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R10: SSS Team Two Hot Two Handle (2)
Spot 39
A Date at the Altar by Cathy Maxwell (Marrying the Duke #3)
Date Read: 10/16
Rating: ★★★★
This book was an enjoyable conclusion to the trilogy and probably my favorite book of the series. I liked Gavin's character in the first two books and felt a little sorry for him. He finally gets his HEA after being rejected for his brothers. Sarah is a strong and independent heroine with a passion for the theater, who ends up being a perfect match for Gavin. I really liked how their obstacle was handled in the end so they could have their perfect family.
Week 5.5: Roll 4Spot: 39
The Mystery of the Moving Image by C.S. Poe
How Fits: #3 in Snow & Winter
Finished: 10/16
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
So I think this is my favorite of this series so far. Granted that might just be because the subject of the mystery this time was right up my alley. I'm a bit of a movie fanatic, I mean I work in the industry, so I really liked all the origination of film moments in this.
I really like the growth of Snow and Winter as a couple. Seb is finally starting to allow Calvin to see his insecurities as well. He has done a great job hiding it in the past, but this time he's finally starting to crack. This mystery just shows up on his door and of course he can't walk away, but this one came too close to putting Seb's life in danger. He was truly scared and allowed Calvin to see how he was struggling.
There was a nice touch with this story in the improvement of Seb and Neil's relationship. I liked seeing them move past the antagonism of their past failed relationship. Calvin's reactions and his trust in Seb was really lovely.
All in all this one was a lot of fun, and well my only slight critique comes in the one area that I always shudder at when it happens. I'm a historian, I love classic elements, and anytime there's a new historical piece or a museum or something in a book or movie, I hate seeing it damaged or destroyed. It hurts my heart. (view spoiler)
Katherine, can you give us an update on how you're reading's coming? Just getting an idea of when I should check back to roll.
Week 5.5: Completion Book: Sanctum
Qualification: #9 in a series: Slow Burn #9.
Date Read: 19th October
Rating: ★★★
Review:
In this series the zombies are infected people with a virus that fries their brain with a fever, leaving them more or less mindless and violent. The twist is that not all zombies are equally infected. Some of them retain their intellect, and some have more than that but they are still just as infected as the others. A series of extreme action, drama and a lot of humor. The creator made a great pair of character's, Zed and Murphy, I won't forget them anytime soon. I love the guys banter back and forth. So their last mission and adventure is for Zed and Murphy to search for their friends and family.
Week 6, Roll 1
Previous Spot: 39
Roll: 6
New Spot: 45
Options:
#4 in a series
#5 in a series
#45 in a series
Alternate: Cover item - Food/Drink
Previous Spot: 39
Roll: 6
New Spot: 45
Options:
#4 in a series
#5 in a series
#45 in a series
Alternate: Cover item - Food/Drink
Week 6, Roll 1 - REVIEWS
Spot: 45
Alternate: Cover item - Food/Drink
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda - Deader Homes and Gardens - Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #4 - Review
Katherine - Fairy's Got Talent - Ever After High #4 - Review
Shelby - Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night - Immortals After Dark #4 - Review
Talia - Smoke and Iron - The Great Library #4 - Review
Spot: 45
Alternate: Cover item - Food/Drink
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda - Deader Homes and Gardens - Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #4 - Review
Katherine - Fairy's Got Talent - Ever After High #4 - Review
Shelby - Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night - Immortals After Dark #4 - Review
Talia - Smoke and Iron - The Great Library #4 - Review
I plan to read
(Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #4).
Week 6: SelectionBook: Fairy's Got Talent
Page numbers: 208 pages
How Fits: #4 in a series: Ever After High #4.
Spot 45
Deader Homes and Gardens by Angie Fox (Southern Ghost Hunter Mysteries #4)
Date Read: 10/19
Rating: ★★★★
Verity accepts her first official ghost hunting job after giving up her graphic design business to become a full time ghost hunter. She is asked to investigate a haunted mansion where she discovers the ghosts of a family that lived there and tries to determine how they were murdered. Frankie, her gangster ghost sidekick, does not want anything to do with the case because of a creepy doll. The characters are entertaining and I especially enjoyed the banter between Verity and Frankie. I also enjoyed the progression of Verity's relationship with Ellis, her police officer boyfriend, even though he seemed to be more of a secondary character in this installment. The mystery was well done and kept me guessing until the end.
Week 6: Roll 6Spot: 45
Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night by Kresley Cole
How Fits: #4 in Immortals After Dark
Finished: 10/20
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I remembered loving this story on my first read through and this time didn't disappoint either. Of course Bowen is an archaic alpha male from another time and Mari is such a modern independent kick butt witch, but that's what makes it so fun. I loved watching her not stand for his epic amounts of stupid at times.
