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R1: SS ■ The One's to Beat! ■ *Winning Team!!!*
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Monica
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Feb 24, 2014 03:02PM
I didn't want to try and read it this week because I have doctors appointments everyday this week. Wasn't sure if I would have time to read.
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I edited my post and am all ready for rolling the die on Friday.
I have 8 books on hold at the library .... can hardly wait for tomorrow's dice roll!
I know sometimes it seems like a long time between rolls other times it is like oh no, it can't be Friday already.
On February 28 ■ The One's to Beat! ■ rolled a 6 which moves us to spot 34Alternate book option for 34 is 2013
■ The One's to Beat! ■ February 28 Reviews ■ Sheila -
- Post 158Lauren -
- Post 159■ Book Concierge -
- Post 163■ Turtlecollector -
- Post 165■ Monica Happy Reading All! -
- Post 160
February 28 - Spot 34 I read the alternative - 2013Finished 3/1
Rating ★★★★★
Her Last Breath by Linda CastilloThis was # 5 in the Kate Burkholder series. Background on Kate is that she was raised Amish and chose to leave and pursue a life outside the plain life. Now she has come back home as police chief of Painter's Mill and has to deal with the very people who shun her.
I put off reading this last book in the series because I love, love, love this series and didn't want the long wait until the next book comes out. # 6 is due out in July. Now that I have read this one I regret not reading it sooner since it was the best one yet.
Kate has to investigate a fatal accident in which an Amish father and 2 of his small children are killed when their buggy is hit by a hit & run. To add to the drama this is the family of the girl that was Kate's best friend all through her childhood.
I HIGHLY recommend this series. One of my all time faves.
Week #4 - Dice roll: 6 - Game Spot #34 (Alternate - 2013)
by Kresley ColeFinished: March 3rd
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review:
Following his capture and torture by the Order, Uilleam MacRieve is on the verge of self-destructing until he finds his pre-destined mate, a fierce and courageous human who brings him back from the abyss. The course of true love never did run smooth, however, and Chloe Todd is something more than even she knows, a creature from the Lore who has the power to destroy MacRieve’s sanity. Can these two unlikely lovers find peace together or will their mating be the end of them both?
As a secondary character for most of the IAD series, MacRieve has never really evoked any intense emotion on my part. As such, the announcement of his book, while interesting, did not come across as exceptionally exciting. As it turns out, this was for the best because after reading MacRieve my predominant thought is: What a complete A-HOLE!
Yes, MacRieve has suffered and Cole deals with the nature of his past experiences with incredible sensitivity. Nevertheless, this does not in any way excuse his callous attitude and offensive behavior, which do nothing but undermine the romance. Moreover, the ultimate resolution to his issues with Chloe’s true identity is too Deus Ex Machina, and his regret and reparation are far too contrived to completely redeem him.
Thankfully, the rest of the cast manage to compensate for MacRieve's faults. Chloe is a sexy and sassy heroine while Munro is everything his twin is not - compassionate, considerate and honorable. There are also some laugh-out-loud moments with Nix the Ever Knowing and Malkolm Sleine, the yummy vemon from Demon from the Dark, makes a guest appearance.
The book ends with a cliffhanger of sorts, which only whets my appetite all the more for Munro’s book, although it should be noted that Thronos and Lanthe’s story is next and this one I am really looking forward to. Hope it lives up to expectations.
February 28 - spot 34 I read #3 bookFinished: 3/1
Rating: 5 stars
by J.K. RowlingReview:
I actually listened to the audio again. I loved this book again. I remember the first time I read it I didn't love it as much. The audio makes me like it more then reading it. Jim Dale does an awesome job with the voices. Some of the voices make me laugh.
Harry is again in for some trouble at Hogwarts. A very dangerous wizard escapes from Azkaban and is a threat to Harry. Harry doesn't know anything about the prisoner besides his name Sirius Black.
