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R7: SS "Seriously Challenged" (12)

Shelby ~ The Book Of Daniel by Z.A. Maxfield (1/15) ~ Phone in text
Danielle ~ Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh (1/16) ~ Phone in text
Shannon ~ Killer Thoughts by Marie Harte (1/17) ~ 8th in series
K-Terror ~ Law of Attraction by Allison Leotta (1/16) ~ Phone in text
Annika ~ Stay With Me by S.E. Harmon (1/17) ~ Phone in text
Jennifer ~ All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr (1/19) ~ Phone in text
Sunshine ~ Brie Lives Her Fairytale by Red Phoenix (1/21) ~ 8th in series

I was just excited I found a book - LOL!
I'm reading

No worries about me having too many HF lined up, sometimes I think I'm allergic..."
Really more about needing to read that book for another challenge and it was planned for yesterday anyway. :D

Space 8 (book 8 or phone in text)
Option: Text Item - Phone

16 January
5 stars
Her Phone rang on cue. | page 227
This is my third read of this book, the last time being two years ago and I still love it. I absolutely love Singh's Psy/Changling series, but I think this series I much prefer just a touch more. Love the worldbuilding, the characters are great and full of action. Nice to go back and read from the beginning again.

Rolled: 8
Space: 8

Killer Thoughts by Marie Harte
Pages: 158
Qualifies: #8 in PowerUp! series
Read: 1/17/16
Rating: ★★★★
So....I needed a book #8 in a series so I chose to read this without reading any of the rest of the series. That said, I wasn't completely lost. Even though I didn't know anyone or their story it didn't really take away from Ian and Owen's journey. Hell, it probably did but I didn't care. Ian is the company's PITA psychic forger and Owen is his boss, a millionaire and a "fixer". Basically, a psychic assassin. This had a lot of adventure mixed in with the lovely romance which really made for a fun read.

=================================================
Option: "Phone" in Text

Book: Law of Attraction by Allison Leotta
How it Fit: Page 13 | "Anna's phone rang..."
Completed: 01/16/2016
Rating: ☆☆☆.5
Review: I've had this one on my TBR for awhile and was glad I had the opportunity to fit it into a challenge. I read a lot of different genres and was in the mood for a mystery/thriller type and this definitely did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the MC (Anna Curtis) as a new Assistant U.S. Attorney as she was not an over-the-top character but actually quite believable. She was attractive - but not insanely beautiful so that no man could keep their eyes off her. She was smart but not freakishly-Einstein smart. (You get my point.) The story kept at a good pace and was not entirely predictable although plausible. There were some love interests, which I'm a fan of, so that also held my attention. I will definitely be moving on to the next book in the series!

Week 1
Spot 12 (or Alternative ~ Title C)

Book: Crave The Night by Lara Adrian
Qualification: Midnight Breeds book 12 or Title "C"
Finished: 9/10
Rating & Review: ★★★½.
I am not sure if my expectations were too high, but I didn't enjoy this book like I thought I would. This one was just kind of flat.
First of all, I didn't "feel" the chemistry between Jordana and Nathan. It felt more like insta-lust, the kind you feel when a good girl meets that bad boy you know your dad would want you to stay away from. That feeling of wanting to be the one who tames that tiger. I liked Nathan and Jordana individually though. I kept waiting for the moment Elliott Bentley Squire (Jordana's boyfriend) would be revealed to be a fiend waiting to use her for evil...I am still waiting.
Also, I am baffled at where this series is going. Not knowing the true enemy and the enemies motivations didn't really get me excited. It's like now everyone is an Atlantean descendant. Are there any plan old breedmates left anymore? There are just more questions and not enough answers, so this one was just okay for me.
When using the alternate that involves cover items, colors, or publications years, please be sure to link the Correct edition to show how the book qualifies

