2015 April Pick-It-For-Me Challenge

[Zara's Retreat]

Vi wrote: "Hi Zara,

Thank you for being so patient. I had two interview calls very unexpectedly hence my being late with your picks. I've tried to mix from your preffered shelf and new to you. Let me know if..."

Thanks Vi. That's OK re the lateness of getting the choices done. I was away for the weekend (I haven't long been back actually) so it worked out well. I shall have to think about what one/s I want to read.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi everyone!! If you love this challenge - you might want to consider hosting it! We are looking for volunteers to host this summer's challenges - June, July and August. If you want more info or to volunteer, PM me and I will get right back to you!

Come on, you know you want to! =)

[Elke]

Happy April!

You can start reading...and it is not an April Fools joke!! ;)

[Zara's Retreat]

Vi wrote: "Hi Zara,

Thank you for being so patient. I had two interview calls very unexpectedly hence my being late with your picks. I've tried to mix from your preffered shelf and new to you. Let me know if..."

Hi again Vi,

I'm going to start with Knife Edge

[Tammie]

Sadie wrote: "Hello, Tammie!
Here are my picks for you!

Hey Sadie...I got an early start this month...finished 2 already!
Loved Thrown by a Curve...Jaci Burton is one of my favs!
Keep Me Safe...I've read a lot of Maya Banks...I kinda feel like her writing is getting worse...wonder if she's changed publishers/editors or something. Story was OK.
Hope to get to at least one more of your picks by month end!

[Elke]

Tammie wrote: "Sadie wrote: "Hello, Tammie!
Here are my picks for you!

Hey Sadie...I got an early start this month...finished 2 already!
Loved Thrown by a Curve...Jaci Burton is one of my favs!..."

I feel the same about Maya Banks! The only ones I am reading now are the KGI series-all her newer ones are not that good! :( sad cause I like her a lot!

[Fran, Moderator]

Dee wrote: "ok, Fran

Here you go:

1. Spring cleaning:
The Art of Pleasure - TBR, added 2011
Board Resolution - TBR, added 2012
Diving in Deep - N2U, m/m romance

..."


Hi Dee,

I finished 2 novellas from the Get Lucky box set. I enjoyed One Little Kiss and Something Borrowed, and managed to fit them both into the Quarterly :)

I am still planning to get to one or two more from your list this month....thanks again for the picks!

[Larissa]

Hi Tammie!
Finished my first book A fun, hot and quick read! I'm not sure what I might read next but I am leaning towards

[Pam]

Aarati wrote: "Hi Pam

So here are your picks:

1. Spring cleaning:

From your TBR
- This is not technically the book that has been longest on your shelf, but its just a matter of a coupl..."

Hi Aarati-
I've been on spring break and on a small electronic device. Excellent choices. I think I'm going to start with The Deal. I've actually read the Jayne Anne Krentz. Maybe when I retire I'll catch my Goodreads list up!

[Ashley]

MountainKat wrote: "Ashley wrote: "Darn that would have been fun but I just finished it. Sorry I read like crazy during the weekends."

Just an FYI - books have to be read within the month of April for them to count f..."

I know. It wasent one of my picks. Just a random read :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Just making sure - it is so hard not to jump the gun sometimes!! I've failed once or twice, but fortunately only when I had a bunch of other picks to read as well!

[Raine]

I finished my first book . I loved it so much I've already started the 2nd in the series.

[Aarati]

Suzanne,

I started , I was surprised how much it was similar to the Kate Daniels series. I only recently found out that IA's Kate Daniels had a fip-off, and this one seems to be it. I DNF'd this book, because apart from the blatant similarities, it just didn't hold my interest.

I also read . All that vagina talk was a little too much for me. If it was every now and then, it would have been okay, but it was in every other page. Everyone and their ancestors were worried about Claire's vagina.

[Breann]

Shelby!!! I started with a new to me pick and read The Girl in the Steel Corset and loved it. I'm so glad you picked this for me, I'm not sure I'd have read it otherwise :D

[Shelby]

Breann wrote: "Shelby!!! I started with a new to me pick and read The Girl in the Steel Corset and loved it. I'm so glad you picked this for me, I'm not sure I'd have read it otherwise :D"

I know right! It was a random add for me to a MnG list because I loved the cover I kept putting it off because I knew nothing about it, but I was soooooooo happy when I finally read it. It was just such an enjoyable read.

[Elke]

Ashley,

Ok finished my 1st pick -it was just ok to me. But I am glad it is out of my TBR!!

[Carla]

Nancy H- I just finished and started Dairy Queen, which I am really liking so far.

[Isaura]

Larissa, I finished my first book "Angels Blood" on to the next one, I just have to choose which one is next.

[Carla]

Nancy H--I just read my second PIFM book this month and LOVED it --thanks so much for the recommendation. I just downloaded the second book in the series and will probably read that next, although I have a Stephanie Plum book on deck, too. Thanks!

