R5: Team #17 ~ Sultry Seventeen

[D.G.]

I'm glad we don't have a winning week either, mostly because the book I started is loooong! I thought I was going to able to listen to it during the plane but not really. I'm 3/4 done though so I should be able to finish it between today and tomorrow.

[[deleted user]]

actually I think i'm going to change my mind and read something else I just realized is being released tueday so I'm Pretty sure i'll go with that, I found it on page 79 ...good grief :)

[Skandia]

D.G , it's one of my favorites, can't wait for what you think of it!

Just read the bingo discussion thread and it went quite serious there about finishing the game and time zones. Wow.

[Lauren]

Also just read through the latest comments in the discussion thread. There seems to be just a tad bit of angst and overreaction to time zones going on, lol!

I'm as competitive as the next person but it is just a game. I think that Steph is doing an amazing job and a typhoon definitely trumps shelf-posting.

On that note, I just want to warn you guys that the self is usually posted in the middle of the night my time and I'm not staying up until 3:30-4:00am waiting for it. I need my sleep if I'm going to be reading the last book in less than 24 hours.

Have a great week everyone!

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Not that you need it, but re-reads are fine ;)

[[deleted user]]

Ok Thanks Sandra , we'll know now for when the next round of bingo starts up again. Now you have me questioning my choices...lol!

[[deleted user]]

I have also been reading the discussion thread and I agree people are starting to get very competitive, shelves are usually called around 8 or 9 pm on saturadys my time so i'm usually still up for new shelf postings, but even though I would love our team to win(Go Team!), it is just a game and I think reading great books and chating with new friends is so much more important :)

[[deleted user]]

Ok so my choices for the magic shelf stand at this, I will be reading if my local bookstore get's it in tomarrow, if It doesn't I will go with my first choice of , since sandra says re-reads are fine :)

[Jackie M]

While I think it would be great to win bingo, I agree with Kat it's just s game and a way to meet new people and knock out my huge tbr list. I think I may of said it before but if not, this team has been great and I have thoroughly enjoyed this round.

[[deleted user]]

Since this is my first round of bingo played I have to agree this team has been top notch with getting all our books read and how fun and chatty everyone has been, I'm almost sorry the game has to end, it's been so much fun, so here's to round 6 whenever it may start and making new friends and reading great books :)

[Skandia]

I agree with you, ladies. We have a great team and it has been a pleasure to play and read good books with all of you, Sultries.

[D.G.]

This has been a truly amazing team so I thank you all ladies - I'm sure you have spoiled me for all others! I've only participated once before and the team was very good but in this one, everybody has read every book almost within the week which is very stress reducing for anal people like me. ;)

[Lauren]

It has been a pleasure playing with you ladies! You have made my first bookshelf bingo an absolutely wonderful experience- you may even have ruined me for other teams, lol!

[Skandia]

Lauren wrote: "It has been a pleasure playing with you ladies! You have made my first bookshelf bingo an absolutely wonderful experience- you may even have ruined me for other teams, lol!"

LOL, Lauren, thats very true!

[Lauren]

Dark Side of the Moon by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Finished: August 28th
Shelf: Magic
2 Stars

Synopsis
Susan Michaels is a disgraced reporter working for a tabloid. Sick and tired of writing about Aliens and mutant animals, Susan is shocked to discover that vampires are real and her newest pet cat is actually a gorgeous shapeshifter with some dangerous people after him.

Review
Once again the focus is on new characters with no background or build up.
Ravyn and Susan have no chemistry whatsoever and neither is compelling enough to care about.

The police corruption plot is mediocre with no tension or suspense and the resolution is anti-climactic.

Now to the big turn offs - Ash's relationship with Artemis has crossed the line from merely icky to truly stomach turning. Their scenes together actally made my skin crawl.

In addition, Ravyn's family are a disgrace and they get off far to easily and Nick, who has never thankfully been a favorite of mine, should just have his neck wrung.

Hopefully the next installment will be better.

[[deleted user]]

Done with my magic book :)



Shelf for Aug 26th:Magic
Book Chosen:The Summoning ~ Kelley Armstrong
Date Read:Aug 29, 2012
Rating:5♥♥♥♥♥
Review:This is the second time I've read this book and I've loved it just as much as I did the first time. Kelley Armstrong's writing is so easy to read that you can just fly threw her books like a hot knife through butter.

Her characters are extremely likeable and for being under the age of 18 some of the characters seemed more mature the the adult characters, I have always had a thing for the underdog and Derek's character fits that bill, miss understood and afraid he spends all his time looking out for the others.

