Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge

It's time for our Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge Update!

Several of us at Waves of Fiction started this reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To learn more about it, you can go HERE for the details. 

While my bloggy roommates are hard at work trying to finish the last of their reading challenge categories, I thought I could use this time to share some recent reads that I feel would be great options for some of the items. 

I finished my challenge back in April 2015.  Since then, I've tackled quite a few books that would work well for several of the categories, so here you go!

A book set in the Summer - Summer by Summer by Heather Burch
A book with a one word title - Priest by Sierra Simone
A book with a number in the title - Eight Hundred Grapes By Laura Dave
A book with a place in the title - Down London Road by Samantha Young
A book that is a stand alone title - Maybe in Another Life by Taylor Jenkins Reid
A book set in another country - Meet Me at Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan
A book you shouldn't read in public - Rusty Nailed by Alice Clayton
A book with a rating higher than 4.25 on GR - My Biggest Mistake by Leddy Harper 
A book that was made into a movie - The Rose Project by Graeme Simsion
A book with more than 300 pages - After You by JoJo Moyes
A third book in a series - Before Jamaica Lane by Samantha Young
A book by an Australian author - You're the Kind of Girl I Write Songs about by Daniel Herborn
A book with a military theme - Consolation by Corinne Michaels

If you're doing this challenge, let us know how you're doing!

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge - Team Update

It's time for our Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge Update!

Several of us at Waves of Fiction started this reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To learn more about it, you can go HERE for the details. 

It's been hard to check off these last categories.  I finally found a book that's being turned into a movie that I wanted to read, and really enjoyed it! I actually listened to the audio version, and completely recommend that.  

I had to go through my list of books to find one set in summer. I didn't read it with the intention of marking it off the list, but it was fortuitously set in the Summer.  A very hot Texas Summer and pretty flipping funny! Carolyn Brown always makes me laugh.

A book that was made into a movie (although, not yet released) - The Martian by Andy Weir

A book set in the Summer - The Yellow Rose Beauty Shop by Carolyn Brown

I think the last spot will be super tough. 'A book most of your GR flist have read'.  I have no idea.

I'm still steadily working on my challenge.  I am finding it hard to focus on a few of the categories because they are out of my normal zone, but I am determined to finish this before the end of the year!  I think once I finally tackle these last few I will find a few new genres to explore further!  This month I did finish..
A book turned into a movie--Paper Towns by John Green

Review: Storm Front by Jim Butcher

Storm Front (The Dresden Files, #1) by Jim Butcher
Published on April 1, 2000 by ROC

About the book
HARRY DRESDEN — WIZARD Lost Items Found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No Love Potions, Endless Purses, or Other Entertainment. Harry Dresden is the best at what he does. Well, technically, he's the only at what he does. So when the Chicago P.D. has a case that transcends mortal creativity or capability, they come to him for answers. For the "everyday" world is actually full of strange and magical things—and most don't play well with humans. That's where Harry comes in. Takes a wizard to catch a—well, whatever. There's just one problem. Business, to put it mildly, stinks. So when the police bring him in to consult on a grisly double murder committed with black magic, Harry's seeing dollar signs. But where there's black magic, there's a black mage behind it. And now that mage knows Harry's name. And that's when things start to get interesting. 

My Thoughts:
Let me first say that I am loving books from the guys POV written by male authors. I never thought I would say that, but man I think I have been seriously missing out on some great reads!  Storm Front wasn't as strong as I think it could have been, but I can't deny how much I really enjoyed it.

I am a Urban Fantasy lover and this book has been screaming my name for forever!  I was so excited when I started our Waves Reading Challenge because it pushed me to pick this up!  Storm Front has everything. Vampires, fae, demons, and Harry the resident wizard.  I love Harry.  He was such a fun character to get to know.  I think what I loved best about him was how sincere he was. Sometimes in these types of books the main hero can be a bit sure of himself and have an ego, but Harry just didn't have that.  He knew his limits and tried to play by the rules that were set.  It wasn't easy and there were times he almost caved, but he was a pretty stand up character and I can't wait to learn more about him! 

