R4: Team #9 ~ Nth Power

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Power!

[Shelskharma]

Review for my Readers Choice book:

The Awakening and The Struggle (The Vampire Diaries #1-2)
byL.J. Smith


★★★★✩ (04/04/2012)
Ok, so another one from my TBR mountain! I don’t know what it is about some of these YA fantasy series, that I find SOOO entertaining these days, but this one was no exception. Something about the entertaining story lines, with slightly less effort required on my part…. Added to it having a little less reality since the day to day adult living issues are not there… I don’t know, but I will take it!

In this, the first (officially 2) books of the Vampire Diaries series, Elena (pretty girl queen of the school) falls in love with Stefan, a boy who is… well different. It is not until later that Elena discovers just how different he really is! Add to this some rising crime in their small town, a strange “Power” that she keeps feeling, and the appearance of Stefans older and hated brother (who also seems to be trying to capture the affections of our heroine), and you have a real situation on your hands!

Certainly not the best that I have read, especially in retrospect, but it kept me turning the pages, and looking forward to picking up the next installment immediately. And after all, isn’t it all about entertainment and a bit of an escape?

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

#9 Reader's Choice
★★★★★ 4/2/12

The Downside is a hard, gritty place, and Chess Putnam's home. For a church witch, and the rather pristine world of the church, it seems a rather odd choice. However, Chess is definitely not the typical church witch. She is a survivor~of the horrible events in her own life, and the catastrophic changes in her world after Haunted Week. Part of her "survival kit" is her drugs, but even with her drug problem, she is justifiably proud of her ability to do her work. It is Chess that makes the Downside Ghosts series so addictive for me.

The other characters are also quite interesting, especially Terrible. Love-love-LOVE Terrible! He and Chess are finally together, or perhaps not...

Chess has to track down a horrific murderer at the "request" of the local crime lord who happens to be her drug dealer, as well as Terrible's boss. Things get more complicated when Chess's former squeeze comes back into the picture, and Chess also gives in to her relationship issues, seeming to do everything in her power to screw up her relationship with Terrible, even though she really doesn't want to.

Despite that, or because of that, she throws herself into her latest case of "real" work as well, and both cases are more interconnected and convoluted than she knew.

This book grabbed me from the first page...had me muttering and cheering, and frantically reading to find out what would happen. I wanted to savor each page as well, but just couldn't wait (already planning to reread it...probably all the first 4 just before Chasing Magic comes out). It was a long wait for this book, but well worth it!

[AH]

Shelf is up here

Goodreads author. Make sure you read what Steph says - book must be on the shelf.

[AH]

No team is set to Bingo on Goodreads author. Someone compiled a list of teams that need 1 more space for bingo here.

[AH]

I'll be reading finally.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Thanks for the updates, AH! I've been tracking that on paper...lol...about 1/2 the teams are set for bingo. Kind of nailbiting now to see WHICH shelf it will be each week....

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

I'm going to read

[AH]

Judithe wrote: "I'm going to read "

I haven't read that one yet. I have to be in the mood for Gin. I love the characters and the story, but the repetition drives me bonkers.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

And have to space out reading the books, too....but still quite like Gin!

[Tania]

Hi guys!

First off wanted to thank Thenia for all of your hard work. You sound crazy busy and I'll be back home Tuesday night if there is anything I can do to help.

Feel terrible for not participating more, but promise to do better once I get back home. Just looked at all the reviews.... OMG
more to add to my TBR pile.

Just finished "Sin Undone" and will put up my review Sunday afternoon or sooner if I can

After the reviews I want to read that black dagger brotherhood, but must check if it's in the bookshelf. If so it will be helping me get to sleep...... Oh it's after 1am, so off to bed.

Happy Easter to all!
(Happy long weekend if you don't celebrate it;)

[Tania]

I'm going to read "Slave to Sensation" just to try something new for my "Goodreads Author" pick
Slave to Sensation

[AH]

I liked Slave to Sensation. Had to buy the next books right away.

