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R11: Team 7 Deadly Readers (7)
And we are done with our books for the week! So we will be able to roll at the earliest time tomorrow! Awesome job this week everyone
So I realized as I posting my last completion in the Replacement thread that it fit our current space here too, so I'm going to jump in and post...just for fun. :)
Completion Post - Week 7, Spot #54
Blood Truth by J.R. Ward
Qualification: #4 in The Black Dagger Legacy series
Pages: 432
Date Read: 10/17/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The Black Dagger Legacy is a spin-off of JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Blood Truth is book #4 in the new series that follows a group of vampire "recruits" being trained for combat by the Brothers. Blood Truth focuses on recruit Boone, who teams up with one of the Brothers, Butch, to catch a serial killer and meets his love interest, Helania, whose sister was one of the victims. After several recent installments of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Black Dagger Legacy books that were sub-par and left me wondering if Ward was using a ghostwriter, this one thankfully reads much more like her earlier books. It was classic Ward with strong character and relationship development, hot sexy times, some laughs and tears, plenty of action, and we get more time with the Brothers too! Lovers of Butch will find this one especially fulfilling.
Completion Post - Week 7, Spot #54
Blood Truth by J.R. Ward
Qualification: #4 in The Black Dagger Legacy series
Pages: 432
Date Read: 10/17/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The Black Dagger Legacy is a spin-off of JR Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood series and Blood Truth is book #4 in the new series that follows a group of vampire "recruits" being trained for combat by the Brothers. Blood Truth focuses on recruit Boone, who teams up with one of the Brothers, Butch, to catch a serial killer and meets his love interest, Helania, whose sister was one of the victims. After several recent installments of the Black Dagger Brotherhood and Black Dagger Legacy books that were sub-par and left me wondering if Ward was using a ghostwriter, this one thankfully reads much more like her earlier books. It was classic Ward with strong character and relationship development, hot sexy times, some laughs and tears, plenty of action, and we get more time with the Brothers too! Lovers of Butch will find this one especially fulfilling.
Wow Cyndee - Look how perfectly you fit in!
Mod
Week 8 completion postBonus points earned:
Reviews posted: 7
Spot: 64
Beth: Review
Cyndee: Review
Denise: Review
Diane: Review
Logan: Review
Suzanne: Review
Tara: Review
Selection postWeek 8: spot 64
Book: Back Check
Author: Kelly Jamieson
How it fits: Aces Hockey #4
Pages: 232
4s are going to be the bane of my existence in this game, lol!
Selection PostWeek 8: Spot 64
The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo
How it Fits: Kate Burkholder #6
Pages: 352
Mod
Uhm... I apologize? XD
Denise wrote: "Tara wrote: "4s are going to be the bane of my existence in this game, lol!"Uhm... I apologize? XD"
Our last few spots have been 44, 54 and now 64. And for whatever reason, 4s and 5s are proving to be really hard for me this round. I apparently need a few 3s to get me some 4s freed up! If only I wasn't such a stickler about reading series in order … but I just can't read out of order, it drives me bonkers!
Mod
I'm the same, no reading series out of order if at all possible. Surely we're not gonna roll another 10 next week? (Though we might end up with an 11 or 12 instead, which probably doesn't improve your amount of available options... XD)
Mod
Spot: 64
Book: A Time To Die by Tom Wood
Qualification: Victor the Assassin #6
Pages: 480
Finished: 18 Oct 2019
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Working on behalf of MI6 this time, Victor is sent to track down and take out a Serbian war criminal who has become a major - and exceedingly well protected - figure in Belgrade's criminal underworld. The mission is further complicated by the fact that someone has put an open contract out on Victor and one of the many trying to claim the bounty might very well come after him right in the middle of the Belgrade job. Potential help is found in an unexpected corner, leading Victor to make a promise he may be unable to keep no matter how much he feels compelled to.
After the slightly disappointing nature of the previous book, I was doubly thrilled to find that Wood has found his stride again with this one, delivering an edge-of-your-seat thriller that is among the best the series has to offer thus far.
