The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SSS Archives♦
>
R7: SSS "Two Hot to Handle" (2) **WINNING TEAM**
Ha. Well, my book was kind of a cop out this week, so I don't think it really counts.We're doing OK. Taking things one day at a time!
Week 9 - Sunday
Ruin Porn by SA McAuley & SJD Peterson
Pages: 252
Qualifies: Alt Option, Cover - No People
Read: 3/15/16
Rating: ★★★★
I would say this is more of a book about 4 guys in a band than a straight-up romance. It was a romance, don't get me wrong, but most of the book involved all the band members in equal parts. We have Miah, the leader singer desperately trying to please his asshat homophobe dad so he himself becomes a homophobe asshat. Then there's Ritchie, Miah's best friend and the "mom" of the group. He has a thing for Miah but has to hide. The third original band member is Finn who seems really rather normal. He has great parents and loves his friends. He's also half of the romantic pair in this book. The other half is their newest band member Evin. He's kind of a mess. He has a crappy apartment in LA, doesn't talk to his wealthy parents and starts out in an awful band full of drunks and partiers. There's a whole lot of "I love him, I wish he loved me" going on in this book from both parties. Neither talked about their feelings and both felt the other was using him just for fun. Interesting look at the workings of a band but wish there was more romance and a whole lot more talking!
Week 9Kings Rising by C.S. Pacat
Qualification: Cover: No People
Read: (3/15)
Rating: ★★★★★
First of all, I love this series. This story was a satisfying conclusion to this arc of the story, but admittedly it doesn't feel finished to me. I know this is supposed to be conclusion but I was left wanting more. I want to know what comes after. The ending feels like a beginning of things to come.
While I've always recognized the historical connotations in this story through the other books, this one is a walking drool for a classicist. There is so much of the Roman world ideals in this book, this felt a lot like the Romans vs the French (European at the time the North to the Romans). I think things became more apparent in this book because this is the first time where we're back in Damon's world, with his countries ideals. I found it fascinating who things were pulled together to make this a fantasy novel with such strong historical connections.
I don't feel like this book was perfect, but I was happy with how everything came together. I really felt like this book let Laurent work through his past and toxic history with Damon to bring them to a place where what they were feeling for each other could really live. Some of the plot points were left feeling unfinished and helped lend to the feeling that for me this needs one more book.
I have this strange love affair going on with Laurent. He's so twisted. His past, the last big secret in this book was one I really expected to come out eventually, and just adds to the multi-layers that make up Laurent. He's one of my favorite characters in all of the books I've read. Damon is so simple and straight-forward in comparison. He's easy to read to understand. Laurent is his opposite in every respect. Yet they're perfect together and like Damon I'm totally enraptured with Laurent. His darkness is so deep and enthralling, but it's covering up a really vulnerable soul scared to let anyone in. Yep, definitely in love with him.
So I'm not sure it will ever happen, but I'm still hoping for a what happens after book. Still if it never comes I'll still be satisfied with what got us here.
Week 9 - CompletedSpace 78
Qualification #7 in the Thunder Point Series
Completed 3/16/16
4.25 Stars
Review:
This is #7 in the Thunder Point series and so far one of my favorites. The narrator, Therese Plummer is outstanding and is one of my favorite narrators. This installment takes the reader back to Thunder Point where we meet Grace, a former Olympic skater that wants to blend in with the town folk. So far, she has not been recognized and is the proud owner of Thunder Point’s one and only flower shop. Grace’s friend, Iris, who is the guidance counselor at the local high school has recently gotten married to her longtime sweetheart who we meet in book 6 - The Homecoming. Troy, who is the high school history teacher, dated Iris for a short time. Apparently, Izzy, aka Grace, was one of the most popular figure skaters in the world before she decided to hang up her skates and dabble in the flower business.
Grace and Troy begin a romance and Grace slowly unravels her past. When Grace unexpectedly confronts her estranged mother, Troy is apprehensive that he will never be able to give her what she deserves.