[LaurLa]

Pamela Su -

Finished last night!

You were absolutely right about how good it is. I know you said you liked the next book better, so I'm really looking forward to it since I really really liked this one. There were some maddening times (TALK already, people) but it's a romance, so there's always something to keep the MCs apart, right? Thanks for the rec!!! Four stars!!!

[LaurLa]

Hi Pamela Su (again)!

I finished last night!

I'm liking each book better in this series as it progresses and will be crushed I think when it's over. But it appears I have while yet, so maybe not. Anyway, I really enjoyed the dichotomy within Andrea, knowing she is submissive but being so difficult for her to give in to it. I felt bad for her the times she instinctively reacted to protect herself and had to submit to punishment. I think it would be very hard for someone like her to be a submissive. I applaud that she knew herself well enough to know that it was what she truly wanted and needed and went for it, no matter how difficult it was for her at times to let go of her natural defensiveness and independence. 4 stars!

Not sure if I'll get any more read this month - will have to see how it goes. Thanks so much for the picks - I enjoyed both of them so much.

[Fran, Moderator]

Hi Dee,

I finished two more picks.... and . Neither one was spectacular, but both nice, quick reads with a sweet HEA. Thanks for the recs :)

[Elke]

Ashley,

Finished my second pick -as usual I liked it a lot!!

[Isaura]

I finished my second book "Darkness becomes her" and I'm on the 3rd one.

[Breann]

Shelby, I finished another pick Magic's Pawn and it was an awesome listen! The narrator was perfect. I'm onto the second book in the series now :)

[Kaity]

Hi Elke :)
I finally finished my first pick from you (yay!) I really enjoyed it ( ). I think Foster is a new author to me so thank you for the introduction and push. I'll definitely be continuing this series and taking a look at her other books. I don't watch MMA but I am definitely on board that train for romances :P Looks like Foster has plenty more for my to enjoy.

[Pamela Su]

LaurLa wrote: "Hi Pamela Su (again)!

I finished last night!

I'm liking each book better in this series as it progresses and will be crushed I think when it's over. But it appears ..."

Yay! I'm glad you enjoyed both books. I've been bouncing around the Masters of the Shadowlands series. I'm not one to go in order. :)

I hope that when you do read Rock Me, you'll let me know what you think. If you preferred the first book more or the second!

[Elke]

Kait wrote: "Hi Elke :)
I finally finished my first pick from you (yay!) I really enjoyed it ( ). I think Foster is a new author to me so thank you for the introduction and push..."

I am so glad you enjoyed it!! LF is one of my favorite authors!! All her stuff is great!!

[Pamela Su]

MountainKat wrote: "OK Pamela Su, here are your picks! I struggled a bit because it seemed everyone I looked for you had already read. I hope you like them!

Hi Mountain Kat!


Something About You 4 stars. I love the snappy banter. I loved how their sizzling chemistry was drawn out throughout the book. :)

A Reason To Believe. 4 stars. This was a book I kept putting off again and again. I finally buckled down to read it. I liked it. A subtle romantic affair with a dash of creepy.

This Heart of Mine. 4 stars. Another winner from SEP. I do love her stories. She gets her heroines to do horrible acts but like the heroes, we still forgive the heroines in the end. :) I love the Daphne books' excepts.

Ain't She Sweet. 5 stars. It made me sniffle. I absolutely loved this story. I have a fondness for Southern belles and this was right up my alley.

Thanks. :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I am so glad you have enjoyed your picks Pamela Su!! You read some favorites of mine!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Penney! I've been terrible about updating here, this month has been crazy! But I have managed to read three of your picks so far:

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs - It was good, but not great. Real life could have been why I didn't enjoy it as much though. I will likely continue the series as I can though because series like this often get better.

An On Dublin Street Halloween by Samantha Young - Love Joss and Braden!

The Prince of Midnight by Laura Kinsale - I didn't love this like the other book of hers I listened to, but it was still good and the narration was delightful!

I am currently working on The Art of Breathing and loving it - as soon as I am done at the computer, the ear buds are going back in! When that is finished I plan to listen to Hostage to Pleasure. I am really heavy in audio right now, so I will probably read one of the other picks too. I usually have one of each going. I'll let you know! Thanks for the amazing picks!

[Isaura]

I just finished another book... "Wicked nights"
I wonder if I can finish another one?

[Elke]

Ashley,

Finished my 3rd pick -it was good and will continue the series!!

[Pam]

Aarati
Finished and really liked it. Solid 3 1/2 stars. I didn't expect to like the male MC and he turned out to be solid. Great pick.

[Nancy H]

Carla_Collette wrote: "Nancy H- I just finished and started Dairy Queen, which I am really liking so far."

