The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SS Archives♦
>
R10: Team Double the Pleasure ~ Double the Fun (2) **Winning Team**
Week 4 - Selection/Completion PostRoll/Spot: Roll 10; Spot 33
Task: Series 3, 33; Alternate: One person
Book: The Soul Catcher - Alex Kava
How it fits: #3 in Maggie O'Dell series
Pages: 416
Date Read: 10.10
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This was a good mystery if gruesome in some parts. Even though I knew we were being led on a merry chase, I still didn't really know who the killer was until late in the book. The author did a good job of giving enough hints for it to be a couple of different people, just enough to keep you guessing until almost the end. The heroine of this series is broken and tough and vulnerable all at once. I saw glimpses in this episode that she can open up and let herself heal. There's only so much angst I can take in a series MC before I want to just yell get over it already, which isn't very empathetic of me. But as I said, I saw some positive movement in this book, enough so that I'm looking forward to see where she goes in the next one.
Shan and Paula, you guys have about 7 hours until time to roll.
Week 4 ~ Completion PostNew Spot: 33
Series #: 3, 33
Book: Claim & Protect by Rhenna Morgan
# of pgs: 416
How it fits: #3 in the Haven Brotherhood/Men of Haven series
Finished: 10/11/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The men of haven are all swoon worthy. They have a sense of justice that they act on that may not always fall on the side of the law. All things are done with good intentions and they always protect family. What's not to love about that.
Trevor hires Natalie and is inexplicably drawn to her. He doesn't understand why and it scares him a bit, but he doesn't shy away from it.
Natalie is dealing with raising her son with the help of her mom and trying to stay safe while dealing with her manipulative,abusive ex-husband.
Of course Travis comes to save the day.
These two together were smoking hot. Really Travis' dirty talk had me fanning myself. I can just sit back and enjoy that all night.
The reason I didn't give this five stars is because some parts seemed rushed and I found myself having to go back to make sure I didn't miss anything.
Completion Post ~ Week 4Roll: 10
Spot: 33
Task: Series #: 3, 33, Alternate: Cover Item: One person
Book: La Espera by Camila Valenzuela León
Finished: 10/11/18
# of pgs: 146
How it fits: one person in cover
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This one is told from the different points of view of the people who are at the waiting room at a hospital wanting to know how Daniela is doing after she was run over by a car. We read her brother, her ex best friend, her new best friend, her teacher, her "to be boyfriend" and her parents. They all have different things to add to the story, because the reader gets to know what happened with Daniela through her loved ones eyes.
It is a goo book from a chilean author, normally I don't like how chilean authors narrate their books, but this one is really good.
It was a quick and good reread.
Team 2: Double the Pleasure ~ Double the FunWeek 4: Spot 33
Series #: 3, 33
Alternate: Cover: One Person
Sam: Heart on Fire- Amanda Bouchet- Kingmaker Chronicles #3- REVIEW
LaurLa: The Soul Catcher- Alex Kava- Maggie O'Dell #3- REVIEW
Steph Ann: Deceptions- Kelley Armstrong- Cainsville #3- REVIEW
~Melissa~: Vision in Silver- Anne Bishop- Others #3- REVIEW
Ezi: Beneath These Chains- Meghan March- Beneath #3- REVIEW
Shan ~A~: Claim & Protect- Rhenna Morgan- Haven Brotherhood #3- REVIEW
Paula: La Espera- Camila Valenzuela León- One Person on cover- REVIEW
Paula, since you used the cover option, I think you need to post the cover in your completion post to show that it fits. For how it fits, instead of saying one person on cover, you need to post the cover. Thanks.And thanks for managing to fit your book in.
