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I'm changing my "O" selection to Wolfsong by T.J. Klune. I tried to get into Gothikana and just couldn't.



Cover has grass, the moon, trees and other various outside things.

Completion Post



Book: Archangel's Light by Nalini Singh
Space: "V"
How it Fits: tagged as vampires 84 times
Pages: 396
Rating: 5 Stars
Read: 5.22.24
Review:

The tone and pace of this book felt very true to the characters. They have been through so much together and this book, despite some of it's more disturbing parts, felt like a warm hug, much how the characters feel when interacting with each other. There was distance growing between them, and while it was clear as a reader they are meant to be more to each other it really took the characters time. Given Aodhan's trauma and growth it makes sense. This book felt very natural and true to the characters. I like that we got more insight into the background of both Aodhan and Illium. The connection between them is authentic and the progression of their relationship feels natural. All of that including the bombshells going off in the overarching plot this makes for a fantastic book! I'm excited to see if the next one fits the next shelf call so I can read it.

Shelf #3 ~ 22 May: M - "Mardi Gras" or magic
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "Mardi Gras", read a book with a purple, green or yellow cover; 'carnival' in the title or series name; or author's initials M.G.

* For magic, read a book found on one of these shelves: GR magic or SOS magic

How's everybody doing with their books?

I'm only like 85 pages into Wolfsong so far, it took a little bit to get interesting. But I'm hoping to get a lot more done this weekend since I'll be off for four days. If it ends up that I don't really stay into it I might just switch it again for Archangel's Lineage. Just catch up through the whole series with this challenge lol.

Selection Post

I will be reading Archangel's Resurrection by Nalini Singh it is tagged 13 times as magic.

I finished Beloved. Just need to pull my review together out of my thoughts. I have less than 40 pages to go of my Mercy book. Just need to pick out a new book for this weeks shelf.

I have to do my review for my V shelf, and I think I have chosen the book for this shelf.

SOS R25 Bingo Selection Post ~ Shelf #3 - M is for Magic



Book: Once Broken Faith by Seanan McGuire
Pages: 420
How it fits? Its been shelved by 79 people for "magic" on the GR shelf

I really really wanted to read but it has less than 200 pages... NO!!!! Darynda how could you do this to me, do you not realize we need your books for SOS Bingo????? ~rant over...~

I need to get after the October Daye series again, sometimes I feel like I'm never going to catch up on this one...

Completion Post ~ SOS R25 Bingo Shelf #2 ~ V is for Vampire


Title/Author: The Beloved by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #22
Date Read: 5/19/2024
Shelf: #2 ~ V is for Vampire
How it fits: 36 people shelved as "vampires" on GR shelf
Pages: 432
Rating: ★★★★1/2

Review: These are always 4-5 star reads for me, but holy time jump batman... I knew it was coming, but somehow forgot that tidbit at first even though it primarily focuses on Nalla, daughter of Zsadist. Most protective and probably hardcore of the bunch. Nalla's love interest is Nate who thought he was in love with Lassiter's shellan, Rahvyn. The good: We get to see all the kids grown up and falling into their roles in the brotherhood. Little W, Bitty, Nalla, along with many of the regular characters. I really really enjoyed seeing them all in their 30+ year jump. Fritz, Wrath, Beth... all the feels for them. The not so good: Just a little disappointed with the storyline of the Uncle mafia type distraction. It seemed to take up too much space and didn't really feel necessary. Stinking Lash... arghhhh. Listened in audio, and Jim Frangione is always one of the best.

Completion Post
Shelf 2: V
Book: Sweeter Than Wine by Bianca D'Arc
Pages: 233
How it fits: Shelved 46 times as Vampires
Read: 20/05/2024
Rating: ★★★★



Review

I don't like threesome books and erotic ones not so much nowadays, but Bianca D'Arc is one of the few authors I read almost everything she writes. This book has been in the pile for a lot because of these two characteristics (although not so much of threesome as her dragons series) and, futhermore, the MC is a vampire (I prefer furry, not fangy). And, again, I've enjoyed the book even with all these characteristics. I've seen some characters I know more now because of the more recent series, and, seeing how they began, it has been nice, really.

