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

[LaurLa]

Completion Post -- LaurLa
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
Date Read: 06.24
Rating: ★★★1/2
Review:
This series is similar to the Stephanie Plum and The Spellman serieses, only Cat is way more competent than Stephanie and way less depressed than Izzy. She also doesn't have the man trouble of either of them (Stephanie's triangle or Izzy's inability to commit). However, she does have the zany family and side-kick as well as some doubt as to whether they succeed in their cases in spite of themselves. Regardless, I am enjoying this series more right now but that could be because it's still new to me... Cat could still end up in a man triangle, depressed and turn out to be truly incompetent. I hope not though. I like her as she is with a kick-ass FBI boyfriend that is more in the background as she works through her cases - she still might stumble through them in some ways but is still smarter than Stephanie at this point!

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Roll 4: Road Trip
The Girl with All the Gifts

6/26/17
4 stars
They are traveling most of the book in order to get to safety.
Wow, I would have NEVER picked this one up based on the cover and title. I thought it would be one of those Teenie YA books, but boy was I surprised. Another on I picked up from the list of books that the plot twist would blow your mind, and this time I was not disapointed.
It starts in a school where all the children are restrained...why???Because they Zombie kids, who are pretty much test subjects while the doctors try to figure out how to control the disease. Of course disaster strikes, and it takes one small smart Zombie kid to help them out. Let just say yes, there is a twist ending, but I dont want to spoil it for the rest of you.

[[deleted user]]

Week 4 - Spot 24


Book: Windwitch
Author: Susan Dennard
How it fits: Book 2 in The Witchlands series
Date read: 06/29/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I loved Truthwitch, book 1 in this series, so I couldn't wait to read this sequel. But the story starts out with all my beloved characters separated from each other and all in a pickle of their own. I didn't like that, and I didn't really like any of the new characters -- I want the old team back together! So I had a lot of starts and stops before I finally made my way through this book. That's why I only have it 3 stars. I also wished there was more talk about the wells and the myths and legends about bringing healing to the lands. I did like Merik's sister more at the end of the book, but I'm not sure if I'll continue with the series.

[Sunshine]

CANCELLED
Sunshine wrote: "Selection
Week 4

Dare in the Dungeon by S.M. Johnson
Spot: 24;
Qualifies: #4 in the series
Pages: 238"

[Sunshine]

Week 4
Spot 24
Qualifies: #2 in the series
Imagines
Pages 147
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Every time I read N.R. Walker books, I remember that she is a wonderful romance writer. I loved Jack and Lawson, too. A wonderful romance that built to their HEA.

[Logan]

Roll 4

Spot: 24
Alternate: Road Trip

6/6 complete

Abbie: (alternate) - Review
Hina: (#2) - Review
Talia: (#2) - Review
Logan: (#2) - Review
Sunshine: (#2) - Review
LaurLa: (#2) - Review

[Hina]

Week 4 - Hina

Spot: 24
Book: Seduction of a Highland Lass by Maya Banks.
Fits: #2 in McCabe Trilogy series
Date Read: 6/25/17
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I love Maya Banks and I love her historical romance. This book is about Alec and Keeley. I love them both and it was an emotional story, they both loved each other from the start but Alec was committed to marry to form an alliance but he is in love with Keeley. Even though I knew in the end there would be an happy ending, I was still figuratively at the edge of my seat.

[Logan]

Roll 4
Spot 24


(Artifact Hunter #2)

Finished: 6/30/17
Rating: 3 stars

I really enjoy the world and characters but there's something super familiar about it all that makes me feel like I've read this all before. The tropes are just a little too strong maybe? Cat and Nate are still working out the trust issues in their relationship, and once again one of her father's artifacts is causing trouble - this time for Queen Victoria. It was a quick read and enjoyable but I wish I connected with the characters a bit more.

[Logan]

Roll 5

Rolled: 7
Spot: 31

Alternate: 3 word title

[LaurLa]

Seleection Post -- LaurLa
Week 5

Spot: 31; series 3, 1, 31; or Three Word Title
Book: The Day He Kissed Her - Juliana Stone
Why: #3 in Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series
Pages: 320

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Roll 5/ 3 word title
The Mermaids Singing

7/2/17
4 stars

This is the first book I have read by this author, and I really enjoyed it. I like that the MC is a profiler and not a detective, as I think it adds a different view on the case. One thing I was wondering is how Angelica knew he was going to be put on the case? Ready for book 2!

