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R9: Team I'll Take SS For Three, Alex (3)
Completion Post -- LaurLaWeek 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: 337
Date Read: 07.25
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I've decided I don't really like this author, or at least this series. Too gushy, too much drama over nothing. But I'm one away from finishing, so I'll probably finish it out. I do have to admit that there were a couple of scenes that were very sweet and touching and one that almost brought tears to my eyes, so it hasn't been all bad.
Week 8 - Spot 53
Book read:
In the Drink
Author: Allyson K. Abbott
How it fits: #3 in the Mack's Bar Mysteries series
Date read: 07/26/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book was mainly interesting because the main character has synesthesia, a condition where her senses are cross-wired, so she sees colors when she hears music and tastes chocolate when she hears some voices. I wish I knew someone with this condition because it sounds fascinating. As far as the mystery in this novel, there were two. One was a child case that Mack and her friend were trying to solve. They meet regularly to work on solving unsolved cases. The other mystery was a serial killer/stalker taunting Mack with clues that she needed to use her synesthesia to solve or the killer would kill someone she knew. This book had an interesting format because it solves one mystery but leaves the other one to continue in the next book. I'm used to cozy mysteries wrapping everything up, so that was different. But overall I enjoyed the characters and will definitely be continuing with this series.
Book read:
In the DrinkAuthor: Allyson K. Abbott
How it fits: #3 in the Mack's Bar Mysteries series
Date read: 07/26/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This book was mainly interesting because the main character has synesthesia, a condition where her senses are cross-wired, so she sees colors when she hears music and tastes chocolate when she hears some voices. I wish I knew someone with this condition because it sounds fascinating. As far as the mystery in this novel, there were two. One was a child case that Mack and her friend were trying to solve. They meet regularly to work on solving unsolved cases. The other mystery was a serial killer/stalker taunting Mack with clues that she needed to use her synesthesia to solve or the killer would kill someone she knew. This book had an interesting format because it solves one mystery but leaves the other one to continue in the next book. I'm used to cozy mysteries wrapping everything up, so that was different. But overall I enjoyed the characters and will definitely be continuing with this series.
Week 8 - HinaSpot: 53
Book: The Disobedient Virgin by Sandra Marton.
Fits: 3rd in the Ramirez Bride series
Date Read: 7/21/17
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Finally, a HP I love! Lately, I have been having a mixed reviews with the books I read. But I knew reading Sandra Marton, there was going to be very good chances that I would end up really liking it. I loved the hero and heroine, and the angst. I love the hero fighting his attraction to the heroine. And I loved the heroine since she was feisty and went head to head with the hero.
Week 8R-Title
Railsea
Railsea
7/28/173 stars
I have to say this was a different type of steampunk...more like Moby Dick on Steampunk. However I tended to find quite a few parts of it a little bit boring. However I did like the concept of the book. Well beware the mole rats!!!
I think I might have enjoyed it better if it was not a young adult novel, would have been so much better as a grown up book.
Week 8 -Spot: 53 R- Title
Book: Red Dirt Heart
Fits: Title begins with a R
Date Read: 7/216/17
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: This was a re-read for me. I loved how Charlie and Travis got together. The romance and story is spot on. Reading this in preparation for Red Dirt Heart Imago. In Imagines The MC hints that he may have known Charlie.
...very interesting.
Week 9Roll: 9
New spot: 62
Alternate: Cover Item An Animal
Week 9 - Spot: 62Alternate: Cover Item An Animal
Post Your Spot
LaurLa: Marry Me - #2 Marrying Miss Bright - Review
Sunshine: Dirty Secret - #2 Cole McGinnis - Review
Abbie: The Cinderella Deal - Animal on cover - Review
Hina: Billionaire's Marriage Bargain - #2 The Billionaire's Club - Review
Talia: The Chocolate Cat Caper - Animal on coveer - Review
Planning -- LaurLaWeek 9
Spot: 62; series 6 or 2; or Cover Item Animal
Book: Marry Me - Susan Kay Law
Why: #2 Marrying Miss Bright series
Pages: 388
Completion Post -- LaurLaWeek 9
Spot: 62; series 6 or 2; or Cover Item Animal
Book: Marry Me - Susan Kay Law
Why: #2 Marrying Miss Bright series
Pages: 388
Date Read: 07.30
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
If a book about the rough life of homesteading on the Montana frontier at the turn of the century could be called cute, then this is it. There was lots of amusing bits in this. The h's unfailing cheer and optimism against the H's general grumpiness and crankiness made for some fun scenes. I enjoyed watching these two build a friendship then relationship. The H's guilt and fear felt real and appropriate and not like manufactured conflict to the relationship. I wasn't sure I liked the epilogue, if felt really out of the blue, but other than that this was an excellent read.
