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R11: Team 7 Deadly Readers (7)
Roll 1, Spot 9
book: The Dirt on Ninth Grave
author: Darynda Jones
How it fits: Charley Davidson #9
pages: 355
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Will do! I get off work at 2 pm so I’ll do it when I get home :)
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Just posted. It’s nap time now. I’m about 50% done with my book
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Week 1Spot: 9
Book: Princess Mia by Meg Cabot
Series: Princess Diaries #9
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
Obviously I am not the targeted demographic for these books but I still love them. Mia is refreshing and funny. Her relationships are realistic. I can’t wait to find out what happens with the guys next
If you just want something light and fun that will only take a couple hours to read, I suggest this series. It also has a nostalgic tie to me as I’ve watched the movies so many times. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
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Spot: 9
Book: Friends in High Places by Donna Leon
Qualification: Commissario Brunetti #9
Pages: 326
Finished: 01 Sep 2019
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
A young man working for Venice's property registration office rings Brunetti's office, scared and wanting to discuss something he's unwilling to speak about on an insecure line, but never calls back after being told to try again from a pay phone. Shortly after, Brunetti learns that his caller has had a fatal "accident" falling from scaffolding - and something about that so-called accident just doesn't add up. While it's not yet an official case, Brunetti nevertheless begins to ask around and finds a connection to another death that may have had something to do with unscrupulous moneylenders.
These books have pretty much become a go-to option when I'm in need of a quick and entertaining mystery read - and I always enjoy the opportunity to revisit Venice, even if only within the pages of a novel.
Week 1Spot: 9
Book: The Dirt on Ninth Grave by Darynda Jones
Qualification: Charley Davidson #9
Pages: 355
Finished: 9/1/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Charley has amnesia and is going by Janey. She is still surrounded by her friends and family, even if she doesn't know it. She manages to help several different people, but then almost loses control (view spoiler), gets her memory back and learns some disturbing things that will affect the future.
Week 1:Spot: 9
Book: Batter Up
Pages: 172
Finished 9/1/19
Rating: 1/5 stars
Review:
This was painfully bad. This honestly read like a high school creative writing assignment, and the student has a really good idea, but no idea how to write it well.
This was so cheesy and not the good kind. It had me rolling my eyes so hard I'm surprised I didn't give myself a headache. The characters were dumb and while this wasn't exactly insta-insta love, they fell in love too quick for my taste (and yes, I know it's a short book, but still) and . . . just no.
Completion Post - Week 1 spot 9 Book:
Rival's Break by Carla NeggersSeries: Sharpe & Donovan #8
Date Read: 9/2/2019
Page Count 320
How it Qualifies: #9 in series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I expected more of a thriller/suspense - and to me, this book was not that. Instead, we are drawn into the Donovan and Sharpe families along with their friends. The book takes place in Maine and Ireland - and I liked both settings a lot - they fit the mood of the book, which was ... contemplative? This isn't a book where a bloody body-count stacks up - instead, it focuses on friend and family relationships - and there is also a mystery.
In the midst of a wedding, the Donovans are called to investigate a potential poisoning on a yacht. It just looks like a case of food poisoning, but Colin recognizes one of the stricken passengers as a fellow agent. There are lots of secrets and some dealing with loss.
This is the first book I read in the series - I could tell there is a lot of backstory I missed - that didn't detract from the story, but I did keep thinking "I bet there is a book about this person."
Logan - hope you are doing ok. What a frightening storm!
Completion Post:Roll 1: Spot 9
Book: I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
How it Fits: Kinsey Millhone #9
Pages: 286
Finished: 9/4/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: At the end of "H" we saw Kinsey lose her "job" at the insurance company where she did some investigating for them and where she rented her office from. So I was interested in seeing where she would land after that. She's gotten herself in with a local attorney and he puts her on the case that this installment deals with.
Overall I enjoyed this book. It was interesting and kept me wanting to figure it out. I liked how Kinsey reminisced about her P.I. training - I don't remember her ever talking about that in the past books. There was no shortage of suspects in this particular installment so it was fun to work the case with Kinsey to find out the who-dun-it part.
