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R7: SS Goal Diggers (8)***Winners***
I hope that it's ok. I went ahead and rolled. 5+ 5 = 10
We are on spot 10 moving to spot 20.
We can either read book 2 in a series, a stand alone, or book 20 in a series (goodness!)
The alternate is food on cover
Week 2Moved to spot 20
I will read Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
How the book qualifies: Book 2 in the series
400 Pages
I've been trying to knock down the number of my Nora Roberts books. I'll use this opportunity to read one of the O'Hurleys. #2 Dance to the Piper.
Dawn wrote: "I've been trying to knock down the number of my Nora Roberts books. I'll use this opportunity to read one of the O'Hurleys. #2 Dance to the Piper.[bookcover:Dance to the Piper|1298..."
NR is one of my favorite go to authors!
Mod
I m sorry looking ahead between my husband and granddaughter my reading time is gone so I will have to drop out
Fairlee wrote: "I m sorry looking ahead between my husband and granddaughter my reading time is gone so I will have to drop out"Hope he's better soon, Fairlee. Good luck to you. Hope to still see you around GR when things ease up.
Fairlee wrote: "I m sorry looking ahead between my husband and granddaughter my reading time is gone so I will have to drop out"I hope that your husband is doing better soon. Take care and hope to see you in another challenge.
Fairlee wrote: "I m sorry looking ahead between my husband and granddaughter my reading time is gone so I will have to drop out"Wishing your husband a speedy recovery. Best of luck to you.
Mod
Mod
Fairlee wrote: "I m sorry looking ahead between my husband and granddaughter my reading time is gone so I will have to drop out"I'm sorry to hear we are losing you Fairlee =( I hope everything is ok. Speedy recovery! Best of luck!
Mandy, my review for Week #2:
Dance to the Piper Nora Roberts, #2 O'Hurleys, 1-25-16 (3-1/2*) review
Maddy O'Hurley (one of Frank & Molly's triplets) is now a successful triple-threat theater performer. She can sing, dance, and act. She's in the midst of rehearsals of a new play when she meets one of the financial backers, Reed Valentine.
Maddy is fresh, vibrant, open and honest, and rocks Reed back on his heels immediately. Unfortunately, he has some sad circumstances in his past which has made him very bitter and cynical. Even though deep down he recognizes that he needs and wants Maddy in his life, he continues to push her away. It's a good thing for Reed that Maddy has the unforgiving and hopeful spirit that she does, because he's pretty much a hot-and-cold s.o.b. throughout the whole book.
The story takes us through the process Maddy and the other performers go through to ready themselves for opening night; we also get to see and learn a lot about what happens behind the scenes in a theater. There is also a great little side story which takes us back 30+ years to when the triplets were babies and Frank and Molly had an opportunity to meet and help a man get back on the right track to see what's important in his own life. That story circles back to present day and affects the H/h directly.
Another winner by Roberts, deserving of a 4. I lowered it to 3-1/2 only because it has more angst than I personally like. I get tired of arguments and tension caused by someone being fidgety about saying the L word.
I'm starting to worry that my book won't be in from the library. Is it OK for me to switch it?
Mod
yes, you can always switch.
Kim wrote: "It came in today!!! I'm good to go!"Yeah! Now, you can read the book that you want to.
I'm loving this Land of Stories series. It's like the TV Show Once Upon a Time had a baby with The Chronicles of Narnia. And I just found out it's written by the kid who played Curt on Glee! Mind blown!
Week 2, Spot 20#2 in a series (Petra Delicado Mystery)
by Alicia Giménez Bartlett - 1/26/16Rating: Five stars
Another enjoyable book this week. Petra Delicado is a cynical but brilliant police inspector in Barcelona. She's been divorced twice, has given up on the concept of lasting love, but is dealing with her widowed partner Garzon's newly complicated love life (he's dating two women at once). As if her life isn't complicated enough, Petra's acquired the very ugly small dog of a murder victim.