Lately, I have been coming back to this series. I am also in the middle of Robyn Carr’s Virgin River series. Most of the reviews that I have found prefer VR, but I am finding that I personally prefer the quaint town of Thunder Point, Oregon the best. There was a very short time in this book that I wanted to slap Troy in the back of his head but this feeling quickly passed. I do wish that slightly more detail would have been included on Payton and Scott’s wedding. From all accounts, it was a glorious setting.
Week 10 - ThursdayRolled another freaking 4!!
Old Space: 78
New Space: 82
2nd in Series
8th in Series
82nd in Series
Alt Option: Cover "Yellow"
Shannon: Promises Part 2, Review Post 414
Shelby: Night Veil, Review Post 419
Debbie: Unleash the Night, Review Post 415
Kim: Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things, Review Post 413
Night Veil
Week #: 10 - ThursdaySpace #: 82
Book Title:
Pages: 329
Qualification: Alt Option: Cover "Yellow"
Hope that's yellow enough...
Seems plenty yellow to me! Can you add the page count for me, pretty please? :)
Completion Post - Week 10/Thursday (Space 82)
Furiously Happy: A Funny Book About Horrible Things by Jenny Lawson
Pages: 329
Qualifies: Alt Option: Cover "Yellow"
Date Read: 3/17/16
Rating: 5 Stars
So, this was recommended to me a few weeks ago. I don't normally read non-fiction, but was interested in this one because I heard it was really funny. I started reading it this morning shortly after I got up... and basically haven't moved all day.
I cannot say enough good things about this one. I don't even know what TO say. I think this book is my spirit animal. I am going to go buy a hardback copy for myself (which I NEVER do) and highlight all my favorite parts (which I never do) while I REREAD it again (which I never do). I'm going to make my daughter read it. I'm going to make my mother read it. I'm going to make my niece, and my sisters, and anyone who will listen read this book. It's so refreshing to have a hysterically funny book discuss REAL issues. There were so many times that I was laughing out loud and so many times where I was like, "Hmmm... That's a really good point. I need to remember to tell my daughter that." Topics like love yourself for who you are, no matter how crazy or unattractive or overweight you think you are.. love yourself. Don't label. Just be you. Just. Be.
I need to get her first book immediately.
Week 10 - ThursdaySpace: 82
Promises Part 2 by AE Via
Pages: 290
Qualifies: Bounty Hunters #2
Read: 3/18/16
Rating: ★★★★
I wish this book started with a prologue of the scene when Quick was a total twat to Cayson from the last book and whatever happened to change his mind so it would be fresh in my mind because the beginning of this one confused me. Quick sure had an about face and I'm not motivated enough to re-read whichever part of the last book that makes this understandable. That being said, I was already totally in love with both of these guys and I've been waiting for their story. It did not disappoint. Poor Cayson and his super shitty run with men and gruff Quick who's denied this part of himself his whole life. I just adore this team's badassedness (new word!). They're so macho and tough and a bit uncontrollable. And I got a little fangirl when God and Day appeared. Oh, I miss those two! Anyways, basically a hot, sweet, sexy read with just enough action and violence to keep things interesting. Next, please!!
Week 10 ThursdaySpace 82
3/19/16
4.25 Stars
by Sherrilyn Kenyon4.25 stars
This is book 8 in the Dark Hunters series. Maggie Gordeau, a US Senator’s daughter, decides to visit Sanctuary looking for Nick. Although she did not find Nick, she found another man who has captured her attention. Maggie is currently attending law school and Wren is a bus boy at the bar. Just like clockwork, the two are instantly connected. Unbeknownst to Maggie, Wren is half leopard and half white tiger. In this readers humble opinion, this installment was different than the others in this series. While Wren and Maggie’s story was sweet, there was just something missing.
I think my problem was that I was missing Ash and Simi - the other characters were for the most part missing. The story included romance, a reunion between Wren and a lost family member, and shifters.
If we hear from Shelby before I go to bed, I'll roll. If not, it'll be probably later than normal seeing as it's Spring Break here and my ass isn't setting an alarm to get up. :)
Sorry my dears. I just finished my book I'll have it all posted here shortly. Busy weekend unfortunately.
