June Read 2011: Conquest

[Jordan]

Thanks sms! Imagine that! And I didn't even know this was our choice when I talked to the people at MLR this week at Book Expo, so what a coincidence this is a free read! Nice! Now I'm much more likely to give it a shot.

[Mtsnow13]

sms - thank you! I now have Conquest on my tbr list as well! I love getting good freereads :)

[Charming]

If the voting isn't closed, I'd like to campaign against Conquest for this group. The writing needed some serious help from and editor (mixed metaphors, repetition, a couple of places where she said the opposite of what she meant), it's insta-everything (sex, love, commitment), there's lots of repetitive sex, and the separation near the end is truly harlequin romance worthy.

[Jordan]

Charming, it wasn't one I would read, but if it's free... However, the voting is closed, so that's the choice for the group.

I'm glad it was free, just from your comments. I'm getting tired of books with editing issues. It seems I've read a lot of them lately. *sigh*

[Becky]

Well, she seems to be pretty popular. (Which isn't always the recommendation you'd think it'd be.) I've seen a lot of people gushing over some of the later books, so maybe those issues improve over the series. It looks like Conquest was also her first novel, and that might have something to do with it as well.

[Yvonne]

Charming wrote: "If the voting isn't closed, I'd like to campaign against Conquest for this group. The writing needed some serious help from and editor (mixed metaphors, repetition, a couple of places where she sa..."

I actually read criticism of all the books that were up for votes but this one at least had a lot of enthusiastic readers & it was free. I'm curious to read it now to see if what bothered you will bother me as well. Sometimes I accept a lot if I'm truly entertained.

[Charming]

Yeah, I'll be interested as well. My problems with it are things I think will annoy Josh Lanyon fans in particular. And the author is a Goodreads author so she might read the comments. Ah well.

[Becky]

We tend to be critical readers, but I haven't seen anyone get nasty or personal. I don't think most authors would have a problem with the kind of comments we're likely to post.

[Susan]

When I seconded Conquest I indicated there were pros and cons to it. For me, that is what makes it a good choice, not because everything about it is wonderful.

Just try to hold off on a full discussion until June 25, and give everyone who plans to, a chance to read the book. :)

[Merith]

Charming wrote: "If the voting isn't closed, I'd like to campaign against Conquest for this group. The writing needed some serious help from and editor (mixed metaphors, repetition, a couple of places where she sa..."


I'm a sadsack where some of these books are concerned. I typically do not like band stories and I probably would have skipped this month's read and review just for that. But, the book was free, so... *shrug* I'm looking forward to what July will bring.

[[deleted user]]

I was about to skip this month's read but since it came free I gave it a try. It was.. erm... exactly what I expected :D
The thing is while I personally drop books I don't like without a second thought, some of us might feel obliged to finish even the book they don't like, especially if it's a group read.
On the other hand, I just dropped the book I voted for XD

[Becky]

I'll be waiting until a day or two before the discussion to read the book. If I read it now I'll never remember enough to make even semi-intelligent statements about it! (Seriously, I have a mind like swiss cheese.)

I picked it up in the big Fictionwise sale a couple weeks ago because Jet Mykles got me hooked on the rocker dudes, and I'm always looking for more. So when I sit down to read it, my attitude will be more "Hot rock 'n roll bad boys! Yum!" than serious and literary. Rockers do to my brain what Liam's nipple rings do to Cleon's brain.

And on that note, I'll be in my bunk!

[Merith]

Suhi wrote: "The thing is while I personally drop books I don't like without a second thought, some of us might feel obliged to finish even the book they don't like, especially if it's a group read.
On the other hand, I just dropped the book I voted for XD "

If the book was part of a group read, I would probably soldier on and make my way through it. Unless something about the story made me cringe with the thought of picking it up. But, there are many books I've picked up thinking they're going to be great, even by authors I love, only to be disappointed or unable to finish.

