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R9: Team "Summer of 69" (6)
Countdown Clock for the end of Week SEVEN is just over 22 hours[image error]
Week #7 Books #42 in series (or #4 & #4) or Alt is 42. Dystopian
TEAM COMPLETION POST
Alison ~ If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance (G. C. C. S. M. #2) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ Can't Stand the Heat (Corporate Chaos #2)
Mary ~ Home For the Haunting (Haunted Home Renovation Mystery #4)
Moondance ~ Ghouls Night Out (Larue Donavan #2)
Shan ~ Mai Tai'd Up (Cocktail #4) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Week 7
Can't Stand the Heat
✬✬✬✬
Corporate Chaos #2
181 pages
Finished 20/7
Task: 42nd book in a series (also 2nd or 4th in series)
Being a fan of cooking competitions like masterchef i really enjoyed this book and i also enjoyed the romance aspect of the story. All in all a a sweet feel good story
Completion PostWeek: 7
Roll: 6
Space: 42
Ghouls Night Out by Rose Pressey
Book #2 of A Psychic Cozy Mystery with Larue Donavan
243 pages
Read: 07.19.17
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Nothing says romance like taking your date with you to exorcise a house.
Larue is a bookstore owner who just happens to see and talk with ghosts. She has recently started helping out a ghost busting group to help the ghosts to the other side. Larue is called to a haunting while on a date with coffee shop owner, Callahan. Along the way, Callahan's deceased grandfather, Seth becomes a back seat passenger. At the house, Larue finds Mae West( yes, the real Mae West) and a James Dean wanna be. Now Larue has three ghosts attached to her. Damage to her bookstore brings up bad memories of bad witch, Brianna who was dealt with in the previous book. Brianna's cousin, Cooper has now arrived to run her the clothing store.
Whew! I didn't read the first book but soon picked up on the dynamics of the characters. The local coven leader takes ill and wants Larue to take her place. Callahan and best friend, Mindy are bespelled. Larue takes a bit to pick up on this.
I enjoy other books by this author and know that I should go back and read the first one which I understand has the ghost of Abraham Lincoln. I'm not sure I like the addition of well recognized people as ghosts that attach to Larue. I felt that Mae West was written almost as a caricature. It's almost like when people try to convince you that they are descended from royalty. Sometimes Larue was so dense that I wanted to smack her. This was a quick enjoyable read even with those drawbacks.
I hate to read out of order and think I will go back to read book one and then reread this one to grasp the continuity of the characters.
Completion post: 
Finished: 7/20/2017
Week: 7
Roll: 6
Space: 42
336 pages
4th in the Haunted Home Renovation series.
4 stars
My only complaint with the series is that Mel's life doesn't really progress very much. But I don't think much time has progressed between each book so maybe that's why. Anyway,I am sucker for ghost stories and while the ghosts are kind of light in this one, I still enjoyed the book. That's because I am also a sucker for a haunted murder house. I also love the San Francisco setting. San Francisco seems to be a hotbed of ghost activity like New Orleans.
Week #7 Books #42 in series (or #4 & #4) or Alt is 42. Dystopian
TEAM COMPLETION POST
Alison ~ If Mashed Potatoes Could Dance (G. C. C. S. M. #2) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ Can't Stand the Heat (Corporate Chaos #2) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Mary ~ Home For the Haunting (Haunted Home Ren. Mystery #4) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Moondance ~ Ghouls Night Out (Larue Donavan #2) ~ Review ✬✬✬
Shan ~ Mai Tai'd Up (Cocktail #4) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
~ WEEK EIGHT ROLL ~ 
& 
6+3 =9 ~ SPACE 42+9 ~ takes us up to SPACE 51
Options this week are:
51st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
or
Alternate task:
51. New York (❀ Locations: As long as the book takes part at all in the given location)
To make it easier, here is a Countdown Clock for the end of Week EIGHTH
*Please make sure to do a selection post with task, book link, and pages count. Thanks!
Week 851st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
The Millionaire Upstairs
198 pages
Standalone
I "think" I will go with this one, as I can use it for two other challenges.WEEK 8 Selection Post
Task ~ 51st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
Book ~
Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) by Kristin CashorePages ~ ebook, 306 pages
Fits ~ Graceling Realm, #1
Hmm. A 5th or a 1st. Let me see what I have.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Hmm. A 5th or a 1st. Let me see what I have."Do not forget when we have a 1 or a 0 in the roll we can also use Standalone books.
