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R7: SS "Just One More Page" (1)

Week #5
Challenge criteria: Second in a series

A Crabby Killer by Leighann Dobbs
My Rating: ★★★★★
Date Finished: 2/13
Series Sequence: Mooseamuck Island #2
Final Thoughts:
I started reading this, thinking I had already read book one, but when nothing looked familiar, I went back and checked and hadn't read book one, so I had to stop, read that then go on to read this one. Both were excellent, but it really does matter (to me) that I read them in order, so...
I just love the interplay between the two main characters, Dom and Claire, both of whom are retired from police work in Boston and now live on Mooseamuck Island. They had worked together, albeit not exactly by choice, in the past, so find themselves working together again to save friends from a really obnoxious detective who just looks for the easiest way to solve his cases. I can say I have a new series to persue... Thanks team!

Week #5

Pages: 227
Criteria: Second in a series
Date Finished: 2/15-16
Rating: ★★★
Review:
It is 3 years ago I read the first book in this series which I thought was fun and cute. This is much the same but I just don't find it quite as cute any more. Grace is still trying to earn her wings as a Guardian Angel, she keeps making a lot of mistakes and breaking the rules. I think I didn't like that it seems like Grace is being rewarded for breaking the rules. I still might read book 3 as it is on Kindle unlimited.

Spot 42

Book Picture Perfect by Bethany Brown
Page no 240
How it fits #2 in Series
Finished15th February2016
Rating★★
Review
Photographer Cam has been in love with Vet Jeremy since he was 14 and Jeremy was his 16 year old Maths tutor, 12 years later the two finally start dating.
I liked the start of this but then it disintegrated into a total mishmash. The authors seemed to be trying to fit every cliché and hackneyed plot device into one story. All the stupid nicknames really bugged me too. Not sure that I want to read any more of the series.


Charm City by Laura Lippman
Series #2
Pages - 291
Finished - Feb. 17, 2016
Rating - 3 stars
Review: Honestly I preferred the first book in the series more than this one. It took a long time to get into, and I got tired of hearing"Tesser" all the time. (something I don't remember from the first book). So an ok read, but if the third book isn't better, I probably won't continue with the series.


Me Before You by: Jojo Moyes
Criteria: Friendship shelf
Pages: 631 (large print)
Finished: February 17, 2016
Rating: 5 Stars
Review
If you haven't read this book yet, you need too. I absolutely loved this book. I love how both of the main characters grew in such great ways. Tho it didn't turn out the way I was hoping through out the whole book, it did turn out how i expected it too. I am a little iffy about reading the second book in this series because this book didn't leave a big enough cliff hanger to continue into a second book. It was a fantastic book about friendship and that it can come from the most unexpected places.
Summary from Goodreads
Lou Clark knows lots of things. She knows how many footsteps there are between the bus stop and home. She knows she likes working in The Buttered Bun tea shop and she knows she might not love her boyfriend Patrick.
What Lou doesn't know is she's about to lose her job or that knowing what's coming is what keeps her sane.
Will Traynor knows his motorcycle accident took away his desire to live. He knows everything feels very small and rather joyless now and he knows exactly how he's going to put a stop to that.
What Will doesn't know is that Lou is about to burst into his world in a riot of colour. And neither of them knows they're going to change the other for all time.

2nd in a series

Drawing Blood by Deirdre Verne
Pages 336
Date Finished: 2/16/16
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
It's impossible to put down this book before the end, it's really addictive. The plot is intriguing and interesting, immerses me in a world completely unknown to me, that of freegans. Cece and her group of friends are avid followers of this philosophy: they recycle every possible object ended up in the garbage, even the food.
Cece, besides taking care of the environment, is a great lover of drawing, portraits in particular. Detective DeRosa needs her help. He was investigating a strange warehouse and asked the help of Bob, manager of the town dump, and CeCe's friend. But he has disappeared and a few days later his body was found. Cece tries with her portraits of helping DeRosa to draw an identikit of the possible responsible, created with the declarations of some witnesses. DeRosa and Cece have to face also some unresolved issues between them. It's the second book in the series "A Sketch in Crime Mystery", can be read as stand alone but if you are going to read the first book I recommend you to read the series in order: in this episode are revealed some twists and turns of the first one. The story is brilliantly written and flows perfectly. The author takes you deep inside the story and leaves you on the edge of your seat. I must say that this book is excellent from the cover till the end.

