December - Pick It For Me Challenge

[SandyC]

Kami wrote: "I just finished Vampire Academy and loved, loved, loved, loved it. These characters are so great. I loved the writing. I loved the action and unrequited love. It is similar to Twilight in that it i..."

I am so happy you enjoyed it! I finished Last Sacrifice, boo hoo! I was going to get my book signed by Richelle Mead on Dec. 11, but the 2010 Minnesota blizzard shut down our airport and she couldn't get here!

Let me know when you finish Blood Promise, it's my favorite of the series.

Still working on Touch the Dark, but having trouble get into it. I WILL finish it, though!

[Melanie]

Fran

Got Simply Irresistible - Will read it tomorrow:-) You finished?

[Fran, Moderator]

Melanie wrote: "Fran

Got Simply Irresistible - Will read it tomorrow:-) You finished?"

Melanie- I finished it and really liked it- 4 stars. Let me know when you are done and we will chat about it!

[Kami]

Sandy wrote: "Kami wrote: "I just finished Vampire Academy and loved, loved, loved, loved it. These characters are so great. I loved the writing. I loved the action and unrequited love. It is similar to Twilight..."

I started liking Touch the Dark more towards the end. So try and stick with it if you can. It is the first in the series, maybe the series gets better. I haven't read the second book in the series.

That would have been cool to meet Richelle Mead. Too bad about the blizzard. Darn those natural disasters!! I will let you know when I get more into the series. Excited to get the second book. I feel like yours was the better pick. Sorry, I tried. Some of my other suggestions were books that I did enjoy more. I gave Touch the Dark, three stars. But you definitely got me hooked on the Vampire Academy series.

[Pollyanna]

FlibBityFLoob

I have read Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #5) and it was okay, I gave it 3 stars as it wasn't my favourite of the series so far. I found the story a bit dull in this one but I will continue with the series.

[Melanie]

Fran wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Fran

Got Simply Irresistible - Will read it tomorrow:-) You finished?"

Melanie- I finished it and really liked it- 4 stars. Let me know when you are done and we..."

Fran, finished my third pick, Simply Irresistible... I loved it:-) It was such a feel-good read! Maddie was such a klutz, and I loved the fact that Jax fell for her from the start, no reservations! My favorite scene is probably when he shows up after receiving her drunken call for a "master", lol! I actually gave it 5* even though it lacked my usual preference of angst, just because it kept me smiling the whole time.
I definitely want to know more about Tara: I imagine that her story is linked with Ford's, no? It will be interesting to know how they handle the reunion! Thanks for the recommendation:-)

[Dee]

hi BJ Rose

I finished up Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor today - loved it but it could have been longer...can't wait to read the books about the other brothers

I alsot started listening to Judgment in Death, so looking forward to seeing what you think when you get to it

[Fran, Moderator]

Melanie wrote: "Fran wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Fran

Got Simply Irresistible - Will read it tomorrow:-) You finished?"

Melanie- I finished it and really liked it- 4 stars. Let me know when you ar..."


The more I thought about it, the more I think you are right and it deserves 5 stars. And I love that there wasn't too much angst. Jax is just to die for- the best hero I have read in awhile. Love the "master" scene. Also loved the bickering sisters. Can't wait for Tara's book, I am very intrigued by Ford. So glad we decided to read it!

[Melanie]

Fran wrote: "The more I thought about it, the more I think you are right and it deserves 5 stars. And I love that there wasn't too much angst. Jax is just to die for- the best hero I have read in awhile. Love the "master" scene. Also loved the bickering sisters. Can't wait for Tara's book, I am very intrigued by Ford. So glad we decided to read it! ..."

I agree, Jax is one of my favorite heroes - he really is the whole package:-D And the sisters are great too: I have a sister, and I could recognize us in certain scenes, lol. I'm so happy you thought of recommending it.. I don't even think I'd read Jill Shalvis before you mentioned her:-) So thanks again!

[Fran, Moderator]

@Melanie- If you want to try her again, I really liked The Trouble With Paradise- it's funny, sexy and has a little bit of suspense.

[FlibBityFLooB]

Pollyanna wrote: "FlibBityFLoob

I have read Bloody Bones (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter, #5) and it was okay, I gave it 3 stars as it wasn't my favourite of the series so far. I found the story a bit dul..."

I gave it 3/5 stars, too. I think that book 6 was one of my favorites in the series if I remember.

[Melissa]

Debbie...I just finished Wicked Appetite and I really, really liked it. Hard not to think of Ranger and Stephanie, but I really like this new town and it's characters. Love Cat 7143 and of course, Carl the monkey. Lots of laugh out loud moments! I was almost in tears everytime Shirley appeared with her scrambled speech! So clever. Thanks for the recommendation...it hit the spot, so to speak.

[Angelique]

Allison,

I just finished Magic Bites, and I love it. I've tried reading it before, and I couldn't get into it. But if you decide to read it, you'd better have the next book ready.

