The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SS Archives♦
>
R10: Team Reading FOUR the Win (4)
Week 4 Spot 30
Orhan's Inheritance by Aline Ohanesian
Qualification: Standalone
Finished: 09Oct18
Rating: 4****
Review:
A work of historical fiction dealing with the Armenian Genocide during WW I. When Orhan's grandfather dies in 1990, his will bypasses his only son in favor of leaving all his money and his company to his grandson, Orhan. But, the home, in which generations of the family has lived, is left to a woman no one has heard of: Seda Melkonian. Orhan travels to Los Angeles, where Seda is in a nursing home, to find out her connection to the family. And she tells the story of how her Armenian, Christian family was connected to Orhan's grandfather's Muslim family when the war broke out. Fascinating and horrifying in places. A great debut novel.
Week 4 - Spot 30
Fire & Dark Susan Fanetti
How It Qualifies: #3 in the series
Date Finished: 10/9/18
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Another fantastic book in this bikers' series. Connor, SAA in the club meets up with Pilar, a fire fighter. This book, of course, has smoking hot sex. In addition, there are outside forces that threaten this couple being together. Loved this one.
Thank you everyone for you kind words and thoughts. I will be back home tomorrow and will pick up a new book.
Week 4:Attachments
Author: Rainbow Rowell
How it Qualifies: Standalone
Date Finished: 10/11
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I have loved all of Rainbow Rowell's other books and this was no exception! The whole concept of Lincoln falling in love through Beth's emails was so unique and different but also cute in the way he handled it. It was also cool so see Lincoln pull his life together over the course of the book. Each time that he saw Beth, even up until the very end of the book was so exciting and fresh that I loved all of it!
Spot 30
Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely (Standalone)
Date Read: 10/5
Rating: ★★★★
I have enjoyed all of Lauren Blakely's books that I have read so far and this one did not disappoint. I loved the Paris setting and how she brought it to life. Joy and Griffin were likable characters and their banter was entertaining. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators, Richard Armitage and Grace Grant, were fabulous.
Amanda A wrote: "Spot 30Wanderlust by Lauren Blakely (Standalone)
Date Read: 10/5
Rating: ★★★★
I have enjoyed all of Lauren Blakely's books that I have read so far ..."
I loved that book too, Amanda!
Week 4 Spot:Book:
Author:Denise Swanson
How it Qualifies: #3 in series
Date Finished: 10/11/18
Rating: 4
Review:I am loving this series...as a special education teacher I feel for Skye's school issues. She is a school Psychologist who gets called to the gym because a student found a classmate who has died in the school gym. She goes out of her way to avoid trouble but, I love how she always seems to find herself tangled in a murder case. As usual, there are many twists, turns, red-herrings until the killer is finally revealed.
Week 4 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Brenna - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
M - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vickie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 4 Review
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
How it Qualifies: #30 in World series
Date Finished: 10/11/2018
Rating: *****
Review:
Tiffany Aching, a witch in training, has only two weapons. Her trusty frying pan and her common sense. She stands up against the monsters of fairyland as the return to her homeland. When her brother is kidnapped she joins the Nac Mac Feegle (the Wee Free Men). Together they journey to Fairyland, fighting through monsters and nightmares to face the Queen of the Elves.
I have edited my review into post #105. Sorry for being so late, I've had a busy evening!
Mod
Sorry, Denise. I misunderstood the deadline. I've removed my roll.
Week 5Previous Spot: 30
Roll: 8
New Spot: 38
Can read a 3, 8 or 38 series book or Alternate: Historical
Mod
I have also contacted the first player on the back-up list to offer her the open spot on your team.
I'm sorry you guys have had so much trouble and hope things will be going more smoothly for you from here on.
Hi everyone looking forward to joining in. Waving hello from northern Australia. Lorii
Loriidae wrote: "Hi everyone looking forward to joining in. Waving hello from northern Australia. Lorii"Hi, Lorii ... welcome to our team!
Much to choose from this weekI'll either read # 3
Listening Woman -or- Buried in Bargains
OR I'll read alternate: Historical
Yellow Crocus -or- Honolulu
We're off on an anniversary celebration. Won't post again until I'm done w/ my read. Have fun, y'all!
