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Sunshine✰✰✰
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Apr 10, 2015 10:55AM
I'm going to read
. It has the text "Ambulance"
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I am going to read Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright. It is #4 in the series. 
Roll # 4, Spot #24# 4 in the series
Book: Dark Instincts by Suzanne Wright
Series or Alternate: #4 in the series
Date Completed: 04/11/15
Rating: 3 star
Review: Call me possessive but I had issues with the fact that his best friend is a guy who he has had sex with multiple times both in the form of threesomes and just the two of them. Roni was only minorly jealous and he explained it away as we just scratched eachother itches sometimes. Umm I think this is a double standard that because it was a guy it was okay to remain friends. I would not accept my husband being bffs with a girl who he has slept with multiple times. Besides that I did enjoy the book I just could not get over that one part.
Roll #4, Spot #24Read
Everbound by Brodi Ashton (04/12/15)Series or Alternate: #2 in series
Rating: ✮✮✮✮
I found myself annoyed a lot by the main character. She made so many decisions that I felt like could have gone so much better if she just thought it out a little better. She just kept throwing herself into these situations with no thought, which just kept getting her injured or almost killed. If it weren't for Cole and their other companions, she would've died so many times. Four stars, though, for that ending. Wow! Did not see that coming. I'm reading the next book in the series now.
Week # 4I am glad how we are cohesively working towards our goal here.. would be interesting to see where the other teams have rolled onto.
Number Called : 24
Requirement : Text Item - Ambulance
"Even the ambulance driver thought our Miss Rona would be DOA.." - Page 185
Book Read : Invisible Monsters | Chuck Palahniuk | 12Apr2015
Rating : ★★
Review
The story is told by a nameless narrator: a young woman who used to be beautiful. After a series of bizarre, haunting events involving a freeway, birds and a few other things those days are gone forever. Her face disfigured, her voice gone, the narrator is invisible. And a monster in the eyes of most. Desperate for someone to save her, the narrator meets Brandy Alexander at just the right time. Brandy embodies the life that the narrator used to have--except for an important operation that Brandy still needs to have.
The narration is amazingly authentic even when the story becomes more and more over-the-top. Palahniuk also brings a high level of complexity to the narrative, writing the story in a non-linear format. The novel opens with the final scene as the narrator tries to explain how she got to that point. Along the way flashbacks are interwoven with "the present" and other points in the time line of character's lives.
It indeed was weird in every sense of the word. This is the kind of book that requires a lot of attention. This novel in short is bizarreness and absurdity personified.
Roll #4, Spot #24 - Alternate: Text Item Ambulance by Daryl Gregory 4/15/15Rating: ★★★
...and that was loaded into one of the ambulances. Kindle Loc 3423
These zombies turn back into normal(ish) people after a couple of days as the brain eating variety, just, they are still dead. Their bodies can sustain damage and they can't heal but they don't decay and keep on trucking. A bad case of immortality. The problem is, their bite will still kill you and turn you.
It's more than just a zombie book. John "Stony" Mayhall. He was found on the side of the road with his dead mother. Wanda Mayhall took him home to raise as her own. The thing is.....he's dead. He doesn't eat, doesn't sleep, doesn't grow. Until one day he does, then he grows some more, and some more. How??? Who knows. Stony was born dead and that seems to make him an anomaly in the zombie world.
The story takes place over a span of 40ish years. That made it hard for me to keep interested. The beginning was great but then the timeline jumps forward fast.
Has anyone heard from Sadie? She hasn't posted her book review yet, and today was the day to roll for our next spot...
Oh Sadie, I'm sorry to hear that =( I had hoped your absence wasn't over anything too serious, but I'm sorry I was wrong
Week # 5I am glad how we are cohesively working towards our goal here.. would be interesting to see where the other teams have rolled onto.
Number Called : 35
Requirement : Publication Year - 2007
Book Read : Caught Running | Madeleine Urban | 21Apr2015
Rating : ★★★.5
Review
The two amazing authors Madeleine Urban and Abigail Roux are back at it again. I did happen to read a couple of books from their Cut and Run Series. So I went into this with a tad bit high of an expectation. It didnt really disappoint but it could have been much better.