Harry does some under age magic when Uncle Vernon's sister Marge is visiting and gets under Harry's skin. Harry thinks he is going to be expelled from Hogwarts. He is surprised to learn that he won't be expelled.
Harry, Ron and Hermione learn about new dangers in the Dark Arts, in Magical Creatures and in Divination. There is so much information in this book and I don't want to reveal it all. I found myself tearing up while listening to the book. Now I can't wait to start book number 4.
Sheila I love that series. I didn't realize that there were that many books released. I will have to see if I can find from number 3 on so I can continue that series too.
I know Monica I have actually been putting off reading Her Last Breath because I didn't want to finish THAT series. And look at you getting to read the HP books in order. Super
Week 4 / Dice roll 6 / Spot 34Book # 34, Book # 3, Book # 4 or alternate 2013
I'll be reading book # 3
- ✔ 01March14This World We Live In (Last Survivors #3) - Susan Beth Pfeffer
1*
Book 3 in the Last Survivors series is a major disappointment. Miranda is less mature than she was at the end of book 1; Alex shows none of the leadership and resourcefulness that he displayed in book 2. Well, at least it reminds me why I generally dislike post-apocalyptic / dystopian fiction. It was a fast read, but seriously, don’t waste your time.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
It looks like it was a good roll for all of us this week.
Space 34
by Jennifer ArmentroutLux #3
read 3/1/14 - 3.5 stars
Not my usual genre for reading, but I am enjoying them more as the action increases. And they are giving me lots of O,A options for spell-out challenges. A group of aliens now living on Earth and trying to assimilate are having to fight both their natural enemies and the government which originally gave them asylum. In this book, the teens are trying to rescue some captured people and discovering how their abilities are evolving. As a YA book it still has some of the typical teenage drama at school along with trying to hide the nature of the aliens. I did not like where this book ended, but I guess there needs to be something that might entice you to read the next book.
Sheila this is a re-read of the HP books for me. I have a number 4 book that I want to read in another series.The Shade of the Moon in the Last Survivors which I plan to read when we get to the 40's.
You are listening to the HP books right?
Only the 2nd and Third. I don't have the audio for 4, 5, or 6. So if I finish POA this weekend I will start on GOF to try and finish that by the end of April.
I finished my book and posted my review. Wow what a great book.
I'm hoping to be finished with my first book 3 tonight before I leave for WA tomorrow morning. I had several planned for this month, so maybe our future dice rolls could cooperate? :)
Updated post 160.BC I hope you enjoy This World We Live In!! I love that series. I hope to be able to read the 4th book for this game.
Book finished - Post # 163 updated w/ review.Sorry, Monica .. I really disliked book # 3 in this series. I won't bother to continue.
Sheila wrote: "February 28 - Spot 34 I read the alternative - 2013Finished 3/1
Rating ★★★★★
Her Last Breath by Linda CastilloThis was # 5..."
I love this series too! Very glad to know a new one is coming soon.
Updated post 165 with my review.
Thanks Lauren. I hope everyone is having a great week. The weather here in Illinois continues to be sucky, sigh. But what the heck how much longer can it last, right?Is anyone else doing the battleship team challenge that starts Friday? TC I think I saw your name somewhere? I am hoping that some of the books work with both challenges.
Yep, I am doing it. I think books will be able to be used for both since that one is based on genres. I am planning to use them for both as much as possible.
I'll be participating in Battleship as well. When it starts I'll be participating in 4 Team challenges - I usually manage to find 1 or 2 books that fit them all.
Lauren wrote: "I'll be participating in Battleship as well. When it starts I'll be participating in 4 Team challenges - I usually manage to find 1 or 2 books that fit them all."Wow Lauren - 4! I must have missed some along the way.
