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R1: SS Monkey Spankers
I'll keep an eye out for Samantha's review and hopefully roll for the next spot soon.Obviously, if any of you notice first, please feel free to roll as well :)
Week 3Spot on Board: 24
Second in Series
Rating: 5
I'm in a end of February book slump, so I decided to reread an old favourite. The second in the Darcy Saga, we once again follow Darcy and Elizabeth. I fell in love with P&P when I first read it in 2009 and Sharon Lathan continues the story perfectly.
Hi ladies!We got the final review in, so I've done our fourth roll which was a:
10
Which puts us in spot 34!
That means we can either read a 3rd, a 4th or a book published in 2013 for the alternate option
Happy reading!
Week:3Spot:24
Alternate: Book title starts with "W"
Mandy -
- ReviewRhonda -
- ReviewCamilla -
- ReviewJennifer -
- ReviewDalene -
- ReviewSamantha -
- Review6/6 complete
Gameboard of the Gods by Richelle MeadMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a very good book, it kept me interested from beginning to end. The storyline is great and the characters are well defined, especially Mae and Justin the main characters, both have realistic flaws in their characters and I was able to feel for them. Even the secondary characters like Tessa who was from the provinces was very well defined and you could feel for her being sixteen and in a new environment that took getting used to. The world building is pretty good, I think maybe even more details would have been nice, but since this is a new series, I am sure we will learn more about other parts of the world as we come to them. I look forward to reading the next book when it comes out.
View all my reviews
Hello everyone, I hope everyone had a great weekend, I normally check in on Monday, but it was a cold dreary day so except for a couple of errands, I mostly stayed in and read. Sunday was a great day it was a teasingly nice day and my grandson Leiland's second birthday. We had a nice birthday party for him and he got a lot of nice presents and the boys were able to play outside for awhile since it was a nice day in between all these cold days. I am read for nice weather to come stay. I will check in later.
Here in Northern California it's cold wet and cloudy. With the yucky weather it's kept the kids inside leaving me not lots of reading time. However I'm about done with my book. I've got a copy of that book Dalene. I just haven't start it yet. I may have to it sounds great. Thanks for sharing your review.
Week 4Spot 34
3rd in series
4 stars
Review: Loved it. Just ordered the last one so I can finish out the last of the serious. Riley faces a battle between heaven and hell. She finally deals with her feelings for Beck. Just when it seems things will finally go her way, her father is stolen again and Beck suddenly starts acting different. It's good. Lots of action.
Week 4Spot on the board: 34
Read third in a series
Rating 3 star
Review
Werewolf in Seattle is the third installment in the Wild About You Series. Colin is returning home to spread his aunt’s ashes as well as get her house on the market. Unfortunately being the alpha werewolf and Laird in Scotland the trip to Seattle is a long one that he hasn’t made very often. He knew returning to his aunts home would stir up memories from long ago but he didn’t know her assistant would change his life forever. Luna doesn’t want to see Whittier House sold because it would mean she’s out of the job. When Luna has the idea to turn the estate into an exclusive werewolf resort she just has to get Colin to agree.
When Colin shows up Luna didn’t expect to be attracted to him much less be willing to tell her secrets as well as open up to him. Colin is also attracted to Luna but he’s against were to human mating and she’s a half breed which is just as bad for the young alpha leader. Colin doesn’t want to see his aunt’s home sold so when Luna gives him a chance to save the house he jumps at it. Even though it is just a fling Luna is losing her heart to Colin even though she knows it will never be. What will happen when Colin returns to Scotland?
I really wanted to like Luna but she frustrated me I didn’t care for the whole virgin losing and learn from a stranger. I like Luna as a character she’s had a rough life, but she’s worked hard to be where she is and isn’t willing to give up. I think if she hadn’t gone crazy with the whole sex obsession I would have liked her more. Colin is the same way, he’s in town to do what needs to be done but he quickly falls for Luna’s charms.
