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R10: SSS Team 3rd Option (3)
SELECTION POSTWEEK 2: ROLL 2 - Spot 17
Book: Pros & Cons of Vengeance
How it fits: Pros & Cons #1
Pages 224 pgs
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Week 2, Roll 2 - Spot 17
Book: Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch
How it fits: Aunt Dimity #17
Pages: 237
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Week 2 ~ Roll 2, Spot 17
Book: Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti
Qualification: Deep Ops #1
Pages: 400
Selection PostWeek 2, Roll 2 - Spot 17
Book: Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur
How it fits: Nikki & Michael, #1
Pages: 352
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Week 2, Roll 2 - Spot 17
Book: Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch
How it fits: Aunt Dimity #17
Pages: 237
Date read: 9/24/18
Rating: 3 stars
Review: The Aunt Dimity mysteries are always entertaining, and this one is no exception. I think there may have been a few too many characters in the story. I kept getting the names confused. And only in Europe could you have a treasure hunt with clues hidden three hundred years ago!
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 2: ROLL 2 - Spot 17
Book: Pros & Cons of Vengeance
How it fits: Pros & Cons #1
Pages 224 pgs
Date Read: 9/24/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Fun start to a new series featuring 5 not so bad, bad guys who are being blackmailed into vigilantism by a 6th not so bad criminal who recently died. It was a little bit silly and as long as it doesn't get too silly (like Charlie Chochet's THIRDS series which I quit) I can see sticking with this series.
SELECTION POSTWEEK 2: ROLL 2 - Spot 17
Book: Lady Midnight
How it fits: The Dark Artifices #1
Pages: 720
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I hope to finish my book today AFTER my favorite show “This Is Us”.
I’m sooo excited 😊
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2, Roll 2 - Spot 17
Book: Dancing with the Devil by Keri Arthur
How it fits: Nikki & Michael, #1
Pages: 352
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This book kind of fell flat for me. I didn't feel really drawn into it. I liked the story, but wished the characters more fleshed out. There was no build up with the romance so it was hard to believe they were in love. In fact, the whole time, he's saying he can't have a relationship and she's saying she doesn't want a relationship. It also felt weird that no one knew of vampires or zombies or other supernatural beings. If you have strong psychic powers and have known others of the like, do you really find it that unbelievable that other beings exist?
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WEEK 2: ROLL 2 - Spot 17
Book: Lady Midnight
How it fits: The Dark Artifices #1
Pages: 720"
Vanessa's trying for a bonus point!
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Week 2 ~ Roll 2, Spot 17
Book: Hidden by Rebecca Zanetti
Qualification: Deep Ops #1
Pages: 400
Read: 9/25
Rating & Review: ★★★★
A very good start to a new series. This one was more story than romance. Pippa and Malcolm want to be free of their past and also sleep well at night. They both have been looking over the shoulder for so long that peace is a luxury they dare not wish for.
Malcolm is drawn into a new case and it involves Pippa. How can he get her to share her past when he won’t come clean about his own secrets.
This series is a departure from what Rebecca Zanetti’s normal narratives. It read more like a suspense thriller than a Romaric suspense. The author laid down a foundation for an off the books Homeland Security Department task force. I think it’s going to be really good as each member gets their own story.
I enjoyed Malcolm and Pippa getting to a place where they had someone to trust and finding love. It was kind of fast but it makes sense since they were starved for human contact. I enjoyed this story as it had just enough romance to keep me going.
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COMPLETION POSTWeek 2 ~ Roll 2, Spot 17
Book: Lady Midnight
Qualification: The Dark Artifices #1
Pages: 720
Read: 9/27
Rating & Review: 5 Stars
I am a bloody mess right now. A complete mess. A sobbing mess that has been perusing the interwebs for fanart of these beloved characters for the past hour and a half just to soothe my torn up soul. A part of me is glad that I waited to read Lady Midnight until Queen of Air and Darkness was almost ready to release because I don't think that I could have survived several years of not knowing what happens in this moving story. Another part of me is baffled why I waited so long to read it when I've owned this book since it was released, simply because this book destroyed me so thoroughly. I am talking TORE ME TO PIECES. The first series that I read by Cassandra Clare was The Mortal Instruments and I thought that nothing could compare to my love of the characters and the magical world within the pages. Then I read The Infernal Devices and my heart was shattered all over again. But it also grew. The Infernal Devices blew me away just as The Mortal Instruments had and left me with new character loves that shaped and defined my heart. I didn't think that it would be possible to love something more than those series but I was wrong. Cassandra Clare surpassed every expectation I had and then some with Lady Midnight. This book is by far the strongest Shadowhunter book to date. Granted I haven't read Lord of Shadows yet and Queen of Air and Darkness will be released in December, but I can only imagine that the last two books of this series will outmatch Lady Midnight. It seems that each Shadowhunter book that Clare writes surpassed the last. I can only be grateful for that.