I plan to start reading Lover Revealed today. And then I'll get to Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs and Kiss of Midnight.

[Melanie]

Fran wrote: "@Melanie- If you want to try her again, I really liked The Trouble With Paradise- it's funny, sexy and has a little bit of suspense."

Ok, I'll give it a try, thanks!:-) However I didn't like Smart and Sexy as much (3*), whereas Out Of This World was 4-4.5*:-)

[Mandy]

I finished The Smoke Thief by Shana Abe last night (4 stars) and will definitely be reading more in this series. I enjoyed the push/pull between the main characters and the rules involved in their world. I especially like the whole "love of a good woman" aspect of the changes the hero wants to make to their culture with the heroine's help.

[Leah]

Diane ~Firefly~, I finished reading Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake today and I absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for recommending it to me! :D

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

So many people done! Great job everybody. Keep up the good work. Still a few weeks left to go.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Lady Leah *Silk Desire* Westcliff wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~, I finished reading Nine Rules to Break When Romancing a Rake today and I absolutely loved it. Thank you so much for recommending it to me! :D"

Glad you liked it. :)

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Kerste,

Finished my 2nd book from your recs last night, Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants. It was a smooth read, but for some reason, I was expecting more. I felt gently let down. :)

Again thanks for the great recs. I will not have time this December to get to the Maya Bank's book, unfortunately.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Yz, do you think it is because of all the hype the book has received? I went into this blind without any pre-conceived notions and loved it.

[D.G.]

Photojim wrote: "Yz, do you think it is because of all the hype the book has received? I went into this blind without any pre-conceived notions and loved it."

Similar with me...I read it a few years after it had been a big best seller so I knew something of the hype but wasn't as influenced by it and loved it too.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

My mother-in-law gave me the book and said she liked it and I might too. Knowing my MIL's taste, that was not a ringing endorsement but I read it anyway. Glad I did.

[Yz the Whyz, Moderator]

Photojim wrote: "Yz, do you think it is because of all the hype the book has received? I went into this blind without any pre-conceived notions and loved it."

That's probably it. Serves me right for getting influenced by the hype. : )

Still, I enjoyed reading the book, and I was very pleased with its resolution.

[SandyC]

Yz the Whyz wrote: "Kerste,

Finished my 2nd book from your recs last night, Sara Gruen's Water for Elephants. It was a smooth read, but for some reason, I was expecting more. I felt gently let down. :..."

I felt the same way. The person who recommended it to me acted like it was the BEST BOOK EVER, so yes, I was let down as well. Movie trailer looks good though (Robert Pattinson and Reese Witherspoon).

[Elke]

Annvelwis,

Finished , thanks again for recommending it! Like I said before this was the 3rd time that it was suggested to me. 3rd time is the charm I guess because I liked it more than I thought I would!! Now to add the rest of the series to my TBR!! Thanks again!!

[Lady Allison]

Angelique, so glad you enjoyed it!!! I've got the audio version on my computer but Overdrive hasn't been working for me lately, but I got a Nook last week so maybe I'll add it to my list of ebooks to buy :) Looking forward to your review for Lover Revealed, I love Butch!

[Angelique]

I just finished it, and it was great. Butch was so sexy! I didn't expect to like his story that much, and V--previously my least favorite brother--wormed his way into my heart in this one. It was a great read.

Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs, and Kiss of Midnight just came in from the library so I'll start those soon.

[Gigi]

Angelique wrote: "I just finished it, and it was great. Butch was so sexy! I didn't expect to like his story that much, and V--previously my least favorite brother--wormed his way into my heart in this one. It was a..."

Angelique, I kept putting off reading that book because i thought Butch would be dull. LOL Boy, was I wrong! LOL

[Angelique]

ME TOO!!! I was so wrong too! He was amazing. I can't wait to read V's book. Or John's for that matter.

[Dee]

I find that with soo many of the hyped books...The book thief is another one that comes to mind...everyone I knew was like, omg, this is the best book ever, but for me it was just ehh...maybe I knew too much about the history...

one of the few hyped books I've enjoyed recently was the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo...but a lot of people also say his writing is mediocre

Yz the Whyz wrote: "Photojim wrote: "Yz, do you think it is because of all the hype the book has received? I went into this blind without any pre-conceived notions and loved it."

That's probably it. Serves me right..."

[Gigi]

Angelique wrote: "ME TOO!!! I was so wrong too! He was amazing. I can't wait to read V's book. Or John's for that matter."

I definitely can't wait to hear what you think of V's book. I still haven't made it to John's book.

[Lady Allison]

Oh my gosh, JM's book is my FAVORITE of the entire series!!! Seriously, any time someone comes in to check out BDB, I gush about Lover Mine & patrons come in just to talk to me about it! While I love all the other guys (Z!), JM stole my heart.

[Dee]

i'm hoping to start LM in the next day or so...trying to finish up a couple of my other dozen or so in progress books!