I really wanted to love the book because I loved the first two. I like the concept of the two who shouldn’t end up together finding love. I love the idea of chic lit romance with the supernatural twists but I prefer more storyline to the steamy parts. I really enjoyed the story like the little parts of shopping in Pike’s Place it was great to see the pair shop for old books. I just didn’t connect with the characters like I have with the past books which was a little disappointing for me. I feel bad because I love the idea just didn’t love all the smut in the story. However I think it’s more of a personal preference I’ve been on a clean romance kick recently. Even though I didn’t love this book I still liked it, and plan to read the rest of the series because I have high hopes.
Week 4Spot on Board: 34
Published in 2013
Rating: ★★★★
I can't believe that With All My Soul is the final book in a series that I've followed for numerous years. I was introduced to the Soul Screamers series thanks to Amber, who wrote a mind blowing review of the first book in her blog. Six books on, and we finally say goodbye to the characters we've come to love.
Week 4Spot 34
I chose the alternate - published 2013
I read
Save Yourself by Kelly BraffetRating: ★★★★
I didn't know what to expect when I started this book. The genres listed here on the GR main page for Save Yourself are interesting, but not accurate, at least in my opinion. I didn't and don't consider this title a mystery or a thriller. I would shelve it as contemporary and dark though. Take those shelving genres with a grain of salt. This ain't no Spenser detective story. It's not Miss Marple, and not Jack Reacher. There's no crime to solve here.
What I got as I read this was a good read and several hours of escape. The storylines were really good. The writing was really good. In fact, I was up until a little after 4 this morning. I really couldn't put it down until I was done and I knew what happened to everyone. The dialogue was excellently written, believable and natural. The characters were human and whole. I believed them and I cared about them, at least I cared about the characters I was supposed to care about. There were some surprises along the way. Some were genuinely surprising and some others not quite as much, but not exactly predictable either.
The end is where I was a bit disappointed. It was all tied up, a little to neatly. I was 'told' what happened to everyone, but an important character was left out - Mike. What happened to Mike? Did he walk out the back door of that convenience store and disappear into thin air?
All in all, I really liked this one and would recommend it without hesitation. I'll definitely read this author again. I look forward to it.
Hi ladies!Really sorry for the late update - these last few weeks have been really tough with a family emergency and flying back and forth :(
Luckily, I spent the flight home reading one of my favourite childhood series, that got me through books 1-4 in one day :)
Week 4
Spot on the board: 34
Read third in a series
Read:
Rating: 5 stars
In this book, Alanna comes to the desert people and learns a lot about being a mentor and once again has to battle the misogynistic world she lives in.
And she finally gets closer to choosing who she really loves and wants to spend her life with :)
I love this entire series and read it at least once a year as it's so quick and lovely and pure comfort-reading :)
And with my review in, that's all of us this week and I rolled a:8
Which puts us in spot 42!
That means we can either read a 4th, a second or a book whose title starts with the letter K for the alternate option
Happy reading!
Week:4 Spot: 34
Alternate: 2013
Mandy -
- Review Rhonda -
- ReviewCamilla -
- ReviewJennifer -
- ReviewDalene -
- Review Samantha -
- Review6/6 complete
Week 5Spot: 42
Rating: 5*
The second in the Study series by Maria V. Snyder is just as wonderful as the first. The action never lets up and the intensity is superb! As a main character, Yelena is fierce and unstoppable - a deadly twosome!
Friday I had finished reading
and started reading
by Abigail Gibbs which turned out perfect for Friday's role, for book 2 in a series.
Autumn Rose: A Dark Heroine Novel by Abigail GibbsMy rating: 5 of 5 stars
Abigail Gibbs did it again. This story is great, the characters are well developed. Autumn is the main female character who is fifteen getting ready to turn sixteen, she has been through a lot, including her grandmother being murdered. Fallon is a very mature Prince who would do anything to make Autumn happy. A great story from beginning to end. I look forward to reading more from this author.
View all my reviews
I did 2nd in a series.