So what about this book is so glorious? Well, everything. Most importantly are the characters. The characters are strong and moving. These characters evoke such emotion in me that I feel I can hardly breathe just thinking about them. They are written so beautifully. The characters have real struggles that will touch your heart. This book has a strong theme of family and loyalty. Most importantly is that these characters are three-dimensional. They have so much depth and are so vivid that you feel like you are living alongside them. When these characters are in pain, you are as well. When these characters are overjoyed, you feel happiness also. The very art of these characters emotions is so skillful that it is almost intimidating.
The next thing that I must praise is the masterful plot. I don't think that it could be called anything less. The plot of this book was set up in The Mortal Instruments, but this plot is so deep-rooted that it is mind-blowing. This plot is engaging, compelling, and so very flawless. All of the pieces fall together like a magic jigsaw puzzle. The foreshadowing is instrumented so phenomenally. One of the best words that I can think of to describe the plot is complex because there are so many components.
The world-building is just as strong as in other Shadowhunter books. I like getting a sense for the Shadowhunter world in other parts of the world.
The romance in this book will have you on the floor crying your eyes out. It will devastate you so completely. The romance is well written and full of so much emotion. It will pull on your heartstrings until you question everything about the Shadowhunter world. Apart from the main romance of the book, there are other love stories. One such love story is a tragic one that will make you question morality in the face of love and loss. Another love story is encompassed by betrayal and brings into question the lengths someone will go to in order to protect those they love.
Overall, this is the kind of book that you shout out your love for from the rooftops. This book will make you feel every single feeling you could imagine and then more. This book will gut you and leave you in limbo. There is a quote from Harry Potter that I think best describes the way this book will make you feel. [Queue Ron Weasley's voice.] "You're gonna suffer... but you're gonna be happy about it..." And that's the truth. I have never been more happy to feel destroyed and shattered. I recommend all of Cassandra Clare's books. ALL OF THEM! If you haven't experienced her genius then you are missing out on something truly special.
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WE are now on Spot 22
🌸 Can I recommend we use our Bonus point be used to take us to 23, it would give us more reading options?
(23. Cover Item: Lamp/Candle)
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I'm okay with keeping 22. I have lots of #2 options. But of course I'll go along with what the rest of the team decides. (Or what the captain decides :)
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New Spot is 22
Read a book that is 2nd or 22nd in a series OR Alternate Read: Set in Australia
Book Choices
☑ Ezinwanyi: It Takes a Scandal (Scandalous #2) ~ (Review)
☑ Lanelle: Shakespeare's Champion (Lily Bard #2) ~ (Review)
☑ Sunshine✰✰✰: Jace (River Pack Wolves #2) ~ (Review)
☑ Susan A: Found at the Bookstore (Found #2) ~ (Review)
☑ Vanessa: The Blessed Knights (Secret Knights #2) ~ (Review)
Selection PostWeek 3, Roll 1 - Spot 22
Book: Jace by Alisa Woods
How it fits: River Pack Wolves #2
Pages: 274
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Week 3, Roll 1 - Spot 22
Book: Shakespeare's Champion
How it fits: Lily Bard #2
Pages: 228
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Week 3 ~ Roll 1, Spot 22
Book: It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden
Qualification: Scandalous #2
Pages: 372
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Ezinwanyi wrote: "We don’t have a lot of time since we were kind of a day behind. So let’s try and get our reviews in by Saturday midnight. (Tomorrow 😬😬😬)"I'm almost halfway through my book. I was loving it up until the 40% mark...and now I'm just disgusted with it which may slow me down. It's not in my make-up to DNF. I just can't seem to make myself do it, so I'll push through. However, if I can't finish by Saturday night deadline I'll post in advance and I would appreciate it if others would as well.
