R7: SS "Frog Squad" (6)

[Mary X]

Decided to go with:



might as well keep the momentum on this series going.

[Heather]

I'm going to read


With Every Heartbeat by Linda Kage

(#4 in Series)

[Nichole]

I believe I'm going to read - #4

[D.G.]

Great job working on those series, Froggies! I've been using the alternate a lot more than I should but at least this one is a #12 in a series. :)

[Jamie]

Week 9
# on Dice: 11
Spot: 74


Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
360 pgs/GR
How It Fits: Alt: 3 colors on cover (white, blue, green, approved by Ezi in Q&A)

[Amanda A]

I plan to read for the alternate option.

[D.G.]

Week 8 - Spot #: 74
Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
Date finished/Rating: 3/13 ★★★
Review: Not the best of Reacher's books. I thought the "villains" were not in his league at all and the action wasn't as exciting. He kicked their asses right and left and it was amazing how much he got by with. I never got the explanation of why the whole town was into it. Nothing was a big surprise to me.

The best part of the book was getting an inkling of the reasons why Reacher left a job he was so perfect at. There has been some allusions in past books but I think this was the strongest: Reacher thinks the government broke the unspoken covenant with the soldiers: only send me to die when it's absolutely needed. I felt really bad hearing Reacher's hurt and disappointment that he had to leave a placed he loved (the Army) because of what it became.

[Jamie]

Week 9
# on Dice: 11
Spot: 74


Cold As Ice by Anne Stuart
360 pgs/GR
How It Fits: Alt: 3 colors on cover (white, blue, green, approved by Ezi in Q&A)
Finished: 3/13/2016
Rating: 3 stars

I liked this story better than the 1st in the series. Here we have Peter and Genevieve. As in the first book, Peter is a cold blooded type, a member of the "Committee" and Genevieve is the innocent girl who winds up in the middle of a situation. I thought the villain in this book was pretty good and the intrigue suspenseful. I'm not sure I'm a big fan of romantic suspense though because I felt the romance was totally ignored here. I did like Peter's wit but I felt Genevieve was an impossible character. I know people like that Moonlighting sort of bickering/banter but it didn't work for me here and really Genevieve was TSTL sometimes. So I did find Peter appealing and the story was readable for the suspense but I doubt I'll read more in this series.

[Mary X]

I'm almost done with my book. Already checked out book 5, so I will need to you roll an 11 again next week thanks.

[D.G.]

Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I'm almost done with my book. Already checked out book 5, so I will need to you roll an 11 again next week thanks."

LOL, Mary! That's all you need? hahahaha!

We got 2 10's in a row so I guess it's not crazy to hope for an 11!

[Mary X]

It could happen.

[Nichole]

I've finished my book but I'm not quite awake yet. I'll post my review this afternoon.

[D.G.]

Gosh I didn't realize today was Thursday!

If you haven't posted your book, please give me an ETA. :)

[Mary X]

I have about an hour left of my audio. If everyone leaves early again, I'll finish this afternoon. Otherwise, it'll be this evening.

[Heather]

Week 9
Spot 74


Book: With Every Heartbeat by Linda Kage
How it fits: 4th book in a series
Pages: 408
Date Read: March 16
Rating: 5*

Review: I wasn't as eager to read Quinn's book as I was to read some of the other Forbidden Men. I ended up being very surprised because I really liked him. Zoey was the perfect girl for him. Cora was a complete B@tch! And I finally saw some sweet, redeeming qualities in Ten! Which is a good thing since Ten's book is next. I loved it!

[Nichole]

Week 9: Spot 74
Series #: 4
Book: by Juliet Marillier
Pages: 395
Read: 3/17/16
Rating: 5 Stars

After so many years and having only girls, Lady Aisling of Sevenwaters is expecting again. She believes with all her heart that this time it will be a boy. At her age there are many complications and she and/or the baby may not survive the birthing. When she goes into early labor everyone is braced for the worst. Luckily, she delivers a healthy baby boy and both are recovering quite well.

The joy doesn't last long and the baby, Finbar, is taken with a changeling left in his place. However, Clodagh is the only person that can see or hear the cries of the baby changeling. Everyone else just sees a cruel joke of sticks and stones in the shape of a baby. With suspicion cast on Cathal, one of Johnny's men, and anger towards Clodagh, she decides to take the changeling (Becan) to the Otherworld to get her brother back. Clodagh and Cathal cross paths in the woods and together make the journey to see the Fae Prince, Mac Dara. It's dangerous, scary, cruel and heartbreaking but Love is the strongest weapon of all.

