Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Team #12
Captain: Leah

Members:
Leah
LaurLa
Deanna
LisaKay

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 shelf stats prior to requesting a stamp
Stamp Me! ~ Request a stamp for 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!

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 your own copy:

...

Hey team! This is my first time playing SOS bingo, and I'm excited to get started. It looks like a lot of fun. Being a newbie, I'm probably not the best choice for captain, but I'm willing to try if no one else volunteers.

I see other teams are working on names. I'm terrible at coming up with names, but I'll give it some thought and post what I come up with later today.

I decided to hit my library stack for inspiration.

Fun (or Four) at the Folly - Peter Grant series
Ladies of Lakeside - Bishop's The Others
Aspen Creek Pack or Of Bards and Books - Briggs' Alpha & Omega

Hello team! I am a busy bee these days so would prefer not to be captain.

I like Ladies of Lakeside (one of my fave series!) or Of Bards and Books.

I don’t really have any other suggestions. I’m so bad at names!

You seem to be missing a couple of players. I'd better PM them.

OK PMd them both, hopefully they pop in soon.

Thanks Sandra!

Shelf Free Space ~ Rules here

Shelf #1 ~ 7/3/18: Futuristic Romance
DIRECT LINK - /shelf/show/...

I'm going to read

for the free space (from group bookshelf)

for futuristic romance

Team 12: Of Bards and Books Tracking Log

Week Zero, Shelf: free space - Stamped April 5

LaurLa: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones (best of u-f list) - ★★★★� - March 14 - Review
Leah: Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs (group bookshelf) - ★★★★ - March 11 - Review
Lisa Kay: Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs (group bookshelf) - ★★★★� - March 21 - Review
Deanna: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop (group bookshelf) - ★★★★� - March 9 - Review



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Week One, Shelf: futuristic romance - Stamped March 19

LaurLa: Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb - ★★★★� - March 18 - Review
Leah: Red Rising by Pierce Brown - ★★� - March 14 - Review
Logan: Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha - ★★★★ - March 15 - Review
Deanna: Out of Darkness by Anna Carven - ★★★★ - March 15 - Review



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Week Two, Shelf: immortals - Stamped April 12

LaurLa: Untouchable by Kresley Cole - ★★★★ - March 24 - Review
Leah: Stardust by Neil Gaiman - ★★★★� - April 10 - Review
Lisa Kay: Masques by Patricia Briggs - ★★★� - March 21 - Review
Deanna: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop - ★★★★� - March 18 - Review



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Week Three, Shelf: part-of-a-series - Stamped April 5

LaurLa: Searching For Moore by Julie A. Richman - ★★★★ - March 23 - Review
Leah: The Unleashing by Shelley Laurenston - ★★ - March 25 - Review
Lisa Kay: The Escape by Mary Balogh - ★★★★ - March 23 - Review
Deanna: Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop - ★★★★� - March 23 - Review



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Week Four, Shelf: detective - Stamped April 8

LaurLa: Closer Than You Think by Karen Rose - ★★★★� - March 31 - Review
Leah: The Mysterious Affair at Styles by Agatha Christie - ★★★★ - April 4 - Review
Lisa Kay: Career of Evil by Robert Galbraith - ★★★★� - April 5 - Review
Deanna: A Quiet Life In The Country by T E Kinsey - ★★★★ - April 1 - Review



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Week Five, Shelf: demons - Stamped April 16

LaurLa: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★ - April 8 - Review
Leah: Midnight Crossroad by Charlaine Harris - ★★★★ - April 16 - Review
Lisa Kay: Midnight Riot by Ben Aaronovitch - ★★★★½ - April 7 - Review
Deanna: Witches of Bourbon Street by Deanna Chase - ★★★★ - April 6 - Review



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Week Six, Shelf: shifters - Stamped April 25

LaurLa: Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole - ★★★★ - April 14 - Review
Leah: Midnight Marked by Chloe Neill - ★★★★ - April 25 - Review
Lisa Kay: The Mating by Nicky Charles - ★★★★ - April 12 - Review
Deanna: Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger - ★★★★ - April 12 - Review



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Week Seven, Shelf: necromancers - Stamped May 9

