R4: ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ (1)

[Sheila]

Ok, its almost time to roll the dice again.

Sunshine it looks like you haven't posted your review and rating of yet. Will you be doing that soon?

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

I'm close to being done. What time is the dice roll? I thought I had until Thursday night.

[Sheila]

I'll be rolling in about 20 hours Sunshine. I just get a bit fidgety when I haven't heard anything from teammates and it gets close to roll time.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

I'm listening to the audio book which usually means only in the car, but Hubby works tonight so I will be able to finish tonight. I only have about 1 1/2 hours left. I'll do some cleaning :)

[Sheila]

re cleaning - yucko.

[Jenne]

Just a reminder:


Thanksgiving-Teams will roll the Friday before (11/21) two times for two spots. No roll on 11/28. Both book's deadline will be Friday (12/5) and then the game resumes it's normal schedule.

[Sheila]

Thanks for the reminder Jenne. I had actually forgotten about that.

[Book Concierge]

TayaJay wrote: "
(* New pick) Roll 1 | Rolled 6| Alt. Cover Item Tree(s)

This story felt like an episode on Dallas. There was insta-romance, family drama and secrets that were s..."

TayaJay ... how does this fit for this week's roll?

Also when you post you need to include:
Link to book (cover if using the cover item alternate)
Rating (1-5 Stars)
Date Finished
Review
Series Book # 6 or Cover item "tree(s)"

[Book Concierge]

Diana S wrote: "Book Concierge wrote: "Team 1 - The Ones to Beat
Week 1 - Rolled 6 - Now on Spot 6

I'm reading: Alternate - cover item: Tree(s)


✔ - 17Nov14 - 5****..."

Thanks! And I see you enjoyed The Rosie Project ... Looks like we're book doing well so far ...
Happy Thanksgiving!

[Jenne]

BC I just maximized my screen lol, I think there's trees on the mountain in the background.

[Sheila]

TayaJay - BC is correct. Could you please edit your review and include the date finished, your rating and how it fits the roll. I'm assuming it was trees on the cover although Jenne definitely has better eyesight than I do. Thanks.

I apologize for not paying closer attention and catching this earlier.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Week 1 - Spot 6

by Devon Monk
Finished: 11/20/14
Rating: ★★★★

I love this series. This story starts out with Allie & Zayvion enjoying some R&R though it's short lived. Then we're off on another crazy quest to stop the bad guys. This installment revolved more around Allie, Zay, Shame and Terric with only a little of the Hounds and Stotts. I can't wait till they are let in on the Authority! That is going to be THE fighting force!

[Taya:)]

Done.

There is tree in the background. I have already stated that in my post. I added my rating + date finished.

[Sheila]

Thanks everyone. We are good to go for 2 rolls in the morning. See you then.

[Sheila]

For Week 2 I rolled an 8 which moves us to spot 14.
This week we can read a 1, 4, 14 or the alternative is
14. Author P


For Week 3 I rolled a 7 which moves us to spot 21.
alternate is 21. Author O


Please make it clear what book you are reading for each week and how it qualifies. Thanks.

[Sheila]

Week 2 - Spot 14 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ Reviews


■ Sheila - - Post 82

■ Book Concierge - - Post 98

■ Jane - - Post 95

■ Sunshine - - Post 83

■ Tayajay - - Post 86

[Sheila]

Week 3 - Spot 21 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ Reviews


■ Sheila - - Post 85

Book Concierge - - Post 101

■ Jane - - Post 97

■ Sunshine - - Post 92

■ Tayajay - - Post 87

[Sheila]

For Week 2 - Spot 14 I'll be reading:

The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark (Under Suspicion #1)

[Sheila]

For Week 3 - Spot 21 I'll be reading:

No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay (No Time For Goodbye #1)

[Jane]

Week 2 - Rolled 8 - Now on Spot 14


I will read:

Family Magic by Patti Larsen (Hayle Coven #1)

It fits #1 and author P

[Jane]

Week 3 - Rolled 7 - Now on Spot 21


I will read

Promise by Kristie Cook (Soul Savers #1)

It fits #1

[Jane]

Do we have to read the books in order?
Meaning the week 2 book before week 3 book?

[Sheila]

I would not think that it matters the order Jane as long as both reviews are posted before 12/5 plus both your books are number 1's that would work for either week anyway.

[Book Concierge]

Jane wrote: "Do we have to read the books in order?
Meaning the week 2 book before week 3 book?"

Good question ... I wondered the same thing.

QUESTION ... Just want to be sure
Our next roll will be Friday Dec 5 ... so
Deadline for posting both reviews will be Thursday night Dec 4?

