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R11: Team Speedy Novelites (4)
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Donna, Chief Inspector
(last edited Sep 29, 2019 06:04PM)
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Sep 29, 2019 06:04PM
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Week:5 Roll:2
Dice roll:3
Previous Spot:31
Current Spot: 34
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#3 in series
#4 in series
#34 in series
Alternate:Cover Item: One person
Donna Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill~~completed
Theo This Girl by Colleen Hoover~~ completed
SandyL Harder than Words by Carrie Ann Ryan~~completed
Suzanne Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare~~ completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Week 5, Roll 2
Spot: 34
Book: This Girl by Colleen Hoover
Qualification: Slammed #3
Finished: 10/2/19
Rating: 2 stars
Review: This book is basically a retelling of the first in the series, only from the male protagonists point of view. It seemed a little redundant and unnecessary to me, but I think people who raved over Slammed will enjoy finding out what was going on in Will's mind.
Mod
Spot: 34
Book: Hard Bitten by Chloe Neill
Qualification: Chicagoland vampires #4
Date:10/1/19
Rating:5 stars
Review: Wow! I expected to love the book, I really did. So far this series has been a home run for me. What I didn't expect was that ending. The next book will surely not be the same after that. I will definitely miss a certain character that I was rooting for. I am curious as to the direction of the series. Not saying it will be bad or anything..just different. I am looking forward to where it all goes as the writer has a way of drawing me into her stories. I know it will be good and I am looking forward to reading more.
Week 5, Roll 2Spot 34
Harder than Words by Carrie Ann Ryan
Pages: 292
How it qualifies: Mongtomery Ink #3)
Read: 10/2/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: In the last book, Meghan Montgomery was struggling in her marriage to a verbally abusive man who ultimately leaves her. Now, about a year later, she and her kids are slowly getting their lives back on track and Meghan is working as a landscaper for the Montgomery construction business. Luc Dodd was best friends with Meghan for years when they were young, but he left Denver after she married Richard - he had been in love with her but never told her and he couldn't watch her move on with another man. Now that he's back in her life (he's also back in Denver and working as an electrician for the Montgomery's) he's not going to lose her again. This is one of those books where you understand the character and what they're going through, but it's tedious reading about it. Meghan's self-confidence was shattered by Richard and she struggles to overcome all the verbal abuse he heaped on her. It made her hard to like and identify with. I did enjoy the other Montgomery's and there were some smexy times to be had with Luc, though.
Week 5, Roll 2Spot 34
Book: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Pages: 567 Pages
Qualifications: The Infernal Devices #3
I'll be done with my book later tonight.
Sorry I'm late - I fell asleep last night before I could post my book. 😴
Mod
Thanks for the reminder! Week 5, Roll 2
Spot 34
Book: Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
Pages: 567 Pages
Qualifications: The Infernal Devices #3
Date: 10/2/2019
Rating: *****
Review: I enjoyed this series more than her main series. I don't want to give the ending away but it was a decent ending :)
Mod
Week:6 Roll:1
Dice roll:6
Previous Spot:34
Current Spot: 40
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#0 in series
✸ Standalone books can be used for a 1 or a 0
#4 in series
#40 in series
Alternate:Male Author
Donna Conversions by K.E. O'Connor~~completed
Theo City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare~~completed
SandyL Filthy Beautiful Forever by Kendall Ryan~~completed
Suzanne Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin~~completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Mod
Mod
Spot: 40
Book: Conversions by K.E. O'Connor
Qualification: The School of Exorcists #4
Date:10/4/19
Rating: 4 star
Review: This book just seemed to be different than the others. Not sure why except maybe Zander seemed to be lacking some spirit. As much as I like Andreas, I miss Zander in this book as he didn't have as much of a part in it. The ending was surprising and I can't wait to see what Ruby and her friends do next.
Mod
Week 6, Roll 1
Spot: 40
Book: City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare
Qualification: The Mortal Instruments #4
Finished: 10/6/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Moving into the second half of the series, we delve deeper into the lives of the supporting characters. Of course, Clary and Jace are still struggling with their relationship, but we get to learn more about Simon, Maia, Alec, and Isabelle. And after the major events of the last book, it is very interesting to find out how the characters are grappling with the aftermath. Clare has a gift for creating emotionally resonant situations without the melodramatic flare that often takes over YA fantasy.
Donna wrote: "We have 4 bonus points so far. Any particular time you guys want to start using them? Like after we reach 80, 90, etc?"I'd say to wait to use them, unless we get really far behind everyone else.
