R20: Team #9 ~ Reading to the Nines

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Reading to the Nines!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shapeshifter(s)'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Neener Neener Niners!

[Mary X]

Completion Post: Sci-Fi Romance



Amanda Bouchet

Fits: shelved sci-fi romance by 24 people

rating 4 stars
Read: 4/5/21

I really enjoyed this book. I liked that even though it was in first person it switched back and forth between Tess and Shade's perspectives. Nice world building and I had been looking for a new space set series with a little romance that wasn't yet another male alien species looking for mates series. This is basically an urban fantasy series set in space which I liked.

[Mary X]

So I think I just need to finish my books for auto-buy and urban fantasy. Listening to my UF book first because it has a due date. My auto-buy book is from Scribd.

There's 3 more shelf calls before I go on vacation. Hopefully I can get all caught up. If we get lucky and get a bingo, I don't want to be the reason we lose. I'll have internet in Mexico, I just have be careful about data usage when using my phone to power my tablet. It's a company phone.

[BarbaraAnn]

Mary C wrote: "Completion Post: Sci-Fi Romance



Amanda Bouchet

Fits: shelved sci-fi romance by 24 people

rating 4 stars
Read: 4/5/21

I really enjoyed this bo..."

I'll have to add this to my neverending TBR

[BarbaraAnn]

Mary C wrote: "So I think I just need to finish my books for auto-buy and urban fantasy. Listening to my UF book first because it has a due date. My auto-buy book is from Scribd.

There's 3 more shelf calls befo..."

Hi Mary - you're correct. everything but uf & autobuy have been claimed (or are in process - I just submitted stamp request for sci fi romance.)

[BarbaraAnn]

Completion post - Urban fantasy

Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop
Finished 4/7/21 ****

This wasn't quite as good as earlier books, but I still enjoyed it. I missed the side characters. the plot focused on Meg, Simon and Cyrus. There were a few great items included - Skippy. He's still Skippy, but this brought up more about his limitations and how he can still be part of the pack. I also liked the idea that the villain didn't have an agenda other than money. I loved the Elders who were part of the plot and absolutely loved the ending.

[Tori]

Completion Post! Auto Buy
Ana on the Edge by A.J. Sass
***** (5 Stars)
Read 4/6/21

Y'all nothing makes this queer happier than wholesome representation like this. Sometimes it's nice to read stories like this where there's conflict in a figuring out/coming out story but it's not because of transphobia or anything like that. Ana felt real, and so did her struggles with her identity and her friends. I also loved her relationship with her mom, and I appreciated the depiction of how it feels to be conscious of your family's financial situation from a young age. I also loved all the ice skating in it. It's definitely the sport I'm most interested in, though I don't keep up with it a ton.

This is definitely one I'll be keeping in my pocket to recommend to tween and teen readers (and anyone else who wants a little nonbinary rep in their lives).

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone, - the new call is out.

Magic - there are two links:

Magic

SOS Magic

Laura - Circus Save Me by K.A. Knight **** 4/10/21 Laura's Magic review
Mary C - Widow's Web by Jennifer Estep 4/22/21 **** Mary C's Magic Review
Tori - Sabriel by Garth Nix *** 4/17/21 Tori's magic review
BarbaraAnn - Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin *** 4/17/21 BarbaraAnn's Magic review

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Reading to the Nines!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'sci-fi romance'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Laura]

For Magic I will read Circus Save Me, which is 260 pages, and shelved Magic 7 times.

[Tori]

For Magic I'm reading Sabriel by Garth Nix. It's 491 pages and has been tagged 641 times!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Neener Neener Niners!

[BarbaraAnn]

For magic, I’m reading Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin. It’s 345 pages and tagged as magic 121x.

[Mary X]

For Magic:



Jennifer Estep

[Laura]

Completion Post - Shelf #7: Magic

Book: Circus Save Me
Date Read: 4/10
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Shelved Magic 7 times

Review:
I honestly thought the world-building was a bit lacking in this one. I loved the characters, but their relationships needed more depth, and the world needed more explanation. You can't just say "The bombs fell." And then jump 35 years to a completely unrecognizable world without more explanation. Was I disappointed? Yes. Will I read the next book? Also, Yes.

[Laura]

I'll have my Auto Buy book done before the next shelf is called! :)

ETA: That is the shelf I'm reading Wild Sign for, right? I've changed it so many times now I'm not 100% certain.