[Thenia]

Update:

✓Stamp #1 - Supernatural ~stamp received (02/13/2012)
✓Stamp #2 - Ghosts ~stamp received (02/21/2012)
✓Stamp #3 - Free Space ~stamp received (02/27/2012)
✓Stamp #4 - Favorite series ~stamp received (27/02/2012)
✓Stamp #5 - Demons ~stamp received (03/04/2012)
✓Stamp #6 - Paranormal Romance ~stamp received (03/13/2012)
✓Stamp #7 - Paranormal Mystery ~stamp received (03/19/2012)
✓Stamp #8 - Magic ~stamp received (03/26/2012)
✓Stamp #9 - PNR UF ~stamp received (04/04/2012)
✓Stamp #10 - Reader's Choice ~stamp received (04/12/2012)

Stamp #11 - Goodreads Author ~Done 5/5 ~stamp pending

[Thenia]

Goodreads Author

✔AH - The Shadow Reader - Sandy Williams - ★★★★★ (04/09/12) - Review
✔Judithe - Tangled Threads - Jennifer Estep - ★★★★✩ (04/09/2012) - Review
✔Shelskharma - Forever - Maggie Stiefvater - ★★★★✩ (04/13/2012) - Review
✔Tania - Slave to Sensation - Nalini Singh - ★★★✩ (04/14/2012) - Review
✔Thenia - Ecstasy Unveiled - Larissa Ione - ★★★★ (04/09/12) - Review

[Thenia]

Tania, thanks for the support! It's really been crazy lately and unfortunately crazy-bad instead of crazy-good... Hope things are going a lot better for you!

Sorry for not updating more often, team. We're doing well but we're not one of the lucky teams ready to get a Bingo. Still, it's fun playing!

Happy Easter to everyone and enjoy your books!

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

[Tania]

Readers Choice




Completed: April 7, 2012
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Unfortunately this is the final book in the Demonica series.  It focuses on Sin, the only female seminus demon; sister to Lore, Eidelon, Shade and Wraith.  She is also a strong and capable assassin.

We were first introduced to her in the previous novel of the series and despite being a super hard -ass, managed to shall we say give Con a run for his money.  I also found myself feeling sorry for her and how a lifetime of abuse etc.. has forced her to become the emotionally disabled person she .

In typical "Ione" fashion, there is tons of heat and chemistry, great character development and just the right amount of action.  There is a lot going on in this final installment, however, this book did not disappoint.

I will really miss this series, would totally recommend it.






 

[Thenia]

Finished my Goodreads author book:

by Larissa Ione - ★★★★ (04/09/12)

This is the story of yet another tortured Sem demon brother, Lore. We've met him briefly in previous books where we learn that he's an assassin that was sent to kill the Sem brothers, neither of which knew he existed.

In this book Lore gets his final assignment before he can be free but as expected, it's not an easy one.

Iness is a new character, a Memitim aka "angel in training", who's bound to protect Lore's new target.

Things get complicated from there on with our heroes gaining the upper hand one moment to lose it the next. Their paths cross with the other Sem brothers and their problems all form a big tangled mess, that in form with the previous books gets its own neat little solution and everything falls right into place in the end. This being a romance, we expect a happy ending and right on track, our heroes' problems disappear so they can live happily ever after.

Next comes Sin's story, who has finally met the Sem brothers (and Conall who sounds like fun) and caused a bit of a mess. Let's see how they fix that one...

[Thenia]

Well done, team! Reader's choice stamp on the way...

[AH]

Finished my Goodreads author book 4/9/12

- 5 stars

It’s almost impossible to review this book without gushing. There is so much to love about The Shadow Reader by Sandy Williams. The story is told from the main character McKenzie Lewis’ point of view. Let me tell you, I loved McKenzie’s voice. McKenzie is an intelligent young woman who has suffered through life because of her ability to see the fae. Gifted with Sight, McKenzie can also map where the fae go just by looking at their shadows. Consequently, McKenzie is a valuable human.