Mentioning New York opens me up to an In Death frenzy. I'll check to see what I have when I get home.
I'll be reading: 
5th in Felix Castor series.
I'm waiting on an announcement for another challenge and I will post my book. Always like to multitask if possible.
Moondance wrote: "I'm waiting on an announcement for another challenge and I will post my book. Always like to multitask if possible."I totally understand.
I have enough individual ones that normally stuff will fit someplace. Even if it isn't one of my other team or partner challenges.
Cool!So, I am totally stoked, didn't start Graceling yet and when I looked it will work for a Hunger Games task and another Challenge.
Talk about multi tasking!
;-)
Shan, what will you be reading for this week?
WEEK 8 Selection PostTask ~ 51st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
Book: Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley
# of pgs: 389
How it fits: 1st in Chaos series
Completion PostWeek: 8
Roll: 9
Space: 51
Conspiracy in Death by J.D. Robb
Alternate: New York
364 pages
Read: 07.24.17
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
In my hands is power.
Eve is called out to a crime scene early one morning. Upon arrival, she finds that the scene has not been secured by the first officers. One of the "scoopers" is an Officer Bowers who has it out for Eve. Eve realizes there is more to this murder when she discovers that the victim's heart has been removed with surgical precision. Back at Cop Central, Eve and Peabody question another homeless man that may have a clue to the murder. Bowers files a complaint against Eve that starts a huge mess.
This series gets better with each installment. I love how Peabody becomes a more well rounded character with each new story. Her interaction with Eve is fabulous. One of my favorite conversations occurred in the first chapter. Peabody is imaging Roarke in a tux and enjoys it a bit too much for Eve.
"You know, a lot of women would get pissed off at having their husband star in their aide's prurient little fantasies."
"But you're bigger than that, Lieutenant. I like that about you."
There is simply no words for Roarke. He is the ultimate book boyfriend. He supports Eve unconditionally. He is serious and business like then he goes out and builds a snowman. Eve has become a better person because of Roarke and he has because of Eve.
The medical advances in this book are amazing and would be so beneficial to us today. The "god complex" surrounding the doctors is spot on. If only the effort could always go towards good.
This book had humor and angst, horrible memories and the support of friends. It made me angry and it made me sigh.
I waited so long to start this series because it was daunting to begin with so many books to get through. This is one of my all time favorite series. I can't wait to catch up with Eve, Roarke and the rest of the crew in the next book.
An excellent read!
I am finishing up and will post my review in time.
Will finish and post my review before midnight.
WEEK 8 completion PostTask ~ 51st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
The Millionaire Upstairs
198 pages standalone
Finished 27/7
5 stars
I loved this book it was a comfy rags to riches story with just the right amount of angst plus i loved the mc sasha he was so cute
Completion post: On space 51:
5th in Felix Castor Series
4 stars
463 pages
Finished: 7/27/2017
A nice end to the series. I assume it's the end since there hasn't been a 6th book and he wrapped of the main ongoing plot. As much as I enjoyed this series and wouldn't mind reading more, I kind of like it when an author keeps them somewhat under control. Often great series go on way too long and become not so great anymore.
I highly recommend this series if you are a fan of anti-heroes, demons, ghosts and zombies.
Shan ~ A ~ wrote: "Will finish and post my review before midnight."Ok
Can not remember what time zone you are in, but remember the challenge is based on Midnight Central time.
:-)
Week 8 ~ Completion PostTask ~ 51st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
Book ~
Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) by Kristin CashoreCompleted ~ 7-23-17
Fits ~ Graceling Realm, #1
Rating ~ ✯✯✯✯
Review ~ This book is set in a world where some people are born with a Grace, that is a unique yet sometimes odd talent, aka gift, that can be anything from dancing to swimming. In some kingdoms, the Graces are looked on with fear and suspicion, while in others they are celebrated. This book revolves around Katsa, whose Grace, demonstrated at an early age, when she killed a cousin. Her Uncle one of the Kings had her trained in fighting and killing and went on to use her as a tool, by making her be his thug. He sends her out to kill and punish people that displease him, even with her only being a young teen.
We first meet Katsa as a smart, vulnerable yet strong, beautiful teenager, who is not happy with the "monster" that her uncle has made her into. Katsa detests the way she is being used by her uncle, sees the injustices around her often created or caused by him. She decides to stand against the injustice in small but important ways, until one day she snaps and does it in a very public no going back way.
