R11: Team #1 ~Dial 1 for Winners~

[Belinda]

So apparently I only have one author with a name starting with S!! I'll be finally reading . It's been so long since I read the first one....what happened??

[Steph Ann]

Belinda wrote: "So apparently I only have one author with a name starting with S!! I'll be finally reading . It's been so long since I read the first one....what happened??"

Yet another series I've been meaning to read lol. I love her Downside Ghosts series!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Dial 1 for Winners!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'favorite'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Belinda]

Me too Steph Ann! I really love how dark and gritty the world is in downside ghosts and watch chess self destruct with all her flaws is what draws me in but it also turns so many people away...

[Steph Ann]

Belinda wrote: "Me too Steph Ann! I really love how dark and gritty the world is in downside ghosts and watch chess self destruct with all her flaws is what draws me in but it also turns so many people away..."

I've been trying to get my sister and a couple friends to read the series but as soon as I start describing Chess and her problems, they get turned off. I really wish they would give it a shot cuz it's such an amazing series!

[Crystal S]

I'll be reading by Kerrelyn Sparks for the "S" book.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Winners!

[Sherri]

Free Spot


Title: Watchers in the Night by Jenna Black
Rating: ★★★
Read: 03/28/2015
# pages: 296

Review: I’ve been a fan of Jenna Black since I first picked up her Morgan Kingsley series, so I was excited to finally get a chance to explore this new series The Guardians of the Night. Note to readers: The Guardians of the Night Series is Ms. Black’s first published series (2006-2008) which predates her Morgan Kingsley, Fairiewalker and Nikki Glass series, so be aware you are reading early works and adjust your expectations accordingly.

Watchers in the Night is the first in the series and introduces us to the Guardians and to the Killers, the Guardian’s enemy. The book has a slightly different take on vampires; in which the vampires are fighting against their own kind and not against another supernatural creature.

Carolyn Mathers is a cop that has been jilted – three years ago by Gray James. We don’t get to read about their relationship before the jilting; we are left with a couple of memories that each shares in the book, so it was hard to believe that Carolyn was left devastated by that event, but that is what we are meant to believe.

Gray was changed into a vampire on the night of his bachelor party and never made it to the altar to wed Carolyn. He struggles to move forward into a live he never chose and has started to watch Carolyn from afar. On a night when he thinks she is in danger, he intercedes and reveals himself to her.

There are a couple of storylines going on in this book but the main one is that there is a serial killer on the loose and it looks like Gray is the prime suspect. There are a multitude of characters in the book and it looks like some will get their own book. I’m most curious about Drake and perhaps Jules, since I can’t believe he is that big of a jerk (but you never know).

Watchers in the Night is a decent paranormal romance addition. There isn’t much unique about it; hey I am reading it 9 years after its release, but it was a fun, quick read. It was also interesting to see how Ms. Black’s writing depth has evolved and matured over those years.

[Sherri]

Reading Update for Me - I'm about 70% done with Mercy Blade so I should be done with that one by the next shelf.

My S read I am going to change to Cast in Flame by Michelle Sagara. I need to read and it fits this category so might as well get it over with.

[Steph Ann]

S is For... Shelf

by Shannon K. Butcher

Read: 3/28/15
Rating: 4 stars

Review

I really enjoyed this addition to the series. I had wondered in past books how Butcher was going to resolve the issue of Iain's lack of a soul, and I was very pleased with the result. Even though it had been awhile since I read the last book, I was able to hop right into this one. Jackie was a great heroine, possibly my favorite of the bunch so far. I'm looking forward to seeing what happens next!

[Steph Ann]

Free Space
Stamp Received: 3/31/15
Belinda: Dark Frost, Review
Crystal:Sunshine, Review
Sherri: Watchers in the Night, Review
Steph Ann: The Art of Stealing Time, Review

Read: 4/4

[Steph Ann]

Sherri wrote: "Reading Update for Me - I'm about 70% done with Mercy Blade so I should be done with that one by the next shelf.

My S read I am going to change to Cast in Flame by Michelle Sagara...."

Thanks for the update, Sherri! :)

[Crystal S]

I'm about 2/3's done with my shifter book. Hopefully I'll be able to finish it by sometime tomorrow. My S book should also be a pretty quick read. I'm perpetually behind. I am not usually as busy as I've been lately. It's like the fates don't want me to read for Bingo. LOL

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Dial 1 for Winners!
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

[Sherri]

Have you guys seen the overall team bingo card spreadsheet? If not here is the link:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...

