R4: ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ (1)

[Sheila]

For Week 6 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ rolled an 11 and moved to Spot 50

Alternate 50. Louisiana (Set in Louisiana)





For Week 7 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ rolled a 4 and moved to Spot 54

Alternate 54. Title F

Both books are due before Jan. 2

[Sheila]

Week 6 - Spot 50 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ Reviews ■


■ Sheila - - Post 154

■ Book Concierge - - Post 160

■ Jane - - Post 171

■ Sunshine - - Post 202

■ Tayajay - - Post 175

[Sheila]

Week 7 - Spot 54 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ Reviews ■



■ Sheila - - Post 155

■ Book Concierge - - Post 161

■ Jane - - Post 172

■ Sunshine - - Post 184

■ Tayajay - - Post 176

[Sheila]

For Week 6 - Spot 50 I read a standalone.

Pegasus: A Novel by Danielle Steel

This book starts out in the mid to late 1930's in Germany where adult friends Alex and Nicholas lead the aristocratic life on beautiful horse farming estates. Alex breeds and trains the famous Lipizzaner Stallions for the Spanish Riding School in Vienna. Their lives are about to change in ways they can't imagine as Hitler comes to power.

Nicholas gets a total shock when his father informs him that not only did Nicholas' mother NOT die in childbirth when he was born, but that she was also 1/2 Jewish which means that Nicholas and his sons also have Jewish blood in them and will soon be arrested and sent to a camp for undesirables. In order for Nicholas to immigrate to another country with his sons before this happens he needs to have someone on the other end sponsor him.

His friend Alex writes to John Ringling North and offers to send his prize Lipizzaner Stallions to the circus if Ringling Circus will sponsor his friend Nicholas and let him immigrate to the United States which is what happens.

I loved this story that goes through generations. It has been a long time since I've read a Danielle Steel novel and I had forgotten how immersed I get into these characters lives. 12/20 ★★★★★

[Sheila]

For week 7 Spot 54


Another Man's Moccasins by Craig Johnson (Walt Longmire #4)

This series featuring Sheriff Walt Longmire of Wyoming is what the TNT TV series Longmire is based upon. In this 4th book Walt's military service in Viet Nam comes back to the forefront when a young Vietnamese woman is found dead in the desert. Walt's investigation leads to things that happened 40 years ago during the Tet offensive. I really like this series both the books and the tv show and would recommend them to anyone that likes books with a western setting. I give this book ★★★★ 12/24

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

For Week 6 - Spot 50 Alternate 50. Louisiana (shelved not just located in)
I will read a standalone


For Week 7 - Spot 54 Alternate 54. Title F
I will read a F title

[Book Concierge]

spot 50 - Alternate is SET in Louisiana (does NOT have to be shelved)

The "shelf" alternates all have links associated with them.

I'll be back with my choices later today.

[Sheila]

Real life has thrown a wrench into my reading challenge plans during this challenge, so Book Concierge has graciously agreed to be co-captain with me. I've let Jenne know.

Thanks for clearing up the shelf thing on Louisiana BC. I can't seem to get these alternate options right.

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "Thanks for clearing up the shelf thing on Louisiana BC..."

When I put them into my spreadsheet I loaded them thus:
SHELF - usa
LOCATION - LA

I wouldn't be able to keep 'em straight otherwise myself.

[Book Concierge]

Team 1 - Ones to Beat
Week 6 - Rolled 11 - Now on spot 50

I'll read a standalone
✔ - 01Jan15
Me Before You by Jojo Moyes - 4****
I was expecting a light chick-lit read. I got SOOoo much more. A wonderful and compelling story of two very different people who meet in extraordinary circumstances and deeply affect one another over a period of six months. Wondering, however, if the title should have been reversed - YOU before Me ... The audiobook is narrated by a team of voice artists, each taking on the perspective of a different character.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

Team 1 - Ones to Beat
Week 7 - Rolled 4 - Now on spot 54

I'll read a series # 4
✔ - 26Dec14
Bones of Betrayal by Jefferson Bass – 3***
Book # 4 in the Body Farm series is a solid mystery thriller, with a back story that involves the Manhattan Project in World War II, particularly the work done in Oak Ridge Tennessee. It’s fast-paced, informative and has interesting characters. I did think the plot got a little too complicated and perhaps there was one body too many, but I was still entertained and engaged from beginning to end.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Book Concierge]

OKay ... lucky for me I started the audio of Me Before You on the way to work this morning ... so that's my "standalone" for Week 6.

I was ready for something in the 40s (best laid plans) so I have the two series # 4 books on hand. Just haven't decided which I'll read first for week 7 (spot 54).

Hope everyone has a great holiday!

[Jenne]

I'll never use an alternate that's also a named place like usa, bad call on my end.