Hello Loriidae and welcome to the team!Have a lovely anniversary Book Concierge
I am going to read first the alternate. I just need to pick one of the historical books I have piled up.
Week 5- series Book 3Book:
Author: Ashton Lee
Date read: 10/14/18
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The Cherry Cola Book club has wedding bells ringing! This is the third book in Cherry Cola series. Maura Beth, the town librarian, is planning her dream wedding to Jeremy at his family' cabin. Her mother is having a melt-down because she wants her to have a Society Wedding in New Orleans. So many great southern characters and the food described makes your mouth water! Always a great time getting to visit Cherico, Mississippi
Loriidae wrote: "Hi everyone looking forward to joining in. Waving hello from northern Australia. Lorii"Welcome, Loriidae. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Week 5 - Spot 38
Pieces of Sky Kaki Warner
How It Qualifies: Alternate: Historical
Date Finished: 10/16
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: Although this book starts out a bit slowly, it turns into a great story. Jessica is traveling from England to the New Mexico territory looking for her brother and she meets Brady. From the time these two meet, not only do they fight their attraction to each other but there are all kinds of outside forces working to keep them apart. This book had non stop action and a great love story! I will definitely read the rest of this series.
Book Concierge wrote: "We're off on an anniversary celebration. Won't post again until I'm done w/ my read. Have fun, y'all!"Have a wonderful time!
Book Concierge wrote: "We're off on an anniversary celebration. Won't post again until I'm done w/ my read. Have fun, y'all!"Happy anniversary!
Question: Am I aiming just the one book per week or is it helpful to the team to read one of the other options as well - that is this week a #3 book and an historical? Thanks
Loriidae wrote: "Question: Am I aiming just the one book per week or is it helpful to the team to read one of the other options as well - that is this week a #3 book and an historical? Thanks"You only need to read one, Loriidae. Each team member has to post one review before the deadline. I'd appreciate it if you could have your post done by 9 pm CST Thursdays.
Karen ♐ wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Question: Am I aiming just the one book per week or is it helpful to the team to read one of the other options as well - that is this week a #3 book and an historical? Thanks"You..."
Thanks Karen
Completion Post - Spot 38 
When Demons Walk Patricia Briggs
Pages: 272
How it fits: #3 Sianim
Review:
Although When Demons Walk is set in the same fantasy world as the rest of the Sianim series it can be comfortably read as a stand alone as the characters and setting were different to books 1 and 2. However as the world building had already been established in the earlier novels it was very easy to slip into the setting of When Demons Walk. Shamera returns to find her mentor dying from magically inflicted wounds. She is recruited by Kerim, head of the republic to help find a murderer who is killing Nobles and townsfolk alike. Kerim does not believe in magic so it is an interesting juxtaposition of his beliefs against hers.
“So,” he said heavily. “We have a creature that we can’t detect, killing people for an unknown reason, and, if by some chance we stumble onto this thing, we don’t know what to do with it.”
This is Patricia Briggs' debut series and as such is underdone in some aspects, but there are wonderful glimpses of the writer she will become. I was also pleased to see that the somewhat improbable scene on the cover does happen, albeit with more clothes on!
Read: Sep 14
Rating: ★★★★✰
Week 5 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Brenna - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Loriidae - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
M - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vickie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Spot 38
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 5Spot 38
Book / author - Buried in Bargains by Josie Belle
Date finished - 15Oct18
How it qualifies - # 3 in series Good Buy Girls Mystery
Rating - 3***
Review - Book three in the series has Maggie finally agree to step aside and let the police do the work. Still, she manages to get into trouble and danger. I saw the culprit immediately. Final analysis: mildly entertaining and a fast read.
Week 5:Spot 38
Alex and Eliza
Author: Melissa de la Cruz
How it Qualifies: Historical Fiction
Date Finished: 10/18
Rating: ★★
Review:
I really wasn't a fan of this book; maybe it is because I have never seen Hamilton and so I don't really have any attachment to the characters and I'm not a super big fan of historical fiction but the whole story was just so slow. Eliza plays hard to get and acts offended about Hamilton for way too long and way too many pages feel wasted on things that don't really have much to do with the story, such as the long scene with the first party that I just couldn't enjoy the rest of the book. Too much time is spend skirting around the fact that they definitely like each other for way too long and the characters also seemed very shallow and static. Its a cute idea for a book, but definitely not the story for me.