How's everyone doing with their books? It's been quiet here this week...
LaurLa wrote: "How's everyone doing with their books? It's been quiet here this week..."
I was thinking the same thing! :) I'm reading a chocoholic mystery. It's short so I should be done sometime tomorrow.
I was thinking the same thing! :) I'm reading a chocoholic mystery. It's short so I should be done sometime tomorrow.
Week 9Animal on Cover
The Cinderella Deal
2 stars
8/3/17
Why, oh why, did I pick this up...oh thats right a challenge...pretty much the only reason I would pick up a romance book.l
First off, let me get the record straight, I have read another book by this author and actually enjoyed it. This one was just a dud.
Daisy scared the crap out of me and Link was just a stuck up prick. I had no attachment to the characters and I really didnt care...besides the last hour of the book was ALL about how much they love it each other....ugggg....
Week 9 - HinaSpot: 62
Book: Billionaire's Marriage Bargain by Leanne Banks.
Fits: 2nd in The Billionaire's Club
Date Read: 7/31/17
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review:
So I had been avoiding picking this up since I read the first book, which kind of just sucked in the end so much. I was still not over it, but I thought to read it and get it out of the way, So I was really surprised when it turned out to be pretty decent. I loved the hero and the heroine. The reasons I gave it only 3.5 stars is that the plot was pretty week, I mean even for a Harlequin, but the characters were likeable and I definitely read the book because of them even though the plot just was going on step too far out of even my imagination.
Week 9Spot: 62; series 6 or 2; or Cover Item Animal
Book: Dirty Secret by Rhys Ford
Fit: 2nd book in the series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: As in the first book in the series, lots of twist and turn up to the end. there were so many names, that it was a bit confusing, at time. But, I love Cole and Jae. Definitely a series to continue with.
Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Week 9Animal on Cover
The Cinderella Deal
2 stars
8/3/17
Why, oh why, did I pick this up...oh thats right a challenge...pretty much the on..."
POOOOR Abbie! I read a horror for you and you've read a romance for me. Gotta love GR challenges!!!
LaurLa wrote: "Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Week 9Animal on Cover
The Cinderella Deal
2 stars
8/3/17
Why, oh why, did I pick this up...oh thats right a ch..."
I am going to read Shutter Island for the SRC challenge and horror is not my thing.
Hina wrote: "I am going to read Shutter Island for the SRC challenge and horror is not my thing."I hear dat!
Week 9 - Spot 62
Alternate: Animal on cover
Book:
The Chocolate Cat Caper
Author: JoAnna Carl
How it fits: Animal on cover
Date read: 08/04/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: After Lee's divorce, she moves to Warner Pier, Michigan to keep the books for her Aunt Nettie's chocolate shop. When a famous criminal attorney falls over a balcony dead after eating one of Aunt Nettie's chocolates that Lee delivered, the chocolate shop and its employees are under suspicion. So Lee starts to investigate to find out who really killed Clementine Ripley. This is book one in the Chocoholic cozy mystery series, so there are lots of tidbits about chocolate included. I just wish I actually liked chocolates! That would have made this a little more enjoyable. But it was still an okay mystery. The main character was annoying with her penchant for saying the wrong words, but I enjoyed the Michigan setting as I will be moving there next month! So I might keep reading the series just to learn more about my future home state.
Alternate: Animal on cover
Book:
The Chocolate Cat CaperAuthor: JoAnna Carl
How it fits: Animal on cover
Date read: 08/04/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: After Lee's divorce, she moves to Warner Pier, Michigan to keep the books for her Aunt Nettie's chocolate shop. When a famous criminal attorney falls over a balcony dead after eating one of Aunt Nettie's chocolates that Lee delivered, the chocolate shop and its employees are under suspicion. So Lee starts to investigate to find out who really killed Clementine Ripley. This is book one in the Chocoholic cozy mystery series, so there are lots of tidbits about chocolate included. I just wish I actually liked chocolates! That would have made this a little more enjoyable. But it was still an okay mystery. The main character was annoying with her penchant for saying the wrong words, but I enjoyed the Michigan setting as I will be moving there next month! So I might keep reading the series just to learn more about my future home state.
Mod
Animal on Cover
The Cinderella Deal
2 stars
8/3/17
Why, oh why, did I pick this up...oh thats right a challenge...pretty much the on..."
LMAO on this review!!!!
Week 10Roll: 9
New spot: 71
Alternate: Author S
Thanks, Sunshine! I ran out of time before I had to leave for work at noon.
