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R7: SS Goal Diggers (8)***Winners***
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "I'm trying to read 2 per month - I'll never finish the series at this rate! "I'm trying to read 2 a month as well. I might be able to catch up with you...in a YEAR! haha
Mod
ThatEzi wrote: "I was intimidated by the number of the In Death series. Plus I didn't like Roake."What!?! Blasphemy! :) Except for the occasion when he slipped a "soother" into her drink to force her to take a break from work, I think he's been a great equal to her strong character. He also seems to read her like a book, which she needs. I like when we get a peek inside his brain to see his vulnerabilities too.
Isn't the "book boyfriend" concept kind of funny? We joke about it, but really when we read books, we ARE putting ourselves into the place of the characters. So we can tell a lot about ourselves--or at least our fantasy selves--by which characters make us say "nope" or "heck yeah".
Also, it depends on the times too, I think. If I would have read bodice rippers in the 80s, the total alpha male thing wouldn't have seemed as over the top as they do now. The modern day "bodice rippers" seem to be the military or motorcycle club books. Some people really get into the "You're mine. Get naked." kind of guys. I'd probably snort and laugh in their face. "Yeah right. No one's THAT cute."
...although, it would definitely be in a fantasy world where I'd ever get an offer from a guy like that anyway. Unless they have some fetish for frumpy moms. lol
Mod
What!?! Blasphemy! :) Except for the occasion when he slipped a "soother" into her drink to force..."
I will rephrase. I like them separately not together
I edited that about 10 times while you were answering. Sorry about that. haha I talk a lot.
ThatEzi wrote: "Dawn wrote: "ThatEzi wrote: "I was intimidated by the number of the In Death series. Plus I didn't like Roake."What!?! Blasphemy! :) Except for the occasion when he slipped a "soother" into her d..."
I didn't really care for Roarke in the first couple of books. Now, I am really liking him and I love the narrator.
Everyone keeps raving about the narrator for the "In Death" series. Sounds like I need to switch to audio books, huh? I know when I read the Outlander series (I've read the books and listened to the audio), once I heard Davina Porter's voice for Jamie, that was it. That was Jamie. Luckily, I think Starz found a character who portrays Jamie very well too. I felt like he dropped right into that character without messing up what was in my imagination for him (voice too).
BTW, if you haven't listened to the narrated version by Davina, you must. She's incredible. As the characters in the books age, she's able to age their voices too--realistically. She's amazing.
Reading
but i'm only on the 3rd so couple of days lol
Mandy wrote: "Reading but i'm only on the 3rd so couple of days lol"I haven't heard of this series - looks really good!
Hey everyone, just wanted to bring you up to date - I had to go out of town to attend a family member's funeral. Fortunately, I have my book for this week with me and am getting through it in fits and starts. I will have it done in time for the deadline, but I might not be able to post my review until early-mid day Thursday. I'm really enjoying Swamplandia! and I hope your books are equally entertaining.
Marty wrote: "Hey everyone, just wanted to bring you up to date - I had to go out of town to attend a family member's funeral. Fortunately, I have my book for this week with me and am getting through it in fits ..."Take care, Marty. Sorry to hear about your family's loss. :(
Marty wrote: "Hey everyone, just wanted to bring you up to date - I had to go out of town to attend a family member's funeral. Fortunately, I have my book for this week with me and am getting through it in fits ..."Awww Marty I'm sorry to hear about your loss. You are in my prayers. As long as it's up by deadline no worries. =D I'm glad your enjoying your book it sounds interesting.
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "Mandy wrote: "Reading but i'm only on the 3rd so couple of days lol"I haven't heard of this series - looks really good!"
I'm actually reading the whole series this week, well started this weekend. I'm about 25% away from finishing Ill Fated She's like the fae version of Mercy Thompson.
Spot 57: Alternate - FloridaSwamplandia! by Karen Russell
Rating: five stars
Review:
This was a terrific story, part legend, part slapstick, part mystery, part family drama. The story is largely told by Ava Bigtree, the youngest member of the Bigtree performers who run the doomed Swamplandia!, a fading west Florida island tourist attraction. Things have been rough lately for the Bigtrees - their patriarch, Sawtooth Bigtree (not his real name) has been confined to a floating nursing home with dementia. Their mother and main attraction, Hilola Bigtree, has died of ovarian cancer. As a result, tourists have ceased to flock to see the alligator wrestling matches and their father, 'Chief' Bigtree is in complete denial that Swamplandia! is on its last legs. He also disappears for long periods of time to the mainland, where he secretly works at a local casino to keep Swamplandia! afloat.