I'd forgotten a lot of the details in this story so it was a fun re-read. The bare bones I remembered, but none of the awesome. I loved seeing Mari come in to her own and figure out what she was to become. Not to mention Bowen's struggles. He was so torn and had every right to be, even through it all he was trying to change and be who Mari needed.
All the side characters in this one were great as well. I know there are a lot of these characters that get later books so it's fun seeing them before again. There's a lot of inference about the Ascension in this story and as I'm rereading this series I hope I finally get to a place where we find out more. I don't remember a lot of the details, but I know there's a lot more books after the last one I read.
Week 6, Roll 1
Spot: 45
Book title: Smoke and Iron
Author: Rachel Caine
How it qualifies: The Great Library #4
Date finished: 10/21/18
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Our heroes have been separated with Jess, Wolfe, and Morgan trying to infiltrate the Iron Tower from within and Khalilah, Dario, and the rest of the gang trying to escape from Anit and find the others. The narrative jumped around following different character viewpoints. My favorite storyline was Morgan’s as it was interesting learning more about the Obscurists’ life in the Iron Tower and about Morgan’s powers. I liked newcomer Annis and I like Jess. The other characters I can take or leave. And even though I like this world, I was ready for this story to end about two books ago. So I’m glad that the end said that the story will be CONCLUDED in book 5. Thank you! Finally, the ending is almost upon us!
Spot: 45
Book title: Smoke and Iron
Author: Rachel Caine
How it qualifies: The Great Library #4
Date finished: 10/21/18
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Our heroes have been separated with Jess, Wolfe, and Morgan trying to infiltrate the Iron Tower from within and Khalilah, Dario, and the rest of the gang trying to escape from Anit and find the others. The narrative jumped around following different character viewpoints. My favorite storyline was Morgan’s as it was interesting learning more about the Obscurists’ life in the Iron Tower and about Morgan’s powers. I liked newcomer Annis and I like Jess. The other characters I can take or leave. And even though I like this world, I was ready for this story to end about two books ago. So I’m glad that the end said that the story will be CONCLUDED in book 5. Thank you! Finally, the ending is almost upon us!
Katherine, will you be finishing your book tonight? Just wondering if we should use the free pass.
I sent Katherine a message too. Not sure if we want to use the free pass now if we’ve lost her, but hopefully she’ll check in. I’m trying to stay awake for the next hour.
Great! I’ll stay up to wait for your post and roll.
Week 6: Completion Book: Fairy's Got Talent
Qualification: #4 in a series: Ever After High #4.
Date Read: 21st October
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Keeping up evil appearances is exhausting work for Faybelle Thorn. But as the daughter of the legendary Dark Fairy, it's all part of her story. Time to take center stage as the main character in a school play to show everyone she can so do 'the evil thing'. This book features two fairies named Faybelle Thorn and Farrah Goodfairy who compete for the role of the dark fairy. Farrah is the daughter of the Cinderella's Fairy Godmother. Faybelle is an ambitious and bright, who just wants to make her mother proud. I could see myself liking Farrah if only she had more of a character because if she's kept the way she is at the moment she's going to be another copy of Apple White, (who I dislike).
Week 6, Roll 2
Previous Spot: 45
Roll: 4
New Spot: 49
Options:
#4 in series
#9 in series
#49 in series
Alternate - Cover Item: Plant
Previous Spot: 45
Roll: 4
New Spot: 49
Options:
#4 in series
#9 in series
#49 in series
Alternate - Cover Item: Plant
Week 6, Roll 2 - REVIEWS
Spot: 49
Alternate - Cover Item: Plant
Posting Requirements:
(view spoiler)
Amanda - A Fatal Chapter - Booktown Mystery #9 - Review
Katherine - The End Has Come and Gone - Zombie Fallout #4 - Review
Shelby - Pisces Hooks Taurus - Signs of Love #4 - Review
Talia - When Hope Springs New - Canadian West #4 - Review
Using our FREE PASS!
Spot: 49
Alternate - Cover Item: Plant
Posting Requirements:
(view spoiler)
Amanda - A Fatal Chapter - Booktown Mystery #9 - Review
Katherine - The End Has Come and Gone - Zombie Fallout #4 - Review
Shelby - Pisces Hooks Taurus - Signs of Love #4 - Review
Talia - When Hope Springs New - Canadian West #4 - Review
Using our FREE PASS!
I plan to read
(Booktown Mystery #9).
Week 6, Roll 2
Spot: 49
Book: When Hope Springs New
Author: Janette Oke
How it qualifies: Canadian West #4
Date finished: 10/22/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: Wynn and Elizabeth have moved to an even more rural village and the locals are not very receptive. Elizabeth has a hard time making friends until a fire ravishes the village and she steps up to help get everyone to safety and to provide food and shelter in the aftermath. That breaks the ice and LaMeche the trader and Silver Star the widow warm up to her. But since Wynn and Elizabeth's meager cabin has been destroyed Wynn is reassigned to another more settled town where they end up helping at the church.
