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Book club

Hello there Grey fans!

Welcome to our book club segment on this lovely, auspicious Easter Sunday.

Boy do I have a book hangover this week. Back-to-back of Up In The Air series has left me all James and Bianca-ed out!

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So this week I finished:

mile high  grounded

Mile High and Grounded (book 2 and 3 of the Up In The Air Series) by R K Lilley. I enjoyed the series, I’m glad that I stuck it out for book three, which in my opinion, was the best of the three but there were times I felt I was pushing through the book rather than enjoying the ride. I’ve given it three stars on Goodreads.

Currently I’m reading:

b dam

Beautifully Damaged by L A Fiore and so far so good. It reminds me of Rock Me and Beautiful Disaster but I’ve only just started. 

On my shelf (Yay!) I have:

walk

Walking Disaster by Jamie McGuire (well almost have it on my shelf – I’ve pre ordered from Amazon and should have it by the 2nd of April). I’m looking forward to this one. It’s prequel was the first book I read once I managed to drag myself away from my FSOG addiction and though it’s a WHOLE lot tamer than FSOG I enjoyed it, and as is the current trend, this tells the same story as the first book but written from the male character’s (Travis’) point of view.

Does anyone know if EL James was the one who started this trend? Writing from another character’s point of view?  This wasn’t my genre before I read FSOG so I don’t know.

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Happy reading ladies and have a great week!

Monique xx

63 thoughts on “Book club”

  1. Mbran says:
    March 31, 2013 at 3:29 PM

    Your good reads have kept me up and with no regrets. Although my mind may say otherwise, I don’t care. Keep up the great writing!!

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  2. Liezel says:
    March 31, 2013 at 5:10 PM

    Ive just started grounded. Loved the first two books. Also looking forward to reading walking disaster..especially from travis’s pov. ofcourse waiting for EWY and book 3 from this man series which isnt due till july.

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  3. Liezel says:
    March 31, 2013 at 5:14 PM

    Ok so also waiting on claim me – book 2 from the stark trilogy. Due april.

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  4. Katherine says:
    March 31, 2013 at 5:25 PM

    Good morning Monique
    This week I only read one book for two reasons, it was a very busy week in work and also it left me emotionally drained.
    My friend bought it for me it is called Some Party in Heaven by Dr Noel Davidson. It is a true story about a couple who actually don’t live that far from me (I didn’t know that) who had 3 children. Their oldest child died age six and 9 yes 9 days later their youngest son age 3 died!
    I was a wreck reading it but was amazed how they got through it with their faith.
    It illustrated how God can both challenge and comfort us in every circumstance of life however dramatic or traumatic
    It just makes you realise that no matter how hard you think life is there is always someone else in the world who is worse off.
    I would’nt be an overly emotional or religious person but the strength that this mother showed was amazing.
    Sorry bit heavy I know but maybe a little bit fitting for Easter Sunday
    This week I’m going to finish book 2 of the Crossfire Series so I’ll let you know what I think next week x

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  5. HenryCavill4Fifty says:
    April 1, 2013 at 1:33 AM

    Read Beautiful Disaster this week and loved it. Can’t wait to read Travis’ POV. Loved him. Also read Thoughtless, now starting Effortless.

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  6. marina says:
    April 1, 2013 at 3:36 AM

    Hi Monique, mi sono ritrovata a leggere la trilogia di Indigo Bloome “Incontri Poibiti- la seduzione” “Incontri proibitili- la tentazione” “Incontri proibiti- la passione”(Destined to play- and destined to Feel- and Destined to Fly). Inutile dire che li ho letti in pochi giorni tanto mi hanno affascinata. sono tre bellissimi libri, uno un pò diverso dall’altro ma ugualmente meravigliosi. Grazie sempre per quello che scrivi tu. Quando metti un pò di suspense lo scritto diventa ancora più accattivante!!!! a kiss Marina

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 1, 2013 at 5:22 PM

      HI Marina, it’s my pleasure, believe me! I’ve looked up the books you mentioned and I like the theme. I’ve put it on my to-read list with Goodreads. Oh boy that list is getting loooooong! 😉 Thank you very much for your lovely comment xx

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  7. Valerie says:
    April 1, 2013 at 5:56 AM

    Happy Easter Monique! This week I only read 2 books: Playing For Keeps and Perfection (Neighbor From Hell Series) by R. L. Mathewson…both very good. I want to read the 3rd book from that series, but I’m too tempted by Gina Maxwell’s Rules of Entanglement which came out today! I just can’t wait to read it 🙂

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  8. Michele says:
    April 1, 2013 at 7:28 AM

    Happy Easter to all. This past week i read 5 books. I read Just One Night (Part 1, The Stranger and Part 2 Exposed). Both good books and yes i keep doing it to myself because there is a 3rd book coming out. i then read Their One and Only and Leave me Breathless by Trista Ann Michaels. Those were both Menage books but had a good story line to them. I then read Exposed To You by Beth Kerry and i enjoyed it as well. This week on my bookshelf is Walking Disaster since i preordered it months ago. I also have a few books by Joey Hill on my bookshelf, Holding All the Cards, Ice Queen and Natural Law. Im thinking i will go ahead and start the Blackstone affair since i have the first 2 books on my bookshelf and the 3rd one comes out April 14. Book 3 in the This Man series comes out July 1st. She actually put an excerpt on her facebook page and even its good. Ohh how i love Jesse!!!! Monique i totally understand how you felt about the Up in the Air series. Its a easy read and not bad. I actually suggest people read it but of course nothing like CG, GC or JW!!!!!!