A good and solid installment. Definitely looking forward to "J"
Tara wrote: "Completion Post:Roll 1: Spot 9
Book: I is for Innocent by Sue Grafton
How it Fits: Kinsey Millhone #9
Pages: 286
Finished: 9/4/1..."
I love this series! I don't read it much, maybe one or two a year but that's because I don't want it to end
Beth wrote: "Tara wrote: "Completion Post:Roll 1: Spot 9
"I love this series! I don't read it much, maybe one or two a year but that's because I don't want it to end
Ugh, yes!! Same here! I was so sad when she passed away and now the alphabet ends at Y 😢, but I really respect that decision because I really dislike it when an authors estate contracts out to other authors to continue writing the series- it’s never the same.
Hopefully Logan is okay and can check in tomorrow
Sorry guys, totally forgot what day it is! My week has been all screwed up because of the storm but I’m finished so I’ll post and roll.
Week 1 - Spot 9 Completion PostAlternate: Lamp on cover
Finished: 9/5/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I somehow can’t quit reading this series. At this point it’s probably more for the nostalgia and the sense of investment. I love the characters, even though they all tend to do and say the same things in every book. This one is no exception. A body is discovered, Cooper draws Harry into the investigation so she can contaminate the crime scene while examining something that could have been clearly done later, and the animals all have insights they can’t communicate to the humans.
I will say that the addition of the historical timeline and characters that started in the last book is a welcome continuation in this one. Brown definitely needed to bring life back to the series and this device is mostly successful. I like seeing how 18th century Virginians lived and set things in motion that carry through to our modern characters. And the ties between the murder mystery is also a fun twist.
Which means I’m probably not going to stop reading this darn bloated series.
Week 2 Roll: 6Spot 15
Alternate: Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
Thank you for rolling Logan! I’m on the app so I’ll post our roll when I get off work
Selection PostWeek 2: Spot 15
Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson
How it Fits: Gaslight Mystery #1
Pages: 278
Also - this will qualify us for the 2 in 1 bonus point: it is #1 in a series and it's on Logan's read shelf as a 5-star read.
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Book: The Hunter by Tom Wood
Qualification: Victor the Assassin #1
Pages: 532
* Qualifies for the 500+ pages bonus
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Week 1 completion post:Bonus points earned: 0
Reviews posted: 7
Spot: 9
Beth: Review
Denise: Review
Diane: Review
Logan: Review
Runnell: Review
Suzanne: Review
Tara: Review
Week 2:Spot 15
Book: Forgotten: Luca by Sloane Kennedy
Qualification: #1 in The Four series
Pages: 304
Week 2:Spot 15
book: A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna
How it fits: book #1 in Oxford Tearoom Mysteries
pgs: 336
Tara wrote: "Selection PostWeek 2: Spot 15
Murder on Astor Place by Victoria Thompson
How it Fits: Gaslight Mystery #1
Pages: 278
Also ..."
I hope you love it Tara! Historical mysteries are my favorite!
completion postWeek 2
Spot: 15
Book: A Scone to Die For by H.Y. Hanna
Qualification: Oxford Tearoom Mystery #1
Pages: 336
Finished: 9/6/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This was just ok. The MC didn't really live up to her past - she used to be a high level executive and now owns a tearoom, but couldn't take care of unruly customers. When a tourist dies, she looks into the death because she is from here (even though has been gone for 8 years) and thus has an advantage the police don't. The lead investigator is her ex from college (which would give him the same advantages) and he is professional.
The ending wasn't really satisfying and it looks like there will be a love triangle (which I hate in cozies). Not sure I would continue the series if I didn't already own a couple more.