Selection Post Week 8: Spot 64
Forever Fudge by Nancy CoCo
How it Fits: Candy-Coated Mysteries #6
Pages: 352
Week 8 Spot 64 Selection PostI'm going to copy Tara and read:
The Dead Will Tell
How it Fits: Kate Burkholder #6
Pages: 352
Completion Post Week 8 Spot: 64
Book: Forever Fudge by Nancy CoCo
Qualification: Candy-Coated Mystery #6
Pages: 352
Finished: 10/19/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I really like this cozy mystery series set on Mackinaw Island (where the only vehicles allowed are ambulance and fire truck and fudge is everywhere). This time around a TV pilot is being filmed and someone is trying to get Allie to play a deadly game of chess.
My only complain on this series is the love triangle is still going on 6 books in. It looks like it maybe will be going away soon, thank goodness.
Allie is a good protagonist. She has an adorable dog, Mal, who has a bad habit of finding bodies. The setting is a small town that Allie is working hard to fit in after taking over her grandfather's hotel/fudge shop. I enjoy catching up with the regulars every time. This had a good mystery (view spoiler)
Suzanne wrote: "Week 8 Spot 64 Selection PostI'm going to copy Tara and read:
The Dead Will Tell
How it Fits: Kate Burkholder #6
Pages: 352"
I started this series.... 9 years ago! And still haven't finished it. I love the books but for some reason, I only pick them up once every couple years. Maybe I should be reading those if I get the right numbers
COMPLETION POST
Week 8 - Spot #64
Book: Hold On by Kristen Ashley
Qualification: The 'Burg series #6
Pages: 641
Read: 10/20/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: For the final book in the series, we head back the 'Burg to see how Cher and Garrett (aka Merry) fall for each other. Great friends for years, Cher & Merry have a drunken-fueled hot night together, but the walls she's built to keep out everyone, especially men, and Merry's on-going feelings for his ex-wife complicate what could develop their relationship beyond friendship. Of course, they finally get together but it's not without outside complications. Cher's ex and his bat-shit crazy new wife want custody of her son, Merry's ex wants him back even though she's engaged to someone else, and Cher's past relationship with a man who turned out to be a serial killer lead to nothing but drama, drama, drama.
I honestly wish I hadn't waited so long between books, as I found myself unable to recall much about Cher and her past involvement in the series at all. There are details that, could I remember them, probably would have made me like her character a little more. And Merry was one of those "completely hung up on my ex who was the absolute love of my life but I let her go, then suddenly I realize that wasn't love at all because my new woman has taught me I've never had real feelings before her" types. But overall, for a 641 page story, I found it flowed well and had just enough of a balance between the development of the relationship and the outside drama/action.
Week 8 - Spot #64
Book: Hold On by Kristen Ashley
Qualification: The 'Burg series #6
Pages: 641
Read: 10/20/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: For the final book in the series, we head back the 'Burg to see how Cher and Garrett (aka Merry) fall for each other. Great friends for years, Cher & Merry have a drunken-fueled hot night together, but the walls she's built to keep out everyone, especially men, and Merry's on-going feelings for his ex-wife complicate what could develop their relationship beyond friendship. Of course, they finally get together but it's not without outside complications. Cher's ex and his bat-shit crazy new wife want custody of her son, Merry's ex wants him back even though she's engaged to someone else, and Cher's past relationship with a man who turned out to be a serial killer lead to nothing but drama, drama, drama.
I honestly wish I hadn't waited so long between books, as I found myself unable to recall much about Cher and her past involvement in the series at all. There are details that, could I remember them, probably would have made me like her character a little more. And Merry was one of those "completely hung up on my ex who was the absolute love of my life but I let her go, then suddenly I realize that wasn't love at all because my new woman has taught me I've never had real feelings before her" types. But overall, for a 641 page story, I found it flowed well and had just enough of a balance between the development of the relationship and the outside drama/action.
I can’t decide if I want to read the number 4 or 6 I have. ughshshsusbsjsnsisvahka
Logan wrote: "I can’t decide if I want to read the number 4 or 6 I have. ughshshsusbsjsnsisvahka"I would go with 4 since it's possible we will stay in the 60s for the next roll
Week 8Spot: 64
Book: Back Check by Kelly Jamieson
Qualification: Aces Hockey #4
Pages: 232
Finished: 10/21
Rating: ★★★
Review: It was weird reading this one after the 5th book since I already knew this couple's end plans, but it was adorable and funny. This author writes her books very well and the characters are excellent.