I'm already half way through my book. It says 2hrs 53mins left... I'll have it finished tonight. :-D
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Susan, maybe your book will turn for the better again. Good luck.
SELECTION POSTWEEK 3: ROLL 1 - spot 22
Book: The Blessed Knights
How it fits: Secret Knights #2
Pages: 280
I will have my book finished by Saturday night. =)
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I'm almost halfway through my book. I wa..."
Thanks Susan.
I actually finished my book though it wasn’t as enjoyable as I had hoped. Writing reviews for lukewarm books is a chore
Completion PostWeek 3, Roll 1 - Spot 22
Book: Jace by Alisa Woods
How it fits: River Pack Wolves #2
Pages: 274
Rating: 3 Stars
Review
This picks up right where the first one left off only now the MCs are Jace & Piper. These two are hot!
Piper's youngest brother is missing overseas and it seems connected to the missing shifters in the states. Jace, like his brothers, is ex-Army but Piper is a bad-ass chick herself. She doesn't sit pretty on the sidelines while the River brothers do what they do. She has her connections with her counterintelligence gig and discovers that the plot is thicker than we think.
I can't wait to read Jared's story and find out how it all pans out!
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Week 3, Roll 1 - Spot 22
Book: Shakespeare's Champion
How it fits: Lily Bard #2
Pages: 228
Date finished: 9/28/18
Rating: 3 stars
Review: There is a bit more action in this book than in book 1 of the series. And we are continuing to learn more about Lily and how she copes with the ordeal she went through years earlier. There is a love interest (or two). Even though I have read this series a few times, I still enjoy them. That's the sign of a good story, in my opinion.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 3: ROLL 1 - spot 22
Book: Found at the Bookstore
How it fits: Found #2
Pages 370p
Date Read: 9/28/18
Rating: 2.5 STARS
Review:
MC Ry is 26 virgin, the stereotypical handsome highschool jock who suffered a brain injury during a football game. Stig is 38, rich and experienced. We meet them in book 1, but Ry seemed more damaged in book 1 and was recovering from a suicide attempt. Stig is the ex of the MC is book 1...and all I remember is that he wasn't very likeable. I had a hard time accepting that these two were the same characters that were introduced in book 1.
As I mentioned earlier, I did enjoy the first 40% of this book. Ry and Stig develop a friendship. Ry identifies as heterosexual. However, he was too busy with football in highschool to leave much time for dating and since his injury, dating hasn't been an option. He slowly realizes that he is attracted to Stig.
Here's what made me dislike the book - -Stig decides that Ry doesn't have enough experience to know if he is actually attracted to Stig, so he tells Ry that Ry should first get with a girl and then decide if he is still interested in Stig. And furthermore, Stig will help set that up.
So...this is just a stupid plot and awful...and, BISEXUALITY is real and I guess I expect better from an author who is writing LGBT books.
Fortunately, Ry does realize that this is terrible, but instead of running as fast as he can away from Stig, he plans to just make Stig jealous instead and Stig's plan to have Ry try a girl out doesn't come to pass ...and I start to get a little less miserable about reading this when we get to the next idiotic plot point.
Stig has a crazy, violent stalker and instead of just telling Ry this, he ghosts him.
Of course they get back together...and Stig takes him to a miracle brain worker to improve his quality of life.
Ugghhh....I'm done with this author.
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Week 3 ~ Roll 1, Spot 22
Book: It Takes a Scandal by Caroline Linden
Qualification: Scandalous #2
Pages: 372
Read: 9/29
Rating & Review: ★★★★
Abigail Weston was pretty strong and independent for a member of the ton. Her family wasn't the usual title and fortune hunters. If so, Abigail would have never been attracted to Sebastian Vane, who was wounded in war. In addition, he was bankrupt and accused of being a thief. So he wasn't ideal husband material for the ton. Abigail's family wasn't titled but they were really rich so Abigail was the perfect answer to Sebastian's financial woes.