[Book Concierge]

Team 1 - Ones to Beat
Week 2 - Rolled 8 - Now on spot 14

Reading Stand alone

[Book Concierge]

Team 1 - Ones to Beat
Week 3 - Rolled 7 - Now on spot 21


Reading #1 in series
(Nola Cespedes Mysteries #1)

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

For Week 2, Spot 14.
I will be reading - Standalone


For Week 3, Spot 21.
I will be reading - (Calliope Reaper-Jones, #2)

[Sheila]

Book Concierge wrote: "Jane wrote: "Do we have to read the books in order?
Meaning the week 2 book before week 3 book?"

Good question ... I wondered the same thing.

QUESTION ... Just want to be sure
Our next roll will be Friday Dec 5 ... so
Deadline for posting both reviews will be Thursday night Dec 4? i>

Yes that is correct, but I hope nobody waits that long :)

[Jenne]

Congrats y'all earned your free pass last roll :)


Also wanted to clarify that you can read the two spots in whatever order you'd like. And if anyone thinks they might not be able to make the deadline due to traveling, cooking, cleaning etc lol. Just please let me or your captain know. Thanks!

[Taya:)]

Week 3| Spot 21:Sleigh Ride (Minnesota Christmas #2),229 p

[Taya:)]

Week 2 | Spot 14 :Still (Standalone), 190p

[Sheila]

Week 2 - Spot 14

The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark (Under Suspicion #1) 320 pages


Finished 11/22 Rating ★★★★

It's 1994 Susan is attending Berkley with the hope of becoming an actress. With the prospect of landing the big audition that might start her career she meets an up and coming producer. Instead she is found dead in the park. The crime goes unsolved.

Fast forward to current day and a young producer of a Dateline type show that showcases cold cases decides to profile this unsolved crime. People aren't happy about it and threaten her family.


** This book is the hot off the press new Mary Higgins Clark novel who many people including me, consider the queen of the modern mystery. I have a personal attachment to MHC. I didn't really start reading books for pleasure until I was close to 50 years old and when I went to the library I didn't have a clue where to start. I asked the nice librarian who she would recommend and she walked me to the MHC section. The rest is history :)

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Week 2, Spot 14

by Jason Brant
Finished: 11/22/14
Rating: ★★★★


Why are we affraid of the dark? Well, this book gives you a good reason! :) Christy wakes up from falling asleep reading and notices the power is out. The only light emitting is from her kindle. Suddenly her mother is in her doorway asking her to turn off the light and to come to her. How odd, especially since she doesn't live there. The story then follows a handfull of characters who were lucky enough to have a non-plugged in source of light on when the city went to darkness. The end of the story does kinda end off and leaves you still wondering about some things.

[Sheila]

That sounds like a really interesting book Sunshine.

I was traveling last year and had to stop at an interstate rest stop without power in the dark. I was glad I had an ipod for light. Pretty darn creepy at the best of times.

[Sheila]

◆ Week 3 - Spot 21

No Time for Goodbye by Linwood Barclay (No Time For Goodbye #1)

11/23 4 stars


A teenage girls entire family disappears in the middle of the night. She spends the next 25 years searching for answers. Extremely convoluted story but kept me hooked.

Linwood Barclay never disappoints.

[Taya:)]

Week 2 | Spot 14 :Still (Standalone), 190p
Date Finished: November 21, 2014

★★★★ 1/2

To be honest I didn't love this story the first read through. I had high expectations and it sort of fell short. Established couples genre is hit and miss with me but this book features established couples but with second chance twist. The novel begins with a throw away comment (IMO) “Honey, let’s get a divorce.” The break up seem more like wake up call in the over decade relationship. This classic contemporary romance by Mary Calmes. I guess I was in right head space this time around. I love this story about the concept that absent really do make the heart grow fonder. I want to read more story with grown men in love not babies.

[Taya:)]

Week 3| Spot 21:Sleigh Ride (Minnesota Christmas #2),229 p
Date Finished: 11/22
★★★★

I love this story much more than I love the first one. I think this work better for me because there were more people involved. I wasn't really looking forward to this story but I thought why not read it. Heidi Cullinan is not auto buy author for me. She not auto buy author because of one thing : BDSM. I don't care for it much and this author is known for this theme. But there are times I overlook this fact because she knows how to write a good story that I can rock with.I even love consensual non con in the beginning but as they delve in more of what will set Gabriel off, I sort of tune out. Arthur and Gabriel were good fit. But I'm a little bit sad that Paul didn't get his happy ending or even real hint of it.. But I guess Paul's story is coming up next. This didn't reach five star because of two things: sex and Gabriel's past. I felt they could have sub out a sex scene to really dig into Gabriel's shame. But then again I think will anymore explanation satisfy me as a reader . Overall I think this a lovely kinky addition to Minnesota Christmas series.

One more thing I like to add is did anybody feel like this book was ending few times only found out there more story?

[Jane]

I might change my book for spot 21 but I will let you know if I do.

