The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SS Archives♦
>
R7: SS Goal Diggers (8)***Winners***
Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me??
Kim wrote: "Is that a gun or are you just happy to see me??"Considering things start off hot on page one, Kim, I think he's happy to see you!
I think all these covert ops guys have something going here. Just show off your muscles and you can get away with whatever you want. It's more effective than a flash grenade. Everyone just stands around going, "Huh? What? What happened? Did you hear something?"
Weird V thing that only hot guys that are unattainable to me have? CheckHappy trail? Check
A fourteen pack? Check
Ink? Check
Background mood lighting? Check
Looks like a good book!
haha I'll let you know when my hot flash is over. ;)
Week 10, "Weapon on Cover"
No Place to Run Maya Banks, #2 KGI, 3-19-16 (4*), review
[Sam Kelly & Sophie Lundgren]
Sam and Sophie meet while he's on a covert mission in Mexico, and although they are not totally honest about who they really are and both know it has to be a temporary fling, they make a deep connection during their stolen moments and find it hard to say goodbye when it's time for them to part. Five months later Sophie, who has been on the run, tracks down Sam and asks for his help and protection, even though she knows he will hate her after she reveals a couple whoppers of secrets she's been keeping from him.
This book is exciting from start to finish and the chemistry was off the charts between these two. There is a lot of involvement with Sam's brothers, sister, and his parents in helping Sophie get out of a dangerous situation. Strong focus on the importance of family in this one.
A+ on "pretty" cover too. Have you ever seen a...sunset like that?
Dark Side of the Moon
387 Pages
Qualifies: #9 in the Dark Hunters Series
Completed 3/23/16
4.5 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.
Completion PostWeek 10
Spot: 94
Book: Beyond the Grave by Jude Watson
Qualification: Book 4 in The 39 Clues series
Rating & Review: 3 Stars
I'm kind of over this series already. And it's pretty huge, with lots of spin-offs and such. My kid seems to be enjoying it, so I guess we'll stick with it for now. I really enjoyed the first two. I'm not sure if I'm disliking these later ones because they are by different (and not as popular) authors, or if it's just the whole "kids book" aspect of the thing. But now, I'm invested and I need to know what all of these darn clues are leading up to!!! Luckily they are short, quick, easy reads for us. AND we both are learning a lot about history and culture as we read them, so I guess we'll carry on.
Week 10 Alternate Weapon on the cover Spot 94
Finished 3/23/16
Rating - 5 star
Review
In a town destroyed by war struggling to survive things aren’t as peaceful as some might imagine. At sixteen girl’s marriage are arranged with boys from across town in hopes of producing better chances of having children. Ivy is less than thrilled to marry the man that her sister was supposed to marry but as the daughter of the founders she has no choice. Her sister and father have a plan that will return rightful power of the town to their control she just has to kill her future husband.
While Ivy has grown up knowing that the president is to blame for the loss of her mother and that they stole the town. She’s spent her whole life struggling to just survive and when she’s forced to take her sisters place she plans to do what she needs to do. Only Ivy never expected to find herself attracted to Bishop, or that he’s not the bad guy who she’s been led to believe. Wanting to make her little family proud she works hard to find out about the guns, as well as staying true to the plan. As she spends more time with Bishop getting to know him things chance and she doesn’t think she can do it. What happens when her life is turned upside down?
I like Ivy she’s the younger sister who’s spent her whole life blaming someone else for their problems because that’s all she’s known. Only realize it’s all been a lie, and maybe what she’s been told isn’t the right path. I really like Bishop he’s a good guy with a good heart who just happens to be in the middle of a sinister plan that Ivy is less than thrilled about. The two while forced together really figured out how to make the best of the situation even falling in love with each other.