The plot revolves around dog breeding, dog training, dog kidnapping and illegal dog fights. The victim, Lucena, is a man that changed his name more often than he cleaned his sordid apartment. He was beaten to death and a thorough search of his apartment reveals thousands of dollars squirreled away in the walls.
One possible source of all that income is a research institution, where dogs are used to further scientific studies. Another might linked to the disappearances of several animals from reputable breeders in the surrounding countryside, with an eye to selling them to illicit dog fighting venues. There are a number of dead-ends-that-aren't and characters that aren't what they seem in the investigation.
Through all of this, both Petra and Garzon are dealing with challenging personal relationships. Garzon finally has to decide which of his two girlfriends he wants to marry. Petra wants only a friends-with-benefits relationship with the handsome vet in her neighborhood, while he wants something much deeper.
A very good series, well translated. I have #1 and #3 on my TBR.
Week 2Moved to spot 20
Fly Away by Kristin Hannah
How the book qualifies: Book 2 in the series
4 stars
Completed 1/26/16
Review:
I had my doubts about reading this book. I love Kristin Hannah's writing and could relate to the storyline of Johnny loosing his wife in book 1. This book should not be read until book 1 is completed. The story immediately picks up where book 1 ends. I have been putting this book off for so long and hadn't even planned to read it, but I hate not to finish a series. I am so thankful that Ms. Hannah did not put two characters together to form another family unit. Instead, she focused on how each of the charters rebuild their life after loosing a loved one. I can definitely relate to Johnny more than any other character. I lost my mom two years ago and am still trying to recover from my loss.
Although I didn't cry uncontrollably while listening to the audio, I did shed a few tears of love lost. I had a very difficult time liking Tully and could not stand Mara for the majority of the book, I did come to realize that everyone has their own way of grieving.
I will definitely read another book from this author. Her writing is fabulous!
Completion PostWeek 2:
Spot: 20
Book: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer
Qualification: 2nd in Series (2)
Rating & Review: 5 Stars
I'm so obsessed with this series. This series is what would happen if the TV show Once Upon a Time had a baby with Chronicles of Narnia. The author is the actor who played Curt in Glee. I love listening to him on audio. It's just so, so good. His voices are some of the best I've heard on audio. This series, so far, is so fun, and I love that I can read it to both my teenage daughter and my 2nd grader and they both enjoy it at the same time. That is very, very rare - probably since Harry Potter.
Week 2 - 2nd in SeriesFinished - 1/28/16
Read -
Rating 5 stars
Review
I like Amy a lot she’s an interesting character who while not from Oz takes it all in stride well after all she’s the only one who can save Oz. I’m not sure how I feel about Pete he’s kind of not my favorite guy but he has issues after all he shares his body with Princess Ozma. I still like Nox a lot he’s clearly one of my favorite bad boys from Amy and I see a lot of potential for the future after maybe they fix things. I’m also starting to wonder if maybe Dorothy may not be the bad guy we thought but a pawn for Glinda.
I’ve been procrastinating on reading The Wicked Will Rise because I was waiting for the final installment to come out so I could read them together. However my SS team needed the 2nd in a series so I knew this was the perfect time to revisit the land of Oz. I love the concept that Dorothy isn’t the good guy in this story but the bad guy and boy is she good at being bad. I really love the unique spin on one of my favorite books as a kid. The author has created an action packed adventure across the land of Oz with exciting characters and villains in hot pursuit. The author has a beautiful writing style it just flows from start to finish creating a story that is hard to put down. I enjoyed every page of The Wicked Will and can’t wait to see how it’s all going to play out in the final installment. I know an epic battle is brewing and I’m anxiously waiting to read it. I honestly loved every minute of the book and it was impossible to put down only took a morning to finish. I highly recommend if you’re a fan of the wizard of Oz you check out this modern twists on a classic.