Week 2 Selection PostBook: A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
Pages: 405 (Kindle version)
How it fits: #1 in the Rules of Scoundrels
Week 2 completion postBonus points earned: 2 (500+ pages & Another player rated book 5 stars)
Reviews posted: 6
Spot: 15
Beth: Review
Denise: Review
Diane: Review
Logan: Review
Runnell:
Suzanne: Review
Tara: Review
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Spot: 15
Book: The Hunter by Tom Wood
Qualification: Victor the Assassin #1
Pages: 532
Finished: 07 Sep 2019
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Contract killer Victor (no last name) is very good at his job, and equally good at staying under the radar - until he returns to his hotel after executing a routine, perhaps even a little too simple, mission in Paris to find a team of hired guns waiting to kill him. On the run from unknown enemies who know entirely too much about him, he has no choice but to forge an uneasy alliance with someone else in those same peoples' crosshairs to figure out who's behind the doublecross.
At this point, you might very well ask: Do I really need yet another fictional assassin in my life? The answer to which would be: Hell yes, I do! This is hardly the first book with this general premise, and it won't be the last - but it's an excellent one. A gripping, fastpaced pageturner with a compelling protagonist and non-stop action from start to finish - I'll have more of this, thank you!
*Bonus point earned: 500+ pages
Roll 2 - Spot 15Completion Post
Finished: 9/7/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I loved that this felt so natural. The characters seemed real and the town didn’t come off so cutesy or quirky as in so many cozies. Katie has a few annoying traits but I loved her background as a PI now taking on the task of running her family’s bakery. It gave her an air of legitimacy as she prowled around the case. Lots of fun.
I can definitely read some more in this series for one of the multiples in a series bonus points. That was a quick read. Also Suzanne the Rules of Scoundrels is one of my all time favorite series. I love everything Sarah MacLean writes!
It helps that we are on spot 15 so hopefully our next one will still have a 2 in it and you can read the next book in the series if you have it available!
Suzanne wrote: "I'm enjoying the book a lot so far!!"I’m almost done with mine! The only thing stopping me from buying the second book and reading ignore right away is this challenge abs hoping we will get a 2 in our next roll!
Completion Post Roll #2
Book: A Rogue by Any Other Name by Sarah MacLean
Pages: 405 (Kindle Version)
How the Book Qualifies: It is #1 in "The Rules of Scoundrels"
Date Read: 9/10/2019
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: I can totally see why "scoundrel" is in the series name- the male character was pretty mean at first. He had his reasons, but I kind of disliked him for much of the book. Basically his inheritance was stolen when he was a callow youth, and he wants revenge, without regard to who it might hurt.
That said, I enjoyed the book and I'll likely continue with the series. I loved how the female MC stood up for herself. I also liked that she was older instead of 18-19, like so many of the main characters in these books are. The supporting characters were good as well and I'm very curious to see their stories and romances in future books.
I will post my review after work! If it’s not up by 5 pm est someone yell at me 😂
Ugggghhhh…. I had about 20 pages left in my book when I had to leave for work this morning. And it was SOOOOOO good. I was really bummed I didn't have a little more time! So I'll be back on later tonight with my review!
Completion post Roll #2
Book: Forgotten: Luca
Author: Sloane Kennedy
Rolled: 15
Date read: 9/10/19
Qualification: #1 in The Four series
Bonus: No
Rating: 3 stars
Review: So, this book was... interesting. I don't think I've read one similar. It wasn't bad by any means and I'll definitely pick up the next books in the series whenever they come out.
It was a slow burn and just a little bit too slow for me, which I completely understand given what the characters have gone through both together and separately, but seriously, I was wondering if they would actually end up doing anything.
I did enjoy this book, but most of it will be forgotten within a couple months for me.
Tara wrote: "Ugggghhhh…. I had about 20 pages left in my book when I had to leave for work this morning. And it was SOOOOOO good. I was really bummed I didn't have a little more time! So I'll be back on later t..."Should just call your boss and tell them you are having car troubles and will be a couple minutes late LOL
That looks really good Beth. But it looks like from other reviews I should read The Protectors series first. Did you read that one too?
Am I able to change books? I didn't get to start The Last Time I Liked liked I wanted to, so I doubt I'll finish it by tomorrow night. I have another book that fits and is just a little over 200 pages so I should finish it a lot quicker.
Yes you can change books, that’s no problem
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I'll post my book choice in just a second :)