SOS: Serious Overload of Series discussion
Archive: Past Team Challenges
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R5: Team #15 ~ Ferociously Flirtatious {2nd Place}

Now that I'm back! ;)


I'll decide later from the following:





I'm thinking of listening to




How about I let you know once I start listening and I know it is going to "take"? Because


Won't be for a couple of days; my house is under emergency reconstruction right now. **sigh** I'll keep you posted.

Thanks, Sandra!




Jessica, let me know what you end up with and I'll add it then.
Lisa Kay wrote: "Jeann wrote: "Sure Lisa Kay, let me know which one you start listening to."
Won't be for a couple of days; my house is under emergency reconstruction right now. **sigh** I'll keep you posted."
Uh oh, hope everything will be resolved quickly! Fingers crossed for you.



Rating: ★★★★½
Shelf: Shifters
Date finished: 15/7/12
**may contain minor spoilers from first 2 books**
Oh how I loved Kitty, Ben and Cormac in this book! It's my favourite so far, because it takes a different turn from the first 2 books. Kitty's basically on a break from her radio show to recover from the developments of the past 2 books, starting her own radio show, being caught on TV, coming out as a werewolf.
Resulting in her being in a cabin in the middle of nowhere, tuning into her competition's radio show and somehow finding solstice in trying to sabotage it every week. When Cormac and Ben turn up needing to take refuge for a few days, that's when the tension between the three start. And it's this tension that feels so raw and emotional; I absolutely loved Ben in this and the way Kitty nurtured him all the way through. This series just feels somehow real in the emotions it conveys, and there's this addictive quality about the series that makes you want to keep reading.
There's something about Kitty that resonates with me much more than the typical badass heroine, she's just so real, kind and caring. I imagine an attractive blonde woman who is good with the gift of gab, and just takes the world upon her shoulders to help people with struggles to feel better about themselves.
Ben, can't say much about it because of spoilers but he had this vulnerable quality about him in the book that just turned on Kitty's mothering side. It was heart-warming to witness what unfolded between them. He feels a lot different to those flawless "Gods gift to women" men who are always love interests in books, and I think I preferred that because he felt more real.
Cormac on the other hand, there's a bit of unresolved feelings here which we may not experience due to the events of this book.
Just love this series and want to read the next one ASAP.


You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'young-adult-paranormal'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D

Lisa Kay wrote: "Great review, Jeann! I've been looking at this series for quite awhile now. The heroine sounds like someone I would really like. (Just not sure about the author not always giving me a HEA.)"
I think it's still too early too tell whether we get a HEA, but her writing is really engaging and the characters she builds are really multi-dimensional. I really like Kitty.

True, but then that is Urban Fantasy! I'll probably give it a shot one of these days, just to get to know Kitty.


Rating: ★★★
Shelf: Ghosts
Date finished: 16/7/12
Hmmm, reminded me too much of the The Lovely Bones which I didn't enjoy due to the disturbing themes in that one. This one was more heart-warming and more of a reflection on good times in life that Mia's had. It was just similar in the fact that they both have an outer-body, ghost-like experience seeing a traumatic event unfold in front of them and having no control over what happens.
Also it didn't really feel that Mia understood the implications of what went on and how she lost her parents, it was sort of like she was too much in shock to deal with it. It's a really sad, traumatic book that is dealt with in a matter-of-fact way.
The writing was simple, possibly for a younger audience. The rockstar parents, the music and the punk rock sort of felt like it was trying to hard to be 'cool' and showing that Mia's family was different, but the picture perfect life that was experienced in the few short moments in front of the book was kind of unbelievable.
In terms of all the rave reviews about tugging at the heart-strings and whatnot, I didn't really feel too much of that, possibly to do with the way the story was written. We're taken away from the situation too many times as Mia tries to comprehend what happens with all of the memories of the past, and for me it took the focus away too much. She only hints at realising what's happened during a few sentences here and there towards the end. It didn't work in The Lovely Bones and it didn't work now, but something a little more to do with the present situation would have resonated better with me.
Another comparison I compare it with is My Sister's Keeper, young sort of writing but dealing with a heavy situation. Worth a shot, but probably not something I'd rave about.