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 1, 2013 at 5:32 PM

      LOL! I love how on the same page we are: CG, GC and JW!!! YAY! I’m beginning to get a little desperate now, I’ve been reading some lovely books but I’m craving another stunner. I’ve put your suggestions on my list… Thank you for that. x

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  9. Sharon says:
    April 1, 2013 at 9:35 AM

    I’ve mostly been reading yummy excerpts from books already read this week. The exception were the Christian POV’s from EL James before she published her fan fics. I thought they would be the same as the book, but she had a great one from when Christian first

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    • Sharon says:
      April 1, 2013 at 9:53 AM

      Sorry-iPad glitch…continued…from when Christian first punished Ana in red room-takes us through his “getting Ana back” plan step-by-step and Jose’s show and that awesome kiss afterwards, then continues with the “begging”; another POV with their first time, when Christian finds out she is virgin; the big fight w/Elena…. Just a whole lot more than I expected. And of course it is back when they were “Edward and Bella”, but we all know who it really is! Several awesome Christian POV’s on Internet, but yummy to discover “more” from EL James!

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 1, 2013 at 5:36 PM

      Oohh yummy! 😉

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      • Sharon says:
        April 2, 2013 at 12:31 AM

        Monique, you give so much to us by sharing your storytelling skills, I’m delighted to have something to thank you with (and fellow book club friends). You will love it! There is no internet link I am aware of, but what I have is a pdf file of the original fan fiction – and the POV’s I mentioned are in the back, just like the novel. I read the fan fic first, and enjoyed seeing the editing process that deleted and added a few bits here and there. Other than names, the changes were minor, but still interesting to me. I never read Twilight, so all the Edward/Bella etc was odd at first, but easy enough to skip past the names, since obviously it is Christian and Ana! 😉 The POV’s were an awesome surprise at the end, and of course, you can skip the fanfic and just read those. I’ll email the file to you when I get home, Monique.
        Anyone else that wants it..send an email to musikstarr@aol.com and I’ll forward to you as well. Be sure to put “book club” in the subject line so I spot it.

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  10. 1klkelly says:
    April 1, 2013 at 12:00 PM

    Hope everyone had a blessed Easter! I just finished Beautiful Disaster. Good story, pretty tame compared to FSOG and others but I still liked it. Ordered the 2nd “Walking Disaster” I’m looking for something else to read. Suggestions?

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 1, 2013 at 5:42 PM

      Wow, do we ever have suggestions?? Lots babe but what have you read? I can do you a little list for you but what would be even better (if you’re keen) is to open a Goodreads account for yourself (it’s free) and friend me/us. I have a list of what I’m reading, what I’ve read and what’s on my shelf plus ratings and descriptions. Goodreads rocks! See the sidebar here on the blog for the link it you need it. Let me know, otherwise This Man series, Up to you series, Crossfire, Cherrie Lynn…. I’m loving Beautifully Damaged at the moment.

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      • 1klkelly says:
        April 2, 2013 at 1:59 AM

        Thanks! I’ll check out Good Reads. I’ve read This Man series, Crossfire Series, On Dublin Street, This Man Series, Falling Into You, The Blackstone Series, The Education of Sensation Series… Anyone know if Beautiful Bastard is any good? Thanks Monique!

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  11. Keron1 says:
    April 1, 2013 at 12:34 PM

    I don’t think E.L. James started the trend because Stephanie Meyer was gonna rewrite Twilight from Edward’s perspective ( Midnight Sun) until someone leaked the manuscript. She said she lost the inspiration to continue when it happened.

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  12. Audrey says:
    April 1, 2013 at 2:52 PM

    Last week i was reading Find you in the dark followed by Light in the shadow. Its great story. A bit deep. Cant say i love it… But its just one f those great story you cant put down and left you with lots of after thoughts.

    I read Cloud Walking just to complete the whole experience.. Lol… But probably shouldnt have.

    Will get into beautiful disaster this week. So by 3 stars on Up in the air series.. Is that safe to say i wont miss much then? 🙂

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 1, 2013 at 5:51 PM

      I started reading Find You in the Dark (Meredith Walters) and I put it down. It’s not something I often do but boy it frustrated me. Is this the same book? As far as Up in the Air series is concerned, it was good, not great and NOT fantastic. I can’t really put my finger on it. I suppose from a writer POV I look at books a little differently. when I love a book it’s usually cris-crossed with highlighted bits that makes it look like a road map and I did almost nothing of that on this series. Also the love scenes were a bit flat, I mentioned that last week. It felt like I was not drawn into the scene. You know those moments when you’re reading something and the world around you just falls from view, nothing exists except you in that scene. That’s what I love about a good book and I didn’t feel it for this one. I hate criticising other people’s work, I know the effort that goes into it and how sensitive one can be having your work judged. I am glad that I read it though and completed the whole series.