Week 10 - Spot: 71Alternate: Author S
Post Your Spot
LaurLa: Save the Date - Standalone - Review
Sunshine: The Magpie Lord - #1 A Charm of Magpies - Review
Abbie: Ancestor - Author S - Review
Hina: Ice Planet Barbarians - #1 The Ice Planet Barbarians - Review
Talia: Alone - #1 Flamestone - Review
Ezinwanyi wrote: "Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Week 9Animal on Cover
The Cinderella Deal
2 stars
8/3/17
Why, oh why, did I pick this up...oh thats right a ch..."
I mean why did I need a whole hours of I love you's???? I got it the first time...
Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "I mean why did I need a whole hours of I love you's???? I got it the first time...."You've got me there!
Completion Post -- LaurLaWeek 10
Spot: 71; series 7 or 1; or Author S
Book: Save the Date - Annabeth Albert
Why: standalone
Pages: 153
Date Read: 08.06
Rating: ★★★
Review:
MM isn't a genre I usually read but needed this one for another challenge. It was okay but I had trouble with the more alpha character. I can't put my finger on it and it wasn't something that kept me from enjoying the book, at least on the surface. And I liked the author enough that if I need another MM, I'd look for her.
How is everyone doing with their books??
I'm still working on my book. I'm moving today and tomorrow but I'll try to stay up tonight to finish.
LaurLa wrote: "How is everyone doing with their books??"Finished...hopefully will write the review after work.
Week 10Roll: 9 / New spot: 71
Book: The Magpie Lord by K.J. Charles
Reason: First in the series
Pages: 210
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I don't read a lot of novels tagged fantasy or historical but this one might change my mind. Although I got confused at times I love the magical aspects of the story.
LaurLa wrote: "How is everyone doing with their books??"Thanks, I almost forgot :)
Spot 10: Author SAncestor
8/8/17
3 stars
This one was just okay, it had some potiential but it didnt cut it for me. Kind of a Island of Doctor Monroe remake, excepted is seemed more YAish.
Criss crossing animal dna with human dna never turns out very well. I think we should have learned that by now.
Week 10 - HinaSpot: 71
Book: Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
Fits: 1st in The Ice Planet Barbarians Series
Date Read: 8/10/17
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Review:
This was a new author to me, so I wasn't sure if I was going to like this or not. But it was surprisingly good. Georgie, a human female is abducted by an alien race that is evil along with other girls to be sold like cattle until the ship experiences trouble and they drop the pod off at a snow cold planet. Georgie defecto leader of the group, goes out to find help and/or food and meets a blue alien name Vektal, who realizes that Georgie is his destined mate. The beginning was a bit slow because they are trying to learn to communicate with each other. It was a bit different than the average alien story as well. Usually the alien race is superior with advanced technology but that is not the case, the alien Vektal race is more hunter gatherer and do not know of technology. Overall, it was an interesting read and I am going to continue with the series.
Finally done! Posting now. Sorry, guys!
Week 10 - Spot 71
Book:
Alone
Date read: 08/11/17
How it fits: #1 in the Flamestone trilogy
Rating 2 stars
Review: Well, I picked up this freebie because it has a character named Talia in it. And in chapter one I found out that her name is Talia Johnson, my maiden name! Wow, that is a first! But the joy ended soon after because the story was a tad bit dull. Elaine's friend Talia is missing, and she and some friends search Talia's house looking for clues to what might have happened to her. They find a hidden passage leading down to some mines, and Elaine winds up in another world with scary gnomes after her. She wanders around in this world for a long time, and I was ready to quit at this point. The ending did make the book a little better, but that was just the last two chapters. So I'll give it two stars for the interesting ending and for using my name for a character :D.
Book:
AloneDate read: 08/11/17
How it fits: #1 in the Flamestone trilogy
Rating 2 stars
Review: Well, I picked up this freebie because it has a character named Talia in it. And in chapter one I found out that her name is Talia Johnson, my maiden name! Wow, that is a first! But the joy ended soon after because the story was a tad bit dull. Elaine's friend Talia is missing, and she and some friends search Talia's house looking for clues to what might have happened to her. They find a hidden passage leading down to some mines, and Elaine winds up in another world with scary gnomes after her. She wanders around in this world for a long time, and I was ready to quit at this point. The ending did make the book a little better, but that was just the last two chapters. So I'll give it two stars for the interesting ending and for using my name for a character :D.
Week 11: Roll 6Spot: 77
Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
Thanks for rolling, Sunshine. I was in a conference all day. Next week, I should be fine to roll whenever the last review comes in.ETA: we're checked in now.