Largely left to fend for themselves, three children naturally deal with this mess in wildly different ways. Brother Kiwi, having done the math on the park's finances, is in no mood to indulge his father's stubbornly optimist outlook. He runs away to work at the World of Darkness theme park, hoping to make enough money to get his sisters out into the real world. It's a trial by fire for him, since he has absolutely no idea how to communicate with 'normal' teens. Fortunately, he impresses his employers enough to promote him to lifeguard and eventually send him to pilot training school.
Osceola, the middle child, becomes obsessed with ghosts and spiritualism, with the aid of an occult publication, titled The Spiritualist's Telegraph. She believes that she can contact the dead and begins to 'date' the young male ghosts she supposedly conjures up. Eventually she too runs away, to 'elope' with the ghost of a young man improbably named Louis Thanksgiving, who supposedly inhabits the wreck of a dredge boat that Ava and Ossie find one day while clearing melaluca.
Left alone, 13-year-old Ava cares for her red 'Seth,' a baby alligator born with bright strawberry red scales that Ava hopes will help save the park once she is big enough to use in an act. Eventually, Ava meets the mysterious Bird Man who claims to have the power to find Osceola. Ava travels with him in his pole boat, but eventually realizes the guy is a creep and tries to escape, only to be raped by him. A second try at escaping is successful but Ava ends up being lost in the sawtooth swamp.
Kiwi manages to rescue both Ava and Osceola, reunites with his father, who finally accepts reality and closes Swamplandia! Ava and Osceola now begin the adjustment to life and school on the mainland.
I absolutely loved this book. Ava is one of my new favorite characters, both spunky, vulnerable and strong. It's a great look into the alternative lifestyle of amusement park/carnival families too.
Marty wrote: "Spot 57: Alternate - FloridaSwamplandia! by Karen Russell
Rating: five stars
Review:
This was a terrific story, part legend, part ..."
For anyone who's part of the group AMMP, this would be a great one to read for their Spring Carnival Challenge that runs from March - May. I'm going to put it on my list. Thanks, Marty.
I'll get my review posted as soon as I can today. I'm still reading.
Guys. My book is done but I won't be posting it until later this evening. My brother's baby came 4 months early and I'm camped out in the NICU while he stays with mom, who is in a coma. I know they have computers somewhere and I will journey down to find them when things settle down a bit. Just didn't want you to think I was MIA.
Mod
Sorry to hear about your loss Marty. Take all the time you need
Marty wrote: "Spot 57: Alternate - FloridaSwamplandia! by Karen Russell
Rating: five stars
Review:
This was a terrific story, part legend, part ..."
That is so funny that you gave this book 5 stars. Almost everyone does. I read it and didn't care for it at all. Your review is awesome!
Kim wrote: "Guys. My book is done but I won't be posting it until later this evening. My brother's baby came 4 months early and I'm camped out in the NICU while he stays with mom, who is in a coma. I know they..."Kim, don't worry about your review. Your family comes first.
Marty wrote: "Hey everyone, just wanted to bring you up to date - I had to go out of town to attend a family member's funeral. Fortunately, I have my book for this week with me and am getting through it in fits ..."Sorry about your loss. No worries on your book. Take time for yourself and to heal.
Spot 57 - Completed
Sins of the Night by Sherrilyn Kenyon
Completed: 2/23/16
Qualification: #7 in the Dark Hunters Series
Review:
3 stars
So far in this series, I have given all books 4 to 5 stars. Unfortunately, this one was not up there with my favorites.
While it was important to answer a few lingering questions, I just could not get interested in the plot. The Dark Hunters in Mississippi are being led astray by none other than Daimons.
Fearing rebellion, Danger, a female Dark Hunter, calls upon Ash to settle this matter once and for all. Ash brings out the big guns in the form of Alexion who is always called to restore peace in any manner that he deems fit. Danger must work with Alexion but both are immediately attracted to each other.