Kim wrote: "Completion PostBook: The Enchantress Returns by Chris Colfer
Thanks for this recommendation, Kim. My youngest is in 3rd grade and we are currently involved in a reading program at the school where the kids have to read 1000 minutes and then the parents have to read to them for 1000 minutes. This will be a great addition to our list.
Just finished my book for the week, In the Land of Invisible Women. Writing the review now, will post here when my laptop finishes updating - in less than an hour's time, hopefully.
Roll 2, Spot 20
In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom
Relevance: Standalone Book
Date Finished: 29/01/2016
Rating: ***
Review: Reading this book, a lot of things resonated with what I've seen in real life, or heard first-hand experiences from people I know. I was fortunate, however, to grow up in Jeddah, instead of Riyadh, which is significantly less "conservative", and I didn't experience many of the extreme situations Qanta speaks about frequently in her book.
Qanta's Hajj experience was profoundly moving. As a young girl I accompanied my parents on Hajj once, but it was barely more than an excruciating camping trip of sorts for me. Since reaching the age of majority I've hoped, year after year, to get the opportunity to go for Hajj, but I haven't, yet. I only hope my experience would be as profoundly moving as hers.
Week 2 ~ Roll ~ 10 Spot 20 Alternate ~ Food on CoverMandy ~ The Wicked will Rise - Review
Debbie (Doc) ~ Fly Away - Review
Marty ~ Dog Day - Review
Dawn ~ Dance to the Piper - Review
Bouchra ~ In the Land of Invisible Women: A Female Doctor's Journey in the Saudi Kingdom - Review
Kim ~ The Enchantress Returns - Review
6 of 6 Complete
OK. I'll do it. I'm so scared. Be right back.
5 + 4 = 9Puts us on space 29.
Options:
Series 2
Series 9
Series 29
Title T
Nice roll!Moved to space 29
Will Read
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
How the book qualifies: Book 2 in the Off Campus Series
I'll be reading Tales of a Female Nomad. Hopefully I'll digest this one quicker than the previous one, what with it being about travel and all. Much more lighthearted subject, I believe :)
I'll read
by Kat Richardson, which is #9 in the Greywalker series. I'll be all caught up with this series after that!
Mod
Moved to spot 20
..."Good review. Mara got on my nerves because she was such a witch to her mom in book 1. So this fall apart thing was kind of a surprise to me
ThatEzi wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Week 2Moved to spot 20
..."Good review. Mara got on my nerves because she was such a witch to her mom in book 1. So this fall apart thing was k..."
It was to me also. My expectations were really low going into this book, but I was pleasantly surprised for the most part!
Completion PostWeek 3
Spot: 29
Book: One False Note by Gordon Korman
Qualification: 2nd in Series (2)
Rating & Review: 3 Stars
Another quick one completed this weekend with my son. We read the first book in this series a couple weeks ago and I was pleasantly surprised at how interested I was in the series. The first book was written by Rick Riordan of Percy Jackson fame. This second one was written by Gordon Korman, who I hadn't read anything from before. I was curious to see how "inline" the books would be when written by different authors each time. And I think they did a really good job. However, Mikey and I both agreed that we enjoyed the first one better. I'm not confident that this series is going to hold our attention for 11 books or not. So far, he says he wants us to read the third one, so I guess we'll see. With him being only seven, though, a lot of the historical and scientific information in the book is well over his head, but there is enough adventure, action, and humor to keep him interested.
Space #29Completed 1/30/16
Qualification #2 in Series - Off Campus
The Mistake by Elle Kennedy
Rating 4 stars
Review:
This is my second book by Elle Kennedy, and I am really enjoying her writing style. Although her characters are young, this is by no means a YA book. There are some detailed adult scenes that really isn’t meant for high schoolers, in my opinion. What got me engrossed in this book the most is that it isn’t all about sex but does have some important growing up lessons. John Logan can have any girl that he wants, but he is honing in on freshman Grace. There is an air of seriousness when Logan is looking at his bleak future after graduation. He has some very important decisions to make, and one includes Grace. He can either play professional hockey or be stuck running his dad’s garage.