I’ve had this one sitting on my bookshelf for a while since but never seemed to get around to it until now. I’m so sad that I waited so long but at least I don’t have to wait to read the next one. I’m a huge fan of the dystopian concept, this one has a unique story of arranged marriages, civil war, lies and secrets that will destroy the lives of many. I loved Ivy as she grew into her own as the story progressed she really started to come out of her shell with Bishop that she was willing to risk herself for him. I enjoyed the author writing style the book flows from start to finish it’s hard to put down. The author does a beautiful job of telling Ivy’s story and I can’t wait to see how it’s all going to play out in the next book. I loved every moment it of The Book of Ivy it touched my heart strings even making me a little teary. Highly recommend for fans of dystopian novels.
Spot 94Number 9 in a series: Maisie Dobbs
Elegy for Eddie by Jacqueline Winspear- 3/24/16
Rating: 4 stars
I hate to say it, but this episode in the series was disappointing. I think it was because it focused so much on Maisie's rocky relationship with James Compton and her struggles with her sudden affluence courtesy of the estate of her beloved mentor Maurice Blanch. I think that really watered down the murder mystery part of the novel, which has always been excellent.
The murdered man in this episode is Eddie Pettit, a man with an amazing talent for calming and caring for horses. Maisie knew him when she was a child in Lambeth. Eddie is referred to as 'simple' in the parlance of the 1930s, but most 21st century readers will spot clear signs of the autism spectrum in his behaviors. He dies in what is considered to be an accident at a publishing office, but Maisie soon discovers that the truth of the matter is much more complicated.
Two other deaths and the serious injury of Maisie's right hand man Billy Beale follow. The prime suspect in Eddie's death is found hanging from a bridge, a reporter who was close to Eddie is found drowned. Menacing political undercurrents began to emerge - Adolph Hitler is now chancellor of Germany, Winston Churchill is beginning to make a reputation as a formidable politician and secret plans are underfoot for new weaponry to defend Britain. It is these plans that eventually cause Eddie his life.
If this sounds disjointed, it is. Splicing so much of Maisie's personal life into the plot really broke it up. I hope the next episode refocuses on the mysteries.
Week 10 ~ Roll ~ 8 Spot 94 Alternate ~ Cover Items WeaponsMandy ~ The Book of Ivy - Reviews
Debbie (Doc) ~ Dark Side of the Moon - Reviews
Marty ~ Elegy for Eddy - Reviews
Dawn ~ No Place to Run - Reviews
Kim ~ Beyond the Grave - Reviews
5 of 5 complete
We are ready to roll as soon as the option is up
Huzzah! I rolled a 3 and a 5. So 8 total and we're at the finish line!Week 11: Spot 100
1st in a series, 100th in a series (is there such a thing??), a book from the 3 star list. Also, 0 means you can read a book of your choice, right?
Whoo hoo!Week 11 - Thursday
New Space 100
Tonight and Always by Nora Roberts
Pages: 335
Qualifies: Stand Alone
I'm going to go with
, book one of the Summer series.
Mod
Week 11: Spot 100
1st in a series, 100th in a series (is there such a thing??), a book from the 3 star list. Also, 0 means yo..."
Point of Correction Captain: 94 + 8 = 102.
Pick books to fit and march to victory immediately :D
Good luck
P.S. You are the only ones above 100 I think so it's not a race to the finish line
Ha. I can't believe none of us realized that!So, 102 means we can pick:
1 - First in Series
0 - Standalone
2 - Second in Series
102 - Series 102 (Anyone???)
Alt Option - Author M
Lots of choices!!! I will stick with my choice as it still fits.
I will stick with my book as well. We started off slow but wow - we are in the lead!!
ThatEzi wrote: "Point of Correction Captain: 94 + 8 = 102."Ah, I didn't know we could go beyond 100. Thanks for catching that. Sorry for the mistake, folks!
I'll read
, #1 in the Chronicles of Alice series.
Ooooh. I'll be looking for your review on that one, Marty!
Kim wrote: "Ooooh. I'll be looking for your review on that one, Marty!"It sounds delightfully dark and twisted. :)
Kim wrote: "Ooooh. I'll be looking for your review on that one, Marty!"This one does look good dark and twisted!!