McKenzie has been working for the fae Court. Her handler Kyol, may or may not be in love with her. She has been working with him for ten years and McKenzie is in love with Kyol even though human-fae relationships are forbidden.
McKenzie’s world changes when she is abducted by the rebels. Suddenly, her loyalties to the fae Court are challenged as she learns more about their oppressive ways and Kyol’s role. McKenzie is taken in by Aren who arranges for her to learn the fae language, something that she was not allowed to learn when she was in the fae Court. McKenzie is treated well by the rebels despite several attempts to escape. Then there’s Aren. *swoon*

If you haven't read this book yet, add it to your list. Awesome!

[Thenia]

AH wrote: "Finished my Goodreads author book 4/9/12

- 5 stars

It’s almost impossible to review this book without gushing. There is so much to love about The Shadow Rea..."

Glad you liked it! Added to my TBR mountain...

[AH]

Hope you like it too, Thenia.

[AH]

OK guys - if the next shelf called is re-reads, then we are still in the game with a 4 in a row....Plan your book so we can stay in the game! (I need to make my tbr list smaller!)

[Shelskharma]

Sorry for the delay- had surgery on Friday do been a bit out of the loop. For my gr author I'm reading

What are the rules on re-reads?

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Re-reads are fine Shel, just not preferred :)

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

That shelf isn't a "personal" shelf, so that means there's a category out in GR-land where people list their re-reads on a shelf. Hopefully something new & fun for you to explore there!

[Shelskharma]

Shelskharma wrote: "Sorry for the delay- had surgery on Friday do been a bit out of the loop. For my gr author I'm reading

What are the rules on re-reads?"

I was refering to the re-read shelf when it gets pulled.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

OK, Judithe answered you then ;)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Nth Power!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'Reader's Choice'.

[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Power!

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Shelf #10 ~ 4/8/12: 'Goodreads-author'

★★★★✩ 4/9/12

Jennifer Estep's Elemental Assasin series is one I started last year. I really enjoy the set-up of her world, and the characters' magic diversity, as well as the mix of supes. While it's not a series I can read back-to-back (prose things...repetition, but that didn't stand out for me so much this time~less or used to it?), it's one I'm quite enjoying.

Gin, aka the Spider, is going after Mab, in a large part as revenge/justice for the murder of Gin's family, but also because that woman just needs to be taken down. As Mab is basically at the top (meaning quite powerful and ruthless) of the bad guys in Ashland, it's a bloody fight, and one that's fought in the shadows.

Mab has hired Elektra LaFluer to take out the problematic Spider, as well as Bria, Gin's long-lost sister. Elekra's also been hired to get rid of Gin as a side-job. If she is successful, well, Gin won't get her clean-up of Ashland done among other things. It's a rather wild ride and we learn more interesting tidbits about how the whole situation came about along the way. Gin's getting deeper into her relationships, and in a good way overall. I won't go into more details, as I don't want to spoil the "surprises" for anyone else. Looking forward to the next one soon (it's waiting on my bookshelf....)

[AH]

Glad you liked it, Judithe. I still have to read this one.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Have fun with it when you get to it!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Glad you enjoyed it Judithe ;)

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

:)

[AH]

Shelf announced here.

Favorite supernatural (I think that none of the teams needs this for a Bingo so there will be another week of Bingo left and it will leave us with a 4 in a row).

[Shelskharma]

Finished my gr auther- will try and get review up tomorrow.

For my fav. sup I will be reading

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Picking ONE favorite supe is very hard...so I'm going with my "first" favorite....started reading vampire stores way back in university (and the manager of the uni bookstores shared my interest...and found me some great books~must say, they're a lot easier to find now!)

[Tania]

Going to read the final book in the "Vampire Journals" FOUND, for this weeks pick.

I love this series so much and am so sad to see it over! Thank goodness she overlapped her new series "Arena1-Slaverunners" so her fans don't go through withdrawal.