I love this series. Daughter of the Forest is my all time favorite book and even though the subsequent books aren't quite as fantastic, they are still favorites as well. I always become immersed in the story and the characters with their own personal battles to win. My heart aches for them and because of that I usually have to spread them out a little. In the end, you will get a happy ending but it's a hard journey with lots of tears along the way. There are only 2 more books left in the series and I'm not sure if there are any other books that can compare.

[Mary X]

Week 9
Spot #74

4th in a series:



3/17/16

4 stars

So #2 in the series is still my favorite of the series so far. But this was one was really good. I do have a complain in that the flash back repeating of dialogue was very excessive in this one. That got really tiresome. I loved the Native American aspect. Looking forward to reading the next one and already have it lined up.

[Amanda A]

Spot 74
(Alternate: 3 colors on cover)
Finished 3/17/16
Rating: ★★★★

I like that the Arcane Society series switches back and forth between contemporary and historical in each book. I enjoyed this installment and I really liked the characters. Lucinda was a strong heroine with an interesting psychic power to detect poison. Caleb is a strong hero with the ability to see patterns and connections where others see random chance. I liked that this book gave a glimpse into the origin of the Jones & Jones agency. Caleb and Lucinda were a perfect match and their romance was sweet. Each book reveals a new layer to the Arcane Society and I definitely plan to continue with the series.

[D.G.]

You're not going to believe the roll...

[D.G.]

Ribbit, Froggies! Our roll is 10! I think we're having the luck of the Irish...being green and all. :) As we were in spot 74 last week that lands us in...

Week 10: Spot 84
Series #: 84, 8 or 4
Alternate: I Don't Understand All That Fuss - Please post the # on the list.

Completed: 6 / 6
✔ D.G.: The Black Hawk (#4) | 3/23 ★★★½ | review
✔ Heather: Beautiful Burn (#4) | 3/23 ★★★★★ | review
✔ Jamie: The Hidden Law (#4) | 3/19 ★★★★★ | review
✔ Nichole: Steel's Edge (#4) | 3/23 ★★★★½ | review
✔ Amanda A: Night Broken (#8) | 3/23 ★★★★½ | review
✔ Mary: What Darkness Brings (#8) | 3/23 ★★★★½ | review

[Mary X]

But I wanted an 11

[Mary X]

Right now my inclination is to go with this:



That's an 8th in the series. But I might check out what I have on hand for #4's.

[D.G.]

I'll probably be reading , which is a #8 but I also have a few #4s which I may read. I'll decide when I finish the book I'm reading now.

The list only has 7 pages so I checked them all. Lots of books on my TBR from that list but nothing I feel like reading.

[Jamie]

b>Week 10
# on Dice: 10
Spot: 84


The Hidden Law by Michael Nava
193 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #4 in series

[Nichole]

I'm still trying to decide. The book I wanted to read only fits for this and I have a busy week ahead of me. I need to try and combine as many challenges as possible :( Dang work! Why does it always get in the way!

[Heather]

I'm going to read

(#4 in the series)


Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire

[D.G.]

Ribbit, Froggies!

Good news about the list! Ezi said:
1. Yes. You can read book #5 if #2 is on the list Meaning, that if you find a series on the list, you don't have to read the specific one you find but any on that series.
2. Yes, if it fits a list, just add it.

[D.G.]

I may read Grave Peril as the alternate (#1 in the series is currently 169 on the list). Or if I can get somebody to add one of the Reacher books - I feel I can't add it myself...I get what the fuss is about, LOL! - I'll continue with #14 in the series.

[Nichole]

Done! I added book #1 :D

I think I have it worked out where I can read the one I wanted! But be warned that it might change. Depends on work, lol.

I'll be reading - #4 in a series.

[D.G.]

LOL, thanks! I think it legitimately belongs on the list...I'm sure many people wonder what the fuss is about!

Right now is #334 on the list in page 4 (noting it just in case I go with that book.)

[D.G.]

I think Steel's Edge is the best in the whole series so great choice, Nichole!

[D.G.]

Still undecided as to which book...I tried to read something else and ended up DNFing it. Maybe I should just give up the fight and continue with Reacher, now that I know I can read it for the shelf.

[D.G.]

Started (#4) and ended up DNFing it. Two DNFs in one day! I'm sort of unsettled so I read a novella and then started , another #4. This one seems to be sticking so it's likely that I'll read it for this.

[Amanda A]

I plan to read (#8)

[D.G.]

Good choice, Amanda!

[Jamie]

Week 10
# on Dice: 10
Spot: 84


The Hidden Law by Michael Nava
193 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #4 in series
Finished: 3/19/2016
Rating: 5 stars

I'm not sure why but I loved this book. I've liked the earlier books. The mystery is always interesting and not so easily solved and Henry is an intriguing main character, if a bit melancholy. But he seems to really represent what a gay man in 1980s California might have been like so I appreciate that. The writing is always clean and spare while conveying quite a bit. I think I loved this so much because Henry experiences heartbreak but also maybe a little bit of hope at the end. I am anxious to read how the story continues.