I think my new favorite trope is the "we knew each other before, shit hit the fan, but we are ready again." I would say though that this book did feel a little rushed but that's probably because it was pretty short.
All in all, it was a quick fun read and I'll definitely pick up more books in this series.
Okay I’ll be reading:
Pages: 240
Qualification: #4 in Agatha Raisin series
Week 8 - Spot 64 - Completion PostThe Dead Will Tell
Author: Linda Castillo
How it fits: #6 in Kate Burkholder series
Date Read:10/23/2019
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I like this series. This one was pretty spooky - a good Halloween month read. It starts with a horrific crime. Years later, murders start occurring, and it seems they may be connected. I really liked this mystery, and I liked how Kate's team worked together.
Completion PostWeek 8: Spot 64
The Dead Will Tell by Linda Castillo
How it Fits: Kate Burkholder #6
Pages: 352
Finished: 10/24/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was a really good book! Fast paced and enjoyable. I really enjoyed the storyline. I pegged the killer quite early on in the book, but I didn't really know the full extent of it until the very end. I liked this book a lot and am not quite sure why I hadn't revisited this series in so long - I sure won't be waiting as long to get to #7!
Completion PostWeek 8 Spot 64
The Walkers of Dembley
Series: Agatha Raisin, #4
Finished: 10/24/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This one was a bit different from the usual. We have a new town, a new set of characters, all of whom appear guilty (that part was fun in a bit of a nod to Agatha Christie), and then a big leap forward for a character at the end. I don’t know. It all seemed rushed and unsettled and not...right. But I love Agatha and I’ll keep reading, especially to see how this bombshell blows up next time.
Mod
Note: Halloween Bonus available this week!
✸ Halloween Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Horror/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the roll on 10/25.
Selection Post: Week 9 Spot 72
Death by Jack-o'-Lantern by Alexis Morgan
How it Fits: Abby McCree Mystery #2
pgs: 304
Selection Post
Week 9 - Spot 72
Kissing Galileo by Penny Reid
How it fits: #2 in Dear Professor series
Pages: 294 pages
Week 9 - Spot 72
Kissing Galileo by Penny Reid
How it fits: #2 in Dear Professor series
Pages: 294 pages
Denise wrote: "Spot: 72
Book: The Final Hour by Tom Wood
Qualification: Victor the Assassin #7
Pages: 448"
Actually I’m going to use this for the thriller book because I read the first chapter of mine and I’m just super not into it
Selection PostSpot 72
Up from the Grave
Pages: 372
Qualification: Night Huntress #7
This can work for the bonus too.
MPG: Paranormal
Logan wrote: "Selection PostSpot 72
Up from the Grave
Pages: 372
Qualification: Night Huntress #7
This can work for the bonus too.
MPG: Paranormal"
Sounds good! As long as we get the bonus 😂 I just don’t want to force myself read it right now
Week 9Spot: 72
Book: Sustained by Emma Chase
Qualification: The Legal Briefs #2
Pages: 267
Finished: 10/27
Rating: ★★★
Review: This was a slooooooow burn. I feel like Jake fell more in love with the kids than he did Chelsea. Which I suppose is a good thing. And it was super adorable.
I don’t think there was a sex scene until about 40% (at least between Jake and Chelsea) but it was well worth the wait. Emma Chase knows how to write a good scene. Not always the most realistic but eh it’s fun none the less.
I’m kinda in love with lawyers now?? I definitely want to keep reading this series as these characters definitely aren’t boring. And I need to know what their future holds which I’m sure will be in book three.
I found myself falling in love with the kids right along with Jake. You could see him changing as a person, potential adoptive dad?, and a boyfriend. It was adorable.
Prettt light and fluffy as far as the romance goes but had darker plot lines than I expected. Made the characters feel a lot more real, especially the kids. It’s hard to have six kids as a focal point in a book and not have them all blend together, but Emma Chase pulled it off so well.
completion post: Week 9, spot 72
Death by Jack-o'-Lantern by Alexis Morgan
How it Fits: Abby McCree Mystery #2
pgs: 304
finished: 10/27/19
rating: 4 stars
review: I'm really liking this series. Abby is a good MC and has a nice slow romance building up in the books. The small town is a good setting with lots of great background characters. Mystery was pretty good although (view spoiler). I'm looking forward to the next one.
