The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SS Archives♦
>
R9: Team Fast and Furious Page Turners (2) **Winning Team**
At least you get to read the whole series =D
Mod
Completion PostWeek 8 - Spot 63
Book -
Qualification - 3rd in Nightshade series
Date Finished - 7/23/17
Rating - 2 stars
Review - I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but, in my opinion, it really went downhill after that. Maybe it was just me, but I felt that the characters were annoying. The love triangle was irritating. The book was drawn out when not much happened. There is a prequel series and a spin-off series. I think I'm going to sit them both out. Glad to cross a series off the list.
Do any of y'all have a 5 star recommendation?
Mod
... okay, I'm gonna stop now. There's more where that came from, though. XD
Mod
Spot: 63
Book: Dark Days by Caitlin Kittredge
Qualification: Black London #6
Finished: 25 Jul 2017
Rating: ★★★
Review:
The end is nigh and all Hell literally about to break loose in the final volume of the Black London series. Plagued by apocalyptic visions of the city a playground for demons, his wife dead and his daughter gone, Jack isn't even all that surprised when Belial, the Prince of Hell he once sold his soul to, turns up asking for a favour: A revolution is brewing in hell, masterminded by a jumped-up elemental demon who intends to rip a hole between the Black and the mortal world, resulting in a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions, and Belial wants Jack to do something about this newest villain. To stop him, Jack may finally have no choice but to resort to the one thing he swore he'd never do: Sign on with the Morrigan, who has been after him all his life.
High stakes, lots of action, a refreshing lack of Jack and Pete bitching at each other and the world like a couple of teenage assholes, lots of page time for Belial - a satisfying conclusion and easily the best book in the series IMO. I'm glad I stuck around all the way through despite wanting to chuck every single one of the previous books at the wall at one point or another while reading them.
Note: One bonus point earned for starting and finishing a series - Dark Days series #1-6 read
Yeah that means we have two bonus points earned!
Week 8Spot 63
Book: Trust
Qualification: #3 in Temptation
Finished: 7/26/17
Pages:400
Rating: ★★★
Review: I love Tate and Logan and this book had some really great moments but unfortunately it was also very slow. For a 400 page book there just wasn't a lot of plot and reading about their every day life was just a bit boring. I like the sex scenes between these two as they are hot but it also began to get a bit repetitive. I wanted to love this book but I just didn't. I found the same thing with her series for Ace. Loved the first two and found the third boring. There is one more book in this series (although I heard she is writing 2 more) but I think I might just quit while I'm still happy with the books. I enjoyed reading about Logan and Tate coming together but I don't need an entire book epilogue.
Week 8Spot 63
Book: Carry On
Qualification: Denise gave it 5 stars
Finished: 7/27/17
Pages: 528
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
So, I started and finished this book on the long drive home from New Orleans to Georgia, so I give it to the book for being a pretty quick read, but I was expecting to love this book, and I didn't, which saddens me to no end.
It's good, but not great, and once again, the hype for me set the bar too high. The characters were a little meh (though I did appreciate the LGBTQIA) and the plot was a little mehmehmehhhh. Just not the Rainbow Rowell for me.
Week 8Spot 63
Book:
Qualification: 3rd in series
Finished: 7/27/17
Rating: 5 Star
Finding Reason is the third book in the Credence Curse series. Each book while standalone is also intertwined with the three main characters in each book. Reason to Love is the story of Reason helping to find Lightning who has been kidnapped by the Shadows who want to use her to create a new kind of Fae. Reason may be less than thrilled having to work with Jackal the werewolf who she a can't deny her attraction to.
I like Reaon we've seen a little bit of her in prior books when Lightning and Storm needed a little legal advice. She's an interesting character as I haven't seen very many of the hybrid vampire concept.
I've enjoyed the other books in the series and was looking forward to diving right into Reason's story. While she may be a vampire she's also a half human which I found refreshing. I like that the Credence girls each have their own story and keep coming back in each book so we don't have to say goodbye. I love the author's story telling she's creating another hard to put down novel. I'm hoping we see some more in the future. Once of my favorite series love the whole concept. Highly recommend for shifer fans.