If you haven't read Morgan yet, I totally encourage you to read her, she has become my favorite author!

Almost done "Slave to Sensation" and will post my review this afternoon. Found it slow to start (think it was just due to the change in writing and characters) but now am getting really into it!

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. Hope you're feeling okay after your surgery Shelskharma.

[Shelskharma]

Thanks Tania- Doing ok- had a bit of a setback last week- passed out in the bathroom and smashed my head/face on the stone tile floor. Luckilly I was still at my moms house- she got me to the er- major egg on my head, and a SERIOUS black eye, but seem to be on the mend...lol!

[AH]

That sounds awful! Hope you're feeling better.

[Judithe, Soap Operas never end....]

Yikes, Shel! How awful! Hope you're recovering from both quickly!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Shel, that's terrible. Remember that your health is the most important thing you have, so look after it :)

Hope you are well on the way to recovery!

[AH]

For favorite supe shelf I'll be reading .

[Tania]

Thank goodness you're okay Shel! Hope you're feeling better every day and just taking care of you!

Sorry for my delay in posting my review. Had it done on my iPad posted it and can't see it. It's like it's disappeared into thin air. Have to rewrite the whole darn thing!

[Tania]

Completed: April 14, 2012
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I was really looking forward to this series after reading such great reviews. The book focuses on an interesting premise; there are 2 interesting types of characters, the "Psy" - who are taught from an early age to suppress their emotions. The Psy do not feel rage, nor are they violent. They are in absolute control of their emotions and are known to have enhanced mental capabilities such as telepathy, foresight, telekinesis, and psychometry. The second types are "changelings", able to shift from human to animal form. This novel focuses on leopard and wolf shifters. Each shifter pack is led by the "alpha"; the Darkriver Leopard Pack is led by Lucas Hunter and the other changeling pack in the area is the Snow Dancers, wolf changelings. Despite a history of animosity between these 2 shifter packs, they have come to a common ground in hopes of catching and ultimately killing a serial killer who has been targeting their pack females.

The Psy's and the Changelings have managed to remain independent within their own society's and interactions are kept to a minimum. Enter our main characters, Sascha; a Psy who does not fit the typical Psy mold, resulting in huge inner turmoil and Lucas, the Leopard pack Alpha.

After our two main characters are forced to work together, an interesting romance follows and I found myself really hoping for Sascha & Lucas to thrive as a couple. However, for some reason I had a hard time getting into the book. Despite great characters and an amazing storyline, I found this book to have too much romance and not enough action and details. I wanted more information on the Psy and the changeling worlds and definitely more details on the changeling "shifting".

I would recommend that everyone give this series a try, as the majority of readers love the series.

[Christina (AKA Babbling)]

Tania wrote: "
Completed: April 14, 2012
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:
I was really looking forward to this series after reading such great reviews. The book focuses on an interesting ..."

I had the same reaction to the first book -- It didn't blow me away. I waited like two years or so before picking up the second and then I was hooked.

Each book you learn more about the different Psy. There is a over-arching story throughout the series that's built on as well, but these books are definitely heavy on the romance and building the relationship.

[Shelskharma]

Review for my GR Author book:




Forever (The Wolves of Mercy Falls #3)
By Maggie Stiefvater

★★★★✩ (04/13/2012)
This is the third and last book in this series. T picks up where the last leaves off, with Grace and Sam in almost reverse places as they were, and still separated by the werewolf virus that has been part of both of them for so long. I found parts of this book to be tough to take- a few things never resolved themselves for me in the conclusion of this trilogy- some things mad no sense. BUT, overall I enjoyed this whole series, and this book was no exception. I cried, and smiled with heartfelt warmth. If you have read the other 2 of these books, I wouldn’t avoid this one… I am happy with where my friends ended up!

[AH]

Finished my fave supe book. I'll update tomorrow as GR doesn't seem too stable tonight.