We then get to see Katsa go on an adventure that has her growing in many ways from finding out more about the world beyond her uncles kingdom, who she is, who she wants to be, more about her Grace than she would have known otherwise and we also get to see a sweet Romance develop even with Katsa's inexperience and slightly distorted but strong views about herself, life and the world. It is a great first book by Kristin Cashore, and I look forward to seeing her writing mature and develop hopefully along with the character.
Completion PostWEEK 8
Task ~ 51st book in a series (also 1st or 5th in series & Standalone)
Book: Own the Wind by Kristen Ashley
# of pgs: 389
How it fits: 1st in Chaos series
Finished: 07/27/17
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
No reader can go wrong by reading a Kristen Ashley novel. This book is no exception.
I loved this book, I basically love most of her books. It mainly the hot men, fiesty and/or kickass, funny woman, and the way she tells the story is both an escape for me and the story is believable. So it both takes me away, but is true to life at the same time. This book is no exception.
It isn't the average romance with instanta love that takes place in a matter or days or a week. This is a life story.
A girl has a crush on a guy, and due to past behavior the guy feels he needs to put this girl on the right track in a not so nice way, but for her own good. Well, the job he does is so good that the girl doesn't have anything to do with him.
Fast forward and the girl is on the straight and narrow and has fallen in love with a guy, and is about to get married. Tragedy strikes and the girl has a hard time getting her life back in order.
In comes the guy from before to help get her back to where she needs to be, this time in a better way.
Shy and Tabby's relationship is one of the best ones that I have read in a while. They always had a physical attraction, but it blossomed in the time they spent together after the tragedy she had to live through, to friends, but really more that they were both denying. Then they finally come together and it is amazing.
I loved seeing badass Shy fall in love with his woman, as much as I loved seeing Taby love and have her man's back. (of course he had hers too, but that kinda goes without saying, even though I just did).
If nothing else gets you to read this just know that not only do we get more Tack Allen, but Lee Nightingale makes an appearance. You can never go wrong with more Lee. If you don't know who that is stop right now and go back and read Rock Chick (the entire series since there is some sexy men there also).
Sweet!!I will get everything ready to spin in about 1 hour 43 min
Oops! Something can up I will get the post ready and roll now.
WEEK #8 Books #51st in series (or #1 & #5 in series & Standalone) or Alt is 51 New York
TEAM COMPLETION POST
Alison ~ Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ The Millionaire Upstairs - Standalone ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Mary ~ The Naming of the Beasts (Felix Castor #5) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Moondance ~ Conspiracy in Death (In Death #8) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Shan ~ Own the Wind (Chaos #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Woohoo!! Got a big dice roll for us this week gals. We might be a little less behind now. ~ WEEK NINE ROLL ~ & 6+6=12+51 ~ and that will move us up to SPACE 63
Options this week are:
63rd book in a series (also 3rd or 6th in book series)
or
Alternate task:
63. Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
To make it easier, here is a Countdown Clock for the end of Week NINE
*Please make sure to do a selection post with task, book link, and pages count. Thanks!
63rd book in a series (also 3rd or 6th in book series)
Julio's Wolf
191 pages
Werewolves of Manhattan 6
I am debating between6 ~ Laces and Lace (Assassins #6) by Toni Aleo
6 ~ Spells and Scones (Magical Bakery Mystery, #6) by Bailey Cates
6 ~ The Ghosts of Misty Hollow (Ghost of Granny Apples #6) by Sue Ann Jaffarian
6 ~ Tempt the Stars (Cassandra Palmer, #6) by Karen Chance
6 ~ Magic for Nothing (InCryptid, #6) by Seanan McGuire
6 ~ The Ghostfaces (Brotherband Chronicles #6) by John Flanagan
Wish I hadn't just finished One Grave at a Time (Night Huntress, #6) two days ago.
Decided to go with a third
WEEK 9 Selection
Task ~ 63rd book in a series (also 3rd or 6th in book series)
Book ~
If Bread Could Rise to the Occasion (G C C S M #3) by Paige SheltonPages ~ paperback, 304 pages
Fits ~ Gram’s Country Cooking School Mystery, #3 & third from this serries read for SS
Selection Post ~ Week 963rd book in a series (also 3rd or 6th in book series)
Book: Tamed by Emma Chase
# of pgs: 256
How it fits: #3 in the Tangled series
I'm waiting for another challenge call before I pick a book. I hope to be able to multitask.
Moondance wrote: "I'm waiting for another challenge call before I pick a book. I hope to be able to multitask."I hear that!