I'll be back to update. Apparently, we've all got a version of the stomach flu.
Mod
Well that will be easy - lots of #1 books to choose from :)
Mod
Mod
Ugh, stomach flu is awful. Hope you feel better soon!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Week 8 ~ Roll~ 6 Spot ~63Alternate ~Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
Runell - Carry On- Review
Denise - Dark Days - Review
Kim - Bloodrose- Review
Danielle Gypsy Soul - Trust - Review
Mandy - Reason to Love - Review
5/5
Mandy No biggie but you forgot to change the top line to Week 8 Spot 63 for the completion post.
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Mandy No biggie but you forgot to change the top line to Week 8 Spot 63 for the completion post."Opps My copy and past skills are terrible lol. fixed
Mod
Spot: 71
Book: Frost Arch by Kate Bloomfield
Qualification: Fire Mage #1
Finished: 30 Jul 2017
Rating: ★★
Review:
In a postapocalyptic future, Mages - those who have developed supernatural powers - rule and regular humans without such gifts are enslaved. Avalon is a fire mage who has trouble controlling her powers. Afraid she will inadvertently hurt someone, especially her little sister who hasn't deveoped powers of her own for an unknown reason, she runs away in the middle of the night, hitching a ride from an acquaintance on the way to the city of Frost Arch to make a delivery. Finding that the cargo is a strange animal potentially intended for nefarious purposes, she promptly makes off with it and takes on a position as a servant in the manor of the wealthy Forsythe family where she can put her gift to use while hiding her mysterious fast-growing pet from her employers, which is getting increasingly difficult.
Some interesting ideas in the premise, but the execution was lacking in many ways. The book could definitely have used an editor - I feel compelled to dock it one star merely for the extreme annoyance caused by repeatedly mixing up "your" and "you're" (if you can't get those right, you have no business writing a book, damn it!). Some plotlines, like the Seth Swaggart character with his dire prophecies, didn't seem to go anywhere or have any purpose at all. The writing style needs practice, often sounding overly simplistic and amateurish. What put me off most about this book was the protagonist, though: Avalon is an ignorant, selfish little moron who gives no thought to the consequences her ill-advised actions might have for others (case in point: Jefferson) and needs everything spelled out for her because she is apparently incapable of forming a single useful thought in her oh-so-pretty head.
Selection PostSpot - 71
Book -
Qualification - 1st in Marriage to a Billionaire series
Pages - 160
Completion PostWeek 9 - Spot 71
Book -
Qualification - 1st in Marriage to a Billionaire series
Date Finished - 8/1/17
Rating - 4 stars
Review - I never know what to expect with these free Kindle books. They are so hit and miss, but I really enjoyed this start to a new series. I loved the chemistry between Alexa and Nick and loved their backstory and how they met. I enjoyed getting a good taste of what's to come in the second book in the series with the next billionaire couple. I was also glad to see that book 2 is longer. I felt like I could have read much more about Alexa and Nick. I hope book 2 gives us a little taste of how their doing with the new baby.
Completion PostWeek 9 - Spot 71
Book: An Unlocked Heart
Qualification: #1 in Collars and Cuffs
Date Finished: 7/30
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: Honestly while I enjoyed this I expected more. More heat and more BDSM. It really seemed to be more of a BDSM light book. The characters were enjoyable but it was just an average book for me. Nothing that I will remember next week. I also found the plugs for other books a bit weird and they kind of took me out of the story. The next book in this series is about Thomas who was a secondary character in this book but I'm not sure I'm interested enough to read it.
Week 9Spot: 71
Book: Walk on Earth a Stranger
Qualification: Goldseers Trilogy #1
Date Finished: 8/3/17
Pages: 436
Rating: 5/5
Review:
This was totally unexpected, but I LOVED this book. I was getting a little antsy there because I wasn't really sure what I wanted to read (or I did, but I couldn't read it yet), so I just picked this up on a whim AND I'M SO GLAD THAT I DID.
My two favorite genres are fantasy and historical so when you combine the two, that right there gets you all the points. It just depends on as I actually read the book if you get to keep the points and accrue even more. Walk on Earth a Stranger won them all.
