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R11: Team Just ONE More Chapter (1) ***Winning Team***
Completion PostSpot: 41
Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith
How It Fits: #4 The Vampire Diaries.
Bonus: 4 book series completed
Date Read: 10/4
Rating: 3*
Review
This is the last in The Vampire Diaries series and I feel this was one book too many. Stefan returns to Fell’s Church with Damon in tow after being summoned on Elena’s request by Bonnie. Joining forces they are trying to rid the town of an evil lurking there. This episode definitely lowered my overall rating for the series.
Book 1
Book 2
Book 3
Sarah Jude
Stand Alone
Finished 10/3/2019
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I really enjoyed this and if you are looking for a good, atmospheric read to get you going with your fall reading, this could do it. The story moves quickly, pulls you in from the very start. The background superstitions and stories of the Ozark's add so much feeling to it.
Also can we talk about this cover? Holy underrated. I like it more every time I look at it.
The biggest disappointment for me was going to Sarah Jude's page afterwards and seeing that she hasn't published any more books. She's definitely an author I'll keep my eye out for after this.
Yeah my book came in early from the library!
Selection PostSpot 41
Book: Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire
How it Fits: #4 in October Daye
Rating: 4 Star
Review: Finally a book in this series I really enjoyed. I have been struggling with this series mostly because Toby just muddles through things with a lot of luck and really bad decisions. In this book she actually made some good decisions and instead of reacting with little to no thought tried to have a plan. Toby has a lot of very loyal friends and I really liked to see the relationships progress (especially with Tybalt). Know as long as she doesn't end up getting closer to Connor with the end of his marriage because those two just aren't a good fit! I also liked that we learned more about Toby and who/what she is - although I feel like there is a lot more to be learned in that area. It was tough to keep pushing through this series since it was just okay but finally I'm glad that I have and hope that it continues from here.
Bonus: three or more books in a series.
Louise wrote: "Selection PostSpot: 41
Dark Reunion by L.J. Smith
How It Fits: #4 The Vampire Diaries.
Bonus: 4 book series completed"
When you're done, please include the links for the other 3 books as well so we have all the bonus books in one thread. Thanks.
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Selection PostSpot 41
Book: Late Eclipses by Seanan McGuire
How it Fits: #4 in October Daye
Bonus: three or more books in a series."
When you finish this book, please also include links to the other two books from the series you read, so we have that information all in one post. Thanks.
Kayla ... have you decided on a book for this week? I don't see a selection post from you.
Haha. it's a hard choice this week. hahaha I'm reading two books to see which one catches my attention the quickest. haha I'll post for sure tomorrow morning.
Kayla wrote: "Haha. it's a hard choice this week. hahaha I'm reading two books to see which one catches my attention the quickest. haha I'll post for sure tomorrow morning."Been there, Done that! LOL
Week 5 Spot 41 
The Handmaid's Tale by Margaret Atwood
How it fits: 1st in a series
Date read: 10-4-19
Rating- 3 stars
Review:
So Im not going to say this was a book that I just couldnt wait to read but it was still a very good book. Im a couple years behind on this book but I enjoyed it. There were a few parts that had me on edge and crazy how the women were treated. I enjoyed the journey that Offred has taken and how we learn sooo much about her. The second book just came out and im very excited to see what has happened 15 years later. The writing was wonderful!
My book will be done and posted later tonight but well before the roll. I changed last second because I like to live dangerously.
I’ll be done with my book tonight.
I updated post 149 with my review.
Working on my book - I'll try to get it done before midnight but I may not get it done until Friday. I've been sick (so sick I've been sleeping and not reading). That's how my kids know when I really feel bad!
Cait S wrote: "My book will be done and posted later tonight but well before the roll. I changed last second because I like to live dangerously."Ha Ha!
Danielle Gypsy Soul wrote: "Working on my book - I'll try to get it done before midnight but I may not get it done until Friday. I've been sick (so sick I've been sleeping and not reading). That's how my kids know when I real..."
Hope you're on the mend soon, Danielle. I may also not have my book done until tomorrow. Real life got in my way and I'm still about 80 pages to the end, with a prior commitment this evening.
Updated my post with book/completion info.
I'm also behind this week. I planned to read all morning then hubby came home early and sales lady stopped by your place for about 2 hours. haha I'll for sure have it done tomorrow. I'm so sorry guys.
Thanks for the updates Kayla and Danielle .... Louise, how are you coming along with your book?I'm off to bed. About 20 pages to go, so I'll finish tomorrow.