[Jordan]

Becky! That's my line! My brain is Swiss cheese. I just want the world to think it's cheddar!

Yeah, I'm not so sure about it, but I'll definitely read it closer to the due date. Or I'll take notes of the things I want to comment on. That seems to have worked well enough before.

I'm just wondering what July will bring...

[Josh]

Looks like Conquest is the June Read.

[[deleted user]]

Josh wrote: "Looks like Conquest is the June Read."

Yay, I just read this series...awesome books!

[sms]

Josh wrote: "Looks like Conquest is the June Read."

Josh, just finished the lstest book, Black Heart Down. Each book in the series gets better. Eager for June 25 to discuss book 1.

[[deleted user]]

sms wrote: "Josh wrote: "Looks like Conquest is the June Read."

Josh, just finished the lstest book, Black Heart Down. Each book in the series gets better. Eager for June 25 to discuss book 1."

I read BHD last weekend...so good!

[Sylvia]

Jordan S. wrote: "Becky! That's my line! My brain is Swiss cheese. I just want the world to think it's cheddar!..."

As long as your brain is not
you should be OK...

[Jordan]

No. Thankfully, it's not that bad. EEEWWWWWWW!!!

[Becky]

Today is bad medicine day. I would not be surprised if that stuff dribbling out of my ears was Cheez Whiz.

[Sylvia]

Jordan S. wrote: "No. Thankfully, it's not that bad. EEEWWWWWWW!!!"

LOL

[Sylvia]

Becky wrote: "Today is bad medicine day. I would not be surprised if that stuff dribbling out of my ears was Cheez Whiz."

EEEEEEEWWWWWWW!!

[Sylvia]

It really looks gross, doesn't it!

[Anne]

Sylvia wrote: "It really looks gross, doesn't it! "

Oh, for a second I thought that's what came out of Becky's ears. Phew!

[Cleon Lee]

Anne wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "It really looks gross, doesn't it! "

Oh, for a second I thought that's what came out of Becky's ears. Phew!"

You're going to give me nightmare, Anne! :P

[Becky]

Cleon wrote: "Anne wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "It really looks gross, doesn't it! "

Oh, for a second I thought that's what came out of Becky's ears. Phew!"

You're going to give me nightmare, Anne! :P"

Me too!

[Mandapanda]

Hi I'm just starting off with the group and I'm looking forward to the group read. I've actually read it before but it was ages ago and it should be a fun book to re-read and discuss by the looks of the varying opinions above!;) From what I understand we don't discuss it here till June 25th? Is that right?

[Susan]

MandyM wrote: "...we don't discuss it here till June 25th? Is that right?"

Correct.

[Anne]

Becky wrote: "Cleon wrote: "Anne wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "It really looks gross, doesn't it! "

Oh, for a second I thought that's what came out of Becky's ears. Phew!"

You're going to give me nightmare, Anne! :P..."

Sorry, couldn't resist! :)

[Josh]

MandyM wrote: "Hi I'm just starting off with the group and I'm looking forward to the group read. I've actually read it before but it was ages ago and it should be a fun book to re-read and discuss by the looks o..."

Hi Mandy. Welcome!

[Josh]

Sylvia wrote: "It really looks gross, doesn't it! "

That does look really disgusting. But in fairness, I kind of like that bacon-cheddar squeeze cheese stuff.

[Cleon Lee]

Josh wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "It really looks gross, doesn't it! "

That does look really disgusting. But in fairness, I kind of like that bacon-cheddar squeeze cheese stuff."

*shakes head* And Westerners think our food is weird... You better off eating a durian. At least it's a fruit. lol.

[Josh]

I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between good food and junk food. I like good food too, but I do really, really, REALLY love junk food.

[Emanuela ~plastic duck~]

Fries forever!!!

[Blaine]

Josh wrote: "I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between good food and junk food. I like good food to..."