Week 6, Roll 1Spot: 40
Filthy Beautiful Forever by Kendall Ryan
Pages: 305
Qualifies: Filthy Beautiful Lies #4
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This is the first book I've read in this series, and it seemed to do fine as a stand alone. Mia Monroe shows up at Collins Drake's front door after not seeing him for the past 15 years (since they were 15 years old.) She's lost her job and been accused of embezzlement from her job, is out of money and has no where to go. So she remembers a promise the two made when they were 10, that they would get married if neither had found someone else by the time they were 30. Mia knows Collins isn't married, but forgot about the fact he may have a girlfriend. And he does indeed! But he hasn't been happy, and spending time with Mia reinforces that Tatiana isn't doing it for him any longer. Unfortunately for the story, Collins and Mia don't wait until he's broken up with Tatiana before sampling a little bit of each other's goods, which I really didn't care for. Also, I listened to the audio version, and I had some trouble following the narrator at times - I couldn't tell when Collins was thinking things and when he was actually saying them because she didn't change her voice at all. There were parts I enjoyed, so it nets out as just okay for me.
I'm not going to be able to finish tonight. I'm visiting family and have not read as much as I should have. I'll get it done tomorrow!
Mod
Week 6, Roll 1Spot: 40
Book: Elsewhere by Gabrielle Zevin
Qualification: Standalone
Date: 10/6/19
Rating: ****
Review: I had heard really great reviews of Gabrielle's other book, so I thought I would pick this one up. It was pretty good, it's about a girl who has died in a car accident and gets sent to Elsewhere. In Elsewhere you grow younger rather than older (but mentally you grow older) until you become a baby and then get sent back to earth to be reincarnated. It's an interesting idea however the love story they tried to do with it wasn't really working for me. There was too much of a mental age gap for me and it broke my suspension of disbelief. But, it a YA novel so...*shrug*
Mod
Week:6 Roll:2
Dice roll:3
Previous Spot:40
Current Spot: 43
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#3 in series
#4 in series
#43 in series
Alternate:Cover Item: Jewellery
Donna Fallen Academy: Year Four by Leia Stone~~completed
Theo Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews~~ completed
SandyL Far Cry by Kate Canterbary~~completed
Suzanne The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel~~completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Mod
Spot: 43
Book: Fallen Academy: Year Four by Leia Stone
Qualification: Fallen Academy #4
Date:10/8/19
Rating: 5 star
Review:
This is one of my favorite series. I love the characters. They are all so much fun. Even Brielle's sword (Sera) has a spunky attitude that I love. One of my favorite things about this series is how much it makes me laugh. Between Sera & Brielle wanting to cut off or fry Lucifer's balls and all the other hijinks this crew gets up to, you can't help but laugh. I am definitely looking forward to the two spinoff series.
Week 6, Roll 2Spot: 43
Book: The Plains of Passage by Jean M. Auel
Qualification: Earth's Children #4
Date: 10/9/2019
Rating: ****
Review: It was alright, I think book #2 and #3 were probably the best in the series. I read these books YEARS ago so I was glad that they gave a lot of back story for me to catch up.
Week 6, Roll 2Spot: 43
Far Cry by Kate Canterbary
Pages: 346
Qualification: Talbott's Cove #3
Date: 10/8/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Kate Canterbary writes awesome broken characters! Brooke Markham is miserable being back in her small hometown of Talbott's Cove. She misses New York and it's stressful taking care of her father, who has dementia. The only brightness in her life is her BFF, Brooke, but Brooke now has Jackson (although it's hilarious how she keeps asking to be sister wives with them!) JJ Harniczek is the grouchy owner of the Galley, the local tavern. For reasons that don't become clear until quite late in the book, he and Brooke don't like each other. But due to a lack of available guys in this small town, she ends up hooking up with JJ for angry sex. And, although she says she won't, she keeps coming back for more. Brooke just broke my heart and I loved how JJ seemed to know what she needed and gave it to her. This is one of those books that you wish was longer because you want to know more about the characters that wasn't covered in the book. I'm so looking forward to the next one in this series!
Week 6, Roll 2
Spot: 43
Book: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
Qualification: Kate Daniels #3
Finished: 10/9/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: When I rated the first book in the series 3 stars, I heard from quite a few people that it improves as the series goes on, and I definitely found the second book to be much better, but I think this one is the best yet. The characters are starting to take on truly well-rounded personalities and the balance of back-story, plot development, action, and romance was darn near perfect in this installment. I'm looking forward to continuing the series!