I felt sorry for Elizabeth at the beginning of the book with all the village women being standoffish to her, but I'm sure they had been mistreated by newcomers in the past, so I empathized with both sides. But I was glad when she finally was more accepted as she was trying really hard to be nice to everyone. And I'm glad LaMeche and Silver Star ended up together. I also liked how Elizabeth started to trust God to help her and how things ended up working out for the best for her when she remembered to "let go and let God".
Spot: 49
Book: When Hope Springs New
Author: Janette Oke
How it qualifies: Canadian West #4
Date finished: 10/22/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: Wynn and Elizabeth have moved to an even more rural village and the locals are not very receptive. Elizabeth has a hard time making friends until a fire ravishes the village and she steps up to help get everyone to safety and to provide food and shelter in the aftermath. That breaks the ice and LaMeche the trader and Silver Star the widow warm up to her. But since Wynn and Elizabeth's meager cabin has been destroyed Wynn is reassigned to another more settled town where they end up helping at the church.
I felt sorry for Elizabeth at the beginning of the book with all the village women being standoffish to her, but I'm sure they had been mistreated by newcomers in the past, so I empathized with both sides. But I was glad when she finally was more accepted as she was trying really hard to be nice to everyone. And I'm glad LaMeche and Silver Star ended up together. I also liked how Elizabeth started to trust God to help her and how things ended up working out for the best for her when she remembered to "let go and let God".
Week 6.5: SelectionBook: The End Has Come and Gone
Page numbers: 356 pages
How Fits: #4 in a series: Zombie Fallout #4.
Spot 49
A Fatal Chapter by Lorna Barrett (Booktown Mystery #9)
Date Read: 10/24
Rating: ★★★★
Stoneham, aka Booktown, is a village that I wish were a real place because I would definitely want to visit. Tricia is waiting on the insurance settlement so she can renovate her bookstore after the fire. She has been helping out her sister, Angelica, at the Chamber of Commerce in the mean time. She finds another victim in the village graveyard and investigates the murder of a Historical Society member. I love the characters in this series, especially Tricia and Angelica. Tricia figures out the mystery behind Nigela Ricita Associates, which makes total sense after it was revealed. I liked the mystery and I was surprised at the identity of the murderer. The ending was a little sad, but I look forward to the next book and finding out how it affects Tricia.
Hi ladies! We’re halfway through! I should be able to get us a bonus point next week for reading 3 books in the same series. Does anyone think they’ll be able to finish a whole series for that point?
I’ll be home by 6pm Eastern today and can roll then if we’re ready to go. Katherine and Shelby, how’s your reading going?
I’ll be home by 6pm Eastern today and can roll then if we’re ready to go. Katherine and Shelby, how’s your reading going?
I'm finished. I totally forgot with all my computer issues this week that I didn't actually get to post my completed. I'm going to finish eating my dinner and then I'll be back to post. :)
Thank you both for the updates!
Week 6.5: Roll 4Spot: 49
Pisces Hooks Taurus by Anyta Sunday
How Fits: #4 in Signs of Love
Finished: 10/23
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Ok this was adorable. I loved Zane! This was one case of gay for you that was just plain sweet and worked for me. I loved how patient Beckett was with Zane. He wasn't going to push him even as he was falling for the ostensibly straight man.
This series always makes me smile and this story was no different. Zane was a cutie in his belief and want of true love, love at first sight, and everything that would go with it. Yet, looking for perfect kept him so unaware of what was right in front of him. The thing that was perfect for him. Zane's character could have been too much and too over the top so easily, but instead he fell right into that perfect pocket of someone that you cheered for because you liked who he was.
Beckett, oh Beckett...I was crushing a little bit on him. He's a stuffy professor in some ways, but he had his fun side. He figured out what he wanted a lot quicker than Zane did, but he didn't want to force anything on Zane. He gave him time and space to really decide what he wanted for himself.
Loved this story so much!
Mod
Week 6.5: Completion Book: The End Has Come and Gone
Qualification: #4 in a series: Zombie Fallout #4.
Date Read: 25th October
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Written in journal format, with some different point of views throughout. We follow several groups of the Talbot family with a fun sense of humor. Our main character Mike ans his group are off to save Alex's group from Eliza and the plot goes haywire as they run into more trouble with a redneck bible group with strange powers and their own method of justice. So fun?! And the last phase with Mike facing Eliza and his arch enemy Durgan with some help from Tommy.
