R11: Team #4 ~Four to Score~ WINNING TEAM!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Team #4
Captain: Amanda A

Members:
Debbie
Christal
Kerstin
Amanda A

[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
Free Space Rules ~ Where to look when pickin' your free space book
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 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)
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 (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]

[Amanda A]

Judithe's Bingo Spreadsheet


Free Space:
✔Debbie - Pleasure Unbound (SOS BEST OF PNR series) | 3/2 | 5★ | Review
✔Christal - Grave Matters (SOS Bookshelf) | 2/24 | 3½★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Poison Fruit (SOS Bookshelf) | 3/3 | 3★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Lord's Fall (SOS Bookshelf) | 2/28 | 4★ | Review


Shelf #1 ~ Favorite
✔Debbie - Forever and a Day | 2/19 | 5★ | Review
✔Christal - Soulbound | 2/19 | 4★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Night Broken | 2/22 | 5★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Magic Rises | 2/22 |5★ | Review


Shelf #2 ~ Demons
✔Debbie - Desire Unchained | 3/2 | 4½★ | Review
✔Christal - Dead Heat | 2/26 | 4★ | Review
✔Kerstin - World After | 3/5 | 4★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Sin Undone | 3/2 | 4★ | Review


Shelf #3 ~ Green or Teal Cover
✔Debbie - The Accidental Princess | 3/9 | 3★ | Review
✔Christal - Pocket Apocalypse | 3/13 | 3½★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Bound by Flames | 3/10 | 3★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet | 3/5 | 4★ | Review


Shelf #4 ~ Paranormal Romance
✔Debbie - Night Pleasures | 3/17 | 3½★ | Review
✔Christal - The Unleashing | 3/17 | 3★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Third Grave Dead Ahead | 3/20 | 4★ | Review
✔Amanda A - No Rest for the Wicked | 3/18 | 4★ | Review


Shelf #5 ~ Shifter
✔Debbie - Mate Claimed | 3/21 | 4½★ | Review
✔Christal - Kitty's Big Trouble | 3/27 | 3½★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Vision in Silver | 3/24 | 5★ | Review
✔Amanda A - All Roar and No Bite | 3/21 | 4★ | Review


Shelf #6 ~ S is for...
✔Debbie - Always On My Mind | 3/26 | 4¼★ | Review
✔Christal - The Winter Long | 3/29 | 3★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Premonitions | 4/3 | 3★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Angelfall | 3/28 | 3★ | Review


Shelf #7 ~ Six-pack Attack
✔Debbie - Immortal Rider | 4/8 | 3½★ | Review
✔Christal - Burned | 4/2 | 3★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Hostage to Pleasure | 4/5 | 4★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Loving Cara | 4/7 | 4★ | Review


Shelf #8 ~ Reader's Choice
✔Debbie - Tempted | 4/11 | 4★ | Review
✔Christal - Garden of Dreams and Desires | 4/11 | 3★ | Review
✔Kerstin - A Local Habitation | 4/18 | 3★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Lover Awakened | 4/16 | 5★ | Review


Shelf #9 ~ Creature Feature
✔Debbie - Vision in Silver 4/22 | 4★ | Review
✔Christal - Pirate's Alley | 4/19 | 4★ | Review
✔Kerstin - Prudence | 4/22 | 4★ | Review
✔Amanda A - Dead Spots | 4/21 | 4★ | Review

[Debbie (Doc)]

Hi team! I'm just checking in and looking forward to this challenge. I would prefer not to be captain but will be glad to help. I am from GA - Eastern Time zone.

[Christal]

Hi all! I somehow missed that these threads had gone up. I can't really be captain this time, but will do whatever I can to help out. I am in Texas so central time for me. Anyone think of a team name?

[Debbie (Doc)]

I'm not good at names but the only thing that I can think about is The Fabulous Four.

[Christal]

Browsing around the internet, I found:

Four Horsewomen
Fantastic Four
Four to Score
French Toast Mafia
Victorious Secrets

[Debbie (Doc)]

Christal wrote: "Browsing around the internet, I found:

Four Horsewomen
Fantastic Four
Four to Score
French Toast Mafia
Victorious Secrets"

I really like Four to Score!

[Amanda A]

I like Four to Score too! I am also in the Eastern time zone (SC). I can be the captain unless Kerstin wants to do it. Hopefully she will check in soon. Her profile is private so I cannot send her a PM.

[Kerstin]

Hi everyone! I'm in Australia, so will probably pop in at slightly strange times for you guys...

Amanda, I'm happy for you to be captain.