Jake was a great sports talent, unfortunately his body took a beating with all the sports and surgeries and now he is a coach at his old high-school and in constant pain from all the abuse his body took over the years. Brandon was a home-schooled nerd, that didn't start public school until he was a sophomore, he still feels socially inept and unsure around some people, jocks like Jake especially, and Jake feels a bit dim around guys like Brandon.
I'd easily recommend this story, but I must warn that it may be too fluffly and easy for someone. It's incredibly enjoyable though. Loved the fact that both Jake and Brandon are manly men and there is no stereotyping of homosexuality here. It was just like any other love story, just that it was between two HOTTT men ! The camaraderie between Jake and Brandon, the slowly developing romance between the two, the perfect mix of angst without over-dramatizing things and not stretching misunderstandings for ages is indeed beautifully laid out. Truly, Madeleine and Abigail are at ease when they write M/M Romance.
Although, there were many things which seemed to be left unfinished, they were not wrapped up, or they were wrapped up in a not so satisfactory way. I did not like the abrupt end. It somewhere felt that this should have been a first in a series book.. coz there is a lot that need to be answered. Also, constantly changing point of view Jake to Brandon, from paragraph to paragraph can be jarring and painful to understand.
Did I mention somewhere that the sex is hot? Yes, it is!
I am so sorry to hear about your friend's mother's health, Sadie ! I hope she is better now and recovering well.Dont worry about here if you have to devote more time there.
You are being a great friend ! Take care !
I am reading
- book #3 in a series. Should be finished by tomorrow
I'm so sorry to hear that Sadie. My condolences to you and your friend's family
So sorry to hear about the loss. I can imagine how tough a week this would have been. Hang in there and be as strong as you are ! My heartfelt condolences and prayers !
Roll #5, Spot #35#3 in a series
Book: Crown of Crystal Flame by C.L. Wilson
Series or Alternate: #5 in the Series
Date Completed: 04/22/15
Rating: 2 star
Review: This fell flat for me. While I did enjoy reading the HEA I did not like all the war before then. I also did not like that the book was not completely focused on the main couple. I didn't really care about the other people and found myself bored.
Hi guys, just wanted to update you. I don't think I'm gonna be able to finish my book tonight. I have about 50 more pages to go, but I need to head in to work for a 12 hour shift. I can sneak in a few chapters during my break, and then finish it off when I get home in the morning. Sorry!
I am cool waiting as well. :)BTW, can we still roll tomorrow for this round ? I guess the reviews can get in, in such a specific situation, on Friday as well.
(((Hugs))) Sadie, my condolences.Y'all are fine to roll after LJ posts her review. In the event she couldn't finish by tomorrow night you'd have the pass to fall back on.
Sorry I'm so late in posting. :( Had some large books to get through this week.Roll #5, Spot #35 - #5 in series
by Michelle Rowen 4/24/15 Rating: ✮✮✮
So we are at the end of poor Sarah's crazy fledglinghood. Since being turned into a vampire only a handful of months ago, she has had to deal with some craziness! This final chapter has her pretending to be broken up with Thierry and pretending to be dating Quinn, being then unwilling lackey of the not-so-dead vampire hunter, Gideon, dealing with the (not so) mysterious Red Devil, all while trying to find the cure for her curse. This nicely wrapped up the series. As usual, though, Sarah (and Amy) do not act like they're 30 and a few times I wanted to smack some heads, But I enjoyed it for the easy read it was while waiting for the next amazing one to come along.
Roll #5, Spot #35Read
Unconditional by Melody Grace (04/24/15)Series or Alternate: #3 in series
Rating: ✮✮✮✮
I enjoy this series, but I always find myself a little underwhelmed after each book. I've come to find it's because no matter what internal issues the main characters are dealing with, they always manage to get over it really quickly. I need more angst and suffering, I guess, in order to feel like the happily ever after was well deserved. One thing I really did like was the appearance of all the couples from the other books. It's nice to see how they're doing after they've had their happily ever afters. I liked the story enough to give it 4 stars, but it definitely could have had more substance added to it.
Also, thanks for waiting you guys!
I'm going to read
. It has text item envelope.
I will read
. It has text item envelope.
