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R11: Team Five Star Readers (5)
Thanks Carmen!!! I hope you have some time to relax now!
SandyL wrote: "Thanks Carmen!!! I hope you have some time to relax now!"Oh yes. I'm so looking forward to it. 😉
Does the 2 in 1 bonus point count if it’s a standalone or does it have to be in a series?
Katelyn wrote: "Does the 2 in 1 bonus point count if it’s a standalone or does it have to be in a series?"It has to be part of a series that fits our spot AND the alternate task
Week 3Spot: 27
This book qualifies for 2 in 1 Bonus. It is the second in the series and the cover has two or more (4) people on it.
Parvana's Journey by Deborah Ellis
How It Fits: #2 in Breadwinner Series
#of Pages-199
Date Finished-9/14/19
Rating-5 Stars
Review:
In the second book of the Breadwinner series, Parvana finds herself alone in Afganistan after her father's death. Parvana is a 10-year-old Afghan girl who has been posing as a boy in order to work and earn money for her family. The family's village was partially destroyed after bombings. She and her father left with the men of the village to find help. Her mother and other siblings were designated to go with the other women.
Parvana's father dies in the refugee camp and she leaves because she fears that now the Taliban will take her to be a soldier. She is traveling through Afghanistan trying to find her way to Pakistan. On her travels, she finds a deserted baby boy and adopts him. At another stop, she discovers a young boy who is hiding. He had lost a leg as a result of a landmine. Together they combine forces to look for safety and take care of baby Hassin. The pair come upon a young girl and her grandmother living on the edge of an area that is mined. They stay there for several months until the area is bombed killing the grandmother. Now all four of them leave in search of help.
The details of this journey is horrifying. Sometimes for days they go without food and water resulting in eating paper from the one book that she carries. They drink water from streams that is contaminated and get ill. Tragedy assails them from all sides. However, during this process, they become a family.
Quite an eye-opening account of the lives of so many people plagued by the war in the country of Afghanistan. Although this is a young adult book, it was extremely interesting. It is part of a 4 book series charting the lives of Parvana, her family, and special childhood friend.
Completion Post - Week 3Spot: 27
Breathe by Carly Phillips
215 pages
How it qualifies: Rosewood #2
Finished: 9/14/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This second story in the Rosewood series focuses on Phoebe Ward, Halley's older sister. When Phoebe was in her last foster home, she shared it with another kid, Jake Nichols. When they found Jake and Phoebe in bed together, they kicked Jake out and that was when Phoebe's aunt found her and Halley and took them in. Phoebe was pregnant, and although she tried to find Jake, she never could. Now, years later, she runs into Jake when it turns out he's the guy leading the construction on a house she'll be selling. Jake never got over Phoebe, even though he's turned his life around and has a child with his ex-wife. He'd like to pick up where they left off, but Phoebe knows once he finds out about Jamie, everything will change. I'm really enjoying this series and I liked these characters. My only complaint is I wish the books were longer!
Selection Post Week 3
Spot 27
Alternate Task: Cover Item: Two or more people
338 pages
How it fits: two people on the cover.
SandyL you need to change the week # You have 2 its 3. LOL
☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "SandyL you need to change the week # You have 2 its 3. LOL"Fixed - sorry!!!
No worries 😀
Completion Post - Week 3 Spot #27
P.S. I Like You by Kasie West
How it qualifies: Cover Item: two or more people
Pages: 330
Completed: 9/18/19
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I’m really normally not that picky about my ya romance. I don’t need it to be very hard-hitting but wow did I not like this book. Things I liked about this book: her family, her friend Isabel, the trope of writing notes to a mystery person. The list of things I did not like was more extensive. From the beginning, I wasn’t that attached to the main character. And once I figured out who the love interest was supposed to be, I was just annoyed. I felt like he wasn’t fleshed out enough. In the beginning, we see so many love interests that I thought were too many for a girl who “didn’t think guys thought of her that way”. We had Lucas, David, Cade, and after the halfway point we don’t even hear about Lucas and David? I didn’t think Sasha or her motives made any sense at all. I also thought that who she was talking to was revealed far too soon for my taste, and I was expecting a plot turn that never came. All in all, this is my least favorite Kasie West novel which surprised me since it seems to be well-liked.
