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Team #10
Captain: Victoria

Members:
Victoria
Louise
Steph

Just a Hop, Skip & Click Away
Happy Reading!

Shelf Announcements ~ Check for the latest shelf announcement & review the requirements for each shelf
Captain's Log ~ Share team's card after you've stamped it
Ok to Stamp? ~ Request ok to stamp your bingo card
Discussions ~ Throughout the game, head here to chat with other players & shelf chant til your heart's content
Bingo Rules ~ Rules of the game
Free Space Rules ~ Where to look when pickin' your free space book
Bingo FAQ ~ Don't hesitate! If you have a question, let us know.

Hiya, Team Caps! Thanks for volunteering to guide your team through a round of BookShelf Bingo!
a
Your job, should you choose to accept it, will require a few things:
1 ~ Be our go-to person should we have any questions about your team
2 ~ Organize your teammate's weekly reads for each shelf/category so that the BSB Ninjas can quickly and easily verify and approve your stamp request(s)
2a ~ Create a master list in a post (preferably on the first page of your team's thread) and update it weekly or as often as necessary
2b ~ Post your team's stats on the Captain's Log prior to requesting a stamp
3 ~ Encourage and motivate your team (you may also ask to borrow Judithe's whip whenever necessary)
4 ~ Post regularly to ensure your team is communicating and on track each week
4a ~ Send them a PM and friendly poke if they haven't posted at least once a week, noted their book choice, and/or appear to have dropped out of webspace
5 ~ Send us a PM (Steph, Sandra or Judithe) should you need us for any reason throughout the game

Link to print a copy of your bingo card:

...

Happy R26, y'all! 📚

Hellow!!! *happydance* another BSB round!
I hope you all have/had a great Halloween 👻🎃

I don't think I've been in a group with either of you, so quick introduction. My name is Victoria, and I live in Belgium (yay for shelf calls on a Friday!) with my two feline overlords. Happy to be reading with you!

Next... does anyone want to be captain this round?
I don't mind being team captain if nobody else wants to do it 😁

And last but not least... any ideas for a team name?

(please forgive me for being hyper... I'm usually a very calm and collected person, but I'm gaming and had way too much chocolate this evening lol 😅)

Hi 😊 Hope y'all had a good Halloween, too. Sadly, we don't get any trick-or-treaters in our complex, which saddens me b/c we're childless (with cats 😆 <-- USA BS joke; did ya see the Taylor Swift news?) and I 😍 Halloween! It's my favorite holiday!

LOL! No worries, I tend to ramble anytime I start typing. 😆 Happy to be on a team with y'all. Hopefully Louise will pop on soon. I'll shoot her a PM with a link to our group. These GR notification changes are a serious PIMA! 😡

I'm unable to be captain, so I'd be happy for ya to take the reins, if you're willing.

I'll pop back with some team name ideas in a bit.

Let's get this party started! Shelf is up:
Shelf #1 ~ 1 Nov: D - "Drizzle" or dragon(s)
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "drizzle", read a book with rain on the cover, 'rain' or 'mist' in the title, series or author's name or a wet character on the cover

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

I'm going to check out .
FS Choice: (#3-SOS bookshelf)

💀👻Team overview BSB Round 26 ~ The Coven of Critics👻💀



🎃 Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ FREE SPACE ~ Stamped 🎃
Louise ~ Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ 08/11/2024 ~ review
Steph ~ Heart of the Damned by Lisa Edmonds ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐�� ~ 06/11/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ Green Mage by J.S. Kennedy ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ~ 10/11/2024 ~ review

🎃 Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #1 ~ 1 Nov: D - "Drizzle" or dragon(s) ~ Stamped 🎃
Louise ~ Firebolt by Adrienne Woods ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ 05/11/2024 ~ review
Steph ~ Witch With A Badge by T.R. Cameron ~ ⭐⭐�� ~ 03/11/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ Dangerous Honor by May Dawson ~ ⭐⭐⭐�� ~ 08/11/2024 ~ review

🎃 Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #2 ~ 8 Nov: S - "September" or shifter(s) ~ Stamped 🎃
Louise ~ Born of Embers by Quinn Arthurs ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ 18/11/2024 ~ review
Steph ~ Strike It Witch by C.P. Rider ~ ⭐⭐�� ~ 09/11/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ A Nature of Conflict by Kristen Banet ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐�� ~ 15/11/2024 ~ review

