SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R21: Team #7 ~ The 007s
Just a Hop, Skip & Click AwayHappy 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.
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
Checking in. I'm happy to captain or let one of you all do it. I'm not the best at team names, but here are a few ideas:
The Seven Wonders
The 007s
Happy reading, y'all!
Hi :)I'd rather not be captain so I'm happy for either of you to take the role.
And I like your team name suggestions, Deanna. All I could come up with was lucky number 7s or 7 years of bad luck... Which doesn't seem appropriate.
Excited for another round of bingo.
I would rather not be captain. So I am okay with you being Captain Deanna. I am so excited to do this once again it has been a bit since the last time. I like The 007s!
For my Free space read I am going to read
And for Sci-fi Romance I will read either
or
depends on which one becomes free at the library first
I like the 007s too. Feels like we are secret series reading spies 😎For my free space I will go with Munro by Kresley Cole. It fits for option 1 - an SOS BOM for February.
For Shelf #1 I’ll be reading Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch.
Team name is The 007s.I'll read Reunion in Death for shelf 1.
For free space most likely Time to Hunt unless I finish something else first.
Team #7 - The 007s TrackingShelf 3: Favorite Couples
Raquel (Rocki) - House of Earth and Blood by Sarah J. Maas★★★★★ 3/25 ~ review
Kate - One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews ★★★★ 2/17~ review
Deanna - Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb★★★★ 2/18 ~ review
Shelf #8 - Kindle Freebie
Raquel (Rocki) - Graveyard Shift by Angela Roquet
Kate - Marked by Elisabeth Naughton★★ 3/29 ~ review
Deanna - Grave New World by Demitria Lunetta★★★★ 3/24 ~ review
Free Space - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf 1: Sci-fi Romance - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf 2: Alternate Reality/Universe - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf #4: Magic - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf #5: Shifter/Shifters - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf #6 - Urban Fantasy - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf #7 - Swoon-Worthy - STAMPED
(view spoiler)
Shelf #1: Science Fiction RomanceBook: Touched by an Alien by Gini Koch
Date Read: 9/2/2022
Rating: ★★
Review:
Touched by an alien is one of those books I think readers either love or they loathe. I did not love it. I found it frustrating, annoying and I fell asleep reading it three times. That never happens to me. I know I’m not the biggest fan of science fiction in general but surprisingly the parts of this book I enjoyed the most were the alien bits.
What I found hard was everything else. I didn’t like the characters. I found Kitty to be one of those main characters who are self described as average yet the plot shows them off to be oh so smart, intelligent, brave and sexy. She was practically perfect in every way. Almost Mary Poppins like in her perfection complete with bottomless bag of tricks. She even shows up the smartest aliens ever. The plot was unrealistic - not with regards to the sci-fi elements but rather with how Kitty was interacted with and the deference people gave her.
And the info dump within the first 15% of the novel? I just found it so hard to get into this book. Had I not been reading it for BSB I wouldn’t have finished it. But I’m actually glad that I did. Because I decided that I think it is meant to be a parody of the genre. Kitty’s Mary-Sueness, the Insta love, and a bunch of other romance tropes are thrown at this book and it is unapologetic in using them. Once I decided this book was making fun of itself I found myself enjoying it a lot more. I quite enjoyed this particular type of alien and the nasty creepy crawlies who put the earth at risk. It’s a little bit different and I didn’t even mind the religious elements brought in.
WIll I be reading another Kitty Katt book? Absolutely not. But I can see why others enjoyed this one and I’m happy to finally take it off my to-read list knowing that I’m not potentially missing out a new favourite series.
Shelf #1: Science Fiction RomanceBook: Reunion in Death by J. D. Robb
Date Read: 2/5/2022
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I don't know why I waited so long to read this series. This was another great addition to the series. It was a fun change to know who the killer was early on in the text and watch Eve and company work together to recatch a killer who should never have been set free. The section in Dallas, Texas where Eve confronts her past was truly heartbreaking to read, but I loved seeing Roarke stay with her and support her each step of the way. The visit by Peabody's parents was hilarious. I especially loved how Peabody's mom got both Eve and Roarke to do what she wanted, and both of them were completely befuddled as to how it happened. Overall a great rollercoaster of a book.
Shelf #2 ~ 9 Feb 22: Alternate Reality/UniverseDIRECT LINK - Alternate Reality or Alternate Universe (+ SOS' alternate universe)
For shelf #2, I'm going to keep reading through the In Death series.
is tagged alternate-reality 2 times.
