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Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2012
message 251:
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Lisa Kay
(last edited Nov 01, 2011 07:12PM)
(new)
Nov 01, 2011 07:12PM
Steph, it was good! Couldn't put it down. But pure junk food, LOL!
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November Update:
Title/Author: Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge
Series: Nocturne City
Read: 3/11/11
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First Time Author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Not sure yet
Review: The story itself was fast paced and interesting enough. Unfortunately I didn't like any of the characters. The heroine was annoyingly bitchy, the love interest a creep and the love story highly unbelievable. The supporting cast wasn't much better.
Not surprised Kerstin, I read a short in an anthology and thoroughly disliked the characters as well. I vowed then not to read this author again.
November UpdateTitle/Author: Stormwalker, by Allyson James
Series: Stormwalker
Read: 3 Oct, 2011
Rating: ★★✩✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably
Review: The one word I can use to describe this book is inane. The characters, the dialogue, the plot.... just inane. Every single character ranged from stupid/annoying to even more stupid/annoying. It took forever to get the 1st two books from the library so I'll go ahead and read the other one, but it might not be worth it.
also read:
★★★★✩
LOL, Lady Jaye, to each their own. I quite liked it but can certainly understand that you didn't :D
October Update
Title/Author: Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
Series Lords of Deliverance
Read October 28
Rating *****
First Time Author? No
To Be Continued? Yes
Review: Absolutely loved it. Can't wait to read the next one. Was great seeing the characters from the Demonica series as well.
Also Read:
That's good to know, Angie. I can always use an "I" author. ☺
Sandra wrote: "LOL, Lady Jaye, to each their own. I quite liked it but can certainly understand that you didn't :D"Lol, Sandra. I don't understand why it was so bad. It had all the makings of an interesting story...but I'm glad you liked it :D, varying opinions are the spice of goodreads, :)
Sandra wrote: "Not surprised Kerstin, I read a short in an anthology and thoroughly disliked the characters as well. I vowed then not to read this author again."I was really surprised when I found myself not liking anyone. I don't think that ever happened before. I meant to also try her "Black London" series, but now I'm not so sure if I will. Especially as you had the same experience with her work.
Sandra wrote: "LOL, Lady Jaye, to each their own. I quite liked it but can certainly understand that you didn't :D"I enjoyed it too Sandra, I guess this proves that everyone has different tastes!
Kerstin wrote: "Sandra wrote: "Not surprised Kerstin, I read a short in an anthology and thoroughly disliked the characters as well. I vowed then not to read this author again."I was really surprised when I foun..."
I can't even remember which anthology it was, but it left an indelible impression of "that author, no never again."
Valorie wrote: "Sandra wrote: "LOL, Lady Jaye, to each their own. I quite liked it but can certainly understand that you didn't :D"
I enjoyed it too Sandra, I guess this proves that everyone has different tastes!"
Yay! And I'm glad everyone has different tastes, just like I know there are people shaking their heads that I didn't like the Kittredge.
I liked the first Kittredge book, but then the main character seemed to get more annoying as the books went on. I stopped after book 3.
November Update
The Devouring
Finished: 11/10/2011
First time auther: Yes
TBC: Yes
Stars★★★★★
This was a pretty good book.I really like how the auther worked the whole thing.I didn't sleep good cause all I thought about were the Vours
Love or Hate @ FIRST Duration: July 1, 2011 to June 30, 2012
Complete: 5/12
NOVEMBER UPDATE
August: Key of Light by Nora Roberts - Finished (Aug 12)
August: Burning Alive by Shannon K. Butcher - Finished (Aug 14)
September: Warrior by Zoe Archer - Finished (Sept 9)
October: When You Dare - Finished (Oct 3)
November: In Bed with a Highlander - Finished (Nov 11)
December:
January:
February:
March:
April:
May:
June:
Title/Author: In Bed with a Highlander by Maya Banks
Series: McCabe Trilogy
Read: November 11, 2011
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review: Wonderful story with engaging characters. Mairin is feisty and adorable, and Ewan is sexy, sweet and possessive of those he loves. The romance is memorable, the action is well paced and the next book is set up very nicely.
