ian and travel into the netherworld. As you'd expect, Ian's none too pleased when he realizes what Veritas has done.

❝ Choose us. Together, we can defeat anything in our way.❞

Spade (Charles) and his wife Denise, Vlad, Cat and Bones, Mencheres, Marie Laveau and Tyler (Cat's friend, the medium) all reunited to help fight the bad guys. It's always nice to have our favorite main/side characters return for finales. However, I was shocked by the abrupt ending. WTH was that?

All that said, I feel it was a decent wrap up to Ian's trilogy. He and Veritas are a seriously kick-ass couple, power-wise. I always found it funny that it was Ian, not Veritas, who had to constantly remind her they're stronger together, he's not safer left behind nor is she, he will follow her anywhere ... including the netherworld with no sure plan to come out alive (oh Ian, you big, lovable, softie!). As Ian said,

❝... don't act as if you don't understand doing anything to protect the one you love. Yes, saving you might mean my death. If so, been there, done that, wasn't so bad. ❞

PS: Can we please get a trilogy about Veritas' half-brother/half-demon, Ashael? I'd definitely read that!

[D.G.]

Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Free Space: SOS Bookshelf
Date finished/Rating: 2/25/21 ★★★★
Review: What a fun story! I love how Ilona and Gordon created this amazing mash of UF and SciFi!! The whole world is exciting, the men are hot and as usual, there's a great mix of action and humor. Totally laughed out loud at the end with Arland's dig to Sean on who wins on vampire/werewolf love triangle!! Really looking forward to catching up with this series!

[D.G.]

FYI, Hotties...I'm keeping track of our reads on post #9. Katherine - please post what you're planning to read when you have a chance.

So looking forward to the weekend!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

I love that series, DG, glad you liked the intro.

I’ll have my first shelf book finished by tonight, most likely. Thanks for taking on the cap duties!

[D.G.]

Not My Match by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Shelf #1: Book Boyfriends (shelved by 6 readers)
Date finished/Rating: 2/26/21 ★★★½
Review: I really liked how quirky the heroine was but I found the hero was too needy! And I found that after all the denying and pretending that nothing was going on, the problem was solved a bit too easy. I'm giving an additional half star for the heroine's mom passive aggressive prayer. That was hilarious!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Magic Misled by Keri Arthur
Series: Lizzie Grace #7
Shelf: Free Space (Option #3)
Read: 27 Feb
Rating: ✮✮✮½

My Review:
In Magic Misled Lizzie and gang face a twisted soul hunting and killing werewolves, which forces Lizzie to learn more about the wild magic. It's becoming obvious the cost of using it could be deadly. Monty's mission to brake past Belle's barriers is adorable. I'm so happy he's slowly, but surely making progress and now has a new cheerleader in his corner. An investigator, who also turns out to be a potential suitor, shows up to question Lizzie about the events that occurred in Deadly Vows. For now though, she remains totally dedicated to Aiden, who's about to celebrate his 30th birthday.

❝ We are not trivial. This relationship is not trivial. ❞

Lizzie and Aiden are becoming closer by the day as his mother continues to make her dislike of the pairing clear. In fact, she's invited someone back to town she hopes will rid her and her son of the witch once and for all.

I'm glad we'll (hopefully, finally) find out how/if their relationship will withstand the obstacles in front of them in the next installment, Broken Bonds (due in Oct 2021). As Bruce Buffer would say, "It's Time!"

Pet Peeve side note: In the 16 chapters, "dare say" or "daresay" was used 15 times and "the latter" was used 17 times. It. Got. Annoying.

[Deanna]

Glory in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death #2
Shelf: Book Boyfriend (tagged book-boyfriends 10 times)
Read: 2/25
Rating: 4 stars

While the hunt for a new serial killer was interesting, my favorite part of this book was the growth of the characters and their fledgling relationship struggles. Eve is still determinedly suppressing any memory of her childhood nightmares while struggling to come to grips with the idea that Roarke loves her and trying to figure out exactly how a relationship is supposed to work. Roarke, despite being surprised by the strength of his feelings for Eve, already knows exactly where he wants the relationship to go and pushes to get Eve to admit to her feelings and commit to the relationship. It's two steps forward and one step back over and over as two broken souls slowly find their way.

As far the mystery part, it felt like Eve was jumping to conclusions this time around more than she was following the evidence, which was a bit frustrating. The first victim's ex-husband and son were both put through a lot of scrutiny with only circumstantial evidence and no apparent motive. Still the heartwarming parts outweighed the annoying ones making this a 4 star book for me.

[D.G.]

Good morning Hotties!! Post 9 is updated! Hope your weekend was good. I got together with family yesterday and drank too much!! I'm so tired today!

Katharine hasn't posted in about a week so I'll PM her if we don't hear from her by tomorrow. Don't know how fast she reads and want to make sure she can catch up. :)

[Katharine]

I'm done with Maybe Someday by Colleen Hoover just need to write a review. Sorry I've been MIA...work is taking its toll on me. I'll have my post done by tomorrow night. I'll read Killer Insight by Victoria Laurie for my Free Space.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Katharine likes that series too, Deanna. She's been after me to start it. 😏

LOL! Sounds like a good time, DG.

Sorry works beatin' ya down, Katharine. Hope it improves soon.

[D.G.]

I started the In Death series many moons ago but wasn't that crazy about Eve to continue (specially as it was probably 30+ books at that point...now it's 50+!) Although I have to say that Rourke is yummy. Deanna's review make me want to continue!!

[D.G.]

So I didn't get the promotion I've been working so hard on, so I'm really bummed. I'm taking a day off on Friday just to decompress...and I'll be reading a lot!! Really looking forward to the new shelf tomorrow!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

D.G. wrote: "I started the In Death series many moons ago but wasn't that crazy about Eve to continue (specially as it was probably 30+ books at that point...now it's 50+!) Although I have to say that Rourke is..."

That 50+ is one of the reasons I'll probably not start it. 😬

Oh no! I'm so sorry! That super sucks! Glad you'll have a day to decompress. Dive into those books!

[Katharine]

Maybe Someday
Series: Maybe #1
Shelf: Book Boyfriend (tagged 95 times as book-boyfriend)
Read: 2/27
Rating: 3 stars

My first Colleen Hoover book. I've read rave reviews of her various titles, but this one just didn't "wow" me. Maybe it was my mood but I kept hating the characters were being stupid and not seeing what was coming to them (cheating, new romance, etc.). I'm going to chalk it up to having a bad week and give Colleen Hoover another try sometime.

BTW...my Free Space book is on the SOS list

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

D.G. wrote: "So I didn't get the promotion I've been working so hard on, so I'm really bummed. I'm taking a day off on Friday just to decompress...and I'll be reading a lot!! Really looking forward to the new s..."

Sorry to hear that D.G. :( Hope you've got some great books ready for Friday!!

[Sam]

Steph wrote: "That 50+ is one of the reasons I'll probably not start it.."

But they go so fast that it doesn't seem like 50 books :)

[D.G.]

Woohoo! Thanks Katharine!!

Book Boyfriend(s) Stamp Requested!!
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

I haven't done this in a while so please let me know Steph if I messed something up!!