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R9: Team "Summer of 69" (6)
Week 9 ~ Completion PostTask ~ 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 SheltonCompleted ~ 8-2-17
Fits ~ Gram’s Country Cooking School Mystery, #3 & third from this series read for SS
Rating ~ ✯✯✯✯
Review ~ Good book, in another fun cooking related cozy mystery series. I like the MC, she had a lot of spunk, I have been enjoying the dynamics of the MC her Grandmother, her brother, her straight male best friend, and the ghostly visitors. Although she is a little confused in the romance department, she seems to have a head on her shoulders. The secondary characters are more or less interesting and added a lot of fullness to the story, as well as often the antagonist.
I like the small historical aspects of the story, and the series, it added a nice extra level to the whole thing. I, however, have had a bit of a hard time wrapping my brain around Missouri being such a Wild West kind of place, even if intellectually I know it would have been. I guess that is just the influence of me having grown up in the West and visiting places like Virginia City and Bodie growing up.
Overall this is fun series. I think having the series set in a town with lots of historical "characters" is brilliant. It gives the author a lot of different stories as well as personalities to pull from without the location needing to change much. I look forward to where the story will go and also to see what other ghosts might show up.
ok gals just a few hours, but it looks like everyone is done and reviewed. So I will get this ready after dinner for the 10 pm check-in, aka midnight in Texas.:-D
How did the evening get this far along and I missed it? Gesh!
WEEK #9 Books #63rd book in a series (also 3rd or 6th in book series) ~OR~ Alt is #63. Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
TEAM COMPLETION POST
Alison ~ If Bread Could Rise to the Occasion (G C C S M #3)* ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ Julio's Wolf (Werewolves of Manhattan #6) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Mary ~ The Smell of the Night (Commissario Montalbano #6) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Moondance ~ Horse of a Different Killer (Call of the Wilde #3) ~ Review ✬✬✬.75
Shan ~ Tamed (Tangled #3) ~ Review ✬✬✬
~ WEEK TEN ROLL ~ 
& 
5+2=7+63 ~ and that will move us up to SPACE 70
Options this week are:
70th book in a series (also 7th or Zero in book series or Standalone)
or
Alternate task:
70. Space Opera
To make it easier, here is a Countdown Clock for the end of Week TEN
*Please make sure to do a selection post with task, book link, and pages count. Thanks!
Please do not hate me for this dice roll.I know it is going to be a hard week, that is unless you like Space Opera MP genre, or happen to have a prequel book sitting around.
so on the ZERO - 0.5 (or any other 0. #) book would work as long as it meets the page requirement of 140+ pages
Then again Mary and Emelie you could read the next book in last weeks series. and Moondance and Shan you could read the next book in series you read in Week Six if you haven't already.
FROM RULES:
✸Standalone books can be used for a 1 or a 0
✸Half books: ½ or .5 count only if they meet the page requirement AND will be judged by preceding whole number numeral on Goodreads.
✸ Books in multiple series can be used for ANY of the series. An example: Azagoth (1001 Dark Nights, #6; Lords of Deliverance, #5.5; Demonica, #10.5) can be used for spot 6 for 1001 Dark Nights, spot 5 for LoD or spot 10 for Demonica because it meets the page limit.
70th book in a series (also 7th or Zero in book series or StandaloneThe Merchant and the Clergyman
186 pages standalone
Because I have been holding on to this the entire time we have been playing.WEEK 10 Selection Post
Task ~ 70th book in a series (7th & Zero & Standalone)
Book ~
The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death (The Hollows 0) by Kim Harrison
Pages ~ Paperback, 512 pages
Fits ~ The Hollows #0 (prequal)
I think the 7 will be good for me. Plus stand alone for 0 is easy to find. I'm just happy to not be spending multiple rolls in the same decade.
I'll read this: 
7th Charles Lenox book
304 pages
I believe I have some 7 books at home that will fit. I think I have a Kelley Armstrong that is over 500 pages too.
Selection PostWeek: 10
Roll: 7
Space: 70
Uncorked by Lois Greiman
Book #7 Chrissy McMullen series
319 pages
Completion PostWeek: 10
Roll: 7
Space: 70
Uncorked by Lois Greiman
Book #7 Chrissy McMullen series
319 pages
Read: 08.05.17
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I picked up my cordless on the third ring.
