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R8: SS Team Five Alive (5)
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Week 9 Selection
#963 on Best Books Ever List
....maybe ... this is one of those "been on my list for awhile, but I'm a little intimidated by it" books....
Team 5 Week 9=Space 63Task: 6th in Series, 3rd in Series, 63rd in series, or Best Books Ever
Task Chosen: 6th in Series
Book Read:
Return of the Jedi by James Khan (Listed as Star Wars: Novelizations series #6)Page Count: 229 pages Hardcover
Dates Read: 9/10/16
Rating: stars
Review:
COMPLETION POSTTeam 5 Week 9 = Space 63
Task: 6th in Series, 3rd in Series, 63rd in series, or Best Books Ever
Task Chosen: 6th in Series
Book Read:
Return of the Jedi by James Khan (Listed as Star Wars: Novelizations series #6)Page Count: 229 pages Hardcover
Dates Read: 9/10/16
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This is actually more of a 2.5 star read for me. Some of the character names made no sense, spelling them phonetically instead of as they were actually spelled. It also felt like the author really didn't know his characters well, because they weren't well developed beyond the screenplay versions of them. It did have a few interesting moments with Darth Vader, which caused me to round up my rating of it. It is just not quite as good as the other novelizations, and the movie just does this more justice.
Week 9 Completion
The Ocean at the End of the Lane
#963 on Best Books Ever list
Pages - 178
Finished - 9/13/16
Rating - 2 stars
Review: How this book made it on the Best Books Ever list ... well, that's kind of a mystery to me. I didn't care for it. I wanted to - because, it's Neil Gaiman - and all I hear about is how wonderful of an author he is .... but the truth of the matter is that this one just didn't work for me. It was an easy enough read, and the writing itself was enjoyable. But the overall storyline was not my cup of tea. Just an "eh" book from me - and a really good thing that it was so short - or else it probably would have been a DNF.
Week 5, Spot 63 - Completion Post
Off the Record by Sawyer Bennett
Off #3 (3rd in series)
Pages: 236
Completed: 9/13/16
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: Ever Montgomery is a young woman who has closed her heart off to love, after being betrayed by her father and her ex-fiance. She's a newbie reporter who is tasked to write a human interest story on New York Ranger goalie Lincoln Caldwell. Unfortunately, her past colors her story and she ends up calling him out as a womanizing manwhore in print. Linc Caldwell likes the ladies, but he is selective. And he's pissed when what he thought was a good interview turns into trashing his reputation. He demands that Ever spent the next six weeks with him so she can see the person he really is.
Overall I enjoyed this story, but I did have a couple of issues with it. First of all, the really young girl who is so broken because daddy left or her boyfriend cheater that she's never going to love again - I hate this storyline. Second, a newspaper never would have printed her story to begin with. Once I got passed that, I liked Linc and Ever grew on me. 3.5 stars.
Completion Post -- Week 9, Spot 63 
by Fredrik BackmanCompleted: 9/15/16
Pages: 337
Rating: 4 stars
How It Fits: #4136 on Best Books Ever list
Review: It took me a while to get into the rhythm of the writing in this book and to keep the time frames right, but once I figured that out, I really enjoyed this one. Ove is challenging to like for a while, until you figure out what is actually going on under all his bluster. It was a lovely story that made me laugh out loud at times, and cry as well.
Completion Post -- Week 9, Spot 63
The Killing Dance by Laurell K. Hamilton
Completed 9/16/16
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: #6 in series
My review: This book is probably my second favorite book of the series so far, with Bloody Bones still being my first. Bloody Bones had the most in terms of preternatural storyline and fantasy plot, but this book had the most in terms of the romantic relationship development. Oh yes, there was still plenty of wolf pack/vampire world drama, plus Anita's necromancer/Executioner craziness. Plenty, plenty. But FINALLY there is motion on Richard vs. Jean-Claud...and not everyone will like the choice. I, personally, do. I very much liked this book and in no way was disappointed that it dragged out for +400 pages. :D
Week 10 ReviewsRoll: 9
Spot: 72
Options: Series #7 OR Series #2 OR Series #72 OR Author S
Tara| Kisscut | Series #2 | Review
Stacey| Garrett | Series #2 | Review
Lindsay IL| A Cold Legacy | Author S | Review
Trea| Playing with Fire | Series #2 | Review
Sandy | Futures and Frosting | Series #2 | Review
Got us all checked in and rolled - Rolled a 9, placing us on 72. For this week, you may read series #7 OR series #2 OR series #72 OR the alternate - Author S.
Happy reading!
Team 5 Week 10 = Space 72Task: series #7, series #2, series #72, OR Author S
Task Chosen: 2nd in Series
Book Read:
Playing with Fire by Kate MeaderPage Count: 384 pages Kindle Edition
Dates Read: 9/17/16 to 9/22/16
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I really enjoyed this book! It had great chemistry between the main characters, an engaging plot and an over the top romance, that touched on a D/s relationship between Eli and Alexandra. We get cameos from much of the other Dempsey family members, and more mystery surrounding Wyatt, the final Dempsey to fall. The one thing I hated in this story was all the deception on Eli's part, as if he couldn't win Alex on his own without all of it. Other than that, it was a very interesting read and I'm eagerly looking forward to the next book in the series!