Space 8: book 8 or phone in text

Book: Stay With Me by S.E. Harmon
How it fits: "Phone" in text: I'd even had one strange woman give me the mistress's phone number and name. (p.10)
Pc: 290
Read: 17/1
Rating: 3 stars
Review: The overall story was cute, nothing too deep or angsty. My native language is snark and irony so I totally get Mac, and can relate to his issues connecting to people. I have a soft spot for gfy, but I would’ve liked to have more of Jordan’s struggle, which in this book is always something we’re told is there, but never really experiences. I also feel like Mac was a bit too irresponsible and not all that reliable. I would’ve also liked that more of the loose ends were tied up and this book would’ve benefitted from either being longer or keeping more of a focus and not introduce too many side issues. (I know that real life isn’t tied up neatly with a nice bow, but I do like some closure in my books).
Part from that I enjoyed the book and would read the second one in the series.
Jennifer ♔Princess Penguin♔ wrote: "Ezi wants me to show you a sample of an acceptable post :)
Week 1
Spot 12 (or Alternative ~ Title C)

Book: Crave The Night by [author:Lara Ad..."
It doesn't have to be that long though. 3-4 sentences is sufficient.
Week 1
Spot 12 (or Alternative ~ Title C)

Book: Crave The Night by [author:Lara Ad..."
It doesn't have to be that long though. 3-4 sentences is sufficient.

Spot #8 (or Alternative ~ Phone in text)

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr
Alternative ~ Phone in text: hangs up the phone...pg 81
Finished: 1/19/16
Rating: ♥♥♥♥½
I enjoyed this story very much although the chronology of the events took a little getting used to. The sections cover different time periods during the war and each character's life not necessarily in order, so pay attention to it! The two main characters are unusual in their handicaps; one is blind but cherished by her family and one is intellectually gifted but emotionally abandoned. How they experience the changing world around them is what is so compelling about this novel. Read it.

Rolled 8
Space 8
Brie Lives Her Fairy Tale

Qualifies: #8 in the series
Pages: 153
Read: 1/21/16
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the 25th book that I have read about Brie and her adventures. The last book (view spoiler) did not disappoint as Brie weds the love of her life. Red did not disappoint. Loved it though the end.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>
Congratulations Team 12, as you have completed your first week with all your reviews ahead of time, you have earned the
Free Pass: see on Post 1
Free Pass: see on Post 1

I rolled a 6+2=8
That puts us on spot 16
You can use a book:
♦That is 16th in series
♦That is 1st in series
♦That is 6th in series
♦That is a Standalone
♦That has Cup/Mug in text
Jennifer ♔Princess Penguin♔ wrote: "Roll #2
I rolled a 6+2=8
That puts us on spot 16
You can use a book:
♦That is 1st in series
♦That is 6th in series
♦That is a Standalone
♦That has Cup/Mug in text"
Dont forget ♦That is 16th in series like Sweet Ruin (IAD, #16)
I rolled a 6+2=8
That puts us on spot 16
You can use a book:
♦That is 1st in series
♦That is 6th in series
♦That is a Standalone
♦That has Cup/Mug in text"
Dont forget ♦That is 16th in series like Sweet Ruin (IAD, #16)


Sweet Ruin would be a FABULOUS choice too!!!!!
Now I'm bummed I read it!
I think I'll go with first in a series with this book:

K~Terror wrote: "Awesome roll Jennifer!!!! ..."
I thought it was a good number too. Everyone should be able to find a book that works for them :D
I thought it was a good number too. Everyone should be able to find a book that works for them :D

Space 16 (book 1, 6, 16, standalone or Mug/Cup in text)
Option: book 1 in a series

Qualification: The Subs Club #1
Date Read: 22 January
Rating: 4.5 stars
This was such a great book. David had such an engaging voice that I flew through this book. So I loved the relationship between David and David. They both had some issues and insecurity and grew together. The group of friends were great too and all were trying to getting on with and mourn what happened to Hal a year ago. There were some really funny moments and some serious time. I'm looking forward to reading more about these guys.

