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R11: Team One Speed - Fast (1)
Mod
Week 5 Selection 1 Selection Post:Spot 42
Hold Tight by Alison Hendricks
Pages: 250
How it fits: The DADcademy #2
Week 5 Roll 1 Selection PostSpace 42
Love You So Sweetly by Tara Lain
Pages: 178
Qualification: Love You So Stories #4
Completion PostWeek 5 - Roll 1
Space: 42
The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
Date Read: 9/27
Rating: ★★★½
I don't know where I thought this book would go, but it's certainly not where it's headed. For a young adult stories there's certainly a lot of death and awfulness to characters that we like. But still I'm enjoying this story. Lyra isn't perfect and she makes mistakes. Those mistakes cost her and have made things more difficult for her on her quest.
There's a bit more of a religious undertone than I was expecting in this second book. I don't know if that's because it's been a few months since I read the first book and I'm just forgetting how prevalent those themes were in it, or if as this story gets further alone we're getting more of the religious battle here. But I did find myself drawn in and interested seeing Lyra exploring new worlds for the first time and getting to know her new friend Will as he starts on a quest himself. There's a lot of scary new things in the worlds as these two kids try to figure out what their next step is.
All in all I'm curious to see how this will all work out in the in conclusion of the series. It's certainly setting us up for an epic battle to end all battles.
Week 5 Selection 1 Selection Post:Spot 42
Hold Tight by Alison Hendricks
Pages: 250
How it fits: The DADcademy #2
read 9/28/19
rated 4 Stars
review: Alison Hendricks' Hold Tight is the second book in the DADcademy series.
Josh's an empathetic character, as he's living with a career that is full of rejection, and an ex wife who constantly be-littles him and insults him. The author expertly captures the power of rejection, and the way it slowly chips at your feeling of self-worth.
When Andy and Josh reconnect, the attraction is still there. Their past is muddled, as Josh used to date Andy's sister. Now helping Josh with his custody battle, Andy is so damn loving towards Josh.
Their romance is one between former friends who never admitted their mutual crush. It's beautifully written and developed, as Andy finds someone who lifts him up instead of always tearing him down.
Denise wrote: "Team 1 - One Speed - FastCaptain: Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon
Shannon
Shelby
Roger - president of NBR United -
Bonus Points:
Earned: 1
Used: 0"
Denise if you look at https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/... you will see another bonus point was earned.
Mod
Sorry I missed that one! Thanks for pointing it out. Added to your tally.
Week 5 Roll 1 Completion PostSpace 42
Love You So Sweetly by Tara Lain
Pages: 178
Read: 9/28/19
Rating: ★★★★
This was a super cute angst free read. Loved both Remy and Harper. So glad part of the book took place in the south with all the quirky characters. Made it more fun. Nothing too deep or life changing but a great way to spend an afternoon.
Week 5 roll 1 Completion postspot 42
Witching on a Star by Amanda M. Lee
pages 360 pages
How it fits: Wicked Witches of the Midwest #4
read 9/27/19
rated 4 Star
Review:
I enjoyed this instalment. I liked the mystery and the way the past of the ghost weaved with the mystery in the present. I guessed a good part of the mystery but it was still a fun and entertaining read. I am looking forward to reading the next instalment.
Week: 5 Roll:2Roll: 6
Previous Spot: 42
Current Spot: 48
Bonus Points Earned: 2
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read
#48 in series
#4 in series
#8 in series
Alternate: 48. Two Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The (i.e. Deadly Silence or The Hunger Games )
Reviews :
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Sunken Seas Review
Shannon - Pure Review
Shelby - Blindsided Review
Roger - Out in the Field Review
Week: 5 Roll:2 Selection PostCurrent Spot: 48
Pure by JM Dabney
Pages: 174
Qualification: Trenton Security #4
Week 5 Roll 2: Selection Postcurrent spot 48
Out in the Field by Lane Hayes
Pages: 190
How it qualifies: Out in College #4
Week: 5 Roll:2 Completion PostCurrent Spot: 48
Pure by JM Dabney
Pages: 174
Read: 10/1/19
Rating: ★★★
The Daddy/boy kink did not work at all for me in the book. The story itself was good but every time we got sexy times, I cringed. Like actually cringed. I'm not sure why it didn't work for me but no, just no. Loved seeing the crew and Peaches most of all and enjoyed their journey but overall just okay for me.
