The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SS Archives♦
>
R11: Team A*TEN*SHUN Serial Bookworms (10)
Nice job team! We are checked in for next week.Sam, you are officially off the hook, but thanks for being willing do our check in. :)
Stacey wrote: "Nice job team! We are checked in and rolled for next week.Sam, you are officially off the hook, but thanks for being willing do our check in. :)"
Stacey ... you cannot roll until after midnight Friday morning /and/ all reviews in. Great you got your reviews in early, but you still can't roll until tomorrow.
Book Concierge wrote: "Stacey wrote: "Nice job team! We are checked in and rolled for next week.Sam, you are officially off the hook, but thanks for being willing do our check in. :)"
Stacey ... you cannot roll until ..."
Oops. Sorry. I'll try again in the am.
Book Concierge wrote: "Stacey ... you cannot roll until after midnight Friday morning /and/ all reviews in. Great you got your reviews in early, but you still can't roll until tomorrow. "
Thanks for catching that, BC!
Thanks for catching that, BC!
Week 2 Tracking Post Roll: 5
Spot: 15
Options:
#1 in Series
#5 in Series
#15 in Series
Standalone
15. Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
Moondance - Midnight at the Blackbird Café - Review
Plethora - Anna and the French Kiss - Review
Sam - Star of the Morning - Review
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Whisper of Evil - Review
Suzanne - Cloche and Dagger - Review
Zoë - The Alloy of Law - Review
Stacey - Into the Water - Review
SELECTION POSTWeek 2
Roll: 5
Spot: 15
Options:
#1 in Series
#5 in Series
#15 in Series
Standalone
15. Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
Midnight at the Blackbird Café Heather Webber
Qualification: Stand alone
Completion PostWeek 2 : Spot 15
Book: Cloche and Dagger by Jenn McKinlay
Qualification: Book #1 in Series
Date: 9/6/19
Rating: 5 star
Review: This is was a new to me cozy mystery novel based in an english hat shop. I liked it, the characters were cute and the mystery was not predictable. I'll probably be picking up the next in the series soon!
Selection PostWeek 2, Spot 15
Book: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 372
Fits: #1 in Anna and the French Kiss Series
Selection PostWeek 3, Spot 23
Book: Whisper of Evil
Author: Kay Hooper
Pages: 357
Fits: #5 in Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #5
Selection post week 2Book:
Qualification: 1st in series
I changed this to be a 1st in series instead! (It’s also 4th in a series FYI, but my understanding is that this is fine? Let me know if not)
This is a little late, but here is a list of the extra points we can earn. ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
✸ One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages.
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one.
✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ Halloween Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Horror/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the roll on 10/25.
1. If we get lucky, and Nikk is agreeable, she might be able to get the first one for us. 2. I can get the 2 in 1 this week.
3. I feel like a few of us read enough Horror/Paranormal/UF that we can easily get that one.
I can certainly try. There is a number of books in this series and I have a good portion out from the library at the moment
I’m an In Death fanatic. I’m sure I can read 3 or more. I plan to only read number called without using the alternate list. Halloween is a given!
Yes I could definitely do a horror/paranormal book too so that one is covered for sure. :) I feel like it’s so hard to get some of the others once since they have to do with series and the numbers come out of order. :( Also, I’m not sure what the alternatives are each week? I remember reading the rules but then posted each week is just a list of what we could read so I’m not sure if those include alternatives or are all we have rolled??
Completion Post -- Week 2, Spot 15Book:
Completed: 9/11/19
How It Fits: Standalone AND Five Star read from my Goodreads Friend Jammin Jenny
Rating: 2 stars
Review: I was all over this book for the first half. The characters were interesting, they all had secrets and I wanted to find out what they all were. Then about halfway through, I realized I was a little "twist" fatigued, that I didn't really like any of these characters anymore, and I really didn't care who had killed who when and why. I think this author and I just don't get along -- but I can see why others might enjoy her.
Zoë wrote: "Yes I could definitely do a horror/paranormal book too so that one is covered for sure. :) I feel like it’s so hard to get some of the others once since they have to do with series and the numbers..."
Zoe, there is a long list in the second (?) post that has the alternatives. Its a list of options for each number that if you don't have a series book available to read, you can read instead. It's usually the last thing I list on the the initial roll thread.
Stacey wrote: "Zoë wrote: "Yes I could definitely do a horror/paranormal book too so that one is covered for sure. :) I feel like it’s so hard to get some of the others once since they have to do with series and..."
Thank you! I don’t know how I missed that being on ny phone on goodreads throws me off 🤦🏻♀️ and good to know that the last is usually the alternative. I changed my recent one to be a series on so that I could continue with it if need be and not use alternatives to get the bonus point, if needed.