This is the seventh book out starring psychologist Chrissy McMullen. She and Jack Rivera are on the outs again after she thinks he cheated on her. A designer drug dealer that Chrissy and Jack helped put away is released from prison and an attempt is made on his life. Rivera is arrested for the crime. Despite multiple warnings from the police, colleagues and friends, Chrissy begins investigating too. This quickly becomes a dangerous situation for Chrissy.
Chrissy was a tad irritating in this installment. She kept referring to her Irish heritage which I don't recall from previous books. Her relationship with Jack drives me nuts. It is very obvious that she cares for him but constantly pushes him away. Her relationship with Marc is so nondescript that she frequently forgets his name. Her dogged determination puts her in harm's way more than once.
I always enjoy when Laney steps in. She at least tries to be the voice of reason. I did miss J.D.'s actual presence.
The intertwined story line with a drug dealer, his abused girlfriend and her pit bull adds interest to the plot. The drug dealer's phone provides the answers to the true mystery behind Rivera's arrest.
This was a quick easy read that did not wow me, but kept my interest to the end.
Selection Post ~ Week 1070th book in a series (also 7th or Zero in book series or Standalone)
Book: Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley
# of pgs: 206
How it fits: 0.5 in Rock Chick series
Week #10 Books 70th book (also 7th or Zero or Standalone) or Alt is 70. Space OperaAlison ~ The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death (The Hollows 0)
Emelie ~ The Merchant and the Clergyman - Standalone
Mary ~ An Old Betrayal (Charles Lenox Mysteries #7)
Moondance ~ Uncorked (A Chrissy McMullen Mystery #7)
Shan ~ Rock Chick Reawakening (Rock Chick 0.5)
Week 10 ~ Completion PostTask ~ 70th book in a series (7th & Zero & Standalone)
Book ~
The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death (The Hollows 0) by Kim Harrison
Completed ~ 8-5-17
Fits ~ The Hollows #0 (prequal)
Rating ~ ✯✯✯✯
Review ~ Dang! still reeling a bit. But OMG Kal is an asshat!
In this prequel to the Hallows series, we see Trisk and Kal who was her constant tormentor growing up and continuing thru college. We also get to see their contemporary Quinn, who we all know from the main series. Kal is actually Trent Kalamack, the father to the Trent we know from the main series. He for some reason seems to hate and want to totally crush his hated rival Trisk. He is so full of malevolence it is almost hard for me to understand.
Anyhow, the gist with as little spoilers is that we find out how the tomato can to be lethal to so many humans and then follow a group of changing, other than Trisk, characters across the country trying to stop the spread, worn humanity and basically have the person or people responsible for different thing to be properly labeled so. It had a few issues for me, so I can not rate it higher, the biggest issue other than some holes for me was the sheer volume of hate Kal had for Trisk. I do not feel it was ever really explained, and that made it a little hard for me with the ending and knowing stuff from the book later on.
Some great cameos show up later other than just Quinn, and it is a good start on a history. But I do want more back story with more of the characters from the main series.
Well worth the read if you love or like The Hallows.
Completion Post ~ Week 1070th book in a series (also 7th or Zero in book series or Standalone)
Book: Rock Chick Reawakening by Kristen Ashley
# of pgs: 206
How it fits: 0.5 in Rock Chick series
Finished: 08/06/17
Rating: 4.5 stars (4 stars goodreads)
Review:
I am so glad to finally get the story of Daisy & the relationship of Marcus and Daisy. It was short and sweet, but it packed a punch.
Reading this made so many things about Daisy individually, and Daisy and Marcus as a couple completely clear to me.
We already knew that Daisy had a big heart, but to see the manifestation of her being that way from a child, and after all she endured made me love her even more. And... Gotta say, I love Marcus more knowing the role he played in getting her to where we met her (with the help of Ms. Annamae of course.)
The only reason I didn't give the 5 stars is because there were a few things that annoyed me, but not enough for me to think that this was indeed a great edition to this series, just enough for me to take a star away from my rating, and if goodreads had half a star my final rating would have actually been 4.5 stars.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "I should finish tonight or tomorrow."No rush you have a few days.
I finished mine yesterday. I had hoped to review it at lunch but didn't stop for lunch. I'll post this evening.
Alrighty then! I am in too many challenges! I have already reviewed my book for this week. Sigh. I was trying to post my book I read for the Super Speedy Round. It was really good! I'm going away now...
Moondance wrote: "Alrighty then! I am in too many challenges! I have already reviewed my book for this week. Sigh. I was trying to post my book I read for the Super Speedy Round. It was really good! I'm going away n..."Lol!! I have been known to do what you just did. So if nothing else, know that you are not alone.