[Sheila]

Book Concierge wrote: "Team 1 - Ones to Beat
Week 7 - Rolled 4 - Now on spot 54

I'll read a series # 4
-or- "

I love both those series Book Concierge and those are actually 2 that I am up to date on - yay for me! I'm going to put Firestorm up on the links just because it is a prettier cover.

[Taya:)]

Week 6 | Spot 50: Hearts of Gold,176 pages (Standalone)


Week 7| Spot 54: But My Boyfriend Is, 270 pages (Florida Books #4)

[Taya:)]

Updated: https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "I'm going to put Firestorm up on the links just because it is a prettier cover. ..."

I like the way you think!

But I'm reading ... sorry.

[Sheila]

Book Concierge wrote: "Sheila wrote: "I'm going to put Firestorm up on the links just because it is a prettier cover. ..."

I like the way you think!

But I'm reading ... sorry."

Well, hey I had a 50/50 chance of picking the right one! Bones of Betrayal got 5 stars from me.

[Sheila]

Jane, have you figured out your 2 books yet?

[Jane]

Sorry Sheila, yes I have just not got around to let you know.


Week 6 - Rolled 11 - Now on Spot 50

I will read A Christmas Charade by Karla Hocker


Week 7 - Rolled 4 - Now on Spot 54

I have read alternate: Title F
Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher

[Jane]

Week 6 - Rolled 11 - Now on Spot 50


I have read standalone

A Christmas Charade by Karla Hocker (standalone)
Date Finished: 12/21-14
Rating: ★★★
Review:

This was an okay Christmas romance but there is a lot going on. We have got Elizabeth and Clive getting to know each other and Juliette and Stewart who are trying to make their marriage work. Then there are smugglers and French agents, and a treasure hunt.
What I liked best was Annie the ghost who even though she is a ghost actually is able to interact with quite a few of the characters.

[Jane]

Week 7 - Rolled 4 - Now on Spot 54


I have read alternate: Title F

Furies of Calderon by Jim Butcher
Date Finished: 12/20-14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:

I enjoyed this fantasy by Jim Butcher, not quite as much as Dresden Files but still a lot. There is lots of magic in this both used for good and bad as is right in a fantasy book. Everybody apart from the main character is able to do some kind of magic. Luckily he is smart and brought up to think logically about things so he is good at finding solutions to tasks and to observe what happens around him. This doesn't end as such in a cliffhanger but there is clearly unanswered questions and more plots to kill the First Lord. I will continue this series.

[Book Concierge]

Way to go, Jane! I'm half-way done with book 1 and 1/3 done with book 2 ... but family is coming tomorrow and I won't have much reading time again until Saturday.

[Jane]

Thanks Book Concierge. I was just really lucky that the books I had decided to read for other challenges just happend to fit perfectly. I like it when that happens.

[Taya:)]

Week 6 | Spot 50: Hearts of Gold,176 pages (Standalone)
Date finished: December 22, 2014

I wanted to read this story because it was about friends reuniting and coming together after many year apart but also because it about dragon slaying. Who really don't like reading about dragons. I honestly convince myself that dragon were real and that I need to google it to confirm my beliefs. But no ...that didn't work out. But if you're looking for detailed fantasy about dragon slaying and bit romance then this book is not the book for you. The book was all about Kale and Holly getting together and then briefly being separate but to them it a century apart. This book was a throw away read. It possibly one of the most angsty story I have read all year. The ending was rush and abrupt. It didn't satisfy me as a reader at all. Overall, I like the story but I wasn't by any means in love with it. (3 stars)

[Taya:)]

Week 7| Spot 54: But My Boyfriend Is, 270 pages (Florida Books #4)
Date Finished: December 20,2014
Rating: 5 stars

I have always love this book and still continue to love this story for years to come. It has earn as spot in "my boo book for life" shelf. Dylan is absolute mess about his sexuality and at this point I'm not sure if he gay or bi but what matters is that he ultimately ends up happy. Interracial couple where one is black is a handle well in here. I didn't feel like it stereotype and filled with outdated slang and excessive mentioning of skin tone. I rather know more of who's this person then about how beautiful his chocolate or mocha skin is. This is my favorite book in the series( I have only read this one and first one) and ultimate favorite K.A. Mitchell's book.

[Sheila]

Speaking of dragon slaying from your review TayaJay, we just got back from seeing The Hobbit. Some pretty cool dragon slaying happening there.

[Taya:)]

I saw the first and been meaning to see the second movie. I just won some free tickets... so I might go see the third movie. but then i think Do really want to see this movie out of order? I do feel like that it should be seen on the big screen. I just love whoever did the voice for the dragon in the second movie.

[Jane]

@ TayaJay. I think you would be missing out a lot if you didn't see the this movie in order.
Imo the second movie is important.

[Taya:)]

Finished watching the second and i love it. Now need to make plans to see movie 3. I wish I seen the movie on the big screen but I'm not make the same on the last movie. That dragon...damn!

[Book Concierge]

Merry Christmas everyone!

[Book Concierge]

Family has left and I can finally get some reading done ... But right now I just want a nap ....