[BarbaraAnn]

Laura wrote: "I'll have my Auto Buy book done before the next shelf is called! :)

ETA: That is the shelf I'm reading Wild Sign for, right? I've changed it so many times now I'm not 100% certain."

Hi Laura. Yes I’ve got wild sign under auto buy.

[Mary X]

Completion Review Auto-buy shelf


Ilona Andrews

Shelf: Auto-buy
Fits: shelved auto-buy 2 times

Read: 4/12/21
Rating: 4 stars

Another winner in this series. I like the direction the Andrew's are taking with the series. New magical creatures added to this addition with ghouls and Djinn. I enjoyed the doting father routine that Roland tries and fails to pull off.

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone - the next call is out:

Kick Ass Heroine

Laura - The Mane Squeeze by Shelly Laurenston **** 4/18/21 Laura's kick ass heroine review
Mary C - Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep 4/23/21 **** Mary C's kick ass heroine review
Tori - Obsidio by Amie Kaufman
BarbaraAnn - Spider’s Revenge by Jennifer Estep **** 4/29/21 BarbaraAnn's kick ass heroine review

[Tori]

For Kick Ass Heroine I'll read Obsidio by Amie Kaufman! That'll finish up that series (and then I'll remember to return the book to the library. Us librarians are the worst about that, I swear...)

It's been tagged 13 times and is 618 pages.

[Laura]

Ugh. I was wondering why there was no call earlier today. Goodreads notifications are wonky again today.

For Kick Ass Heroine I'll read The Mane Squeeze which is shelved 6 times, 380 pages.

I'll be all caught up by the end of this week. These and Wild Sign are both books I've got slotted in to other challenges this week.

[BarbaraAnn]

I'm going to read Spider’s Revenge for Kick ass heroine. Tagged 15x 400 pg

[Mary X]

I'll read for Kick-ass heroine

[BarbaraAnn]

Completion post. Call #7 Magic

Magic Lost, Trouble Found by Lisa Shearin. Read 4/17/21 ***

This was a slow read as there was a lot of world-building. I loved Raine, the main character. I also thought it was interesting that some of the main characters were goblins. The magic system was interesting and I’ll be interested in how the books progress

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf #5 - Auto Buy
Book: Wild Sign
Date Read: 4/17
Rating: 4.5 stars
How it fits: Shelved Auto Buy 3 times

Review:
Charles and Anna never disappoint. The last paragraph of the last chapter, and the epilogue, made me cry a bit. I really enjoyed how Briggs has made me see Leah differently with this book and the previous book. I really want to like Leah and root for her and Bran!

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf #8 - Kick-Ass Heroine
Book: The Mane Squeeze
Date Read: 4/18
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Shelved Kick Ass Heroine 6 times.

Review:
This series is so hilarious. I love these crazy shifters. This world is so diverse, and so well developed.

[Tori]

Completion Post! Magic
Sabriel by Garth Nix
*** (3 Stars)
Read 4/17/21

There was a lot I liked about this book; the world building was interesting, the premise was fun, and I liked the little bit of like lore of the magic we got in this one. I just didn't super vibe with the writing style. It almost felt shallow to me? Like I wasn't getting in as deep as I normally did. I ended up liking it better by the end, and I am going to give the second book a try.

[Laura]

This notifications mess up has totally thrown me off my game. Just want to double check. I'm all caught up, right?

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Reading to the Nines!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'auto buy'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Neener Neener Niners!

[BarbaraAnn]

Hi Everyone - Call 9 is out - last week we had kick ass heroine and this week we have Alpha Male

Alpha male
SOS Alpha Male

Laura - All Rhodes Lead Here by Mariana Zapata 4/23/21 ***** Laura's Alpha Male review
Mary C - Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost
Tori - Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
BarbaraAnn - Street Game by Christine Feehan *** 5/1/21

[Tori]

For Alpha Male I'll read Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews. It's 349 pages and has been tagged 54 times.

[BarbaraAnn]

For Alpha Male, I'll read Rule by Jay Crownover tagged 11x as alpha male and 416 pages

[Laura]

I'll read Wicked All Night for Alpha Male.

[Mary X]

Completion Post: Magic Shelf



Jennifer Estep

Read: 4/22/21
Fits: shelved Magic 111 times.

I'm still really enjoying this series. However you know how sometimes you suddenly become aware of a writing tick of an author. Like a word or phrase they use way too much? Then once you become aware of it, you notice it over and over again? Well she uses "my lover" in reference to Owen so much that it began to stick out like a sore thumb to me. But still a great story. I really liked finally getting some detail on Owen's background. I know Kincaid is technically a crime lord, but I fell a little in love with him.

