R7: SS "Lucky 13" (13)

[Lisa Kay]

Updated Post #197 with my Week #7 review.

[Lisa Kay]

Question: Does this game end when someone wins, or when we finish?

(I'm going to Florida for the last three weeks of March and, while I'll have Internet connection, it will be via my iPhone or when I connect my laptop through my iPhone...so might be short & sweet.)

[Denise]

Week 7: Spot 62
Series: #2, 6, or 62
Book 2 in the series Manaconda: The Second Coming
Finished: 3/2/16
4 stars

I loved the first book in the series. This one was cute, but it didn't keep my attention as much as the first, given the cliffhanger at the end of the first one. I still loved the characters, but the secondary characters weren't as important as they were in the first one.

[Kme_17]

Author L



Week 7
Spot: 63 ( or author L)
Title: Keeper of the Heart by Johanna Lindsey
Qualification: Has to be 6th, 2nd, standalone or have an author with L
Finished: 3/1/16
Rating & Review: 3 Stars

I waffled over rating this one. I went back and forth from 2 stars to 3 stars. This one is definitely different then you think when you are getting from the cover. This is place in outer space. I do not like the hero. The heroine took a little bit to get use to. Also the world in itself to. However, it is written well.

[Kme_17]

Lisa Kay wrote: "Question: Does this game end when someone wins, or when we finish?

(I'm going to Florida for the last three weeks of March and, while I'll have Internet connection, it will be via my iPhone or wh..."

Lisa Kay it ends when a team gets to spot 100 and reads their books : ) Have fun in Florida.

[Lisa Kay]

Kme_17 wrote: "Lisa Kay it ends when a team gets to spot 100 and reads their books : ) Have fun in Florida."

When the first team gets to 100... or when each team gets to 100?

[Kme_17]

when the first team gets to 100

[Lisa Kay]

Ah. Thanks, Kim! (Thought that was what you meant... just making double sure.) :o)

[Lisa Kay]

I always freak out a bit when I know I'm going to travel through the air 30,000 miles high at 600 miles per hour.

[Denise]

The spreadsheet hasn't been updated in a while. How are we doing compared to the other teams? (I'm too lazy to go through all the other teams' updates.)

[Kme_17]

I think we are in second place right now Denise depending on our next roll :)

[Lisa Kay]

Wow! Really? Neat.

[Denise]

Great! I'll check back later for our new spot

[Lisa Kay]

I have errands to run today (I live in the middle of nowhere, therefore this means traveling) and unexpected company coming tonight. So, if I don't check in until late tonight or tomorrow, don't worry about me.

[Brianna]

Okay guys I have finished my book. Yesterday was my birthday so I didn't read at all. And today I worked til 5. Will post my book and review in about 5 minutes.

[Kme_17]

Happy late Birthday Brianna : )

[Brianna]

Week 7: Spot 63
Title: Mystic River by Dennis Lehane
Qualification: 63rd, 6th, or 3rd in a series, or author's first/last name starts with L
Date Finished: 3.04.2016
Rating: 5 stars
Review:

I absolutely loved this book. I seen the movie about a few months ago with my mother and I loved the movie. I love the book even more. I like how we get a more detailed view of how Sean, Jimmy, and Dave's lives were so different. We get to see how they ended up the way they were. It is a little harder to follow it in the movie, but it's perfect in the book. I may even reread this book in the future just so I can read it at a little slower pace to fully grasp a few things that happened.