Week # 6I think I have to go and check where the other teams are with their rolls.. I tend to forget snooping around in here ! :P
Number Called : 40
Requirement : Standalone
Book Read : Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? | Mindy Kaling | 24Apr2015
Rating : ★★.5
Review
Honestly, I am confused. Maybe I have read and LOVED memoirs which somewhere are touchy and preachy, or maybe because this was meant to be funny but was not or maybe I am just not in the mood to LOL.. this did not entertain me ! This does not mean the book is bad (and I am not even comparing it to the books like Bossypants or Are You There Vodka, It's Me Chelsea, with which it often seems to get compared), but after about the first half of the book.. it just stopped being as funny as I was probably expecting it to be.
The book is divided into a few different sections, which span her life: "I Forget Nothing: A Sensitive Kid Looks Back" (on her childhood), "I Love New York and It Likes Me Okay" (her move to NY and attempts to break into writing), "Hollywood: My Good Friend Who Is Also A Little Embarrassing" (her time on The Office), "The Best Distraction In The World: Romance and Guys" (obvious), "My Appearance: The Fun and the Really Not Fun" (her style and look), and "My All-Important Legacy" (her planned funeral, of course). Her writing is fast and always attention grabbing. The stories are never too long, and give you just enough detail to feel satisfied.
I liked the conversational tone, the funny stories, the pictures, learning about her climb to becoming a comedy writer, some insightful moments, the emphasis on family, her love of comedy and creation, and her all round positive and "be a good person" attitude. But I felt like there is a great amount left unsaid that had the potential for bitingly funny insight and social commentary, so it’s disappointing that some of the sections seem like columns written for a glossy covered magazines.
As a rough autobiography, it’s filled with short vignettes from the timeline of her life interspersed with lists relating to her life at that moment. It was a quick, Friday evening read for me and I dont regret it much, just so that I could have maaaaaybe used it better or even probably watching her show for some actual laughs.
Roll #6, Spot #40Read
Tamed by Emma Chase (04/28/15)Series or Alternate: Text Item - Envelope
Rating: ✮✮✮✮
"I just have to drop off my envelope." - KL: 1000
To be honest, I wasn't all that excited to read this book and did not have a lot of expectations. This is the 3rd book in the series. I really liked the 1st book, and right after I finished that one I immediately bought the next books in the series. The 2nd book in the series left me with a bad taste in my mouth, and I had pretty much given up on the series after that. But I had already bought this book, and it fit several challenges, so I figured why not. Saying all of that, I am really glad I read this book. I ended up liking it even more than Book 1. I really liked the female protagonist, Dee. I liked how different she was and how comfortable she was in herself. I also really liked Matthew, and how comfortable he was in admitting his feelings and how he knew what he wanted and went after it. And I loved them as a couple together and how there were no games between them, just honesty and communication. This was definitely a light and refreshing romance that I enjoyed way more than I thought I would.
Roll #6, Spot #40Text Item Envelope
Book: No Choice But Surrender by Meagan McKinney
Series or Alternate: Text Item - Envelope
Page 378 "Soon she was enveloped in his embrace and in every aspect of him."
Date Completed: 04/26/15
Rating: 2 star
Review: I did not like how the hero acted in this book. He treated her horribly and had very little regret. In the end he didn't even grovel properly. I would have been able to like the book if he did some grand gesture asking for forgiveness but that never happened.
Roll #6, Spot #40 - Text Item Envelope by Joseph Nassise 4/30/15Rating: ✮✮✮✮
I went straight to my desk and took out a large padded envelope. Kindle Loc 1160
Really liked this book. Jeremiah Hunt had done a ritual that would allow him to "see the unseen" in hopes of finding his missing daughter. This has left him blind to our world but he can now see/feel ghosts and other supernatural. 5 years later, he is still searching but now clues to her disappearance are popping up at crime scenes.
The book jumped back and forth between Then, when his daughter went missing and what he did to look for her, and Now, 5 years later. It didn't cut up the flow of the story and gave the background need to understand how Hunt become who he was. There was never a slow moment and I can't wait to read the next one.
If y'all would like to roll go ahead and use your pass and roll.
What do you guys wanna do? Should we go ahead and roll, or wait for Sadie?
I am fine waiting for the rest of today. But I do think we should roll by tomorrow.
We're way past the time frame. If y'all haven't heard from her in the next couple of hours I'd go ahead and use the pass and roll.