Also to be honest the only way I was able to get through this was listening to the audiobook.
That stinks you didn't like your book @Katelyn - its so frustrating when you're reading a book for a challenge and you are far enough into it that you don't want to discard it and start something else!Did you have another driving lesson this week? If so, how did it go?
Ugh ikr! I drove my dad to lunch on Sunday and I did okay! I’m not very good at changing lanes😂😂
Week 3 - Completion PostRoll/Spot: Spot 27
Task: series #2
Book: Kiss and Tell ~ Cherry Adair
How it fits: #2 in T-FLAC series
Pages: 320
Date Read: 09.19
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I liked this book a lot - it hit all my sweet spots with romantic suspense and the heroine wasn't TSTL, so that was a bonus. But there was nothing in this book to tie it to the first in the series. Nothing at all except that the heroes for each both work for the same anti-terrorist organization. There was no character crossover which is disappointing because why bother to start a series and not connect it? From reading the blurbs, the next set of books focus on the heroine's brothers, so again, I ask myself why was the first book the first book? That said, this one was pretty good. It had some good action and the right amount of smexy for me. Good times!
Katelyn wrote: "Ugh ikr! I drove my dad to lunch on Sunday and I did okay! I’m not very good at changing lanes😂😂"You'll get there - just keep practicing!
Completion Post Week 3
Spot 27
Alternate Task: Cover Item: Two or more people
How it fits: Two people on the cover.
Book: Breaking Him
Author: R.K. Lilley
Read: 9/19/19
Rated: 4 stars
Review: This was a twistedly fun book. Scarlett and Dante had a love hate relationship due to what happened in the past but when Dante's grandmother passes, he has to tell Scarlett since she has been a part of her life since they were young. The problem was can their hate for whatever happened in the past let them put some peace between them and maybe fix what was broken? This was just to much fun and steamy to not read.
Completion Post Week 3
Spot 27
Alternate Task: Cover Item: Two or more people
How it fits: Two people on the cover.
One Day by David Nicholls
Pages: 448
Read: 9/15
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: Interesting that a hook up, became friends for 20 years. The 20 years show how the grow and live. Although this was tagged as a romance, I thought it was more life. I thought the book was a bit long. Just a story.
Are we still waiting on a couple of reviews?
Completion PostWeek 3 - Roll 12
Space: 27
The White Gryphon by Mercedes Lackey
Date Read: 9/19
Rating: ★★★★★
Skandranon I do so adore you, you arrogant bird. This is such a different story from the first. The first book in this series is all about the war and how they were all going to survive the total destruction Ma'ar wanted. Now it's 10 years later and the Kaled'a'in Clan k'Leysha and those who escaped with them have established a new city on the coast far south of the land they fled. While construction of the city isn't complete they are starting to finally find a balance evil with magic being completely unreliable with the mage storms still throwing everything into chaos. Everything seems to be going well except Skan is BORED (not that he recognizes it ;)), right up until a ship sails into their harbor and declares they've cultivated territory that doesn't belong to them.
I really enjoyed Amberdrake and Skan's travails as they tiptoed their way through the Haighlei Emperors court. They had to figure out a new way to deal with things and of course nothing can go smoothly. Of course now they have to outwit a murderer who is making it appear they themselves are causing the crime.
These characters are so great that they just take over for me. I get lost in the story and it just makes me happy. I really loved this story and how they're all finding a new balance. Skan made me smile many times in this story as the White Gryphon found his way back to who he was and the great Black Gryphon returned.
You rolled 2 dice:3 & 4
Timestamp: 2019-09-20 19:21:21 UTC
Week: 4
Roll: 3 & 4 = 7
Spot: 27
New Spot: 34
To Read:
#3 or #4 series
Alternate: 34. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Thanks Carmen!!Did you claim our bonus point for Wanda's book?
Mod
Did you claim our bonus point for Wanda's book?"
Seen and noted. :)
Week 4 - Selection PostRoll/Spot: Spot 34
Task: series #4
Book: Lover Revealed ~ J.R. Ward
How it fits: #4 in Black Dagger Brotherhood series
Pages: 514
SandyL wrote: "Thanks Carmen!!Did you claim our bonus point for Wanda's book?"