Danielle ~ The Subs Club by JA Rock (1/22) ~ 1st in series
Shelby ~ Dark Space by Lisa Henry (1/22) ~ 1st in series
K-Terror ~ Bitten by Kelley Armstrong (1/22) ~ 1st in series
Shannon ~ Rough Road by Vanessa North (1/23) ~ Cup/Mug in text
Annika ~ Determined by Bealevon Nolan (1/25) ~ Standalone
Jennifer ~ The Maze Runner by James Dashner (1/26) ~ 1st in series
Sunshine ~ Seduced by the Senator by Alex Elliott (1/24) ~ 1st in series

Old Space: 8, Rolled: 8
New Space: 16
Alt Option: Cup/Mug

Rough Road by Vanessa North
Pages: 185
Qualifies: The coffee in the pot is still warm, and there's a note next to my mug. (Location 2027)

Dark Space by Lisa Henry

Qualification: Series #1
Read: (1/22)
Rating: ★★★★★
Yep, did so love. All awesomely sci-fi and touching romance. Loved this book lots and lots. There were a lot of fun things about this world. I really felt for Brady drug off to fight a war he has no interest in, only wanting to do his time and get back to Earth as quickly as he can to take care of his little sister. His entire world was tossed into chaos with the return of Cameron from his abduction by the alien Faceless.
I adored the way that Cameron and Brady were connected. The whole you are my heartbeat thing...so melting right now. I felt for Brady and his confusion and fear. His anger and helplessness at the world was totally understandable. It was easy to forget at times how young Brady is. So much has happened to make him grow up to fast, but his fears still resound in his young soul. Cameron is such a dear man too. He's been through so much but he still cares about the fate of humanity and wants to do what's right.
Fantastic story and I'm super duper glad there's a sequel.

=================================================
Option: 1st in Series

Book: Bitten by Kelley Armstrong
How it Fit: 1st in Series
Completed: 01/22/2016
Rating: ☆☆☆.5
Review: This is another series I've been wanting to start and have had the book on my TBR forever. I am not usually a big fan of first books in series but was pleasantly surprised by this one. I felt like it gave you the background you needed for the series but it wasn't overly complicated or dry. Elena was easy to relate to and was happy there were some love interests. I'm definitely reading on...

Old Space: 8, Rolled: 8
New Space: 16
Alt Option: Cup/Mug

Rough Road by Vanessa North
Pages: 185
Qualifies: The coffee in the pot is still warm, and there's a note next to my mug. (Location 2027)
Read: 1/23/16
Rating: ★★★★
Wow! This book was so different from the sweet loving of the first one in the series. We had ourselves a full blown sadist and masochist here. I did not think that was a big kink of mine but apparently I was wrong because that was my favorite thing about this book. These two were freaking hot!! That said, I didn't feel the same connection between these two as the first couple. I like them well enough but after finishing, I'm not sure this fictional couple is gonna make it. I can't pinpoint why I feel that way, it just is. Still a most excellent trip into the kink territory without losing the sweetness that I need to enjoy that kind of relationship.


Determined by Bealevon Nolan
How it fits: Stand alone
Read: 25/1
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
The book was well paced, with interesting and likable characters, both main and secondary. I love the fact that this book is set in a world where people can be openly gay and no one thinks twice about that fact, they aren’t ridiculed or forced to hiding (for the most part), it just is a part of life. I would’ve liked a more of a development of Liam and Finley’s relationship, and not just told that it was there and it was strong. But overall a very enjoyable read.

Spot #16 (alternate ~ Cup/Mug in text)

The Maze Runner by James Dashner
1st in "The Maze Runner" series
Finished: 1/26/16
Rating: ♥♥♥
The Maze Runner starts out slow and has difficulty lifting off the pages for a while. Fifty percent of the book was a little dull and frustrating. The main character Thomas constantly whines and asks questions that other characters refuse to answer. It's really frustrating, I cannot stress it enough.
However, that being said, once you get past the first half the second half picks up drastically. The pace quickened, questions get answered, and your allowed to see the depth of the word James Dashner created. I would recommend it to any YA-sci-fi fan.

New Space: 16
Option: First in Series

Seduced by the Senator by Alex Elliott
1st in the "Ditry Little Secrets" series
Read: 1/24/16
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I loved the Senator and boy can he talk dirty. Just enough hot spiciness. (view spoiler) The Senator gets a new intern, a Kennedy. He likes his intern a lot, so much that the series continues.["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>["br"]>

I rolled 4+2=6
That puts us on spot #22
You can read a book that...
♦is 2nd in series
♦is 22nd in series
♦is on the Best Book Boyfriends list


LOL ;-)
Are you collecting them?