Jenne wrote: "We're way past the time frame. If y'all haven't heard from her in the next couple of hours I'd go ahead and use the pass and roll."Okay looks like we don't have a choice. Where do I roll?
There's a link to the dice roller here on your thread I'm post 2. Just roll and come back with what you rolled here. I'm around and can help :)
Week 7 Roll: 5Spot: 45
#45 in a series, #4 or #5 in a series
Alternate: Title E
Book Choices
Sadie: The Heir - Sadie's Review
Sunshine: Enclave- Sunshine's Review
Laila Jane: Breathe, Annie, Breathe- Laila Jane's Review
Ashley: Her One Wish- Ashley's Review
Apoorv: Evil Under the Sun- Apoorv's Review
We also use a pass on the previous week for Sadie.
Jenne wrote: "There's a link to the dice roller here on your thread I'm post 2. Just roll and come back with what you rolled here. I'm around and can help :)"Thank you. I think I got it. Do I need to post our roll anywhere else?
Hope everything is okay with Sadie !Thank you for completing the roll, Ashley !
Thanks Ashley! I'm reading
- book #5 in a series
Roll #7, Spot #45#5 in a series
Book: Her One Wishby Marie Hall
Series or Alternate: #5 in the dark princess kingdom series
Date Completed: 05/2/15
Rating: 3 star
Review: I love this series. There is just something about reading fairytale retold/ with a different spin that has always called to me. This one is about maid Marian aka Nix and Robin Hood. I even swooned about the part where they spent 20 years together without touching..
You are both welcome. Hopefully Sadie will be back.
That's okay Sadie. Life gets in the way sometimes
Sadie, I don't think last week's reviews and new roll are posted in the post your spot thread. (I haven't looked since Saturday evening so if you did ignore me lol).
Roll #7, Spot #45Read
Breathe, Annie, Breathe by Miranda Kenneally (05/04/15)Series or Alternate: Book #5 in series
Rating: ✮✮✮✮✮
This book is about Annie. When we first meet her, she is struggling to deal with the death of her boyfriend, Kyle. In honor of his memory, she decides to train for the Country Music marathon, because that was Kyle's goal when he was alive. While training, she meets Jeremiah, her trainer's younger brother. She's attracted to him, but immediately feels guilty for it. Jeremiah understands what she's going through, and they decide to just be friends, before eventually falling in love.
I really enjoyed this book, probably because running and participating in fun-themed marathons is something that I like doing. It really helped me related to the characters when they were training. I also really liked the character of Annie. I liked that rather than sitting at home crying, she decided to go out there and do something in memory of Kyle. And in the process, she found inner strength and a belief in herself, and new friendships. Overall, I thought this was a fun read and a great addition to the series.
Sadie wrote: "So sorry team! When I checked into my hotel on Friday I was informed that they didn't have internet. I just got back home a little bit ago. They were renovating the hotel while we were there. I'm s..."That's okay are you going to post or do you want me too?
Sadie wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Sadie wrote: "So sorry team! When I checked into my hotel on Friday I was informed that they didn't have internet. I just got back home a little bit ago. They were renovating the hot..."No problem. Thank you.
Week # 7I love how this challenge doesnt push towards craziness like some others do with the need for speed. :P
Number Called : 45
Requirement : E Title
Book Read : Evil Under the Sun | Agatha Christie | 05May2015
Rating : ★★★★
Review
Evil Under the Sun is a Poirot mystery and it has a limited number of characters. They, the characters, come together at a seaside resort. With his particular interest in the human character, Poirot analyses each personality and it's really interesting to see them through his eyes. I cannot laud enough accolades on Ms. Christie. She truly is the queen of this genre and this book is no less a jewel in her already bedazzled crown.
The plot is simple enough on the surface. You know the drill. Soon after the first page - but late enough to raise suspicions against several of the characters - the most auspicious event in every crime mystery happens: somebody is murdered. After long and ingenious investigation by the locale police, but with an indispensable brain input from Hercule Poirot, a mighty conspiracy is uncovered, the murderer is caught, his guilt proven beyond doubt, and all of the rest live happily ever after.
But, its Agatha Christie and its a mystery. Probably one of the best things that can EVER happen in the literary world.
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