Can read: standalone, 5th in series, 50th in series or pink cover (has to be at least 50 %)
Reviews
Kay: Athena's Son | standalone | Review
Jane: Midnight in Montmartre | Pink Cover | Review
Grace: The Ghost on My Couch | Standalone | Review
Krissy: A Tale for the Time Being | standalone | Review
Tara: The Day Diana Died | standalone | Review
Kayla : Manhunting | Pink cover | Review
Mave: When You Leave | standalone | Review

Reviews:
Krissy: Fever Pitch | 2nd in series | Review
Kay: A Crabby Killer | 2nd in series | Review
Jane: Grounded! | 2nd in series | Review
Grace: Picture Perfect | 2nd in series | Review
Tara: Charm City | 2nd in series | Review
Kayla: Me Before You | Friendship Link| Review
Mave: Drawing Blood | 2nd in series | Review

Week 6 Rolled a 8 = Spot 50
Criteria: standalone, 5th in series, 50th in series or pink cover (has to be at least 50 %)
Chosen: Pink cover

Pages: 290

Week 6 Spot 50
Standalone

Athena's Son by Jeryl Schoenbeck
Pages: 252
Rating: ★★★★★
Date Finished: 2/19
Final Thoughts:
This was an interesting read, not something I might normally choose as it is a period piece in Ancient Egypt, at the time of Ptolemy II. The main character is the historic Archemides, who is apparently about 12 at the time of the story. He has a genius IQ and thinks way beyond the scope of most of his contemporaries, including his very famous teachers at the School in Alexandria. He uses his logic and his 'outside the box' thinking to solve 2 great mysteries that are worrying the Pharoh and his beautiful daughter.
The story was very interesting and thought provoking in a way I had not imagined it could be. While it is ultimately a mystery in that murders are solved, it is also a book about philosophies, politics and cultural differences that we assume many times are the problems of Today instead of age-old problems dealt with by humanity for eons. A definite winner in my books. 5 well-earned stars.

Week #6

Pages: 288
Criteria: Pink cover
Date Finished: 2/20-16
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This was a quick sweet romance. Mia, who is adopted, is in Paris hoping to find a girl she has seen on youtube who looks just like herself. Of course she also finds love. It is a straight forward romance, no big obstacles or excitement. A clean romance.

Spot 50

Book The Ghost on My Couch by L.A. Gilbert
Page no 168
How it fits Standalone
Finished 21st February2016
Rating★★★
Review
Alex Tanner is a Male Nurse living in London. On evening after work he discovers he is not alone in his flat. There is a man wearing bunny slippers sitting on his sofa. This is a bit of shock to Alex especially when the man, Sid Jones tells him he is dead.
I have read the same storyline before so I knew what was going to happen, this spoiled the story for me. This version is nicely written and all the characters are extremely likeable. I loved Alex, Sid and Baldrick the cat. An enjoyable if unoriginal read.

Anyone want to take it over for a week?

Week #6

A Tale for the Time Being
My Rating: ★★
Date Finished: 2/22
Series Sequence: Standalone
Final Thoughts:
This book was just okay. It took me twice as long to finish because I kept putting it down to read something more interesting. I just kept getting bored. But it wasn't badly written so I can't say it was really awful. Just blah. The kids in this book were horrible. Some of the things they did to Nao was disgusting. I thought the pictures in the bathroom scene was really bad. Along with the trying to find a boy to actually rape her. I can't believe she just took that harassment. I would have flipped out on some bitches if I were in the same situation.

I can probably do it, but will need plenty of reminders as my brain ain't as sharp or swift as it once was...


The Day Diana Died by Christopher Andersen
Standalone
Pages - 400
Finished - Feb. 22, 2016
Rating - 3 stars
Review: This book was so emotionally charged, it's heartbreaking in places. It's very detailed about the accident and how long everything took was just astounding to me. Definitely have some tissues around when you read this one. I have read many books by Christopher Andersen, I find them to be very easy to read for non-fiction works; this one is no different. Definitely recommended.

I can do it if necessary, if you don't mind it being a couple of hours after the midnight start, roll time is 5am here and I can do it between 7 and 8 am my time.


has anyone heard from Mave?