Week 5 Roll 2: Completion Postcurrent spot 48
Out in the Field by Lane Hayes
Pages: 190
How it qualifies: Out in College #4
read 10/2/19
rated: 4 stars
review: I liked the Characters and I love the premise. it should have been great but it was still enjoyable, even though there seemed to be a malaise that came into the writing midway through the book. The characters that had such chemistry in the beginning and at the end sort of were meh in the middle. I loath secondary character Micah. I really wanted Max to grow up and come out already but he seemed like such a whiny baby about it even though he saw how his parents treated his best friend Christian who came out in book 3 of the series.
Completion PostWeek 5 - Roll 2
Space: 48
Blindsided by T.A. Chase
Date Read: 10/2
Rating: ★★★½
This was a fun sweet little read. I'll round up on this one because I enjoyed the read. Liam and Matty were very sweet together. I liked how they became friends first and lovers later. They really got to know each other and everything moved smoothly into a more serious relationship. This story had a lot less of the sports elements and a lot more about the developing relationship.
I liked that both men really were very comfortable in themselves. Neither flaunted their sexuality, but neither did they deny it. I liked that with this there wasn't a huge deal made about a gay sports player, but really was just a true love story between these two men.
Week 5 roll 2 Completion postspot 48
Sunken Seas by Lily Harper Hart
pages 222
How it fits: Rowan Gray #4
read 10/3/19
rated 4 Stars
Review:
This series is slowly growing on me. I think i enjoyed this instalment the most so far. I liked the mystery and I like that we are starting to find out more about Rowan's history. This was both a good stand alone mystery as well as moving the series arc forward. the cruise ship setting makes an interesting back drop which i think adds to the series. Looking forwarding to reading on with this series
Week: 6 Roll:1Roll: 6
Previous Spot: 48
Current Spot: 54
Bonus Points Earned: 2
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read
#54 in series
#5 in series
#4 in series
Alternate: 54. Author W
Reviews :
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Something to Witch About Review
Shannon - Pixie Review
Shelby - How to Run with the Wolves Review
Roger - Noble and Strong Review
Week 6 Roll 1 Selection Post:Space 54
Noble and Strong by Tatum West
Pages: 226
Qualifications: A Bridge to Abingdon #5
Week 6, Roll 1 Completion PostSpace: 54
Pixie by KM Neuhold
Pages: 264
Read: 10/4/19
Rating: ★★★★
Boy did Pixie have to work to get his Daddy. Bear was a stubborn as throughout most of the book but just couldn't help himself when it came to his boy. Loved seeing all the other couples from the series working out and can't wait for the new series. Guaranteed hot smexing with this series. Love that!
Week 6 - Roll 1Spot: 54
Book: How to Run with the Wolves
Page numbers: 231
How Fits: #5 - Howl at the Moon
Completion PostWeek 6 - Roll 1
Space: 54
How to Run with the Wolves by Eli Easton
Read: (10/4)
Rating: ★★★★½
Another cute, sweet installment in this series. This one introduces a whole knew group of quickened to the Mad Creek group. The Quimmiq are an Alaskan group of quickened who've been hiding from the world for a very long time. They descended from the huskies that used to pull sleds for the Innuit. Now they're more wild than human in their nature. But when an earthquake in Alaska has the Mad Creek search and rescue team sent up to help find trapped survivors the two packs come into contact with each other. Timo spends more time around the one-skinned than most of his pack, but he's very distrustful of them. When he sees Zeus for the first time its a shock.