Really hoping there isn't a winning shelf this week!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Winners!

You're on a roll now :)

[Valerie ~ Val Hall ~]

Congrats for your stamp.

I know it's a very old joke, years old but the name of your team made me think about this youtube video: https://youtu.be/QXx-n6T7tZg

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

LOL That's a classic Val :)

[Crystal S]

Shelf: Shifter
Date finished: 3/31/15
Stars: 5 stars

I think this might be my favorite book of this series, simply because I really like both the hero and the heroine (the heroines in this series tend to be on the bitchy side, and Rhona was tough, but in general, not bitchy). It is laugh out loud funny. I thought Vigholf was pretty adorable with his crush and poor Rhona was just so clueless. I like that she was not mean or resistant to falling for him once he finally spelled out his feelings for her. Some interesting new characters were added (the Rebel King and his sister). I'm definitely continuing with this series.

[Crystal S]

Shelf: S is for...
Date finished: 04/01/15
Stars: 5 stars

Super easy read. Enjoyable characters. Great heroine. She's a cop so she can hold her own, but I never got the TSTL vibe from her, which could easily have happened given the circumstances her character was written into. Jack was a super sexy, drool-worthy hero.
The mystery of the disappearing college girls had a very interesting wrap-up (view spoiler)[but then, I'm a sucker for anything even remotely related to Greek mythology, however dubious the connection, lol (hide spoiler)].
This is another series I will continue to read.

[Sherri]

That video is hilarious Val. Love the witty dialog!

Here is my review for Mercy Blade - Absolutely amazing. I'll be downloading Raven Cursed today to continue this series.


Title: Mercy Blade by Faith Hunter
Rating: ★★★★★
Read: 04/01/2015
# pages: 305

Review: OMG!!! I’m totally blown away by this series. Jane is a fantastic character and Beast is absolutely hilarious and a perfect counterbalance to Jane’s personality. I happened to listen to this in audiobook format and Khristine Hvam’s narration is just spot on for me. She effortlessly moves from one character to another and each character’s voice is distinctive.

Mercy Blade finds the vampires of New Orleans at odds with the werewolves, over a dispute that happened over 100 years ago. Jane is called on by the vampires to provide security for a secret negotiation between some were-cat shifters and the vampires, of which all heck breaks loose.

There are several subplots in this action packed book that are artfully woven together along with a couple of surprises along the way. This is a series that must be read in order. Jumping in mid-series is not recommended.

[Steph Ann]

This has been a good week for reading with three 5 star reviews! :)

I'll update everything tonight! Here's hoping a winning shelf doesn't get called today!

[Sherri]

Shelf is up

Shelf #7 ~ 1 Apr 2015: Six-pack Attack
Read a book with abs of steel on the cover

[Belinda]

I'm finished my S author book but just finished night shift and bed is calling. I'll choose my next book later today. Night all!

[Steph Ann]

I think I'm going to go with . :)

[Steph Ann]

Shifter
Stamp Received: 4/8/15

Belinda:Skin Game, Review
Crystal:The Dragon Who Loved Me, Review
Sherri:Mercy Blade, Review
Steph Ann:The Thing About Weres, Review

Read: 4/4

[Steph Ann]

Shelves in Progress

S is For...
Belinda:Demon Inside, Review
Crystal: Secret Life of a Vampire, Review
Sherri:Cast in Flame, Review
Steph Ann: Dying Wish, Review

Read: 4/4



Six-Pack Attack
Belinda: Revenant, Review
Crystal:Pleasure of a Dark Prince, Review
Sherri:Dead Sexy, Review
Steph Ann: Blaze, Review

Read: 4/4

[Sherri]

Do you think this works for six-pack attack??

[Belinda]

Finally! My abs book

[Steph Ann]

I almost picked that one, Belinda! Hope you enjoy it!

I would think that book would work, Sherri.

[Sherri]

I will be reading and using this cover (since it shows more abs)!

[Crystal S]

I'll read for the abs shelf.

[Steph Ann]

I have to switch my book to so that it'll fit in with two other team challenges. :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Dial 1 for Winners!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shifter'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Winners!

[Sherri]

Finished this one a couple of days ago and just finding time to write up my review. Also, I'm about 70% done with my abs book.



