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R9: Team I'll Take SS For Three, Alex (3)

Spot: 7; series 7 or featuring groups such as Sisters or Brothers or BFFs.
Book: Behind Closed Doors by Sherri Hayes.
Fits: Series is about 4 brothers. Series is called Daniel Brothers Book 1.
Date Read: 6/3/17
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
The book was pretty good. There is some suspense in the book, but it is pretty obvious as to who is the villain. Most of it is concentrated on our hero and heroine who have been burned in the romance department and are not looking to get into a relationship, but they really can't help themselves. Chris's family is fun to read about and I am interested in reading more about his other brothers. I was a bit disappointed that the mystery was so obvious but overall a good read.

Spot: 7 - series #7 or featuring groups such as Sisters or Brothers or BFFs
Book: Frat Brother Turned by Cole Bates
Fit: Stepbrother
Pages: 166
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Jamie & Blake are not only step-brothers, but frat brothers. At home, all is well; but, at school Blake's assist with bullying Jamie (openly gay). But, Blake is finding that he may be attached to men. All ends in a HEA. I enjoyed the story and author's writting style.


Spot: 7

Finished: 6/9/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This series is quickly becoming a favorite. Between the last book and this one, poor Gin has had a rough, emotional few weeks. As weird as it sounds, I am enjoying her journey through the pain of love. She is learning how to be a good friend, lover, partner in ways she has never had the opportunity before and it's awesome to watch her struggle with these emotions.
Salina was an interesting foe because of her manipulations of Owen and though Gin had a hard choice to make at the end it absolutely was the right call. The only thing that irritates me is that Bria seems so okay with it.
I hope we see more of Kincaid. He was a fun guy to get to know better. And Cooper too! I want the Cooper/Jo-Jo ship to happen!

3 & 3=6
Now on spot: 13
Read book 1
Read book 3
Read book 13
Alternate: Aliens
Timestamp: 2017-06-09 11:57:38 UTC

3 & 3=6
Now on spot: 13
Read book 1
Read book 3
Read book 13
Alternate: Aliens
Timestamp: 2017-06-09 11:57:38 UTC"
We can also read a standalone for the 1.

Week 2

Spot: 13; series 1, 3, 13 or standalone; or featuring Aliens
Book: Lake Effect - Johannah Bryson
Why: standalone
Pages: 158

Week 2

Spot: 13; series 1, 3, 13 or standalone; or featuring Aliens
Book: Lake Effect - Johannah Bryson
Why: standalone
Pages: 158
Date Read: 06.09
Rating: ★★★
Review:
There were a couple of interesting twists in this story but mostly I kept getting irritated at the h's continuous jumping to conclusions and running away from the H and her feelings without giving him a chance to explain. Even up until the end she still was quick to assume the worst about seeing a beautiful women talking to him. It was all apart of her own lack of confidence and fears, but it got kind of tiring to hear about. But as I said, there were some good bits, so not a total loss.

No worries, I didnt look, I just rolled.
I will let you roll on fridays since you will know best where we are at.

Stand Alone
Frog by Mary Calmes
Pages: 178

Read: 6/12
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I couldn't put it down...
I couldn't stop. I wanted to read, find out what happened, and smile. Yes smiling...
...always smiling, because this was wonderful

#3 in a series
Faithful Place

6/13/17
4 stars
This series just gets better and better with every book. I love how each book follows a different person, it makes it so its not the same old thing over and over again. In number 3 we follow Frank, who I really disliked in the second book. I was kind of leary about it at first, but Faithful Place makes to realise why Frank is the way he is.
Going back home to solve a 20 year old crime, shows Frank in a whole new light.
If you havent read this series I would highly recommend!
I finished my book and will be posting my review when I break for lunch this afternoon (Arizona time).
Week 2 - Spot 13
Book:
Touched by an Alien
Author:. Gini Koch
How it fits: #1 in Katherine "Kitty" Katt series
Date read: 06/15/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kitty gets pulled into a world of Alpha Centurion aliens sent to Earth to warn us about alien parasites that are on their way to take over Earth. This book kept switching between fun Men-In-Black-type battles with aliens and steamy make-out sessions between Kitty and the nearest A-C alien she could find. Well, maybe not that bad, but I could have done without all the love scenes. And it irked me when Kitty just all of a sudden figured out the truth about the history of these aliens but she kept being evasive and wouldn't just spill it for the readers! Ugh. So I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Maybe I will if I'm ever wanting a fun, light read. I can't believe there are over 20 books in this series!
Book:

Author:. Gini Koch
How it fits: #1 in Katherine "Kitty" Katt series
Date read: 06/15/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kitty gets pulled into a world of Alpha Centurion aliens sent to Earth to warn us about alien parasites that are on their way to take over Earth. This book kept switching between fun Men-In-Black-type battles with aliens and steamy make-out sessions between Kitty and the nearest A-C alien she could find. Well, maybe not that bad, but I could have done without all the love scenes. And it irked me when Kitty just all of a sudden figured out the truth about the history of these aliens but she kept being evasive and wouldn't just spill it for the readers! Ugh. So I'm not sure if I'll continue with this series. Maybe I will if I'm ever wanting a fun, light read. I can't believe there are over 20 books in this series!

