R10: SSS Team Two Hot Two Handle (2)

[Amanda A]

I plan to read (Fixer-Upper Mystery #5).

[Katherine]

Week 7: Selection

Book: Demon Thief

Page numbers: 275 pages
How Fits: #2 in a series: The Demonata #2.

[[deleted user]]

Week 7, Roll 1
Spot: 52


Book title: Beyond the Gathering Storm
Author: Janette Oke
How it qualifies: Canadian West #5
Date finished: 10/27/18
Rating: ★★★
Review: Oh my goodness, I so wanted to yell at this book! First off, Wynn and Elizabeth are barely in this next installment. Instead the story focuses on their grown adopted children, Christine and Henry, so it feels almost like a different series. Plus there was no bridge of seeing the kids adopted or grow up, so it was a shock to be in such a different story from what I was expecting.

My other yell-worthy moments were every scene between Christine and Boyd. Why does she like this spoiled narcissist!? And then when he slapped her!!! Arg! And she just kept making excuses like oh he’ll change after we’re married. What!!? Oh I wanted to tell her to run so bad. How many red flags do you need? So this book drove me a bit wonky with Christine’s “romance”, but since there is only one book left in the series I must read it to see if it continues to follow Christine and Henry or if it jumps to Wynn and Elizabeth’s great-grandchildren!

[Amanda A]

Spot 52

Eaves of Destruction by Kate Carlisle (Fixer-Upper Mystery #5)
Date Read: 10/27
Rating: ★★★★

This book was another enjoyable installment in the Fixer-Upper series. Shannon and Mac are entertaining characters and work well together to solve the mystery. Petsy was a rude and annoying character but I thought Shannon handled her very well. I liked the addition of her new carpenter, Amanda, and hope she sticks around in the next book. The mystery included a few twists that kept it interesting and the ending was satisfying.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Quick reminder:
With today's roll, teams have the opportunity to earn the Halloween bonus. This bonus point is only available during this one roll.

Happy Reading & Happy Halloween!

[Shelby]

Week 7
Book: The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Page Number: 250
How Fits: #2 in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy

[Shelby]

Week 7: Roll 3
Spot: 52

The Restaurant at the End of the Universe by Douglas Adams


How Fits: #2 in Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy
Finished: 10/27
Rating: ★★★★

Review:

I'm not sure that any of these books are quite as good as the first one, but it's strange how little of this one I remember. The humor in the book is quite fun and keeps you smiling throughout even though ultimately there seems to be little point to the book as a whole. It's a rambling mix of improbably events that lead to the inane, and leaves poor Arthur and Ford both rather stranded in the last place they ever thought they'd find themselves.

I enjoy the witticisms of these stories and the intelligence that goes into crafting the way words are used. These are smart books even if they seem a little silly. The actual writing is superb.

[Shelby]

So I guess we're not going to have a roll today and we're stuck till Thursday?

[Katherine]

Week 7: Completion

Book: Demon Thief

Qualification: #2 in a series: The Demonata #2.
Date Read: 28th October
Rating: ★★★★★

Review:
I really liked the world and the characters that Shan created in the Demonata series. 30 years in the past to the events that take place in book 1. A young boy named Kernel is, our main protagonist. Kernel has seen lights since he was 4 and when he discovers what it is all about, the real fun begins. There is plenty of action in this book.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Katherine, you're an hour late. Are you by any chance located in Europe or wherever else they've just changed the clocks this weekend? (I am, and I'm all mixed up this morning...) If so, I'll cut you some slack because of that, but please make sure you have the deadline correct next time! If not, I'm sorry, but it's both inconsiderate and unacceptable to be late again after your team went out of their way to let you keep playing.

Either way, team, go ahead and roll!