November 2011 (5/12 Done)
Title/Author: Soulless by Gail Carriger
Series: Parasol Protectorate
Read: 11/11/11
Rating: ***
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: The story started with a bang but then had a fairly long lull in the middle and ended with a nice surprise. The world building was interesting, especially the idea of how supernatural beings come to be. Quirky but fun characters keep the story entertaining.
November Monthly Update:
Title/Author: Tempest by Julie Cross
Series: Tempest
Read: 11.4.11
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. It was amazing! There was so much more to the book that I wasn't expecting. I really loved Jackson, the main character. It was different because I don't read a lot of books, especially YA, that have a male protagonist so it was a nice change. Definitely interested in what happens next!
November Monthly Update
Title/Author: Raised by Wolves by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Series: Raised by Wolves
Date finished: 12 November 2011
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: Yes
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Kind of reminded me of a young-adult Shifters book but with a less annoying protagonist. Great first book. I loved Ali's actions - for once, there was actually a parent/guardian on the scene. Liked the plot but would have liked to know more about Chase. Will be reading the next book :)
Title/Author: Turned by Morgan Rice
Series: The Vampire Journals
Read: 13th November
Rating: ★✩✩✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? NOOOOOOOOO
Review: Beware cheap Kindle purchases.... I think the author wrote an outline and just though "screw it that'll do". Completely lacking in depth, here we have a central character who falls in love with 2 different boys within minutes of meeting them. She doesn't know what she is, doesn't know who her father is, but hates her mother. And I just don't CARE. That's 8 hours of my life I'll never get back.
Please God let next month's book be better, because I've picked some real dogs so far in this challenge.
Oh no. I've got that one too. Guessin' I'll be holding off reading it anytime soon. LOL! Sorry, Charlotte, hope you have better luck w/newbies soon!
SOS: Love or Hate @ First Read ChallengeDuration: July 1 2011 - June 30 2012
November Update
Completed: 5/12
Title/Author: The Perfect Play, by Jaci Burton ★★★½✩ PB 11/12
Series: Play by Play
Read: November 12, 2011
Rating: ★★★1/2✩
First Time Author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes.
Review: My GoodReads Review
★★★½✩ Maybe I was just moody, but I wasn’t too keen on the author telling us the heroine had one set of morals, dreams, and desires and showing us she had another. I know there is the whole “giving in to an irresistible temptation thing,” but still… that part didn’t seem realistic to me. I wanted something more in the character department. However, it was a H.O.T. book. Well, I have to say that, since I was supposed to read it as a “buddy read,” but once I started I couldn’t stop! (Sorry, Sans!) So, some of the scenes definitely worked. ☺
Lisa Kay, LOL, that's just what I've heard about the characters in this book from friends. And about the Hawtness.
I'm getting a late start on this one but I've back tracked to July to keep on track. reviews to follow.Duration: July 1, 2011 - June 30, 2012
Read: 12/12
July: On the Edge (The Edge) 7/31 ★★★★★
August: Night's Cold Kiss (Dark Brethren) 8/31 ★★★★★
September: Magic to the Bone (Allie Beckstrom) 9/10 ★★★★★
October: The Better Part of Darkness (Charlie Madigan) 10/10 ★★★★
November: The Accidental Werewolf (Accidental Friends) 11/11 ★★★★
December: Highborn - Yvonne Navarro (Dark Redemption) 12/5 ★★★
January: Debris - Jo Anderton (The Veiled Worlds) 1/15 ★★★★
February: What's a Ghoul to Do? - Victoria Laurie (Ghost Hunter Mystery) 2/6 ★★★★
March: Santa Olivia - Jacqueline Carey (Santa Olivia) 3/11 ★★★
April: On Fire's Wings - Christie Golden (Final Dance) 4/10 ★★★★
May: Covet - J.R. Ward (Fallen Angels) 5/9 ★★★★
June: Ascension - Caris Roane (The World of Ascension) 6/9 ★★★★★
Annual Also Reads:
Sandra wrote: "Lisa Kay, LOL, that's just what I've heard about the characters in this book from friends. And about the Hawtness."☺
NOVEMBER Monthly Update5/12 completed
Title/Author: When Darkness Comes by Alexandra Ivy
Series: Guardians of Eternity
Read: 4/11/11
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
Guardians of Eternity series and our first Guardian is Dante, a vamp, who has been bespelled to be the Guardian of the Phoenix, a goddess residing in Selena for the past 400 years. Luckily for Dante, Selena tries a spell to wipe out all demons, and the Phoenix doesn't like it so wipes out Selena. Unluckily for Dante, our heroine, Abby, Selena's companion of the last few months, appears at the scene so the Phoenix transfers to her and Dante is forced to protect her.