🎃 Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #3 ~ 15 Nov: J - "Jack-o-lantern" or jacket ~ Stamped 🎃
Louise ~ Pumpkins in Paradise by Kathi Daley ~ ⭐⭐�� ~ 20/11/2024 ~ review
Steph ~ Ascension of the Pack by Heather G. Harris ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ 17/11/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ An Echo of Darkness by Kristen Banet ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐�� ~ 28/11/2024 ~ review

🎃 Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #4 ~ 22 Nov: F - "Fall" or fae ~ Stamped 🎃
Louise ~ When Shadows Fall by Kaye Dobbie ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ 27/11/2024 ~ review
Steph ~ Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater ~ ⭐⭐⭐�� ~ 23/11/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ The Rowan's Stone by Stella Brie ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ~ 25/11/2024 ~ review

Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #5 ~ 29 Nov: M - "Moon" or magic
Louise ~ Fade Out by Rachel Caine ~
Steph ~ Tempting the Black Wolf by N.J. Walters ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐ ~ 02/12/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ A Night of Redemption by Kristen Banet ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ~ 03/12/2024 ~ review

Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #6 ~ 6 Dec: R - "Roadtrip" or reaper(s)
Louise ~ The Blue Sky Chronicles: Rise of the Fallen by John Payne ~
Steph ~ The Naughty List by Sheridan Anne ~ ⭐⭐ ~ 07/12/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ Shadow Untamed by Avery Stone ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ~ 10/12/2024 ~ review

Team 10 - The Coven of Critics ~ Shelf #7 ~ 13 Dec: P - "Plaid" or PNR
Louise ~ Unearthly by Cynthia Hand ~
Steph ~ Miss Frost Saves the Sandman by Kristen Painter ~ ⭐⭐�� ~ 15/12/2024 ~ review
Victoria ~ Jingle My Bells by Chandelle LaVaun ~ ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ ~ 15/12/2024 ~ review

Steph wrote: "I'm going to check out Witch With A Badge (Witch Warrior, #1) by T.R. Cameron .
FS Choice: Heart of the Damned (Alice Worth Book 9) An Urban Fantasy Paranormal Romance Series by Lisa Edmonds..."

Ohhh, this round is starting off great... I have not heard of these series yet! 🤩

Sounds good. I sent her a PM earlier today. Hopefully she’ll pop on soon.

Love that! 👻

And, I love those name ideas. My favorites are:
* The Coven of Critics
* The Midnight Readers

Some leftover, unused names I’ve saved:
* Book Bingers
* Know Thy Shelf
* Lit Happens

I’m easy and good with whatever y’all like best 😊

🤞🏼 My shelf pic is new to me, too, but Sandra liked it and we tend to have the same tastes in books. The FS book is one I’ve been anxiously awaiting. My husband and I both love that series. They’re all on KU, if you have it.

Just FYI: I’ll be at my nephews�� joint bday party tomorrow, so I’m not sure how active I’ll be online.

Oh, meant to say earlier, I’m in VA 😊

Shoot, also meant to remind y’all to check the “notify me when people comment�� box so you’ll get alerts. K, that’s all, for now, promise 😆

The dragon book is definitely UF rather than PNR, if that makes a difference. I usually sway a bit romance, but I'm about to start #3 and I don't remember any romance in it. But its been a little while...

Thank you Steph for the nudge. I’ve had a hectic couple of weeks.Victoria happy for you to Captai

My OH says I’m a witch in disguise so it would have to be
•The Coven of Critics for me.

A little bit about myself; I’m Louise from South Wales where I live with my boyfriend and 2 dogs. I will read pretty much anything and am a certified challenge addict. My main job is in accounts payable where since Covid I work from home 3 out of 5 days a week. This has meant my reading leans more towards audio than a physical or ebook. Although I do love a freshly printed book.

We went to our local , where I also work 3 nights a week in addition to my day job, for their Halloween party band night last week where I won best costume 🤪 I was working on Halloween this year, so my OH dealt with trick or treaters. We had a few but not as many as he was expecting judging by the amount of candy left over.

I’ll be back with my FS and Shelf choice soon.