LaurLa: Gunmetal Magic by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★ - April 28 - Review
Leah: Three Parts Dead by Max Gladstone - ★★� - May 8 - Review
Lisa Kay: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★½ - April 23 - Review
Deanna: The Last Necromancer by C.J. Archer - ★★★★ - April 20 - Review



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Week Eight, Shelf: hunter - Stamped May 9

LaurLa: Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost - ★★★★ - May 5 - Review
Leah: Magic Bites by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★� - April 28 - Review
Lisa Kay: Blood Cross by Faith Hunter - ★★★★½ - May 6 - Review
Deanna: Hot Six by Janet Evanovich - ★★★★ - April 26 - Review



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Week Nine, Shelf: urban fantasy - Stamped May 12

LaurLa: Darkness Unleashed by Alexandra Ivy - ★★★★ - May 11 - Review
Leah: High Voltage by Karen Marie Moning - ★★� - May 12 - Review
Lisa Kay: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★� - May 9 - Review
Deanna: Clean Sweep by Ilona Andrews - ★★★★� - May 4 - Review



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Week Ten, Shelf: gothic horror - Stamped May 23

LaurLa: Guilty Pleasures by Laurell K. Hamilton - ★★★★ - May 21 - Review
Leah: The Death House by Sarah Pinborough - ★★ - May 17 - Review
Lisa Kay: Uprooted by Naomi Novik - ★★★★½ - May 15 - Review
Deanna: The Madman’s Daughter by Megan Shepherd - ★★� - May 16 - Review



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Week Eleven, Shelf: spin off

LaurLa: Secrets Collide by Kathleen Brooks - ★★� - May 23 - Review
Leah: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child - Parts One and Two by J.K. Rowling/John Tiffany/Jack Thorne - ★★★★ - May 22 - Review
Lisa Kay: Irresistibly Yours by Lauren Layne - ★★★★ - May 21 - Review
Deanna: The Burning Maze by Rick Riordan

Leah wrote: "Deanna wrote: "I decided to hit my library stack for inspiration.

Fun (or Four) at the Folly - Peter Grant series
Ladies of Lakeside - Bishop's The Others
Aspen Creek Pack or Of Bards and Books - ..."

I say let's go with Of Bards and Books for a team name then.

Leah, I'm happy to let you captain. I know we haven't heard from LaurLa yet. There is a post from her in one of the other groups that she is out of town until Monday. Since you are leaving Saturday, I'd be happy to pm her then if she still hasn't checked in.

I really want to read the next In Death book for this category but there’s a wait at the library. Boo! I will see if it will work for Free Space. :)

Back to the drawing board!

I’ll read - tagged 5 times as futuristic romance.

Logan wrote: "I really want to read the next In Death book for this category but there’s a wait at the library. Boo! I will see if it will work for Free Space. :)

Back to the drawing board!"

That was my first thought as well, but I couldn't get the next book either even though I've only read the first couple. I will eventually get back to that series.

For futuristic romance, I will be reading

:-)

Team 12: Of Bards and Books

Week One, Shelf: futuristic romance - Stamped March 19

LaurLa: Innocent in Death by J.D. Robb - ★★★★� - March 18 - Review
Leah: Red Rising by Pierce Brown - ★★� - March 14 - Review
Logan: Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha - ★★★★ - March 15 - Review
Deanna: Out of Darkness by Anna Carven - ★★★★ - March 15 - Review

Hi team. I am sorry to be delayed. I am on vacation and have very limited access to internet until Sunday. Let me research a little and I will get back in tonight with my selection.

I will be reading the next In Death series for me which is Innicent in Death.

I might change my mind but for now, that’s my selection😊

Completion Post

Week 0: Free Spot
Book: Murder of Crows
Author: Anne Bishop
Date Read: 3/9/2018
Rating 5 stars
How it fits (3) From group bookshelf

This is one of my favorite series, and I love revisiting it. I most enjoy watching the development of Simon's character in book 2. He spends most of the first book simply trying to adjust to having Meg around. It so sweet to watch him in this book trying so hard to figure out how to be Meg's friend in addition to protecting her, and the misunderstandings that arise from differences in how each views the same situation are always good for a chuckle. Simon's abilities as a leader also grow as he is forced to focus not just on threats to his own courtyard but also become involved in the larger troubles between humans and Others across Thasia resulting from the new drugs in circulation. Without Simon's willingness to work with the humans that he trusts, the outcome would certainly have been much more violent.