Team 2: Double the Pleasure ~ Double the FunWeek 5
Rolled 1+5=6
Current Spot: 33
New Spot: 39
Series #: 3, 9, 39
Alternate: One Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The (i.e. The Witness or Divergent)
Roll/Spot: Roll 6; Spot 39
Task: Series 3, 9, 39; Alternate: One Word Title
Book: The Angel - Tiffany Reisz
How it fits: one word title
Pages: 411
See new selection post msg 170
Selection Post Week 5 - Spot 39
Task: Series 3, 9, 39; Alternate: One Word Title
Book: La Daga by Philip Pullman
How it fits: One word title (La = The)
Pages: 309
Sam wrote: "Paula, since you used the cover option, I think you need to post the cover in your completion post to show that it fits. For how it fits, instead of saying one person on cover, you need to post the..."I edited my completion post =)
Week 5 - Selection PostRoll/Spot: Roll 6; Spot 39/Alternate 1 word title
by T.J. Klune[*book:Wolfsong|29233804]
How it fits: 1 word title
Week 5 - Completion PostRoll/Spot: Roll 6; Spot 39/Alternate 1 word title
by T.J. Klune[*book:Wolfsong|29233804]
How it fits: 1 word title
Finished 10/13/18
Rating 4 stars
Review: hmmm it's been a while since I've finished a 400 pg book within approx 24 hours. I just couldn't put this down. I was up until 3:30 am and then picked it up again when I woke up to finish it. Ox was such a complex character that I just fell in love with. Couldn't help but chuckle when Ox meets Joe for the first time. No way to not know what was happening, lol ~ well except for Ox. I wish I could smell the epic and the awesome and the candy canes and pinecones like Joe can. Parts just broke my heart. I enjoyed all the secondary characters as well. I'm so looking forward to Mark and Gordo's book ~ there is definitely an interesting backstory there.
Mod
Book: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 1072
Qualification: #3 in the Outlander series
[*book:Voyager|6522033]
Ezinwanyi wrote: "SELECTION POST for Week 5, Spot 39
Book: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 1072
Qualification: #3 in the Outlander series
[*book:Voyager|10987]"
Holy crap ~ I mean good on you for choosing a 1000 pg book, LOL
Do you have it on audio andare you going to listen in your sleep??!? :)
Selection Post ~ Week 5Rolled 1+5=6
New Spot: 39
Series #: 3, 9, 39
Alternate: One Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The
Book: Wasted by M.J. Fields
# of pgs: 318
How it fits: # 3 in the Steel Country series
Mod
Book: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 1072
Qualification: #3 in the Outlander series
[*..."
Audio. I need a time travel for SOS Bingo too. And I just saw a sexy photo shoot with the actors that play Jaime and Clare. I just had to!
Ezinwanyi wrote: "~Melissa~ wrote: "Ezinwanyi wrote: "SELECTION POST for Week 5, Spot 39Book: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 1072
Qualification: #3 in the Out..."
soooooo how many hrs is a 1000 pg book? Just curious and hope it's awesome :)
Week 5 - NEW Selection PostRoll/Spot: Roll 6; Spot 39
Task: Series 3, 9, 39; Alternate: One Word Title
Book: The Bull Rider's Keeper - Lynn Cahoon
How it fits: #3 in Bull Rider series
Pages: 172
Completion Post - Spot 39
by Abi KetnerHow it fits: one word title
Read: 10/14/18
Rating: 3 stars
Review
This one frustrated me a bit. On one hand, I was really interested in the premise, and I'm a sucker for dystopian books. On the other hand, at times, the writing felt really juvenile, and it just sucked me out of the book completely. A lot of the dialogue felt really stilted, not quite natural, and it sometimes made it very hard to keep my interest. I did find myself still interested in what would eventually happen, which is why I gave it 3 stars instead of 2; however, I'm not certain that I will continue the series.
Week 5 - Completion PostRoll/Spot: Roll 6; Spot 39
Task: Series 3, 9, 39; Alternate: One Word Title
Book: The Bull Rider's Keeper - Lynn Cahoon
How it fits: #3 in Bull Rider series
Pages: 172
Date Read: 10.16
Rating: ★★★
Review:
The best I can say about this one is thankfully it was short, it was the last of the series and it wasn't as bad as the first one. I never warmed up to the heroine, she was whiny and kept running from conversations instead of talking about things. Which is typical for romance books, yes, the running part I mean, but all her issues felt manufactured. Anyway, the hero was okay, willing to put himself out there for her and she was the one running and hiding stuff. Glad this series is over, don't really like the author and will likely avoid her in the future.
Mod
Book: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 1072
Qualificat..."
This book was 43hr and 45 mins. I haven’t finished but I have felt every minute of this damn book. How can I love this show so much and be suffering like this on the audio? 🤔🤨😒
So many unnecessary verbiage. But I’ve discovered a two new moscatos
1) Mamamango
2) Tropical Peach Moscato
I recommend the first one for mimosas. I brought it to my real life book club Monday and they loved it. The second was a wine someone else’s brought and I loved it and thus went to buy it myself
Mod
Book: Voyager by Diana Gabaldon
Pages: 1072
Qualification: #3 in the Outlander series
Read: 10/17
Rating & Review: ★★★★
I have to tell you 45 hours 46 minutes of any book regardless of how much one enjoyed a book is just exhausting. Davina Porter's voice was amazing and I really did enjoy the book It's just that it was a really long book.