[Sheila]

Big reading day for me. Just chilling out watching bowl games and listening to books.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Week 7 - Spot 54 - Alternate Title F
by Michael Palmer
Date Finished: 12/26/14
Rating: ★★★★

I love all Michael Palmer books. I read a few when I was in middle school and now I want to read all he has.

Zach Iverson has just moved back to his hometown of Sterling, NH, to work at Ultramed-Davis Regional Hospital, "Community and Corporate America working together for the Betterment of All." His brother, Frank, runs the hospital and his father, Judge, is head of the board. Zach is asked to consult on the case of a little boy, Toby, who has been having fits from some unknown trigger. He soon discovers something is going on with the anesthesia being used by one particular surgical team and that the patients are reliving their operations... pain, fear, everything! It is up to Zach to figure the cause and the people involved because no one else will listen to him.

[Sheila]

I'm a big Michael Palmer fan as well but haven't read Flashback yet. It sounds good.

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "I'm a big Michael Palmer fan as well but haven't read Flashback yet. It sounds good."

Yeah ... he writes good medical thrillers.

[Book Concierge]

MESSAGE # 161 updated -

Week 7 / Spot 54 - series book # 4 completed & reviewed.

[Book Concierge]

Just had to share ... my brother (who is an estate sale junkie) gave me a 1936 hardcover edition of Gone With the Wind for Christmas!

[Sheila]

Wowza, what a great gift.

[Sheila]

OK it looks like everyone has posted their spot 54 books and we are just needing spot 50 books from Book Concierge and Sunshine.

Do I have that right?

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "OK it looks like everyone has posted their spot 54 books and we are just needing spot 50 books from Book Concierge and Sunshine.

Do I have that right?"

I think so, Sheila.
I'm listening to an audio for spot 50 .. and since I've been off work all week, no so much time in the car. But I'm at the half-way point so will easily finish by Thursday.

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "Wowza, what a great gift."

In past years he found and gifted to me:
an 1896 leather-bound edition of A Christmas Carol
an early edition of one of the Tarzan books (I forget which one it is, but Tarzan is riding an elephant on the cover -- I have a "thing" for elephants)
an early edition of T E Lawrence's memoir Seven Pillars of Wisdom: A Triumph (i.e. Lawrence of Arabia)
a copy of an original script from the off-Broadway production of The Fantasticks! (my favorite musical)

I've told him that his mission is to find a first edition (signed) of To Kill a Mockingbird - LOL

[Sheila]

A Harper Lee signed copy of To Kill a Mockingbird would be wonderful. Love that book AND the movie.

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "A Harper Lee signed copy of To Kill a Mockingbird would be wonderful. Love that book AND the movie."

Yes ... and about $20,000 ... LOL (I'm sure my brother loves me, but ....)

[Sheila]

Hi everyone. I just want to wish you all a Happy New Year. We are all about bowl games here so that is what we will be doing. We are also dogsitting my son's german shepherd. It's hubbies birthday on New Year's Day as well so I will do something special for him as well.

No partying for us. Do the rest of you have plans?

Only 2 days until the next roll and 2 people still need to post.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

I'm Realllly bugging my husband to go out tonight. We've stayed home the last couple of years so I think it'll be fun.

Unfortunately, I wont have my book done today, but I have tomorrow off and poor hubby has to work so I will definitely have it finished tomorrow.

[Sheila]

Our church always has a game night where families bring their favorite board games or cards and we all bring snacks but I don't think we are going this year.

I hope you can talk your hubby into going out Sunshine, but be careful.

[Book Concierge]

I'm on disc 11 of 12 for my spot 50 book ... will have it done tomorrow (Jan 1) and will post the review as soon as I'm finished. It's a good book and I'm sorry to see it end ...

As for New Year's plans ... nothing.
My parents' anniversary was New Year's Day so from the time I was a child our family tradition was to stay at home and celebrate their anniversary with them. For their 40th we all stayed at a hotel and danced the night away (this is when they met my then-future husband).

For years hubby and I took turns with our across-the-street neighbors hosting the celebration. We'd just have a nice dinner - the menu never varied - Caesar salad, lobster tails, twice-baked potatoes, green beans almondine, cheesecake and lots of champagne. Then hubby developed an allergy to shellfish and we did one New Year's with filet mignon instead of lobster. And then the neighbor's moved out of state and we didn't continue the tradition with our new neighbors.

So now, we're lucky to make it to 11p central time when we can watch the Times Square ball drop.

[Sheila]

What a yummy sounding dinner. What time should I be there?? haha.

I'm thinking we will be having refrigerator surprise.

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "What a yummy sounding dinner. What time should I be there?? haha.

I'm thinking we will be having refrigerator surprise."

Hubby just called ... we're going out for Chinese tonight. Tomorrow we start taking down the Christmas trees. Good day for soup, I think. We've got several batches in the freezer ...