I'm glad you have liked these picks. I have actually met the author of "Dairy Queen" and had breakfast with her when my students presented her an award at our Pennsylvania Librarian's Association Conference a few years ago. She is AWESOME! We live in a rural farming area and her Dairy Queen series was so perfect that it seemed like she was writing it about our students. We have a high school of about 600 kids and at least half of them read her book and loved it. Also, did you know she is the sister of Elizabeth Gilbert who wrote "Eat, Pray, Love"? The whole experience was just great for me to have a chance to talk with her and tell her how my students loved her books!

[Nancy H]

Sunshine,
I just finished and it was great. I really liked it. I am going to start the Scottolini one next but don't know if I will get it finished by the end of the month. I like her writing, though, so there is a possibility that I might get it done. Thanks for such good picks!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

KathyD

I finished Charmed and found it sweet. Thanks for the recommendation.

[Carla]

Nancy H wrote: "Carla_Collette wrote: "Nancy H- I just finished and started Dairy Queen, which I am really liking so far."

I'm glad you have liked these picks. I have..."

Oh, that is so cool! I just finished the first 3 books of the Dairy Queen series; I'll likely read the 4th (which I think is about another character) but I should read the Stephanie Plum book that I borrowed next. I really liked the books--wonderful characters that develop beautifully and of course I was rooting for DJ. Thanks for the great recommendation!

[Ty]

Hey Mandy!

Managed to read a few from your picks -
- still funny and not very in-depth. If I ever need a bubblegum read, this series would do.
- surprisingly cute and enjoyable
- clearly the gem of the pack. I cannot get enough of Ilona Andrews. Glad to see they're learning from their past mistakes with series/world building. love it.

[Shelby]

Isaura wrote: "Hi Shelby,
Happy reading. I hope you find at least a couple of books interested to choose from.


1. Spring cleaning:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
..."

Hey Isaura!

Thanks so much for picking Lover at Last for me. I really loved reading it. :D It's such a fantastic book.

[☘KathyD☘]

April
Picked by — Fran

Thanks for the great picks Fran!!

Spring Cleaning
Reckless — ★★★★ 4/9 (TBR)
Knight — ★★★ 4/9 (TBR)
Five Dates — ★★★★ 4/18 (New)

Spring into Action
Twisted — ★★★★ 4/25 (TBR)

Spring Fling
Fixed on You — ★★★ 4/28 (TBR)
Naughty King — ★★★★ 4/17 (New)

Spring is in the Air
Deep — ★★★★★ 4/2 (TBR)
Party Naked — ★★★★ 4/11 (New)

[Dee]

nearly forgot to come back and report on readnig ;)

From Kristy's picks, I finished Married by Monday and Willing Sacrifice this one - Joey W. Hill is pretty much solidly on my auto-buy list now and Catherine Bybee is getting there

[Fran, Moderator]

♥KathyD♥ wrote: "April
Picked by — Fran

Thanks for the great picks Fran!!

Spring Cleaning
Reckless — ★★★★ 4/9 (TBR)
Knight — ★★★ 4/9 (TBR)
Five Dates — ★★★★ 4/18 (N..."


Kathy, WOW! You read so many! I'm so glad you found some new reads that you enjoyed :)

[~KarenH~, Moderator]

Breann!

I just discovered I haven't been back here all month (along with a few other challenges that I ignored...)

I ended up finishing 6 of your recommendations, and I enjoyed them all. Some more than others of course, but not a dud in the bunch!



Thanks for a great bunch of picks this month - I wish I'd had time to read even more of them!

[Tammie]

Sadie wrote: "Hello, Tammie!
Here are my picks for you!



Spring Cleaning:


1.) TBR

I love Maya Banks, so this absolutely had to be on your list.

2.) NEW
[bookcover:Slammed..."

Sadie---I was able to also finish Fallen! Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Hi Penney! I finished three more picks - for six in all!!

The Art of Breathing by T.J. Kline - Love this 'family' and Tyson's story was wonderful!

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh - I am really enjoying this series, having the audio is wonderful too!

Crash & Burn by Abigail Roux - Sad to see this series end, but what a ride to the end!

Thanks so much for all the wonderful picks! I have added lots to Mt. TBR too!

[Penney]

I'm not sure if I ever posted my reads last month. If not...sorry Dianne~Firefly and thanks so much for the picks!

~ Dead Heat by Patricia Briggs 4/7 ✯✯✯✯½
~ Red Lily by Nora Roberts 4/13 ✯✯✯✯
~ Fool for Love by Beth Ciotta 4/22 ✯✯✯

[Shelby]

Breann wrote: "Shelby, I finished another pick Magic's Pawn and it was an awesome listen! The narrator was perfect. I'm onto the second book in the series now :)"

She's one of my all time favorite authors. The entire world is fantastic. I appreciate that she writes the books in trilogies generally. Makes reading and moving on easy. :) I keep meaning to go back and read the whole thing in "historical" order eventually. :)