R2 TEAM THREAD: Team #1 The ONEders [THIRD PLACE]

[Sarah]

For the paranormal shelf I am going to read either:

Prey by Rachel Vincent or A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole

[Sarah]

Laurie - Dreamfever is a great book! Then you can read Shadowfever for the Free Space, if you haven't picked a book yet. :)

[Lili]

Thanks for the reminder... I forget you're a bit ahead of my time.

I'll be reading Guilty Pleasures for the paranormal shelf and Vamps and the City for the free space.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

{Team Stats Updated}

[Thenia]

Hey fellow ONEders!
I'm not really sure what I'll be reading for the paranormal shelf... I'm thinking Storm Front... Audiobook narrated by James Marsters. Sounds good, right?

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I finished today (3/21/11) for paranormal shelf and gave it 3 stars.

Review:
Good trilogy. I couldn't really see Cian and Moira as a couple though. Nice to see the relationships between the six grow and to finish up the story. I would have liked to have read a bit more of what happened after the final battle.

[Jen (jlkish)]

Thenia wrote: "Hey fellow ONEders!
I'm not really sure what I'll be reading for the paranormal shelf... I'm thinking Storm Front... Audiobook narrated by James Marsters. Sounds good, right?"

Absolutely! I love the Harry Dresden series and you can't go wrong having "Spike" read to you ;)

[Jen (jlkish)]

For the Paranormal slot:

Night Star by Alyson Noel **/5 03.21.11

While I loved the first few books in this series, I'm getting increasingly frustrated with it. It's almost like some of the books were written simply to fulfill a contract for a set amount of books in the series, rather than writing toward the main series arc. I'll be reading the next book in the series, but to be perfectly honest, it's only because it's being billed as the last and I want to see how she wraps everything in a nice big bow.

[Laura Lulu]

I second that. Like so many others have said, the Harry books don't really get rolling until probably the third book, but I've listened to most of them, and Marsters totally makes Harry. I liked the 1st two books, so I figure that was Marsters' extra added oomph. ;)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Maybe I should try Harry again if I can get hold of Spike. LOL.

Cause I totally really disliked (ie hated) the first one, so much so that I skimmed about half of it. I try not to do that.

[Sarah]

I love Spike! I might have to pick up the audio of Storm Front just to listen to James Marsters. I was so sad when Buffy ended (although I didn't actually watch the tv series until well after it ended lol).

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

I just had to go & get them all on dvd and I always watched the show. They always had fun making it, you could tell.

[Sarah]

Yeah I bought all the seasons. It was definitely worth it because I watch them over again. Plus, there's a channel on cable called Chiller that shows Buffy every night at 6 I believe. They even had a marathon recently over the weekend.

[Sarah]

Okay, I've decided to go with Prey by Rachel Vincent for the paranormal shelf. I've been reading a lot of shifters lately haha with River Marked (Shifters shelf),and Kitty and the Midnight Hour (Free Space.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Shifters rock! Enjoy! That's a sad one in the series, so you might wanna have a tissue nearby, Sarah. :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

{Team Stats Updated}

[Sarah]

Steph - can you add Kitty and the Midnight Hour as my free space pick? :) Thanks!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Gotcha! :) Thanks for the catch, Sarah.

[Sarah]

No problem! Thanks Steph!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Sandra wrote: "Maybe I should try Harry again if I can get hold of Spike. LOL.

Cause I totally really disliked (ie hated) the first one, so much so that I skimmed about half of it. I try not to do that."

I recommend giving that a try or jumping in around book 3 or 4. I avoided the series for years after reading the first book, then read a few short stories in anthologies that peaked my interest and found book 4 and loved it. I eventually went backward and found I didn't really like books 1 and 2. I think it has to do with Harry being such a loner and stupidly stubborn.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Diane, we'll see whether I can find spike at the library.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Nope, no audio versions of Harry at my library, only paperbacks. So, not going there until they have Spike!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Sandra wrote: "Nope, no audio versions of Harry at my library, only paperbacks. So, not going there until they have Spike!"

Bummer.