Mod
Week:7 Roll:1
Dice roll:3
Previous Spot:43
Current Spot: 46
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#4 in series
#6 in series
#46 in series
Alternate: Set in a place you've visited
Donna Psychic Unleashed by Lisa Freed~~completed
Theo Secret by Brigid Kemmerer~~completed
SandyL Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley~~completed
Suzanne Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh~~completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Week 7, Roll 1
Spot: 46
Book: Secret by Brigid Kemmerer
Qualification: Elemental #4
Finished: 10/13/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: The fourth installment in the Elemental series focuses on Nick, who has the ability to control air, and his 'girlfriend' Quinn (in quotes because Nick is in the closet with Quinn acting as his beard). Nick being gay is just one of many secrets that characters are keeping in this book. I think Kemmerer does a great job of writing believable male characters, something that I feel like many female YA authors struggle with, and I think she also handled Nick's struggle with owning his sexuality very convincingly.
Mod
Spot: 46
Book: Psychic Unleashed by Lisa Freed
Qualification: Psychic #4
Date:10/11/19
Rating: 4 star
Review: This is such a fun book. Poor Teresa has the worst luck! I still can't help but wonder why she won't give John a chance. I love that Death had a bigger part this time. He is such a fun character and adds so much to the story. I hope to see more of him in future books.
Week 7, Roll 1Spot: 46
Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley
Date: 10/12/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I love this book - Tack is hot and awesome and Tyra is the sh*t! Lots of hot times, suspense and sexy banter - one of my favorite!!!
Week 7, Roll 1Spot: 46
Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh
Date: 10/13/19
Rating: 5 stars
Qualification: I've visited San Francisco, CA
Review: I've always enjoyed this series, and this book was no exception. It was nice to see previous characters in this book as well.
Mod
Week:7 Roll:2
Dice roll:5
Previous Spot:46
Current Spot: 51
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#1 in series
✸ Standalone books can be used for a 1 or a 0
#5 in series
#51 in series
Alternate: Published between 2001 and 2010
Donna Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson~~ completed
Theo Mostly Harmless by Douglas Adams~~completed
SandyL Cake by J. Bengtsson~~ completed
Suzanne A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas~~completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Week 7, Roll 2
Spot: 51
Book: Mostly Harmless by Douglas Adams
Qualification: Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #5
Finished: 10/16/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: "Mostly harmless" is the description of Earth in a heavily edited review by Ford Prefect in the travel guide The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (which is also the title of the first book in the series), and this final novel in the series written by Douglas Adams (a sixth book written by Eoin Colfer was published after Adams's death) focuses on main character Arthur Dent's struggle to return to his home planet. Ford Prefect is also having adventures trying to stick it to the corporation who has bought the Guide's headquarters (and who also may be Vogons--who are responsible for the destruction of Earth and the reason for Arthur leaving in the first place). There are two Tricia/Trillian characters, the one we met in the first book who left with Zaphod for intergalactic adventure and another who missed out because she decided to go back for her bag. If this sounds confusing, it's because it is, but Adams keeps it all from going off the rails with his typical ridiculous humor.
Mod
Spot 51
Book: Thirty-Two Going on Spinster by Becky Monson
Qualification: Spinster #1
Date:10/13/19
Rating: 4 star
Review:
This was a fun little book. I loved seeing the Julia grow over the book from an introvert to a feisty girl who loved her life. Her sister seems to be a fun character. I would love to read a book following her path.
Week 7, Roll 2Space 51
Book: Cake by J. Bengtsson
Qualification: Cake #1
Read: 10/15/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I did enjoy this book and I loved Jake's story. Jake McKallister is a rock star who was once kidnapped when he was 13 by a serial killer. He's a very private person, doesn't give interviews and doesn't get involved. He meets Casey Caldwell, an accounting student, at his brother's wedding and realizes she's different. So he does end up getting involved with her. I wasn't sold on Casey as her words and actions didn't always match up. She insisted she wasn't a fangirl, but she seemed to be pretty enamored with his lifestyle. But overall, this story kept me interested and wanting to know what happened next and I'm looking forward to reading Kyle's story
Mod
Week 7, Roll 2Space 51
Book: A Study in Scarlet Women by Sherry Thomas
Qualification: Lady Sherlock #1
Read: 10/17/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: My mom did not like this book but I thought it was decent. A new take on the Sherlock Holmes theme, it was pretty good.