Danger and Alexion’s attraction were enough to enjoy the story, but the plot just fell short for me. The pacing was slow, and I found my mind wandering to other more pressing issues, like what to cook for dinner. I did listen to the audio and love the narrator. I am looking forward to the next installment and getting back to the world of the Dark Hunter.
Kim wrote: "Guys. My book is done but I won't be posting it until later this evening. My brother's baby came 4 months early and I'm camped out in the NICU while he stays with mom, who is in a coma. I know they..."I'm so sorry to hear about your family's troubles. Hugs if you want them.
Sorry for your loss Marty. Hope you and your family are holding up fine.Kim, hope your nephew/niece is alright!
Team, I'm done with my book for this week, will post the review in the AM, as I was busy with a family emergency earlier today. Will post the review within less than 10 hours' time.
Once again, sorry about what happened last week :/
Spot 57Read
5th in seriesRating 5 star
Finished 2-24-16
Review
I’ve been reading the entire series one after another after receiving them for an upcoming book tour so it’s been interesting watching Maurin grow so much in the last year. I knew it was coming each book has been primary based on one type of supernatural being so this one had to be Fae after all they just recently joined the council. I really like the supernatural world that she lives in with vampires being accepted just like werewolves. I’ve really grown to love Maurin she reminds me a lot of a fae Mercy Thompson she runs with the big scary guys and even is dating one. The author has created a unique story that captures the heart as well as the imagination. Each book is packed full of action, mystery, coffee and just a touch of romance all perfectly blended together. The author has a beautifully way of telling Maurin’s story it’s well executed and flows from start to finish creating a book that is hard to put down. While this is my first series by the author I’ve become hooked and can’t wait to see what comes next.
Kim wrote: "Guys. My book is done but I won't be posting it until later this evening. My brother's baby came 4 months early and I'm camped out in the NICU while he stays with mom, who is in a coma. I know they..."Kim I hope everything is ok. Seems to be a rough week. =(
Completion PostWeek 6
Spot: 57
Book: Chomp by Carl Hiaasen
Qualification: Alternate - Florida
Rating & Review: 2 Stars
I don't know. I didn't really enjoy this one. I wanted to. I really did, but a combo of a bunch of things just wouldn't let me. First, I was in a really lousy mood, so it's possible that I would have hated any book that I'd read, even if I would have loved it had I read it at a different time. Second, I listened to this on audio and James Van Der Beek (yep, Dawson from Dawson's Creek) was the narrator and I did not enjoy listening to him. His voice felt really monotone to me. He should stick to acting (maybe) and let the professional audiobook readers read the books.
This book was kind of a satire of those that do nature/survivalist shows, of the Bear Gryls ilk. I don't really enjoy that subject, so the book wasn't very interesting to me. I need to quit reading books without reading the synopsis first, but being completely honest with myself, I won't. So I need to quit complaining.
Whew. Made it by midnight with just under four hours to spare! Sorry for the delay, guys.
Holiday in Death J.D. Robb, #7 In Death, 2-25-16 (3*), review
Lt. Eve Dallas investigates the sexual homicides of multiple people connected to a matchmaking dating service. The audacious killer dresses up as Santa Claus, then leaves the bodies with a token corresponding to the "Twelve Days of Christmas".
This one dragged a bit for me and seemed same-old, same-old. I'm hoping the next on the list catches my interest a little more, although I very much enjoy this series on the whole.
Just waiting on Bouchra and she said she would have it it up in 10 hours so we should see it in about 5 more.
Roll 6, Spot 57
Echo Burning by Lee Child
Relevance: 5th in series
Date Finished: 25/02/2016
Rating: **
Review:Unlike most Jack Reacher novels I've read, this was quite boring. There's not a lot of suspense, almost everything that happens in the book is predictable, and the action is quite bland.
I'm a bit disappointed, but I hope the next book will be better!
Week 6 ~ Roll ~ 11 Spot 57 Alternate ~ FloridaMandy - Ill Fated - Review
Debbie (Doc) ~ Sins of the Night - Review
Marty ~ Swamplandia! - Review
Dawn ~ Holiday in Death - Review
Bouchra Echo Burning - Review
Kim ~ Chomp -Review
6 of 6 complete
Roll 71 + 6 = 7
7 + 57 = 64
Spot 64
#6 in series
#4 in series
#64 in series
Alternate: brown cover
I'll be reading book #4 of the Jack Reacher series.