Week 11 - Roll 6
Book:
Violets Are Blue
How it fits: #7 in the Alex Cross series
Date read: 08/17/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This Alex Cross novel was slightly gross with the villains being brothers with a tiger who thought of themselves as vampires and were drinking their victims' blood. Um, I think I'll take a break from murder mysteries for a while! I blame a certain epic fantasy series for stimulating my mind so much recently that this book didn't have enough "points to ponder" for me. So I was a little bored and grossed out by these crazy wannabe vampires. It did remind me of True Blood and those regular humans who idolized the vampires. Anyway, the story was okay and I did learn more about Alex Cross's history, and the ongoing search for the Mastermind comes to a head in a side plot. So Alex Cross fans would probably like this, but it might not be interesting enough for other readers
Book:
Violets Are BlueHow it fits: #7 in the Alex Cross series
Date read: 08/17/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This Alex Cross novel was slightly gross with the villains being brothers with a tiger who thought of themselves as vampires and were drinking their victims' blood. Um, I think I'll take a break from murder mysteries for a while! I blame a certain epic fantasy series for stimulating my mind so much recently that this book didn't have enough "points to ponder" for me. So I was a little bored and grossed out by these crazy wannabe vampires. It did remind me of True Blood and those regular humans who idolized the vampires. Anyway, the story was okay and I did learn more about Alex Cross's history, and the ongoing search for the Mastermind comes to a head in a side plot. So Alex Cross fans would probably like this, but it might not be interesting enough for other readers
Week 11 - Spot: 77Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
Post Your Spot
LaurLa: No Tan Lines - Multi-color - Review
Sunshine: A Second Glance - Multi-color - Review
Abbie: The Draining Lake - Multi-color - Review
Hina: Billion-Dollar Baby Bargain - #7 Billionaires and Babies - Review
Talia: Violets Are Blue - #7 Alex Cross - Review
Completion Post -- LaurLaWeek 11
Spot: 77; series 7; or Multi-Colored cover
Book: No Tan Lines - Kate Angell
Why: 3+ colors on cover
Pages: 320
Date Read: 08.13
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Kind of cute story. I might be a little generous with 4 stars - there were a couple of sideline stories that weren't well meshed into the overall story that initially threw because I wasn't expecting the shift in focus. But overall, I liked the story enough to keep with the series.
I finished my book and updated post 188 with my review.
Week 11 - Spot: 77Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
The Draining Lake
8/17
4 stars
Another great one in the series, so glad I found this series a few months ago. Love it!
A body found in a draining lake and a man missing years ago...how does it fit? Well you will have to read it to find out. Glad Erlender finally gets a chance at love, and his family is starting to be more connected. Still waiting to find that missing brother!
Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Week 11 - Spot: 77Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
The Draining Lake
8/17
4 stars
Another great one in the series, so glad I found ..."
GASP! There's a bit of romance in this story? ;-)
I'll be in a meeting until noon this morning (eastern time) but will check back after that for Sunshine and Hina's books and then spin for us!
At least one team is in the 100s so it looks like we have one week left!
Week 11 - Spot: 77Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
Book: A Second Glance by Declan Rhodes
Fit: 3+ colors on cover
Pages: 239
Read: 8/10
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Just Okay
There were some grammar errors that even I caught. (view spoiler)
A bit of insta love.
LaurLa wrote: "Abbie DiscoSuperFly wrote: "Week 11 - Spot: 77Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)
The Draining Lake
8/17
4 stars
Another great one in ..."
Lol, if you call it that. She lraves her husband, goes to Erlender's house and decides to stay. Then onto next chapter. It was quick and to the point!
Week 11 - HinaSpot: 77
Book: Billion-Dollar Baby Bargain by Tessa Radley
Fits:
Billionaires and Babies #7
Date Read: 8/11/17
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
I usually love babies plot line , and this was good but there wasn't much of a romance between the two character.
Week 12Roll: 10
New spot: 87
Alternate: 87. MC is a minority (Non-Caucasian)
Wow, Team 2 already won! Well, it was nice playing with you all!
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Billion-Dollar Baby Bargain (other topics)A Second Glance (other topics)
Billion-Dollar Baby Bargain (other topics)
The Draining Lake (other topics)
A Second Glance (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Declan Rhodes (other topics)K.J. Charles (other topics)
JoAnna Carl (other topics)
Rhys Ford (other topics)
Allyson K. Abbott (other topics)
More...
Alternate: Title R
Post Your Spot
LaurLa: It Had to Be You - #3 Weddings by Bella - Review
Sunshine: Red Dirt Heart - Alternate R - Review
Abbie: Railsea - Alternate R - Review
Hina: The Disobedient Virgin - #3 The Ramirez Brides - Review
Talia: In the Drink - #3 Mack's Bar Mysteries - Review