Mod
Week:8 Roll:1
Dice roll:1
Previous Spot:51
Current Spot: 52
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#2 in series
#5 in series
#52 in series
Alternate: Title F
Donna Crash by Chrissy Peebles~~completed
Theo Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert~~ completed
SandyL Timid by Devney Perry~~completed
Suzanne Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop~~completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Week 8, Roll 1
Spot: 52
Book: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
Qualification: Dune Chronicles #2
Finished: 10/20/19
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I want to start by saying how much I loved Dune. It's a sweeping sci-fi epic with intense world-building, heroic adventure, and biting political commentary. This sequel somehow loses the magic of the first book. We find Paul Atreides, the Muad'Dib and Emperor, twelve years later, facing plots from all sides and unable to control the jihad of the Fremen. With his prescience, he tries to outmaneuver these threats, but from the beginning we know that tragedy is on the horizon. I felt this book lacked the storytelling magic of the first and became much ideology-driven instead of plot-driven.
Mod
Spot 52
Book:Crash by Chrissy Peebles
Qualification: Crush Saga #2
Date:10/19/19
Rating: 4 star
Review:
I really enjoyed this 2nd book in the series. A lot of secrets are divulged. There is so much more going on than Taylor ever thought. I love that her and her friends decided to stop being victims and fight back. I am looking forward to seeing how they overcome their pre-determined destiny.
Week 8 Roll 1Spot 52
Timid by Devney Perry
Qualification: Lark Cove #2
Read: 10/20/19
Rating:4 stars
Review: I think this is my favorite so far of the Devney Perry books I've read. Willa Doon has crushed on Jackson Page ever since she first laid eyes on him when she was a teenager. Years later, she's still too shy to approach him, and he can't even remember her name correctly. Then, one day he does notice her!! Willa is really, really shy and there were times I wanted her to do more to stand up for herself, but in the end, she does it when it matters. And Jackson, after growing up in foster care, is reluctant to let anyone in, but can't seem to stay away from Willa. I liked the twists and turns in the story when Jackson's mom shows up, and I didn't see thing panning out the way they did - it kept me interested in their story.
Just an FYI - since we got a late start this roll I won't be done with my book until tomorrow. Sorry!!!
It looks like I'm also going to need a couple extra hours tomorrow to finish.
Week 8 Roll 1Spot 52
Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop
Qualification: #2
Read: 10/20/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Love this series so much, I need to finish all of her books by the end of the year for a challenge that I completely forgot about. I'll try to fit in more of her books, they're so good!
Sorry to be the last to finish! I'm done now and ready for the next roll!
Mod
Week:8 Roll:2
Dice roll:4
Previous Spot:52
Current Spot: 56
Bonus Points Earned: 4
Bonus Points Used:0
What to read:
#5 in series
#6 in series
#56 in series
Alternate: Three Word Title excluding articles like A, An, The (i.e. Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone)
Donna Biting Cold by Chloe Neill~~completed
Theo City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare~~completed
SandyL Handle With Care by Helena Hunting~~completed
Suzanne See Jane Score by Rachel Gibson~~completed
BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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 10/27.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ Halloween/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
Mod
Mod
Book:Biting Cold by Chloe Neill
Qualification: Chicagoland Vampires #6
Date:10/23/19
Rating: 4 star
Review:
I love that Ethan is back despite how it happened. The GP is still annoying and I am glad the Cadogan house finally found the right way to deal with them. Among the mess of Chicago, things are finally being put to rights. I am anxious to see how the Cadogan vampires move forward with their new initiative. Will things improve or get worse? I don't know but I can't wait to find out.
Week 8, Roll 2Spot 56
Book: Handle With Care by Helena Hunting
Qualification: Shacking Up #5
Read: 10/21/19
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I love it when a story has some twists and turns you don't see coming! This book focuses on Lincoln Morehead, Armstrong's brother. After their dad unexpectedly dies, Linc is called back to NY to run Morehead Publishing. He meets Wren Sterling, the PR expert hired to try and fix some of Armstrong's scandals. And, although NY is not where Linc wants to be, his infatuation with Wren makes things easier. I loved how Wren was able to deal with Armstrong - it was hilarious (and he's just as much of an a$$hole in this book as in Amalie's book.) There were some developments that surprised me and it all really worked. I love this series and I hope there are more books to come! I keep wondering if Armstrong with ever redeem himself?
Week 8, Roll 2
Spot: 56
Book: City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare
Qualification: The Mortal Instruments #5
Finished: 10/23/19
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I think the strength of the second half of the series is the development of the secondary characters. I'm getting to the place where I don't really care what's happening with Clary and Jace. I'd much rather spend time with Simon as he comes to grips with life as a vampire or Alec as he struggles with the reality of the inevitable end of his relationship. Sure Jace and Clary drive the plot, but it's the nuanced side stories that keep me reading. Also, it's hard to believe, but I think Sebastian/Jonathan is creepier than dad Valentine.
The Challenge Factory
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