It doesn't take long for Dante to decide that Abby is his regardless of the Phoenix as he has been eyeing her off since she started work for Selena, so no insta-love. And Abby has been eyeing him off right back, so no insta-love there either.
Now that Abby is stuck with the Phoenix, every demon and bad guy is after her as they want the power she can't mask. Once the Phoenix is destroyed, the Dark Lord will rule on Earth, so your usual epic good vs evil battles ensue.
Enjoyed this well written first instalment and won't wait too long to read the next one which features Dante's vamp pal and mentor, Viper and a delicious tasting Shallot half demon that saved Abby, Shay.
Oooh the mythology sounds really interesting, Sandra!
(1/12 done)Title/Author: On the Edge - Ilona Andrews
Series: The Edge
Read: 7/31/11
Rating: *****
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? absolutely
Review: I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Declan is a hero to love and respect, definitely a knight in shining armor. Ilona Andrews has a flare for words and actually draws a picture in your mind so you can understand the new concepts no matter how far out there they are.
(2/12 done)Title/Author: Night's Cold Kiss - Tracey O'Hara
Series: Dark Brethren
Read: 8/31/11
Rating: *****
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: I totally love this book! Antoinette Petrescu is a terrific kick-ass heroine who takes no shit from anyone. She is a Venator (sort of a paranormal bounty hunter) who fights and kills Necrodreniacs, blood thirsty necrophiliac rogue vampires. A very interesting twist on the vampire genre. The background story is interesting too. The first sex scene is amazingly hot. I could feel every ounce of their passion. What great writing!
(3/12 done)Title/Author: Magic to the Bone - Devon Monk
Series: Allie Beckstrom
Read: 9/10/11
Rating: *****
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? totally
Review: Allie Beckstrom is a very powerful magic user with unique talents. She is what they call a Hound. She sniffs out the magical signature of criminals and hunts them down. The uniqueness of this series is that everyone has magic but the use of magic imparts a kickback which you can control (if you remember, Allie rarely does). You can "bargain" with it to say give you a delayed kickback. I thoroughly enjoyed Allie and Zay's adventures and though she isn't the kick-ass heroine I expected, she got the job done. The cliffhanger ending has me wanting to dive right into book two.
(4/12 done)Title/Author: The Better Part of Darkness - Kelly Gay
Series: Charlie Madigan
Read: 10/10/11
Rating: ****
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? definitely
Review: A great start to the Charlie Madigan series. I totally loved Charlie and her alien partner Hank. This book immediately grabbed me and held my attention until the final conflict. Charlie is a kickass heroine who gets her ass kicked time and again but of course, comes out on top in the end. I loved the concept and the setup. The writing is terrific and really brings the action front and center. This is a series I will definitely be continuing. Excellent!
(5/12 done)Title/Author: The Accidental Werewolf - Dakota Cassidy
Series: Accidental Friends
Read: 11/11/11
Rating: ****
First time author? yes
To-Be-Continued? yes
Review: I had a very difficult time getting into this book since Marty is one of the TSTL heroines that you just want to smack in the head but Keegan...yummy! Marty's cursing was very inventive and funny and her stream of consciousness was hilarious. I'm looking forward to Sloan's story (Keegan's brother) and I'm guessing Nina for his mate. Can't wait.