Completion PostWeek 11
Spot: 102
Book: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Qualification: Book 1 in the Summer series
Rating & Review: 4 Stars
This one started off slow, but picked up in the middle. There was a lot of these flashback things that made it hard for me to remember what was going on - were we in the past or present? But once I figured all that out, it was fine. There's a definite love triangle. Actually, a love square! I have my favorite boy who I hope Belly ends up with, and I'm sure there's a whole Team Conrad/Team Jeremiah thing happening out there somewhere.
I love that the MC goes by Belly. Her full name is Isabella, but everyone calls her Belly, or some version of that - Belly Button, Jelly Belly, etc. It is so cute. I wish I could have another kid just to name her Belly.
I felt like the ending was rather abrupt. My audio stopped and I was like, "That's it?!" So, yeah, I need to get the next one and follow the story along.
They should do one of these but with a higher finishing number (like 500 or something really difficult) and let the teams advance on to the next roll as soon as they are all done with their current books. Then the pressure is really on for everyone to read quickly. Of course, the really competitive people would be planting car bombs if someone slowed the team down! Maybe that's not such a good idea. Maybe do it as an individual challenge but against other people.
Mod
Lol. Sure, create more work for me why don't ya? Lol.
Kim wrote: "Completion PostWeek 11
Spot: 102
Book: The Summer I Turned Pretty by Jenny Han
Qualification: Book 1 in the Summer ..."
Wow, that was fast! I'm just one chapter into mine. And Kim, it's fantastic so far!
Yeah, I listened to it on audio for the majority of the day yesterday while doing other stuff. It was pretty short. Under 300 pages.I've had my eye on that Alice book for awhile.
ThatEzi wrote: "Lol. Sure, create more work for me why don't ya? Lol. "They always say, "When you want something done, ask the busy person."
Mod
They always say, "When you want something done, ask the busy person.""
I never heard that, you made that up, LOL
Week 11 - ThursdayNew Space 100
Tonight and Always by Nora Roberts
Pages: 335
Qualified: Stand Alone
2 stars
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!
Dawn wrote: "They should do one of these but with a higher finishing number (like 500 or something really difficult) and let the teams advance on to the next roll as soon as they are all done with their current..."I think that an individual challenge would be great. What Dawn has suggested is similar to the Tower Team Challenge in another group.
Mod
Mod
Trot to victory, then?
Yes, we are usually all pretty close to the wire. But not late!!! Ha ha.This is the first round where I was done early and that's just because I listened to mine on audio while cleaning for Easter. Otherwise, you'd be waiting on me, too!
Ezi! Are you in hurry to cross this one off as done?! Ha ha.
I recently started my own challenge group for some friends and it's spiraling to way more than I thought it would be, so I totally get it. Totally. Get. It. I didn't before, but I do now...
Mod
Oh boooo. It ain't over 'till it's over!!!
ThatEzi wrote: "Lol. The other groups are still trying to decide whether to read or call it done."Make them squirm Ezi - LOL
ThatEzi wrote: "Dawn wrote: "ThatEzi wrote: "Lol. Sure, create more work for me why don't ya? Lol. "They always say, "When you want something done, ask the busy person.""
I never heard that, you made that up, LOL"
It's true. That's why I'm a slacker.
Kim wrote: "I think we have 2 of 5 turned in."I'm halfway through my book. I might get it finished tonight before I turn in. If not, I'll definitely have it read tomorrow evening.
Spot 102 - 1st in a Series
by Christina Henry - 3/28/16
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Lewis Carroll would likely be shocked by this retelling of his Alice in Wonderland tale. Christina Henry has taken his tale of a little Victorian girl chasing a white rabbit into a magical realm and turned it into a fascinating, grimy, dark adult steampunk tale. This isn't for the faint of heart or the weak of stomach - there's a great deal of violence, sex and gore in this plot, but Henry's a skilled enough writer that the horror doesn't come off as gratuitous.