[Laura Lulu]

You're right, Diane. Harry was a loner in the first couple. And I think it's all the supporting cast, and Harry's interaction with them, that makes the series.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Laura Lulu wrote: "You're right, Diane. Harry was a loner in the first couple. And I think it's all the supporting cast, and Harry's interaction with them, that makes the series."

I agree :)

[Laura Lulu]

Free Space

finished March 20 ★★★

I didn't realize this was UFR instead of just UF, so I wasn't crazy about that. The book started out super dark & gritty UF, and then turned into total gooey PNR. That lost a star from me.

I'm not a big PNR fan--I just don't feel like I get to know the characters well enough to be gaga for the romance, and in turn, I don't feel the characters have gotten to know each other well enough, either.

Call me crazy, but I prefer my heroine & hero to be a bit antagonistic to each other in the beginning of the series. Lends to some juicy sexual tension--I guess I'm just a fan of delayed gratification. ;)

I did like the characters, I'm curious to see what the author does with them in future books. I think it's difficult for authors to write a couple that's already together--so much of this genre is about flirting, angst & tension.

One of the things I really liked about this book was the whole concept of being a victim vs. being strong, and how someone can give you a push in the right direction, but it's up to you to make that choice and get yourself there. I'm never much a fan of a heroine who needs the hero to save/protect her. It's nice when he does, but I need her to be able to do it on her own, too.

[Laura Lulu]

Free Space - 5/8 completed


✔Laura Lulu Queen of Shadows finished March 20 ★★★
✔Laurie Shadow Game finished March 19 ★
✔Diane Pleasure Unbound finished March 6 ★★★
Lili Vamps and the City
Christina Queen of Shadows finished March 14 - awaiting review
Sarah Kitty and the Midnight Hour
✔Jen Shadowfever finished March 19 ★★★★
✔Thenia Magic Bleeds finished March 15 ★★★★★


Part-Of-A-Series, G1 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!

✔Laura Lulu Unwind finished March 7 ★★★★★
✔Laurie Silver Borne finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Diane The Iron King finished March 8 ★★★
✔Lili Halfway to the Grave finished March 6 ★★★★★
✔Christina Paying the Virgin's Price finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Sarah The Dead-Tossed Waves finished March 12 ★★★★★
✔Jen Bonds of Justice finished March 8 ★★★★
✔Thenia Mockingjay finished March 6 ★★★★★


Shifters, I5 - 6/8 completed

✔Laura Lulu Iron Crowned finished March 16 ★
✔Laurie A Certain Wolfish Charm finished March 14 ★★★
✔Diane The Demon You Know finished March 16 ★★★
✔Lili The Man Within finished March 17 ★★★
✔Christina Kitty and the Midnight Hour finished March 19 ★★★★
Sarah River Marked
Jen Eat Prey Love
✔Thenia Visions of Heat finished March 14 ★★★


Paranormal, G3 - 3/8 completed

Laura Lulu Song of Scarabaeus
✔Laurie Dreamfever finished March 20 ★★★★
✔Diane Valley of Silence finished March 21 ★★★
Lili Guilty Pleasures
Christina Song of Scarabaeus
Sarah Prey
✔Jen Night Star finished March 21 ★★
Thenia Storm Front

[Lili]

Holly crap!
ONEders are very very fast readers!

all right... I'll try to get up to speed this week, I checked the other teams and they're one or two books away from getting their stamps too.

[Laura Lulu]

Ooh, thanks for the reminder, Lili. I'm off to snoop and see how the other teams are doing. :)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

LOL, I'll save you the trouble - Triple Threat is awaiting Steph being on her puter, for our Freespace stamp, which will be #3. Yay! *rubbing it in*

[Laura Lulu]

Zip it, you.