I only started reading the In Death series relatively recently but it’s such a good one. I’m sure I’ll be choosing the next one I’m up to later on in this round of BSB. For Shelf #2 I’ll be reading Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews which as been shelved as Alternate Reality 6 times.
Kate wrote: "I only started reading the In Death series relatively recently but it’s such a good one. I’m sure I’ll be choosing the next one I’m up to later on in this round of BSB. For Shelf #2 I’ll be read..."
Love that book. Just reread it at the beginning of the month.
For Alternate Reality - since for sci-fi romance I decided on Slave to Sensation I will most likely be picking up the second book
Shelf #1: Science Fiction RomanceBook: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh
Date Read: 2/12/2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Why did I wait so long to read this series. I loved the start to this series but I crave more I need to know more about this world and how it works. Sascha was very interesting and I liked her character Lucas was all about testing his boundaries and testing the waters. Very Alpha of him. I want to know more about the Psy-net and how it came to be and why it came to be. I mean to me there had to be a time when that didn't exist and they most likely had to co-exist with the changlings or others to exist. Perhaps they didn't like that I don't know but I am intrigued with how the story will go and what we will learn. I have been wanting to start this series for a while now and am glad I to the chance with it.
Nice job team! Week 1 complete and stamp requested.
CONGRATULATIONS, 007s!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
Raquel (Rocki) wrote: "Shelf #1: Science Fiction RomanceBook: Slave to Sensation
Date Read: 2/12/2022
Rating: ★★★★
"Please add author's name, Rocki ;)
Deanna wrote: "Shelf #1: Science Fiction RomanceBook: Reunion in Death
Date Read: 2/5/2022
Rating: ★★★★★"
Please add author's name, Deanna :)
Steph wrote: "Raquel (Rocki) wrote: "Shelf #1: Science Fiction RomanceBook: Slave to Sensation
Date Read: 2/12/2022
Rating: ★★★★
"Please add author's name, R..."
Done, thank you!
Congratulations on the stamp Bond, James Bond!
Shelf: Free Space (Option 1 - an SOS BOM for the month of February)Book: Munro by Kresley Cole
Date Read: 10/2/2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I have a soft spot for the Immortals after Dark series by Kresley Cole. This is the series which took me from a casual paranormal fan to someone who actively sought out new books with vampires, shifters and other creatures who go bump in the night.
It’s been a few years since my last Kresley book but I enjoyed this one as much as I had the previous ones in the series. One of the things I enjoy most about this series is how it tries to put a different spin on things. Each book focuses on a different Lorien finding their predestined mate and that’s no different in Munro. But what is different are the circumstances around their meeting and potential mating. Munro, a 900 year old Scottish werewolf, gets his opportunity to find his mate in this book but he never expected her to be a human circus performer from the 1920s. Kereny Codrina isn’t just a mortal from a different time but she spends her nights actively hunting Immortals and isn’t about to stop just because a werewolf crashes her wedding.
I enjoyed so much about this book. The characters are a lot of fun and Kerney is such a strong woman. She might be human but she’s more than capable of coping and holding her own against all the Lore might throw at her. Their chemistry is great and the banter between her and Munro reminded me of everything I love about their series. The time travel aspect was a lot of fun too. It was interesting to see the rules around it and limitations. It didn’t contradict previous books in the series and I felt like I understood why other characters didn’t use it in the past to change their futures. I wasn’t sure I would like the time travel element but it added a lot to the plot and to Munro and Kerney’s journey.
The ending wasn’t my favourite. I felt the pacing got a little odd towards the end and I just wasn’t as into the story for the last 20% as I had been for the first 80 but I still appreciated how this book does its part to move the whole series overall plot forward a little. We got to see a little of other characters who are yet to find their mate. But what I loved even more was seeing some of those who we had followed in previous books. Lothaire is one of my favourites from the Immortals after Dark series and it was a pleasure to see him again. Especially because he is the same in essence as he was before his book. He doesn’t somehow become all lovely and kind because of finding Ellie. But rather he is still up to his old tricks.
I hope I don’t have to wait so long before Munro and the next book because I had forgotten just how much I enjoyed this world and the different Immortals who inhabit it. This is still my favourite paranormal romance series and whilst Munro wasn’t my favourite instalment I still enjoyed the characters and their journey.
