R21: Team #9 ~ Bookwormin' 9 to 5

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Team #9
Captain: Loriidae

Members:
Melissa
Loriidae
Monica

[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: https://imgur.com/pmFy9bu.jpg

[Steph, Serious series addict]

…

[Melissa]

Hi there! Just checking in! Can’t wait to get started!!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Happy reading, y'all!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Thanks Steph

I am lorii. Hi everyone, waving hello from hot and humid Northern tropical Australia,

[lorii (Loriidae)]

So Monica hasn't checked in yet, Melissa did you want to be Captain, or shall I do it?

[lorii (Loriidae)]

First Shelf is up - Sci-fi Romance
Sci-Fi Romance
OR
SOS' Sci-Fi Romance

Heads Up: Valerie has commented in the discussion thread that a lot of the Ice Planet Barbarian series are below the 200 page minimum requirement....

[Melissa]

Lorii, if you the have time to be captain, that would be great. I am a little tied up for the next few weeks but things should quiet down by mid february. I can always lend a hand on shelf announcements, stats, important discussion board comments, etc.

i’ll also reach out to Monica through messages to let her know that the first shelf has been called. This was my first time using only my phone to find our team thread and it was a little tricky since apple kept trying to force me to use the mobile site. i wonder if she’s having similar trouble. i’ll include a link for her.

after that’s finished, i’ll be back to choose my books!! looking forward to playing with you!

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Thanks Melissa, I can be captain. I would hate to try and do by phone, and by all accounts the GR app is far from useful. Thanks for contacting Monica. This is one of my favourite games...

[Melissa]

Selection Post:



Shelf: Week 1: Sci Fi Romance
Book: Fated Blades
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #3
How it fits: Shelved 22x
Pages: 222

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Melissa wrote: "Selection Post:


..."

Oh enjoy it's brilliant, the only thing I was disappointed in was their choice of narrator.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Shelves Called:
Magic Pending
Shifters Pending
Urban Fantasy Pending
Swoon Worthy
Kindle Freebie

Shelves Stamped:
Sci-Fi Romance
Alternate Reality
Free Space
Favourite Couples

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Shelf One - Sci-Fi Romance
Direct Link: - Sci-Fi Romance
OR
SOS' Sci-Fi Romance

Melissa: Fated Blades by Ilona Andrews Read: Feb 4 Rating: ★★★★✰ Review
Monica: Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey Read: Feb 10 Rating: ★★★★✰ Review
lorii: The Seer by Ariel MacArran Read: Feb 4 Rating: ★★✰✰✰ Review

- -

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Free Space
Melissa: Option 2 - Munro by Kresley Cole Read: Feb 7 Rating: ★★★★★ Review
Monica: Option 2 - Glass Houses by Rachel Caine Read: Mar 4 Rating: ★★★★★ Review
lorii: Option 2 - Greywalker by Kat Richardson Read: Feb 21 Rating: ★✰✰✰✰Review

- -

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Alternate Reader Rules: (view spoiler)[ Players may choose a book that fits one of the Alternative Reader's Choice Options in place of an announced shelf. Restrictions apply: Players may only use two alternate options per round and only one teammate alternate option allowed per shelf announcement (hide spoiler)]

Alternative Reader's Choice Options
(Only 2 allowed per person, per round; 1 teammate per shelf)

~ "Hail Mary" (inspired by Valerie ~Val Hall~) ~ players may read a book that should have been shelved on one of the called shelves, but wasn't found there
~ Third book in a series
~ Book by an Author with F, M or T in first or last name

[Melissa]

It's my favorite, too! I've been holding off on reading some of my recent UF/PNR picks because I knew that we were due for another round soon! So .... I can finally read the new Ilona Andrews book!

I am scheduled to go back to work on 2/7 so hopefully using my phone is only for a few more days!

Also, no problem about contacting our teammate. I know it's a little dorky but I always try to send out friend requests to my bingo buds. First, you know, for sure, that you are going to get book recommendations in your feed from people with similar reading interests - and I always need new recommendations. Plus, you can be sure that they aren't weird scammers. And in the past, when I've been captain, it's nice to send a private nudge or words of encouragement if needed. So, maybe a little dorky but better than random friend requests, i guess, lol!

[Melissa]

Selection Post:



Shelf: Free Space
Book: Munro
Author: Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #18
How it fits: Option 1: February 2022 BOM
Pages: 432

[Monica]

Loriidae wrote: "Thanks Steph

I am lorii. Hi everyone, waving hello from hot and humid Northern tropical Australia,"

Ironic is that I did start a post yesterday and never hit the POST button before leaving work! Ugh! This has been a very long week! Sorry for the late check in!

Yesterday I had said hi everyone! I can't wait to get started! I am Monica from Freezing cold Pennsylvania, USA! Today it is raining!!

[Monica]

Selection Post:

Warrior's Woman by Johanna Lindsey



Shelf: Week 1: Sci Fi Romance
Book: Warrior's Woman
Author: Johanna Lindsey
Series: Ly-San-Ter #1
How it fits: Shelved 40x
Pages: 448

[Monica]

I am deciding between 3 books for my Free Space choice. I just need to make sure I can find them at my house tonight after work.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Welcome Monica, it is raining here as well, but considerably warmer, we are in our wet season. The monsoons are coming down from Asia.