[Brianna]

Kme_17 wrote: "Happy late Birthday Brianna : )"

Thank you so much

[Kme_17]

okay guys rolled a 8 so we are on a 70

options
7th book
standalone
Popular Humor Books - check list under 70 of first page

[Brianna]

I'll read a standalone. Never Let Mr Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

[Brianna]

I meant Never Let Me Go. Sorry typo

[Denise]

30 First Dates is what I'll go with, as a standalone.

[Kme_17]

Kme_17-Days of the Giants by R.J. Petrella (standalone) Kme_17 's review
Brianna-Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro (standalone) Brianna's Review
Ashley-Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts (standalone) Ashley 's review
Linda C-Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles (#4135 on the Humor list) Linda C's review
Lisa Kay-Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel (standalone) Lisa Kay's review
Denise-30 First Dates by Stacey Wiedower (standalone) Denise' s review

[Ashley]

Standalone

Week 8
Spot: 70 ( or a popular humor book)
Title: Honest Illusions by Nora Roberts
Qualification: Has to be 7th, standalone or be a popular humor book
Finished: 3/5/16
Rating & Review: 4 Stars
It has been a long time since I read a book that I enjoyed this much. I loved the development of them as a couple. I have also been a sucker for relationships that start off with a bit of friendly animosity. I also love it when a book spans years. The only thing that I would change is that it didn't really make much sense to me why he decided to return after five years. His explanation wasn't a big enough trigger in my mine when he had been following the status quo for so long.

[Kme_17]

going with standalone

[Linda C]

I will read Nearly Departed in Deadwood by Ann Charles

[Linda C]

My book is from the Humor list - has 25 people listing it as humor so it is quite away down the list. Do we need to list the number on the list?

[Kme_17]

Please if you don't mind :)

[Lisa Kay]

Sorry to be incommunicado; I had unexpected company, and then when I sat down to comment in this thread, my power went out!!! Luckily, I had noted our roll, and I've finished my book, a standalone.

Here is where I'll post the link to my GRs review .

The Challenge Factory: Round 7 Super Series Challenge > R7: SS "Lucky 13"

Week 8: Spot 70
Series: #7
Alternate: Standalone
Finished: 3/7/2016
Pages: 336

Station Eleven, by Emily St. John Mandel (SFLibrary-Kindle)

★★★★✩ I read this strictly because it is this month's BOM for my "in person" book club. I had a hard time deciding on a rating, as I'm not really a sci-fi reader and not a fan of doomsday theme (although, the author claims this book isn't science fiction, as it doesn't have the technological gizmos sci-fi writing usually does). So, consider that when looking at my rating.

Nonetheless, this is a post-apocalyptic novel that is a little different than the standard fare. Here we see what has happened down the road, which I liked. In an interview with The National Book Organization, Ms. Mandel says, "After the initial nightmare of societal collapse, what does the world look like twenty years down the line, when a new culture has begun to emerge? That was what I found myself most interested in writing about." So, after I kept cringing, waiting, and bracing myself for the worse possible scenario to happen to characters I was beginning to like, I got into the story.

I'm also not fond of books that bounce around in time or are done in flashbacks, but this one threaded the different timelines together well. Their placements were significant, had a sense of flow to them, and weren't jarring.

In this book dark and light walk hand-in-hand. The doomsday cult freaked me out, of course, which caused me to delay in figuring out the identity of the prophet. While the ending is not all neat and tidy with a bow on top, for me, it has a lot of hope for humanity.

I love Shakespeare, and art, and museums and they all blended in nicely into the story-line. Neat thinking about what I would carry with me and what I would contribute to the Museum of Civilization.

[Lisa Kay]

Happy Belated Birthday, Brianna! :o)

[Linda C]

Week 8: Spot 70
Series #: 7, 70, stand alone or alternate: Humor

Nearly Departed in Deadwood - Ann Charles
Qualification: #4135 on the Humor list
Finished: 3/9/16
Rating & Review: 4 stars
Violet Parker, new real estate agent on a deadline to perform or leave, has finally gotten a listing but it turns out to be a dilapidated haunted house. However, it has a handsome owner, Wolfgang, who shows a personal interest in Violet. A second listing comes from a crusty character named Harvey who adds plenty of salty language to the story. Then there is the mysterious shop owner next door, Doc. who engages her to help find him a house. He stirs her up. This all seems to be a love triangle romance until you realize that the recent missing girl is a look-a-like for Violet's daughter, Addie, and there have been 2 other girls missing over the past year. Another girl is threatened and Violet is in hyper gear to figure this out before her daughter looks appealing to the kidnapper. I did figure this one out, both the killer and Doc's unusual actions, but the process was fun. I am glad the love triangle aspect gets resolved, since that is a no go for a series for me. I had a few issues with her friend, Natalie, co-worker, Ray, and some of Violet's parenting, but am hoping these get better in future volumes