Four to Score sounds good to me too :)

I'm off to work now and will check back in later tonight. Looking forward to this round of Bingo with all of you.

[Debbie (Doc)]

It sounds like we are the Four to Score and Amanda is our captain! I am ready to get started and reading with all of you!

[Christal]

I know the first shelf call is later today -- around 3PM for me and 4PM for Debbie and Amanda. I'm not sure about the time difference for Kerstin. Do y'all want to go ahead and pick our free space reads at the same time? Depending on the 1st shelf call, I'll probably pick one of these three books for free space:

[Christal]

Debbie wrote: "Hi team! I'm just checking in and looking forward to this challenge. I would prefer not to be captain but will be glad to help. I am from GA - Eastern Time zone."

What part of GA are you from, Debbie? I was born there but am now an honorary Texan.

[Debbie (Doc)]

Once the shelf is called today, I am good with going ahead and picking the free space.

I currently live in Kennesaw for the past 3 1/2 years. I lived in Cumming for 14 years, which I really miss! I am originally from West Memphis. AR across the bridge from Memphis, TN. I have relatives in Crocket, TX.

[Christal]

Most of my family is in Waycross but my parents live in Warner Robins and my sister is currently in Gwinnett County. Thanks to the military (and my husband), I now live in San Antonio which I love except for the heat. I hope to get back to Colorado one day; that was definitely my favorite place we have lived.

[Amanda A]

I edited message 6 above to start listing our books so that it is easy to find as the game continues.

[Kerstin]

Good morning everyone! Shelf call is 8am on Thursday for me, so I get to check in just before heading to work.

And today I'm really quick with my decision in regards to my book as well, because I was hoping I could fit this one in:

Favourite shelf: (fave series, author and genre :))

Free space:

[Christal]

Yay shelf!

Favorite shelf:

Free space: (SoS Best of UF list)

[Debbie (Doc)]

Favorite Shelf: Favorite series

Free Space: SOS bookshelf(read, first-book-in-series, magic, pnr, were-shifter

[Amanda A]

Favorite shelf:
Free Space: (SOS bookshelf)

[Amanda A]

Kerstin, which option is your free space book from - SOS BOM, SOS Best Of list or SOS Bookshelf?

[Debbie (Doc)]

Amanda A wrote: "Favorite shelf:
Free Space: (SOS bookshelf)"

Amanda, I finished book 1 and book 2 of Kate Daniels series. I heard that book 3 is better. I trudged through the first two.

[Amanda A]

Debbie wrote: Amanda, I finished book 1 and book 2 of Kate Daniels series. I heard that book 3 is better. I trudged through the first two."

Debbie, I liked book 3 more than the first two and I think the series has gotten better with each book after that. I heard it just keeps getting better so I have high hopes for book 6.

[Debbie (Doc)]

Amanda A wrote: "Debbie wrote: Amanda, I finished book 1 and book 2 of Kate Daniels series. I heard that book 3 is better. I trudged through the first two."

Debbie, I liked book 3 more than the first two and I th..."

That does give me hope!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Amanda A wrote: "Kerstin, which option is your free space book from - SOS BOM, SOS Best Of list or SOS Bookshelf?"


All books listed by your team so far are on the Group Bookshelves. Just so you don't have to wait for Kerstin to get back from work :)

[Amanda A]

Thanks Sandra!

[Kerstin]

Thanks for that, Sandra! I was in a bit of a rush this morning.

And I apologize but can I please change my free space read to ? It's also on the group bookshelf.

[Christal]

Amanda A wrote: Debbie, I liked book 3 more than the first two and I think the series has gotten better with each book after that. I heard it just keeps getting better so I have high hopes for book 6..."

I agree, Kate Daniels gets better with every book -- #3 is where the magic really begins for most people. Book #6 was good, different because they are out of Atlanta, but still good. Book #7 though... now, that one was excellent!

[Debbie (Doc)]

Favorite Shelf - Completed

2/19
5*

I always enjoy going back to Lucky Harbor. Each book becomes my favorite of the series. I have been anxiously waiting for the good dr.'s story, and this sure did not disappoint. It was also nice that all of my favorite characters from prior books were there, especially the quirky Lucille who still ensures that Facebook is always current. Noone in Lucky Harbor thought that the sexy Josh would settle down due to his workload and family obligations as a single dad to a rambunctious 5 year old son and his 21 year old sister who was injured in a car crash. Josh had gone through a couple of nanny's before he found Grace. Grace was passing through Lucky Harbor trying to decide what she really wanted to do with her life. The connection between Grace and Josh was evident from the beginning. Grace was also one of the few people who can tolerate Josh's sister, Anna.