Week 10Night Veil by Yasmine Galenorn
Qualification: Series #2
Read: (3/20)
Rating: ★★★★
I'm not a hundred percent sure how I feel about this series yet. I've enjoyed parts of it and then there are times it disappoints me a little bit. I feel like Cicely so far has barged into things with very little thinking and has ended up in a more than one bad situation. For a strong heroine I want to see her use her brain more and be bowled over by all the men around her a lot less. She doesn't listen well and goes harrying off and doesn't trust her instincts.
Still I really like the side characters in this story and I hope we get to see more of them as the series develops. The developments in this book seem to lend themselves to that idea. There were a few surprises in this book, most especially with Lannan, but the end result alliances weren't all that surprising. The old guard rarely agrees with the new young upstarts and that was just made more apparent with the turns the book took.
I want more from our heroine but I am curious to see where this book will go. Our star crossed lovers are going to be interesting to see now that more of their past is revealed, and knowing what I do about this author's writing style I'm curious to see what develops in this love triangle. Lannan and Grieve certainly hate each other right now and Cicely isn't too fond of Lannan's tactics, but he's an interesting force in this little group.
I'll be interested to see where this goes in the future.
Week 10 - SundayRolled: 6
Old Space: 82
New Space: 88
8th in Series
88th in Series
Alt Option: Text Item "Gloves"
Shannon: Breakaway, Review Post 430
Shelby: The Duchess War, Review Post 429
Debbie: Dark Side of the Moon, Review Post 431
Kim: The Girl on the Train, Review Post 428
Can we use the singular "glove"?I am getting ready to read a book that has a sentence with "the glove box."
Kim wrote: "Can we use the singular "glove"?I am getting ready to read a book that has a sentence with "the glove box.""
Oooh, I'm not sure. I'll post in the Q&A thread.
Week 10 - SundaySpace: 88
Breakaway by Avon Gale
Pages: 240
Qualifies: Alt. Option Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore...
Shannon wrote: "Oooh, I'm not sure. I'll post in the Q&A thread."I could have done that!!! I didn't mean to give you extra work. Just wasn't sure if we'd run into it before or not. I follow the Q&A so when she answers, I'll see it. Thanks!
Week #: 10 - SundaySpace #: 88
Book Title:
Pages: 325
Qualification: Alt Option: Text Item "Gloves"
Week #10 - SundaySpace #88
Pages: 336
Qualifies: Alt Option: Text Item "Glove"
Page 288 "Because I know that you have three knitted gloves"
Week 10.5Space: 88
Book Title: The Duchess War
Page Count: 270pgs
Qualification: Text - Gloves
His fingers touched hers, and even through their GLOVES his hand felt overly warm.
Completion Post - Week 10/Sunday (Space 88)
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Pages: 325
Qualifies: Alt Option: Text Item "Gloves"
How It Fits: "He opens the glove box." (page 225)
Date Read: 3/21/16
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I always enjoy Mystery/Thrillers when I can't see the outcome early on in the story. This one, kept me guessing until the end. I loved reading about how the three women's lives entwined. I listened to the audio and all of the narrators did an exceptional job. If someone were to have told me that this was Paula Hawkins' first popular book, I would have never believed them. Extremely well written.
Week 10.5The Duchess War by Courtney Milan
Qualification: Text - Gloves
His fingers touched hers, and even through their GLOVES his hand felt overly warm.
Read: (3/21)
Rating: ★★★★★
WOW!!! Wow oh wow oh wow! I completely adored this book. This one got me. I love a smart woman and Minnie is nothing if not smart. She's kickin' Robert's butt around the room most of the book. She's smarter than most of the men around her and through necessity has learned how to conceal herself as a wallflower manipulating things around her to their best benefit.