This book is chalked full of mystery, suspence and drama with the seeds of a maybe budding romance that I keeps you hooked from page 1 all the way to the end. I love this Trilogy and I can't wait to drive into book 2 for me these books are like crack 1 hit is just never enough ...lol :)

[D.G.]

SHELF: magic



Title/Author: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Read for shelf: magic
Date finished: Aug 28
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
**3 stars for story plus 1 bonus star for the audiobook production**

This is one of the best audiobook productions I've listened. Not only was the narration spot on, but the use of special effects really added to the dark atmosphere. And that song! A few times when the song came on, I felt goosebumps down my neck, it so freaked me out.

The story was good but it was protracted - I think I would have lost my patience with the back and forth between the characters if I hadn't been captivated by the audio. I particularly liked having the book being told from the male perspective - isn't it amazing that when we have male POV there's no love triangle! Anyhow, Ethan was a great character all around - so polite, sweet and loving. A few times when he would say or do something particularly romantic, I let out a few 'Awwwwww!'

I wished the authors would have found a different plot device to create a conflict than having the adults withdraw information from Ethan & Lena. This business of I can't tell you anything because you can't handle the truth was ridiculous. It's like telling a woman who's pregnant that they won't talk to her about giving birth because you think she'll freak out. It doesn't matter whether she can handle it or not, she WILL HAVE TO FACE IT so isn't it better if she has all the pertinent info when she can digest it instead that at the moment of truth?

I really enjoyed the tie-in with the Civil War and the Southern small town atmosphere, although I think the authors took 'you're not one of us' a bit too far. I don't know if they were trying to make a point or what but it seemed over the top.

Also, I'm not sure how I feel about the ending. Nothing seemed to have been solved and it's almost as if we're starting all over again.

Definitely continuing the series in audio but I really hope the second book doesn't disappoint.

[Skandia]

Evermore by Alyson Noel
Finished: 8/31/12
Shelf: Magic
2 Stars

Sixteen year old Ever lost her family, her dog, her home and her popularity in a tragic accident. When she awakens she has the ability to read thoughts and see auras. She doesn't like it and all she wants is to be “normal” again. The whining and complaining about her ability is the main plot for most of the book, nothing really happens. Also she can see ghosts but this is ignored by an author too, except the ghost of her younger sister. Then she meets this hot, rich , weird and sexy boy and again when something starts to happen and things get interesting , author just drops the plotline and makes the weirdest turnaround . Go figure!

I have read some very good YA books lately and that must have spoiled me.
This book was full of everything I don't like in YA novels.
Troubled, outcast, orphan heroine living in constant self-pity – check
Unbelievably hot, rich, sexy, immortal hero – check
Meaningless weird friends – check
Nasty popular girls – check
Promising storyline that goes nowhere – check

In my opinion this book was a boring and poorly made Twilight copy. But I guess you can't like them all.

[Jackie M]

I'm getting excited for the last shelf. I have books picked our for our winnning shelves and can't wait for the race to begin.

[[deleted user]]

Yay it's shelf day!,it's exciting and sad at the same time, I have 1 book picked out that will work for both male lead and new series, plus it's a shorty just over 250 pgs so it should be a quick read if either shelf gets called, Here's hoping Lady Luck is on our side :)

[Skandia]

I have books picked out, too, but if the shelf is called on usual time, it's in the middle of the night for me and I'm most likely already asleep. I'm sorry if it's giving us the disadvantage :(

[[deleted user]]

No worries Skandia :) we will get done when we get done and know that we did our best win or loose, but I'm secretly hoping we win ;)

[Lauren]

Don't worry Skandia, it will be the middle of the night for me too.
We will be done when we can and it will be great to win but if not that's ok because we had such fun playing.

[Skandia]

Ok then, we'll just keep the fingers grossed and enjoy the last book!

[D.G.]

Def. don't worry Skandia. All we can do is give it our best. :)

I have two books picked for our winning shelves and they are both on the shortish side. All the books I had that fit both were short of long so I gave up on that idea.

[D.G.]

Sorry ladies! I just now realized that we finished this week's shelf! WTG!!

BSB5 Week 9 (Aug 26 - Sep 1): Magic
Completed: 5 / 5
✔ D.G.: Beautiful Creatures - Aug 28 ★★★★ review
✔ Jackie M: Once Burned - Aug 26 ★★★★★ review
✔ Kat: The Summoning - Aug 29★★★★★ review
✔ Lauren: Dark Side of the Moon - Aug 28★★ review
✔ Skandia: Evermore - Aug 31★★ review

[D.G.]