[[deleted user]]

Week 5 - Space 31

Book: Ready Player One
How it fits: Alternate: 3 word title
Date read: 07/04/17
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I love this book! The 80s references bring back good memories of the Commodore 64 computer games I used to play with my dad and sisters back when I first started using a computer as a kid. The OASIS virtual reality world that James Halliday created in this story would be kind of cool to experience. I'm not that into video games, but I still enjoyed accompanying Parzival in his quest to find Halliday's Easter egg hidden in the OASIS. It was an exciting race to the finish line. I had a hard time putting this book down.

[Sunshine]

Week 5 - Space 31
Book: Seducing Jordan by Andrea Dalling - 106 pages

How it fits: 1st in the series
Read: 7/6
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: Well that took a while
Lots of sex. Lots of drama and angst. I would have hit them in the head, but what can you do with 18 year olds. I'm interested to see what's in store for these two.

[Logan]

Week 5 - Space 31


Royal House of Shadows #1

Pages: 281
Finished: 7/6/17
Rating: 3 stars

More like 3.5 stars. I thought the dual worlds was a cool concept and I loved how Gena played around with the timeline to give us more hints into the backstory between these characters. I loved the chemistry but it all felt a little tropey and rushed at times. I would have liked Laila to be a more fleshed out villain and to understand Nikolai's history better. But it was a quick and sexy read so still a fun one!

[Logan]

Roll 5

Spot: 31
Alternate: 3 word title

6/6 complete

Abbie: (alternate) - Review
Hina: (alternate) - Review
Talia: (alternate) - Review
Logan: (#1) - Review
Sunshine: (#1) - Review
LaurLa: (#3) - Review

[Hina]

Week 5 - Hina

Spot: 31
Book: Treachery in Death by J.D. Robb
Fits: Three Word Title
Date Read: 7/5/17
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
I am guaranteed a good read when I read anything in the In Death series. This was no exception, a great read, a great storyline. There was no mystery as we know the bad guy from the beginning but it was great to see the whole gang working together. I love the scene with Eve and the baby. I would have like a little more details at the end, like the interview with the bad guy and subsequently what happened, so I am hoping it will be revealed in the next book.

[LaurLa]

Completion Post -- LaurLa
Week 5


Spot: 31; series 3, 1, 31; or Three Word Title
Book: The Day He Kissed Her - Juliana Stone
Why: #3 in Bad Boys of Crystal Lake series
Pages: 320
Date Read: 07.06
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Wow. This third and final book of the series really packed a punch! I think it affected me even more because I spent more time reading this than usual (3-4 days vs 1), so I had time to think more about them in between reading times. Anyway, the MCs were deeply scarred by family circumstances and thus were abrasive and emotionally distant to most people in their lives, so while they were also sympathetic they were also irritating and annoying! It's a romance so eventually they worked through their baggage, with the help of each other, but it was a roller coaster getting them through it! This was an excellent finish to the series!

[Logan]

Roll 6

Rolled: 8
Bonus: +1
Now on spot: 40

Alternate: Title E

[LaurLa]

Selection -- LaurLa
Week 6


Spot: 40; series 4, standalone; or Title E
Book: Promise Not to Tell - Jennifer McMahon
Why: standalone
Pages: 250

[Sunshine]

Week 6
Spot: 40; series 4, standalone; or Title E
Book: Not Safe For Work by L.A. Witt
Fits: Stand alone
Pages: 383

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Week 6/ spot: 40
The Murder of Roger Ackroyd

7/9/17
3 stars

Well the ending had quite the twist, however I found the book to be dry at times. Maybe it was just the narrator...I dont know. I think it only got the 3 star because of the ending. It is a classic after all, and it has that feel of a classic.
The story did have some bones though, and I enjoyed that aspect of it, if only it had moved a bit quicker.

[LaurLa]

Completion Post -- LaurLa
Week 6


Spot: 40; series 4, standalone; or Title E
Book: Promise Not to Tell - Jennifer McMahon
Why: standalone
Pages: 250
Date Read: 07.10
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This was interesting and a little eerie, but not really my cuppa. I'll blame Abbie! I got a little frustrated with the back and forth between the past and present but that's probably just me. I was impatient to finish the book and so just wanted it all put out there instead of having to think (how dare a book make me think!). I figured out the bad guy fairly early on, so that didn't help my impatience. And truth be told, I like paranormal and ghost stories as much as anyone, but I just didn't like the use of it in this one. I recognize that the protagonist needed a way to redeem her 10 year old self but it just felt too convenient to me to rely on the use of a ghost to help solve the old murder/save the would be murder.