This was a fun clash of cultures. I liked seeing Timo try to figure out his whole new world that he found himself in. He is thrown for a loop by everything around him. He's so drawn to Zeus, but two guys isn't something in his world. Their pack is dwindling so much that they need to breed and provide pups. So the idea of his being drawn to Zeus just plain doesn't occur to him. But as he starts to spend more time with with Zeus he can't deny what he wants.
Enjoyable story that opens up to a great potential new spinoff. Looking forward to more. :)
Week 6 Roll 1 Completion Post:Space 54
Noble and Strong by Tatum West
Pages: 226
Qualifications: A Bridge to Abingdon #5
read: 10/4/19
rated 5 stars
Review: I love this series. Noble is the only son of a Conservative and well known Minister. Connor Strong is a baker in Abingdon where Noble Hansen has gotten a new job as the male track team's coach. Noble is more than a closeted gay man he has been abused by his father to beat the demon of homosexuality out of him. So it is amazing that he can stand up to Dr. Vorhees the headmaster of Jackson Academy were he is employed when he make homophobic comment about a student who is now open about her transexual reality. see is now Julie and not Julian. the antagonist make the most ridiculous arguement about why she is doing that. It end up with a Conservative wing in the board taking over in a coup and firing all the gay staff members and removing their supporters from the board but they are not finished and have powerful legal help that results in the board and teachers wrongly fired acquiring control of the school and ejecting the conservative element from power. and in the middle of this Noble come out to provide an alibi for Connor and to confront Dr. Voorhees on his behaivor.
Week 6 roll 1 Completion postspot 54
Something to Witch About by Amanda M. Lee
pages 337
How it fits: Wicked Witches of the Midwest #5
read 10/6/19
rated 4 Stars
Review:
I think this might be my favourite instalment so far. There were two main storylines in this instalment, Landon's family come to stay at the Overlook at meet Bay and mystery of the body found at the site of the greenhouse construction site. I liked the way these two storylines intertwined and I really loved the character interaction in this one. I found myself laughing out loud in places and found this a fun, quick and extremely entertaining read. I am enjoying this series more and more as I get further into it.
Week: 6 Roll:2Roll: 2
Previous Spot: 54
Current Spot: 56
Bonus Points Earned: 2
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read
#54 in series
#5 in series
#6 in series
Alternate: 56. Three Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The (i.e. Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone)
Reviews :
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Witch Me Luck Review
Shannon - Claimed By The Soldier Review
Shelby - Love Comes Unheard. Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Roger - Calculating Interactions Review
Week 6, Roll 2 Selection PostSpace: 56
Claimed By The Soldier by Liam Kingsley
Pages: 219
Qualification: Blackwater Pack #5
Week 6, Roll 2 Completion PostSpace: 56
Claimed By The Soldier by Liam Kingsley
Pages: 219
Read: 10/7/19
Rating: ★★★
Cute shifter story. I haven't read these in order but it didn't seem to matter. Pax and Zayne were childhood friends that lost touch after Zayne went in the military. Zayne's back with his newborn in tow and they reconnect. They really reconnect! No angst, no major drama, no big misunderstandings. Not anything we haven't seen before but sweet story nonetheless.
Week 6 roll 2 Selection PostSpace 56
Calculating Interactions by Flynn Eire
Pages 168
How it fits: Hounds of Hell #6
Week 6 roll 2 Completion PostSpace 56
Calculating Interactions by Flynn Eire
Pages 168
How it fits: Hounds of Hell #6
Read 10/7/19
rated 5 Stars
Review: I started this series in january of 2018 and am now finally reading book 6. I owned it but got sidetracked by other challenges. I love this story about the Ancient Hell Hound Dag and the yound geeky teacher Sandro. Sandro is one of the saved souls who the now heaven allied hounds are protecting along which angels. Sandro happens upon someone trying to kidnap a student (8 year old) and take his place as the captive and wound himself trying to make the kidnapping be vain when Dag rescue him and Sandro calls ariel to him who heals him and brings both of them back to the Compound. We get hint of the plans of the angel to beat the demons. Geek equation proving Sandro's love for Dag is great.