Have you played Bingo before?

For my free space, I am debating on being good and reading a #3 in series, or starting yet another new series... knowing me I will probably do the latter.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Oh thoughts on a team name....I am pretty hopeless at that sort of thing.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Selection Post - Shelf - Sci-Fi Romance

The Seer (#1 The Tellaran) Ariel MacArran
How it fits: Shelved as Sci-Fi Romance 11 times
Pages: 382

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Completion Post - Shelf - Sci-Fi Romance

The Seer (#1 The Tellaran) Ariel MacArran
How it fits: Shelved as Sci-Fi Romance 11 times
Pages: 382

Review:
In a terrifying world where stealing a wallet means execution, Arissa, starving and penniless saves Jolah, a Fleet Commander, when his life is under immediate threat. Only later, does he discover that she is a telephath, with unique abilities deemed so dangerous that all telepaths are eliminated as soon as they are discovered. Jolah feels beholden to return the life debt. Thus they embark together as a couple on an undercover mission to uncover government corruption that threatens to disrupt the flow of a mineral that many planets rely on.

I think because Arissa has so far to travel characterwise, after 20 years in seclusion hiding her abilities. her character felt the most rounded and complete. Jolah has the normal masculine traits to be admired: handsome, loyal, protective, possessive etc, and felt a bit flat as a result.

I quite enjoyed this book until about half-way, then an incident occurred and it stalled for me. I pushed through and there were several unexpected twists, and a surprising villian. The sci-fi world building was more convincing than the love story. 1.5 stars

Date Read: Feb 4 ★★✰✰✰

[Melissa]

team names … i have been totally drawing a blank the last few days. my best ideas have been:

The Bad Seeds (who doesn’t love books about creepy kids??)
The Sexy Judge Judys (thank you, bob’s burgers)
The Fiction Vixens (rhyme-time for bookworms)

i also finished my sci fi romance book a few days ago. i’m about 1/3 done with my free space book. i’ll get my review up soon!

[Monica]

I am terrible with picking names. I am fine with anything that is chosen. I will be logging off to do some reading tonight. I am still trying to figure out my free space book. I have one in mind but I am trying to find it.

[Monica]

Loriidae wrote: "Welcome Monica, it is raining here as well, but considerably warmer, we are in our wet season. The monsoons are coming down from Asia.

Have you played Bingo before?

For my free space, I am debati..."

I have played bingo before it has just been awhile. I hope I remember the rules.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Monica wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Welcome Monica, it is raining here as well, but considerably warmer, we are in our wet season. The monsoons are coming down from Asia.

Have you played Bingo before?

For my free s..."

The thing to remember is the minimum page count is 200.

[Melissa]

Sandra wrote: "The thing to remember is the minimum page count is 200."

And only one re-read per round.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Monica wrote: "...I am still trying to figure out my free space book. I have one in mind but I am trying to find it...."

Also you don't have to have a shelf completed before we can go onto the next, we just can't apply for a stamp until all reviews are done, but having said that you put pressure on yourself if you fall a couple of books behind.

[Melissa]

Completion Post:



Shelf: Week 1: Sci Fi Romance
Book: Fated Blades
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Kinsmen #3
How it fits: Shelved 22x
Pages: 222
Finished: 2/4/22
Rating: ★★★★★

Review:

It's been so long since I've read anything from The Kinsmen Universe that it took me a hot minute to remember the people, the planet, and the politics.

What I Liked:

• I loved just about everything about Matias & Romona. They were both totally dedicated to their families and had sacrificed so much; they totally deserved their HEA.

• The secare are super cool with their swords and shields materializing out of their bodies. I especially loved (view spoiler)[ that synchronized pairs were so rare but these "enemies to lovers" were fated to bond. (hide spoiler)]

• I loved that Romona stood her ground despite the temptation when things started heating up between her and Matias.

Stuff That Wasn't My Jam:

• I wish there had been a little bit of a re-cap. I only vaugely remembered the important tech that was stolen but I couldn't remember why it was so important. There were some reminders thrown in here and there, and thank goodness for them, but I still felt like I was missing out on connections that I should have been making. This isn't a total dealbreaker though - normally, I would have re-read the other Kinsmen stories before reading the new installment.

• The bad guys were the good kind of bad guys - exceptionally villianous and pretty badass. I wish we had more fight scenes with them.

[Melissa]

Still thinking about team names ...

- Cursed to the 9's
- Nine Naughty Nixies
- Bookwormin' from 9 to 5 (or some kind of play on "workin' from 9 to 5")

[Melissa]

Completion Post:



Shelf: Free Space
Book: Munro
Author: Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #18
How it fits: Option 1: February 2022 BOM
Pages: 432
Finished: 2/7/22
Rating: ★★★★★

Review:

IMMORTALS AFTER DARK!!!!! AAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!! Soooo, sooooooo long was the wait that I almost lost hope. That's how long.