Title: Cast in Flame by Michelle Sagara
Rating: ★★★★
Read: 04/06/2015
# pages: 492

Review: A long-standing favorite series of mine; I’m finally admitting to reservations about it. Don’t get me wrong, I still love Sagara’s world building and prose but it seems that after 10 books we all just want Kaylin to understand herself and the part she plays in Elantra (and perhaps a bit more romance for her)!

Back from her West March excursion, Kaylin just wants to find a new place to live and get on with her life; however, that is just not going to happen. The action is excellent and even the storyline was good and although I complain that Kaylin hasn’t grown, she really has. She has taken a stand that she will not live in the palace and is beginning to trust her instincts in regards to her powers.

There is one discussion she has with Severin at the books climax about the responsiblility of one’s decisions, and I’m hoping that Kaylin can move past one of Severin’s that she has been holding against him.

Overall, a good story but with shades of previous ones. Looking forward to the next in the series since the setup hopefully will lead to more reading time about my favorite character – Nightshade.

[Sherri]

Finished my abs book at lunch. Woo Hoo!! I'm finally caught up!



Title: Dead Sexy by Paige Tyler
Rating: ★★★
Read: 04/08/2015
# pages: 354
Review: This was a quick, cute lighthearted read about a romance writer that falls for a recluse zombie. There is humor, action and some spicy sex scenes. At times it felt that Dead Sexy wanted to be an erotic book and at others a paranormal book and the pacing was a bit erratic.

The characters are relatable and true to character. I especially liked Simone, who is independent, capable and strong. Drake was also convincing as a terrible womanizer forced to evaluate the important things in life; once his old life is gone.

My favorite part of the book is Drake and Simone’s initial introduction via email and messenger. The instant banter between these two is obvious and Tyler’s writing is her best when she is focused on the witty dialog shared.

Overall, a good read by a new author that I believe has tones of potential. I’ll definitely be checking out her X-Ops series, which is her newest work.

[Sherri]

Shelf is up

Shelf #8 ~ 8 Apr 2015: Reader's Choice
Read a book of your choice

[Belinda]

Ah! I forgot to post my S author review!

I'm also only halfway through my abs book :(

I'm thinking I might switch to this weeks read. For readers choice I'll pick since it arrived yesterday. Yay!! Bring on Oberon and Atticus :D

[Steph Ann]

Reader's Choice will give us four in a row once we get our six-pack attack stamp. Woohoo! :)

[Steph Ann]

Six Pack Attack



Read: 4/7/15
Rating: 3.5 stars

Review

For the most part, I really enjoyed this book. I had to take 1/2 a star off though because the heroine did occasionally get on my nerves for constantly flopping back and forth between being ready to commit to Luke and then getting cold feet. She really put the poor guy through the wringer, and it started to become very annoying. All in all though, it was a very fast paced book, and I'll definitely be reading more in the series.

[Steph Ann]

Shelves in Progress

S is For...
Belinda:Demon Inside, Review
Crystal: Secret Life of a Vampire, Review
Sherri:Cast in Flame, Review
Steph Ann: Dying Wish, Review

Read: 4/4



Six-Pack Attack
Belinda: Revenant, Review
Crystal:Pleasure of a Dark Prince, Review
Sherri:Dead Sexy, Review
Steph Ann: Blaze, Review

Read: 4/4


Reader's Choice

Belinda:Shattered, Review
Crystal:He Loves Me, He Loves Me Hot, Review
Sherri:Moonglow, Review
Steph Ann:Night Vision, Review

Read: 4/4

[Steph Ann]

I think I'm going to go with for Reader's Choice.

[Belinda]

S is for (author):
Finished: 1/4/15
Stars: 3
Review:
Having waited so long I between the first and second book I found this really difficult to follow. The author did a poor job of briefly, concisely reviewing the story and easing the reader back into the world. I also struggled with some of the demon terms but the story was ok and I'll finish the series

[Sherri]

I'll be reading

[Crystal S]

Haha! Just realized a shelf got called yesterday. Be right back with a book choice.

ETA: Assuming I can find my copy, I'll read .

[Steph Ann]

S is For...
Stamp Received: 4/10/15

Belinda:Demon Inside, Review
Crystal: Secret Life of a Vampire, Review
Sherri:Cast in Flame, Review
Steph Ann: Dying Wish, Review

Read: 4/4

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Dial 1 for Winners!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'S is for ...'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Winners!

[Crystal S]

I've finished my six-pack attack book. I'll try to get write a review tonight when I get home from work.

Switching my reader's choice book to . I couldn't find the other one I had picked.