I'll Read
Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James
# of pages - 400 Pages
Qualifies: #6 in Black Top Cowboys
Mod
As I had previously communicated with you on personal message, you have been removed from Team 8. I sympathize with your real life issues, but it is unfair to the team for your continual insistence to continue when you regularly do not meet team expectations.
I believe everyone wishes you well on whatever obstacles you are facing but it is very apparent that you are not in a position to be involved in this team competition in a manner that is fair to everyone else.
You are free to let me know how I can help you, if it is something I can accommodate, I will try my best. But you are disqualified from this current team 8 SS challenge.
Ezi
I was curious if there even was a series of books that went as high as 64. There is, and my library had it. I'll be reading Captive Witness by Carolyn Keene.
Gosh, it's been around 35 years (gulp!) since I read a Nancy Drew mystery.
Dawn wrote: "I was curious if there even was a series of books that went as high as 64. There is, and my library had it. I'll be reading Captive Witness by Carolyn Keene.
my choice hope its brown enough
I think I'll go with
, which is #4 in series.
Dawn wrote: "I was curious if there even was a series of books that went as high as 64. There is, and my library had it. I'll be reading Captive Witness by Carolyn Keene.[bookcover:Captive Witnes..."
I love Nancy Drew and really loved the Hardy Boys back in the day - that was because I loved Shawn Cassidy who played Joe!
Debbie (Doc) wrote: "I love Nancy Drew and really loved the Hardy Boys back in the day - that was because I loved Shawn Cassidy who played Joe! "
I read some of those books but never got to see the TV show. It must have been on ABC. I was from a little town (<800 pop.) that only had CBS, NBC and PBS. I think I was 13 before we got cable and HBO (woo-hoo! jackpot!). I did get to see reruns of Shaun's brother, David, in the Partridge Family, and I had a little crush on him.
Dawn wrote: "Debbie (Doc) wrote: "I love Nancy Drew and really loved the Hardy Boys back in the day - that was because I loved Shawn Cassidy who played Joe! "
I read some of those books but never got to see t..."
I am from a small town also. We had ABC, CBS, and PBC until I was in junior high, I think. I do remember that the show was on Sunday evening's but no clue what channel.
Spot 64, #4 in the Rebecka Martinsson series
Until Thy Wrath be Past by Åsa Larsson - 2/29/16
Rating: Five Stars
Review: Another of my 'absolutely love' series. The character of Rebecka has grown so much since the first book. Whereas she began as a depressed and isolated lawyer living a miserable life in Stockholm, she is now happily serving as prosecutor for her hometown of Kiruna (that's the northern most city in Sweden, for those who might be curious). She now works closely with Inspector Anna-Maria Mella and her team of investigators - a new development that's not always comfortable for the temperamental but brilliant policewoman.
The body of a young woman has turned up in a local river, with one hand mutilated. There is no sign of her boyfriend who had gone diving with her at the time they both disappeared. Autopsy results indicate that the girl was in fact moved from the nearby lake. Mella's investigation leads her to the corrupt and violent Krekula clan, who, it turns out have many dark secrets leading back to World War II and German collaboration that they are desperate to keep, perhaps to the point of murder.
Part of the action is narrated by the spirit of Wilma Persson, the murdered young woman, who acts as a sort of Greek chorus/paranormal catalyst in the background of the investigation. Supernatural elements are not uncommon in Larsson's novels, although they are subtly used and never turn the plots into cliched ghost stories.
I am almost caught up with this series too. I hope the author keeps adding on to Rebecka's story.
Completion PostWeek 7
Spot: 64
Book: Son by Lois Lowry
Qualification: #4 in Series
Rating & Review: 4 Stars
This was a pretty good finale to this series. I read The Giver before the movie came out and absolutely loved it. I didn't like Gathering Blue at all. Messenger was better. I think what made me so angry was that at the end of The Giver, I was left wondering what happened to Jonas. We don't really catch up with him and find out what's going on with all the other characters until this book. This book is in four parts. The first three parts connect with the first three books in order, so it's no surprise that I enjoyed the first part the best. I think it was a really clever way to wrap the series up and I'm glad to cross off another completed series.