Pink cover
280 pages
Finished 2/25/16
Rating: 5 stars
Review This was my first book that I read by Jennifer Crusie and I'm in love. I loved her writing. This was such a cute love story between Katie and the man of her dreams she is hunting for. I can't wait to read more of Jennifer's books.
Summary from Goodreads
A timeless tale from the first name in romantic comedy - Jennifer Crusie!
OBJECTIVE: Find Man
Must be Rich, Handsome, and Successful
Kate Svenson is attractive, successful, a brilliant businesswoman - and miserable. After three failed engagements, she realises it's time for a PLAN...and organised, detailed agenda with a clear goal: finding Mr. Right.
The Cabins resort is ripe with eligible bachelors, all rich, distinguished and ambitious - just her type. And they're dropping like flies around her...at least, that's how Jake Templeton views the situation. After he's stuck pulling her latest reject out of the swimming pool, Jake's convinced this femme fatale is trouble. Especially for him.
But can a man who's sworn off ambition for good and a woman hanging from the top of the corporate ladder find common ground in the unpredictable territory called the heart, where the word proposal takes on a very different meaning...?

standalone

When You Leave by Monica Ropal
Qualification: standalone
Finished: 2/24/16
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars
It 's a good YA, with a perfect mix of romance, mystery and social conflicts. Cass is convinced that everyone, sooner or later, abandon her. She decides to avoid to become attached to the people to not suffer more. But Connor seems different and she wants to try to open herself with him. When he dies, Cass is increasingly convinced of her theory, and especially doesn't know who she can trust. Absolutely she must find out who is the culprit. The characters are very realistic, believable and very different from each other: there are poor, rich, black people, people with disabilities. I have loved the best friend of Cass, Mattie. She's a very sweet and intelligent girl who a bad disease has removed the word but not the will to live. The plot was good and well built, above all the mystery to be solved was very intriguing and compelling. The first part was a bit slow but after the pace gets faster and reading more enjoyable.

new spot 56
5th in series, 6th in series, or . Second chance love (must state how book qualifies i.e. listopia

Week #7
Series Sequence: 5
My Choice: The Game Plan
Series Name: Neighbor From Hell
Page #: 294


Series #5

High Five by Janet Evanovich",
I absolutely loved the stephanie plum series. Enjoy


Week #7

The Game Plan
My Rating: ★★★★
Date Finished: 2/22
Series Sequence: Neighbor From Hell #5
Final Thoughts:
These books are just cheesy fun. I love them. I love the guys and their insatiable appetites. I just wish the author would build up more of a repertoire of insults. "Bastard" is getting verrrryyyy old. Still a lot of fun

Week 7 Rolled 6 = Spot 56
5th in series, 6th in series, or . Second chance love (must state how book qualifies i.e. listopia
Chosen: 5th in series

Pages: 383

Week 7

Criteria: 5th in a Series
Frozen in Crime by Cecilia Peartree
Pages: 214
Sorry It's taken me so many days to post this time... been under the weather - started the week with an ER visit for kidney stones and have not yet passed the blasted thing! Reading is about all I have been up to, but also had problems with the internet for the past few days (since Wednesday), but that is fixed now too, so we should be in better shape.

Spot 56

Book Catch a Tiger by the Tail by Charlie Cochet
Page no 216
How it fits 6th in Series
Finished 29th February 2016
Rating★★★
Review
I Love this series and I have always enjoyed the glimpses we got of Calvin and Hobbes and I have been waiting for their story. Calvin and Hobbes have been friends since childhood and I did enjoy their relationship, they are so careful of each and so sweet together but with Calvin wanting this for long the reality of them getting together was lacking something.
I like that the team has fun and they are supportive of each other and the silliness does make me laugh but as for the rest of the book, I think I missed the plot or the author did. I am finding this stuff hard to belief. The universe of these books is so well written and the characters are fantastic but the story lines are getting ridiculous.
This was an enjoyable read in a great series but I do think these two deserved a better story.

Week #5
Challenge criteria: Fifth in a series

Frozen in Crime by Cecilia Peartree
My Rating: ★★★★★
Date Finished: 2/29
Series Sequence: Pitkirtly #5
Pages: 214
Final Thoughts:
This is a British Whodunit, and the series is a favorite with me, partly because it is a bit off-key and a little weird. Amaryllis is a former spy who has found a home in the small Scottish Coastal town of Pitkirtly. Her friends are Christopher, her sometime lover, Jemina and Dave, an older couple, and Jock, a true Scottish curmudgeon. They are frequently involved in trying to solve crimes, especially murders, in and about Pitkirtly, much to the dismay of Inspector "Charlie" Smith, of the local constabulary. This time is no different, except that everything in and around Pitkirtly is frozen in a Christmas blizzard that makes trying to find the culprits of a Christmas Eve robbery all the more difficult.
These stories all seem to have a sense of high exposure to danger and intrigue, partly because Amaryllis still sees herself as a 'specialist' in getting to the bottom of things involving a high level of danger and intrigue. She comes prepared to deal with almost any contingency, from being tied up to sorting out high explosives. And along the way, with Christopher as her main ally, she actually tends to get to the heart of the issue before the Police can. In this case, with the help of Charlie, the Inspector, the Coastal Patrol, the army, and a few other "services" of Her Majesty's armed forces...
I really loved this book in a tongue-in-cheek sort of way. I find them hilarious and a bit over the top, but that's a sort of British humor thing that I enjoy. I give it a solid 5 stars, although others might not like it as much as I do. I'm just weird that way...