You've got the historical fiction aspect (California Gold Rush), you've got the fantasy (gold "calls out" to Leah and she's able to feel it no matter how little or how far it is) and you've also got this "western road trip" aspect to it that I wasn't expecting, but ate up that culminated into this novel.
I will say that this book is on the slower side, and I'm pretty sure that's what most people's problem with the book is, but I loved it because it honestly felt like I was making the trek to California right along side of everyone else.
Needless to say, I'm dying to get my hands on the sequels.
Week 9Spot: 71
Book: The Connector
Qualification: Trillionaire Boy's Club
Date Finished: 8/3/17
Rating: 4/5
Review (Short I haven't had a chance to sit down today but I wanted to get a little one in and i'll fix it when I can sit down)
I've had this one on my kindle for ages but never seemed to get around to it. I've been on a Billionaire romance kick so when I saw the Trillionaires I had to check it out. Alex wants into Nathans world at any cost and may just be what he needs to connect the right people with his new club he's starting. I like the chemistry between Alex and Mathan they are steamy which I like it works well. I enjoyed the story it captured my attention right from the start. This is my first book by the author and I look forward to reading more of the author's books. I have to see how the series will play out. I love that while the series continues we get our sweet happy ever after.
Yeah,All accounted for and ready to roll tonight. I can roll if you'd like it isn't that late for me when it's roll time.
Rolled a 9 which makes us on 80# 8 in Series
Stand Alone
Alternative: Author that starts with A
Selection PostSpot - 80
Book -
Qualification - Standalone
Pages - 288
Mod
Week 9 - Spot 71
Book -
Qualification - 1st in Marriage to a Billionaire series
Date Finished - 8/1/17
Rating - 4 stars
Review - I never k..."
I was pleasantly surprised by this book as well.
Completion PostWeek 10 - Spot 80
Book -
Qualification - Standalone
Date Finished - 8/4/17
Rating - 3 stars
Review - This was a really cute story. The main female character was pretty annoying though. Especially towards the end. I don't know if as I get older if the teen characters in YA are increasingly hard to deal with, or if it's just certain characters in particular. I mean, this chick was NOT giving the male lead a chance to explain himself and it was kind of hard to "watch." Also, this is one book that felt really dated. It was written in 2007, but incorporated a lot of pop culture and technology that really showed the book's age. For example, MySpace was a prominent theme. My daughter is 17 (the intended audience for the book), and I don't think she has any idea what MySpace is/was.
Kim,I know what you mean about YA books. I get so frustrated with some of the "antics" of the young characters and I start thinking I'm just too old for this to be enjoyable for me. Although occasionally I find one I love.
Week 9 ~ Roll~ 8 Spot ~71 Alternate ~ Author S Runell - Walk on Earth a Stranger- Review
Denise -Frost Arch - Review
Kim - The Marriage Bargain - Review
Danielle Gypsy Soul -An Unlocked Heart - Review
Mandy -The Connector - Review
5/5 complete
Denise,Love that author can't wait to see what you think of the book.
Completion PostSpot: 80
Book: Suicide Watch
Author: Kelley York
Pages 220
Qualification: Stand Alone Book
Date Finished: 8/5
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I'm usually not a big fan of YA books, I think because I'm so much older than the MCs that I just don't relate but I was so moved by this book. I can't say that I loved it because I cried through the whole book but it will stay with me for a long time and that's the hallmark of a great book. I absolutely loved that the author doesn't come across pro or anti suicide. She just lays out the characters, their emotions and thoughts and let's the book speak for itself. Thankfully there is also a bit of hope at the end. Obviously, this book wasn't going to end in a big ol' HEA but it also wasn't a complete downer, although be prepared to cry while reading it.
Having watched a young adult family member go through and die from cancer made this book all the much harder for me but I also admired the strength of Casper's character and found her inspiring as well. It hurt to read about Vincent's life and this book is told from his POV. He is just desperate for someone to care about him and not leave him. He is full of insecurities, anxiety and emotional issues but he's also sweet, endearing and has a huge capacity to give love back given the opportunity. Adam was actually not quite as messed up and once he finds his strength in Vincent he's stronger than I expected. We don't get into Adam's head in this book but just see his actions. It breaks my heart that there are families out there that treat people the way that Vincent and Adam are treated but we also see the flip side and the absolute love that Casper's family showers her with.