Woohoo! And so the team has been dubbed The Coven of Critics 😁
I repurposed one of my previous posts to have the team/book overview so we don't need to scroll down too much.

Enjoy the party today Steph! Have fun 🥳
I just downloaded samples of the two books, as I have KU, that's nice and easy lol.

Louise wrote: "We had a few but not as many as he was expecting judging by the amount of candy left over...."

There is no such thing as buying too much candy! You just planned ahead and got some great snacks/candy for reading 😉
And gz on best costume!!!!

Selection Post: Shelf #1 ~ 1 Nov: D - dragon(s)

Book: Dangerous Honor
Pages: 419
How it fits: Dragons... alllll the dragons! (I will have to quickly reread the first book, though... but more dragons!)

Selection Post: FREE SPACE

Book: Green Mage
Pages: 448
How it fits: BEST Of UF list (n° 172)

Added your name & added you to Steph's list for Captains'.

Its a toss up whether she'll see it here or on the list first :D

Thanks Sandra!!

For my Shelf going to go with on GR Deagon

FS #3 SOS Bookshelf

Okay, I updated the list with all our picks.
Happy reading, everyone! 📖😊

Sandra wrote: "The dragon book is definitely UF rather than PNR, if that makes a difference. I usually sway a bit romance, but I'm about to start #3 and I don't remember any romance in it. But its been a little w..."

Very much UF. I kept waiting for a romantic moment, nada. I liked the writing, characters, etc but it wasn't what I was in the mood for and that has me wanting to rate it lower. But, I likely won't since it was a well-written UF. I'll get my review up this week.

Louise wrote: "Thank you Steph for the nudge. I’ve had a hectic couple of weeks.Victoria happy for you to Captai

My OH says I’m a witch in disguise so it would have to be
•The Coven of Critics for me.

A little ..."

Congrats on your best costume win!

Love the team name!

Victoria wrote: "Woohoo! And so the team has been dubbed The Coven of Critics 😁
I repurposed one of my previous posts to have the team/book overview so we don't need to scroll down too much.

Enjoy the party today ..."

Thanks, it was a nice visit. I have the most fun with my lil great nieces (2) and nephews (2). And, we got to meet our newest great niece; she was born 1 Oct.

Thanks for being captain! Holler if you have any questions about stamping the card, process, anything.

Witch With A Badge by T.R. Cameron (Amz lists Martha Carr & Michael Anderle too)
Series: Witch Warrior #1
Qualifier: GR Dragons Shelf (shelved by 6 people)
Shelf #1: D - "Drizzle" or dragon(s)
Read: 3 Nov
Rating: ★★★☆��

My Review:
Witch with a Badge tells the story of Cait Keane who has recently transferred to the Marshals. Right from the start there's a lot happening. She's immediately pulled into the field with her new team. It kinda works to her benefit b/c while in the field, she uses her magic in a way to saves a team member. While on her last job she kept her magic secret, so the acceptance of her and her magic is a nice change.

There were many things about this intro I liked, but sadly, it wasn't at all what I was in the mood to read. I'd chosen it for a challenge, so I stuck with it. At any other time, I would've stopped reading and possibly returned to it when I was in the mood for dry UF. Some of the magic was very impressive, especially portaling, which I would LOVE to have at-hand. Some things, like the addition of her dragon sidekick, while adorable and another would-LOVE-to-have, didn't get much explanation.

I'm not sure if I'll return to the series or not, but with the series being available on KU I might.

Thanks for the review, Steph!
It's a shame it was so 'dry'. I used to love 'just' UF, but lately, I need it to have at least some romance. I blame it on living vicariously through the characters 😂
Oh and dragons ftw!!!

😏 I hear ya. I think it came down to me just not being in the mood for that kinda book. Otherwise, I’d likely have enjoyed it more.

I’m thoroughly enjoying my FS read 😊 Hope y’all are liking your reads.