Ok ONEders, here's the deets:

OVERALL TOTALS
Us - 22/32, 1 stamp
Team #2 - 25/32, 1 stamp
Team #3 - 27/32, 3 stamps
Team #4 - 27/32, 3 stamps
Team #5 - 22/32, 1 stamp
Team #6 - 26/32, 1 stamp

Free Space
Us - 5/8
Team #2 - 7/8
Team #3 - stamp
Team #4 - stamp
Team #5 - 6/8
Team #6 - 6/8

Part-of-a-Series
All teams have stamp

Shifters
Us - 6/8
Team #2 - 6/8
Team #3 - stamp
Team #4 - stamp
Team #5 - 6/8
Team #6 - 7/8

Paranormal
Us - 3/8
Team #2 - 4/8
Team #3 - 3/8
Team #4 - 3/8
Team #5 - 2/8
Team #6 - 5/8

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Sandra wrote: "LOL, I'll save you the trouble - Triple Threat is awaiting Steph being on her puter, for our Freespace stamp, which will be #3. Yay! *rubbing it in* "

LOL! Stamped! Now both our teams have 3. Nanny, nanny, poo, poo. ;)

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

ROFLMAO!

[Steph, Serious series addict]

>;)

[Sarah]

Oh man, I really need to catch up! Sorry guys!!

[Laura Lulu]

Oh, zip it you two. Ignore then Sarah. We're gonna come from behind and beat their butts.

I'll be finished with my paranormal today--so far, Song of Scarabaeus is awesome. I'm loving it. My kids are on spring break and today is one of my days off, so I was up until 4am reading. My daughter woke me up at 11am with breakfast in bed--cut up fruit and a cup of coffee, on a tray and everything. Gotta love the Keurig, even an 8 year old can use it. :)

My husband just called from work and he's like, "Oh, so you're all up now?" He called at 10am and my 11 year old son was the only one awake--my daughter is like her mama, a night owl. :)

[Lili]

Laura Lulu wrote: "Oh, zip it you two. Ignore then Sarah. We're gonna come from behind and beat their butts.

I'll be finished with my paranormal today--so far, Song of Scarabaeus is awesome. I'm lovi..."


Aaaawwww Laura that's so sweet!!
You're so spoiled... hope you enjoy the rest of your day off and it keeps getting better and better.

[Laura Lulu]

Thanks Lili. :) The hard part will be tonight, when I have to go to bed like a good girl for work tomorrow. I can't believe it's already 3:30pm--the day flies when you don't wake up til 11am. Lol. :)

[Jen (jlkish)]

For the Shifters slot:

Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks ****/5 03.23.11

Another cute PNR in this series. I love her use of humor, and these books are always a good light read for me. Glad we finally got Carlos' story!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Hope you had a good day Laura ;) Lucky girl with brekkie in bed.

Jen, I really liked Carlos's story, 4 stars from me as well. It's a good light series :)

[Christina (AKA Babbling)]

Song of Scarabaeus by Sara Creasy 23 Mar 11 ★★★★★

I loved it.

In a way, I'm glad I waited until now to read it, since the second book will be released next week and I won't have to wait. From what I've seen in the blogsphere, the sequel is just as good. It also looks as if it's only a duology and not an on-going series.

[Laura Lulu]

It's only a duology? Boo hoo. On one hand, I love that an author has the integrity to not drag a series out endlessly, but on the other, how come it's always the really good ones that are only a few books? Lol. :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Yay! Glad you enjoyed it, Christina! Can't wait for #2.

Sounds like a great day, Laura! :)

[Thenia]

I ended up reading Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione so I'll use that as my paranormal shelf book.

4 stars for this book. The story was interesting and the world well built. It was sort of fluffy, but fluffiness is much needed sometimes. Apart from the romance between the two main characters, the story presented the world and a few major characters that will star in the next books of the series, giving us a glimpse of what's to come.

I'll probably read the next books sometime, when another dose of fluffiness is needed.

P.S.: Spike's narration is fine and I'll keep listening to Storm Front, but it's going a lot slower since I seem to be reading faster than I can listen...

[Laura Lulu]

Paranormal

finished March 23 ★★★★

I loved this book. Wonderful characters, fast paced action, strong world building, and immersion into the world instead of info-dump, which I always prefer.

I haven't read much Sci-Fi, but I love the Sirantha Jax series and this one ranks right up there with Jax. Scarabaeus is more sciencey and technical than Jax--the main character, Edie, is a hardcore bio techie, and with the quick immersion into the world, she's throwing futuristic tech terms around and I'm like, whoa, slow down! Not confusing, per se, but not fly-through reading, either. But once I got 30 or so pages in, I was off & running.