I am ready to pack my bags and head back to Lucky Harbor. It is definitely a place where I forget about all of my other commitments and enjoy the good local folks!

[Amanda A]

I love the Lucky Harbor series too, Debbie! Jill Shalvis is one of my favorite authors. I have two more books left to read in the series and I am sad to see it end.

[Debbie (Doc)]

Somehow I got out of order and read 7 before this one. I want to start on 8 but don't want the series to end!

[Christal]

Shelf: Favorite
Book: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #6
Date Read: 2/19/2015
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
When I saw who the lead couple was in Soulbound, I have to admit that I wasn't very excited to read their story. I shouldn't have doubted Kristen Callihan though; this book was just as enchanting as the previous installments. Adam and Eliza May won me (and each other!) over by being very sweet, funny, trusting, and pretty badass. I liked seeing them work together to thwart the fae, even though St. John aka Sin did most of the heavy lifting when it came to Mab. I've always found the GIM to be fascinating characters so it was enjoyable to learn more about their creator as well. I have to say that I am very excited about the next book as I've always found Sin to be an enigmatic character and I can't wait to finally learn more about him.

[Debbie (Doc)]

Christal wrote: "

Shelf: Favorite
Book: Soulbound by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #6
Date Read: 2/19/2015
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
When I saw who the lead couple was in Soulbo..."

This series looks really good!

[Amanda A]

Week 1 - Favorite

Finished: 2/22/15
Rating: ★★★★★
I think this book is now my favorite book in the Kate Daniels series, at least until I read the next one. Kate and Curran, along with several Pack members, head to Europe to guard a pregnant European Pack princess who is expecting twins by two different fathers which has created inheritance squabbles. Their payment for guarding the European Pack princess is ten drums of panacea which is used to ward off loupism in pack children. Of course, nothing is easy and they encounter problems along the way. This book is intense and full of action that takes the reader for a ride. If it is even possible, I love Kate and Curran together even more after everything they endure and overcome in this installment. Even though I was disappointed with Curran for certain things he did, he certainly redeemed himself. I loved the ending and I'm looking forward to the next book.

[Kerstin]

Shelf: Favourite
Read: 22/2/2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Mercy has her hands full in this installment. Not only does Adam's ex-wife show up and moves in with them due to her fears over a stalker, there's also a crazy fire god that threatens the pack and to top it all off, one of the Gray Lords threatens Mercy if she doesn't return a fae artifact to him.

I wasn't overly fond of the whole 'the-ex-returns' story line; I also wasn't fond of the way the pack welcomed her with open arms and treated Mercy like crap, despite the fact that she always does what's best for them and has proven herself to them on numerous occasions. Even Adam received a few minus points from me as he never put Christy in her place and basically let her take over his and Mercy's house.
Mercy herself handled the whole situation with grace, while simultaneously trying to help the pack in protecting Christy and dealing with her own fae situation.

This was another action packed installment that I enjoyed a lot. The situations surrounding Tad and Stefan have me very intrigued and I'm also looking forward to finding out more about the new character that was introduced in this book.

[Amanda A]

Great job this week ladies! I requested our stamp for the Favorite shelf.

[Debbie (Doc)]

I am slowly working on my free space. I have too many books that I want to get finished before the end of the month! I am hoping that something is called tomorrow that I can use for other challenges as well!

[Christal]

Debbie wrote: "This series looks really good!"

I have enjoyed every book so far; it's a really solid series overall. Probably close to my favorite Paranormal Romance type series out there right now!

[Christal]

Amanda A wrote: "Week 1 - Favorite

Finished: 2/22/15
Rating: ★★★★★
I think this book is now my favorite book in the Kate Daniels series, at least until I read the next one. Kate an..."

I know what you mean about Curran... I wanted to punch him in the face throughout most of the book, lol.

[Christal]

Can I change my free space book? I just noticed the book I finished today is on the SOS Bookshelf, Grave Matters by Lauren M. Roy. I'll post my review right under this message.

[Christal]

Shelf: Free Space
Book: Grave Matters by Lauren M. Roy
Series: Night Owls #2
Date Read: 2/24/2015
Rating: ★★★ + ½

Review:
Grave Matters is the second book in Lauren M. Roy's Night Owls and it is a solid read that I heartily recommend to urban fantasy aficionados. My concern with the first book was the pacing and that has mostly been fixed here. The setup was still a little slow, but it was interesting enough that I never wanted to stop reading. Ms. Roy takes her time in setting up all the plot lines and giving her characters the information they need to make decisions. When everyone came together in the end to face the big bad, the story really jelled and everyone had their role to play.