[[deleted user]]

Week 6 - Spot 40

Book read: The Woman in Cabin 10
Author: Ruth Ware
How it fits: 0 = standalone
Date read: 07/11/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Lo is a travel writer on the Aurora Borealis's maiden voyage, a luxury cruise liner. She is still getting over being accosted by a burglar in her home two days prior, so she is jumpy and laying heavily on the booze on the cruise. After she returns to her cabin on the first night, she thinks she hears the patio door in neighboring Cabin 10 open up, and something makes a big splash in the ocean. Lo is convinced that someone has just been thrown overboard, but the ship's head of security is loathe to believe this drunk, paranoid woman. This book kept me hooked as I wanted to find out the truth of what really happened. Very good suspense novel, and I love the cover!

[Hina]

Week 6 - Hina

Spot: 40
Book: Scandal by Amanda Quick.
Fits: Standalone
Date Read: 7/12/17
Rating: 1.5 Stars
Review:
I was shocked that this was an Amanda Quick novel. I couldn't decide if the heroine was just that naive or just TSTL. The hero was manipulative and I couldn't warm up to him. The hero wants revenge but I couldn't get behind his reasoning. Overall, I was very disappointed, especially since I love Ms. Quick's historical novels so much.

[Logan]

Week 6
Spot 40



Standalone

Finished: 7/13/17
Rating: 5 stars
Pages: 323

I was pleasantly surprised. Amy is hilarious, yes, but also very introspective and moving. I loved learning more about her family and how she got started. I loved that she shared such intimate and powerful experiences such as her rape and her abusive relationship. And I really appreciated that she used her platform to craft a flowing narrative that revisited themes of female empowerment and self love. And condemning misogyny and gun violence and beauty standards and all the other ugly things in this world. This was refreshing and uplifting and I loved every minute of it.

[Logan]

Roll 6

Spot: 40
Alternate: Title E

6/6 complete

Abbie: (#4) - Review
Hina: (standalone) - Review
Talia: (standalone) - Review
Logan: (standalone) - Review
Sunshine: (standalone) - Review
LaurLa: (standalone) - Review

[Sunshine]

Week 6
Spot: 40; series 4, standalone; or Title E
Book: Not Safe For Work by L.A. Witt
Fits: Stand alone
Pages: 383
Read: 7/13
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: I liked the MCs Jon and Rick. There is no denying that they had chemistry. Yes, it was hot. The book it seamed to drag an repeat certain areas. There were some "rolling the eyes" moments. I liked the story. Things picked up towards the end. HEA

[Logan]

Roll 7

Roll: 6
Spot: 46

Alternate: Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC

[Sunshine]

Week 7
Spot 46
Alternate: Freebie
Book: Dirty Kiss by Rhys Ford
Fit: alternate- library check out
Pages: 216

[LaurLa]

Planning -- LaurLa
Week 7


Spot: 46; series 4 or 6, standalone; or Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC
Book: Breaking Out - Teresa J. Reasor
Why: #6 in SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers
Pages: 419

[LaurLa]

Completion Post -- LaurLa
Week 7


Spot: 46; series 4 or 6, standalone; or Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC
Book: Breaking Out - Teresa J. Reasor
Why: #6 in SEAL TEAM Heartbreakers
Pages: 419
Date Read: 07.18
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
This was a nice easy ride. The story was interesting and kept my interest, the characters were strong and the relationship felt real and was very rich. There was a secondary story that didn't relate at all to the main story but was a continuation of the couple from the last book. That's been pretty normal for the series and I enjoy these extra storylines. I'm looking forward to the next novella and definitely the next book even as I fear it's the last of the team to get his story.

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Roll 7

Alternate: Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC

Life of Pi

7/18/27
4 star
How it fits: given to me by Michelle

I have to admit, the first 25% of this book dragged for me, but once I wadded through those waters, it was smooth sailing. I couldnt put it down! Just wanting to see how he survived and what new adventures awaited him around the corner. How DO you survive 200+ days standed on a raft with a tiger? The answer just may surprise you.