[Kme_17]

Week 8: Spot 70
Series #: 7, 70, stand alone or alternate: Humor



Days of the Giants by R.J. Petrella

Qualification: standalone
Finished:3/8/16
Rating & Review: 4 stars


I received this as a first read. This one gets you from the first page. I really like the mystery. I liked the plot of merging the hospitals together. I also like the sub plot of dirty politics. I also like the writing. Definitely will read more of this author.

[Linda C]

Finished my book; review just above in message 231

[Brianna]

Thanks Lisa

[Brianna]

Week 8 Spot: 70
Qualification: Has to be 70, 7th, a standalone or listed as 70 or lower on the Popular Humor List

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro


Finished: 3/11/16
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book was pretty intriguing. I don't know how I would fell if the sole purpose of my life was just to donate my organs once I became an adult and no longer could or wanted to be a carer. The story is told from Kathy H's point of view. She tells it in flashbacks as in memories about her time at Hailsham and about two of the closest people to her, Ruth and Tommy. I loved how we got to see how things went before we actually got to know why things where that way. It's like the reader was able to see the difference it made in the way the students valued themselves and each other than what would have happened if they weren't sheltered and protected at Hailsham. By the end, you understand why all the other donors saw the Hailsham students as much more lucky than they were and wanted to know so much about it.

[Denise]

Week 8 Spot: 70
Qualification: Has to be 70, 7th, a standalone or listed as 70 or lower on the Popular Humor List

30 First Dates

Finished: 3/11/16
Rating: 4 stars

I had a hard time getting into the book at first, but i enjoyed it after the second chapter. From the first chapter, i pretty much knew how it would end, but i enjoyed the ride getting there. I was glad Erin was able to combine both of her goals and get so much done. It was a fun read.

[Kme_17]

we rolled a 8 so we are on spot 78

options:

7th book in series
8th book in series
Cover Item No People

[Kme_17]

Kme_17-Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates (no people cover) Kme_17's review
Brianna-Dark Places by Gillian Flynn (no people cover) Brianna's review
Ashley-Rules for a Proper Governess by Jennifer Ashley (7th in the series) Ashley 's review
Linda C-Allie's Moon by Alexis Harrington (no people cover) Linda C's review
Lisa Kay-Shadow Spell by Nora Roberts (no people cover) Lisa Kay's review
Denise-Stars Above by Marissa Meyer ( no people cover) Denise 's review

[Kme_17]

going with no people option :)

[Denise]

I'll take the no people cover

[Lisa Kay]

I'll also go with No people on cover.

Here is where I posted my GoodReads review.

The Challenge Factory: Round 7 Super Series Challenge > R7: SS "Lucky 13"

Week 9: Spot 78
Series: #7 or #8
Alternate: No people on cover.
Finished: 3/17/16
Pages: 319

Shadow Spell, by Nora Roberts (audible.com)

★★★★✩ (This is a review of the audiobook.) Okay, I've never heard this narrator, Alan Smyth, before and I won't be searching him out again. He. Pauses. Way. Too. Often. And the accent didn't sound right. I would have switched to the Kindle to read; however, I decided to speed it up - way up! - as I had a due date to finish it by for a challenge. (Plus, I was driving on holiday.) This helped some, but not enough. Disappointing, as I loved the narrator in the first book in the series, Katherine Kellgren; she was exceptional. And I know Susan Ericksen (who does the In Death series so wonderfully) is doing the next, so I powered through.