I loved the juxtaposition throughout this book of Casper and Vincent. Both are broken - Casper physically while Vincent mentally. Casper is unfixable but Vincent is not. Casper has the support and love of her family while Vincent was abandoned by his at a very young age. Casper is going to die no matter whether she commits suicide or not but Vincent has a choice. I loved the friendship between Casper and Vincent and Adam and even the day after reading this book just thinking about it brings tears to my eyes. It's a thought provoking, emotional, sweet, heart-wrenching but yet also hopeful story that took me on an emotional roller coaster ride but one I highly recommend.
Mod
Denise wrote: "Danielle, so do I! Just finished it and loved it. Turns out that even though GR doesn't list it as part of a series (yet?) in the book itself it says "book one" so I'll have to change my pick for t..."Have you read the Executive Office Series yet? Loved that one!
Mod
Mod
Week 10
Spot: 80
Book: Refugee by Alan Gratz
Qualification: Standalone
Pages: 352
Finished: 08 Aug 2017
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Refugee follows the fates of three families fleeing their homes to escape persecution, oppression and the ravages of civil war - Josef's from Germany in 1938, boarding the MS St. Louis in hopes of emigrating to Cuba, the only place still willing to take in Jewish refugees, Isabel's from Cuba in 1994, braving the dangerous journey across the ocean to Florida in a handbuilt boat, and Mahmoud's from Syria in 2015 on the long and arduous odyssee to reach Germany.
This is one of those books that are important for their topic and beautiful for their story all at once. Despite the very different cultures and eras the characters come from, it is easy to connect with all of them and I love how the whole thing comes full circle in the end - especially in light of the still ongoing refugee crisis, this should be required reading everywhere.
Week 10 Spot 80
Dirty Royal by Amelia Wilde
Qualifications:Author starts with A
Finished 8/10
Rating 4 star
Review
While Jessica may have gone to a rich school it was only due to her scholarship that she was able to attend and make a good group of friends that she stays connected to after school. Jessica isn’t perfect she has issues, including an ex or two who are less than stellar in the boyfriend department but she’s grown from the experience and when she uses the dating app it’s for nothing more than a hookup.
Alex is on a much-needed break from the royal life arriving in New York determined to keep his true identity a secret he signs up on a dating site determined to have as many one nights as he can while taking a break. Neither one expected that their one steamy night would turn into more than just that. When they can’t move on it turns into another night out together and a blind date puts them together yet again. Things spiral out of control when Alec’s true identity comes into play and Jessica is forced to make a choice that could change her life forever.
I’ve had Dirty Royal on my kindle for over a year but never seemed to get around to it just yet. I’m a huge fan of a billionaire who finds love with your everyday girl it just works so well. Jessica and Alec have this sizzling chemistry right from the start that transitions into the bedroom but they also have that spark outside as well. I like that the author give just enough of the bedroom to tease us but not enough to overwhelm the story it’s a perfect balance. This is my first book by the author but as I’ve purchased a few I was super curious to check it out and it doesn’t disapoint it actually exceeds my expectation. I truly loved the authors writing style shes created a captivating story with great characters and a perfect happy ever after. I’m looking forward to exploring other books by the author highly recommend checking her books out.
Soooo . . . I didn't make the deadline to getting my review up as 1). I got out of work too late, and 2). I honestly just forgot all about it.I'm terribly sorry guys.
Mod
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
The Sugar Queen (other topics)Werewolf Dreams (other topics)
Orion (other topics)
Six Degrees of Lust (other topics)
Hush, Hush (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Ruby Lionsdrake (other topics)Ruby Lionsdrake (other topics)
Jandy Nelson (other topics)
Jandy Nelson (other topics)
Alan Gratz (other topics)
More...
Spot: 63
Book: Dark Days by Caitlin Kittredge
Qualification: Black London #6
Pages: 304