I was a little worried about listening to this book. However, the narrator was excellent, and didn’t sound or appear to be younger.
This was an excellent follow up to book 1 in the series, which is The Deal. This book could be a stand-alone, but several of the secondary characters were in book 1. I will definitely check out more book by Elle Kennedy.
Week 3 - 9th in SeriesFinished - 2/4/16
Read - Fire Touched by Patricia Briggs
Rating 5 stars
Review
I honestly adore Mercy she’s hands down my favorite kick ass character while she’s not a werewolf she is a coyote and holds her own among the pack. What can I say about Adam other than he’s perfect for her. Throughout the series we’ve gotten to know many of her supernatural friends as well as other’s she’s just encountered in the past. Mercy is the kind of character that draws supernatural beings to her be it fae vampires or ghosts. I wasn’t sure about what Bran did but it all works out in the end better than I expected.
Fire Touched is amazing!!!! I admit I am a huge fan of the Mercy Thompson series so she has some really big shoes to fill. I also have always enjoyed the books more that have the fae element, it’s so interesting to see what’s going to stop off the reservation next. Fire Touched is action packed right from the start till the very last page it was very hard to put down because I had to know how it was going to end. I loved that we had a chance to see more of Zee since he’s been an important part of her life with the shop. Fire Touched is beautifully written it captures the heart as well as the imagination. I enjoyed all the twist and turns that kept me guess till the very end. While I’ve loved them all this may just be my favorite book in the series so far. I love the chemistry between Mercy and Adam he supports her and understands her better than anyone they just work so well together. I honestly loved it such an amazing series. Highly recommend!!!!
Just checking in to see how you are all doing?
I'm still reading, but don't panic. I won't forget!! Thought I'd have it done before now, but I had a busy morning. What's the last cut-off that's convenient for you, Mandy?
Mandy, I will be up tomorrow morning at 5:00 ET. If you don't roll tonight, I'll be glad to roll for you. Just let me know.
Honestly as long as they are all in by the deadline that's fine for me. However on the last week we need to read as fast as we can to win =D
Here I am at last. Week 3, Spot 29
#9 in a series (Greywalker)
by Kat Richardson - 2/4/15Rating: 5 stars
I am now officially caught up with this series. It's been one of my favorites. In this episode, Harper Blaine and her lover Quinton have traveled to Portugal. Their objective is to stop Quinton's brilliant but insane father from achieving world dominion by harnassing the power of the supernatural world (aka, the Grey). They are accompanied by Carlos, a powerful dark mage and vampire who owes Harper more than one favor for saving his undead 'life' twice.
The trio soon find out that James Purlis has joined forces with the Bone Mages, a black magic order intent on raising an apocalyptic group of revenants, fire breathing dragons that will render Europe helpless and under their control. To do this, they need specific bones from the skeletal remains or dead bodies of people with special characteristics. After an abortive attempt to kidnap and kill Quinton's supernaturally talented niece, the mages and Purlis turn to raiding ossowaries and tombs.
Harper has to rally all her powers a Greywalker and private investigator to outwit Purlis, the mage Rui and their minions. She is further called upon to sacrifice part of herself, literally, to thwart the the mage's plans and destroy the Hell Dragon they've called forth.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Tonight and Always (other topics)The Summer I Turned Pretty (other topics)
Boys That Bite (other topics)
Alice (other topics)
Dark Witch (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christina Henry (other topics)Nora Roberts (other topics)
Jenny Han (other topics)
Jenny Han (other topics)
Nora Roberts (other topics)
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Mandy ~ The 5th Wave - Review
Debbie (Doc) ~The Law of Moses -Review
Marty ~ The Return of Moriarty: Sherlock Holmes' Nemesis Lives Again Review
Fairlee ~ Murder With Peacocks - Review
Dawn ~The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy Review
Bouchra ~ Final Theory - Review
Kim ~ Let's Get Lost - Review
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