[Sheila]

Thanks Jane. I changed my book as well due to library availability. Thanks.

[Sheila]

Hi team. I just wanted to wish all of you that celebrate it a happy Thanksgiving. I should be out it the kitchen cooking but instead I'm taking a break. Our son and his family will be here in about 3 hours. I opted out of the big Turkey, dressing, potatoes thing and instead are making 2 different casseroles. One is with Doritos, chicken and cheese. The other is with sausage, rice and almonds. I guess the only "traditional" foods I am serving are cranberry sauce from a can and jello.

My mother in law that we just lost a couple of weeks ago hosted these big gala family holiday meals all the time. I swear I don't know how she did it! Somehow in a tiny kitchen she cooked these great meals and managed to have everything hot at the same time. Definitely beyond my skill set.

After we eat I think we are going to play some board games or card games. We will see what my grandsons-aged 11 and 5 come up with. They are all moving to a new house on Monday so most everything of theirs is packed up in tubs or something.

I wonder who ordered snow for Thanksgiving. It is really coming down out there.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

We're cooking at our house this year. We went to friends the last couple of years and decided we wanted to stay home. Just doing the normal fixings: turkey, stuffing, potato, veggies, homemade pie (bought from the little local market :) ). I bought some single serve martini mixes and they're horrible! Lol!

I love the snow. I keep looking outside at our little slice winter wonderland :)

I finished my second book on Tuesday and just realized I never posted it here. I will get that done later today or tomorrow morning.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Week 3, Spot 21
by Amber Benson
Finished: 11/26/14
Rating: ★★★


Well, I gave book 2 a go and I'm still not really drawn into it. Calliope's character is a conflicting one. We're told she is all about high fashion but doesn't freak when she gets dirty. (In fact there is a lot of descriptions of smelling dog drool.) She does what is asked/demanded/expected of her but then is told she's being selfish. She spends a lot of time apologizing for what I feel is just being human. It's annoying.

[Book Concierge]

Hubby and I went to a restaurant for Thanksgiving meal. No cooking. No clean-up. And we DID have leftovers to bring home.

Spent today (Black Friday) ... buying and putting up the big tree ... that is we got it into the stand and upright. It will have to relax a few days before I try putting lights and ornaments on it.

I got the "medium" size tree (artificial) up and fully decorated on Wednesday/Thursday. And after this little computer break I'll get the small tree in the foyer fully decorated.

Saturday and Sunday will be Xmas card writing ...

I'm not getting much reading done, so I'm going to switch to quick short books ... have to wait for Monday to start both of them, though as they are for SRC.

[Sheila]

I've been working on my SRC plan as well BC. There are some really tough to fill tasks this time out.

[Jane]

Week 2 - Rolled 8 - Now on Spot 14

I read:

Family Magic by Patti Larsen (Hayle Coven #1)

Date Finished: 11/27-14
Rating: ****
Review:

Another book I have had on my TBR list for ages. Syd is half witch, half demon and just want to be ordinary. She is 16 and just can't wait till she is 18 so she can have her powers removed. Of course she instead needs to use her powers to save her family and during this finds out a lot more about her own powers. A lot of teenage high school angst and bullying in this book as well.

[Jane]

Week 3 - Rolled 7 - Now on Spot 21

I have changed my mind, my new book will be:

Sun Kissed by Skyla Madi ( Guardian Angel #2)

[Jane]

Week 3 - Rolled 7 - Now on Spot 21


I have read a series #2

Sun Kissed by Skyla Madi ( Guardian Angel #2)

Date Finished: 12/1-14
Rating: ***
Review:

It is half a year since I read the first book in this series and it continues where the last one finished. Ruby, a Goddess, is still struggling with a lot of people disliking her after what happened in book 1. Eli finally comes back but nothing is like before. Ruby is called to work for The Higher Power who is not as expected to say the least.

[Book Concierge]

Team 1 - Ones to Beat
Week 2 - Rolled 8 - Now on spot 14

Reading Stand alone
✔ - 02Dec14

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn – 4****
On a fictitious island nation off the coast of South Carolina, the people pride themselves on their literacy and writing. A monument in the center of town immortalizes the pangram “The quick brown fox jumps over the lazy dog” in ceramic tiles. But when one of the letter tiles falls off and breaks, the Council decrees that the letter should no longer be used. It’s just one letter. But then another falls… and another. This is a wonderful little satire on the use/abuse of power, but it is also a love letter to all of us who love and cherish words.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sheila]

Well it is almost time to roll the dice again. Was that a fast 2 weeks or what? I think we are all squared away except Book Concierge needs to post her book for the spot 21 roll. I know she got a late start due to the SRC.

(Nice SRC task BTW BC)

See you all in the morning!

[Jenne]

Just a reminder, we roll tomorrow. If anyone has a team mate that hasn't checked in lately, captains go ahead and send a pm.