Still, I'm enjoying this enchanting series. Roberts does a nice job with the "time travel" or reincarnation aspect - if you can call it either of those. Usually, I don't like long prologues, but with this series you get an update on Sorcha’s three children set in Medieval times, from whom these present-day cousins are descended. They are a delight. In addition, the solidification of the idea that joining of these six friends is what will ultimately win the day is what shines as this series progresses.

This is a "friends to lover" story for Connor and Meara, nicely done. I also like that Conner, who, although he deals with the darkness of the sorcery of Cabhan, is himself cheerful and pleasant. If you're looking for a dark and brooding alpha male, you won't find him here. Nice change of pace, that.

[Linda C]

I also will go with the No People on Cover option.

I will read Allie's Moon - Alexis Harriington

[Brianna]

I'll go with the no people on cover option and read Dark Places by Gillian Flynn

[Ashley]

7th in the series

Week 9
Spot: 78 ( or no people on the cover)
Title: Rules for a Proper Governess by Jennifer Ashley
Qualification: Has to be 7th, 8th, or not have any people on the cover
Finished: 3/12/16
Rating & Review: 3 Stars
I put off reading this book for a long time because I have always been a one true love type of gal. If a character was previously married or in a relationship and they loved that person then that is generally it for me. I do not want to read about how they moved on after the persons death. However, I am glad that this challenge persuaded me to finally give this book a shot. I enjoyed the development of the relationship and I loved the children. I thought that Bertie's relationship with the kids was great. Now the reason why I only gave it three stars is for the above mentioned reason about being a one true love type of person. Additionally, I like it when men are the primary aggressors and in this book I felt like Bertie was wearing the britches. Also I would never make out with a guy right after he was making out with another woman that he would have been sleeping with without the interruption.

[Linda C]

Week 9: Spot 78
Series: #7 or #8 or Alternate: No people on cover.
Allie's Moon - Alexis Harrington
Qualification: No people on cover
Finished: 3/13/16
Rating & Review: 4 stars
Althea Ford and Jefferson Hicks both have devastating pasts and unsavory reputations. Althea and her unstable sister are referred to as those crazy Ford women and Jeff is a drunkard ex-lawman in 1880s Oregon. When Jeff is catching stealing an egg and the farmer presses charges, his friend Will, the current sheriff, gives him a sentence of labor at Althea's farm. The labor and lack of whiskey dry him out and give him a chance to start fresh if he can deal with his demons. Althea is chained to a life of caring for her sister and fighting the guilt she feels over the death of her mother. As Althea opens up to Jeff and Jeff regains his self respect they turn to each other. However, both have enemies that do not want them to be happy. A very heart wrenching story bordering on a little too much drama, hence the 3 stars.

[Lisa Kay]

Eeep! It's Tuesday and I haven't even started my book. Although, I'm here safe & sound...just suffering from mild jet lag. Just keeping you posted: I'll get to it b/f Friday.

[Brianna]

Glad you made it safely Lisa. There's been a few weeks where I didn't start my book for the week til Tuesday or Wednesday. Was always shocked when I actually finished it.

[Kme_17]

Week 9: Spot 78
Series: #7 or #8 or Alternate: No people on cover.



Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates

Qualification: No people on cover
Finished: 3/15/16
Rating & Review: 3 stars

This one was good but not great. I like Katie and Declan. I also loved the witch story line. However my problems with this book is with love triangle angle in this book. I did not like the other man in the triangle however it seems that the author wants us to side with him and kept pushing him at her. However even with this aspect it was a pretty good read,

[Denise]

Week 9: Spot 78
Series: #7 or #8 or Alternate: No people on cover.



Qualification: No people on cover
Finished: 3/16/16
Rating & Review: 5 stars

I loved reading this book! It was so much fun learning the back stories for many of my favorite characters. It helped catch me up, understanding where the characters started. I can't wait for the next book to come out.

[Lisa Kay]

Thanks, Brianna, for the words of encouragement.

Finished and updated my #241 Post.