Shelf #2 ~ 14/3/18: Immortals
DIRECT LINK - /shelf/show/...

I wasn't paying attention to number of pages last week, and my pick for futuristic romance won't work.

New picks:

For week 1, I'm switching to Out of Darkness by Carven, shelved twice as futuristic romance.

For this week, I'll read Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop, which is shelved four times as immortals. (I assume because of the Elders.)

Completion Post

Week 1: Futuristic Romance
Book: Out of Darkness
Author: Anna Carven
Date Read: 3/15/2018
Rating 4 stars
How it fits: tagged futuristic romance 2 times

This series is one of the few that I went on to purchase all of the books after reading the first in the series for free. This installment (#4) focuses on what happened at the mining station from the viewpoints of Kalan, second in command of the Kordolian First Division, and Jia, a mechanic working at the station. Kalan is a typical alpha type male, who is immediately attracted to Jia. Jia is refreshingly intelligent and open minded. She recognizes the potential danger of the Kordolians because of their advanced weaponry and reputation for colonization; but she instead of allowing fear to dictate her actions, she treats them respectfully and is willing to argue with her own people to make sure the repair work on the Kordolian ship is well done. She also accepts that she finds Kalan attractive but manages to consider a potential relationship rationally and allow herself time to get to know him better instead of immediately following her hormones. While it's an enjoyable light read with a better developed world and plot than I typically expect with self-published novels, I can't help but wish that the author added a bit more depth. The world and characters have so much more potential that could be explored, which keeps it from being a 5 star read.

Completion post

Week 1
Futuristic Romance


Beyond Shame by Kit Rocha
351 pages
Finished: 3/15/18
Rating: 4 stars

This was a very hot story with some really interesting characters. I LOVED Noelle’s relationship with Lex nearly as much as with Jasper. How refreshing to have such strong female bonds in a BDSM erotica tale. Rachel, Amira, Lex - the story had so many cool and badass ladies that I wanted to get to know more. On top of all that was a great story about two people finding each other. I can’t wait to read more of this series!

Week 2 -- Selection
Shelf: Immortals

Untouchable
Book: Untouchable - Kresley Cole
How it fits: tagged 8 times

I'm back from my vacation! Feeling well rested and I read like crazy. Will be updating and adding a few post shortly here to get us all back on track!! :-)

Completion post
Week 1: futuristic-romance



Red Rising by Pierce Brown
Date Read: March 14, 2018
Rating: 3 stars

I'm not sure if I just wasn't in the mood for this one--as I know lots of people loved it--but I couldn't get into it. Part of the problem is the blurb of the book describes a fair amount of the plot, so the first 75 pages or so I was just waiting for things to get going (nothing was a surprise). My other criticism is that there is definitely too much of a Hunger Games vibe for me.... very similar pacing and plot points, to me. I liked Hunger Games, but don't really want to read something so similar without any significant twists.

But, I still read the whole thing and it did keep me interested, even if it was a tad bit predictable. I liked the concept of the world - that everyone is human but some people are so genetically modified and breeded over generations that they seem super-human. Very interesting.

Team 12: Of Bards and Books

Week Zero, Shelf: free space

LaurLa: Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones (best of u-f list) - ★★★★� - March 14 - Review
Leah: Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs (group bookshelf) - ★★★★ - March 11 - Review
Lisa Kay: Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs (group bookshelf) - ★★★★� - March 21 - Review
Deanna: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop (group bookshelf) - ★★★★� - March 9 - Review

Completion post
Week 0: free space



Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs
Date Read: March 11, 2018
Rating: 4 stars

I just love this world. Maybe it's a bit of nostalgia--Mercy and Anna seem like they've been my favorites for a long time--but these stories always just take over my mind while I read them. I feel like I could drive through the snow and find Aspen Creek waiting for me somewhere!