[Mary X]

So, we now have a 4 in a row and potential Bingo next week. We would just need Favorite Author called.

[Mary X]

A reminder that I leave for Cancun Saturday morning.

For alpha-male I will read




I also checked out a book for Favorite author just in case it's called while I'm on vacation. both books actually work for alpha-male and favorite author. So there's a change I might switch it up. I was able to check Once burned out in both auido and ebook via hoopla. Now I have to hope that they will work on my Kindle while I'm in Mexico.

I might prioritize the alpha-male book before kick-ass heroine on the off change we get a Bingo next week. It could happen.

Hopefully I can access internet while I'm there. According to my company phone plan I have international usage but you never know.

[Mary X]

I just remembered that a team can only win if they’ve finished all the shelves called even if they aren’t part of their Bingo. I’ll try to finish another book tomorrow.

[Laura]

Laura wrote: "I'll read Wicked All Night for Alpha Male."

Gonna change that and read All Rhodes Lead Here, 551 pages and tagged 4 times as Alpha Male. It fits better with my other challenges right now.

[Laura]

Mary C wrote: "I just remembered that a team can only win if they’ve finished all the shelves called even if they aren’t part of their Bingo. I’ll try to finish another book tomorrow."

On that note, status check!

Free Space - Completed/Stamped
#1 - Book Boyfriend - Completed/Stamped
#2 - Sci-Fi Romance - Completed/Stamped
#3 - Series to Finish - Completed/Stamped
#4 - Shapeshifters - Completed/Stamped
#5 - Auto-Buy - Completed/Stamped
#6 - Urban Fantasy - Completed/Stamped
#7 - Magic - Completed/Stamped
#8 - Kick-Ass Heroine - 3/4 completed (Tori)
#9 - Alpha Male - 3/4 completed (Mary C)
#10 - Vampires - 1/4 completed

[Laura]

What perfect timing to be one away from Bingo, right Mary? :)

[Mary X]

I thought I did my UF book. Maybe I forgot to review it.

UF review coming right up.

[Mary X]

Completion Post for Urban Fantasy Stamp


Amanda Stevens


Fits: Shelved Urban Fantasy 30 times
Read: 4/7/21
rating: 4 stars

Really enjoying this series. I keep picturing Bonaventure cemetery in Savannah GA when I read these books. (beautiful place, I highly recommend a visit). I love Gothic and ghost themes and so this fit that bill perfectly. Not usually a fan of female MC's who stalk current and ex boyfriends by sneaking around and following them. But it's forgivable in the previous book and this one because of the whole ongoing mystery of the secret society Devlin's family is tied up into. I just hope it's not going to be book after book of Amelia pining away for Devlin. I hate that.

[Mary X]

I know. I've been on a winning team once our of the bazillion times I've played and I'd love to win again. But next week might be a tough one for me to get one and get reviews posted. It seems very quick in the game to already have 4 in a row.

Then again, I've played in multiple rounds where my team had 4 in a row and that 5th shelf was never called.

ETA: I'm listening to my kick-ass heroine book today and can hopefully review it tonight or while waiting at the airport tomorrow.

[Laura]

Mary C wrote: "I know. I've been on a winning team once our of the bazillion times I've played and I'd love to win again. But next week might be a tough one for me to get one and get reviews posted. It seems very..."

I've been on teams that have come super close (4 in a row multiple times on one card!), but never won.

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf #9 - Alpha Male
Book: All Rhodes Lead Here
Date Read: 4/23
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Tagged Alpha Male 4 times

Review:
Mariana Zapata hits it out of the park again. Her grumpy heroes are the best, and her happy heroines are super lovable. She still holds her crown as the queen of the slow-burn romance, at least in my opinion.

[Mary X]

Work on a small tablet without a keyboard or mouse

Completion post: kick-ass heroine shelf



Jennifer Estep

Read 4/23/21


Fits: On shelf

4 stars

Still really enjoying this series. Not a huge fan of Owen right now. Loved the giants revolt plot line. Also didn't hear "my lover" over and ove again this book so that a great.

[Laura]

Mary C wrote: "Work on a small tablet without a keyboard or mouse

Completion post: kick-ass heroine shelf



Jennifer Estep

Read 4/23/21


Fits: On shelf

4 star..."

I do love Owen. Just stick with it!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Reading to the Nines!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'urban fantasy'. 

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D