I love this story but I fear that I may have to just watch the series which cuts out the wordy sentences.
This story has Claire twenty years after being separated from Jaime now raising Bree her daughter and living life as a Doctor.
Some research reveals that Jaime didn't die in the Battle of Culloden and in fact lived on. Claire makes the painful decision to leave Bree and go through the stones to find Jaime.
Jaime went on to have a son and try to live. When they reconnect, that was probably the best few scenes in this series so far for me. I really feel their love and chemistry. I love these two together. I also like the trip to Jamaica as it added a race/diversity discussion. One thing is clear, twenty years did nothing to dampen Jamie and Claire's connection.
BTW, I must say that I don't like Bree. I liked Roger, but Bree got on my nerves.
Spot: 39Cover:
Book: Black Rose Queen- Connie Suttle
Qualification: Black Rose Sorceress #3
Date Finished: 10/17/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the third book in the Black Rose Sorceress series. Kerok is now king, and Sherra is his queen. She continues to train with the young recruits learning how to better use their power to attack their enemy. There is a new player involved, a healer called North. North appears to have secrets but he is also working to defeat Kaakos. Kaakos ups his attacks on Az-ca, causing lots of trouble for Kerok and Sherra. There is sadness and the ending was troubling. If only people would talk to each other instead of keeping secrets from each other. I will definitely finish this series and I can't wait to figure out how Sherra deals with the events resulting from the ending.
Shan and Paula, you guys have about 4 hours left to turn in your review if we want to roll on time.
Completion Post ~ Week 5Rolled 1+5=6
New Spot: 39
Series #: 3, 9, 39
Alternate: One Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The
Book: Wasted by M.J. Fields
# of pgs: 318
How it fits: # 3 in the Steel Country series
Finished: 10/18/18
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I just couldn't make myself like Grayson as much as I liked his brothers. His trauma and secret just didn't hold the same weight as theirs and he came off as a douche from the very beginning of this story.
However, I was glad to see Mandee come out of her shell. After the things that happened in her past and losing her mother, I was glad to see her make her way towards happy.
Also, that epilogue was great. I can't wait to see which Steele daughter Brandon is actually going to end up with. So write that story please Ms. Fields.
Completion Post ~ Week 5Roll: 6
Spot: 39
Task: Series #: 3, 9, 39 Alternate: One Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The
Book: La Daga by Philip Pullman
Finished: 10/18/18
# of pgs: 309
How it fits: one word title
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Continuing this saga has been super interesting, the world created by the author is fantastic, and how everything works is so clever. I loved reading Lyra's adventures again, at first I was a little disappointed no to read about her, but then she appeared and all was well, I think haha.
I think I'll read the next one pretty soon, I'm super intrigued with what will happen, also, reading these books makes me feel like when I first started loving books
Team 2: Double the Pleasure ~ Double the FunWeek 5: Spot 39
Series #: 3, 9, 39
Alternate: One Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The (i.e. The Witness or Divergent)
Sam: Black Rose Queen- Connie Suttle- Black Rose Sorceress #3- REVIEW
LaurLa: The Bull Rider's Keeper- Lynn Cahoon- Bull Rider #3- REVIEW
Steph Ann: Branded- Abi Ketner- One Word Title- REVIEW
~Melissa~: Wolfsong- T.J. Klune- One Word Title- REVIEW
Ezi: Voyager- Diana Gabaldon- Outlander #3- REVIEW
Shan ~A~: Wasted- M.J. Fields- Steel Country #3- REVIEW
Paula: La daga- Philip Pullman- One Word Title- REVIEW
Team 2: Double the Pleasure ~ Double the FunWeek 6
Rolled 5+5=10
Current Spot: 39
New Spot: 49
Series #: 4, 9, 49
Alternate: Cover: Grey/Silver
Selection Post ~ Week 6Rolled 5+5=10
New Spot: 49
Series #: 4, 9, 49
Book: #Selfie by Cambria Hebert
# of pgs: 253
How it fits: # 4 in the Hashtag series
Mod
Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Pages: 432
