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R11: Team 7 Deadly Readers (7)
message 301:
by
Logan
(new)
Nov 01, 2019 04:17AM
I’m sorry friends, I fell asleep reading last night after my Halloween sugar crash. I will finish my book this afternoon after work and post and roll for us.
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Completion PostSpot 72
Up from the Grave
Pages: 372
Qualification: Night Huntress #7
Bonus: MPG Paranormal
Finished: 11/1/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This one is hard for me to rate. It’s a really nice ending for Cat’s story, and the second half is almost all action and exciting twists. But I also found it oddly boring given all the action, and very rushed. There were so many freaking revelations and plot elements to get through that it all carried the same weight. Plus Frost definitely wasn’t fooling me with some of her early shenanigans. I’m glad I read this series but my biggest problem was I never fully connected with Cat or Bones, or cared about their relationship. So while the story here was interesting, I just didn’t feel invested in the outcome. Still fun and tons of good stuff here though so I’ll stick with 4 stars.
*New Roll*Rolled a 1 and 6 = 7
Old spot = 72
New spot = 79
Alternate: Debut Novel or Debut Author
Someone fire me from dice rolling. Yuck.
Got us checked in! I might just have to go with the alternate this week 😂
Edited: Switching to After the storm!I think i will go with:
The Naked King
Qualification: #7 in the Naked Nobility series
Pages: 353
Logan wrote: "Someone fire me from dice rolling. Yuck."Hey there’s no 4 or 5 ... you did good 😂😂😂
Mod
Book: Ignite by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
Qualification: Unbreakable Bonds #7
Pages: 230
Luckily with most romance series, you can just bounce around as long as you don’t want all the backstory on the side characters 😂
Selection Post
Week 10 - Spot #79 (Alternate)
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
Pages: 359
How it fits: Karen Hamilton's debut novel
Week 10 - Spot #79 (Alternate)
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
Pages: 359
How it fits: Karen Hamilton's debut novel
Selection Post: Week 10 Spot 79
The Seventh Witch by Shirley Damsgaard
pgs: 276
how it fits: Ophelia and Abby Mystery #7
I'm switching my selection Post for Week 10, Spot 79
After the Storm
by Linda Castillo
Pages: 320
How it fits: Kate Burkholder #7
Selection PostWeek 10 Spot 79
Alternate: Debut Author/Debut Novel
First Year
Pages: 278
Qualification: First book listed on Rachel E. Carter’s author page
Mod
Spot: 79
Book: Ignite by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
Qualification: Unbreakable Bonds #7
Pages: 230
Finished: 02 Nov 2019
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Someone has it in for Noah's old Army team. Two of its members are dead and an unknown assailant has taken a shot at Noah that barely missed. Now JB, the final team who also happens to be Noah's former lover, is in town fearing for his own and Noah's lives. To track down the killer, Noah, Rowe and JB head to Washington DC as both their skills and their relationship are tested.
Much as I love this series and these characters, this was the weakest of the Unbreakable Bonds books for me so far. I just didn't get that palpable thrill and sense of danger I'd come to expect, the suspense part just seemed a little too predictable to me. Still, I do love that we get to check in with all the couples after they've found their HEAs, and I'm looking forward to Ian and Hollis's second book.
I can’t believe it’s been 9 weeks already!
Completion Post: Week 10 Spot 79
The Seventh Witch by Shirley Damsgaard
How it fits: Book 7 of Ophelia and Abby Mystery series
pgs: 276
finished: 11/3/19
rating: 4 stars
review: The last book in the series and it nicely wrapped things up. Ophelia, Abby and Tink go to Abby's small hometown to celebrate the 100th birthday of Great Aunt Mary. While there an old feud gets riled up, which leads to Ophelia clashing with Great Aunt Mary over what should be done. I really enjoyed getting to know the extended family.
(view spoiler)
Completion Post
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
How it fits: Karen Hamilton's debut novel
Pages: 352
Read: 11/03/19
Rating: 2 stars
Review: Juliette wants to prove to her ex-boyfriend that they are destined to be together. It's fate. So she creates an elaborate plan of attack (her POA as she calls it) to do just that, including taking a job as a stewardess for the very airline for which he pilots. While the plot twists in this book can be seen coming from miles away, there are so many of them that it keeps the reader interested, wondering just how much more crazy this woman is going to get. Answer...so much crazier. Ending was lacking. Perfect for fans of
and
.
