Linda C’s Comments (group member since Aug 05, 2020)

Linda C’s comments from the Challenge Corner group.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Pages: 188 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2...
New York: Book new to you

100% (view spoiler)[ I liked it. Fun read. Quick. Great secondary characters and interesting ghosts. Nice writing style. Touch of developing romance and enough interest to look for more in the series. (hide spoiler)]

80% (view spoiler)[ Well we have another murder and a bit of a relationship starting with the Detective. Enjoying the way this is going. MC is not being nosy, doing anything stupid or obnoxious and there is an interesting backstory for future story lines. (hide spoiler)]

59% (view spoiler)[Mele has now met all of the suspects for the murder, I think. We have also gotten background on the 2 ghosts that she has seen, but is not sure what they mean to her. I'm enjoying the novelty of Hawaiian characters (well, half Hawaiian). (hide spoiler)]

29% (view spoiler)[ Mele has driven up the coast to visit her Aunt Bebe after breaking up with her boyfriend and losing her job. Upon arrival she spots a male ghost (whom she's seen before in her teens) in the window of her Aunt's house and then trips over a man's body on the sidewalk. The Detective considers everyone a suspect. Mele's friend Jill thinks she should ask questions despite knowing no one and figure out the murderer. Writing style is better that the last few short cozies I've been reading. Looking forward to finding out about the recurring ghost. (hide spoiler)]

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages: 304 https://www.goodreads.com/work/editio...
New York: Book new to you

The first half is not great. The second half has more action and you finally meet Tavis. But it won't be a be miss if you decide to not finish. Unless of course you are using it for a challenge and you need to complete to get credit.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages 388 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Letters E,A,S,T in title (in any order)
E in Giver and AST in Stars

Linda C wrote: "D.G. wrote: "Correct answer for Round 2 is: New York!

So let's make sure all the books you read fit that answer. (Which I guess means that it's the first time reading the book...i.e. not a re-read..."

Per Alaina: this just means a book you haven't read before. So wide open.

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: N/A
Pages: 384 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/1...
Game 3: Round 1: Task 4. 'Ship' in text (pg/% & cover)
How it fits: p. 95 "found themselves on a sinking ship"

Just watched the movie and was surprised at how many things were different. I guess I just assumed that since the book was published by Hallmark that the story was the one written for the movie. I definitely liked the movie but I liked the book better.

D.G. wrote: "Correct answer for Round 2 is: New York!

So let's make sure all the books you read fit that answer. (Which I guess means that it's the first time reading the book...i.e. not a re-read?)"

I've asked for a clarification of that

Rachel - my sympathy, take care

Can we have a clarification on - Read a book new to you

Does this mean something recently added to our TBR pile? how do we show this? added date? or does it just mean not a re-read?
since published this year is a separate task, it can't be that

Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
BR: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Pages: 222 https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4...
Game 3: Round 1: Task 1. Letters E,A,S,T in title (in any order)
How it fits: E in drone and AST in Christmas

100% (view spoiler)[ The second half of this book was really pretty good although predictable. There was plenty of action and everything came to a satisfying conclusion. Not a fan of the writing style overall and would probably not pursue series. But not a complete waste of time. (hide spoiler)]

Well our ratings agree. OK read but not any interest in pursuing the series.

76% (view spoiler)[ Things are finally coming together, connections are overlapping. This part is enjoyable although pretty predictable. As a Christmas story I'm not seeing a connection. Tavis was looking to rent in mid July, now a couple weeks later. (hide spoiler)]

51% (view spoiler)[ This book is suppose to be about Charley but also have had viewpoint chapters from Frankie (many), Janet, Michael, and GK. Tavis has finally appeared but hasn't met Charley. Everybody has an agenda but the story doesn't seemed focused. I feel like I'm waiting for a plot to show itself. (hide spoiler)]

26% (view spoiler)[Well, I'm not getting any great feel for the characters. Charley is out to find her footing after a couple of false starts and lands on real estate sales as her third try. Her brother Frankie and 2 friends, Michael and CK have gotten their father to invest in the boys start up of a drone business. It's pretty shaky so Michael ask to film a house for internet showing, Charley can use for sales and Michael can promote the drone. Both Michael and Frankie get suspicious calls from unnamed persons and Charley's boss's husband is acting suspicious. Lots of set up for a mystery but I'm not being pulled in.

And I am a quarter through the book and have not met Travis yet, who is supposed to be the other lead. I also have doubts about the drone technology here. I have seen plenty about drones involved in lots of activities. This is written as if the technology is new and innovative. Publishing date is 2018, but I'm wondering if that is indeed the original date. (hide spoiler)]