Selection post:
6th in Inspector Montalbano Series
229 pages
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I started this in ebook because it's a 3rd in the series:..."Ok, as far as I am concerned you can edit your post when you figure out the one you will use.
I'm looking for a #3 in series book. I think I know what I would like to read. I'll post it soon.
Selection PostWeek: 9
Roll: 12
Space: 63
Horse of a Different Killer by Laura Morrigan
Book #3 Call of the Wilde Mystery
294 pages
I kind of forgot about the bonus point categories. I see Allison asked some clarifying questions on them in the how to play thread but they weren't answered yet. I think the only I will be in line for at the moment is the not choosing an alternate, which I will try to stick to even though I think we've all been skipping the alternate already anyway.
The rolls haven't worked out for me to read three in a series. The way that one is worded makes it sound like any 3 in a series regardless of order.
Oh and I am just going to go with the audio book. It's not very long and I'm already half-way through.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I kind of forgot about the bonus point categories. I see Allison asked some clarifying questions on them in the how to play thread but they weren't answered yet. ..."Yeah! I noticed that, but I hate to be too much of a pain about it.
I have two in at least two different series so far, so I should be able to swing three in one of them.
I keep looking for an over 500-page book, but so far the ones I have read have not worked for this challenge.
If you all are not aware of what Mary is talking about, here it is below.
"Bonus Points ~
✸Teams will have a chance to earn 1 Free Pass to roll. To earn your free pass your team has to complete their reads a day before the next roll. Once your team has done this you will have 1 free pass. The free pass will allow a team to roll if they are missing a review(s) before the cutoff. Once you've used it, you can't earn another one. It's a one-time shot. NOTE: The free pass may not be used for the win.
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series
✸ One point can be earned One point can be earned for reading a book that > 500 pages
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series (there must be more than 4 books in that series...I will entertain series with spin-offs) ~ no re-reads on this one.
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists (earned week before winning roll)"
Completion Post ~ Week 963rd book in a series (also 3rd or 6th in book series)
Book: Tamed by Emma Chase
# of pgs: 256
How it fits: #3 in the Tangled series
Finished: 07/30/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Finally got the story of how Matthew and Dee's relationship progressed. It was funny, and let me get to know the characters more, but I may have appreciated it more if it had been the second book or 1.5 (because they were on their honeymoon at that point, then coming back), instead of the third.
Plus, I think I would have liked it more had it been dual pov, because I would have loved to be inside Dee's head. She is super smart and feisty, so I bet she would have had me in stitches even more than Matthew did.
Still, it was a good edition to an already fun and funny series.
Well my classes have ended so maybe I can get a 500+ book in but it will really depend on the numbers that come up. I'll scout out what I have. I have a couple of long ones on audio.
Completion post: Week 9, space 63
finsihed 8/1/2017
4 stars
6th Inpsector Montalbano Book
229 pages
Another enjoyable installment in the Montalbano series. The police in Vigata, Sicily always seem clueless and inept but they get the job done. Some stuff that Montalbano does never makes sense to me. Like when he finds the missing vehicle with a body in it in a cave, he calls an anonymous tip in instead of just owning that he found it. But he's like Hamish McBeth in that he doesn't want to get promoted and have to leave the little village that he loves. I had the murderer figured out early in this one but it was till a good one.
Week 9, space 63
191 pages
Werewolves of Manhattan 6
Finished 2/8
5 stars
This is one of my favourite series
And this book was a beautiful addition
I love the story because its both actionfilled and romantic all at the same time. Sadly the author of this beautiful serie has passed away so r.i.p ac katt i will miss your books
The Challenge Factory
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Week 7
Task: 42nd book in a series (also 2nd or 4th in series)
Book: Mai Tai'd Up by Alice Clayton
# of pgs: 272
How it fits: # 4 in the Cocktail series
Finished: 07/18/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I loved this book. It was awesome to see the friendship between Chloe and Lucas blossom to more. I loved seeing Chloe step into her own, especially after how she was expected to live her life. I left this story thinking she is one of the strongest and bravest souls. It has to be hard to turn your back on the things in you life that you are used to (safety nets) and branch out on a completely different path.
Why didn't I give it 5 stars, you may ask?
Well, I not long ago finished the previous book and I kept thinking throughout this one, that I could be reading about the same person (similar personalities), just with a different name.
I also kept feeling that I may have really enjoyed this more, which is hard to do because it is already pretty awesome, if it would have been told in dual pov.