[Katherine]

Yeah I'm in Europe.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Then I understand completely. But yeah, deadline's an hour earlier for us now. Check with the time zone converter to be sure you've got the right time. :)

[[deleted user]]

Week 7, Roll 2
Previous Spot: 52
Roll: 5
New Spot: 57

Options:
#5 in series
#7 in series
#57 in series
Alternate: Author K

[[deleted user]]

Week 7, Roll 2 - Reviews
Spot 57
Alternate: Author K




Amanda - #Poser - Hashtag #5 - Review
Katherine - Hell's Geek - Welcome to Hell #5 (Paranormal) - Review
Shelby - Blaze - Unbreakable Bonds #5 - Review
Talia - Silver Borne - Mercy Thompson #5 (Urban Fantasy/Paranormal) - Review

**Bonus Point**
Katherine read a paranormal book for this week, Hell's Geek.

[[deleted user]]

I'll be reading Silver Borne, #5 in the Mercy Thompson series and a Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the Halloween week bonus.

[Katherine]

Week 7.5: Selection

Book: Hell's Geek

Page numbers: 232 pages
How Fits: #5 in a series: Welcome To Hell #5.

[Shelby]

Week 7.5
Book: Blaze
Page Number: 260
How Fits: #5 in Unbreakable Bonds

[Katherine]

Week 7.5: Completion

Book: Hell's Geek

Qualification: #5 in a series: Welcome To Hell #5.
Date Read: 30th October
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
Adexios Hell's resident lazy nerd who can't catch a break, either he's told to be more evil (by getting up and doing something), or to stop being good and a model educated mortal who gets highest grades in all test that he takes. A man who upsets his parents just by following rules all the time... he just can't win. And to make matters worst, Lucifer’s up to his matchmaking tricks again and he's determined to pair Adexios with a violent Amazon warrior. Valaska, an amazon warrior who needs no man to succeed in life, but finds herself wanting this one and resist it along the way - just like her soon to be husband.

[Amanda A]

Spot 57

#Poser by Cambria Hebert (Hashtag #5)
Date Read: 10/31
Rating: ★★★

This book was a little all over the place. It continues Ivy and Braeden's story from the previous book, but there was a lot of rehash as well. I felt like there were many superfluous scenes that could have been cut to make the story flow better. The interjection of Zach's POV was weird and the ending for him was just crazy. I have enjoyed this series so far and plan to finish it off by reading the next two books.

[[deleted user]]

Week 7, Roll 2
Spot: 57



**PARANORMAL BONUS FOR HALLOWEEN WEEK**

Book: Silver Borne
Author: Patricia Briggs
Date read: 10/31/18
Rating: ★★
Review: I think I'm done with the Mercy Thompson series. In this installment Mercy is trying to help Sam who pulled the werewolf version of suicide, while in the meantime creatures want to get ahold of a fae book that Mercy has, and also members of Adam's pack are plotting against him. I had read ahead and read book 7 where Zee is gone, so it was nice seeing Zee again in this book helping Mercy, but I was just bored with this story. I feel like it's the same events over and over again in all the books. There was nothing exciting or intriguing to keep me interested in this one, so this might be my last book in the series.

[Shelby]

Week 7.5: Roll 5
Spot: 57

Blaze by Jocelynn Drake


How Fits: #5 in Unbreakable Bonds
Finished: 10/30
Rating: ★★★★½

Review:

I really do love these guys! And I gotta admit I'm kinda glad the series isn't over yet and there's more books coming. I was expecting this one to just be a kind of wrap it all up with Lucas and Andrei's wedding, but we got so much more. Each one of the couples of this series entertain me in different ways. I love how Andrei softens up Lucas' hard exterior. He's so straight forward and all business except with Andrei.

Of course this would not be an Unbreakable Bonds book with out so sort of craziness going on that our heroes are going to be dragged back in to. I actually found this plot to be way more enlightening and really gave some depth and backstory to both Lucas and Ash. The trouble may have been a bit over the top, but I appreciated getting to see how Lucas and Ash grew up and how that struggle helped shape who they are now. It definitely made it feel like another book was necessary for Ash to really start to deal with his past.