I’ll get my review in this afternoon. I finished the book Monday evening. I’ve been a bit off this week and haven’t been able to focus enough to post a review.
Completion PostWeek 2 Spot 15
Book: Whisper of Evil by Kay Hooper
Qualification: #5 in Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series
Finished: 9/9/2019
Rating: ****
Review: I think this book might be my favourite of the series so far. I really liked the characters and found the mystery incredibly intriguing. Even though I guessed parts of it, it only made me enjoy the mystery more rather than less. i had felt that the last couple of instalments had started to blur together a little but that this story took us in a slightly different direction but liked that we got to visit with some previous characters in a different setting. I also felt the chemistry more between the two main characters in this book and I am looking forward to seeing more of this series.
Completion PostSpot: 15
Cover:
Book: Star of the Morning- Lynn Kurland
Qualification: Nine Kingdoms #1
Date Finished: 9/12/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Maich is the archmage of the kingdom. The magical protection of the kingdom is up to him and he is defending against a very powerful dark mage. When the king is in a battle and loses the power of the sword that helps protect the kingdom, Maich decides that it is time to find the wielder of the other power sword. Enter Morgan, a mercenary, who is sent by her benefactor to deliver a dagger to the king. I enjoyed this story quite a bit. I liked Morgan and her companions. I liked the brewing romance between Maich and Morgan and hope that it progresses well over the next few books. I will definitely be continuing this series.
Completion PostWeek 2, Spot 15
Book: Anna and the French Kiss
Author: Stephanie Perkins
Pages: 372
Fits: #1 in Anna and the French Kiss Series
Read: 09/08/19
Rating: 4
Review: OK, i nudged this to a 4, mostly because I was a bit terrified I would find this a hard to stomach high school melodrama that would send my eyes rolling. However, I was pleasantly surprised, sure it was still high school kids, and somewhat privileged at that since they were American students going to school in Paris. However, things weren't perfect but it seemed more realistic then I was expecting.
Plethora wrote: "YIKES...sorry for the late completion post, completely spaced coming and posting!"You all are fine! As I was not so nicely reminded last week, I can't roll until tomorrow morning, so later tonight is fine. ;)
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2
Roll: 5
Spot: 15
Options:
#1 in Series
#5 in Series
#15 in Series
Standalone
15. Book that one of your teammates read shelf rated a 5-star
Midnight at the Blackbird Café Heather Webber
Qualification: Stand alone
Read: 09.09.19
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
"Why don't you start at the beginning?"
Anna Kate Callow has come to Wicklow, Alabama to bury her grandmother and close the Blackbird Café. Natalie Linden Walker has come home with her daughter following the death of her husband. Both women are struggling to find not only family but themselves.
This is a beautifully written book that sucked me in from the beginning and held me tight until the end. I loved the characters and the small town charm. The magical elements of the Blackbird Café pie and mystical cat were delightful. I love how the memory of Anna Kate's grandmother was woven into every aspect of the café.
Anna Kate and Natalie develop a bond that goes beyond family. Both have been denied love because of the death of Anna Kate's father. I loved Natalie's daughter, Ollie, who is a true depiction of a 2 year old.
Family secrets come to light, new friendships are founded and sweet dreams are revealed by the magical pies.
The birders that flock to Wicklow add dimension to the town. The story of the blackbirds was enchanting.
The story line flowed as the characters developed. I always enjoy the writing of Heather Webber and this a wonderful addition.
This book dealt with grief in a wonderful way. It was very personal for me and it soothed my soul.
I highly recommend this book.
I will post my completion post tomorrow! Sorry, I’m so crazy busy this week but I’ll have it tomorrow promise!
Completion post:
Qualification: first in a series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: so this is a continuation of the Mistborn trilogy. It’s interesting because it’s way way in the future after the trilogy. It works so well though. It’s an urban fantasy that feels old and new somehow. Loved it
Week 3 Tracking Post Roll: 8
Spot: 23
Options:
Book 2 in series
Book 3 in series
Book 23 in series
Alternate: 23. Female Author
Moondance - Bittersweet - Review
Plethora - Ninth Key - Review
Sam - Windswept - Review
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Sense of Evil - Review
Suzanne - Lothaire - Review
Zoë - The Fire - Review
Stacey - Peripeteia - Review
Selection PostWeek 3
Roll: 8
Spot: 23
Options:
Book 2 in series
Book 3 in series
Book 23 in series
Alternate: Female Author
Bittersweet Susan Wittig Albert
Qualification: Book 23 in series and Female Author
Selection PostWeek 3
Second in series
Book:
Changed this since goodreads doesn’t note my first book as being second in the series. Don’t want to cause any confusion.