Shelf #2: Alternate RealityBook: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Date Read: 14/2/2022
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
Ilona Andrews delivers great stories with exciting characters and interesting world building - Clean Sweep is no exception. As an Innkeeper, Dina Demille has a responsibility to protect the guests residing within her Inn (the Gertrude Hunt). But Gertrude Hunt isn’t like other inns. Gertrude is a safe haven for intergalactic travelers visiting from other realms. It’s such a fun and different idea and it did not take me long to fall in love with Dina, the inn and the supernatural creatures who visited. There’s Sean the local werewolf who gets on Dina’s bad side immediately by marking his territory in her apple orchard; Arland a vampire who seeks a safe space for his uncle to recuperate; and lets not forget Caldenia, the inn’s only long time guest who seeks refuge after a colourful and somewhat mysterious past.
When a creature starts making trouble in Dina’s neighbourhood she feels honour bound to protect those against a threat they couldn’t even begin to understand. Along with help from her guests, Dina and her Inn will do whatever it takes even when that might be more than she has to give.
I didn’t realise before I began that this book would have space and alien elements but it didn’t matter because by the time I worked that out I was fully immersed in the world Ilona Andrews had created. And one of the things I enjoyed most was how different the world was from their other series. These werewolves aren’t the ones I had gotten to know in the Kate Daniels’ series - no these ones are alien super wolves who are tougher and stronger than the average garden variety were. Same goes for the vampires and the other creatures. They have similar traits which I’m familiar with but at the same time they’re unique and exciting to learn about.
The magic of the Inn and the Innkeeper was also fascinating. It’s more futuristic than magic usually is and I’m curious to learn just what they can do together if they had a few more guests.
It’s not a long book but a thoroughly enjoyable one. Whilst it is a complete story on its own there are a few mysteries I hope to get to the bottom of as I read more about Dina and her inn. The best thing about discovering a series years after it has been published means I don’t have to wait to read the next book!
For the new shelf favorite couples I will be reading
I’ve had that book sitting on my bedside table for almost two years now. I was considering reading it for this shelf when I saw it had been shelved 8 times for Favourite Couple :D I think I’ll wait and see what you think of it before I give it a go.
For Week 3 - Favorite Couples I’ll be reading One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews (shelved 2 times)
Yea it is a very long book and I wouldn't usually but I was able to get it also on audio book so that will help I am in love so far with it! I know this one will take me a bit longer to finish but the game just started so I have a bit of time.
Shelf #2: Alternate Reality/UniverseBook: Purity in Death by J.D. Robb
Date Read: 2/10/2022
Rating: ★★★★★
Fits: tagged alternate reality 2 times
Review:
In this installment, Eve and Roarke go up against a group of vigilantes, who have figured out how to kill with a computer virus that causes the brain to swell. The case becomes personal when the virus kills a cop in EDD and causes McNab to be temporarily paralyzed on one side of his body.
Eve and Roarke have definitely found their rhythm as an investigative team at this point. It's also nice to see how much they have grown as a couple as they disagree over whether or not one of the victims deserved to be dead. Instead of leading to increased tension or a fight, it was great to see them both trying to see how it made the other feel and talk through their differences. I also loved that Eve finally realized that she had found a family not only with Roarke but with the rest of her team as well. I'm looking forward to the next book.
Free SpaceBook:Heart of Ice by Lisa Edmonds
Date Read: 2/14/2022
Rating: ★★★★
Fits: 3 - on SOS bookshelf
Review:
It's been awhile since I read the second book in the series, but I had no trouble stepping back into the world of Alice Worth. Alice has come a long way since book 1. Even though her aunt is in town to kill one of her grandfather's rivals, Alice has no plans to run. It's heartwarming to see her realize that she has a home and friends and a boyfriend that she doesn't want to leave behind to go on the run.
I loved the way she outmaneuvered Charles to get the matching cuff needed to save Sean. I'm a little worried about what kind of deal she struck with Valas to get her help getting passed the pack to Sean. It was a little frustrating that none of their discussion about whatever deal they made was in the book, although I assume it will come at some point when Valas calls in the favor.
Overall a great read. 4 stars.
For week 3, I'm going to stick with my In Death theme one more time and read
since I already have it checked out from the library. It's tagged favorite couples 4 times.
I need to work through the In Death series as well. The ones I have read so far are really good.
Shelf #3: Favourite CouplesBook: One Fell Sweep by Ilona Andrews
Date Read: 17/2/2022
Rating: ★★★☆
Review:
I’m really enjoying how this series is developing. The events of the previous two books have taken their toll and the characters have grown and changed since we were first introduced. Dina’s connection with Gertrude Hunt is stronger than before and the obligation she feels towards her guests is strengthened along with her bond to the inn. And the relationships she has are evolving too. It’s also a lot of fun to meet new strange and wonderful characters as they pass through the Inn. You never quite know what’s going to happen or just who is going to show up when danger comes to town but I can understand one of the reasons Caldenia sticks around - it’s never boring at Gertrude Hunt.