The story itself was pretty good.  I liked the introduction of key players that I am sure will be present in future books, and I really liked the world.  This first installment did feel sort of like a guide book and a here's what you need to know, but I still liked it.  It makes me really want to jump into the sequel since hopefully the author will focus more on story and character and I want that story!  I also really liked the romance part of the story.  Lately I have been over the whole NA angst stroylines and this was a refreshing twist.  There isn't a huge romance, but I can see one developing and I hope it continues.  I think the author did an amazing job at showing how Harry thinks and it was fun to watch him interact with the ladies.  He wasn't a ladies man that's for sure so it was laugh out loud funny at times.  Just the kind of romance I am looking for!

The only downside for me was that there did seem to be a few plot holes, and some things weren't tied up.  Knowing this is a series though I have a feeling the author just needed to get the ball rolling and (hopefully) each book will be better and better.  This series has great potential and I have really high hopes for the other installments.

4 suns

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge - Team Update

It's time for our Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge Update!

Several of us at Waves of Fiction started this reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To learn more about it, you can go HERE for the details. 

It's been five months since we started, all of us have made some pretty good progress. Arlene has conquered, finished, killed it, etc, so it's just Crystal, Brandie, and Rachel (me) left.  Let's see what we've accomplished this month!

So I completed five reads this time! I'm really excited because I didn't realize I knocked out so many.  I think "A book most of your GRs flist have read" is going to be difficult. I have a lot of friends on there. Wish me luck!

A book with time travel - My Highland Lover by Maeve Grayson

A book set in the past - Only a Promise by Mary Balogh

A book with a number in the title - The 9th Girl by Tami Hoag

A book with a place in the title - Moonlight on Nightingale Way by Samantha Young

A book that's a stand-alone title - The Alibi by Sandra Brown

Great job Rachel! Only three books left in your challenge. Well if you're looking for a book that most of your GR flist has read, I would recommend Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. I'm sure a majority of your fellow readers have read that book. Okay, okay… I know you've been hesitant about this one, but maybe you'll at least watch the movie with me??? :) If anyone is looking to meet the category of a book that was made into a movie, I would suggest that one!

I finished my challenge last month and had a blast going through the categories. It really helped with picking up a different array of books than what I normally would have read.  This month I've kept up with my eclectic reading choices. One of the novels I really enjoyed was Meet Me at Cupcake Cafe by Jenny Colgan. What a fun book. So if you're doing the Waves Reading Challenge and you're looking for a book that takes place in a small town or another country (UK), I'd give that one a try. Loved it!

This challenge also got me back into Australian authors, which I absolutely enjoy. This month I read two books in that category, including You're the Kind of Girl I Write Songs About by Daniel Herborn and The Guy, the Girl, the Artist and His Ex by Gabrielle Williams. I really enjoyed both of those novels. 

There's just one more category I'd like to mention, which is a book that is set in a college. This month I read The Deal by Elle Kennedy and really enjoyed that novel. So, if you're looking to fill that category, I would suggest it!

Well I hope many of you are enjoying this reading challenge, and we'd love to hear your progress!!

 This month I only completed one category--Read a book published 10 years ago.  I read Storm Front by Jim Butcher and it was pretty good.  It has been on my tbr for forever so I am really glad I finally knocked it off!  Next month I am hoping to catch up to my amazing roomies!! Great Job ladies!!

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge - Team Update

It's time for our Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge Update!

Several of us at Waves of Fiction started this reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To learn more about it, you can go HERE for the details. 

With four months since we started, all of us have made some pretty good progress. So let's see what we've accomplished this month!

This month I was able to complete the last three challenge items on my board, so I've completely finished this challenge!! Here's what I had left:
A book that's been on my TBR more than a year - Sentinel by Jennifer Armentrout
A book set in Scotland - On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
A book by an Australian Author - Lick by Kylie Scott
I really had a great time doing this reading challenge. What I liked most was jumping into genres I haven't read for a while like historical romances and tackling some books that have been on my TBR for a while such as Outlander and Sentinel. I'll probably spend the rest of the year exploring more books that fall into these same categories.