[Mandy]

I just finished my second book - Shiver - wow! Really a very good book, and I didn't have a clue what was going to happen - 4.5 stars!

[Rachel-RN]

SheSwitches wrote:
Just finished Drink of Me. Second attempt to read this author and just not crazy about this book (and author- though she comes highly recommended)! It was okay for me.
Might get to The Darkest Whisper, but need to read Into the Dark first.

[Freya]

Just finished the Key of Valor and with that the Key series from Nora Roberts. Like her style think I'll read a few more...

Zoe really connected with me, and made feel all get-set-go :)

Which series would you recommended I start next? Have seen the list and she has quite a few series...

[Gigi]

Carolyn F,

Thanks for the great rec! I finished my 1st Julia Quinn novel Mr. Cavendish, I Presume and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks so much! Im still on the hunt for The Silver Metal Lover and Nicholas.

[Jim son of Jim (formerly PhotoJim)]

Freya wrote: "Just finished the Key of Valor and with that the Key series from Nora Roberts. Like her style think I'll read a few more...

Zoe really connected with me, and made feel all get-set-g..."

The Morrigan's Cross trilogy is an odd paranormal series sort of like the Key trilogy but with vampires and time-travel. My wife really enjoyed the Dream trilogy but I have yet to read them to give my take on that.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Freya wrote: "Just finished the Key of Valor and with that the Key series from Nora Roberts. Like her style think I'll read a few more...

Zoe really connected with me, and made feel all get-set-g..."

My favorite trilogy from Nora Roberts is Three Sisters Island with the Key trilogy in second place. I still haven't read Morrigan's Cross that Photojim recommended (although its on my list). I also highly recommend looking into the Eve Dallas series written under the name J.D. Robb. It is a bit more skewed to the mystery side, but the characters are amazing.

[Carolyn F.]

Gigi wrote: "Carolyn F,

Thanks for the great rec! I finished my 1st Julia Quinn novel Mr. Cavendish, I Presume and I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Thanks so much! Im still on the hunt for [book:The ..."

I had to get those from the library Gigi. I'm glad you liked the Julia Quinn book. I just started reading her books myself and have liked them all so far.

[Lili]

Regina wrote: "Hi Lili!

Loved your shelves! Here are my recs. Hope you find something you like!

A - Ghost of reading Past..."

All right Regina, I just finished Hot in Here and I must say I'm looking for a chef now, and if he can do what Bryce did to Jenna... wel... I guess that'll be ok too.

Nice story, and I especially liked Jenna for being a size 14 girl and still getting the guy!

[Rossy]

Delicious Dee Challenge Addict wrote: "i'm hoping to start LM in the next day or so...trying to finish up a couple of my other dozen or so in progress books!"

I plan on reading that one finally over the weekend.

[Rossy]

Thank you again Jim for hosting this month PIFM!

Next month it'll be D.G.'s turn. She has an idea for the pairing that i'm pretty sure you will all enjoy. One to surely help us with that ever growing TBR.

[Freya]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote:My favorite trilogy from Nora Roberts is Three Sisters Island with the Key trilogy in second place.
"
Thanks for that Jim and Diane...
Got the first of the dream series... Daring to Dream Others seem let out at the library right now.

[Debbie]

Hey KimKirt, I decided on Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, (it also takes care of the Author of the Month challenge) it finally came in at the library. I am going to pick it up today and hopefully read it before Christmas. I am so excited - I have heard good things

[Debbie]

So glad it was a good experience for you.
Good luck on getting another one in.


KimKirt wrote: "Debbie, finished Hannah's List. I really liked it! The flipping back and forth from first to third person was interesting. I think I would have liked Michael even better if his side ..."

[Debbie]

lol, so glad you enjoyed it. Agreed - it was a laugh out loud book. I loved getting to know Diesel better myself. Completely agree with you about Cat, Carl and Shirley.

Melissa wrote: "Debbie...I just finished Wicked Appetite and I really, really liked it. Hard not to think of Ranger and Stephanie, but I really like this new town and it's characters. Love Cat 7143 and of course..."

[Polina]

Well, I just finished reading Mockingjay and I aslo read Last Sacrifice. I am having mixed feelings so I won't rate them yet.
Thanks for the great picks, though!

[Macwolf01 [Elise]]

Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hi Macwolf01 (Elise)-

Hi Fran I read Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story I love them ... definately one of my fav BDB couples. I'm still trying to get Slave to Sensation.

Thanks E

[Fran, Moderator]

Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Macwolf01 [Elise] wrote: "Fran wrote: "Hi Macwolf01 (Elise)-

Hi Fran I read Father Mine: Zsadist and Bella's Story I love them ... definately one of my fav BDB couples. I'm still trying t..."


So glad you liked it Elise! I hope you get a chance to read Slave To Sensation in the near future- that book was one of my faves of 2010- a real treat.