I like this story because I love the tortured hero tropes. Sebastian was a really good guy who was judged harshly and shunned by the ton. I love when the heroine knows what she wants and marches to the beat of her own drum. She helped him stop hiding and live again. She was outspoken and inquisitive. They were physically attracted to each other so the chemistry was there. It was the outside community that posed the obstacle.
Plus, there was a mystery involving a missing person and money. It helped resolve Sebastian's tainted past and restored his family name when all was settled. It was a nice love story.
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WEEK 3: ROLL 1 - spot 22
Book: Found at the Bookstore
How it fits: Found #2
Pages 370p
Date Read: 9/28/18
Rating: 2.5 ST..."
I am sorry this book wansn't enjoyable
Completion PostWeek 3, Roll 1 - Spot 22
Book: The Blessed Knights
How it fits: Secret Knights #2
Pages: 280
Date finished: 9/29/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I am so glad that I decided to reread this book and the previous two books in the series prior to finishing the last book. I am afraid that I would have been totally lost if I hadn't. I had forgotten just how many details went into the story, and many more are revealed in this book. I have to say, Mary Ting can definitely create a compelling plot. I was just as immersed in the story this time around. The characters grow on you more and more as the story progresses. I love the chemistry between all of the characters. The Knights all have a camaraderie that melts my heart. I love that they are comprised of angels, lamias, elementas, and humans. There is a mix of everything and it keeps things interesting. I am eager to see how their bonds will affect them in the next book. I enjoyed the bits of history in the book. I enjoy the creativity of the Knights Templar and how they are a part of the story. I enjoyed the romance in the story. It is a forbidden romance so there is a lot of tension and emotion. If you haven't read this series I would certainly recommend it. It's creative premise and likable characters will have you glued to the pages!
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Timestamp: 2018-09-30 05:05:40 UTC
Read a book that is 2nd, 8th, or 28nd in a series OR Alternate Read: Book to Movie
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New Spot is 28
Read a book that is 2nd, 8th or 28th in a series OR Alternate Read: Book to Movie
Book Choices
☑ Ezinwanyi: Sentinel of Darkness (Darkness #8) ~ (Review)
☑ Lanelle: Courage (Greystone #8) ~ (Review)
☑ Sunshine✰✰✰: Cold Shadows (Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #2) ~ (Review)
☑ Susan A: Forever Home (Destination #2) ~ (Review)
☑ Vanessa: Lord of Shadows (The Dark Artifices #2) ~ (Review)
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Thank you for another awesome roll 👏🏾.
I’m sorry about your #8 book. I’m sure you can find a #2.
I don’t think I have a #8
Selection PostWeek 3, Roll 2 - Spot 28
Book: Lord of Shadows
How it fits: The Dark Artifices #2
Pages: 701
Selection PostWeek 3, Roll 2 - Spot 28
Book: Cold Shadows by J.L. Bryan
How it fits: Ellie Jordan, Ghost Trapper #2
Pages: 179
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Week 3, Roll 2 - Spot 28
Book: Courage
How it fits: Greystone #8
Pages: 148
Date finished: 9/30/18
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This book is a good example of a series that has gone too long. The first three or four books have been pretty good for a self-published author, but the last few have been rather forced and unbelievable. And how the main character was healed in this story was too far-fetched! I know that the author posted on her blog how much she struggled to finish writing the series. It shows.
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COMPLETION POSTWEEK 3: ROLL 2 - Spot 28
Book: Forever Home
How it fits: Destination #2
Pages 180 pages
Date Read: 9/30/18
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I like light sci-fi alien romance. This had enough world building to be interesting, but not so much that it required me actually using my brain. It wasn't alien PWP. It met my expectations.
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*grin* Too many #8 choices to decide?
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*grin* Too many #8 choices to decide?"
No, all the #2 audiobooks I want are still on hold at the library
My #8 books are ebooks and I can finish an audiobook in 1-2 days, So I prefer to use those for this challenge that is at a faster pace
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I deleted 95, but I don't need to delete 96.
We are good to go
Thanks for alerting me to the missing review and the rest. I am thankful to have alert teammates :)
Also, thanks for having better rolls than me!!!!