Qualification: #4 on the Bridgerton Series
[*book:Romancing Mister Bridgerton|10214569]
Week 6 - Selection PostRoll/Spot: Roll 10; Spot 49
Task: Series 4, 9, 49; Alternate: Cover: Grey/Silver
Book: Love with a Perfect Cowboy - Lori Wilde
How it fits: #4 in Cupid, Texas series
Pages: 387
Selection Post Week 6 - Spot 49
Task: Series 4, 9, 49; Alternate: Cover: Grey/Silver
Book: La Silla de Plata by C.S. Lewis
How it fits: #4 The Chronicles of Narnia, publication order
Pages: 265
Selection Post - Spot 49
Task: Series 4, 9, 49; Alternate: Cover: Grey/silver
Book: Betrayals by Kelley Armstrong
How it fits: #4 in Cainsville series
Pages: 416
Selection Post Week Spot 49
Marked in Fleshby Anne Bishop416 pgs
#4 The Others series
[*book:Marked in Flesh|25700011]
Mod
Spot 49
Marked in Fleshby Anne Bishop416 pgs
#4 The Others series
[*book:Marked in Flesh|25700011]"
I really enjoyed this series
Ezinwanyi wrote: "~Melissa~ wrote: "Selection Post Week Spot 49
Marked in Fleshby Anne Bishop416 pgs
#4 The Others series
..."
Me too ~ it's a total fave of mine. Doing a re listen to get me back in for the new one coming out in March :)
I'll do a re listen of Lake Silence probably in February
Week 6 - Completion PostRoll/Spot: Roll 10; Spot 49
Task: Series 4, 9, 49; Alternate: Cover: Grey/Silver
Book: Love with a Perfect Cowboy - Lori Wilde
How it fits: #4 in Cupid, Texas series
Pages: 387
Date Read: 10.22
Rating: ★★★
Review:
This was just okay. There were parts I really enjoyed, even some funny parts but both MCs were inconsistent in their motivations and what they wanted. Maybe that's more true to real life (do any of us really know what we want?) but a couple of times it left me thinking 'I thought you didn't want that...' Anyway, overall pretty good but felt like characters changed their mind on stuff just to be convenient to the story.
Completion Post - Spot 49
by Kelley ArmstrongTask: Series 4, 9, 49; Alternate: Cover: Grey/Silver
Book: Betrayals
How it fits: #4 in Cainsville series
Pages: 416
Date Read: 10/23/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I'm really enjoying this series. This one did have a bit of a slow start for me, but once it picked up, I had a hard time putting it down. The mystery in this one kept me guessing, and I continue to enjoy the interaction between Ricky, Gabriel, and Olivia as they try to find some balance in their relationships. I'm still Team Gabriel all the way, but Ricky has grown on me, to where I hope he can find happiness too (just not with Olivia lol). Definitely looking forward to the conclusion of the series in the next book!
Completion Post ~ Week 6New Spot: 49
Series #: 4, 9, 49
Book: #Selfie by Cambria Hebert
# of pgs: 253
How it fits: # 4 in the Hashtag series
Finished: 10/23/18
Rating: 3 stars
Review: The chemistry between these two were never in question. All of the bantering or bickering between them I knew would one day lead to what was really behind it. Love. Love that neither one of them wanted to own up two, because neither seemed to think that they are worthy of it.
My reason for not giving this 4 or more stars was the predictability of it all and the way that they sometimes came off as idiotic. If several people have noticed they way you guys look at each other, do you not think that they one person that you are trying to hide things from hasn't noticed also.
Who was the Buzz boss? What happened the night Ivy was with Zac? Why is B's dad trying to get in touch with him? Guessed those little tidbits early on.
Mod
Book: Romancing Mister Bridgerton by Julia Quinn
Pages: 432
Qualification: #4 on the Bridgerton Series
Read: 10/24
Review & Rating: ★★★★
I enjoyed this one, THE mystery was finally solved...and I was wrong but that's cool. I enjoyed the reveal of that sassy Lady Whistledown!
I knew from the last book that Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington would be the couple. It was just a matter of how the two oblivious people would see what was right in front of them.
I was wrong. Penelope knew all along, Colin was the dumb one that didn't really "see" Penelope until later. The good thing is that they developed a good friendship and had easy rapport. That is always a great foundation for a lasting relationship.