(view spoiler)[Grave Matters is one of those series books where you definitely need to read the debut novel first to really understand the dynamics and relationships between the characters. Psuedo-siblings Elly and Cavale are still learning to live with one another, though they both still harbor resentment and guilt, respectfully, over Cavale leaving her behind before. Val is adjusting to having baby vamp Justin in her home as well as trying to balance keeping Chaz, her Renfield, safe without hurting his pride. The succubi Sunny and Lia are still trying to repair their home from the last battle while still staying off any demon's radar. Everyone is still mourning the loss of the Clearwaters and the sense of normalcy they felt before the events with the Creeps in Night Owls. Some characters have been together forever while others still feel like outsiders. Everyone is trying to figure out the best way to work together and how they can be supportive without being overbearing.

It's hard to pick a favorite character from Grave Matters because everyone is so unique and carefully crafted, but I think I still like being in Elly's head the most. She's had probably the roughest time of everyone and is still trying to adapt to having a stable home and life. I loved her flirtation with Justin and just think they are both so cute. I also think it is good for them to have each other because they seem to relate to one another on a level that is different from all the other characters. I liked the development between Elly and Cavale too; it was very sweet that he decided to try to learn to cook so he could provide Elly with hot meals. I'm interested to learn more about him and his skills as well. I loved seeing him work the tarot here. I would also like to know more about Sunny and Lia and why they are so scared of other demons finding them. I think learning about their demonic histories could be fascinating. Val took a bit of a backseat for me in this book, but Chaz was pretty awesome. He's the one character that really can't take care of himself and is vulnerable, but he has humor and personality in spades. It's going to be interesting to see him developing his limited physical abilities in the future.

There was a lot going on in this book, but you don't really get the whole story until the very end. I really enjoyed the necromancer plot line and how it was interwoven with the demon world. It was interesting to see how the different characters responded to the ghosts and ghouls, though I think Cavale was my favorite. Grave Matters touched on fear from seeing an unexpected spirit, despair at the loss of a loved one, and even hope of somehow getting to talk to them one last time. I liked seeing the runes, sigils, powders, oils, and other tools of the trade that Elly and Cavale used. It was very different from the hack and slash action that we see in a lot of books.

I was a little confused by how the vampires tied into the necromancer. Thinking back on the book, I feel like I have a pretty good handle on everything that happened but I still have some questions about how and why. The vampires in the Night Owls world are not sparkly and doe-eyed. Most are manipulative and out to do whatever benefits them the most. I wasn't super thrilled with Elly becoming tangled up in their world, but it seems to have ended in one of the better ways it could. I don't think we have seen the last of Ivanov and his manipulations though... especially where Val is concerned.

One thing that I wish was explored a little more in Grave Matters was the appearance of Elly's mother, Marian. I have no clue why she was involved with the necromancer/vampire intrigue and there were literally no Creeps in this book. If her story from the last book is true, I'm not sure why she was there or even who she was working with exactly.

I enjoyed Grave Matters and the Night Owls series in general, so I am glad to see there is another book planned. If some of the plot could be tightened up just a little bit more and the characters could work together earlier in the stories, I think these books would be real winners. Everything is there; it just needs a smidge more shine to it. Overall though, Lauren M. Roy has created a fantastic world with colorful characters and I can't wait to see what's next! (hide spoiler)]

[Christal]

Kerstin wrote: "

Shelf: Favourite
Read: 22/2/2015
Rating: ★★★★★

Mercy has her hands full in this installment. Not only does Adam's ex-wife show up and moves in with them due to h..."

I love the Mercy Thompson series. I still need to read the Shifting Shadows anthology but next on my list is the upcoming Alpha & Omega book. Do you read that series as well, Kerstin?

[Amanda A]

Christal wrote: "Can I change my free space book? I just noticed the book I finished today is on the SOS Bookshelf, Grave Matters by Lauren M. Roy. I'll post my review right under this message."

Sure, no problem. I'll update the list.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Four to Score!
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

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats 4Scorers!

[Amanda A]

Thanks Steph and Sandra!

[Kerstin]

Christal wrote: "I love the Mercy Thompson series..."

I haven't read 'Shifting Shadows' yet either, but I read the 'Alpha & Omega' books and they are really enjoyable as well! Charles is another yummy werewolf and Anna, while very different to Mercy, a great heroine.
If you do start with this series, make sure to begin with #0.5, which is a short that gives a glimpse in Anna's past. When I first read the books, I wasn't aware of it and only got to it a lot later...but I think I would have preferred to start with it.