Wow!
I though I was bad when I had 48 of the top 100 and read 28.

Space 22 (book 2, 22, or Best Book Boyfriends list)
Option: Best Book Boyfriend

Qualification: #878 on Best Book Boyfriend
Date Read: 29 January
Rating: 4.5 stars
Lauren Dane is a favourite author of mine, no matter which genre she writes in. I love this series and I especially love this first book. I've read this one before, but I love revising Erin, Todd and Ben and seeing how the three of them worked towards a relationship. They suited each other and work well together.

Danielle ~ Laid Bare by Lauren Dane (1/29) ~ Best Book Boyfriend
Shelby ~ Like Pizza and Beer by Elle Parker (1/29) ~ 2nd in series
Shannon ~ So Into You by SE Harmon (1/31) ~ 2nd in series
K-Terror ~ Discretion by Allison Leotta (1/31) ~ 2nd in series
Jennifer ~ Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins (2/2) ~ Best Book Boyfriend
Sunshine ~ The Young and the Submissive by Shayla Black (2/4) ~ 2nd in series
Annika ~ Drop Dead Gorgeous by Linda Howard (2/4) ~ 2nd in series

Like Pizza and Beer by Elle Parker

Qualification: Series #2
Read: (1/29)
Rating: ★★★★
This is one of those strange cases where I think I liked the second book better than the first. In a lot of ways because I knew what to expect going in. Knowing that this was going to be more of a day to day mystery and investigation and a lot less romance, especially since Dino and Seth are already together, made more enjoyable for me.
I liked seeing Seth and Dino again, and watching these two work out a few more of their issues was fun. The cases in this story were entertaining and a lot more realistic than I remember the first book being. I enjoyed seeing a jealous Seth as he tried to deal with Dino working for one of his exes. And Dino was having to come to grips with being ok with people knowing about them and being more willing to be out than he has previously.
All in all this was a fun little story and I enjoyed the light-hearted mystery.

Rolled: 6
Space: 22

So Into You by SE Harmon
Pages: 326
Qualifies: Series "The PI Guys" #2
Read: 1/31/16
Rating: ★★★★
I just love the snarky way the characters in these books are written although I do think there could be less. It did seem ott at time. But they actually make me laugh...out loud, quiety, to myself. We still got a bit of Mac and Jordan in this one but of course, the main focus was on Noah and Drew. I will say that their "mind sex" was much hotter than when they actually did the deed. Bummer. However, it was hot just not as kinky, crazy as they were thinking. I didn't get many feels for Drew's mom and dad, they were just there but I did love his brother. Now Noah's mom, why did we never hear why she didn't keep him? I wanted to know! It was the main reason he felt the way he did about himself and I wanted to know her reasons. Anyways, very entertaining read with lovely smexing, humor and a bit of angst.

=============================

Book: Discretion by Allison Leotta
Read: 01/31/2016
Rating: ☆☆☆.5
------------------------------
I enjoyed this book as much as the first book in the series and will continue onto book 3. Anna Curtis is easy to relate to and like that she is an imperfect character, despite her intelligence, spunk, drive and beauty. I'm not so sure about her relationship with Jack though. I was totally on board during the first book but after reading this second story, I'm not digging Jack nearly as much & think Anna could do better.


Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
#21 on Best Book Boyfriend list
Finished: 2/2/16
Rating: ♥♥♥♥
I thought this was an adorable book. I really felt a connection to each of the characters, and for that I give Stephanie Perkins all the credit. She really did a great job giving them believable characteristics. The book was full of teenage angst, your typical "mean girl" drama and had a super sweet romance that I found believable in the evolution (for lack of a better word) of said relationship. The misunderstandings and repercussions that follow from lack of communication give this story credibility and made it a joy to read.
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I was just excited I found a book - LOL!
I'm reading
No worries about me having too many HF lined up, sometimes I think I'm allergic to them.