Week 7, Spot 64Captive Witness Carolyn Keene, #64 Nancy Drew Mysteries, 3-2-16 (3*), review
It has been a looooong time since I've read Nancy Drew. What is so interesting to me is that I have the same impression now at 45 as I did back when I was around 10 or so (coincidentally, which is when this particular book was written). The independence and freedom, not to mention trust and respect--and cool cars--she is given by her father is impressive considering she is still only 18 years old. I remember admiring that about her because she always seemed so sophisticated.
She always dressed nicely and appropriately for any occasion. I especially loved her style in the books that took place in the 50s and 60s (white gloves and hats, anyone?) before they revised them to make her seem more modern...and everyone less racist *cough, cough*. She knew different languages and cool things like Irish step-dancing and how to cauterize wounds while riding a horse. I'm making that up, but it's probably in one of the earlier books. She always took the lead in solving mysteries and the adults would just go along with her ideas. The thought of the power inherent in all the respect she is given is heady for a little girl imagining herself in that role.
Nancy was on a student tour of Austria with her friends Ned, George, Burt, and Bess, when she learns of a secret plan by their professor to smuggle some endangered children out of an Eastern European country, through Hungary and over to Austria where they would be safe. The professor is being watched too carefully, so he has to enlist Nancy and her friends to help rescue the children.
While they are making plans on how to accomplish this, Nancy receives a call from her father asking her to help track down a stolen movie reel titled, Captive Witness, for a famous director friend. It is located somewhere in Vienna, so Mr. Drew asks her to branch off from the group for a bit to locate it. In doing so, they are put in danger several times by a couple of bumbling but deadly goons who are determined to stop Nancy. The story was kind of hokey, but it was fun to see how teenagers could come up with ways to escape, evade, snoop, distract, and eventually outwit the bad guys.
I read this with my admittedly jaded 8yo daughter, and she and I both were rolling our eyes at times. We determined that you just have to go along with it and not think too much about how (un)realistic her abilities were. At one point, Nancy was chasing down a bad guy, and this happens:
Instinctively, Nancy made her move. She leaped high, grabbed a projecting pipe, swung her feet up and over the oncoming car and dropped them solidly on the man's right shoulder. (...and ends up in a judo stance.)
My daughter immediately said, "I don't even think that's possible. She jumped OVER a car?" I told her with a smirk and a snort, "It's Nancy Drew. She can do anything." Her deadpan reply? "She's Barbie." You are right, little one. I think that's why little girls can't get enough of her...even when they roll their eyes.
Side note from the so-called adult: Her best friends are always there to help take down the bad guys, she gets all the credit, and they pat her on the back because they are pleased as punch that she always gets the glory. "You deserve it, Nancy!" I'm still waiting for an adult version of Nancy Drew where Ned Nickerson is a pot-bellied drunk still following Nancy around like a puppy dog, happy with her scraps, reliving his glory days of pretending to be a gondolier or whatever; Burt dies from a horrible goring during Running of the Bulls (thanks, Nancy); George and Bess spend their days shopping and getting Botox injections, all the while Nancy is winning the Nobel Peace Prize and running for office as Leader of the World, and the next mystery to be solved is, The Case of the Missing 'Fountain of Youth' Sleuth.
bookcover:Hillbilly Rockstar|17206440]Hillbilly Rockstar by Lorelei James
# of pages - 400 Pages
Qualifies: #6 in Black Top Cowboys
Read 3/2/16
4.5 Stars
Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book. Country star heartthrob Devin McClain has attracted star crazed fans and is in need of a bodyguard. When one of the band members was roughed up, Devin decides to hire a bodyguard from a highly reputable security company. As luck would have it, the bodyguard is an ex. military female who happens to be the sister of an acquaintance from Muddy Gap.
Liberty and Devin started out as employer and employee, but shortly after the tour began, they became much more. Rather than telling the band members and groupies that Liberty was a bodyguard, both used the premise that Liberty was his personal assistant.
This was a typical Lorelei James book that included hot romance and even hotter males. I really enjoyed this installment of Black Top Cowboys. My rating is 4.5 stars as there were some sections that I found a little off. I’m looking forward to the next installment.
I'm almost done with mine been book hopping all week.
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I'm sorry you have to keep hearing about this series, though. It ..."
Love it when I have a book that will work for multiple challenges. I'm on #21 in this series so don't think I'll be able to read anymore for this challenge. I'm trying to read 2 per month - I'll never finish the series at this rate!