The Perfect Girlfriend by Karen Hamilton
How it fits: Karen Hamilton's debut novel
Pages: 352
Read: 11/03/19
Rating: 2 stars
Review: Juliette wants to prove to her ex-boyfriend that they are destined to be together. It's fate. So she creates an elaborate plan of attack (her POA as she calls it) to do just that, including taking a job as a stewardess for the very airline for which he pilots. While the plot twists in this book can be seen coming from miles away, there are so many of them that it keeps the reader interested, wondering just how much more crazy this woman is going to get. Answer...so much crazier. Ending was lacking. Perfect for fans of
and
.
Week 10 completion postBonus points earned: 0
Reviews posted: 7
Spot: 79
Beth: Review
Cyndee: Review
Denise: Review
Diane: Review
Logan: Review
Suzanne: Review
Tara: Review
Completion post:
Book: Big Stick
Author: Kelly Jamieson
Pages: 275
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Aces Hockey #7
Date read: 11/4/19
Review:
I've read this series out of order but honestly, I don't even mind. I can't wait to go back to see how the couples become couples. This could was a new one for me and wow did I love them. They were destined to fall in love but both of them tried to fight it, but the attraction was too strong. I loved them together. I loved the main characters and loved seeing the characters from past books as well. Definitely will be reading this series again!
Completion PostWeek 10: Spot 79
Mind Prey by John Sandford
How it Fits: Lucas Davenport #7
Pages: 323
Finished: 11/6/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: When I first began this one it didn’t really feel like I was reading a Lucas Davenport book. It seemed different from the previous novels. I can’t even explain it, to be honest, since it had been so long since I had last read the 6th book in the series. But I kept with it and I ended up really enjoying it. It was sick and twisted at times. It was fast paced and thrilling. I really enjoyed it and it definitely left me wanting more Lucas Davenport!!
Team standings:1- 81 (4th)
2- 59 (11th)
3- 80 (5th)
4- 71 (9th)
5- 84 (1st)
6- 82 (3rd)
7- 79 (6th)
8- 83 (2nd)
9- 78 (7th)
10- 70 (10th)
11- 73 (8th)
There are 5 teams ahead of us in terms of where we all are on the board. We have 4 bonus points, will get the last possible one once Denise can read the last book in the Assassin series.
Now that some teams are getting closer to 90, I'll look closer at how many bonus points they have. And let's just hope we continue rolling big numbers.
Mod
Teams 5 and 8 might have the chance to get to a winning spot on the next roll if they have all bonus points and roll 12 (for team 8) or either 11 or 12 (for team 5).
Denise wrote: "Once we go past 90, we'll also get the no alternates bonus point, so that'll be 6 all in all. :)
Teams 5 and 8 might have the chance to get to a winning spot on the next roll if they have all bonu..."
Logan and I both selected the alternate this week. I didn't realize I should be avoiding it. Should I change to a book that fits the 7 or 9? I can knock one out by the deadline. :)
Teams 5 and 8 might have the chance to get to a winning spot on the next roll if they have all bonu..."
Logan and I both selected the alternate this week. I didn't realize I should be avoiding it. Should I change to a book that fits the 7 or 9? I can knock one out by the deadline. :)
Mod
I know I haven't used any alternates, I think neither has Beth - either way, we're covered. :)
Denise wrote: "Only one of us needs to fulfill the requirements to earn a bonus, so go ahead and stick with the alternate. :)
I know I haven't used any alternates, I think neither has Beth - either way, we're cov..."
Oh yay! Ok, thank you!
I know I haven't used any alternates, I think neither has Beth - either way, we're cov..."
Oh yay! Ok, thank you!
Ohhh for some reason I thought we couldn't use the alternate at all, as a team. So that one is still available!We already had someone use an alternate in week 1 or 2 so I thought that was out already
That was me. Your welcome. lol!Also I have 30 minutes left in my book so will finish up and post tonight.
Completion PostWeek 10 Spot 79
Alternate: Debut Author/Debut Novel
First Year
Pages: 278
Qualification: First book listed on Rachel E. Carter’s author page
Finished: 11/7/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This was an enjoyable, quick read about a girl and her twin brother, who go off to a school of magic for a brutal trial year in the hopes of getting picked as apprentices for further study. It sounded like it would tick all of my boxes - brooding enemies-to-friends (with only one kiss, hard to say lovers), magical duels, somewhat gritty setting.