There were a lot of things I enjoyed about this installment of the Innkeeper Chronicles. The family element was fascinating to watch for Dina and also Sean. I also loved seeing just how far DIna can stretch the Inn’s magic. There’s also plenty of flirting and banter which kept my romantic self happy. But overall I just didn’t feel this book had as much spark as the previous two. IT was still highly enjoyable but the action scene towards the end was a little more emotional than exciting. The events made sense for the overall plot but I just wanted a bit more battle I suppose. Although the action we did get was fantastic. The vampires are definitely an integral part of the story. It was also important as I now better understand just how deep Dina’s connection to the Inn is. This book cleared up some of the mysteries of the previous two but also gave us plenty more puzzles to ponder. I have a feeling it wont be long till I start reading the next book because I can’t wait to see what adventures Dina, Sean and the Gertrude Hunt have in the future.
Shelf #0: Free Space (Group Bookshelf)Book: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs
Date Read: 2/17/2022
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I can not get enough of Mercy Thompson. Her and her relationship with Coyote is an interesting one, I know he cares about her in his own way but he will never be what Mercy needs him to be so she gives him an easy out by not having him fill that relationship. She is more his daughter than even she would like to be. I want to say firstly I am loving the new covers they are stunning. They keep getting better and better. Adam and Mercy are still going strong and a very strong power couple I like how he wants to protect her but still lets her do what she needs to and be who she needs to be regardless if that gets her into more danger. She also doesn't hold bringing danger to her doorstep against her people because she brings enough of it to her own doorstep. Also I am worried about Wolfe he may be broken and I can not tell if it is for the better or even worse, though how we could even get worse than what he was I have no clue.
I've logged us in and requested our Free Space stamp!
CONGRATULATIONS, 007s!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
Congratulations on the stamp Bond, James Bond!
Shelf #2: Alternate Reality/UniverseBook: Visions of Heat by Nalini Singh
Date Read: 2/22/2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
We are starting to see more and more of the world especially with the Psy and their Net mind. We have an empathy person and one that can see the future I wonder what ones we are going to see come into the fold next. I did like Faith's father not all is lost for him and it shows that even some strong and far reaching older adults can be saved as well. I liked the characters of the first book better than these two but I liked the story in this one and how we got to see more of the workings. I am very intrigued in Clay and some of the wolves especially that Alpha wolf. I do want to see Dorians story also but from what Faith saw that might not be for a while. Also this book was highly addicting since I would stay up really late and wake up not being able to go back to bed until I finished the book. So there is that.
Shelf 2 is checked in and stamp requested. Way to go team!
Shelf #3: Favorite CouplesBook: Portrait in Death by J.D. Robb
Date Read: 2/18/2022
Rating: ★★★★
Fits: tagged favorite couples 4 times
Review:
Another great Eve and Roarke episode! The exploration of mental illness through a killer who believed he could capture the light of his victims' souls, taking their picture right after killing them to draw their light into himself, was very well done. Even though what the killer was doing was crazy, it was well-explained so that why it made sense to the killer was understandable.
I loved the curve ball of Roarke finding out his real mother grew up on a farm, loved him, and would never have abandoned him. Roarke is usually so calm and in control that seeing him struggle to alter his entire history to accommodate the new information made him so much more human and relatable. The fact that Eve was willing to ride in a chopper and land in a field of cows, both of which she finds frightening, to come be with him was perfect scene to show how well matched the pair really are. I look forward to seeing Eve and Roarke interact with his very large new family as the series progresses. 4 stars!
So many choices... I'll go with
tagged magic 27 times and on the SOS shelf as well. Happy Wednesday!
Nice work team! And also thanks Deanna for being a great captain. You’re so on top of this.For this week I’ll be reading A Fistful of Charms by Kim Harrison (shelved 279 times as magic)
For the shelf magic I will be reading
Yea i had so many books to choose from on this shelf. I kinda loved it!
CONGRATULATIONS, 007's!You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'alternate reality'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
On the Edge (other topics)The Darkest Passion (other topics)
Marked (other topics)
House of Earth and Blood (other topics)
The Song of Achilles (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Demitria Lunetta (other topics)J.D. Robb (other topics)
Demitria Lunetta (other topics)
Madeline Miller (other topics)
Elisabeth Naughton (other topics)
More...
Captain: Deanna
Members:
Raquel (Rocki)
Kate
Deanna