A third book in a series - Blind Faith by Rebecca Zanetti

A book set in a college - Before I Fall by Jessica Scott

A book that's been in your TBR more than a year - Alpha & Omega by Patricia Briggs

A book with a color in the title - Silver Bastard by Joanna Wylde

I seriously thought I only knocked off two in the reading challenge this last month, but I was happy to find four! I didn't consciously pick books this last month because I've been really busy.  I have a book picked out for my Time Travel choice, so I'll have to get to that one soon.

Once again, I was a slacker and didn't post my challenge last month. And sadly, between March & April I didn't get as many books read as I hoped. I've got several books on my TBR list planned for the challenge and hope to read them soon!

A book rec’ed by a friend: Reasonable Doubt by Whitney Garcia Williams

A book by a new-to-you author: Arouse by Nina Lane

A book with a number in the title: TheFive Stages of Falling in Love by Rachel Higginson

This month I have held pretty steady. I didn't finish as many as I had hoped, but at this pace I will definitely finish this challenge and I am proud of that.  Congrats to Arlene for kicking this challenges bookies!!  Great job Arlene!

Okay here's what I managed to knock off this month..

A book that has won as award--A Dance with Dragons by George R.R. Martin

A book that you shouldn't read in public--Crash & Burn by Abigail Roux

A book that has been on your tbr for over a year--On the Edge by Ilona Andrews

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge - Team Update

It's time for our Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge Update!

Several of us at Waves of Fiction started this reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To learn more about it, you can go HERE for the details. 

Sounds like it was another good month for the team here at Waves of Fiction. So, let's see how we all did!

I was able to complete NINE books towards my challenge this month! I've finished entire two categories on my board (Title and Rec'ed) and I hope to finish all of my challenges by next month with only a few categories to go! 

So let me share with you what I completed this month:
A book with time travel - Outlander
A book with a one word title - Changeling
A book with a number in the title - The Rise of Nine
A book set in another country - The Prize
A book you shouldn't read in public - Can You Keep a Secret?
A book made into a movie - Insurgent & The Longest Ride
A book most of your GR flist has read - Landline
A book with a place in the title - On Dublin Street


As you can see, I finally finished Outlander, which was probably my biggest accomplishment for this challenge. Very excited to mark that book off of my TBR. In addition, it was fun jumping into TWO books that were made into movies because I planned to see them both. 

Next month, I'd like to finish my board and see where I can start to double up. This challenge really helped me dive into books I've been meaning to read for a while and dapple with genres I have tried for some time. 

It's exciting to see my roomies make amazing progress on their boards too!

A book that has won an award - Bayou Moon by Illona Andrews 

A book recommended by a friend - After I Do by Taylor Reed Jenkins 

A book set in another country - Into the Darkest Corner by Elizabeth Haynes

 A book you shouldn’t read in public - After Hours by Cara McKenna

 A book with more than 300 pages - Soaring by Kristen Ashley

 A book with a military theme - It’s Always Been You by Jessica Scott

 A book by an Australian author - Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty

I completed seven books this last month and I loved most of them.  This challenge has been forcing me to pick up books I probably wouldn't have read otherwise even though they've been in my TBR for a while.  I hope to get to My Highland Lover by Maeve Grayson for my "time travel book" and Scream For Me by Cynthia Eden for my "third book in a series book".  I don't have anything else planned beyond that, but a book set in a college should be easy with all the New Adult books out there.

This month was a little slower for me.  I crossed off three which wasn't bad, but I am hoping next month I'll pick up more.  Here's what I managed to read this month...
A book set in the summer-The Bargaining by Carly Anne West
A book set in a college-Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout
A book by an Australian author-Cinnamon Rain by Emma Cameron

Next month I really want to tackle the time traveling category and the highlands category.  Those two are the ones I am not sure if they will fit my reading taste so I want to dive in and see how it goes. 
Good job everybody!  You guys are killing it!! 