Really enjoying my reads and should have both my books done before the next call although I have changed my FS to as I hadn’t read it yet

Thanks for letting me know, Louise! I've changed it in the overview 😊

For some unknown reason, I decided I wanted to go on a first-2-books-of-another-series sidetrack before I started my books for this week 😅. I could use one of them for my FS, but naaaaah... I'm looking forward to reading Green Mage 😁
I should have my dragon book done by tomorrow evening. My FS will be a bit later.
Long live having some time off from work 🥳

Heart of the Damned by Lisa Edmonds
Series: Alice Worth #9
Qualifier: On SOS Bookshelf
Shelf N/A: Free Space
Read: 6 Nov
Rating: ★★★★��

My Review:

“F����?��
“Fuck around and find out.��

Heart of the Damned starts off at Nan and Daniel's wedding. From there, things move quickly. The pack is served indictments issued by the Vampire Court/Charles for aiding Valas and demanding the return of their "property". The pack will never turn Matthias over to Charles; he's pack now. Meanwhile, Alice is hired to clear the name of a man accused of killing a woman. He did it, but he didn't do it. Possession? Alice and Malcolm, with Matthias tagging along, work with the pair to determine exact what happened, then set out to find who's responsible and a way to clear his name. To top it all off, Alice has agreed to have dinner with her grandfather, the one person in the world she despises above all else.

(view spoiler)[ I have to admit, I was scratching my head a bit when Alice didn't question her client's call for help. It felt pretty obvious there was more going on there with flashing TRAP lights. She was smart enough to bring backup, but then sends said help away before walking into the bathroom with a guy who's been used by a necromancer? It wasn't bothersome enough for me to remove any stars in my rating, but definitely a head-scratching moment, very un-Alice-like. (hide spoiler)]

Alice Worth is a must read read! Seriously, pick it up and read it, you won't be sorry. The character and world development is wonderful. The characters are those you cannot help but fall in love with, cheer and sneer with and miss once each book has ended. I'm anxious for more of Matthias; what a great addition to the pack. Thankfully, there's more to come, including a new spin-off featuring Carly Reese, High Priestess of the Emerald Star coven.

Favorite quotes:
“I’m lucky I’ve got reflexes like a coked-up cat or you’d be trying to reach me with a Ouija board.��
Malcolm is, as always, an absolute riot!

If second-guessing myself were an Olympic sport, I’d have a dozen gold medals hanging around my neck.
Oh, Alice, you're not alone there, girl!

Louise wrote: "Really enjoying my reads and should have both my books done before the next call although I have changed my FS to as I hadn’t read it yet"

My husband and I listen to those audiobooks (Aaronovitch) and enjoy them. Hope you like it, too.

Victoria wrote: "Thanks for letting me know, Louise! I've changed it in the overview 😊

For some unknown reason, I decided I wanted to go on a first-2-books-of-another-series sidetrack before I started my books for..."

Enjoy your time off! Book 2 was my favorite of the series. Happy Reading!

Thanks for the review, Steph! Now the series is for sure on my TBR pile 😁

Completion Post: Shelf #1 ~ 1 Nov: D - "Drizzle" or dragon(s)

Book: Dangerous Honor by May Dawson
Pages: 419
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐��
Date read: 08/11/2024

Review:

This one was a bit of a letdown for me. While the first book was enjoyable, this one felt like it went in circles (over and over and over again).

The characters didn't progress much; while we got to know the men a bit more, they got too hot and cold toward Honor for my taste. I was hoping for more character development, especially for Honor.

Of course, just at the very end, things finally got interesting, but it felt a bit too late.

I'm actually pretty happy that I finished it. I think that if it weren't for this challenge, I would have classified it as a DNF.
I don't think I will continue this series, which is a shame because I love dragons.
Sad day...

Omg.. this first line of Green Mage has me in tears:
"Life sucks hairy donkey BALLS!" 🤣🤣🤣
This... this is something I say pretty often (mostly at work, I admit lol)
Great start hahaha

Victoria wrote: "Omg.. this first line of Green Mage has me in tears:
"Life sucks hairy donkey BALLS!" 🤣🤣🤣
This... this is something I say pretty often (mostly at work, I admit lol)
Great start hahaha"

Hahahahaha

Victoria wrote: "Of course, just at the very end, things finally got interesting, but it felt a bit too late."

It's so frustrating when they do that; it sometimes pulls me to read the next book when I wasn't planning on it. And, more times than not, I wish I hadn't. 😝

Victoria wrote: "Omg.. this first line of Green Mage has me in tears:
"Life sucks hairy donkey BALLS!" 🤣🤣🤣
This... this is something I say pretty often (mostly at work, I admit lol)
Great start hahaha"

😆

Hey guys, shelf’s up 😊 Happy reading!