Oops not yet. Thanks for reminding me. 😊
Week 4 - Selection PostRoll/Spot: Spot 34
Task: series #3
Book:Read to Death by Terrie Farley Moran
How it fits: #3-Read 'Em and Eat Mystery
Pages: 289
Date Read: 9/23/19
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: This is interesting premiss for a series. Two friends from New Jersey pool resources and move to South Florida where they own a small restaurant and book nook. Add to there team a fantastic Hispanic chef and it is the recipe for a delightful read.
One of the pair is organized and level-headed and takes charge of the needs of the restaurant. The other manages the book nook and also hosts several book clubs.
In this last episode of the series, Bridgy finds a dead person on the sidewalk outside the cafe and immediately becomes a suspect. Her friend Sassy applies her detective skills to try to clear her friend's name. The host of characters add to the spice in this book.
Completion Post - Week 4 Spot #34
Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater
How it qualifies: #3 in a series
Pages: 391
Completed: 9/22/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: WOW THESE BOOKS DON'T FAIL TO SURPRISE ME, BREAK MY HEART, AND MAKE ME SO HAPPY!! I am just so excited to read the last book and see how everything wraps up. I will say that this is my least favorite so far, but still definitely a 5 star! I really enjoyed all the growth we see in all the characters and wow if anyone else dies I will cry! I love the characters that are introduced in this book and just love what it adds to each of the character's personalities!
Week 4Selection Post
Spot 34
Alternate: 34. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Christmas Kitsch by Amy Lane
Pages: 200
Fit: Christmas story
Completion Post - Week 4Spot: 34
Freed by Carly Phillips
Pages: 240
How it qualifies: Rosewood Bay #3
Completed: 9/22/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: In this 3rd book of the Rosewood Bay series, the missing sister of Halley and Phoebe finds them. Juliette Collins grew up with a wealthy and overprotective father. He told her that her mother died when she was very young, and he's kept her close to him all these years. One day Juliette finds a PI report and learns her mother is alive and that she has two sisters. She decides to spend the summer in Rosewood Bay and see if she can get to know the family she never knew she had. Braden Clark is hired by Juliette's father to keep an eye on her. He's not prepared for how beautiful she is and for the connection he feels with her, and they end up getting involved. But Braden is hiding a secret (obviously) and also has a father who needs a lot of care from him due to Alzheimer's disease. I'm kinda tired of this predictable trope - the Big Lie, although I did like the rest of the story and to revisit with Phoebe and Halley.
Completion PostWeek 4 - Roll 7
Space: 34
The Fight for Identity by Andrew Grey
Date Read: 9/24
Rating: ★★★★
I really enjoyed Will and Tacoda's story. It was a little bit of an insta-love story, but nothing too crazy. I liked how they developed together. Will's relationship with his father is contentious at best. There's a lot about the past that Will doesn't know about and his father's hatred for the Native American's seems extreme. While at times it felt like the extremes of Will and his father's relationship was too much, at the end of the day the explanation worked for me. I liked this story better than a lot of the Andrew Grey novels.
Will and Tacoda's relationship was nice. I don't know how accurate the cultural elements are in this story but I liked how the relationship between the tribe and Will's father played out. Everything here was pretty inter related and played well against each other.
Completion PostWeek 4: Spot 34
TASK: series #3
Simply Sensual by Carly Phillips
Read: 9/24/19
Rated: 3 stars
Review: This was just ok for me. I did enjoy the banter between Ben and Grace. Grace's grandma has hired PI Ben to watch over Grace, see what she's up to but surprise. She really doesn't need a PI. Other surprises pop up as well. Its a good read.
Katelyn and SandyL please change the week. We're on week 4, thanks
Week 4 - Completion PostRoll/Spot: Spot 34
Task: series #4
Book: Lover Revealed ~ J.R. Ward
How it fits: #4 in Black Dagger Brotherhood series
Pages: 514
Date Read: 09.22
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Great book although I was getting frustrated at the beginning between the two MCs feeling sorry for themselves and assuming the worst about how themselves and how the other couldn't possibly feel anything for them. Butch's true nature felt a little bit like plot convenience but the author did a pretty good job of leading up to it and hinting at it in previous books, so wasn't a total surprise. I'm looking forward to V's story now.
☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Katelyn and SandyL please chanhe the week. We're on week 4, thanks"Oops again! Maybe one week I'll get it right. :-)
Sorry for the extra work, Carmen!
Week 4Completion Post
Spot 34
Alternate: 34. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Christmas Kitsch by Amy Lane
Read: 9/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review: It was okay. I felt as parts we repeating over again and could have told the story, in less words. The narration was what probably made the story.
No worries Sandy. I do it sometimes too. I tend to copy and paste some things but forget to change numbers lol
Are we able to roll at midnight on Friday? / in an hour 😂
Week 5You rolled 2 dice:
6 1
Timestamp: 2019-09-27 13:02:58 UTC
Roll: 6 & 1 = 7
Spot: 34
New Spot: 41
To Read:
#4 or #1 series
Alternate: Title B
Week 5 - SelectionRoll/Spot: Spot 41
Task: standalone
Book: Archer's Voice ~ Mia Sheridan
How it fits: standalone book
Pages: 338
Week 5 - Completion PostRoll/Spot: Spot 41
Task: standalone
Book: Archer's Voice ~ Mia Sheridan
How it fits: standalone book
Pages: 338
Date Read: 09.29
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I was leery to read this book because I don't like NA angst. There was some angsty baggage for both MCs from their past but the whole story was about them being able to overcome it, so it wasn't awful. It was hopeful and kind of beautiful how they helped each other. However, at one point very near the end I almost threw my kindle because of what the author did to the reader. (view spoiler) Turns out the author didn't do what I initially thought, but she did try to fool the reader a bit and, for me, not in a good way. This would have been a 5 star read for me if not for that. The epilogue was lovely but not quite enough for me to forgive the author. I'm not sure I trust the author to read her again.
Week 5 - SelectionSpot 41
Task: series #1
Book: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
How it fits: #1 in series
Pages: 320
Week 5 - CompletionSpot 41
Book: The Wedding Date by Jasmine Guillory
Read: 9/29/19
Rated: 4.5 stars
Review: Great book
Some tearful, sexy and fun moments. I so loved Alexa and Drew. The way they met was just too funny and how he persuaded Alexa to be his date for an ex's wedding was great but when things start to progress with these two. Alexa and Drew needed to rethink what's going on.
Completion Post - Week 5Spot 41
Dream by Carly Phillips
Pages: 244
Completed: 9/29/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I liked this last book in the Rosewood Bay series. Andrea Harmon (whose brother, Kane, married Halley Ward) is finally back on her feet after getting out of an abusive marriage. But she's thrown for a loop when she finds out her former best friend, Kyle Davenport, is the new teacher in town, and her son is in his class. Andrea sent Kyle away when she married her former husband, and they haven't seen each other for many years. Kyle isn't quick to forgive, but spending time with her son and having to see her, wears him down and the two start something up. This was a sweet and sexy story about friends to lovers/sort-of-second chances with a dose of suspense when Andrea's former husband shows back up.
**BONUS: Starting and finishing a series (there are 4 books in the series and I've read them all for this challenge.)
Week 5 Post
Task: series #1
Book: Croc's Return by Eve Langlais
How it fits: #1 in Bitten Point series
Date Read: 10/1/19
Pages: 234
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
Bitten Point, Florida, on the edge of the Everglades National \Park is home to shape-shifters of all types. Caleb, a crocodile shifter, has spent his life fighting the crocodile within. He left town at an early age to join the military because of his loss of control of this inner beast.
He returns five years later to try to make amends to family and friends and finds that he has a four year old son of whom he was not aware. Trying to win his way back into the life of this new family becomes the hardest challenge to his life. In addition, a 'monster' is dwelling in the Everglades that is a threat to his family. Harnessing his shifter side will now become his greatest asset or worse obstacle.
The Challenge Factory
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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6 6
Timestamp: 2019-09-14 02:26:30 UTC
Week: 3
Roll: 6 & 6 = 12
Spot: 15
Current Spot: 27
To Read:
#2 or #7 series
Alternate: Cover Item: Two or more people