Review: The Prize by Julie Garwood

The Prize by Julie Garwood

Published July 5th 2011 by Dutton Adult

In the resplendence of William the Conqueror's London court, the lovely Saxon captive, Nicholaa was forced to choose a husband from the assembled Norman nobles. She chose Royce, a baron warrior whose fierce demeanor could not conceal his chivalrous and tender heart. Resourceful, rebellious and utterly naive, Nicholaa vowed to bend Royce to her will, despite the whirlwind of feelings he aroused in her. Ferocious in battle, seasoned in passion, Royce was surprised by the depth of his emotion whenever he caressed his charming bride.

In a climate of utmost treachery, where Saxons still intrigued against their Norman invaders, Royce and Nicholaa revelled in their precious new love...a fervent bond soon to be disrupted by the call of blood, kin and country!

My Thoughts

Romantic story that's filled with lots of tender moment. Royce and Nicholaa were a lovely couple. Entertaining, endearing and passionate.

In The Prize, Nicholaa’s home is invaded by the Normans and she’s captured as a prize to be delivered to King William. Royce is the king’s loyal subject that is tasked with bringing this headstrong Saxon to the king, which proves to be a series of small battles the entire journey. When Nicholaa gains favor with the king for a courageous act, he allows her to pick who she’d like to marry rather than the original plan of her being awarded to a worthy knight. No surprise, she picks Royce. Check mate…

I loved Royce and Nicholaa’s story! They were a beautiful couple that had many tender moments, fun dialog and a few small battle of wills that kept things fun and interesting. Royce’s lectures and patient ways were absolutely endearing. Nicholaa’s stuborn and gentle responses were perfect every time.

Great historical romance that had the right ingredients for a heartfelt adventure. Love…

4 Suns

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge 

- A book set in another country.

Review: Images Eternal by Toni Decker

Images Eternal by Toni Decker
Published on September 15th, 2014

About the book
~If Images are worth a thousand words, hers sing a thousand Eternal songs~

The blood of a Guardian, the heart of an artist, no one can hide the truth from Amanda Hayworth. Focusing her visions through her camera lens, she reveals secrets no one plans to expose, even her own. To protect herself, Mandy hides her ability in plain sight, photographing local bands and showcasing the dramatic images on her website. Most bands beg for a feature article. But the new lead singer of one particular up and coming band isn’t like anyone she’s ever met. Lucien entangles her with his mystery and makes Mandy want things she’s never wanted before—strings.

Lucien Solvak has to impress an influential music blogger whose promotion could skyrocket his new band to stardom or flush them straight into the gutters. But the moment Mandy aims her camera his direction, he fears the images will expose his ties to the immortal he’s sworn to protect and destroy his one chance to live out his musical dream. Hiding from her camera is tough enough. Denying his growing feelings becomes an impossible feat, forcing Lucien to choose between oaths as a Guardian, his rock-star dreams, and the girl he wants.

Secrets define them. Lucien’s bind him to silence; Mandy’s bring her nothing but pain and disappointment. Only when they focus on what’s behind the images can they embrace their secrets for what they are—truth.

My Thoughts:
Unfortunately this book didn't work for me and I stopped reading at 56%.  I am so baffled because this book has really high ratings and I expected to love it.

The biggest reason for my DNF was because the first half of the book was centered around Mandy and Lucien playing a game of tag with words.  They both wanted each other, but neither one would make the first move so they used their words to get to each other.  Normally I would call this flirting but what they did went beyond flirting.  Plus they each knew they were hot so it wasn't really fun reading about them.

Now I know I have said I am not about romance these days, but that's not my issue with this book.  I went into it knowing that the romance would be front and center.  What my problem was that the romance didn't move and took up the entire story.  There is a major plotline here with immortal people, crazy paintings, and a camera that shows peoples true colors but at 56% I barely got a glimpse of these things.  They were mentioned more in passing and I just couldn't read anymore banter between the main characters to get to the good stuff.  It just wasn't good banter.