Selection Post
Shelf 3: M

Book: A Face to Die For by Andrea Kane
Pages: 312
How it fits: Cover is green

Completion Post
Shelf 3: M
Book: A Face to Die For by Andrea Kane
Pages: 312
Mardi Gras: Cover is green
Read: 26/05/2024
Rating: ★★★★



Review

I don't remember the reason why I left the series (even if all the books are in my TBR), perhaps because new books are appearing and this series is not in my top (if JAK, Bianca D'Arc or J.D. Robb publishes a new book, everything else is forgotten), but it has been a good opportunity to reaccount with it and I've enjoyed a lot. It's whay I've always found: calm, not very dark even if the matter is, and not very gritty. These books are relaxing for me, and I'll try to continue reading the series more frequently (promise nothing). In any case, thank you to bingo for making me go back to it.

Completion Post



Book: Archangel's Resurrection by Nalini Singh
Space: "M"
How it Fits: tagged as magic 13 times
Pages: 396
Rating: 4 Stars
Read: 5.24.24
Review:

Alexander and Zanaya are archangel's (really ancients) with a long history. They come together and they push each other away constantly because neither is willing to give an inch when it comes to power or control. However, after Zanaya is injured things change. Alexander's attitude as well as something inside of Zanaya. There's a strange new power, a gift left behind by Lijuan. This book spans their entire existence. It starts with Alexander's birth and moves through until current events. This book was long. I think a bit more detail was given than necessary. I'm not sure we needed so much information about Alexander's past. I enjoyed this book, but as with previous books in the series it feels like filler. A little backstory and romance to distract from what's going on over all. This progresses the overall plot of the series, but I also feel like those things could have just been thrown into the next book. However, I am looking forward to reading Archangel's Lineage.

CONGRATULATIONS, We11 Read Be11es!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'V'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

Congratulations on the stamp We11 Read Be11es!

Completion Post ~ SOS R25 Bingo Shelf ~ FREE SPACE

Title/Author: Winter Lost by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #14
Date Read: 5/27/2024
Shelf: Free Space
How it fits: First series listed on SOS Best of UF series
Pages: 416
Rating: ★★★★�

Review: This is the 14th book in the Mercy Thompson series and finds Mercy's brother Gary on her doorstep and he is in bad shape and it seems that magic is to blame. So Mercy and Adam head to Montana to investigate what happened to leave Gary in his current state, and hopefully discover how to help him. This leads to being trapped in a lodge during a snowstorm that is a little more supernatural than the average storm. And her brother's current problems are just a small part of a much larger problem. Mercy must literally save the world with the help of her mate and a few other fae and nordic characters.

The good: Anytime you get Mercy and Adam together is a good storyline. They are always encountering some major challenge, but they have each other's backs and are much stronger as a whole. Also like how the pack survives and can deal with issues without the alpha. Very interested if Gary might be woven into more storylines in the future. The not so good: Mercy is still suffering from the aftereffects of the soul sucker from the previous book in the series. She also gets banged around in this one too. I also missed the other pack members in this edition, they played a more minimal role. This was an ARC, so I will be listening to the audio when the book is released in June.

Thank you, Steph! Thank you, Sandra!

Completion Post




Book: Wolfsong by T.J. Klune
Space: "O"
How it Fits: cover has trees, moon, grass and flowers
Pages: 528
Rating: 5 Stars
Read: 5.27.24
Review:

I went into this book relatively blind. I knew there were werewolves and a m/m romance. I knew people loved this book. The first 40ish pages were rough to get through and I thought maybe this book just wouldn't be a good one for me and I almost DNFed it. I decided to continue just to see if it picked up a little. And OMG. I am so glad I didn't put this book down. This book will tear out your heart, it will make you cry, it will make you so happy. So many different emotions and all in one book. I want people to go into this blind. Have no expectations and then have it completely rip them apart emotionally. Please read this. I will for sure be continuing the series.