I love to see a killer woman like Minnie in a historical contest like this. And of course her history as it gets revealed is so heartbreaking. The things she suffered were really not in anyway her fault, but she's dealt with the repercussions for most of her life. Robert on the other hand, oh wow poor baby. He's had such a tough childhood for someone who comes from utter privilege. His ideals though, and his devotion to those he calls friends/family are one hundred percent admirable. He stands to try to right injustice, to use his position in the nobility for the greater good and not just to further his own interests. His fascination with Minnie was adorable. He's so enraptured of her and it was lovely to watch.
I just loved this story. I loved how intelligent both characters were and what they valued about the other. I liked that at no point did Minnie become the weak-willed/knee-ed woman who needed her great big man to save her. She's awesome. This book made me smile and it made me cry. But ultimately it just made me ridiculously, romantically happy.
Week 10 - SundaySpace: 88
Breakaway by Avon Gale
Pages: 240
Qualifies: Alt. Option Then, during a rivalry game, Lane throws off his gloves against Jared Shore...
Read: 3/22/16
Rating: ★★★★
This was a sweet, no angst, funny read. I mean lol funny. Lane was a riot. He reminded me of a Sheldon Cooper (from Big Bang Theory) who's hot and plays hockey. God, the things that come out of his mouth. And Jared. I can just picture the look on his face whenever Lane starts talking. Love and confusion. Yes, that! I can't say I'm a hockey fan but I still loved this book. It was focused on the sport but not overly so. The romance and friendships were front and center. I do with we had more of those funny sex scenes but that's just a little niggle. I was thrilled I didn't cry or want to throw my kindle from frustration over those misunderstandings our MCs seem to have. This book had none of that. It really was just a feel good read.
Week #10 - Sunday - COMPLETEDSpace #88
Qualifies: Alt Option: Text Item "Glove"
Page 288 "Because I know that you have three knitted gloves"
Completed: 3/23/16
4 stars
Review:
4.5 Stars
Dark Side of the Moon is the 9th installment of the Dark Hunters series. Werehunter Ravyn was kidnapped in his cat form and handed out to Susan, who just happens to be allergic to cats.
Both Ravyn and Susan are very lonely. Susan has lost her family, and Ravyn’s family has disowned him. Susan is a reporter who has fallen from grace due to a prior story. Both were framed for murder and are on the run.
The world building has already been established in prior installments, so I would definitely suggest that this series is read in order. The building between Susan and Ravyn was slower than for other couples. Other characters that were put on the back burner were briefly mentioned. Nick returns but is not the carefree man that he has been, and I really wanted to slap him. I could also do without Artemis and her ritual of getting Ash in her bed. This is Holter Graham’s first book to narrate this series. I prefer him over Fred. Berman.
God, I suck! I keep posting late. Sorry guys, fell asleep on the couch!!
Week 11 - ThursdayRolled: 2
Old Space: 88
New Space: 90
Standalone
9th in Series
90 in Series
Alt Option: Cover-Blue
Shannon: Hushed, Review Post 438
Shelby: Public Display of Everything, Review Post 440
Debbie: Tonight and Always, Review Post 443
Kim: Broken, Review Post 439
Week 11 - ThursdayNew Space 90
Tonight and Always by Nora Roberts
Pages: 335
Qualifies: Alt Option: Cover-Blue
Week #: 11 - ThursdaySpace #: 90
Book Title:
Pages: 325
Qualification: Standalone
Week 11 - ThursdaySpace: 90
Hushed by Kelley York
Pages: 229
Qualifies: Standalone
Read: 3/24/16
Rating: ★★★★
The only thing keeping this from 5 stars is the lack of any kind of sex. I'd say this is more of a psychological thriller than a romance. There is some romance but it's more of a mind f**k type of book. Archer was really creepy and dark just a mess. Vivian was manipulative and pretty terrifying. Evan was the only "normal" person in the book. I see why it ended the way it did but can't say I loved it. This was not my typical sweet HEA romance so I'm still a bit screwed up over that. However, it was a total pager turner and I did really enjoy it in all it's dark, crazy glory.