Rating: 4 stars
Did you ever wonder what happened to little Danny Torrence from the Shining? Well, Doctor Sleep tells the story of Danny, know an adult, and the demons he's fought. But his story intertwines with another kid who has the Shine and some bad people that are after her. I think that King does an excellent job writing Dan's adult life. It's the kind of life you would expect for a little kid that experience the crazy crap that happened at the Overlook. He also did a good job of bringing it into modern times with Abra's story line. Overall, I thought the book was pretty good, but King was kind of wordy in places.
Hi ladies, Just checking in should be done this afternoon with my book.
Week 5Spot on Board: 42
Second in a series
I read
Rating: ★★★
This second in the Jason Bourne series didn't grab me. I was pretty much uninterested and really wasn't motivated to pick it up. I don't think it was the book so much as it was my mood. I simply wasn't in the mood. There was a lot of action as in The Bourne Identity and many returning characters. It seems common with the spy type series that the follow-ups to the first never seem quite as exciting. I have only neutral feelings about this one, but I will read the 3rd in the series, as I really do think it was just me this time and not the book.
Week 5Spot on the board: 42
Read alternate: Title beginning with K
Read: Kadaverdoktoren by Lene Kaaberbøl
Rating: 3 stars
This is a Danish book by one of my favourite childrens authors, who has written her first book for adults about a murder and a forensic scientist in the 1800s.
She does a really good job of creating the old-time creepy atmosphere and setting the stage with a grisly murder. The main character is Sherlock Holmesy in that he's not particularly likeable, but interesting enough that we accept him.
Unfortunately, the pace is very slow and I had guessed the plot twist about half-way through.
I will likely read the second book in the series some day for the interesting main character, but not anytime soon...
Week 5Spot on the board: 42
Read 2nd in series
Review
Unfed is the second installment in the Undead series. The book starts right where the first book ended with the bus crashing. Bobby wakes up in a hospital six weeks later having been in a coma, she’s told that there only four survivors and her mother isn’t one of them. Before she can figure out what’s going on the facility is under attack from zombies but these aren’t the slow run of the mill zombies these are smarter and faster. While attempting to flee the zombie children Bobby finds Alice in a room in a room and they get lucky finding Pete with another crash survive Russ.
As the four flee the facility running from the zombies as well as the Xanthro’s military that wants them alive. With the clues left on Bobby’s cell phone she’s sure that Smitty and her mom are still alive and if she follows the clues she will find them. When they find Smitty they set out to find her mom knowing she will have the solution to get them out of Scotland since it’s been locked down due to the outbreak. Will they make it away from the Xanthro’s military which are hot on their heels or will the super zombies not be so easily to avoid.
Oh how I love Bobby more concerned about avoiding the zombies than wearing pants. I love the way she thinks, she’s one of those kick ass zombie slaying characters you can’t help loving. I mean she goes up against super zombies as well as four legged zombies still managing to survive. We also have Pete, Alice and Smitty from the first book that grew on me.
I knew after finishing the first one I would need to read the second one after all I needed to know what was going to happen. I love the zombie concept the author adds her own unique spin on how the whole outbreak happens. The story is captivating right from the start packed with action, zombies, humor and even a little romance that makes for a hard to put down book. I really enjoyed the characters Bobby is easy to connect with plus she’s kick ass one of my favorite character types. I like that the story aside from a little blood and guts is clean because teens as well as adults will enjoy it. I honestly really enjoyed Unfed it was hard to put down I gobbled it up this afternoon. I hope for another book in the series because I see potential for more but I haven’t heard anything so I can hope for more of Bobby and her little zombie team. Lastly look at those covers how can you not want to read them.
Week:5 Roll:8
Spot: 42Alternate:
Mandy -
- ReviewRhonda -
ReviewCamilla -
- ReviewJennifer -
- ReviewDalene -
- ReviewSamantha -
- Review6/6 complete
Hi Ladies!This morning I rolled a:
7
which puts us in spot 49!
This means we can either read a 4th or 9th in a series or the alternate which is Location: England
Happy reading!
I'm planning to read
- set in England and Spain
I'm reading
, which is set in London.