Week 6 roll 2 Completion postspot 56
Witch Me Luck by Amanda M. Lee
pages 361
How it fits: Wicked Witches of the Midwest #6
read 10/8/19
rated 4 Stars
Review:
This series gets better with each book. This instalment was very Bay focused, with a town and high school reunion for her and a cementing of her relationship with Landon. The mystery was somewhat easy to predict but still fun to read about and I enjoyed the way the characters set about solving it. I like the major characters more and more with each book. A very entertaining read from from a series I am really enjoying.
Guys I am reading and I'll finish my book today, but it won't be until a bit later as I have to run off to work. Sorry I'm a bit behind this week. I'll post as soon as I finish.
Completion PostWeek 6 - Roll 2
Space: 56
Love Comes Unheard by Andrew Grey
Read: (10/10)
Rating: ★★★★
I actually really liked the relationship between Wilson and Garrett. There was something genuinely sweet about the way these two men learned how to communicate with each other. Sometimes being deaf means you see more and sometimes being able to speak means you don't always communicate as well as you'd like. They had their misunderstandings, but they found their way together. The little bit of suspense elements in this one were a bit silly, but they worked to push the guys together.
I liked that this book feels like almost a continuation of the previous book since we're telling Wilson's story and still in Dan and Conner's house. I really enjoyed those two as well and liked how they supported Wilson and soon came to care for Garrett as well.
Week: 7 Roll:1Roll: 3
Previous Spot: 56
Current Spot: 59
Bonus Points Earned: 2
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read
#59 in series
#5 in series
#9 in series
Alternate: 59. Cover: Green
Reviews :
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Grim Expectations Review
Shannon - Shadow Review
Shelby - Promises: The Next Generation Review: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Roger - Never a Hero Review
Week 7 Roll 1 Selection Postspot 59
Never a Hero by Marie Sexton
Pages: 167
How it fits: Tucker Springs #5
Week 7 Roll 1 Selection PostSpace: 59
Shadow by M. Tasia
Pages: 145
Qualification: Boys of Brighton #9
Week 7 Roll 1 Completion Postspot 59
Never a Hero by Marie Sexton
Pages: 167
How it fits: Tucker Springs #5
read 10/11/19
rated: 4 stars
Review: Owen has a congenitally amputated arm and stutters so he has some anxiety in social situations. Nick is a veterinarian who is HIV+, causing him to try to be celibate. Nick moves downstairs from Owen and sparks fly immediately Owen is comfortable around Nick, who is finding it hard to be celibate with Owen. Nick sister June has a similar arm only her is the opposite arm. the Learn to play the piano together and for their first recital play Beethoven's Ode to Joy. Nick learn it is OK to Love with Owen knowing the risks. Owen learns to be braver and tells his bullying mother to leave him alone.
Week 7 Roll 1 Completion PostSpace: 59
Shadow by M. Tasia
Pages: 145
Read: 10/12/19
Rating: ★★★
This book did keep me reading straight through but was too short for any kind of emotional impact. Of course, I haven't read these in order so only knew a few of the characters which may account for that. I did enjoy Randy and Shadow (Jake) but it read more like a Siren romance than a deeper one.