Lucien I kinda liked actually, but Mandy really bothered me.  Her character boarded on obnoxious and she was just too self assured.  Yes she ran a very successful blog and had major music connections, but she could have been a bit more humble.  She knew she was the shit and didn't try to hide it.  That kind of character bothers me and I tend to want them not to get the guy in the end.

I am really disappointed with this one and I feel so left out of the 4 star club.  Maybe I'll return to this after I read a few books to cleanse my pallet because the overall story sounds amazing and definitely one that I would probably like.

My 2 suns is for Lucien and the possibility of an amazing story.

2 suns

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge 

-Read a book with a rating higher than 4.25 on Goodreads

Review: Bound by Flames (Night Prince #3) by Jeaniene Frost

Bound by Flames (Night Prince #3) by Jeaniene Frost
Published on January 27th, 2015 by Avon 

Play with fire, pay the price.

Leila’s years on the carnie circuit were certainly an education. What she didn’t learn: how to be a vampire, or how to be married to the most famous vampire of them all. Adjusting to both has Leila teetering on a knife edge between passion and peril, and now the real danger is about to begin…

Vlad must battle with a centuries-old enemy whose reach stretches across continents and whose strength equals his own. It isn’t like Vlad to feel fear, but he does…for Leila, because his enemy knows she is Vlad’s greatest weakness. As friend and foe alike align against him—and his overprotectiveness drives Leila away—Vlad’s love for his new bride could be the very thing that dooms them both…

Crystal's Thoughts:
I have been a longtime fan of Ms.Frost and I have always loved Vlad, but this installment left me wondering if I have outgrown this series.

It's been awhile since I read the previous book, Twice Tempted, but I am pretty sure this one takes off where that one ended.  Leila is now a vampire and is married to Vlad.  They are looking for Vlad's worst enemy and as you can guess things go terribly wrong just when you think they have the upper hand.  Leila is captured and this is where my interest started waving.

The whole capture scene was icky.  I have a lot of things and I am not icked out normally, but there is a scene with duck tape and well I just went ICK!  Add that to regurgitated blood and I'm out folks.  It was all just a little too much for me.  Thankfully this whole mess didn't last that long, but honestly the story kinda dragged after that.  Yes there was a lot of running and evading, but nothing we haven't seen before.

The ending left me going meh as well.  There was so much build up and while I did like Vlad's secret the ending just felt like a let down.  I expected a way bigger showdown than what I read.

My biggest problem with this series is Vlad.  Where is the funny self assured vampire I met in the Cat & Bones series?  In this he is brooding, emotionally closed off, and just boring.  He was so moody!  The reason why I loved this series was because he was so funny and always made incredible one liners.  In this one he barely even talks!  Plus he was so closed off to Leila that I got frustrated for her.  She shouldn't have had to deal with that on top of everything else. She was the one tortured!   Vlad should have been there for her.  Honestly my favorite part was when Vlad was talking to Cat & Bones. 

I just felt really let down with this one.  The story was ho hum, the characters not up to the standards I am used to reading from Ms.Frost, and the fun was just lost.  Will I read the next one, yes because everybody has an off book and I am just going to throw this story out of my brain and replace it with the next one.

2.5 Suns

Arlene's Thoughts:
I’m a huge fan of Jeaniene Frost, especially her Night Huntress series. So whenever she adds a new book to her paranormal bookshelf, I’m all reading eyes. Night Prince is no exception. The first two books were absolutely explosive, so I’m not sure what happened in this third installment.

In Bound by Flames, we take off on a high adventure with Vlad and Leila as they track down Vlad’s life long enemy Szilagy. There’s no lack of action in this book as both sides target each other through destruction and torture. However, the measures Vlad employs to protect Leila can eventually prove to be a liability when she’s captured and tortured.