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      • Audrey says:
        April 3, 2013 at 2:29 AM

        Lol!! Why are you frustrated? Is it the theme or the characters? Just curious.. Hahaha.. Its not exactly light reaing since its revolve around mental illness. I guess thats why personally i found it interesting.

        Totally Agree with you re: up in the air series!!! Its nice to read.. Easy to like character bur somehow is lack of that connection of wanting more from the book. Oh well.. Just not for us i guess.

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        • Monique Lain says:
          April 3, 2013 at 5:54 PM

          I don’t know, I just thought that the car crash of consequences coming was was so blindingly obvious… Too much angst I guess… LOL! Never thought I’d say that… 😉

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  13. elicerea says:
    April 1, 2013 at 5:14 PM

    I got lost in On Dublin Street this week. Jocelyn and Braden are just beautiful together… Also enjoyed the 80 days books. Can’t wait for the third Crossfire book.
    By the way: who is JW? I feel like I am missing something/-one…

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 1, 2013 at 5:54 PM

      Jesse Ward, This Man series, Jodie Ellen Malpas… Got 5 stars from me… Very intense but hell I enjoyed it! 😉 Dublin street is awesome, looking forward to book 2. On Goodreads she’s written a Christmas one shot for Dublin Street, it’s free, you should check it out.

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  14. Liz says:
    April 2, 2013 at 12:20 AM

    I have had a slow reading week this past week since I have been waiting for some new ones to come out. This week I am going to read Walking Disaster and Fever by Maya Banks. I may also go back for a reread of Colide by Gail Mchugh. If you haven’t read this it is a definate recommend. Their will be a second book in the series that will come out this summer. This is now one of my favorites and I can’t wait for the next book.

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  15. grublue says:
    April 2, 2013 at 1:29 AM

    I dowloaded Bared To You yesterday, and as today is the first sunny day after a long time I spent it on my terrace, reading, albeit wrapped in my warm winter coat as it is unusually cold for this time of the year.
    I’m 48% into the book, but I still don’t know what to think of it.
    The first barrier was Gideon’s black, longish hair. For some incomprehensible reason all sorts of images popped up in my head, none of them attractive. It took me a while to get rid of them and replace them with something pleasant. The other barrier is Gideon’s age. For some reason I don’t buy the 28 years. He’s at least 35 for me. I don’t know what it is that makes the difference, but I did buy Christian’s 28 years.
    Then of course the similarities to Fifty Shades… Someone mentioned the two books where released at the same time, but I still have the feeling Silvia Day copied from E. L. James. Maybe Day knew about the
    fanfiction. In any case, it doesn’t give me a good feeling.
    And I’m struggling with Eva, but it’s getting better. I used to struggle with Gideon too but it got better. (I would have made him crawl on his knees after his first bigheaded assault. :-))
    With that all said, I truly enjoy the sex scenes and the chemistry between the protagonists. The sexual vibe is different than in Fifty Shades, although I can’t tell how exactly. And I love the talking. AND I can sense a good plot there!

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    • Sharon says:
      April 2, 2013 at 11:35 AM

      I totally agree with you, Gideon definitely feels mid-thirties to me. I think the further you get in the books, the more you will get them. I am so ready for book three, and I almost had decided not to follow the series after reading the sample of book one. Christian had me from page one. Gideon took several chapters to get there, but he now gives me serious whim-whams! 28? Christian, yes. Gideon? No way.

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    • Monique Lain says:
      April 2, 2013 at 7:52 PM

      Ah I so was where you are now with Bared to you. In fact the first time I read it I was incensed for E L James’ sake! I saw so many similarities, form tiny details to the obvious larger ones and just couldn’t wrap my mind around the fact that the EL James didn’t make a fuss. Yes they were published at the same time and you are correct that FSOG FF was there long before then so who knows? However, it grew on me, and grew and grew and grew… 😉 By the time I read Reflected in You I was so hooked it left me senseless, that coupled with the fact that she exceed herself in her craft with her writing style in the Crossfire series – left me not wanting but craving MORE! Ultimately the plot is fantastic and now I can’t wait for you to read book two and give me feedback on my one shot of them… GC age didn’t bother me but I also see him as much more mature than CG and therefore maybe he seems older… the loving is good in book 1 but book 2 – oh boy! 😉

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  16. Mrs. G says:
    April 4, 2013 at 8:26 AM

    Ok, so I jumped in the Beautiful Disaster train and LOVED the ride!!!! Starting Walking Disaster this week. So glad you suggested it! I’m also waiting for This Man Confessed. I’m a big JW fan too! He’s next in line to Christian. But what’s awesome is that in my kinky little reading mind…I can have BOTH of them!!!! Haha!

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