I will be part of 5 team challenges once it starts and I always manage to get at least 2 to overlap. But I can read ~7 books/week so that makes it a bit easier for me.TLC Scavenger Hunt
TCF SSS
TCF SS
NBRC Battleship
C&B Winter Games
I love team challenges - they really help me narrow down my reading choicesI'm doing:
TLC Scavenger Hunt
TCF SS
RRRC Pass the Parcel
Battleship
Is the scavenger hunt already started. I have done that one several times and must have missed that one starting again. Don't know what C&B Winter Games or RRRC Pass the Parcel are. Are they all already happening? I imagine it is too late to join.
Yes, they are already happening. The Scavenger Hunt is halfway through. My other one is a new group I joined this year called Coffee & Books. For the Winter Games, teams are trying to read as many books as possible but each week has a different 'obstacle' the books have to fit into. For example, one week was male authors only, this week is books I own. It started in Jan and gets done this month.
I didn't try the Pass the Parcel one thinking that would be one too many for me and then Battleship came up anyway. RRRC is the Romance Readers Reading Challenges group.
Sheila, how is SRC going? I need to get back to that one for this quarter, I took the last 2 off. It starts again this month right?
Pass the Parcel is similar to that TC. We have to read a book that matches a theme - this week's (week #4) is Main character wears a uniform.
SRC started March 1 and is based upon the game Monopoly in the springtime. I have already claimed 5 books for that Pass the Parcel sounds like fun as well. I'm a member of RRRC too, I must have missed that announcement as well. Too many groups I'm thinking. Can't believe I missed the scavenger hunt though, bummer.
Wow you guys do so many different challenges. I am lucky to read 1 or 2 books a week. I may have to check out some of the challenges to see if they are something I can fit into my schedule next time.
On March 7 ■ The One's to Beat! ■ rolled an 11 which moves us to spot 45alternate for 45. Color: Red
■ The One's to Beat! ■ March 7 Reviews
Sheila -
- Post 190Lauren -
- Post 191Book Concierge -
- Post 193Turtlecollector -
- Post 199Monica Happy Reading All! -
- Post 192
Week 5/Dice Roll 11/Space 45
Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson (Walt Longmire #4) ✔Finished 3/9 I rated this book ★★★★
This series featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire of Wyoming is what the TNT TV series Longmire is based upon. In this 4th book Walt's military service in Viet Nam comes back to the forefront when a young Vietnamese woman is found dead in the desert. Walt's investigation leads to things that happened 40 years ago during the Tet offensive. I really like this series both the books and the tv show and would recommend them to anyone that likes books with a western setting. I give this book ★★★★
Week #6 - Dice roll: 11 - Game Spot #45 (Alternate - Red Cover)
by Laura GriffinFinished: March 10th
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Review:
Courtney Glass is in over her head. Following the murder of her ex-boyfirend, she must stay one step ahead of the police who see her as the prime suspect, the killer who wants her dead and the sexy detective who is convinced of her innocence but still thinks she’s hiding something. Can Courtney clear her name and stay alive long enough to figure out her attraction to Detective Will Hodges?
Courtney is really obnoxious in Thread of Fear - spoiled, selfish and trashy, which made me wary of reading her book. Consequently, it is truly amazing that she grew on me as much as she did and by the end of the book, it is obvious that her brash exterior conceals a genuinely nice person who finds it difficult to open up to others.
Will Hodges is one of my favorite hero types - a gentle giant of few words who more than makes up for his lack of verbal skills with his brooding intensity and incredible sense of honor and duty. Courtney and Will have amazing chemistry and the push and pull of their relationship makes some of the best scenes in the book. The only problem with their romance is that the sex scenes could have been a bit spicier ,but this does not detract from the obvious emotional connection between the two.
The mystery is interesting and the climax is “edge of your seat” exciting. Although there are several compelling red herrings, it is possible to figure out “who done it”. That said, I was so engrossed in Will and Courtney that the big reveal did come as a slight surprise.
In sum, Whisper of Warning is highly recommended for those who enjoy some sexy sizzle with their suspense.