I have to admit, being taken off sugar and fast acting carbs in january, that I barely miss unhealthy food.
I decided to break the rules and go for a cupcake (though according to the grooms it was a fairy cake ;) ), and I coulnd't even eat the whole one ... apparently my body likes my new regimen

Though ... I miss Lipton Ice Tea (with bubbles) *sigh*

[Becky]

Blaine D. wrote: "Josh wrote: "I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between good food and junk food. I like..."

Iced tea with bubbles? We do love our carbonation in the US, but that's a new one to me. Unless you're talking about tapioca tea, also sometimes called bubble tea. In which case, yum!

[Blaine]

Becky wrote: "Blaine D. wrote: "Iced tea with bubbles? We do love our carbonation in the US, but that's a new one to me. Unless you're talking about tapioca tea, also sometimes called bubble tea. In which case, yum! "


Carbonated Ice tea, yes :)
I have no idea what tapioca tea is.

[Anne]

Josh wrote: "I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between good food and junk food. I like good food to..."

I can't remember which documentary it's from, but I've heard it's all but clinically proven that junk food (with McD's as the classic example) is addictive, and food scientist cottoned on to this a while ago. They've been engineering our food to make us crave it.

I just ate a can of pre-made chili. No squeeze cheese, though.

[Anne]

Blaine D. wrote: "Becky wrote: "Blaine D. wrote: "Iced tea with bubbles? We do love our carbonation in the US, but that's a new one to me. Unless you're talking about tapioca tea, also sometimes called bubble tea. I..."

Bubble tea or tapioca tea is a love/hate thing. I hate it.

[Becky]

Tapioca tea has chewy tapioca pearls in the bottom of the glass. You drink it with a fat straw, and the pearls zzzzzip! up the straw as you drink it. Refreshment and entertainment, all in one beverage. (If you're easily amused, like me.)

[Sylvia]

Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between good food and junk food. I like..."

I think that was mentioned in the documentary Supersize me

[Sylvia]

I like chocolate chips cookies, does that count?

[Anne]

Sylvia wrote: "I like chocolate chips cookies, does that count?"

Are they store bought or homemade?

[Anne]

Sylvia wrote: "Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between good food and junk..."

That's the documentary I was thinking it was. That was one of the grossest movies I've ever seen. Talk about a horror flick....

[Sylvia]

Anne wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "I like chocolate chips cookies, does that count?"

Are they store bought or homemade?"

Store bought! homemade would be slowfood ;)

[Sylvia]

Anne wrote: "Sylvia wrote: "Anne wrote: "Josh wrote: "I was mulling over the fact this weekend that I actually love really unhealthy food. I like fast food. It's not like I don't know the difference between goo..."

I couldn't finish it, it made me sick

[Josh]

I think that was mentioned in the documentary Supersize me

Yes! I guess it's puzzling because I like to think I'm a rational being and I do have access to food that is good for me and even tastes good...but there is just something addictive about grease and fat and salt. I'm not sure I wouldn't eat burgers and fries every day if I permitted it. Yeesh.

[Cleon Lee]

Josh wrote: "I think that was mentioned in the documentary Supersize me

Yes! I guess it's puzzling because I like to think I'm a rational being and I do have access to food that is good for me and even tast..."

I read on Yahoo News that MSG is addictive and I can surely relate. Asians eat a lot of MSG laden food and eating out is cheap so we eat out a lot . My friend who eats out everyday has harder time enjoying food without MSG than me, who often eat MSG free home cooked food . But I also crave food with MSGs because food without MSG tastes bland to us who are used to MSG.

[Anne]

Cleon wrote: "Josh wrote: "I think that was mentioned in the documentary Supersize me

Yes! I guess it's puzzling because I like to think I'm a rational being and I do have access to food that is good for me an..."

In the US, most Chinese restaurants (around here, at least) have signs proclaiming "No MSG in our food!" or something. Those places never seem that good. Or authentic.