Switching book - having a hard time getting into the October Daye universe...

SOS R25 Bingo Selection Post ~ Shelf #3 - M is for Magic



Book: Hallows End by Kristen Proby
Pages: 288
How it fits? Its been shelved by 8 people for "magic" on the GR shelf

Sarah wrote: "Completion Post

... Please read this. I will for sure be continuing the series...."

Recommendation accepted. :)
Placed a hold on Libby for the audio.

Finally catching back up with life. My son's volleyball team played for the championship and got runner up and headed to state playoffs next week. So I get a week of reading time, yay! Then we head out on vacation, which should give me more reading time... Hope to wrap up my 'M' book tomorrow.

Lis wrote: "Sarah wrote: "Completion Post

... Please read this. I will for sure be continuing the series...."

Recommendation accepted. :)
Placed a hold on Libby for the audio."

Yes!

CONGRATULATIONS, We11-Read Be11es
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'FS' and 'O'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

Congratulations on the stamps We11-Read Be11es and a Cat!

Yay!! ~ Stamp Dancing!! ~ Thanks Bingo Ninjas!!

SOS R25 Bingo Selection Post ~ Shelf #4 ~ G is for Gargoyles


Book: Nicodemus by D.B. Reynolds
Pages: 374
How it fits: going on GRs shelf

Back up:

Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep

Lis wrote: "SOS R25 Bingo Selection Post ~ Shelf #4 ~ G is for Gargoyles


Book: Nicodemus by D.B. Reynolds
Pages: 374
How it fits: going on GR..."

Can you clarify how Nicodemus fits? Is it already on the shelf? You can't add it to the shelf yourself to count during the game.

Shelf #4 ~ 29 May: G - "Green" or gargoyle(s)
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "green", read a book with "green" in the author's name, title or series or a book with a green cover

* For gargoyle(s), read a book found on one of these shelves: GR gargoyle, GR gargoyles or SOS gargoyle

I will be reading Ravensong by T.J. Klune it is the second book in the Green Creek series. Green is in the name of the series.

SOS R25 Bingo Selection Post ~ Shelf #4 ~ G is for Gargoyles


Book: Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
Pages: 414
How it fits: Shelved on GR 'gargoyles' shelf once and has gargoyles in title

The first three books in the Stone Warrior series is on the GR shelves but the last one only has a little over 300 readers and only tagged to half a dozen shelves... Probably why I missed the release too, it was a quiet one. Forgot about the series and got excited for a few minutes... but will read it for pleasure later.

Completion Post ~ SOS R25 Bingo Shelf #3 ~ M is for Magic


Title/Author: Hallows End by Kristen Proby
Series: The Curse of the Blood Moon #1
Date Read: 5/29/2024
Shelf: #3 - M
How it fits: 8x on GR shelf for "magic"
Pages: 290
Rating: ★★★☆�

Review: This is the first book in this series and takes place in Salem. It follows Lucy, a green witch and her small coven of witches, friends & family. She is plagued with bad dreams which could actually be premonitions. One of her dreams leads her to another witch, Jonas in her woods and its soul mates at first sight. Together they must try to break the curse of the blood moon that Jonas put on the town over 300 years ago. The good: This has a little time travel between realms. I like the support characters and the bonds that seem to cross lifetimes as it seems like the same souls tend to be together in each period. The not so good: I'm never a big fan of the insta love storylines. I prefer a little simmer to burn action personally. Some of the plot didn't line up, but I do not want to be too critical since her other writing has been good.

Recently I've been listening to another romance series by Kristen Proby that was a recent first time author for me. I've found her 'Wilds of Montana' series to be a good one, and I prefer her contemporary romance writing style over her PNR. Not sure if I will continue with this series.

