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Completion PostWeek: 11
Rolled: 11
Space: 81
Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
Book #8 in The Cupcake Bakery Mystery series
304 pages
Read: 08.12.17
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
"Viva Las Vegas"
Mel, Angie and Tate are headed to Las Vegas to discuss a franchise opportunity with showgirl, Holly. An explosion at the bakery site kills a lawyer. A second incident has Mel wondering if the Tucci family is making good on their promise to destroy friends and family of Joe DeLaura. Then we learn that Holly has problems of her own.
I was afraid that I would not like the story being away from Scottsdale but Las Vegas was a treat. The Elvis convention added to the storyline. Going backstage at a show was interesting too.
I was prepared to not like Holly but her devotion to her daughter brought me around.
I did miss the familiar setting of the bakery and the usual crew. Marty, Oz and Manny did all show up in Vegas but it was just not quite the same.
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me interested. I listened to the audiobook and will most likely read the paperback as well. I enjoy having someone read to me but I retain more when I read it myself.
This is an excellent fun series that I recommend highly!
Bring on the next one.
On space 81: 
530 pages
Fits as 1st in a Series: Gentleman Bastards Book 1
Finished: 8/16/2017
3 1/2 stars
I'm not a huge fan of books that jump back and forth in time. This can make them hard to follow when listening to an audio book, especially when there is not alert to it happening. Which seems to be the case in this one as it seemed like I'd be in the middle of a scene in one time and then in a scene in another time and I wouldn't realize what was going in the book for a bit. Of course this could just an audio book editing issue. If I read more of the series I will do it in a written format so I can see changes in font and little things like that intended to alert readers. I also think the book could have been a lot shorter. I mean there's world building and then there's boring details like how to set a dinner table and the detailed rules of a game that really has no baring on the plot of the book. So definitely print for me from now on with this series so I can skim the boring parts.
So now that I am leaving tomorrow, I'm panicky that I won't be able to easily get something for this week's roll. But I should be ok between the alternate option, 3 digital libraries and my 4 audible credits.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "So now that I am leaving tomorrow, I'm panicky that I won't be able to easily get something for this week's roll. But I should be ok between the alternate option, 3 digital libraries and my 4 audib..."If you have an 8 and/or 9 you can take with you then you should be covered, because if I roll anything 9 or over we will be in the 90's otherwise still in the 80's. The smaller number is going to be WAY harder because it could be anything.
As for the Alt task, it will have to be one of these options:
82. Europe
83. LGBT
84. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
85. Friends to Lovers
86. Cover Item Moon or Sun
87. MC is a minority (Non-Caucasian)
88. Paranormal
89. Cover: Blue
90. Non-fiction
91. Title G
92. Horror
93. Cover Item Weapon(s)
Not sure if that will help you or make it harder.
Ok, gals we have just under 14.5 hours for books to be completed and posted.TEAM COMPLETION POSTS so far........
Alison ~ The Aeronaut's Windlass (The Cinder Spires #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ Perfect - Standalone ~ ?Review? ✬?✬?✬
Mary ~ The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬.5
Moondance ~ Vanilla Beaned (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #8) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Shan ~ Beneath This Mask (Beneath #1) ~ ?Review? ✬?✬?✬
Week: 11Rolled: 11
Space: 81
164 pages
Finished 16/8
✬✬✬✬✬
A sweet story about two starcrossed lovers and how they find the way back to each other
It had everything and a good steam level
Completion 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
Finished: 08/16/17
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Charlotte Agoston ran from her life. I understand wanting to run and hide when things get bad, and you are being judged for things that are beyond your control. She finds herself a year later in NOLA. Now she is Charlie Stone, bad girl receptionist and vintage store clerk.
Simon Duchesne is a former military, native NOLA citizen, councilman. With his life he is constantly in the spotlight, the exact opposite of someone on the run should want. Regardless, of this Charlotte/Charlie can't seem to stay away.
I liked these two together, but I had a hard time believing that Charlie was able to stay hidden for year. She gave away the possibility of her continued anonymity too fast for a man she barely knew. I would have been paranoid or a least a bit suspicious, of anyone trying to get close to me if I were in her shoes. They would definitely have to have done more to earn my trust.
Still I liked Simon and thought that he was good for her.
Week #11 81st book (1st or 8th in book series or Standalone) or Alt is 81. Cover: Yellow
TEAM COMPLETION POSTS
Alison ~ The Aeronaut's Windlass (The Cinder Spires #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬
Emelie ~ Perfect - Standalone ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Mary ~ The Lies of Locke Lamora (Gentleman Bastard #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬.5
Moondance ~ Vanilla Beaned (Cupcake Bakery Mystery #8) ~ Review ✬✬✬✬✬
Shan ~ Beneath This Mask (Beneath #1) ~ Review ✬✬✬
~ WEEK TWELEVE ROLL ~ 
& 5+5=10+81 ~ and that takes us to SPACE 91
Options this week are:
91st book in a series (also 1st or 9th in book series or Standalone)
or
Alternate task:
91. Title G (❀ Titles: Only the first word of the title. A, An, And, and The do not count.)
To make it easier, here is a launch Countdown Clock for the end of Week TWELEVE
*Please make sure to do a selection post with task, book link, and pages count. Thanks!