[Nichole]

I'll have my review up later today. You were right, DG! This one was my favorite in the series too.

[D.G.]

Week 10 - Spot #: 84
Series #: 4
Date finished/Rating: 3/23 ★★★½
Review: It's clear that the author likes Hawker as a secondary character and maybe just felt obliged to write his book because his story was mostly flashbacks from the French Revolution (nothing from the Napoleonic Wars) with some part in the present. I got why Justine was originally for Napoleon but it was glossed over why she still kept with him when he showed out his true colors and decided to invade half of Europe. Did she believe in his republican ideals then? Or was she like anybody else, just following orders?

As Hawker and Justine were direct adversaries during the Napoleonic Wars, it's believable that some of the plans they put together caused the death of agents on the other side. In cases like this, how could you really love each other?

The characterization was soo good - I love Ms. Bourne French MCs - and I'm intrigued by Pax's story so I'll definitely read it next.

[D.G.]

Nichole wrote: "I'll have my review up later today. You were right, DG! This one was my favorite in the series too."

Glad you liked it, Nichole!

[Mary X]

I'll be done today too.

[Nichole]

Week 10: Spot 84
Series #: 4
Book: by Ilona Andrews
Pages: 388
Date Read: 3/23/16
Rating: 4.5 Stars

This was an excellent addition and conclusion to the series. My favorite of the series too. I really liked both Richard and Charlotte. Richard may not have been born a Blueblood but he was as noble as they come. Plus, he's really good with his sword *waggles eyebrows*. I loved how fierce Charlotte was! After losing so much, she didn't back down one bit. Both her and Richard made huge sacrifices of themselves to get justice on behalf of others. It really made them exceptional characters in my eyes. They didn't take the easy path, they took the hard path that would permanently change them and never looked back.

It was nice to see George, Jack and Sophie taking such active roles in the end here too. I'm hoping that one day there will be a short spin-off to include their stories because they are all 3 very interesting characters themselves.

Honestly, I have loved everything I've ever read from Ilona Andrews. They have never let me down and I'm always looking forward to more of their work.

[Heather]

Week 10
Spot 84


Book: Beautiful Burn by Jamie McGuire
Date Read: March 23
Rating: 5*
How it fits: #4 in a series

Review: Yes! It ended perfectly. I have loved these Maddox Brothers (Thomas), Hated them (Trenton), Lusted after (Travis, duh), Wanted more of (Taylor) And Laughed with (Tyler)....and their women. I wanted to be happy with how the series would end and I am.

[Heather]

D.G. is this our last week already?! Even though it's going on eleven weeks I feel like we just started. I always hate when this challenge ends. :(

[Amanda A]

Spot 84
(Mercy Thompson #8)
Finished 3/23/16
Rating: ★★★★½

I really enjoyed this installment in the Mercy Thompson series. Adam's ex-wife, Christy, asks for his protection from a deadly stalker so she comes to stay with Mercy, Adam and the pack. Christy was annoying with her manipulation of Adam but I loved how Mercy got her back in the end. There is plenty of action when the pack is threatened by the stalker and Adam and Mercy fight to protect them. I am interested to find out how the characters introduced in this one will impact the story going forward.

[D.G.]

Heather wrote: "D.G. is this our last week already?! Even though it's going on eleven weeks I feel like we just started. I always hate when this challenge ends. :("

I haven't been checking how the rest of the teams are doing, but if somebody is closer to getting pass 100 with the next roll, it might be! Let me find out.

[D.G.]

Team 8 is at spot 94 so with 7 or higher they'll make it pass 100. I don't think any other team can make it next week with one roll, including us. A 12 will only take us to 96.

If they make it, we might decide not to read the last week because it's not as if we can catch up with them.

[Nichole]

Wow! That did seem fast. I didn't realize someone was so far ahead.

[Mary X]

Darn. I was thinking that with all the high rolls we've had, we surely had to be in the lead. Maybe we will get lucky and they will only roll a 1 or 2 and we will get another big one. Fingers and toes crossed.

[Mary X]

Spot 84

Fits: 8th in series

Read: 3/23/2016
4 1/2 stars



I think this was one of the best of the series so far. I like the relationship that's developing between Hero and Sebastian. One of the reasons I like this series so much is that the characters have lives and those lives actually change and progress. Good mystery with this one and normally I have the killer figured out in mysteries but this one slipped by me.

[D.G.]

Nichole wrote: "Wow! That did seem fast. I didn't realize someone was so far ahead."

Me neither. :( They're ahead of everybody else. As of the rest, half the teams are in the 80s, the other half are even lower.