Both Colin and Penelope were so much more than those around them knew. They hid their true talents, ambitions and desires, only revealing it to each other in bits and pieces.
I continue to enjoy this series.
Spot: 49Cover:
Book: The Reaper Rescues The Genie- Kristen Painter
Qualification: Nocturne Falls #9
Date Finished: 10/24/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the 9th book in the Nocturne Falls series. I love this series because it is set in a town that celebrates Halloween all year round. Lucien is a grim reaper who has lost control of his powers and had to retire. He has pulled away from the world and hides in his underground house with the ghost of his grandmother. Imari, a genie, gets attacked by a wish merchant and is rescued by Lucien. This is the beginning of Lucien's re-entry into the world. I enjoyed this book quite a bit. Lucien was a very likeable character and Imari was sweet. I look forward to more books in this series as it is a nice escape from reality.
I have finished my book and will get my review up later today when on a computer and not my phone 😊
Mod
With tomorrow's roll, teams have the opportunity to earn the Halloween bonus. This bonus point is only available during this one week.
Happy Reading & Happy Halloween!
For anyone like me ~ who went to remind themselves what the Halloween Bonus was/is :)✸ Halloween Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Horror/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the roll on 10/26.
Completion Post Week Spot 49
Marked in Fleshby Anne Bishop416 pgs
#4 The Others series
Finished: 10/23/18
Rating 4 stars
Review: we have a world divided in this one. Sides have to be picked. You're either in the HFL or you're a Wolf Lover. Gods above and below. Lots of stupid humans pick HFL ~ god help them because The Others won't.......and the humans are too stupid to realize they are picking the wrong side. Lots of world building and new characters brought into this one ~ so less Simon and Meg time but the time we do have with them is important for the bigger storyline. How much is too much human/just enough human to save. The Other's have put the question to Simon and he's asked Meg to help. How much human does the world need to survive ~ let's face it if it was up to The Others (the Elders) there would be very little human left when all was said and done. Meg the 'howling not wolf' helps them to decide to keep some safe during this 'cleansing' for lack of a better phrase. What was done to Nicholas Scratch, slimeball, who set this all into motion....really was pretty tame imo for what he did. Brings us to the time where people are rebuilding towns/futures. Lots of work to be done.
Paula, you have 6 hours to get in your review.
Completion Post ~ Week 6Roll: 10
Spot: 49
Task: Series #: 4, 9, 49 Alternate: Cover: Grey/Silver
Book: La Silla de Plata by C.S. Lewis
Finished: 10/25/18
# of pgs: 265
How it fits: #4 The Chronicles of Narnia, Publication Order
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I read this book yeaaars ago for the first time, and I think it's my least favorite of Narnia books. I practically didn't remember anything about this book, except that Eustace was on it hahaha.
The main characters Eustace and Jill have the task to find the lost prince of Narnia now that the King is dying. So as every Narnia book, there's lots of adventure, missfortune, and clever getaways.
Ist's always nice and beautiful to come back to Narnia, I love this world, even if the author had some very narrow points of view (like the boys and girls school haha)
Team 2: Double the Pleasure ~ Double the FunWeek 6: Spot 49
Series #: 4, 9, 49
Alternate: Cover: Gray/Silver
Sam: The Reaper Rescues The Genie- Kristen Painter- Nocturne Falls #9- REVIEW
LaurLa: Love with a Perfect Cowboy- Lori Wilde- Cupid Texas #4- REVIEW
Steph Ann: Betrayals- Kelley Armstrong- Cainsville #4- REVIEW
~Melissa~: Marked in Flesh- Anne Bishop- The Others #4- REVIEW
Ezi: Romancing Mister Bridgerton- Julia Quinn- Bridgertons #4- REVIEW
Shan ~A~: #Selfie- Cambria Hebert- Hashtag #4- REVIEW
Paula: La Silla de Plata- C.S. Lewis- The Chronicles of Narnia #4- REVIEW
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Moon Awakening (other topics)El abanico de seda (other topics)
My Sister, the Serial Killer (other topics)
City of the Lost (other topics)
Dirty Little Secrets (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Kelley Armstrong (other topics)Julie Leto (other topics)
Oyinkan Braithwaite (other topics)
Lucy Monroe (other topics)
Lisa See (other topics)
More...
Selection Post Week 4 - Spot 33
Task: Series #: 3, 33; Alternate: Cover Item: One person
Book: ..."
Thanks, Paula.