We got the shelf and it's not one of the ones we need to win: Psychic. :(

But as I expected, it's a shelf where 3 teams have a chance to win.

Anyhow, let's see which book I'll read for this.

[D.G.]

The book I was planning to read for new series also fits the Psychic shelf so I'll read it for this one as well:

[[deleted user]]

Hummm...I have no idea what to read for this shelf, I'll have to go check out the shelf and see what's there

[Lauren]

Kind of bummed that we won't win but not all that surprised.
Will read by Kay Hooper for the psychic shelf.

[[deleted user]]

There are just to many choices to pick from but I narrowed it down to these four:


any opinions would be welcome :)

[Jackie M]

I will be back later with my pick, I am stuck at work

[[deleted user]]

I think i'm leaning more towards and not sure which to choose though :)

[Skandia]

So it was not our shelf after all.
Sad the game is ending but looking forward to next round.

I will read for psychic shelf

[D.G.]

A friend of mine really likes the Sirantha Jax series, Kat. I haven't read it so I can't say!

[Jackie M]

Sorry I have been MIA. It has been a crazy busy weekend!
I will be reading for the psychic shelf.

[[deleted user]]

I started I've only read 1 chapter but so far it's holding my interest, so I'm going to go with that :)

[Steph, Serious series addict]

CONGRATULATIONS, Sultry Seventeen!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'magic'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Congrats on the stamp Sultries!

[D.G.]

Thanks Steph and Sandra!

[D.G.]

SHELF: psychic



Title/Author: Kiss of Fire by Deborah Cooke
Read for shelf: psychic
Date finished: Sep 3
Rating: ★★★
Review: Really interesting world building but the romance was boooring. I didn't feel any connection between the characters and there was no spark even with the famed 'firestorm'. The hero acted like a 21st century man - all polite and politically correct - even though he could shift into a dragon. Huh? I would expect somebody who can shift into a mythical creature to have more fire in them - so to speak.

The fights were also very convoluted and it was difficult to imagine what was going on, specially when the heroine was riding in the hero's back (while he was in dragon form). I really couldn't tell how he could fight with her on his back or tail or whatever.

Not sure that I'll continue the series.

[Lauren]

I also gave Kiss of Fire 3 stars when I read it for my Dragon challenge. The second book is better both in terms of the romance and the world building (descriptions of dragons and their history). I've heard it gets even better so I'll carry on with it when I get a chance.

[Lauren]

Touching Evil by Kay Hooper
Shelf: Psychic
Finished: September 3rd
4 Stars

Good thriller with interesting characters and a clever plot.

Nevertheless, the romance is somewhat contrived and there could have been more clues to the killer's identity. The climax is compelling and the resolution very satisfying (one of the more unique I have encountered in this genre).

It should be note that the book contains grisly details and gory descriptions so it is not for the weak of heart.

[D.G.]

Oh thanks for letting me know, Lauren! I will give the second book a chance then!

[Jackie M]

I know the game is over, but I did finish my book and I loved it 4 stars. I will for sure continue on with this series.Touch of Frost

[Skandia]

Great job ladies for finishing your last books.
I will get there eventually, too. Job just got crazy busy and the book I'm currently reading is slow.
D.G, you asked about Storm. Well, about half a book read, I can say it's confusing and I guess I'm not getting the point, yet. It might be the case of reading too much YA in a row or the book is just slow.

[[deleted user]]

I'm also taking my time with my last book for bingo as well, Getting up for these early morning work shifts are starting to take there toll...lol

D.G. I read Storm earlier in the game and loved it, it was a little confusing at the start but once you get past that it was great, i'm reading book 2 right now and so far It's really good but that's just me, we all can't like everything :)

[D.G.]

I think I've been reading too much YA in row too, Skandia because I stopped reading Storm (at least for now). I'm not necessarily confused, but I'm finding the main characters' behavior REALLY stupid. It makes COMPLETE sense to call the Police in this case because they def. need a third party to get involved. And it's not as if they going to blow the whistle on their own little community so calling the Police is def. the way to go. It's not as if Tyler and Co. are backing down so calling the authorities won't make it worse.

[[deleted user]]

Oh my goodness I need to get my butt in gear here and finish my book, since round 6 will be starting soon.

[D.G.]

OMG! I got a shock when I got that email. Off to sing up!