Finished and updated post 155
Only about 10 hours left to deadline...
Okay I'm going to roll and Book Concierge can you post to Post your spot since you have the reviews this week :)
Week: 6 Roll: 4 & 6 = 10
Previous Spot: 41
Current Spot: 51
Bonus Points Earned: 4 - (view spoiler)
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read:
#5 in series -or- #1 in series -or- standalone
Alternate: Published 2017
Reviews
✔ Book Concierge - Standalone - Passing - Review post 186
✔ Cait S - Series # 1 - Truly Devious - Review Post 187
✔ Danielle Gypsy Soul - Series # 5 - Stag and the Ash - Review Post 183
✔ Jackie - Series # 1 - Book of Shadows - Review Post 185
✔ Kayla - Standalone - Alaskan Holiday - Review Post 189
✔ Louise - Series # 1 - Simply Irresistible - Review Post 194
✔ Talia - Series # 1 - And Then There Were Crumbs - Review Post 182
.
Oops ... Sorry Kayla ... saw your and Louise completion and did the roll. Didn't notice your statement.
Okay ... I was actually hoping for a lower number so I could get to that # 3 in series that was so late coming from the library a week ago and is now in my hands. S*I*G*H Doesn't fit the alternate, either.Off to check my stand-alones ....
hahaha. I was hoping for a second in series so it would fit the other book I have to ready by Tuesday! haha It doesnt fit alternative either.
Week 6
Spot 51
Book:
And Then There Were Crumbs
Author: Eve Calder
Qualification: A Cookie House Mystery #1
Date read: 10/10/19
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Pastry chef Kate McGuire has just broken off her engagement and moves to a small town in Florida for a fresh start. She finagles a job at The Cookie House, the local bakery, but Sam the owner refuses to bake anything sweet in his shop, much to Kate's chagrin. After one day on the job a customer is found dead after eating some of Sam's cinnamon rolls and he is arrested for murder. Kate is sure that Sam is innocent, so with the help of her new neighbors and a local book club, Kate is determine to find the real killer while also reintroducing cookies into The Cookie Shop while Sam is away.
I enjoyed this first book in a new series. All the cookies sounded delicious. I wish there were recipes in the back! I liked Kate and all the nice neighbors so it was easy to get into the story and enjoy spending time in this town. I'll probably continue on with the series.
Spot 51
Book:
And Then There Were CrumbsAuthor: Eve Calder
Qualification: A Cookie House Mystery #1
Date read: 10/10/19
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Pastry chef Kate McGuire has just broken off her engagement and moves to a small town in Florida for a fresh start. She finagles a job at The Cookie House, the local bakery, but Sam the owner refuses to bake anything sweet in his shop, much to Kate's chagrin. After one day on the job a customer is found dead after eating some of Sam's cinnamon rolls and he is arrested for murder. Kate is sure that Sam is innocent, so with the help of her new neighbors and a local book club, Kate is determine to find the real killer while also reintroducing cookies into The Cookie Shop while Sam is away.
I enjoyed this first book in a new series. All the cookies sounded delicious. I wish there were recipes in the back! I liked Kate and all the nice neighbors so it was easy to get into the story and enjoy spending time in this town. I'll probably continue on with the series.
Week 6Spot 51
Book: Stag and the Ash
Author: Sam Burns
Qualification: The Rowan Harbor Cycle #5
Date Read: 10/6
Rating: 3.5 Star
Review: 3.5 Stars. I liked this one although I did have one fairly big issue with the plot. However, this is a fun, easy to read and entertaining series so I'm rounding up.
I really like the characters in this series (this is a series that really needs to be read in order - so this is not a stand a lone book). The town itself is fun and by now I'm heavily invested in Rowan Harbor and all the citizens. This book brings us back to Jesse and Sean who are still dealing with the loss of Sean's mother and the emergence of more of Sean's succubus powers. Jesse is also still dealing with his past and of course the danger the town itself is in.
So this is where I have an issue with the plot. The "enemy" was horribly obvious and even the characters themselves even had suspicions about the person. However, no caution was involved at all - why open yourself up to that kind of danger with no precautions? There surely had to be other options and yet no one in the town bothered to mention that this was a bad idea? Normally the people in the town are pretty smart and yet in this book TSTL definitely came into play. So I didn't enjoy this one as much as I did the previous books (although I still liked it quite a bit). Also while this was Jesse and Sean's book it was really Jesse's book. We didn't see a lot of Sean and we didn't learn much more about him in this book. I would have liked more information on Sean and more time spent with him but maybe we will get that when the last Jesse/Sean book happens which should be book #8.