Week #7

Pages: 383
Criteria: (Mistborn #5)
Date Finished: 2/29-16
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
As usual there is a lot going on in Brandon Sanderson's book and it took me a few chapters to get back on track as it is about half a year ago I read the previous book.
It is a great relationship between Wax and Wayne. Where Wax is a bit stiff and clearly has a lot of responsibilities, Wayne is great.
Wayne is hilarious! He can play the role of just about any person and he is a thief, though he always leaves something to replace whatever he took.
The story this time brings back a species from the original Mistborn series and it has a surprising ending.
The book does not end on a cliffhanger but there are of course a lot of unanswered questions about The Suit, the organization Wax's uncle is a part of.
I am pleased I have the next book in the series ready to read but not happy about the fact that I then have to wait till 2017 maybe even 2018 before the final book is released.


High Five by Janet Evanovich
Series #5
Pages: 292
Finished: March 2
Rating: 4
Review: I'm very late to this series but I'm enjoying them. They're fast and fun reads. Stephanie finds herself in more trouble than is imaginable!! And these books are so funny too. Definitely a recommended read.

book 6 in a serie

Kiss Me in Christmas by Debbie Mason
Christmas, Colorado #6
Qualification: 6 in a series
Finished: 03/02/16
Rating: 4.5/5 Stars
Another sweet and heartwarming story set in by now familiar town of Christmas. I could not wait to read it and I was not disappointed at all. I was happy to discover that most of the characters in this story I had already met in the previous book.
Chloe is experiencing a time not very happy. She's a successful actress but her producers decides to kill her character and has not received any other offer of employment. In addition, her twin sister is going to marry the man that she loved too, and must participate in their engagement party. For the occasion she has to return to her hometown of Christmas. The first person she meets is Easton, her high school crush, and her heart beats fast as the last time she saw him. Chloe wants to destroy the love story of her sister Cat with Grayson and only Easton can help her to achieve her goal. Upon request by Cat, Easton has to check Chloe and avoid her combining trouble. To carry out their plans they have to live together for a week and although they fight constantly, the attraction between them is very strong.
At the beginning in the book I really could not endure Chloe. Hypochondriac, wanting to be the center of attention, rancorous. Throughout the story she evolves and gradually returns to the sweet and awkward girl as she was before leaving Christmas. Under the mask is hiding a fragile woman, insecure, in need of love. The author has done a great job, make people love a character so odious is really hard. Easton is a very sexy man but very stubborn and often grumpy, especially with Chloe. He's also protective, gentle and funny.
This story is really well written, intriguing and engaging with a fast pace. The plot kept me on edge from start to finish, I was excited each time I got to turn the page.

what would you rather do? I'm fine with either. I'm so so sorry. I didn't expect this to happen. :(




finished : 3-4-16
rating : 4 stars
review: what a sweet story. Montana one of the Fools Gold triplets meets Simon, a traveling doctor working with burn patients.
I thought this was a sweet story. I really enjoy Susan mallery ' writting and visions that she puts into your head. I absolutely can't wait to read the next book in the series
** I did this from my phone. I'll revise everything when I return from vacation.

Books mentioned in this topic
That's What Brothers Do (other topics)Old Nathan (other topics)
Under an English Heaven: An Ellie Kent Mystery (other topics)
That's What Brothers Do (other topics)
The Girl from Home (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Alice K. Boatwright (other topics)Adam Mitzner (other topics)
Camilla Läckberg (other topics)
Susan Mallery (other topics)
Linda Castillo (other topics)
More...
Week #5
Fever Pitch
My Rating: ★★★
Date Finished: 2/12
Series Sequence: Love Lessons #2
Final Thoughts:
I liked everything except how long it took the MCs to get together (or even freaking speak to each other!) once at college. And the last 1/4 didn't even feel like it was about the MCs. Felt like it was all about Elijah. So those 2 reasons is why I rated it only 3 stars