November Monthly Update
Title/Author: Raphael by D.B. Reynolds
Series: Vampires in America #1
Read: 11-18-11
Rating: ****
First Time Author? No, but first novel. Previously published poetry
To Be Continued? Yes!
Review: How could I not love a book where the heroine has my name? Well.....my first name anyway! Cynthia is a smart woman. Former cop who became a PI. She sometimes works for vampires. Even though the vamps in this book are "out", there are still lots of people who really don't believe and try to look the other way.
One morning, just before dawn, a female vamp under Raphael's protection is kidnapped. Due to the nature of vampires, the kidnapping is not able to be pursued until the next evening. By the time Cynthia is brought in to find the woman, 2 nights have passed. She is able to aid in finding the vamp responsible for the kidnapping, and even insists on going along to help take him down. All the while having to resist both her own and Raphael's ever increasing desires.
Nothing really new or unique about this book, but I enjoyed it a lot!
Lady Jaye wrote: "Oooh the mythology sounds really interesting, Sandra!"Yep, it was interesting Lady Jaye. I know several peeps that really enjoy this series, and I've joined em :)
1/12
Title/Author: First Grave on the Right by Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson
Read: (Date): 6th Nov'11
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Loved the humor.
November Monthly Update
Title/Author: The Rest Falls Away by Colleen Gleason
Series: The Gardella Vampire Chronicles
Read: 11/29/11
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First Time Author? Yes
To Be Continued? Uncertain, probably since I have already some of the books but moving lower in the TBR pile.
Review: This was like Buffy meets the Victorian age. Victoria assuming the family legacy of vampire hunter and balancing coming out in society was just ok for me. There is a little romance threaded thru the storyline, but didn't leave ya with that warm & fuzzy feeling. The first half was slow and somewhat cheesy, then the action in the second half bumped it up a star, but this was almost a DNF for me.
5/12 DoneJuly 2011:
August 2011:
September 2011:
October 2011:
November 2011:
December 2011: Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor
January 2012:
February 2012:
March 2012:
April 2012:
May 2012:
June 2012:
Also read these first's this month...
November Monthly UpdateTitle/Author: Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais
Series: Freakn' Shifters
Read: 11/5/11
Rating: 3.5*
First Time Author? No
To Be Continued: Yes. This was a fun, cute and pretty sexy shifter romance. Looking forward to the rest of the series.
Also read:
November Monthly Update
Title/Author: Angel Fire by Lisa Unger
Series: Lydia Strong
Date finished: 30 November 2011
First time author?: Yes
To-Be-Continued?: No
Rating: ★★
Review:This is my very first of Lisa Unger. I have never heard of her prior to reading it so I can claim that I would give a fair and unbiased opinion regarding her work. Truth be told, this was her debut novel as well.
I was actually having a very hard time deciding if I liked the book. I have such a split opinion about it -- to be honest….
The book was a page turner, no doubt about that. I had absolutely no problem understand the plot. I was written in a very easy to follow story line. She pulled me right in. -- So her writing style wasn’t a problem here.
Tho, I had problems with the plot itself. The building of the characters, I didn’t like the H & H, Lydia Strong and Jeffrey Mark. Her/his worlds were….I don’t know what….I just didn’t like any of them. They lacked something. I was trying to figure out if the book has more PNR, my preferred genre, would I like it more. It's only have a teensy bit of PNR. I didn’t think that was the reason. Whatever it is, I just couldn’t put my finger on it.
However, that’s just my opinion. I wanted to like it more but couldn’t. The book just didn’t connect to me.
At this point -- I’m not going to continue reading this series.
November Monthly Update:
Title/Author: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound
Read: 11/17/11
Rating: ★★★★★
First Time Author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes!