Despite these few issues this was a good book and an excellent series. I love that this series is easy/quick to read with great characters and a sense of danger that is just strong enough to keep you engaged.
Looking forward to more to come from Rowen Harbor.
Completion PostWeek 6 - Spot: 51
Book: Book of Shadows
by Cate TiernanPages: 176
Qualification: Sweep #1
Finished: 10/7/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This is the first book in a Young Adult series. The characters are high school students. The MC, Morgan, and her best friend Bree are both attracted to a new guy in school, Cal. Cal, however, is a practicing witch and attempts to start a coven and convert his new group of friends to Wicca. Morgan is of course a natural and later comes to find out that she is a blood witch and has special powers. The story was okay, very predictable and with the seemingly requirement of a love triangle. All in all, an okay read but nothing special.
COMPLETION PostWeek 6
Spot # 51
Book:
Passing by Nella LarsenHow it fits: Standalone
Finished: 07Oct19
Rating: 4****
Review: Larsen was part of the Harlem Renaissance and this book is a marvel of social commentary. She explores issues of black/white identity, of desire to get ahead and the societal obstacles to that path, of male/female relationships, and female-female rivalries. There is tension, fear, anger, joy, desire and hope. And we get a wonderful glimpse of middle-class Black culture in 1920s Harlem. I can hardly wait for my F2F book club meeting; I expect a stimulating discussion.
Selection PostWeek 6 - Spot: 51
Book:
Author: Maureen Johnson
Qualification: #1
Finished: 10/10/2019
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Another great atmospheric fall read. "Light" mysteries are perfect for the beginning of fall and I've been gravitating towards them for a few weeks. For some reason, autumn just screams KIDNAPPINGS AND MASS MURDERS to me, you know?
Anyway, I found this to be super engaging from the start. It can be polarizing but I personally love when a book jumps between timelines. I find that method of delivering new questions while providing answers to be really compelling. Big fan of Stevie and of all the different representations offered in this book. Will absolutely continue on with the series sometime soon.
Message 183 updated with completion post.
Week 6 Spot 51:Book:
Alaskan Holiday by: Debbie Macomber
How it Fits: Standalone
Pages: 242
Date Read: 10-10-19
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
What a sweet book! This was just the perfect romantic quick read that I needed. In the back woods of Alaska, Palmer and Josie hit it off while she has taken a seasonal chef position. I like this book because there was so much love on one end but a bit of doubt on the other. All it took was a small change to make the biggest change of their lives. I would recommend this book to anyone wanting a quick easy read. :)
Changed my book, completed and posted in Msg 185.
About 9.5 hours to end of today ... how's everyone doing? Of course we have all day tomorrow, as well, to finish our reviews before our deadline for posting and rolling for next week.
I'm aiming to finish before midnight tonight.
Completion PostSpot: 51
Simply Irresistible by Rachel Gibson
Pages: 375
How It Fits: #1 Chinooks Hockey Team
Date Read: 10/7
Rating: 4*
Review
This was a good romance with plenty of funny moments and heart tugging. I enjoyed the banter between Georgie and John and Lexi was adorable. A nice contemporary romance where hockey is featured rather than being the focus.
I'll have my done by midnight for sure! I was hoping for sooner this week but it got away from me. lol
Updated my post with completion info.
updated my post with my review :) Yay!
Still reading but just letting our captains know that I switched my book to
And Then There Were Crumbs.
And Then There Were Crumbs.
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Week 5: Spot: 41
Book: Finnikin of the Rock
Author: Melina Marchetta
Qualification: Lumatere Chronicles #1
Finished: 10/1/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I really enjoyed this book. The kingdom of Lumatere is cursed after the assassination of the royal family and the takeover by an imposter. The MC, Finnikin of the Rock, and his mentor, Sir Topher, have traveled the nearby lands because they cannot go back to Lumatere. Finnikin's father who had been the captain of the king's guard is imprisoned. Some of Lumatere's citizens are trapped inside the kingdom and subject to the brutality of the new king; others are exiled and have no home. A young girl, Evanjalin, claims that one of the royal children survived, and Finnikin and Sir Topher travel with her to find the heir and to return the exiles to their homeland and remove the curse. A very enjoyable adventure with great characters.