[Logan]

Ladies I'm really sorry but I've had something come up and will not be around much for reading and participating. I need to drop out of the challenge. I messaged Ezi and hopefully she can find a replacement.

So sorry to leave you. :(

[Sunshine]

Logan, take care

[Sunshine]

Week 7
Spot 46
Alternate: Freebie
Book: Dirty Kiss by Rhys Ford
Fit: alternate- library check out
Pages: 216
Read: 7/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Well, I guess wrong
I didn't see it coming. Good ending for the "who done it". I liked the story and the writing. Looking for more...

[[deleted user]]

Logan wrote: "Ladies I'm really sorry but I've had something come up and will not be around much for reading and participating. I need to drop out of the challenge. I messaged Ezi and hopefully she can find a re..."

Sorry to hear that, Logan! Hope all is well.

[[deleted user]]

Just wanted to post an update. I'm still reading my book for this week, an ARC of . I'm going to stay up late to finish it, so it might be after midnight but it will be some time tonight. I'll start my post so that it can be linked to a completion post in advance, and then I'll post a separate message when it has been updated when I finish the book.

Does anyone want to volunteer to take over for Logan with posting the group completion post and rolling?

[[deleted user]]

Week 7 - Spot 46
Alternate: Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC


Book read: Artemis
Author: Andy Weir
How it fits: ARC
Date read: 07/20/17
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. After really enjoying Weir's The Martian and loving the film version, I was looking forward to reading this next novel from the author, this time set on the Moon. This book has a female protagonist, Jazz, who is a working-class young woman and a smuggler trying to make a better life for herself. When she is offered a ton of money to help a rich local secure a lucrative business deal, she is hesitant but can't resist the lure of all that "cash". But of course things don't go as planned, and she is soon on the run from an unknown assailant trying to kill her. I loved the fast pace and excitement in this book. I didn't know what to expect next which kept me turning pages, and I enjoyed experiencing what life might be like living in a city on the moon. Very entertaining.

[Hina]

Logan wrote: "Ladies I'm really sorry but I've had something come up and will not be around much for reading and participating. I need to drop out of the challenge. I messaged Ezi and hopefully she can find a re..."

Sorry about that Logan. I hope everything is okay.

[Hina]

Week 6 - Hina

Spot: 46
Book: Marco's Convenient Wife (Wedlocked!) by Penny Jodan
Fits: Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC
Date Read: 7/16/17
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
The story was typical of Harlequin Presents. The hero and heroine decided to have a marriage of convenience so that the hero can keep custody of cousin's kid. The problem with the book was that both hero and heroine knew they loved each other but would not say it and it just made the story dragged. But it had a lot of angst typical of Penny Jordan books.

[[deleted user]]

I just finished my book and updated message 138 with my review.

[[deleted user]]

I think I was the last one, so I'll make the completion post for us.

[[deleted user]]

Week 7 - Spot: 46

Alternate: Freebie/Kindle Unlimited/ARC

LaurLa - (#6) - Review
Sunshine - (Freebie) - Review
Abbie - (Freebie) - Review
Hina - (Freebie) - Review
Talia - (Freebie) - Review

[[deleted user]]

Week 8

Roll = 7
New spot: 53
Alternate: Title R

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Talia is that a beagle?

[LaurLa]

Talia wrote: "I think I was the last one, so I'll make the completion post for us."

Thanks, Talia. Do you want to continue with the rolls and completion post? If not, I don't mind. Or we can share duties :-)

[[deleted user]]

Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Talia is that a beagle?"

Yep! It's not mine, though. I just found the pic online and thought it was cute!

[[deleted user]]

LaurLa wrote: "Talia wrote: "I think I was the last one, so I'll make the completion post for us."

Thanks, Talia. Do you want to continue with the rolls and completion post? If not, I don't mind. Or we can share..."

You can take over rolling. I think most weeks I'll be sleeping when teams are rolling :). Thanks!

[Ghost in the Stacks]

Talia wrote: "Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Talia is that a beagle?"

Yep! It's not mine, though. I just found the pic online and thought it was cute!"

Darn it, I thought we could be Beagle Buddies

[LaurLa]

Planning Post -- LaurLa
Week 8


Spot: 53; series 5 or 3, standalone; or Title R
Book: It Had to Be You - Janice Thompson
Why: #3 in Weddings by Bells series
Pages: 4337