Week 5/Dice Roll 11/Space 45Book #45, 4, 5, Alternate color red
I will be reading #4 book.
by Susan Beth Pfeffer - 4th in series.This will also finish this series for me.
Finished: 3/10/14
Rating: 4 *
Review: Well I enjoyed this book and series. This book dealt more with Jon the youngest member in Miranda's family. He is the one that everyone would eat less so that he could have more food. His mother felt that her children were more important in surviving then herself.
The last book left us with them traveling to the enclave in Tennessee. It is in Sexton. He is considered a slip along with his step mother and her son Gabe. They got into the enclave because they had passes. He is accepted and not accepted. The 'real' clavers remind him of him being a slip.
The rest of his family is considered Grubs. Clavers think of them as poor and not deserving of any respect what so ever. They want everything handed to them. The Claver's talk down to the grubs who work in Sexton as house keepers, nannys, drivers etc.
A new girl arrives at school, her name is Sarah and Jon befriends her only to be told by the 'real' clavers that she is not welcomed. Supposedly she is just a grub that has someone with a strong leadership in ranks.
Sarah is different in that fact that she doesn't see people as being Clavers or Grubs. She sees them as people. Jon starts to realize how much he has been sheltered and given a better life due to his family giving things up.
Jon also goes through a period of feeling guilty about Julie's death. He blames himself until he learns the truth about how she really died. The pain he goes through and hating his family for being Grubs, and yet still loving him. Jon truly grows in this book. He learns a lot about himself and the world in general.
I don't know if this series is continuing but it could. This book also has questions at the end. I found the questions interesting and helps give you a different perspective of this series. Some things I noticed about this book I felt almost mimic how our society is really. The way we treat people differently if they don't look a certain way. If they do manual labor they aren't worthy of respect etc.
I felt that the people in the Enclave felt they are better then everyone else and entitled to everything. I also feel that the people in the Enclave are almost like politicians and celebrities. They think that they can get away with everything. They are entitled to do what ever they want like get drunk and hurt the grub girls, kill people, burn buildings without repercussions. They will blame the grubs for all the bad stuff just like celebrities, politicians and people in general try to blame others for the things they do.
Week #5 / Dice roll 11 / Game Spot # 45#4 in series, #5 in series, alternate RED
I'll read - RED cover
✔ - 10Mar14The Word Detective by Evan Morris – 3***
This is a collection of Morris’s language columns, which have appeared in newspapers and on his Web site. It’s a handy reference tool, covering common and obscure phrases/words, beginning with amok and ending with zarf. Those of us who love language and words will find plenty to tickle our fancies (whatever THAT phrase means – it’s not covered in this volume). Still, a little goes a long way, and reading it cover to cover as I did for a challenge meant that I grew bored.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
ooh C.J. Box - one of my fave series. I hope to read one of his sometime in this challenge. I love Joe Pickett!
I read number 13 from the Joe Pickett Series. I need to start at the beginning.
I finished my book this morning and posted my review. BC and Lauren and TC have you decided which book you are reading this week?
Sorry, I haven't decided yet, I got caught up in figuring out the start of Battleship. Today and tomorrow are my major reading days anyway during the week. I will be reading one of these books, though:Space 45
by Kristen AshleyColorado Mountain #4
read 3/10/14 - 4 stars
Well, I am in a romance mood right now and had to read books I own this week for another challenge, so I finished off this series in the last few days. This book also has a little mystery to it. The town has seen quite a few bad crimes in recent past and has just gotten rid of a corrupt police force.
The town librarian has had a crush on one the detectives for a long time, but he doesn't feel like he deserves her from issues in his past. Now the town is trying to clear up loose ends put themselves back together again.
I hope your team is having better luck figuring out the Battleship game than mine. We are in total chaos mode and I can't figure out why. It doesn't help that our captain lives in Serbia. The timezone difference is definitely causing issues for us.
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