Selection postWeek 3: Spot 23
Book: Windswept- Derek Alan Siddoway
Qualification: #2 in the Gryphon Riders series
This is the second book I've read in this series this game. When we get to the 30s, I'm going to read the third one. That will give us either 3 books in a series or read a complete series (1-3).
ETA: Just read that the complete series must be 4 books so my series won't work.
Selection PostWeek 3, Spot 23
Book: Sense of Evil
Author: Kay Hooper
Pages: 384
Fits: #3 in Evil series
Selection Post -- Week 3 Spot: 23
Book:
How it Fits: Book 2 in The City
*Will get extra point for >500 pages*
Completion PostSpot: 23
Cover:
Book: Windswept- Derek Alan Siddoway
Qualification: Gryphon Riders #2
Date Finished: 9/14/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Eva meets a wandering Juraug tribeswoman, who tells her that she was sent to warn the Windsworn by Aleron, Eva's father. Determined to find her father, Eva and her friends sneak away from the Gyr and go on a perilous journey. They have many adventures, some at great cost, but they did learn something that may be beneficial in the future in the upcoming war with the Smelterborn. I am enjoying this series though despite the characters being older in this book, they seemed to act younger. This book felt more YA than the previous one. I am looking forward to reading the conclusion of this series.
Week 3: Spot 23Completion Post:
Book: Lothaire by Kresley Cole
Qualifications: Female Author
Read: 9/17/2019
Rating: *****
Review: Ok, I cannot do this review justice so I'm going to copy and paste one from one of my Goodread friends D.G. (because it's super clever and funny):
Sing to the music of Sexy and I know it by LMFAO.
♪♫♬
I'm evil and I love it
I'm evil and I love it
When I'm at Val Hall, the Valkyries want to kill me all
But they can't beat me, they're not even on my league, (what?)
I'm the Enemy of Old, I've betrayed half the Lore
No matter who they are, I make them nervous
No Lykae, no Demon, no Lorian, don't compare us (watch)
Ah...Just look at that body
Ah...Just look at that face
Ah...Just look at that brain
I'm so bad
Ah...Just look at that body
Ah...Just look at that face
Ah...Just look at that brain
I'm so mad
When I walk in the Lore, this is what I see
Everybody stops and they want to kill me
I'm the Enemy of Old and they're afraid to fight me, fight me, fight me
I'm evil and I love it
I'm evil and I love it
♪♫♬
Part II - THE RELATIONSHIP
Sing to the music of Last Christmas by Wham!
♪♫♬
At Vall Hall I gave you my heart
But the very next day you flipped me the bird
(You flipped me the bird)
Indeed! You're crazier than me
I think we can have something special
(Special)
Once bitten with my sexy fangs
I thought I had you but you almost went mad
My head by a thread, dangling perilously
If I was upset, you can't really blame me
(With my compliments)
I wrapped it up and sent it
With a note saying 'Rot in Hell,' I meant it
Now I know what a fool I've been
You're the woman for me, you're so crazy
At Vall Hall I gave you my heart
But the very next day you flipped me the bird
(You flipped me the bird)
Indeed! You're crazier than me
I think we can have something special
(Special)
♪♫♬
I love this series so much, the author has done a really good job keeping this series going without making each book redundant.
Suzanne wrote: "Week 3: Spot 23Completion Post:

Book: Lothaire by Kresley Cole
Qualifications: Female Author
Read: 9/17/2019
Rating: *****
Review: Ok..."
D.G. cracks me up!
Selection PostWeek 3, Spot 23
Book: Ninth Key
Author: Jenny Carroll
Pages: 287
Fits: #2 in The Mediator Series
Plethora wrote: "Selection PostWeek 3, Spot 23

Book: Ninth Key
Author: Jenny Carroll
Pages: 287
Fits: #2 in The Mediator Series"
Plethora, that is one of the more difficult books to find and link! Is Jenny Carroll also Meg Cabot??
Books mentioned in this topic
Where There's a Will (other topics)Skein of the Crime (other topics)
A Lot of Fuss About a Duck (other topics)
Here and Now and Then (other topics)
A Toxic Trousseau (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Mike Chen (other topics)Juliet Blackwell (other topics)
Juliet Blackwell (other topics)
Rex Stout (other topics)
Maggie Sefton (other topics)
More...




Book:
Completed: 9/5/19
How it Fits: #1 in the Walshes
Rating: 2
Review: A couple of years ago I would have loved this one -- but I feel like I'm a little over the sex, more sex, I love you, lets get married era in my book reading. The H was nice enough, the h was a little over the top with her reluctance to attempt to fit in a life outside of her work, and they were fine together, but that's about it. Unfortunately for me, I loved the family, so I will most likely have to read at least 1 or 2 more of this series to see what happens to them.