Week 7 roll 1 Completion postspot 59
Grim Expectations by Amanda M. Lee
pages 304
How it fits: Aisling Grimlock #5
read 10/13/19
rated 4 Stars
Review:
While I did enjoy this instalment, it took me longer than normal to get into this story. The pace just seemed a little off. I liked the mystery in this instalment. There were a few different pieces and while some came together easily for me, others took longer which made for a nice surprise. I do enjoy the characters and the way they interact with each other but am feeling the overall series arc a little too drawn out and am hoping we will get to the bottom of it all soon. Still looking forward to seeing where this is going. Definitely an entertaining read
Week 7 - Roll 1Spot: 59
Book: Promises: The Next Generation
Page numbers: 262
How Fits: #5 - Bounty Hunters
Completion PostWeek 7 - Roll 1
Space: 59
Promises: The Next Generation by A.E. Via
Read: (10/12)
Rating: ★★★½
Look I'm torn on this one. Thing was I really liked Kellam he was a great character. I loved how badass he was with his abilities. But Ty drove me crazy. Most of my issues with this book have also been stated by other reviews. Ty's attitude felt so backward and egotistical. It's one thing to want to make your partner feel loved and cherished and want to take care of them. It's another to monologue all the time about this weird set of old school rules and really I'm sorry it felt like he was treating Kel like a 1950's housewife most of the time. The thing is I can't imagine him letting Kel keep working for very long . It just didn't seem to fit with his "Me man, you be safe" attitude.
That being said, the connection between the two guys still felt very strong. I felt their connection growing and I liked that they took the time to get to know each other. I liked the way Ty thought of Kel even if I didn't love the way he always treated him. Mostly because while Kel didn't seem to mind I still wanted to smack Ty at times and be like, he's perfect capable of doing things for himself. He can kick major ass, let him!
So yeah, end result is I'm torn here. I don't know how I really feel. I'm putting it at 3.5 stars, but rounding down for the frustration I felt reading this.
Week: 7 Roll: 2Roll: 1
Previous Spot: 59
Current Spot: 60
Bonus Points Earned: 2
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read
#60 in series
#6 in series
Stand alone
Alternate: 60. Sci-Fi
Reviews :
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Grim Holiday Review
Shannon - Rocket Science Review
Shelby - Daniel's Mate Review
Roger - Bounty of the Heart Review
Week 7, Roll 2 Selection PostSpace: 60
Rocket Science by KM Neuhold
Pages: 357
Qualification: Standalone
Week 7 Roll 2 Selection postSpot 60
Bounty of the Heart by Cody Ryder
Pages: 204
How it fits: Standalone
Week 7, Roll 2 Completion PostSpace: 60
Rocket Science by KM Neuhold
Pages: 357
Read: 10/14/19
Rating: ★★★★★
I think this may be one of the sweetest books I've read in a long time. Elijah and Pax were so clueless but in completely different ways. I loved their exploration (sexy times), their wonderful dates, Elijah's nerdiness and Pax's confusion. Beautiful. Just a great way to spend any extra time you may have.
Week 7 roll 2 Completion postspot 60
Grim Holiday by Amanda M. Lee
pages 334
How it fits: Aisling Grimlock #6
read 10/15/19
rated 4 Stars
Review:
This was a quick and entertaining read. Its Christmas and Griffin's mother is coming to visit so of course everything has to go wrong in the paranormal world also. Being a Christmas instalment, this was a little cheesy in parts but over all found the mystery interesting and again had fun with all the characters
Just a quick heads up that I have an approved leave of absence coming up this weekend end (week 8 roll 1) as I am going away for the weekend for my daughter's dance competition.Depending on the time our last review comes in before Thursday, I should be able to roll before i go and I will be back in time to roll on Sunday but may I ask someone to be a back up for Thursday's roll just in case?
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Fish on a Bicycle (other topics)Fish on a Bicycle (other topics)
A Slice of Love (other topics)
Charms & Witchdemeanors (other topics)
Bio-Mechanical (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Amy Lane (other topics)Amanda M. Lee (other topics)
Marie Sexton (other topics)
Andrew Grey (other topics)
Marie Sexton (other topics)
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Roll: 3
Previous Spot: 39
Current Spot: 42
Bonus Points Earned: 2
Bonus Points Used: 0
To Read
#42 in series
#4 in series
#2 in series
Alternate: 42. Four or more Words Title excluding like A, An, The (i.e. The Girl on the Train or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone)
Reviews :
Nikk the Sapphired Book Dragon - Witching on a Star Review
Shannon - Love You So Sweetly Review
Shelby - The Subtle Knife review
Roger - Hold Tight Review