This was fun and made me happy to see Lucas and Andrei actually finally get to their big day. Though (view spoiler)[I'm bummed we didn't get to see the bachelor party Rowe had planned do to all the shenanigans. ;) I'm sure it would have been epic. Guess we'll have to wait for Ian's wedding. (hide spoiler)]

[[deleted user]]

Week 8, Roll 1
Previous Spot: 57
Roll: 6
New Spot: 63

Options:
#3 in series
#6 in series
#63 in series
Alternate: Published between 1950 and 2000

[[deleted user]]

Week 8, Roll 1 - REVIEWS
Spot: 63
Alternate: Published between 1950 and 2000


Amanda - Escaping from Houdini - Stalking Jack the Ripper #3 - Review
Katherine - Wyrd Sisters - Discworld #6 - Review
Shelby - Nerd Gone Wild - Nerds #3 - Review
Talia - Debt of Bones - Alternate: Published between 1950 and 2000 - Review

[Shelby]

Week 8
Book: Nerd Gone Wild
Page Number: 416
How Fits: #3 in Nerds

[[deleted user]]

Week 8, Roll 1
Space: 63


Book: Debt of Bones
Author: Terry Goodkind
How it fits: Alternate: Published between 1950 and 2000. This book was originally published in 1998.
Date read: 11/03/18
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Abby seeks the help of First Wizard Zorander to rescue her daughter and other villagers who have been captured by D’Hara soldiers. Zorander refuses to help initially but acquiesces after Abby tells him that his father owed her mother a debt of bones and she is calling that debt due now. When I heard Zorander’s full name I knew he was Zedd from book 1, Wizard's First Rule, and I was excited to see Zedd in his young glory days.

This prequel to the series gives a glimpse of how the world was before the lands were separated and when Zedd was First Wizard. I have only read a few chapters of book 1 but I could see how this prequel would be cool to read after you are already familiar with the world of this series, to appreciate how things “used to be”. But it was an interesting story and made me look forward to getting back into book 1 which I plan on reading this month.

[Katherine]

Week 8: Selection

Book: Wyrd Sisters

Page numbers: 265 pages
How Fits: #6 in series: Discworld #6.

[Amanda A]

Spot 63

Escaping from Houdini by Kerri Maniscalco (Stalking Jack the Ripper #3)
Date Read: 11/3
Rating: ★★★★

I have really enjoyed this series and how the author incorporates historical figures in each book. The mystery in this installment was the best one yet. It intrigued me and made the story a fast read. Audrey Rose and Thomas are wonderful characters and the ending turned out perfect for them. Looking forward to the last book when it releases next year and I will check out anything else this author writes in the future as well.

[[deleted user]]

I finished Debt of Bones and added my review to post #225.

[Shelby]

Week 8: Roll 6
Spot: 63

Nerd Gone Wild by Vicki Lewis Thompson


How Fits: #3 in Nerds
Finished: 11/1
Rating: ★★★½

Review:

This whole series has been kinda ridiculous and silly, but I keep randomly picking up the next book out of some strange sense of curiosity. I never really expect the book to be anything better than ok, and it's months and months in between reads, but I still some how keep reading.

This story was no exception, it's absurd with no real surprises, but still somehow it ends up being entertaining if nothing else. The main characters are fine and while I thought both Ally and Mitch were being ridiculously stupid at times I was still cheering for them to work it out and talk to each other. I think part of what made this book entertaining was the fascinating cast of side characters. They all made me smile and I enjoyed them immensely.

The plot was simple enough, young heiress with an uncle written out of the will. Ok sure the bodyguard necessary plot line made a little sense, but his whole I'm going to disguise myself as a nerd and not tell her anything subplot was a bit ridiculous. It especially became that way the further into the story you got when you realized that Ally wasn't ever going to question what he said despite his actions contradicting his nerd label.

Ultimately the book was ok, not great, but still mostly entertaining if absurd.

[[deleted user]]

Katherine, just wanted to make sure you’re aware that Daylight Savings time ended in the U.S. today, so you have a little over six hours left to post your review by 11:59pm Central Time.

[Katherine]

Yeah, I'm nearly done.