The Last Gift by Carla AchesonMy rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a tale of hardship and having strength of character to overcome it. I read this story in two days. The historical background of Victorian England was well researched and although this book is fiction it is based on actual facts that happened during that time. The storyline was very good and keeps you going to find out how things turn out for Maggie. Maggie is a believable character through each period of her life and what happens to her and how she deals with it. I really enjoyed this story and would like to read more from this author. I got this book free from amazon kindle.
View all my reviews
Rating: 5*
What an AMAZING sequel to Slated. Kyla grows so much in this book and the secrets she uncovers become darker. I loved the flashbacks she had in dreams and I can't wait to get my hands on the final book in this trilogy.
Book Set in England
Rating 4
Review:
I really liked this book. It is historical fiction with a magical twist. It takes place in 1952 amidst the communist conspiracies. The main character is a 14 year old girl who is forced to move to England with her family when the US government starts following around her and her family because they believe that her parents have communist ideals. When she is there she meets the apothecary and his son, and gets caught up in a world of magic and espionage. It was very well written and I plan to read the next book in the series.
Hi ladies,Week 6
Spot on the board: 49
Read alternate: Book set in England
Read:
by Charlotte BrontëRating: 5 stars
I have no idea why it's taken me so long to get to this classic! It's superceded my expectations and I just adore the story of Jane Eyre's struggle to have to right to be herself and still have happiness and love!
No wonder this is a classic and not least probably one of the first pieces of women's liberation literature. Very highly recommended!
Week 6Spot on the board 49
Alternate: Set in England
I read
Rating: ★★★★
This is my second book by Philippa Gregory and while this genre is way out of my normal fare, I've found that I very much enjoy these books. This one is the first in the Tudor Court series. I found the story to be compelling and the characters real. The plot was devilish...as I found also in The White Queen. All of the manipulations and deceit make for fast reading as I have to know what's next. I will continue with this series and with the Cousins' War series as I enjoyed the first installment of each.
As soon as my toddler gives me a free minute ill post my review
Week 6Spot on the board 49
4th in series
Rating - ★★★★
Review
A werewolf in Denver is the fourth installment in the Wild about you Series. Kate is the leader of HOWL a group that is pro were to were relationships. They don’t want to come out to the human community. While she’s up against Duncan who’s in town for the Woof side werewolves who want to come out to the humans and have human were relationships. For months prior to the meeting the two have been going back and forth on their blogs. They use public social media to debating their views each with their own reasons to support their side choice.
Kate picks up Duncan at the airport he’s not what she expected and when a snow storm has them stranded they are forced to find shelter. After spending the night stranded in a cabin the two can’t deny the attraction to the other. The only problem for Duncan is that Kate is everything he’s against. As the debate heats up the two will find themselves getting closer and realizing that maybe things aren’t one way or the other. Will the two be able to see eye to eye? Or will it blow up in their faces.
I like Kate she’s a blogger who happens to run a matchmaking site, which I thought was unique. She’s smart, stubborn and not opposed to using her body to get what she wants. Duncan is an attractive Scotsman but I didn’t really care for him as much as I would have liked. I’m not feeling the whole insta sex thing when characters jump into the sack right from the start.
The author has created a captivating series of werewolf romance novels each one has its own unique relationship that ties them together. All the packs are connected this book is focusing around the Stillman and MacDowell. The MacDowell we got a teaser of from the prior book while Stillman is new but I like them. The author has taken the werewolf concept and put her own little spins, like they don’t have to shift, when they shift it’s magical, they have telepathy in wolf form, and the way pairs mate for life. I enjoyed the story it’s fun with a little humor mixed in with the romance. While I feel like it’s a little steamy heavy I think it’s part because Kate and Duncan are just so attracted by each other. I could just be in a prude mood too. Overall another great installment in the series, and I plan to read the next one. I love the covers!!!!