Completion Post
Week 9 - Spot #72
Book: Kissing Galileo by Penny Reid
Qualification: Dear Professor #2
Pages: 294
Read: 10/30/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: It is virtually impossible to give a decent synopsis of this story without some serious spoilers, so I'm just going to say I loved it. A lot. I love Penny Reid's characters. They are intelligent, funny, endearing, quirky, and charming. And they're real. Real insecurities. Real mistakes. Real emotions. I related intensely to both Victor and Emily in this story. I'm also a sucker for a well-done teacher/student romance. This is one that I could easily see may not be for everyone, but it hit all my buttons. :)
Week 9 - Spot #72
Book: Kissing Galileo by Penny Reid
Qualification: Dear Professor #2
Pages: 294
Read: 10/30/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: It is virtually impossible to give a decent synopsis of this story without some serious spoilers, so I'm just going to say I loved it. A lot. I love Penny Reid's characters. They are intelligent, funny, endearing, quirky, and charming. And they're real. Real insecurities. Real mistakes. Real emotions. I related intensely to both Victor and Emily in this story. I'm also a sucker for a well-done teacher/student romance. This is one that I could easily see may not be for everyone, but it hit all my buttons. :)
Completion PostWeek 9: Spot 72
Early Autumn by Robert B. Parker
How it Fits: Spenser #7
Pages: 224
Finished: 10/29/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I liked this one. I liked the addition of Paul, I’m curious to see how Spenser continues to “raise” him. I liked seeing the fatherly side of Spenser come out, I think it added a lot more depth to his character. I felt like this installment was a lot heavier on the character development than the previous books in the series. I’m definitely looking forward to continuing on with this series.
Hey all! Sorry I’ve been so MIA. With the World Series and working and going to a hockey game, I’ve hardly had time to read let alone be on Goodreads often. I will update the completion post in a little bit. Need some caffeine first
I'm madly working on my book - I will have it done this evening. I just wanted to check in so you know I haven't forgotten!
Suzanne wrote: "I'm madly working on my book - I will have it done this evening. I just wanted to check in so you know I haven't forgotten!"No sweat! You’ve constantly been reliable this whole challenge which I greatly appreciate. And thank you for the check in as well! I hate pestering people and messaging them but also just want to make sure everyone is sticking around
Mod
Forgot about a bunch of library deadlines I had to rush for, so now my reading "schedule" for this week is all messed up! XD
Mod
Spot: 72
Book: The Final Hour by Tom Wood
Qualification: Victor the Assassin #7
Pages: 448
Finished: 31 Oct 2019
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Antonio Alvarez, formerly of the CIA, now working in a high level position directly for the Director of National Intelligence, has been carefully nurturing an obsession with tracking down the professional killer he encountered in Paris several years ago. Now, he believes he's getting close, putting pressure on the man's former CIA and current SIS handlers in hopes of smoking him out. Between him and the numerous other enemies Victor has made over the years, it's getting ever harder to stay a step ahead. Desperate times call for desperate measures, and the only way out is for Victor to die - officially, at least.
I do believe this was the best book in the series so far. It builds up slowly, taking its time to align all its many pieces just so, before the action kicks off - an immensely good read that kept me hooked all the way through.
Week 9 completion postBonus points earned: 1
Reviews posted: 6 **Denise's book is MPG thriller*
Spot: 72
Beth: Review
Cyndee: Review
Denise: Review
Diane: Review
Logan: Review
Suzanne: Review
Tara: Review
Completion Post - Week 9 Spot 72Book: Bayou Moon
Pages 480
How it fits: #2 in The Edge series
Date Read: 10/31/2019
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Thank goodness this was an exciting book since I procrastinated and needed to read it quickly! So I never read the synopsis of this book, and I totally expected the same main characters as book one, but it was not. I ended up liking the new characters (we'd met William in book one), but it took me awhile to mentally switch. I liked Cerise - but I like all of the Ilona Andrew's women characters because they are strong and not just waiting around for a man to save them. Cerise is caught in the middle a war between magical nations, and William is hunting an evil magical killer. Their interactions were great - I liked the humor, and I liked the swamp setting.
The Challenge Factory
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Bonus points earned:
Reviews posted: 6
Spot: 54
Beth: Review
Denise: Review
Diane: Review
Logan: Review
Suzanne: Review
Tara: Review