I've requested Ravensong from the library but if it takes too long I'll switch to American Demon by Kim Harrison tagged as Gargoyle 5 times.

Sarah wrote: "...I'll switch to American Demon by Kim Harrison tagged as Gargoyle 5 times."

You can never go wrong with 'The Hollows' series, its one of my all time favs. And Biz is one of the best gargoyles evvverrrr... I listen to these in audio and love his sweet little deep voice.

Lis wrote: "Sarah wrote: "...I'll switch to American Demon by Kim Harrison tagged as Gargoyle 5 times."

You can never go wrong with 'The Hollows' series, its one of my all time favs. And Biz i..."

Oh I know! I love this series, I just really liked the way it "ended" so it's taken me awhile to dip back into it. Biz is fantastic!

I was happy that she continued with the series. The evolution of the characters and storylines over time amaze me. I was so scared of Al in the beginning, and not a big Trent fan either. Lol

I'm really busy this week and weekend coming up with work obligations and a funeral. So I may be a bit slow on the reading front.

Sorry about the funeral, Sarah.

Selection Post
Shelf 4: G

Book: The Gargoyle Gets His Girl by Kristen Painter
Pages: 356
How it fits: Gargoyle(s) - Shelved 13 times as gargoyles

CONGRATULATIONS, We11-Read Be11es!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'M'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

Thank you, Steph!

Congratulations on the stamp We11-Read Be11es and a Cat!

Thank you, Sandra!

You're welcome Marisa :)

Completion Post ~ SOS R25 Bingo Shelf #4 ~ G is for Gargoyles


Title/Author: Conquer the Kingdom by Jennifer Estep
Series: Gargoyle Queen
Date Read: 6/3/2024
Shelf: #4 - G is for Gargoyles
How it fits: Shelved 1 time on the GR 'gargoyles' shelf
Pages: 414
Rating: ★★★★�

Review: This is the conclusion to the Gargoyle Queen trilogy that follows Princess Gemma and her challenges to protect her kingdom from the plots and enemies that want her kingdom, people and gargoyles ended. Of course they seem to always be hosting some type of tournament and the gladiators are coming from all kingdoms to win the title and the year of recognition for their troupe. Which welcomes unwanted visitors that can possibly hide in plain sight... Who to trust... The Good: I've always enjoyed Jennifer Estep's series and writing. I am happy we get time back in Gemma's kingdom with her love interest Prince Leonidas, along with his sister, her family & friends. Great loyalties lie in her core group she surrounds herself with. The world-building is very detailed and the fantasy land and creatures that was created for this storyline. The not so good: She never seems to fully trust her core group and forever is throwing herself on the sword to save everyone. Unfortunately this has the element that is one of my pet peeves... It often reads like a YA series where the heroine is the only one that can save the world. And the "split section" she has to make a decision in her inner dialog moment, it takes several pages to get there... Overall a good series and read. I listened to the audio and the narration is always good.

Sarah wrote: "I'm really busy this week and weekend coming up with work obligations and a funeral. So I may be a bit slow on the reading front."

Sympathies to you and those involved with the funeral.

Thank you both for the condolences. It's very appreciated.

Shelf #5 ~ 5 June: S - "Spring Break" or shifter(s)
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "Spring Break", take a break from the last genre you read and read something different (try to stay within the fantasy genre with an appropriate sub-genre)

* For shifter(s), read a book found on one of these shelves: GR shifter, GR shifters, SOS shifter or SOS were-shifter

I am still waiting for Ravensong so I may just move that to the Shifter shelf, but I'm undecided at this point lol

Perfect. My library hold for Wolfsong by TJ Klune just came available. I will add a formal selection post soon, but I’m pretty sure this will be the pick.

The other would be First Contact by Kim Harrison if it could work as a different genre.

My hold finally came in and I picked it up yesterday evening, so I will keep Ravensong where it is.

I will read Heartsong by T.J. Klune for the "S" shelf, it is tagged 74 times as shifter.