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R1: SS ■ The One's to Beat! ■ *Winning Team!!!*
Feb 7 - Week #1 - Dice Roll 9 - game spot 9Alternate: white cover
I am going to read the ALTERNATE ..
The Awakening by Kate Chopin - ✔ 13Feb144****
During another summer spent with her husband and children on Grande Isle, LA, Edna Pontellier awakens to the realization that she has stifled the person inside her. I could not help but think about Edith Wharton’s House of Mirth as I read this novella. I see so many parallels between Lily Bart and Edna. The novella unfolds slowly, with limited dialogue, but a vivid sense of place. I enjoyed every minute of it.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Feb 7 - Week #1 - Dice Roll 9 - Game spot 9 Alternate: White Cover
I am going to read the Alternate:
Broken Angel by Sara SamarasingheRating: 5 stars
Finished: Feb. 8, 2014
Review: Well I received this book from the author for a review. I waited too long to finally get around to reading this book. Broken Angel is the story about a teenager and her mother dealing with the death of her father while deployed at war.
Sara grasps the many facets of loss for anyone at any age. Angel and her mother Dawn receive a phone call one night to tell them that her father was killed. Angel shuts down and avoids her friends. She doesn't want to be around anyone or anything that she did when her father was alive.
Angel spirals out of control and starts smoking, drinking and doing drugs. Everything happened in a very short time. She does meet a boy from school named Brent who is not from her usual crowd and she has a connection to him and is able to talk to him. I loved how they became friends and supported each other.
Angel finds Meditation to help her deal with grief and the loss of her father. This was interesting to just read about how meditation can help you in so many different aspects of your life. I am now interested in reading up on Mediation and finding more books written by Sara Samarasinghe.
Feb 7 - Week #1 - Dice Roll 9 - Game spot 9Alternate: White Cover
I'm also reading the alternate
by Lara AdrianFinished: Feb 9th
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
On the way to her wedding. Isabel de Lamere is abducted by a man she met only once as a child, Griffin of Droghallow. The years have changed Griffin and not for the better as the young boy whose honor impressed Isabel so much has become a mercenary scarred by the actions he has been forced to take. betrayed by his employer, Griffin and Isabel find themselves on the run from powerful foes and must work together if they are to survive.
Stayed up till 2AM to finish this one, which is always the sign of a fast paced and action packed read.
Kudos the Adrian for her realistic portrayal of the historical era both in terms of a woman’s position in Medieval society and the references to the constant political machinations of the House of Plantagenet. Nevertheless, one plot point that does require a certain suspension of disbelief is the idea that (view spoiler).
Despite one or two small TSTL moments, Izzy is a likable heroine who demonstrates real strength and courage throughout the book. The conflict between her attraction to Griffin and her family obligations and duty toward the King creates an interesting tension within the romance. Griffin is an morally ambiguous hero but ultimately proves that his honor has not been completely tarnished.
The series continues with Sebastian’s book and I look forward to continuing with it.
Space 9/Alternate: White cover
by Susan Andersenalternate white cover
read 2/12/14 - 3 stars
Not one of her best books, but still an enjoyable read. JD inherits part of a hotel/resort and he goes there to see what he can do with it. He meets the manager and sparks fly. However, his past troubles have followed him there. I don't think the past troubles were necessary to the story. They didn't play a very big role and was more of a distraction to the reader.
Yes, 9 is a toughie. I just finished 2 books with white covers yesterday in order to get ready for this challenge. sigh.
Sheila wrote: "Yes, 9 is a toughie. I just finished 2 books with white covers yesterday in order to get ready for this challenge. sigh."I hear you ... I just finished one on Wednesday.
I only have one #9 on my TBR and its over 500 pages. I also read a book with a white cover last week.
I have been listening to my book this morning while doing some other things. I am already 1/3 done! This is a series I have been working my way through for years but it has been a long time since I read the previous books. I must have not read book 8 yet because this book is referencing stuff that must have just happened. I can see I have to get more organized with what I have read and what I haven't read yet.Anyway continuing with the series is like visiting old friends. I think there are now 15 books in this series.
We have another storm started an hour ago today, so depending on my library's courier system due to weather, I'll be reading:
Perry Mason #9 (if it can get here in time)or
(I own this so I can read it last minute if my other book doesn't come in)
I have a few #9's but I haven't started those series so I couldn't read them. I am glad to be reading this book. I am 1/3 of the way done. Hoping to finish it this weekend.