:-)
Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "Moondance wrote: "Alrighty then! I am in too many challenges! I have already reviewed my book for this week. Sigh. I was trying to post my book I read for the Super Speedy Round. It was really good..."*face palm* the thing that clued me in was that I couldn't make the book fit the number.
Completion postRoll #10, on space 70
finished: 8/8/2017
4 stars
My only real complaint about this book is how the whole rumors about Graham taking bribes for access to Charles in Parliament was handled. It's seemed to me that the author may have regretted putting Charles in parliament and this was just an excuse to get him out. Because he really does nothing to prove the rumors false or vindicate Graham. Other than that it was a good outing in the series.
Roll #10, on space 70
Finished 10/8
4 stars
This was a lovely book and it brought me back in time and made me think of downton abbey and my heart really went out to james and his internal struggle
Week #10 Books 70th book (also 7th or Zero or Standalone) or Alt is 70. Space Opera
TEAM COMPLETION POST
Alison ~ The Turn: The Hollows Begins with Death (The Hollows 0) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ The Merchant and the Clergyman - Standalone ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Mary ~ An Old Betrayal (Charles Lenox Mysteries #7) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Moondance ~ Uncorked (A Chrissy McMullen Mystery #7) ~ Review ✬✬✬
Shan ~ Rock Chick Reawakening (Rock Chick 0.5) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬.5
So getting it all ready for later.Fingers crossed we get a good roll, but I don't even know what that would entail at this point. We need a high one for moving as we are sort of at the back of the pack.
I'm hoping for something with an 8
Moondance wrote: "I'm hoping for something with an 8"ok, thanks!
I was about to ask you all, because......
Bonus Points ~
......✸ 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......
I have covered the 3 in a series if no one else has.
Did anyone read a book over 500 pages? I can not remember.
Or finished and started a series with more than four books? I am working on that, but it will depend on the rolls, and if the game ends before we get there. I would need a #4 then a #5 or at least a #5 and a good argument for Ezi.
:-)
SO, we have the option of using that extra point to get one number higher than we roll.
I've been all over the place. I know I read 3 books in a series recently but they were not for here. Drats!
Moondance wrote: "I've been all over the place. I know I read 3 books in a series recently but they were not for here. Drats!"It is all good, I was just checking to make sure I hadn't missed anything.
;-)
Will you be up in an hour and 20 min? Want to roll?
Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "Moondance wrote: "I've been all over the place. I know I read 3 books in a series recently but they were not for here. Drats!"It is all good, I was just checking to make sure I hadn't missed anyt..."
Headed to bed. I need to get up in about 4 1/2 hours.
Oh my, yes, get "some" sleep
~ WEEK ELEVEN ROLL ~ 
& 6+5=11+70 ~ and that takes us to SPACE 81
Options this week are:
81st book in a series (also 1st or 8th in book series or Standalone)
or
Alternate task:
81. Cover: Yellow (❀ Colors: The cover has to be at least 50%)
To make it easier, here is a launch Countdown Clock for the end of Week ELEVEN
*Please make sure to do a selection post with task, book link, and pages count. Thanks!
Not what I had my fingers crossed for, but it was a high roll and got us to an 8 for Moondance.:-)
I would have loved a 2, 3, 4, 6 or 9 maybe next week.
Lets see with the #1 I could go withOn What Grounds (Coffeehouse Mystery #1)
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
SELECTION POST:
The Aeronaut's Windlass (The Cinder Spires #1) Is my pick this week @630 pages
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
A Dirty Job (Grim Reaper #1)
The School for Good and Evil (The School for Good and Evil #1)
The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower #1)
Midnight Crossroad (Midnight, Texas #1)
Graveminder (Graveminder #1)
Omens (Cainsville #1)
The Mysterious Benedict Society (The Mysterious Benedict Society #1)
50 Ways to Hex Your Lover (Hex #1)
Envy of Angels (Sin du Jour #1)
or, or, or
SO MANY to choose from, and those are just some of the ones I have on hand at the moment. I think I will need to wait for at least one other challenge to narrow down my list.
81st book in a series (also 1st or 8th in book series Or standalone
164 pages standalone
Since at least one other person has the "read no alternates" covered, I'll see if I can come up with a 500+ book with a yellow cover. I have a lot more reading time with my class being finished.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Since at least one other person has the "read no alternates" covered, I'll see if I can come up with a 500+ book with a yellow cover. I have a lot more reading time with my class being finished."If we roll something with a 2 next week I will read Lord of Shadows it is something like 650+ pages, but if not I will just have to read it as it is due back the end of next week.