Shelf ~ Shifter
Date finished ~ 07/14/12
Rating ~ ★★★
Wow... I expected so much more from this book. I hate that!
Well, Jessie Ann grew up within the Smith pack of wolf shifters, as a foster child. Her being African wild dog, she was small but fast. She grew up running & hiding. She always had a crush on Bobby Ray Smith, but hated his sister & her crew.
After high school, she became a very successful computer nerd & runs into Bobby Ray who now has a security firm. He likes her. She runs from him.
Anyway it's a back and forth thing with not much story. There are a couple side stories & problems to deal with. Many more characters show up.
Jessie shows her alpha side & takes care of herself. Bobby Ray wants her. Cute, but flat this time or I've been reading some really good books lately & this falls way short. Sorry, again!

Yay, time for our shifters stamp!
4. Shifters Shelf 8/7/12
Completed: 5/5 Stamp requested 17/7/12
Lisa Kay - Fate's Edge ★★★★1/2 Review. 13/7/12.
Jeann - Kitty Takes a Holiday ★★★★1/2 Review. 15/7/12.
Juana - The Summoning ★★★★. Review. 9/7/12.
Jessica - No Rest for the Wicked ★★★★1/2. Review. 11/7/12.
Amy - The Beast in Him ★★★ Review. 14/7/12.






It seems I am behind in all these series so by the time I get to them... they just aren't all that great!

You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'shifters'.
[Your updated BINGO card can be viewed on page 1]
Good Job!! :D


Shelf: Ghost
Date Finished: 7/17/12
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Chloe is on the run from the Edison Group with Derek, Simon, and Tori. But Derek and Chloe get split up while trying to take a bus to a friend of their dads Andrew. That is bad for Derek because the full moon is out. And Derek is a werewolf and he changes. With Chloe's help he manages, But Chloe is the one that has to worry. Because she bumps into a few ghost there while looking out for Derek. Only she doesn't know that it's a reenactment of a violent attack just like at the factory. When Derek and Chloe finally find their way back to Simon and Tori, they almost get caught. But Tori saves the day. Find out if this was just a ruse to get them in one place so the Edison group can get them back. Or is their a more sinister plan afoot.

Neat review, Juana!
Long story of woe; you may not want to read:
I dropped & broke my iPod/Touch! **sniffle** The only thing that has been keeping me sane through this UNPLANNED reconstruction/plumping troubles. Anyway, I finally got a replacement. Now I can't get my library books from OneClickDigital (OCD) to load, but I can from Over Drive Audio (ODA). **shrugs** So, I'm in the first 1/3 of







Shelf~ Ghost
Date Finished~ 7/17/12
Rating~ ★★★★
This was a LOOOONG book! It was 550 or so pages! About 100 or more were totally repetative and didn't need t be in there, but I still found myself reading it all & not skimming through.
Lothaire is the evil vampire everyone in the Lore wants dead. He finds his Bride, Ellie, via Nix in the last book or so. I can't remember exactly when.
Anyway, he sees her as a hillbilly hick. He body is a host for his goddess' soul who shares her body with her killing people senselessly. She is taken to prison after a bloodbath murder & sentenced to death. The goddess Saroya who shares her body lays dormant for the 5 years she's in prison.
During Ellie's execution, she is rescued by Lothaire. He is intent on banishing Ellie's soul so Saroya, his true bride can inhabit her body alone & we all know how that will work out.
This whole book is a rehash of Lothaire's life. Why he is who he is. What kind of person he is etc.
At some points I was bored, but when it all came together at the near end, it was good.

SOS: ~ Book Shelf Bingo! ~
Book Shelf: G-G-G-Ghosts!

Title/Author: The Restorer, by Amanda Stevens
Series: Graveyard Queen, #1
Rating: ★★★★½
Read: July 20, 2012
First-time author: Yes
To-be-continued: Yes! Wish I could start it now!
Review: my goodreads review
Pictures of Oak Grove Cemetary, from Amanda Stevens’s website: www.thegraveyardqueen.com


Book Quote:
An old live oak guarded the darkest corner of the garden, and a swing hung like a childhood memory from one of the gnarled branches.