Spot: 13
Alternate: Aliens
6/6 complete
Abbie: Faithful Place (#3) - Review
Hina: His Unexpected Legacy (#1) - Review
Talia: Touched by an Alien (#1) - Review
Logan: Nefertiti's Heart (#1) - Review
Sunshine: Frog (standalone) - Review
LaurLa: Lake Effect (standalone) - Review

Book: Touched by an Alien
Author:. Gini Koch
Date read: 06/15/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kitty gets pulle..."
Talia, can you please add a "how it fits" or something similar to your post? For this one you can choose whether you want to use it as a #1 or an alternate, depending on whether you want to go for bonus points.
Logan wrote: "Talia wrote: "Week 2 - Spot 13
Book: Touched by an Alien
Author:. Gini Koch
Date read: 06/15/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kitty gets pulle..."
Talia, can you please..."
Whoops, I totally spaced adding that line. My post is fixed now.
Book: Touched by an Alien
Author:. Gini Koch
Date read: 06/15/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kitty gets pulle..."
Talia, can you please..."
Whoops, I totally spaced adding that line. My post is fixed now.

Spot: 13
Book: His Unexpected Legacy by Chantelle Shaw.
Fits: Book 1 of The Bond of Brothers Series.
Date Read: 6/14/17
Rating: 2 Stars
Review:
This was a very disappointing read, since I usually like Chantelle Shaw's books, but this was painful to finish. I didn't like both hero and heroine. He was so arrogant, which how HP heroes are, but there were no redeeming quality and the heroine claims to be independent, gave in to the hero's demands without a fight. I expected better.

Spot 13
Nefertiti's Heart
(Artifact Hunters, #1)
Finished: 6/16/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Oh why is the bad boy trope so deliciously sinful? Viscount Lyons was quite the match for Cara. I loved their tension and chemistry. I especially loved Cara's fighter attitude - and the fact that she can hold her own in a boxing ring! This hit all the right points - revenge, romance, mystery, murder. Loved it!

Book: Touched by an Alien
Author:. Gini Koch
Date read: 06/15/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kitty gets pulle..."
Talia, ..."
No worries! And thanks!

Timestamp: 2017-06-16 11:27:25 UTC
Roll: 3
Spot: 16
Stand alone
#1 in series
#6 in series
#16 in series
Alternate: Title D

Spot 16

(Jack Ryan Universe, #1)
Pages: 652
How it fits: First in series
Bonus qualification: <500 pages

--read 3 or more books in the same series
--read a series start to finish (at least 4 books, no re-reads
--read a book 500 pages or more
--never picking a book from the alternates list
We can only earn one per team. Then on our next roll we can add a spot to our roll.

Week 3
Spot: 16; series 1, 6, 16 or standalone; or Title D
Book: Just This Once - Rosalind James
Why: #1 in Escape to New Zealand series
Pages: 294


Spot 16
CANCELLED
Alternate: Title D
Dare in the Dungeon by S.M. Johnson

Pages: 238"
Fyi

Week 3
Spot: 16; series 1, 6, 16 or standalone; or Title D
Book:

Why: #1 in Escape to New Zealand series.."
I always wanted to get to this one.

Week 3

Spot: 16; series 1, 6, 16 or standalone; or Title D
Book: Just This Once - Rosalind James
Why: #1 in Escape to New Zealand series
Pages: 294
Date Read: 06.19
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I'd call this a slow burn kind of book. It wasn't overly intense, especially at the beginning, but it was interesting to see the MCs develop a friendship and relationship. But then we started to see more of Hannah's insecurities and fears. And yet, she had the courage to actually move to NZ on her own. And the closer she got to Drew, the more intensely we felt the push-pull of her feelings. In the end, I could feel her panic at the loss of control of her own feelings, the pressure building within her at not being willing to admit what she really wanted and needed. A very nicely done story. I found myself thinking about them hours after I finished and wanting to 'see' them again :-)