Week 10 -- Spot 72 Selection
#2 in Cold Fury Hockey
Selection Post: Week 10 -- Space 72Task: series #7, series #2, series #72, OR Author S
A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd
Author S
Selection Post - Week 10 - Space 72
Futures and Frosting by Tara Sivec
#2 in series (Chocolate Lovers #2)
Pages: 212 pages
Completion Post - Week 10 - Space 72
Futures and Frosting by Tara Sivec
#2 in series (Chocolate Lovers #2)
Pages: 212 pages
Completed: 9/18/16
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Claire and Carter's story continues and it's just as funny (if not more) than the first book. Claire's parents certainly didn't give a role model in how to be married and she's never really thought she would be. But after her BFF Liz ties the knot, Claire's feelings change. In the meantime, Carter is trying to find the perfect way to propose but keeps running into roadblocks. The supporting cast is hilarious, especially their kid, Gavin, and Carter's BFF, Drew. Be prepared to laugh out loud at the antics and dialogue in this book!
Completion Post -- Week 10, Spot 72
by Sawyer BennettCompleted: 9/19/16
Pages: 278
Rating: 3 stars
How It Fits: #2 in Cold Fury Hockey
Review: While I did not like this one as much as the first book, it was still an enjoyable read. I think the conversion of Garrett from one night stand guy to committed boyfriend was a little abrupt for me, but he sure was a great boyfriend, so I can't complain too much. The requisite hiccup in the relationship at the end of the story was a little silly, and should have been easily been talked through, but since the relationship was still pretty new, and I've never been in the heroine's situation, I just kind of rolled with it.
Week 10 Completion
Kisscut by Karin Slaughter
Series #2
Pages - 430
Finished - 9/23/16
Rating - 4 stars
Review: I don't know why I haven't gobbled up everything Karin Slaughter has written yet ... I have always enjoyed reading her books and this one was no exception to that! I will say that it's very gruesome, and not for the faint of heart - child abuse/pornography is at the heart of this book. It's very upsetting at times. Anyway, I would definitely recommend this book and thoroughly enjoyed it - even if the plot was difficult to read at times. I will say that if you haven't read the first book in the series, you may want to before reading this one or else you will be completely confused about Lena's character.
Looking through the rolls so far, it's looking like there will be another week after this one...
Completion Post -- Week 10, Spot 72
A Cold Legacy by Megan Shepherd
Completed: 9/23/16
400 pages [Kindle edition]
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: S author
My Review: This was another trilogy of "first book was 4*, second book couldn't have gotten any better and was 5*, then the conclusion was a tiny bit of a let down at 4*."
Week 11 ReviewsRoll: 6
Spot: 78
Options: Series #7 OR Series #8 OR Series #78 OR Cover Item: No People
Tara| Daddy's Gone A Hunting | Cover Item: No People | Review
Stacey| The Face of Fear | Cover Item: No People | Review
Lindsay IL|
Trea| The Gospel according to Twilight: Women, Sex, and God | Cover Item: No People | Review
Sandy| Morning After | Cover Item: No People | Review
Ok, ladies. Got us all checked in and a new roll. I rolled a 6, placing us on spot 78. You can read a series #7 OR series #8 OR series #78 OR Cover Item: No People.
Happy reading!
Week 11 Selection
Cover Item: No People
Do you suppose
would count as No People on the Cover? (Too many challenges!!!) :)
Stacey wrote: "Do you suppose would count as No People on the Cover? (Too many challenges!!!) :)"
Mine has a hand on it, but not the full person, so I went with it, but you can always ask in the Discussion Thread.
Team 5 Week 11 = Space 78Task: Series #7 OR Series #8 OR Series #78 OR Cover Item: No People
Task: Cover Item: No People on Cover
Morning After by Melissa Hale
220 pages
Mod
Human hand doesn't work. But look for alternative covers of the same book.
I'll take this version of the same book
ThatEzi wrote: "Trea,Human hand doesn't work. But look for alternative covers of the same book. Tell me the book and I'll look for you!"
It has alternate covers...I'll just see about the Kindle edition from my library, rather than the hardcover.
ThatEzi wrote: "Trea,Human hand doesn't work. But look for alternative covers of the same book.
I'll take this version of the same book
"I can't get that copy...and the kindle edition is the same as the hardcover. I'll have to change my book. May I suggest that the list be updated to be more specific on that, or take that one out entirely, because I took people to be face and torso, and finding covers without people on it can be difficult.