Karen ♐ wrote: "Week 5 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/..."
my review link
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Week 5Spot 38
Book /Author - The Last Kingdom Bernard Cornwell
Date finished - 18Oct18
How it qualifies - Alternate: Hostorical
Rating - 5*****
Review
Uthred is the son of a nobleman of Wessex in the late 9th century. During a raid by Danish vikings he is taken and lives among them. Soon he is able to weld a sword on the shield wall and stands against King Alfred. In battle he fights for his freedom once again and to take his father's keep back from those who betrayed his family.
Karen ... hope you don't mind but I'm up .... and all reviews are in so I'm going to roll for us ...
Week 6 - Rolled a 6 + 5 = 11 Now on Spot 49
Can read: Series # 4 or Series # 9 (or Series # 49)
Alternate: Grey/Silver colored cover
Week 6 - Spot 49
Let It Ride Vivian Arend
How It Qualifies: #4 in Series
Date Finished: 10/22
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I normally love the books in this series. But I had a major problem with this one. Maggie's husband is killed in an accident during the first chapter. Clay, her husband's best friend, has loved Maggie for years. They end up together after just a couple months. It just rubbed me the wrong way. I would have preferred that the author have more time elapse before these two got together. Other than that, I liked the story.
Spot 49
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.
Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
How It Qualifies: 97.9% gray cover (checked with Tin Eye Labs)
Date Finished: 10-25-2018
Rating: 4
Review:
Jacob witnessed something terrible that he cannot explain. Believing the stories his Grandfather told him as a child he goes to Wales to search for proof. There he finds Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Set aside in a small pocket of time for safety, Jacob finds the he might be Peculiar also.
I really loved this series and am so happy the author has written a new on. There is a movie based on the books that was a real disappointment. Per usual the movies producers decided that following the book was to much effort.
Week 6, Spot 49
Book/author The Devil Went Down to Austin / Rick Riordan
How it Qualifies - Tres Navarre # 4
Date Finished - 24Oct18
Rating - 4****
Review
Before he started the Percy Jackson series, Rick Riordan was writing adult mysteries. Book # 4 in the Tres Nevarre series has Tres going to Austin to confront his older brother Garrett, when he learns that Garnet has mortgaged the family ranch for a start-up venture and is four months behind on payments. What he finds is a tangled financial and "with friends like these who needs enemies" mess and it only gets worse when Garrett's friend and business partner is found shot, with Garrett nearby and Garrett's gun the likely murder weapon. Fast paced, intricate plotting, great characters. I figured it out just one step ahead of the reveal. I sure wish Riordan would come back to writing adult mysteries, though I recognize the fortune he's made (is making) on the Percy Jackson series.
Selection Post - Week Six - Spot 49
Embracing Danger Olivia Jaymes
Pages: 272
How it fits: #4 Danger Incorporated
Completion Post - Week Six - Spot 49
Embracing Danger Olivia Jaymes
Pages: 272
How it fits: #4 Danger Incorporated
Review: Although billed as a romantic suspense this is more a journey of self discovery combined with second chance love. There was a mystery to solve but it is in our heroine's past so it became a case of working with her past love to investigate the sudden disappearance of her father. I thought the reasoning behind the breakup 15 years previously was valid and I like the way the MCS worked together for their HEA.
Rating: ★★★★✰
Read: Oct 25
Week 6 ReviewsAmanda A - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Book Concierge - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Brenna - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Loriidae - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
M - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Vickie - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
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!
Completion Post - Week 6 spt 49Book:
Author: Jason Reynolds
Pages: 306
Rating: 4 stars
Date: 10/25/18
Rating: Wow! I wasn’t sure what to think when I started this book since it was written in verse. But WOW!! Such a gripping story of the cycle violence this young man has witnessed and survived...fast read but so good!!
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Bohemian Gospel (other topics)Among the Wicked (other topics)
Sweet Revenge (other topics)
A Deal to Die For (other topics)
Heir of Fire (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Dana Chamblee Carpenter (other topics)Christy Reece (other topics)
Josie Belle (other topics)
Christy Reece (other topics)
Lorelei James (other topics)
More...
Can read the 3rd or 30th book in a series. Can also read a Standalone or Alternate: Non-Fiction