Now 24-years-old, Alice is locked away in a madhouse in the crime-riddled Old City, drugged and rejected by her proper family who live in the wealthy enclave of the New City. Lured into a dangerous situation by her so-called friend, Dor, she had survived a horrific rape, but could only repeat, "the Rabbit, the Rabbit!" when she was found by the riverside 8 years ago.
She makes friends with a fellow inmate, Hatcher, who ironically enough is an ax-murderer. He sees through the drugs and the scarring to the pretty, good-hearted girl she still is. They escape the madhouse during a devastating fire, only to find that something worse has been released as well. The Jabberwock, an evil Magician has been turned loose as well and is searching for the blade which holds part of its power. If it succeeds in retrieving that power, it will be unstoppable.
Alice and Hatcher embark on a quest to stop the Jabberwock, which Hatcher can 'see' if it comes close by, but only during a trance that renders him powerless to act. Alice, in the meantime, is discovering that she has some sort of power herself, but she's not quite willing to admit it.
Carroll's benign animal characters have been transformed into unsavory crime bosses - the Caterpillar who presides over "Butterflies" a ghoulish brothel; Cheshire the trickster, who loves to play games with those he finds interesting and has magical powers himself; the face-eating Walrus whom Hatcher mutilated in a flight years ago; and the Rabbit himself, a collector of pretty young girls for his own brutal pleasures.
I absolutely loved this dark take on the Alice in Wonderland story. Henry manages to keep enough of the magical/legend/fairy tale element in the story to offset the horrors and keep the plot moving along at a nice pace. If I hadn't needed to put it down to go to work, sleep or do other things, I probably would have read it in a day. This is going to be an interesting series.
Spot 102 - 1st in a series
Dark Witch Nora Roberts, #1 Cousins O'Dwyer, 3-29-16 (3*), review
Ho-hum start to a trilogy about three cousins (witches) who come together as fated through time in order to defeat their ancestors' dark foe, a greedy and heartless man/supernatural being who was willing to barter with the Devil in order to obtain more power. He is now after the power the O'Dwyer family holds, after letting it slip through his fingers 750 years before.
This first book focuses on Iona Sheehan, an American who moves to County Mayo, Ireland, in order to meet the cousins she has been told about by her grandmother, along with the family legend of "The Three Who Are One". She has her talisman, a copper pendant with the image of a horse, and a blossoming knowledge of her own magical power. She meets her cousins, Branna and Connor O'Dwyer, brother and sister, who have known their whole lives about their power and have been able to foster it. This is all new for Iona, and her cousins devote themselves to teaching her and preparing her for the battle they know will come.
Helping them are three friends, also entwined within their lives and as close as family, are Boyle McGrath, Meara Quinn, and Finbar Burke. Boyle is as closed off as Iona is open, but she knows immediately that she's attracted to him and shares that knowledge freely, to his embarrassment and her new friends' mirth. He fights it as long as he can but is no match for the light she brings into his world. I'm assuming that Meara and Connor will be the next couple to be featured. There was nothing pointing to them having a thing for each other, just teasing back and forth, but the way Nora's trilogies work, I'm assuming they will find love together. Fin and Branna do have a shared history and obviously still love each other, but they were torn apart by the very supernatural entity they are planning to defeat. Trust will be the main divide between them and the lack of it will be what they have to overcome. As prickly as Branna is, I'm sure their relationship will be the final one needing resolution before they ultimately eliminate Cabhan, the evil one, in the third book.
Good story, not great. This isn't up to par with other trilogies Nora Roberts is so well-loved for. She normally does such a wonderful job in showing us the bond between groups of friends or family members. Perhaps that will improve in the other books, but this one was missing something. This book definitely felt like a first book in a series that is just trying to establish the foundation. I love Nora, so I have faith that she will come through and the series will get better.
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)
More...
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)
More...
I know, I know. I don't know how I spotted the weapon either.