Shelf #2 ~ 8 Nov: S - "September" or shifter(s)
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For "September", read a book published in the month of September within the last 4 years (2021-24); a book with an academia trope; or 'harvest' in the title or series name

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

I’m gonna read

Selection Post: Shelf #2 ~ 8 Nov: S - "September" or shifter(s)

Book: A Nature of Conflict by Kristen Banet
Pages: 442
How it fits: SOS shifter list



Happy reading!!

How are you liking that one? I read and really like her UF Jacky Leon series written under K.N. Banet.

I actually really like that series so far!
It treats themes like PTSD, trauma, and relationships in a very 'adult' and authentic way, not just to have some drama and action. Especially the relationships. This is a reverse harem, but the romance part has been very, very slow up to now, and the characters are actively working on their communication and trust. I really like it!

I have the first book of the Jacky Leon series, but I haven't read it yet. I didn't know it was by the same author (it feels pretty obvious now that I see it, hahaha) so that just bumped up my TBR. Thanks for the info!

Oh, btw Steph, I finished Green Mage last night (I will get my review out today), and yep... it was so good! That ending, though, that was brutal 😭

Nice, I’ll have to check it out, thanks.

😆 I hear ya, I’ve done the same w/other authors and their pseudos.

Right?! I was kinda disappointed in book 4, I think, but otherwise enjoyed that series �� or is it still going? Can’t remember and I’m too tired to check. 😵‍�� G’Nite!

I think it's just the 4 books 🥹
I hope you had a good night's sleep! And good morning (for when you wake up lol)

Finished my Dragon and FS book and will get my review done tonight

Selection Post: Shelf #2 ~ 8 Nov: S - "September" or shifter(s)

Born of Embers by Quinn Arthurs
Pgs: 312
How It Fits: Tagged Shifter *52

Ohhhh, great pick, Louise! (I have to do a reread cause I need to catch up on that series...)
I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!

Completion Post: FREE SPACE

Book: Green Mage by J.S. Kennedy
Pages: 448
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½
Date read: 10/11/2024

Review:

Most fun quote ever (and the first lines you'll read): "Life sucks hairy donkey BALLS!"
And yeah, that pretty much set the tone for the rest of the book 😁

It's been a while since I finished the first installment, but I had no trouble getting into the story again.
It read so effortlessly, I couldn't put it down and pretty much read it in one sitting—I was hooked!

Character development was good, MacKenzie and Lucan taking center stage, as there is trouble brewing at a summit for an alliance to stop the rogue vampires taking shifters against their will as blood donors, and he needs 'dangerous arm candy' 😉

Throughout the book, we get a lot more information on the 'who is who at the top' of the Mythos Triad and the vampire Council, which was nice.

Oh, oh, oh, and Saber totally stole the show 🤩 —he's so cool! I loved him so much and can't wait to read more about him in the next installment.

Lucan and MacKenzie dance around their attraction, getting to know each other and having each other's backs. I love their dynamic. As readers, we, of course, know why and how it will end—though, do we?
That ending was brutal; honestly, I was pretty heartbroken for them all.

Will I read the next book... I already am 😉

Completion Post
Shelf: Free Space

Whispers Underground by Ben Aaronovitch
Pages: 418
Date Read: 11/8
Rating: 4*

Review

This is the 3rd in the Rivers of London series which is more police procedural with a hint of magic. The author manages to seamlessy merge fantasy with a recognizable London. Peter apprentice wizard is investigating a high profile murder which leads them underground. There are lots of humorous sections in the book with a wide variety of characters. I don't think I would enjoy this series so much if I wasn't reading them on audio, the narrator does an excellent job in making the characters come alive.

Already got the next in the series lined up.

Completion Post
Shelf: Dragons

Firebolt by Adrienne Woods
Pages: 456
Date Read: 11/5
Rating: 4*

Review

This is the 1st in The Dragonian series which sees Elena thrown into a world of Dragons after seeing her father murdered. Elena is taken to Dragonia a school for dragons and their riders where she learns that she is half dragon and carries a dark mark which should be impossible. The world building was excellent and the description of the varying dragons and their abilities was interesting. The story had a Harry Potter feel to it. Looking forward to trying the 2nd in the series.