Completion Post - Week 11/Sunday (Space 90)
Broken by C.J. Lyons
Pages: 325
Qualifies: Standalone
Date Read: 3/25/16
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: I was pleasantly surprised by this one. It was comparable to Everything, Everything, which I also read this month. But it was different enough that it wasn't annoying. I was caught off guard by the twist/ending of the book, which is refreshing because it doesn't often happen. I picked it for the pretty cover and I stuck around for the good story and characters. I listened on audio and enjoyed the narrator, which also contributed to me being really excited by the book.
Week 11Public Display of Everything by Cara Dee
Qualification: Standalone
Read: (3/26)
Rating: ★★★★
This falls into the uber sweet category. Such an adorable little read about to American's finding each other in London. Both boys had their reasons for leaving the States and have found comfort and security in their adoptive city. But neither is completely fulfilled.
Flynn is a complete and utter klutz. He struggles to hold down a job because he's always doing something incredibly klutzy to screw it up. He's down on his luck once again after a near catastrophe at his latest construction job site. When the shy quiet guy that sometimes sits at his friends bar approaches him with a job offer it's too good to pass up even if the job is more than a little strange.
Cory is shy and used to doing research about everything before committing to any path. He created his website for his own purposes having seen a niche that needed to be filled. But now his members are clamoring to see some of him in action, he doesn't want to disappoint them and is sure that he himself will be a disappointment. It all seemed like the perfect reason to approach the guy at he bar he's seen before.
This story is a little awkward and a lot endearing. Both these boys crave love and someone to see them for who they really are despite their social failings at times. Together they're just too cute and much stronger as a whole. The voyeuristic qualities of this story weren't over done and didn't twig my slight hesitation with porn style story lines. I enjoyed this story a lot. I liked the closure that each of them got on their past and how they planned to move forward together. I'm left with a wonderful happy warm feeling. :)
I'll roll as soon as Debbie posts her review. And I'm not even late this time! lol :)
Crap I am so sorry. I completely forgot to post my review, and I am never late!! . I will post very soon.
Week 11 - ThursdayNew Space 90
Tonight and Always by Nora Roberts
Qualified: Alt Option: Cover-Blue
2 stars
Completed 3/26/16
Review:
Nora Roberts is one of my favorite authors. Anytime that I want a change of pace or need a comfy book, I can always seek any of her books. However, this book was different than most. I felt that the characters were not well defined, and the pace was much faster than normal. I also didn’t like the writing. I also realized too late that this was not only an earlier book but was one that had also been renamed from an even earlier book. The book was not edited very well, and all of the typos drove me crazy. Little too late, but I did read this years ago when NR first began to write books. Thank goodness she has improved her literary style over the years or this reader would have found another go to book. I’m just glad that this one is done!
No worries Debbie, I kinda figured you forgot. :)
Week 11 - SundayRolled: 6
Old Space: 90
New Space: 96
6th in Series
9th in Series
96th in Series
Alt Option: Text Item "Mountain"
Shannon: The Stolen Suitor, Review Post 451
Shelby: Well Traveled, Review Post 457
Debbie: Moonlight Road, Review Post 454
Kim: Hounded, Review Post 452
Shannon wrote: "No worries Debbie, I kinda figured you forgot. :)"Thanks - I was so wrapped up with my kids being away from me for Easter that I completely forgot!!
Space 96
Moonlight Road by Robyn Carr
Pages:514
Qualifications: Mountain - Page 23 "Sometimes I just hike around the mountains, the general Virgin River area.
Week 11 - SundaySpace: 96
The Stolen Suitor by Eli Easton
Pages: 270
Qualifies: Alt. Option I went hiking or skiing in the mountains with friends...
Week #: 11 - SundaySpace #: 96
Book Title:
Pages: 303
Qualification: Text Item "Mountain"
"and the tears will flow like mountain springs." (page 65)
HAPPY EASTER!!! (Come here little bunny...)
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Burn (other topics)Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir (other topics)
Burn (other topics)
Sinner's Creed (other topics)
Skin Tight Levi's (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
T.J. Klune (other topics)Jenny Lawson (other topics)
Kim Jones (other topics)
Jenny Lawson (other topics)
Kim Jones (other topics)
More...
How's the family doing?