Spot: 16
Stand alone
We Were Liars

3 stars
6/19/17
I picked this one up because it was saud to "have a plot twist that would blow my mind" . So first off, the plot twist, I did not see coming. However I really didnt care for the ending. THE only reason it got a 3 stars rating WAS because of the twist. I mean she killed three people, and she has delustions that they forgive her? Her family forevergives her? Even though they were pretty much her cousins.WTF! If it was my kid in thgat fire, tgere is no way in hell I would forgive the person who did it. They caught that house on fire to prove a point, and the only thing it proved was that she could kill three people, and live with the guilt, abd actually think they forgive her.....
Week 3: Spot 16
Book read:.
Why Not Me? by Mindy Kaling
How it fits: standalone book
Date read: 06/21/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book is Mindy talking about her life in college, writing for The Office, and eventually having her own show, The Mindy Project. She also talks about her love/social life during this time. I could definitely tell that she likes to talk! :) The book was funny and quick to read. I did keep thinking of her as her character Kelly from The Office. I know she says they are not similar but all these stories sounded like things Kelly would go through! I was also reminded of Shonda Rhimes's book, also about a successful woman in television. Overall this was an enjoyable funny book, and I'm looking forward to checking out The Mindy Project.
Book read:.

How it fits: standalone book
Date read: 06/21/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book is Mindy talking about her life in college, writing for The Office, and eventually having her own show, The Mindy Project. She also talks about her love/social life during this time. I could definitely tell that she likes to talk! :) The book was funny and quick to read. I did keep thinking of her as her character Kelly from The Office. I know she says they are not similar but all these stories sounded like things Kelly would go through! I was also reminded of Shonda Rhimes's book, also about a successful woman in television. Overall this was an enjoyable funny book, and I'm looking forward to checking out The Mindy Project.


Spot 16
First in the series
Checking Him Out by Debbie McGowan
Pages: 230

Read: 6/22
Review: I like Adam and Sol together. This started as a lavender marriage for Sol and grew into a romance with Adam. The book touched on a tough topic of gay bashing. It became a bit repetitive after a while. Overall good read.
Rating 3.5 stars
So do we not need to read anything this week since we missed the deadline, or do we have to read another book from the previous roll? Anyone know?

**VERY IMPORTANT**
A team can NOT advance if all reviews are not in by the deadline. That being said, players need to have their reviews in latest by Friday. Technically, a review isn't late until after Thursday 11:59p. But your team captain cannot roll until ALL of the team reviews have been posted.


Spot: 16
Book: The Couple who Fooled the World by Maisey Yates
Fits: Standalone
Date Read: 6/23/17
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This was surprisingly really good. Harlequin Presents have certain tropes and mostly all harlequin follow it to T. So I know when I am reading it as to what to expect. This completely caught me by surprise. There were some of the usual things to expect from Harlequin like a naive virgin heroine, but I love the fact that Maisey Yates made the heroine the hero's equal in social and economic status. Usually the heroines are all poor and in need of help. Both H/h have had issues about their past, they are a little bit broken but it makes the reading all the more compelling. If you are a geek like me, you are going to love all the puns like One Phone to rule them all. It makes the reading even more fun.
Abbie wrote: "We just cant start until we get all of our reviews up and posted, and submitted. Once that is done Logan can roll, it just gives us less time to complete the book"
Ah, makes sense. Thanks! Thanks for your post too, Sunshine!
Ah, makes sense. Thanks! Thanks for your post too, Sunshine!

Spot 16

Finished: 6/23/17
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 652
Review: Once the action picked up around the 40% mark it got a lot more interesting. The first part moved incredibly slowly and yet somehow seemed rushed as the author tried to build not one but TWO deaths into our hero's backstory. By the time he finally got to put on his spy hat I was so bored I was ready for him to kill everyone just to give me some excitement. But I'm glad I pushed through as the military/black ops descriptions were pretty cool and seemed realistic.

Spot: 16
Alternate: Title D
6/6 complete
Abbie:

Hina:

Talia:

Logan:

Sunshine:

LaurLa:

Ezinwanyi wrote: "You guys are fine :D"
Woohoo! :)
Woohoo! :)

Week 4

Spot: 24; series 2, 4, 24; or Road Trip
Book: Sticks and Stones - K.J. Larsen
Why: #2 in Cat DeLuca Series
Pages: 239
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The Abominable Man
#7 in the Martin Beck Police Mystery
316 pages
2 stars
So I have been hooked in this Scandinavian Crime Fiction thing, however this one just didnt do it for me.
The person who is killed.. a crooked cop, a mean son of a gun, deserved everything he got. In the end I really didnt care who killed the man. You should have a connection with the characters, which didnt happen. I will not be reading any more from this series.