I feel comfortable admitting that Bound by Flames is definitely not as good as the first two installments. Where Frost flexes her style best is with action and drama, and she proved it in this book. However, I would have like to have seen a bit more romance and emotional connection coming from Vlad. Every time he closed himself off from Leila I tuned out. There seemed to be a character piece missing in Vlad, which I missed.

However, I did enjoy Vlad’s confession at the end of the book where he shared how his Dracula legend was revealed. The story and the reaction was classic. Small moment that reminded me Vlad has humor and character beneath all that flame.

Since there's only one book left, I'll definitely finish this series out. I hope it ends on a high note.

3 Suns

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge 

-A third book in a series

Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge - Team Update

It's time for our Waves of Fiction 2015 Reading Challenge Update!

Several of us at Waves of Fiction started this reading challenge at the beginning of the year. To learn more about it, you can go HERE for the details. 

Well, this month started off pretty good, so let's share with you how much we've accomplished.

I was able to complete NINE books towards my challenge this month! My board is filling up, which is nice to see I'm making progress. So let me share with you what I completed this month:

A book published more than 10 years ago - Lord of Scoundrels
A book set in the past - The Duke and I
A book with a  color in the title - Red Lines
A book that's a stand alone title - Side Effects May Vary
A book that takes place in a small town - Finding Haven
A book set in a college - Fangirl
A book rec'ed by a friend - Snowkissed
A book that's won an award - The Raven Prince
A third book in a series - Bound by Flames

As you can see, this challenge got me back into historical fiction, and I can't wait to pick up a few more!

Last month, I mentioned I wanted to knock out some of the challenges in the "Place" category, and Outlander was at the top of my list. It still is and I'm determined to add this to my board. :) I'd also like to try a book by an Australian author, so if anyone has a good rec… please let me know! 

Wow, Arlene is smoking this challenge! I managed to get three knocked off the board. Four really if I counted a re-read, but I didn't want to do that. So here's my list:

A book with a higher than 4.25 rating on GR-Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

A book with a one word title- Hero by Samantha Young

A book by a new-to-you author- Slow Burn by K. Bromberg

I plan on getting to a book with "time travel" next month, and I'm thinking of Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty for my Aussie author category.

I'm a huge slacker and didn't get to post my reads last month. So, this is me playing catch-up, and I knocked several of them off the board!

A book that’s been on your TBR more than a year: Dark Lover by JR Ward

A book with a one word title: Hero by Samantha Young

A book set in another country: The Raven by Sylvain Reynard

A book with more than 300 pages: Before I Go by Colleen Oakley

A book that takes place in a small town: I’ll Meet You There by Heather Demetrios

A third book in a series: Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren

A book set in the past: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

A book set in college: Contradictions by Tiffany King

A book with a color in the title: The Violets of March by Sarah Jio

A book you shouldn’t read in public: Going Long by Cari Quinn

A book with a rating higher than 4.25 on GR: Never Never by Colleen Hoover & Tarryn Fisher

A book with a stand alone title: Confess by Colleen Hoover

Next month I plan on knocking out the New-to-Me Author book, and see what else I come up with since I'm such a moody reader.

I am so proud of my blog partners! They are knocking these categories off like crazy!! This month I did way better than last! Here's what I checked off:

A book that's a stand alone title: The Way We Bared Our Souls by Willa Strayhorn
A book set in another country: Seeker by Arwen Elys Dayton
A book rec'ed by a friend: Mean Streak by Sandra Brown (Thanks Rachel!)
A book that takes place in a small town: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
A book with a rating higher than 4.25 on GR: Image Eternal by Toni Decker
A book with more than 300 pages: Charisma by Jeanne Ryan
A third book in a series: Bound by Flames by Jeaniene Frost
A book by a new to you author: The Sin Eater's Daughter by Melinda Salisbury
A book with a place in the title: How to Win at High School by Owen Matthews

Next month I really want to try and check off a time travel book, a book set in the past, and a book that was published more than 10 years ago. Those are my toughest categories so I really want to focus on them.