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Open Thread for Readers:
- Got a book you want to talk about?
- Frustrated with a book or series?
- In love with a new one?
- Found a buried treasure?
- An issue that keeps popping up in the books you are reading?
- Just want to chat about stuff in general?
- Post away…
Raelyn Barclay 
I LOVE series!! The last one I read was actually the Vampire Diaries. Can you believe I had never read them before? I enjoyed them but they didn’t “hook” me in quite like Karen Marie Moning’s Fever series. Those were books I couldn’t put down! I tried to pin point what it is…what draws me into a book and especially a series and I think it’s two folks.
First it’s that each book has it’s own mini-plot that’s resolved but there’s an over-arching mega plot woven in throughout every book that keeps you on the edge of your seats DYING to know the BIG resolution…even though you might get a little satisfaction with resolution for one small part of the story…the bigger story line is always front of mind.
Two – an underdog. I think I dig it when the MC is an underdog, fighting against all odds, stacked against him/her and somehow, someway rising above to defeat evil at the last moment and win out! Gets me every time. HOOKED.
I think the fever series really encapsulated both of these so well….
I’d love to hear of any other series that’s a nail biter?!?!
I love the Fever series. (Actually anything by KMM.) Were you one who had to wait a year or more between releases or did you wait until all 5 books were out? I bit nails between releases 🙂 Did you know there’s a spin off coming? I’ll be in line for that baby!
I read the first two books of the Vampire Diaries but they didn’t hold me so I never finished the series. I think some of it was because it felt too young to me or something I can’t put my finger on. It’s not the YA factor, cause I’ve read and enjoyed a lot. But then I haven’t read the Twilight series either. Maybe it’s because I like my vampires to, well, be vampires, LOL
I love an underdog too. I think that’s a fact of nature. I also love a well researched story and KMM did that in spades.
Great discussion Natalie! Thanks for stopping by.
I was lucky – I read the fever series when all 5 were already out. Thank GOD! LOL! I had no idea there was a spin-off coming – OMG – can’t WAIT! 🙂
Yeah, the Vampire Diaries were ok – I read 3 – but they weren’t “gripping” by any measure. Not sure why because I am definitely into YA as well but…there was something missing. Deeper character development? Need for a stronger overarching plot? The stakes weren’t “high” enough? I don’t know. I had heard such hype I had to check em’ out. And I heard that a lot of people thought the Twilight series (which I…hanging head in shame…LOVED and read 4 times) was a rip off of the VD…quite frankly, I didn’t see it. I mean sure, maybe she used some “elements” (feeding off animals) but?!?!?! A rip off seems like a fairly big jump to me. Just my humble opinion!
OMG KMM rocks! I’ll be watching for that spin off – thanks for the tip Raelyn! 🙂
Yeah, I believe it’s starting with Dani and I believe it’s due out sometime this year. I’ll have meander over to KMM’s site and have a look 🙂
I was never really into vampire stories until I read the Sookie Stackhouse (True Blood) series. Sooo good. I am currently reading the latest Jack Reacher book by Lee Child (one of my favs). And my all time fav is the Spenser series by Robert B Parker. When I get some time (yeah, right) I will check out the Fever series.
Love the humor in that series (actually, I think it’s called the Southern Vampire series) and I’m so team Eric 😀 Molly Harper has a similar series (Jane Jameson series) where all the titles are “Nice Girls Don’t…” And I love the Stephanie Plum series for its humor too. Man, I wish I could write humor!
I’ve read a bit of Parker’s work but haven’t read the Spenser series, I’ll have to check that out. Lee Child is stellar.
Thanks for stopping by Claire!
Ahh forgot about the Stephanie Plum series – read them all and laughed like a drain. Thanks for reminding me.
I love KMM too!! I heard a rumor they are making a movie of the Fever series, and I just have no idea who they will choose for Jericho. Oh, I need a cold shower now.
Yeah, I hope they don’t try to PG-13 it! KMM says she writes PG-13 and maybe her Highlander series would fit but I wouldn’t say the Fever series does. Well, her inspiration for Barrons was Eric Etebari from the TV series Witchblade and he’s a huge supporter of her work. I could see him in the role. Another actor I could see in the role is Oded Fehr. I believe both men are in their 40’s so filming would have to start like yesterday, LOL. I’m team Barrons…I’ve put some thought into it 😀
I think I need a cold shower too. Thanks for stopping by Julie!