My libraries courier system has suffered with the horrible weather too. I am so sick of this winter. I am very thankful that I am retired though and don't have to go out in it if I don't want to though.My book was published in 2001. That doesn't seem like that long ago but still they are looking for pay phones which is a sure sign that it is an old book. Plus a trip by plane seems much easier as well.
I finished my book and posted my review in Post 53. I hope it is okay!
Nice review Monica. It makes me want to read the book which is my BIG problem with this game. I add more books than I read haha.I hope to finish my book tonight during the Olympics. I am liking my book a lot too and makes me want to read the rest of the series.
I've finished my book - ended up reading something different with a white cover. I'll update my post (#54) in a few minutes.
Sheila I have the same problem on here. I keep adding more books to my tbr then I actually read.
Good morning. I just posted my review as well. It sounds like we are really liking our chosen books. So far we have 2 books rated 5 stars and 1 rated 4 stars.I am glad I chose to go with the #9 series book because now I have rediscovered how much I really like that series but I had kind of forgotten about it.
The series is now up to 15 books so I have some more reading to do. ha!
Maybe you;ll be able to get to them all during the challenge, Sheila.
Hi team I hope you are all having a good week and are staying healthy. There is some kind of bug going around here and I have managed to catch it. (I think my grandsons gave it to me). Our weather is subzero again as well. This winter has to be over some time doesn't it? I have been getting a lot of reading done during the Olympics though.TC and BC have you decided which book you are reading for the challenge this week? I hope you are liking it which ever ones you choose.
I am waiting to see if my book gets in at the library today. If not, I will be reading the white cover book. I am a fast reader, it won't take me long toread either one.
Sheila wrote: "TC and BC have you decided which book you are reading for the challenge this week? I hope you are liking ..."Reading The Awakening ... about 1/2 through. Will have no problem finishing and posting review by Thursday.
Great, are you enjoying The Awakening?
Well I am hoping to be off work on Friday since we are getting another snow storm starting Wed. night into Thurs. night. TC hope your book got into the library today.
I can see myself adding books to my long list of TBR.
My book didn't come in yet due to our snow storm delaying the courier. I will be reading
Sheila, which post did you link me to for my review when I am done?
Sheila wrote: "I linked your book as post 56 TC"Thanks, I should be able to have it finished by tomorrow night.
Added my review to post 56.
I am hoping to be off again tomorrow since we are getting snow today and more later tonight. Can't wait for out next roll.
I should have waited an extra day to read my book. I am doing the 2 book/week version as well and my team just landed on space 9 there.
I thought about doing that TC but I chickened out.
I participated in the two books a week version last time and it was tough but fun. Nevertheless, I just couldn't be sure to read that much each week this time with my surgery, which went smoothy BTW and now I'm raring to go for the new roll!
I hope we roll a 12 to get us as far as we can. Any number would be OK, though, because I have lots of 1's and 2's I can read.
Update message # 52 - review for week 1 posted.
So glad I stocked up on books last weekend in preparation for the next round ... I sprained my ankle yesterday and am confined to the house for now ... spent most of the day with my ankle elevated and an ice pack on it. It's snowing so I suspect I won't be out and about tomorrow either. S I G H
BC sorry to hear about your ankle. I hope it heals quickly. I am due to get more snow tonight. We have had over 12 inches today and supposed to get another 4-8 possible. Right now I have a 2 hour delay for work. Really hoping for the day off.
Sorry to hear about your ankle, BC. At least you don't have to go anywhere in the snow and are all stocked up on reading material. Hope it heals very quickly.
On February 14 ■ The One's to Beat! ■ rolled a 7 which moves us to spot 16So we have lots of options this week, standalones, first in series, 6th in series, 16th in a series and the alternate is books published in 2003
February 14 ■ The One's to Beat! ■ - Reviews■ Sheila -
- Post 90Lauren -
- Post 95■ Book Concierge -
- Post 96■ Turtlecollector -
- Post 94Monica Happy Reading All! -
- Post 92
Feb 14 - Week #2 - Dice Roll 7 - Game spot 16 Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain (Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan # 6)Finished 2/17/14
Rating ★★★★★★
Wow! Do I love this series. If you haven't read it, you should. It is a mystery series that features a homicide detective (Archie) and a serial killer (Gretchen). Who over the years have developed a uniquely codependent relationship on one another. In the book just prior to this one Archie and his taskforce had finally captured Gretchen to only have her mastermind an escape.
In this book Gretchen has come out of hiding to actually save Archie when he becomes entangled in a drug bosses business. Every thing comes to a head at a masquerade ball on Halloween.
Gretchen has to be one of the most wicked and manipulative killers in literature and the love/hate/torture relationship that she and Archie have going is absolutely bizarre and intense.