I won't rehash the plot, but my main reason this is only a four star read is that I didn't really feel it pushed Anna or Charles to new heights in terms of relationship or personal development. Their relationship seems a lot more solid now than it was before, and Charles especially seems to understand what Anna needs better than he used to. There was some conflict between Charles and his father--or at least, Charles seemed to finally express something other than 'devoted son'--which I enjoyed. Bran is described by all the characters with such reverence that it gets a bit annoying. It was nice to see him make choices that were perhaps not the best, and have someone else acknowledge that, at least somewhat.

Of course, I'll keep reading this series ;-)

Team 12: Of Bards and Books

Week Two, Shelf: immortals

LaurLa: Untouchable by Kresley Cole - ★★★★ - March 24 - Review
Leah: Stardust by Neil Gaiman - ★★★★� - April 10 - Review
Lisa Kay: Masques by Patricia Briggs - ★★★� - March 21 - Review
Deanna: Marked in Flesh by Anne Bishop - ★★★★� - March 18 - Review

OK!! I think I've updated everything. Can anyone please let me know if I've missed any reviews or book selections. A lot had happened in the week I was gone.

I didn't do selection posts, just added my reads to the tracking posts above. Excited for my choice for this week, I haven't read anything by Laini Taylor since Daughter of Smoke and Bone, and that was years ago now.

Deanna - are you reading the Anne Bishop books for the first time? If so, I'm jealous :) :)

Leah wrote: "OK!! I think I've updated everything. Can anyone please let me know if I've missed any reviews or book selections. A lot had happened in the week I was gone.

I didn't do selection posts, just adde..."

Welcome back. Hope you had a great trip! Looks up to date to me.

It's not my first time through the series. I read a ton of new books in Jan. and Feb. for a team challenge with another group, so I decided to relax and do more rereads in March. I have jotted down a few new ideas, but wasn't able to get the books from the library in time to use them for Bingo.

Week 1 -- Completion Post
Shelf: Futuristic Romance


Book: Innocent in Death - J.D. Robb
How it fits: tagged 7 times
Read: 03.18
Rating: ★★★★�
Review:
I always always enjoy this series but this book had an added punch for me. I was as confused as Eve about who the killer was right up until the time SHE figured it out. I like when an author leads us on the same path as the character working the mystery. Some leave too obvious clues for us to figure things out but not the character (who then loses credibility) or they throw so many red herrings that we're too confused and get frustrated (or at least I do). Anyway, this one was just right. I also felt that the conflict between Eve and Roarke was genuine. A couple of books I've felt it was manufactured just to try and keep things lively between them but didn't ring true for me. In this book, it really worked. So well in fact, I sorta kinda teared up with Darling Eve. I have a feeling (and it's based on nothing but my own feelings since I have not read ahead to future book blurbs for hints) that we haven't seen the last of this particular conflict. I think Roarke made a mistake with pushing Maggie too hard. Guess I'll see if there will be more on that front.

Week 0 -- Completion Post
Shelf: Free Space


Book: Fifth Grave Past the Light - Darynda Jones
How it fits: series is #79 on the BEST OF: Urban Fantasy Series list
Read: 03.14
Rating: ★★★★�
Review:
I have to admit, as much as I love this series, I am super confused about the supernatural world Darynda Jones has built. Maybe I'm supposed to be as Charley seems to be confused as well. But I want to know how things work and there are just still so many questions... I do love that we have some resolution between Reyes and Charley. He is so yummy and scary. And yummy. One thing I realized in this book is that Charley is so snarky and flippant that I kind of feel surprised when she starts talking/thinking about her real thought and feelings. I'm not sure how to explain. Her personality tone can be shallow but then she will reveal deeper thoughts/feelings and I'm taken by surprise because her usual demeanor doesn't lead you in that direction. Or maybe it's just me. Regardless, I do love this series, laugh out loud often at Charley's snark and will keep reading and reading :-)

Leah, don't forget to put the request in the Stamp Request thread with a link back to the Captain's Log. Its easiest to do them together.

Sandra wrote: "Leah, don't forget to put the request in the Stamp Request thread with a link back to the Captain's Log. Its easiest to do them together."

Thanks, Sandra. I just requested the stamp :-) Woo hoo!

CONGRATULATIONS, Of Bards and Books!
You now have an updated BINGO card with a stamp on 'futuristic romance'. 