Mod
However, it was posted past the deadline. I therefore leave it up to the team to decide whether you want to roll using the free pass, letting Katherine keep her place on the team, or disqualify her and keep the pass for later.
What does the team think? Katherine, do you want to keep playing? If so, would you be able to post your reviews earlier in the future, like by the day before the roll? Since we only have one free pass, I’d rather not use it now if you might miss another deadline in the future.
I don’t want us to lose a lot more reading time so if we haven’t heard from Katherine by 6pm EST this evening I’ll go ahead and roll and we’ll move forward without her.
Sorry, Talia. I saw your question first thing this morning and then I have been busy at work and forgot to respond. I am fine with moving forward if she does not respond.Regarding your question about the bonus points: I don't normally read series books back to back but I can look for a four book series to read. It will also depend on the rolls cooperating to give us those numbers. I can do the bonus point for never picking a book from the alternate lists. I don't use the alternate option because I have a ton of series in progress so I usually have a book to read for a number. There is also the upcoming Halloween bonus point for the Sunday roll to read a UF/Paranormal/Horror book.
I'll keep playing and be more aware of the time frame.
Ok, thank you both for replying!
Denise, we’ll use our free pass. I’ll include that when I post our next spot.
We rolled a 3, so we’re on spot 52. I’ll post our spot in the check in thread as soon as I get home.
I'm definitely focused on the reading all series books plan. I don't plan on ever using the alternate. :)
Shelby wrote: "I'm definitely focused on the reading all series books plan. I don't plan on ever using the alternate. :)"
Great, I'm glad you and Amanda have that covered because I keep being tempted to use the alternate! :)
Great, I'm glad you and Amanda have that covered because I keep being tempted to use the alternate! :)
Amanda A wrote: "Sorry, Talia. I saw your question first thing this morning and then I have been busy at work and forgot to respond. I am fine with moving forward if she does not respond.
Regarding your question a..."
Thanks for the reminder about the bonus point for Halloween! I'll try to remember to put that in my post for Sunday's roll's options.
Regarding your question a..."
Thanks for the reminder about the bonus point for Halloween! I'll try to remember to put that in my post for Sunday's roll's options.
Week 7, Roll 1
Previous Spot: 49
Roll: 3
New Spot: 52
Options:
#2 in a series
#5 in a series
#52 in a series
Alternate: Author F
Previous Spot: 49
Roll: 3
New Spot: 52
Options:
#2 in a series
#5 in a series
#52 in a series
Alternate: Author F
Week 7, Roll 1 - REVIEWS
Spot: 52
Alternate: Author F
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda - Eaves of Destruction - Fixer-Upper Mystery #5 - Review
Katherine - Demon Thief - The Demonata #2 - Review
Shelby - The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Hitchhiker's Guide #2 - Review
Talia - Beyond the Gathering Storm - Canadian West #5 - Review
**BONUS POINT**
Read 3 or more books in a series
Series: Canadian West
#3 - When Breaks the Dawn - read by Talia for Week 5, Roll 2
#4 - When Hope Springs New - read by Talia for Week 6, Roll 2
#5 - Beyond the Gathering Storm - read by Talia for Week 7, Roll 1
Spot: 52
Alternate: Author F
Posting Requirements: (view spoiler)
Amanda - Eaves of Destruction - Fixer-Upper Mystery #5 - Review
Katherine - Demon Thief - The Demonata #2 - Review
Shelby - The Restaurant at the End of the Universe - Hitchhiker's Guide #2 - Review
Talia - Beyond the Gathering Storm - Canadian West #5 - Review
**BONUS POINT**
Read 3 or more books in a series
Series: Canadian West
#3 - When Breaks the Dawn - read by Talia for Week 5, Roll 2
#4 - When Hope Springs New - read by Talia for Week 6, Roll 2
#5 - Beyond the Gathering Storm - read by Talia for Week 7, Roll 1
I need to do some double duty and cover two challenges with one book, so I'll be reading
Frozen by Erin Bowman, #2 in the Taken series.
Frozen by Erin Bowman, #2 in the Taken series.
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Spot: 39
Book: When Breaks the Dawn
Author: Janette Oke
How it qualifies: Canadian West #3
Date finished: 10/16/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: Babies, babies, babies 👶🏽! In this 3rd book Elizabeth is newly wed and baby crazy. Everyone around her seems to be having a baby but there is no bun in the oven for Elizabeth and Wynn. She gets a school started for the Native American children in the area which keeps her busy for a while, and she takes care of a couple of children temporarily, but she finally breaks down and tells Wynn and God how sad she is that she doesn’t have a child of her own. Being a newlywed myself, I could relate to that feeling a little bit but the story seemed a little lackluster. I might just be getting bored with the series but it just wasn’t very exciting. I’ll probably read at least one more book in this series before deciding if I’m done or if I want to continue on.