I’m going to read my FIRST KMM book at the end of January. My hubby is taking me on a romantic weekend. Which book would be best to start with?
Okay, she has two series at the moment. Her Highlander one which is more classic romance. Then there is the Fever series which is more urban fantasy, there is an over arcing romance but it doesn’t pay out until the end, and a lot of people don’t like the MC at first but she grows A LOT. (There are also some sensitive/controversial situations.)
You don’t have to read the Highlander series to read the Fever one however I think you’d get more out of the Fever series if you read the Highlanders first. That being said, the first two books of the Highlander series are not up to par with the rest and outside of introducing you to some characters who pop up throughout the rest of the series as well as the Fever series (even if just mentioned) aren’t as important. But I’ve been in love with KMM since her first book.
Highlanders:
1) Beyond the Highland Mist: time travel and fae (Adam Black)
2) To Tame a Highland Warrior: Berserker — KMM was least happy with this one because the publisher made her change a lot of the more paranormal elements, we fans wish she would republish it as she intended it. This is also the least related to any of the others.
Highlanders (which tie in the Fever series)
3) The Highlander’s Touch: time travel (heroine goes back) and fae from Mist is father to hero
4) The Kiss of the Highlander: time travel (heroine goes back)
5) The Dark Highlander: time travel (hero & heroine go back)
6) The Immortal Highlander: about the fae we meet in Mist
7) The Spell of the Highlander: time travel, kinda (hero comes forward)
The order of the Fever series is Darkfever, Bloodfever, Faefever, Dreamfever, and Shadowfever. I recommend having all the books on hand because they all have cliffhangers that get bigger as the series progresses.
I guess it depends what you feel like reading. As far as I’m concerned you can’t go wrong.
Happy reading Ciara! And thanks for stopping by.
LOL, now I’m overwhelmed. 🙂 I’ll figure it out, though. Thanks!
Sorry to overwhelm you 🙂 You can tell I’m a wee passionate about the subject, LOL
I’d probably start with the Highlander series. The beauty of the series is that each book is connected but you don’t have to read the others to enjoy a book as each book has its own conflict/resolution. For me, I’d start with the first one (even if it isn’t up to par with later books) and work my way through. Otherwise start on the third book so you can build toward the Fever series.
Better answer?
I just read a set of four novellas. The stories were good but the little inconsistencies kept adding up and by the fourth one, I was taken completely out of the story. I had planned to purchase more if their books, but now I’m not sure. Regency duchesses do not say ‘I’ve got your back’ *sigh
OMG that reminds me of a paranormal series I read awhile ago (before I gave myself permission to NOT finish something that wasn’t working). All the heroines were basically carbon copies of each other, author obviously put more work into the heroes which were drool-worthy. I loved the first book. But I screamed in frustration with the second book. The only reason I gave the author a third shot at redemption was because I’d picked up #2 and #3 at the same time. The series is still going strong but not with me as a reader. Sad thing is, I lost faith in the author and haven’t tried anything else by them.
And to balance out my somewhat negative comment above, I offer the following.
I love the Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. As a child, I was addicted to The Black Stallion. Actually taught me how to stay on a horse. First time I went riding, the girl put a bareback pad on her horse. Thanks to Alec and The Black, I didn’t fall off 🙂
Also love the Anne of Green Gables series by L.M. Montgomery and the Wrinkle in Time series by Madeleine L’Engle. Watched “Captain America” the other night and they mentioned a tesseract. Wrinkle in Time is the first place my mind went.
I’ll have to check out that Fever series you’re talking about. I’ll give anything with a Highlander a try!
You’re adding to my TBR list all the time Raelyn!
Love Gabaldon, as mentioned numerous times here on the ol’ blog 🙂 The Black Stallion series is what turned me into an avid reader. Gobbled that up along with the Island Stallion series. Love, love L’Engle. BFF and I quote her all the time.
The Fever series is more Irish than Scottish. The Scots from the Highlander series don’t show up right away. If you like KMM’s Highlanders you’d probably enjoy Melissa Mayhue’s Daughters of the Glen series.
Ha! I could have sworn you wanted to read more this year. Thanks for stopping by Melanie!
Har Har, very funny! 🙂 I’ve got quite a bit on my bookshelf that needs reading first. I’m determined to (eventually) make it through the 2600 page tome of Shakespeare I have.
Funny you mention Melissa Mayhue. I just finished ‘Highlanders Curse’ the other day. I really liked it. Looking at her site now. Didn’t realize I was reading book 8!
Mel