Review: I loved this book! After reading the description I passed it by a couple of times until I kept seeing it listed by people as a favorite book for 2011 and I decided to give it a shot. I thought Vincent did a great job of building the world and it was a nice break from the usual vampires, weres, etc. In the book certain people in the world have Skills (e.g. able to track someone by their blood or name, traveling in shadows, binding oaths, etc.). The two main characters, Liv and Cam, are both trackers and they must work together along with a slew of other characters to find a friend’s missing daughter. The book was action packed with lots of twists and turns! My only complaint was initially I kept getting thrown off by the switching points of view but once I got into the story I was able to easily tell the character’s “voices” apart. This was definitely one of the best books I read this year.
Title/Author: Succubus BLues, Richelle Mead
Series: Georgina Kincaid
Read: 4 Dec, 2011
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I liked this one.
Jane W wrote: "November Monthly Update:Title/Author: Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent
Series: Unbound
Read: 11/17/11
Rating: ★★★★★
First Time Author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes!
Rev..."
Oh. so glad you liked this one, Jane W. I hear lots of good things about this new series
2/12Title/Author:
by Pamela ClareSeries: MacKinnon's Rangers
Read: (Date): 3rd Dec'11
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Liked it.
Also read:
December Monthly Update 
Title/Author: Under Wraps by Hannah Jayne
Series: Underworld Detection Agency
Read: 5/12/11
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First Time Author? Yes
To Be Continued? Yes
Review: A quick, light read with an unbelievably clueless heroine. Don't believe the cover! Sophie would probably cut her own legs off, if someone was to hand her a sword!
While trying to solve the ritualistic murders in San Francisco she needs all the help she can get from her motley crew of sidekicks. They actually made me smile a little every now and then and consist of a shopping obsessed vampire, a 110 year old moody teenage vampire, a stalking troll and a hot detective, who isn't quite what he seems.
SOS: Love or Hate @ First Read ChallengeDuration: July 1 2011 - June 30 2012
December Update
Completed: 6/12
Title/Author: Slave to Sensation, by Nalini Singh PB 12/5
Series: Psy-changeling
Read: December 5, 2011
Rating: ★★★★★
First Time Author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes!
Review: My GoodReads Review
★★★★★ and a Wow! Just loved this book, and I’m not big into shapeshifter books. Sure, there are flaws, but they are beautiful too. Bought the audiobook so I could do a re-read via my ears right after reading with my eyes. I haven't read the same book back-to-back in forever. This treasure has a heroine, Sascha, who is wonderful and the hero, Lucas, is H.O.T. This story has a deeper message than I was expecting and characters who are well developed. The world Ms. Singh has created is not only interesting but compelling. Why didn’t I read this sooner? Oh, yeah: Tower TBR. Well, the rest in the series have just moved up my stack.
Yayyy, Lisa Kay! Glad you loved it.
I did! I went a little crazy for it, actually, Lady Jaye.
The craze only multiples with each book. Get ready for some fever!
ROFL, have to agree with Lady J :D
Title/Author: Halo by Alexandra Adornetto
Series: Halo
Read:12/7/11
Rating: ★★★★★
FTA: Yes
TBC: Yes
OMG I am so glad I picked this book up again. It took me almost a year to read this. I really like the characters
December Update Completed: 6/12
Title/Author: The Ghost and the Goth, by Stacey Kade
Series: Ghost & the Goth
Read: December 7, 2011
Rating: ★★★★✩
First Time Author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably. Eventually.
Review: My GoodReads Review
★★★★✩A quick, fun YA read that had a little more depth and a lot more humor than I was expecting. The author does a nice job of presenting two POVs that sound like distinctively different people. I will probably continue the series.
Also read:
5★
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Ashfall (other topics)Fury of Fire (other topics)
Once Burned (other topics)
Darkness Falls (other topics)
Demon's Caress (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
H.L. Reasby (other topics)Delilah S. Dawson (other topics)
Susan Ee (other topics)
Susan Ee (other topics)
Susan Ee (other topics)
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