There was a few years,  all at once, where it seemed like a handful of my favorite authors had some seriously bad stuff happen. Kresley Cole was one of them. We're so lucky to have her back for Munro! Even if it's not my favorite of the IAD romances, it's classic KC. And for me, she's one of the best PNR authors out there.

I love Munro. I love Ren. I didn't love Munro and Ren. But that's okay, there's plenty of other stuff to love about this book.

What I Liked:

• Nix will always be my favorite thing about any IAD book ♡

• I forgot how amusing Lothaire can be, especially when paired with Ellie. Half of the time all I can think is how insufferable he is. The other half I think he might just be my favorite male character in the series. There are so many to love.

• Furie!!!!!! And!!!! Kristoff!!!!!

• Also, did I mention FURIE??? I love the valkyries so much and we need her.

• All of the side characters that I missed so much! Loa, Desh, Balery, Portia & Ember, the witches ♡

• Munro actually listening to Lothaire's advice and doing something about it.

• Dorada and her wendigos are creepy AF, which makes my horror loving heart so happy.

• The nymphs!!! Holy moly!!


Stuff That Wasn't My Jam:

• There is never enough Nix to satisfy my craving. I need ALL of the Nix!

• "Enemies to lovers" is my favorite trope, but this one didn't do it for me. Both Munro and Ren were very unwilling to see the other's perspective for so much of the story. I think that's such an unattractive quality in a partner that I couldn't suspend my disbelief enough to get behind this couple.

• (Putting this one behind a spoiler tag in case you're sensitive to vulgarity.) (view spoiler)[ What was up with all the "cunny"?! Lol! I felt like a middle schooler giggling every time Munro said something like, "That cunny is mine!" I know it was supposed to be sexy but it was repetitive and jarring because in my head I was translating his Highland Scot's slang to "pussy" and it was just a little excessive and a lot awkward. (hide spoiler)]

• I think I've read waaaaay too many rom-coms in the years I've spent waiting for this book to come out. Things that I used to not notice or things that didn't bother me before irked me with this book. Like the virgin trope. (KC did try to soften the blow by making her a product of her time, though, so I did notice the effort there.) I also want more diversity. More body types, more races, more untraditional love matches, more representation all around. Love is love is love. I mean,  I will totally keep it in perspective,  that I am reading PNR, so some level of "perfection" is to be expected since we are dealing in stories of elite warriors who are tasked with fighting in the Ascension but there is totally still room to expect more.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Fabulous review Melissa. I must admit I gave up at after #7, but having said that I hardly read PNR anymore.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Shelf #2 ~ 9 Feb 22: Alternate Reality/Universe
DIRECT LINK - Alternate Reality or Alternate Universe (+ SOS' alternate universe )

Alternate Options: See Message 18

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Shelf Two: Alternate Reality/Universe
DIRECT LINK - Alternate Reality
OR Alternate Universe
OR (+ SOS' alternate universe )

Melissa: Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake Read: Feb 14 Rating: ★★★★★ Review
Monica: A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle Read: Feb 22 Rating: ★★★★✰ Review
lorii: The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde Read: Feb 16 Rating: ★✰✰✰✰ Review

- -

[Melissa]

Loriidae wrote: "Fabulous review Melissa. I must admit I gave up at after #7, but having said that I hardly read PNR anymore."

Thanks! And I totally agree. PNR rarely does it for me anymore. If I’m reading paranormal stuff it’s almost always UF. I need action and lots of it!

[Melissa]

Selection Post:



Shelf: Week 2: Alternate Universe
Book: Anna Dressed in Blood
Author: Kendare Blake
Series: Anna #1
How it fits: Shelved 2x
Pages: 316

[lorii (Loriidae)]

I opened the first list and The Eyre Affair was on top and marked as Considering on my bookshelf, so I didn't bother looking any further.

[Melissa]

Loriidae wrote: "I opened the first list and The Eyre Affair was on top and marked as Considering on my bookshelf, so I didn't bother looking any further."

That looks like a lot of fun! Adding it to my list :)

[lorii (Loriidae)]

Melissa wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "I opened the first list and The Eyre Affair was on top and marked as Considering on my bookshelf, so I didn't bother looking any further."

That looks like a lot of fun..."

30% in. It's very clever and yes I found myself chuckling on my walk last night as I listened.

[Monica]

SELECTION POST:
shelf: Free Space
Book: Glass Houses
Author: Rachel Caine
Series: Morganville Vampires Series #1
How it fits: Option 2: Young Adult Fantasy Series
Pages: 239

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Last team without a name!!!

Be careful or the ninjas will decide for you!

[Monica]

Melissa wrote: "Still thinking about team names ...

- Cursed to the 9's
- Nine Naughty Nixies
- Bookwormin' from 9 to 5 (or some kind of play on "workin' from 9 to 5")"

I am terrible at thinking up names. I like them all. Something around reading is a good idea. I also like the 9 to 5 idea.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

What about Bookwormin' 9 to 5 without the from??

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

And done, the Ninjas' have spoken.

[lorii (Loriidae)]

lol Thanks Sandra