But heck if you find something and WANT to read it go for it.
Selection PostWeek: 11
Rolled: 11
Space: 81
Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
Book #8 in The Cupcake Bakery Mystery series
304 pages
Selection Post81st book in a series (also 1st or 8th in book series or Standalone)
Book: Beneath This Mask by Meghan March
# of pgs: 290
How it fits: 1st in the Beneath series
Moondance wrote: "Selection Post...Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
..."Oh, I have been enjoying that series, but I have only read thru book 4.
Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "Moondance wrote: "Selection Post...Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
..."Oh, I have been enjoying that series, but I have only ..."
It is one of my favorites!
Forgot to post what I picked: 
It's 1st in the Gentleman Bastard Series for spot 81
573 pages
I might line up a shorter back up book in case I don't like this one. Straight fantasy is hit or miss for me.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Forgot to post what I picked: '..."Do not stress on reading an over 500 page book, if it happens great, but if not... such is life. I have heard good things, and have had it on my TBR list for a long time, but have never gotten to it.
I have had it in my TBR for a long time as well. I'm trying to listen to everything on my old IPOD classic so I can sync it to my new computer and finally get rid of my old one. This book is on that old computer. I could get most of the books from the library again but the time it would take to download all the discs would be insane. I have so many books on that computer.
Ah!Well if it makes your life easier because it is one less on the ild conputer, then by all means go for it. And being an audiobook, that is easier for the 500 plus pages.
:-)
I will look forward to your review.
Week 11 ~ Completion PostTask ~ 81st (also 1st or 8th in book series or Standalone)
Book ~
The Aeronaut's Windlass (The Cinder Spires #1) by Jim Butcher
Hardcover, 630 pages -OR- ebook, 640 pages
Completed ~ 8-15-17
Fits ~ The Cinder Spires #1
Rating ~ ✯✯✯✯
Review ~ Hum......... lets see this is a long book, but I think it has built a very interesting world that we have only just seen a small portion of. It is not the fastest action book and I am glad that I was listening to the Audio of the book rather than reading it, and that is not often the case for me.
Most of the primary characters are interesting, but again I think they have so much more to show us. The point of view in the story is constantly shifting characters, but I found it easy to follow after just a little initial confusion while figuring out who was who in the story.
I look forward to seeing where Jim will go with this series and this interesting Sci-Fi Steampunk world.
However, anyone expecting this to be like his Harry Dresden series will be in for a shock, unless they have also read and enjoyed his Codex Alera series, because I think that this has a lot more in common with Codex Alera that it does with Harry.
I'm on track to finish my book, hopefully, tomorrow night. I say hopefully because I am flying to FL to visit my dad on Thursday and I don't want to forget to do my review. BTW: he only has dial up internet. But I will be using my phone as a hot spot. Hopefully there won't be any issues with me getting on to post my book selection and review next week.
The Challenge Factory
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Heart of Venom (other topics)Delicious and Suspicious (other topics)
His Obsession Next Door (other topics)
Heart of Venom (other topics)
Heart of Venom (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Jennifer Estep (other topics)Riley Adams (other topics)
Cathryn Fox (other topics)
Jennifer Estep (other topics)
Jennifer Estep (other topics)
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Week: 9
Roll: 12
Space: 63
Horse of a Different Killer by Laura Morrigan
Book #3 Call of the Wilde Mystery
294 pages
Read: 08.01.17
Rating: 3.75 stars
Review:
Some days you are the windshield, some days you are the bug.
Grace is back in the third installment of A Call of the Wilde Mystery series. Her ex brother-in-law, Tony, is found dead with Grace's sister, Emma, standing over him. Grace knows that she must prove Emma's innocence. Tony's current girlfriend is distraught over the loss of a horse that Tony bought for her after a photo shoot in Morocco.
Grace is amazing character that uses her ability to talk to animals to solve crimes. In her search for the horse she chats with a barn cat and a goat. She rescues a dog that saw his owner murdered and locates a goat that ran away.
Grace's relationship with Kai is getting more serious although he still has reservations about her friendship with organized crime figure, Logan.
I enjoyed how the various mysteries all intertwined and kept Grace searching. The voices she hears from the animals make me smile. I love how kitten, VooDoo, is very quick to state what is "mine". I would like to have a dog like Moss.
This is an enjoyable series with quirky characters and good plots. I look forward to reading the next one.