Edie is a wonderful character, a woman who uses her brains to beat the bad guys. How novel. ;) And she is so wonderfully empathetic, and able to see the gray when others only see black and white. I love that in a character. And a real person, for that matter. ;)

I usually don't love female characters who need a man to physically protect them, but Edie & Finn have a great partnership--if Finn's muscle doesn't solve a problem, Edie's brains do, and vice versa. Not everyone can kick ass, all I ask for is a female character who has something to offer. Besides her womanhood, of course.

And Finn. Love him. A strong, stoic, tortured hero. My fave kind. A war vet who was neither decorated nor honored, instead, he ended up a POW/slave. I always love reading about guys like Finn, and watching him learn to trust again, and to begin caring again about the world that shit on him so badly. Baby steps. But I like baby steps. It's just so much more realistic. I'm not a fan of characters who undergo a lobotomy because they've met their stupid soul mate. Gag me.

[Laura Lulu]

Free Space - 5/8 completed


✔Laura Lulu Queen of Shadows finished March 20 ★★★
✔Laurie Shadow Game finished March 19 ★
✔Diane Pleasure Unbound finished March 6 ★★★
Lili Vamps and the City
Christina Queen of Shadows finished March 14 - awaiting review
Sarah Kitty and the Midnight Hour
✔Jen Shadowfever finished March 19 ★★★★
✔Thenia Magic Bleeds finished March 15 ★★★★★


Part-Of-A-Series, G1 - 8/8 completed - Stamp Awarded!

✔Laura Lulu Unwind finished March 7 ★★★★★
✔Laurie Silver Borne finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Diane The Iron King finished March 8 ★★★
✔Lili Halfway to the Grave finished March 6 ★★★★★
✔Christina Paying the Virgin's Price finished March 12 ★★★★
✔Sarah The Dead-Tossed Waves finished March 12 ★★★★★
✔Jen Bonds of Justice finished March 8 ★★★★
✔Thenia Mockingjay finished March 6 ★★★★★


Shifters, I5 - 7/8 completed

✔Laura Lulu Iron Crowned finished March 16 ★
✔Laurie A Certain Wolfish Charm finished March 14 ★★★
✔Diane The Demon You Know finished March 16 ★★★
✔Lili The Man Within finished March 17 ★★★
✔Christina Kitty and the Midnight Hour finished March 19 ★★★★
Sarah River Marked
✔Jen Eat Prey Love finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Thenia Visions of Heat finished March 14 ★★★


Paranormal, G3 - 6/8 completed

✔Laura Lulu Song of Scarabaeus finished March 23 ★★★★
✔Laurie Dreamfever finished March 20 ★★★★
✔Diane Valley of Silence finished March 21 ★★★
Lili Guilty Pleasures
✔Christina Song of Scarabaeus finished March 23 ★★★★★
Sarah Prey
✔Jen Night Star finished March 21 ★★
✔Thenia Pleasure Unbound finished March 23 ★★★★

[Christina (AKA Babbling)]

Laura Lulu wrote: "It's only a duology? Boo hoo. On one hand, I love that an author has the integrity to not drag a series out endlessly, but on the other, how come it's always the really good ones that are only a fe..."

Maybe, if the second book does well, her editor will ask if she's got more story ideas for that universe, whether they feature Edie and Finn or not. As a new author in an risky field (female author, non-romance SF), a long-term series probably wasn't feasible up front.

[Steph, Serious series addict]

That makes sense, Christina. Here's hoping for more, if not, I'm glad I discovered her and look forward to reading whatever she writes in the future.

[Christina (AKA Babbling)]

Steph wrote: "That makes sense, Christina. Here's hoping for more, if not, I'm glad I discovered her and look forward to reading whatever she writes in the future."

Same here. :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

Posting a few hours early, but here's our next shelf! :D
Hope everyone has a great weekend!!

OUR NEXT SHELF IS ..... 'ya-fantasy'
DIRECT LINK: 'ya-fantasy'

Happy Reading, Everyone!!