★★★★½ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Oh, this one is excellent! The first thrilling mystery in the Graveyard Queen series is narrated by the wonderful Khristine Hvam , who is perfect for this first person POV telling of a Southern gothic. She doesn’t miss a beat in maintaining the eerie, ghostly ambience of Ms. Stevens’ story. Really, I’m such a wuss, I didn’t even try to listen to this one, except in the safety of broad daylight.
While I enjoyed this audiobook, I also had to refer to my Kindle copy occasionally; the words are beautiful, lyrical, haunting, making it very atmospheric. Sure, I loved hearing them, but I also wanted to feast my eyes upon them. Such a dilemma! Such a delight! This one will prickle your flesh to goose pimples – the slow rising kind! Nevertheless, you’ll enjoy the shiver all the more with the knowledge they are crawling up your arms and down your spine.
Amelia Gray, as a cemetery restorer and blogger catering to taphophiles*, also happens to see ghosts; and there are certainly plenty in the old Charleston graveyard where a young woman is found brutally murdered. Then there is the yummy John Devlin, police detective with the Charleston PD, who needs Amelia’s expertise with headstones, epitaphs, and graveyards. He’s oozing irresistible Southern gentlemanly charm and masculine protectiveness from every pore; however, as attractive as he is, he has two intriguing ghosts of his own shadowing him. That certainly counters her father’s third rule! But the killer is communicating through Amelia’s blog and the murders keep mounting, so Devlin’s not keeping his distance. Throw in Southern politics, manners, and cover-ups and you have an edge-of-your-seat thriller.
Is this a “Paranormal Romance”?
Hmmm…good question. It certainly is a deceptively gritty thriller with romantic overtones. While Devlin and Amelia’s complex relationship is a slow burn, it is more of a hot, languid smoldering – that you just know is going to be incendiary – than a quick brush fire. I can only hope the series as a whole can be called a “romance” with a Happily Ever After, but that certainly isn’t divulged in the first book. Can’t wait for the next installment; I already have it in my audible.com “wishlist.”
*taphophile: “lover of tombstones”
Music to go along with Ms. Steven’s book, from her website.





I really should finished Prophecy: Child of Earth - as it has been sitting on my GRs "currently reading" shelf, like, forever! I was barely into it and got derailed; I'll have to start over.
However, reading is almost impossible with the current demolition going on in my house, so I may have to resort to audiobook again, and listen to Fire Me Up. I need to read that, too, as I'm terrible behind in the Year of the Dragon challenge. I'll let you know, Jeann!




Great Review Lisa Kay, I'm putting it on my To-read list...I love a good spook! First page updated :)


Shelf: New2You Series
Date Finished: 7/21/12
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Gypsies I have never read a love book about gypsies. Let me tell you it was awesome. Cam Rohan is trying to not get caught up in the richness of proper society. When all of a sudden Amelia jumped out at him full of responsibility trying to find her brother Leo. To take him home where Amelia and her sisters Poppy, Beatrix, and Winafread can rest easily. But in trying to save her family Amelia has sentenced herself to a life with out love. But lets see how Amelia and Cam come together to make love happen for them both. And how Amelia will take charge and save her family from ruin with the help of all those friends and family to help her. And Hey I'll be the first to admit it, Leo needs a spanking.

That means it's time for a STAMP!
3. New2You Series Shelf 1/7/12
Completed: 5/5. Stamp requested 22/7/12.
Jeann - Unholy Ghosts. ★★★★ Review. 6/7/12.
Amy - Midnight's Master. ★★★ Review. 3/7/12.
Lisa Kay - Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs. ★★★½ Review. 4/7/12.
Jessica - A Hunger Like No Other★★★★ Review. 8/7/12.
Juana - Mine Till Midnight ★★★★ Review. 21/7/12.





Woohoo!

SOS: ~ Book Shelf Bingo! ~
Book Shelf: G-G-G-Ghosts!
Title/Author: The Restorer, by Amanda Stevens
Series: Graveyard Queen, #1
Rat..."
I don't think I've read any of her! I'm going to add her to y watch & to read list! Thanks!
Books mentioned in this topic
What the Heart Wants (other topics)Once Burned (other topics)
Primal Desires (other topics)
Bonds of Justice (other topics)
Slave to Sensation (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Angela Dawe (other topics)Nalini Singh (other topics)
Kevin Hearne (other topics)
Luke Daniels (other topics)
Jim Butcher (other topics)
More...
1. YA Paranormal Shelf 6/7/12
Completed 14/7/12.
Amy - The Gathering ★★★★ Review. 13/7/12.
Jessica - Shadowland ★★★★ Review. 21/6/12
Jeann - The Golden Lily ★★★ Review. 22/6/12
Juana - The Reckoning ★★★★ Review. 20/6/12
Lisa Kay - Daughter of Smoke and Bone ★★★★★ Review. 21/6/12.