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "Can we use any bonus points yet?"We could, but It then adds to our place. I was stoked with the double fives because 91 gives you all a lot of options. However, if you all want to use 1 or 2 of the three Bonus Points we have earned to move us up to 92 or 93 we could do that if at least three of you agree. The third Bonus Point can not be used until the last week.
91st book in a series (also 1st or 9th in book series or standaloneA Baby To Heal All Wounds
141 pages
Cafe gun #1
I am just thinking that we are running out of time to use them because surely someone has passed 100 this week.
The One Hit Wonder team is 102 after using their bonus points. So this is the last week unless they don't complete their books on time. But I don't think all the teams have posted their rolls yet either and likely someone else will also roll past 100. So there is no reason to save the bonus points we have at this stage of the game. Although I don't think we have a chance of winning anyway.
eta: 7 teams still need to post their roll.
Even if we were to use the 2 we can currently use it is not enough to get us up too much less past 100. So, I didn't bother, because I was thinking that this roll gave you all the option of the Standalone. Where adding either of those Bonus Points would eliminate that. So if you want to say at 91, or move to 92 or 93. That will change the Alt task as well as eliminate the Standalone option. I am good with whatever the majority of you choose.
I have a gazillion #2 and a lot of #3 in series books I could read, and always have more new series I can start.
Selection PostWeek: 12
Roll: 10
Space: 91
Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep
Book #9 in the Elemental Assassin series
Selection PostWeek: 12
Roll: 10
Space: 91
Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep
Book #9 of The Elemental Assassin series
384 pages
OK it looks like we are sticking with 91. I'll see what I have. Most likely it will be a number 1
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "OK it looks like we are sticking with 91. I'll see what I have. Most likely it will be a number 1"I went with a 9 because I didn't think we would get to 101 even with bonus points.
Selection Post ~ Week 1291st book in a series (also 1st or 9th in book series or Standalone)
Book: His Obsession Next Door by Cathryn Fox
# of pgs: 226
How it fits: # 1 in the In the line of duty series
Because I was waiting to put in a Selection post until you all decided about the Bonus Points, I am having to go with a book I haven't already finished. lol!!!SELECTION POST
Delicious and Suspicious (A Memphis BBQ Mystery #1) by Riley Adamsebook, 288 pages
Completion PostWeek: 12
Roll: 10
Space: 91
Heart of Venom by Jennifer Estep
Book #9 of The Elemental Assassin series
384 pages
Read: 08.19.17
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
"What do you mean, I can't come?"
The ninth book in the Elemental Assassin series centers around Sophia and Jo-Jo Devereaux. Harley Grimes and his sister, Hazel once again kidnap Sophia. (view spoiler) Jo-Jo is seriously injured during the kidnapping creating one more reason for Gin to want to kill Harley.
These books simply get better with each release. I'm glad that Gin had Owen and Warren for back up. Hiking into his mountain camp secured by traps and dozens of men was a risky plan. Gin is at her finest when she is seeking vengeance for family. She is calculating, methodical and deadly.
I was reluctantly happy to see that Gin and Owen are willing to work on their relationship. He may make it back to book boyfriend status after his heroic actions in the story.
The scenario at the camp made me very nervous even though I know that Gin will come out on top. Each book I think that she can't do or take much more and she surprises me every time
This has quickly become one of my favorite series and I recommend it highly.
I'm looking forward to where the next Gin adventure takes me.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "The game is over. Team 2 has won."I asked about that, but I hadn't seen a notification for that thread, so didn't see what the answer was.
Well, it was fun playing with you gals, I hope I did ok as the team captain. I was a bit nervous having not played SS or SSS before.
Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "The game is over. Team 2 has won."I didn't realize. I was just trying finish up my book in the last minutes.
Shan ~ A ~ wrote: "Mary: Harry Dresden's Love Slave wrote: "The game is over. Team 2 has won."I didn't realize. I was just trying finish up my book in the last minutes."
I hadn't either. I missed the notification from the Q&A thread where I had asked.
Great game everyone! This was my first time playing and I enjoyed it. Alison, thank you for being captain and keeping track of the rolls. You did a great job! I've added book to my evergrowing TBR mountain. I look forward to playing with you all again soon. ~~cheryl
I figured it would end this week when 2 teams passed 100. I was coming on to post my book selection and decided to check the game thread first. It was fun. I always enjoy this game. Makes you think on your feet each week to match the roll. It's always good for helping me catch up on a series or two.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
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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BTW: he only has dial ..."
Ok, well if we need to we do still have our free pass if we need it., Also even if you can not do the links post what you can. Otherwise, I would suggest a cafe, coffee shop or the local Library for internet access.
Have a good visit.
:-)