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

Good Job!! :D

Congrats on the stamp Singing Tale Bearers!

Completion Post

Week 2: Immortals
Book: Marked in Flesh
Author: Anne Bishop
Date Read: 3/18/2018
Rating 5 stars
How it fits: tagged immortals 4 times

This particular book in the Others series always saddens me because of the way the actions of a handful of individuals results in consequences for everyone and also the truth that humans in the real world can be every bit as monstrous. While the larger story gets more of a focus in this book, my favorite parts all occur in the Lakeside Courtyard in the interactions of the residents. I'm glad to see Meg finally trying to use cards for prophecy. It always seems like it took forever for her to try it even though the old cassandra sangue the Simon met also had cards. Of course, watching the relationship between Simon and Meg slowly continue to grow through everything else is the main reason I love this series so much.

Yeah! New shelf...

Shelf #3 ~ 21/3/18: Part of a Series
DIRECT LINK - /shelf/show/...

For week 3, I'm going to continue with the Others series and read shelved part of a series 12 times.

Team 12: Of Bards and Books

Week Three, Shelf: part-of-a-series

LaurLa: Searching For Moore by Julie A. Richman - ★★★★ - March 23 - Review
Leah: The Unleashing by Shelley Laurenston - ★★ - March 25 - Review
Lisa Kay: The Escape by Mary Balogh - ★★★★ - March 23 - Review
Deanna: Etched in Bone by Anne Bishop - ★★★★� - March 23 - Review

Deanna wrote: "Yeah! New shelf...

Shelf #3 ~ 21/3/18: Part of a Series
DIRECT LINK - /shelf/show/..."

Thanks for posting this, Deanna!

I'm going to be reading .

Week 3 -- Selection Post
Shelf: Part of a Series

Book: Searching For Moore - Julie A. Richman
How it fits: tagged 5 times

Week 3 -- Completion Post
Shelf: Part of a Series


Book: Searching For Moore - Julie A. Richman
How it fits: tagged 5 times
Read: 03.23
Rating: ★★★★
Review
AAARRGH!! This ended on a cliff-hanger. I was not prepared for that! That always leaves me slightly angry at the author, no matter how much I liked the book. Only saving grace is that it wasn't too bad of a cliff-hanger, though it did leave the door open for the MC couple to maybe not continue their HEA, because they were there. Having a happy ever after, at a party, something bad happens and boom, the book ends. As far as the actual story, it was compelling enough that I read it in one sitting but to be honest, I'm not sure I want two more books of these 2. Maybe because I thought we were at a good place to end their story happily but the author wants to continue and give them more problems. Not sure I really want that. Who am I kidding? I won't stop reading, it's not in me to abandon a series after just one book. Can't leave it unfinished! One big issue I had with this book was the handling of the female MC's rape. I felt like it was glossed over a little too easily. It was used as a story prop, a catalyst for the couple. And I feel like if an author is going to use that kind of attack in the story, it should not be treated as if she simply got attacked in a mugging and that is sort of how it was treated. Anyway, beyond that and the cliff-hanger, I really enjoyed the story and the second chance aspect.

Week 2 -- Completion Post
Shelf: Immortals


Book: Untouchable - Kresley Cole
How it fits: tagged 8 times
Read: 03.24
Rating: ★★★★
Review
I was a little confused at the beginning of this because it is taking place simultaneously as the books for Nikolai, Sebastian and Conrad. Looking back, I could probably pinpoint what was happening with Murdoch during those books but that's hindsight, of course;-) It actually served as a nice recap as well - this far into a series, you can begin to forget things about other characters and there was a fair amount of reminders in this one. I didn't really like Danii at first, she was kind of all over the place but truthfully, so was Murdoch, so I shouldn't blame her. It was fun watching Murdoch trying to come to terms with his changing feelings, or having feelings at all. I kind of thought Danii was too harsh at times but then again, she's a Valkeyrie so that's true to form. Overall, I liked this one and will keep going forward with the series.

Hey ladies, how is the reading going?

I've sent Logan a message to see how things are with her--we haven't heard from her in a while.

I've finished my part-of-a-series book and will post the review shortly. Still working through the previous week's shelf!!