But there’s very little variation in the story. It goes along through the year, and shit keeps getting piled on - she can’t keep up with her studies, she isn’t as good as her classmates, hazing, disadvantages from being lowborn, poor stamina, and on and on. So how am I supposed to then find it believable that she will get picked at the end? Because that’s obviously where this is going or we wouldn’t be reading it, right? I needed a little more to go on. Ryiah was shockingly dense about information the Prince was giving her to try and help her, but then wildly confident in herself with very little reason that we witness.
I am bummed because I liked the world she was setting up here. I wish she had taken some more time to tell us why this school exists. What do the mages do after school? What is their history? Who are their enemies? I needed a larger sense of the conflicts at play, and a bigger motivation for Ryiah than just plain desire. She wanted to be a Combat Mage, so she tried really really hard at it until she was maybe just slightly good enough to squeak by. That isn’t an interesting enough story for me, despite all the good stuff happening with the characters and setting.
Completion PostWeek 10 - Spot 79
Book Read:
After the Storm by Linda Castillo
Date Read: 11/7/2019
How it Qualifies: #7 Kate Burkholder series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I really like this series - the murders are scary, and I like the glimpses into Amish culture. I also like how the relationships and characters are slowly progressing - I'm glad I'm reading these in order!
In this one, a huge tornado disrupts the town. There is chaos from that, of course, and it is increased when during cleanup some bones are found. Kate investigates where/who they came from but also has to deal with some pretty big personal life issues. I really liked Tomasetti in this - he is supportive while still being his own person. The mystery was good too.
I will probably read #8 soon because the synopsis sounds very interesting.
Mod
Week 11 completion postBonus points earned: 1 (Denise started and finished a series during the challenge)
Reviews posted: 3
Spot: 86
Beth:
Cyndee:
Denise: Review
Diane:
Logan: Review
Suzanne: Review
Tara:
Selection Post: week 11: spot 86
Cookies and Clairvoyance by Bailey Cates
qualification: book 8 of Magical Bakery Mystery
pgs: 304
Mod
Spot: 86
Book: Kill For Me by Tom Wood
Qualification: Victor the Assassin #8
Pages: 480
Finished: 08 Nov 2019
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Finally autonomous again, Victor accepts a job that drops him the middle of a cartel war in Guatemala. Sisters Heloise and Maria Salvatierra are engaged in a bloody ongoing feud for control over their late father's cartel. Having had no luck in permanently getting rid of her rival thus far, Heloise decides to outsource the task to a highly efficient, highly recommended killer. Once it turns out that Victor is not the only one gunning for this particular target, however, a change of plans might be in order.
Solid, actionpacked thriller that kept me hooked, though as far as this series goes, this one was fairly middle-of-the-road IMO - not the worst book in the series, but didn't live up to the brilliant previous book.
*Bonus point earned - Starting and finishing a series (Books #1-8 read as part of this challenge)
Mod
That is awesome! I’m so glad you enjoyed them too :D
Mod
Completion Post Week 11Spot 86
Book Read: Among the Wicked
Pages: 319
Date Read: 11/9/2019
How it qualifies: #8 in Kate Burkholder series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I was quite excited to read this one because of the premise - Kate goes undercover in a strict Amish community, where a girl has died and nobody is talking. I really loved seeing more of the Amish from the "inside" and despite the mystery being ok, the Amish culture was the part I focused on the most. The new bishop that has come to town is charismatic and extremely strict - there are some pretty bad punishments (all rumored) and also rumors of child abuse. Some of the congregation like him and some do not.
I enjoyed this book a lot and I'm sure I'll finish the series fairly soon (although probably not one book a week again for awhile).
Completion postSpot 86
Sugar Cookie Murder
Qualification: Hannah Swenson #6
Pages: 380
Finished: 11/10/19
Rating: 2 stars
Review: 40% of the book is recipes. The mystery was so straightforward there was no suspense at all. Hannah goes around recapping the murder as she interviews suspects and then figures it out within an hour. So boring! Mike is horrible and dense and I want Hannah to let him go. Disappointing entry in the series.
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