[Katherine]

Week 8: Completion

Book: Wyrd Sisters

Qualification: #6 in series: Discworld #6.
Date Read: 4th October
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
A book full of Headology for all ages!!! Granny Weatherwax and her witches try to dethrone a horrible king and to do this they have to play with time, and do the unspeakable - involve themselves with actors; the horror! They summon a demon, named WxrtHltl-jwlpklz, who's an interesting beat in of its self and I love Nanny Ogg and her sass is of the charts. She's a role model to top all role models for both men and woman to aspire to be.

[[deleted user]]

Week 8, Roll 2
Previous Spot: 63
Roll: 6
New Spot: 69

Options:
#6 in a series
#9 in a series
#69 in a series
Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)

[[deleted user]]

Week 8, Roll 2 - REVIEWS
Spot: 69
Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or More Colors)


Amanda A - Iced - Fever #6 - Review
Katherine - Killers of the Dawn - Cirque du Freak #9 - Review
Shelby - Vengeance in Death - In Death #6 - Review
Talia - Higher Is Waiting - Alternate: Multi-Colored - Review

[[deleted user]]

Week 8, Roll 2
Spot: 69
Alternate: Multi-Colored (3 or more colors)


Book: Higher Is Waiting
Author: Tyler Perry
How it fits: Cover is multi-colored (green, white, and blue)
Date read: 11/05/18
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: All of Tyler Perry's fans know his rags-to-riches story, from struggling to make a success out of his stage plays and living in his car to now writing, directing, and producing countless movies and TV shows, but with this book Tyler shares lots of detailed stories about his life that will give fans a closer look at what he went through to get where he is while also sharing the life lessons that he has learned along the way. Each chapter ends with a relevant Scripture passage and some tasks that the reader can complete on his/her own to delve deeper into the lessons that God has taught Tyler and apply them to his/her own life.

I feel like when Tyler played Madea in his stage plays he used that as an opportunity to teach his audience some lessons about life, and now this book gave him the opportunity to share from his real life stories and say everything that he has wanted to say to help and encourage others. It also felt like it was a tribute to his mother which was very sweet. I loved this book and enjoyed learning more about Tyler's life and learning from the godly wisdom he has gained throughout his life. This is definitely a book to keep on your shelf to read again and again whenever you need a boost of motivation.

[[deleted user]]

I changed my book to Higher Is Waiting, still for the multi-color alternate. I finished my book and updated post #235 with my review.

[Katherine]

Week 8.5: Selection

Book: Killers of the Dawn

Page numbers:
How Fits: #9 in a series: Cirque du Freak #9.

[Amanda A]

Spot 69

Iced by Karen Marie Moning (Fever #6)
Date Read: 11/6
Rating: ★★★

This one was just OK for me and my least favorite in the series so far. I prefer the Fever series books with Mac in them, and she returns in the next one so I felt like I had to read this one first. Dani has not been a character that I cared for in previous books. She is only fourteen, a little annoying, and her age did not fit the situations addressed in the book. The story was boring at a few points and I did not feel invested in it. The ending was awesome though and I look forward to finding out what it leads to in the next book, with more Mac!

[Shelby]

Hey everyone - I'm just posting a quick update because this morning has been on the crazy side. My book is finished and I'll have a review up soon, but the world went crazy this morning again. I don't know how many of you follow the American news, but the shooting that happened in Thousand Oaks, CA last night was at a country bar that I frequent regularly. A lot of my friends also dance there and it's been a morning of family and friends calling and texting making sure I wasn't there last night.

Thankfully I was at home last night as it was their college night and I don't usually go there on Wednesday's because it is a younger crowd. But a lot of my friends either were there or know someone who was killed in the shooting. It's been a rough scary morning, but I'll try to be back to post in an hour or so once I finish making sure everyone's ok.

[[deleted user]]

Shelby wrote: "Hey everyone - I'm just posting a quick update because this morning has been on the crazy side. My book is finished and I'll have a review up soon, but the world went crazy this morning again. I do..."