Week:6 Roll: 7 Spot: 49 Alternate: Book set in EnglandMandy -
- ReviewRhonda -
- ReviewCamilla -
- ReviewJennifer -
- ReviewDalene -
- ReviewSamantha -
- Review6/6 complete
Good morning ladies!Our next roll is:
10
which puts us in spot 59, meaning we can:
Read a 5th or 9th in a series or the alternate, which is a book from the shelf keepers
Week 7 Reading
Keeper shelf page 7I changed my mind =D
I'll be finishing up The Book Thief then. On the keepers shelf.
Can the book have been started before the challenge week? Like if it was less than a certain percent read?
No books have to be started after the roll.
Week 7Spot on the board 59
Alternate Keeper shelf
Rating - ★★★★★
Review
Judith & Frances Catherine have been friends since they were four and five years old having met at the border festival. The only issues is Judith is English while Frances Catherine is Scottish but for them it doesn’t matter they are the best of friends. So when Frances Catherine is pregnant due to have a baby she sends for Judith. Her clan isn’t thrilled with the idea but being married to the Lairds brother does have its advantages. When the Laird Iain shows up expecting a fight at bringing Judith to Frances Catherine he’s shocked to see her ready to go.
It’s clear right from the start that Judith trusts Iain with her life, even his men are smitten with her and he can’t deny the attraction to her either. After arriving in the highlands Judith learns that the midwife who is supposed to deliver the baby has been tormenting Frances Catherine who already is worried about the birth afraid she won’t survive. When Judith learns that she’s not the only one with worries about having the midwife handle another wife’s delivery. She agrees to help her as well only to learn that it was up to her. What should have been a happy time is short lived when the midwife claims the birth doesn’t meet the requirements of pain. Thankfully Judith is able to prove the midwife wrong. After that Judith delivers several more babies getting ready to help Frances Catherine. Judith carries a secret that could change everything if the council as well as Iain finds out who her father is. Will Judith stay in the highlands? Will the secret come out?
Oh Judith how I love a strong determine English woman, paired off with a Scottish laird. Judith is the kind of character you can’t help loving, she’s just a good person with a good heart and mind of her own. I also have a soft spot for Scottish Lairds there is just something about the sexy warriors and Iain is no exception as he risks it all for the woman he loves. The supporting characters are great I would love to see more of Brodick he was a great warrior. Plus what’s not to love about Frances Catherine. I love a sassy Scottish lass as much as an English lady.
I’ve had this one my TBR for a while but it’s been ages since I’ve read a historical romance but when the option came up for a challenge I went right to my historical got to Julie Garwood. She did after all write one of my favorite series the Lairds’ Fiancees. The secret was a brilliant story filled with romance, secrets and intrigue. I was captivated right from the start and would have stayed up all night if I didn’t have to be up early this morning but I finished it as soon as I found a chance to read. The story is an original Scottish romance that has it all even a little steamy moment but it doesn’t overwhelm the story. All the characters are easy to connect, I found myself so vested in what happened to them. The author has done a well job creating characters that steal your heart. I enjoyed every moment of the book it was spellbinding and beautifully written. I honestly can’t say enough about The Secret it might be my new favorite historical romance. I love the covers they spark the imagination. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series as well as check out the other books by the author. I also can tell you that I'm 100% sure I will be reading this book again.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Willow (other topics)The Calling (other topics)
Hidden: A Novel of Suspense (other topics)
Pearl (other topics)
Blood Rites (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Tabitha King (other topics)Thomas Hall (other topics)
J.R. Ward (other topics)
Carla Acheson (other topics)
Teri Terry (other topics)
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So sorry for my absence this week - I had to suddenly fly home last Thursday for a family emergency and am still home with very little time to myself.
Luckily, I did have my 4th Harry Dresden audiobook with me, so I "read" the same thing as Jennifer this week :)
It's a re-read which I do usually once a year as the audio books narrated by James Marsters (Spike from Buffy) are my favourite in the world!
Week 3
Spot on the board: 24
Read second in a series
Read:
Rating: 5 stars
While I love Harry Dresden, this is always the book that really cements for me just HOW much I love Harry! Filled with Harry's ongoing interactions with the faerie-world and the usual twists and turns, the series really comes into its own from this book on!