This is the final book in this series - so far and although I am thrilled to actually finish a series, I will find it hard to wait until the next book in the series is released. What a great series, I highly recommend although the books do contain some very graphic crime scenes.
@ Lauren - so glad to hear your surgery went good. I bet it is nice to have it done!@ BC - so sorry to hear you are laid up. I guess it gives you a good chance to read though.
@ TC - I didn't roll a 12, sorry
Week 2 - Feb. 14-20 Dice roll 7 - Game spot 16Task: First in Series
Book:
Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland (Phoenix Chronicles #1)Finished: 2/21/14
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Wow! I really wish I had read this book earlier. Why I didn't read it when I first got it I'll never know.
Any Given Doomsday is the first book in the Phoenix Chronicles. I wasn't sure what to expect. There are a lot of supernatural beings that I have never heard of before.
Elizabeth Phoenix is the strong women in this series. She is a psychic and doesn't like having it. She decides to use her ability for good.
Her foster mother Ruthie is brutally murdered and she now has received more gifts. She learns that she is the one that will have to fight all evil for the human race to survive.
Elizabeth or Phoenix is not too happy about this. She has to be trained by someone in her past name Sawyer. He scares her. Phoenix needs to open herself up to her ability and to be able to see visions without having to touch people.
She is on a mission to find out who killed Ruthie. Will she be able to handle the truth? Will she be surprised by what happens?
I can't wait to continue this series. Now I just have to decide if I want to buy the rest of the books.
Did you get the day off Monica?We have used up all our emergency school days already. They are trying to figure out what to do next. Most of ours have been for extreme cold like 30 to 40 degrees BELOW zero.
I'll be the first to admit that this winter is getting to me big time.
I have a couple of 5's ready to read but not 6. So I will be reading a stand alone or #1 this timeSpace 16
by Kristen AshleyChaos #1
read 2/18/14 - 4 stars
She has become a favorite author and hasn't disappointed me yet. This series is more straight forward romance with not quite so much action and fun. The daughter of the president of the motorcycle club Chaos starts out getting in lots of trouble and has to learn how to settle down her life.
Week #2 - Dice roll: 7 - Game Spot #16 (Stand Alone)
by Nora RobertsFinished: Feb 21st
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
Not a bad read but something is missing…
The pacing is too slow and neither the romance nor the suspense plot contain sufficient intensity of tension or emotion. It is like Nora was simply going through the motions to publish another book :0(
Week 2 (Feb 14-20, 2014) - Dice roll: 7 - Game Spot #16Task: Book # 1, Book # 6, Book # 16, stand-alone or alternate (Pub 2003)
I'll read a STAND ALONE book
Articles of War by Nick Arvin - ✔ 16Feb144****
George Tilson leaves his Iowa home for Normandy as an eighteen-year-old recruit in World War II. Shy and unassuming, he keeps to himself and earns the nickname “Heck” because he doesn’t swear. This novella packs a big punch. The writing is at once reserved and intimately emotional. The combat scenes capture the chaos and confusion of a major battle. Heck’s fear, terror, and horror are intensely felt, as is his shame at his perceived cowardice.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
No day off for me today Sheila. We have used up all our snow days. We are making 1 up on Monday and Tuesday they are making a full day for students. I already had to work on Tuesday so that didn't affect me. But Monday was a paid holiday for me and now I have to come in and work. Now we have to make up for Thursday. We opened 2 hours late which was a lot better then coming in at 7:30 am.
Sheila wrote: "I can't wait to read Let Me Go by Chelsea Cain (Gretchen Lowell/Archie Sheridan # 6)This will actually finish a series for me - wo..."
I need to read this book too, I just don't have it right now and I have lots of other books that will fit this week. Maybe if we land on another six, I will be more prepared.
This is a favorite series of mine. So I will be sorry to catch up with this series because I do hate waiting. Tomorrow is planning day for me on the SRC.
The Challenge Factory
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Finished 2/9/14
Rating ★★★★★
While Sheriff Joanna Brady is away enjoying a getaway weekend with her new husband things are heating up at home. While at a girl scout campout her 12 year old daughter Jenny and friend sneak off into the desert for a smoke and discover a body. When Jenny's friend also is killed from supposedly something she saw the danger strikes close to home.
As per usual the husband is the prime suspect. Problem is he is being "treated" for his addictions at some kind of guarded religious compound similar to Waco. There are several different threads going on in this book that all come together in the end.
It has been a couple of years since I read the first 8 in this series and it was nice to rediscover this series again which I probably would not have done if it hadn't been for this challenge. Thanks.