OMG! I heard about that this morning. Glad you're okay. I hate that this is becoming such a common news story! :(

[Shelby]

Week 8.5
Book: Vengeance in Death
Page Number: 343
How Fits: #6 in In Death

[Shelby]

Week 8.5: Roll 6
Spot: 69

Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb


How Fits: #6 in In Death
Finished: 11/8
Rating: ★★★★★

Review:

I'm really enjoying this series. This is the first book in the series that I read on my re-read through that I'm not sure if I've read before or not. I started this series back when Nora Roberts first branched out into writing this series as J.D. Robb, but I only read the first few since I was reading as she wrote them. I think though I'm about to run out into the new books to me.

This was a great installment that pit Eve against Roarke's past and brought some of his dark issues back into the light. Things that could have threatened Eve and Roarke's happiness together. Of course Eve being Eve she'll bend but never break. She's kicking butt and her smarts are on point. Of course I love all the side characters in these stories as well Peabody and Feeney are great. And I loved the addition of McNabb in this one. He's a different energy but in a good way.

Our bad guy in this one was batshit crazy. His whole religious undertones were eerie and freaky nutso. Of course Eve's pitting her brain against his and he thinks he's so much smarter than he is. But her kickassness comes through yet again. :)

Such a good story and I read through it in a breeze. It just sucked me right in.

[Katherine]

Week 8.5: Completion

Book: Killers of the Dawn

Qualification: #9 in a series: Cirque du Freak #9.
Date Read: 7th November
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
After the betrayal in the last book at the hands of Darren's best friend, Steve, Darren, Mr. Crepsley, Harkat, and Vancha are framed as murders, who were committed by the vampaneze. And Now on the run from both the human police and vampaneze; it might just be the end! They have been told in the past that if they kill this vampanise lord before he's blooded they will end the war of scars before it truly begins (the war's between the vampires and the vampanise). Mr Crepsley come face to face with the Vampaneze Lord and ends up in an epic battle with him and both die. After the battle Steve tells Darren the truth, he whispers that he's the Vampaninse Lord!

[[deleted user]]

Week 9, Roll 1
Previous Spot: 69
Roll: 1
New Spot: 70

Options:
Standalone (for 0)
#7 in a series
#70 in a series
Alternate - Cover Item: Animal

[[deleted user]]

Week 9, Roll 1 - Reviews
Spot: 70
Alternate - Cover Item: Animal


Amanda A - Open Season - standalone - Review
Katherine - To Kill a Kingdom - standalone - Disqualified
Shelby - Murmuration - standalone - Review
Talia - The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective - standalone - Review

[[deleted user]]

I'll be reading The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective by Andy Andrews for a standalone.

[[deleted user]]

Week 9, Roll 1
Spot: 70
Alternate - Cover Item: Animal


Book: The Noticer: Sometimes, All a Person Needs Is a Little Perspective
Author: Andy Andrews
How it fits: standalone book
Date read: 11/10/18
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: This was a weird yet wonderful little book featuring a man named Jones who would appear in and out of people’s lives when they were going through hard times. He seemed to know them very well and would give them a new way of looking at their lives to give them hope and help them improve their behaviors. He called himself a noticer because he spent his time noticing things about people’s lives that others often don’t notice.

Jones had lots of great advice to share and I highlighted several passages to review and incorporate into my own life, from showing others love in their own love language to never being too old to make great contributions to this world. I didn’t know what to expect from this book as I hadn’t heard of it and only read it based off of my husband’s recommendation but it was really helpful and I’m glad I read it.

[Amanda A]

Shelby wrote: "Hey everyone - I'm just posting a quick update because this morning has been on the crazy side. My book is finished and I'll have a review up soon, but the world went crazy this morning again. I do..."

I heard about this terrible shooting. That is scary that it was so close to home for you, glad you are okay.

[Amanda A]

Spot 70

Open Season by Linda Howard (Standalone)
Date Read: 11/9
Rating: ★★★★

This book was a nice blend of romance, suspense and humor. I was surprised with how funny this story was. Daisy's journey is entertaining and it was fun to watch her come out of her shell. Daisy and Jack had great chemistry and I enjoyed their banter as well. The last scene of the book was puzzling as it left things open for a sequel, but I don't think one was ever written.

[[deleted user]]

I finished reading and updated post 247 with my review.