Team 5 Week 11 = Space 78Task: Series #7 OR Series #8 OR Series #78 OR Cover Item: No People
Task Chosen: Cover Item: No People
Book Read:
The Gospel according to Twilight: Women, Sex, and God by Elaine A. HeathPage Count: 186 pages Kindle Edition
Dates Read: 9/24/16 to 9/28/16
Rating: 1 star
Review:
DISCLAIMER: I RECEIVED AN E-ARC FROM THE PUBLISHER THROUGH NET GALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW. RECEIPT OF THIS BOOK IN THIS MANNER DOES NOT AFFECT MY OPINION OF THE BOOK OR THE CONTENT OF MY REVIEW!
I've always wondered about those books that can link the Bible to more secular pop culture, but I never really found one that piqued my interests until this one. I thought I'd give it a chance, but I was majorly disappointed with this one!
To me, it wound up vilifying every relationship in the Twilight saga, likening most of them to abusive, pedophilical, or just plain dysfunctional. I felt it tried to look at the books through too many lenses, and wound up becoming confusing overall. It became evident to me that this book didn't understand that people would see the Twilight saga as fictional or make believe, and sought to save us from the mistaken beliefs found within that saga. It became very preachy for me at that point, and never recovered from it.
While I did find a few ideas interesting and worth consideration, I would not purchase this book or recommend it to others.
Selection Post --Week 11, Spot 78 
by Dean KoontzNo People on Cover
Team 5 Week 11 = Space 78 - Completion PostTask: Series #7 OR Series #8 OR Series #78 OR Cover Item: No People
Task: Cover Item: No People on Cover
Morning After by Melissa Hale
220 pages
Completed: 9/25/16
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Erica is frustrated in having to start over with her five year plan, after breaking up with Marco. Her whole life has worked according to plan, but finding a man, husband and baby daddy on her schedule hasn't been working so well. Ethan Reynolds has been crushing on Erica for the past several months - he comes in to her coffee shop daily, but gets tongue tied and can barely talk to her. She knows him as "Boring Joe" due to his preference for plain, black coffee and doesn't give him a second glance until he saves her from a mugger. They start spending more time together as it's discovered Erica has a stalker, and since Ethan owns a security company, he's got a great reason to get to know her better, and convince her to date him. I never really warmed up to the characters, especially Erica - it almost felt like she was more concerned with getting the happily ever after and it didn't really matter who it was (those women are annoying in real life and even more annoying on paper). Also, I started this book on National Punctuation Day and this book could use a good editing for proper punctuation - the lack of it made it hard to understand some of the sentences.
I asked on the discussion thread and haven't gotten a response as to whether
will count for "Cover item: No People on the Cover." If not I'll find a backup option to read.Back-up selection: Week 11, Spot 78
... No people on the cover
Lindsay IL wrote: "I asked on the discussion thread and haven't gotten a response as to whether will count for "Cover item: No People on the Cover." If not I'll find ..."Considering the fact that I got shot down on a hand, and Stacey got shot down on a foot in a shoe, I'd bet the answer is going to be that your book is ineligible to be used, simply because it does still look like a person, even though it is a ghostly one.
Completion Post -- Week 11, Spot 78
by Dean Koontz/Brian CoffeyCompleted: 9/27/16
Pages: 352
How It Fits: No people on the cover
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Koontz has always had a way to just keep you reading, and even though this is a veeery early effort of his, the dialogue is snappy, the action keeps moving, and there is a true feeling of peril for the main characters of the story. It's showing its age a little bit -- this is pre cell phone and even consistent use of computers for communication (1977 was first published date, I think) but its still great story telling.
Week 11 Completion
Daddy's Gone A Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark
Cover Item: No Cover
Pages - 416
Finished - 9/28/16
Rating - 4 stars
Review: I've had this one on my shelf since 2014 and I only wish I hadn't let it sit there for so long. In fact, if I recall, I tried to read it back when I first bought it, but it didn't catch my attention and I set it back aside in the hopes that I would return to it again sometime. This time it drew me right in and I enjoyed just about every moment of it. However, there were quite a few grammatical errors that were a little disappointing to me - sometimes there were words that were completely missing! I had the ending figured out with about 150 pages left to go, so that was a little bit discouraging to me - but MHC, while a great author, tends to be a little predictable at times. Anyway, another solid book that I'm glad I was able to clear off my shelf, and one that I would recommend to any mystery lover.
Team 12 has won this round - lovely meeting and reading with you ladies :)
Mod
ThatEzi wrote: "Would love some feedback please"Sent you some in the feedback thread.
Nice meeting you all! See you next round. :)
This was fun - thanks for being our leader Tara. I'm glad I got to join the team!!! Nice "meeting" you all!
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Daddy's Gone A Hunting (other topics)Paper Towns (other topics)
The Face of Fear (other topics)
Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini (other topics)
Ghost in the Polka Dot Bikini (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Mary Higgins Clark (other topics)Megan Shepherd (other topics)
Karin Slaughter (other topics)
Megan Shepherd (other topics)
Laurell K. Hamilton (other topics)
More...
The Killing Dance by Laurell K. Hamilton
Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #6