R4: ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ (1)

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Double 7's! I just read my 7. I need an 8! :)

I will read by Lilith Saintcrow

[Sheila]

Well an 8 is pretty much guaranteed for next week for sure.

[Taya:)]

Week 10 | Spot 77: Series #7

A Tempting Distraction (Lost Shifters, #7) , 154p/GR

[Jane]

Week 9 - Rolled 4 - Now on spot 77


I'll read alternate - Author L

Secrets of the Heart by Laurie LeClair

[Sheila]

Week 10 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆
Alternate 77. Author L
Finished 1/17/15 ★★★★

Keep Quiet by Lisa Scottoline

This was a great thriller that I think anyone could relate to. Decisions that are made under extreme stress take over your life.

When Jake lets his teenage son drive outside the rules of his learners permit so he could be the "cool" dad there are unforeseen consequences when he hits a jogger on a deserted highway. When he reveals he had smoked mj before he got behind the wheel the dad makes the decision to say he was driving instead of his son before calling 911.

But when they realize the girl is dead and think the accident wasn't witnessed they don't make the call. The coverups and stress cause this family to disintegrate. Very intense and made me wonder if I were faced with this scenario, what would I do?

[Sheila]

Week 10 - Spot 77 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ Reviews ■


■ Sheila - - Post 255

■ Book Concierge - - Post 249

■ Jane - - Post 257

■ Sunshine - - Post 260

■ Tayajay - - Post 262

[Jane]

Week 9 - Rolled 4 - Now on spot 77


I have read alternate - Author L

Secrets of the Heart by Laurie LeClair
Date Finished: 1/17-15
Rating: ★★★
Review:

This was a quick read. It wasn't great but it was okay. It all centres around some secrets. It was way too easy too guess the secret and then it was just about waiting to see where it all went from there. This was the second book I read by this author and both were just okay.

[Book Concierge]

Wow, Sheila and Jane - you are SPEEDY!

I'm about half-way done with The Sugar House ... really good so far.

Now that all three Xmas trees, as well as the other miscellaneous decorations, are put away I can devote my free time to reading.

[Sheila]

I had to push to finish mine. I knew I was starting a couple of buddy reads today.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Week 9 - Spot 77
by Lilith Saintcrow
Date Finished: 1/20/15
Rating: ★★★

I was not looking forward to reading this book. From reading other reviews about how annoying Mari was I held off until now. Mari is a witch and one of the Guardians of the city. She is watched over and protected by her Watcher, Hanson. Believe the reviews. They are both a bit annoying. Mari is too timid, too whiny, doesn't listen, and constantly getting into trouble. She makes Hanson's job that much harder by never staying where it's safe. Hanson is always walking on eggshells around Mari, which is only slightly justified. Speak up man! Get a backbone!

The story itself is not horrible. Something new is out there and is even keeping the other "monsters" on guard. It is stalking Mari. The city is built on a fault line which was magically held together by witches back when the city was built. That spell is unraveling and is allowing this thing to come through. It seems to be up to Mari to reinforce that spell before the big earthquake hits.

[Book Concierge]

UPDATED Message # 249 - Spot 77 book finished, rated & reviewed.

[Taya:)]

Week 10 | Spot 77: Series #7

A Tempting Distraction (Lost Shifters, #7) , 154p/GR

Date Finished: January 22

Rating: 3 stars

Review:
I'm a bit meh on this series now after nearly three years of worth of hunting and buying books connected to this series. Stephani Hecht is one of the first author I connected to when I first began to read MM books almost exclusively. I have always love her snarky paranormal characters mixes in with pop culture references. I decided to reread one of my early favorites because I needed a reminded why I love her in the first place. The more recent books in this series have grown more repetitive and shorter. I usually rate the book higher the second go around since I'm not drive to get to end and could easily miss some goodies. But unfortunately while reading this book, I have to say that niggle army was almost out in full force and I really couldn't enjoy this book like I did the first time around. This cheese in this book wasn't as entertaining this time around. I'm just at a stage where insta love trope is more of a miss than a hit for me lately. I think I'm not enjoying this type of story because I kind of figure out secret behind the magic. I still love the brothers interaction with each others than the actually love match between Garrett and Owen. I will also say that Owen finding his own place was far more interesting than the romance this time around.

[Sheila]

For Week 11 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ rolled a 12 and moved to Spot 89

Alternate 89. Title G

[Sheila]

Week 11 - Spot 89 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ Reviews ■


■ Sheila - - Post 265

■ Book Concierge - - Post 167

■ Jane - - Post 280

■ Sunshine - - Post 284

■ Tayajay - - Post 281

[Sheila]

For Week 11 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ rolled a 12 and moved to Spot 89

Alternate 89. Title G
1/23/15 ★★★★

The Good Girl by Mary Kubica

When Colin Thatcher agrees to kidnap a 25 year old teacher and turn her over to some thugs to ask for a ransom from her judge father, he realizes it is not going to end well for Mia. So instead of turning her over as planned he takes her to a remote cabin in the north woods.

Over 3 months time Colin and Mia become more than they ever thought possible. No longer adversaries, they form a strong bond. Really surprising ending that I sure didn't see coming.

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

I will read by Devon Monk Allie Beckstrom #8


Now just make sure you roll a 10 or under next week. lol. Book 9 is the last in the series and it's getting really good! :)

[Book Concierge]

Oh, Captain My Captain! Great roll ....

Week 11 - Rolled 12 - Now on spot 89

I'll read alternate - Title G
✔ - 24Jan15
Grace Under Pressure - Julie Hyzy
3***
When curator and Marshfield Manor director Abe Vargas is murdered, newly hired assistant curator Grace Wheaton steps in to keep things running smoothly on the estate. She also begins investigating the murder, and a finds a family secret in the bargain. This is a decent cozy mystery with a likeable heroine. I’ll continue reading this series.
Link to my full review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

[Sheila]

Sunshine wrote: "I will read by Devon Monk Allie Beckstrom #8


Now just make sure you roll a 10 or under next week. lol. Book 9 is the last in the series a..."

lol, I don't seem to have much influence over the dice roller thingy, but I'll try!

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "Sunshine wrote: "Now just make sure you roll a 10 or under next week. lol. Book 9 is the las..."

NO ... if we roll a 12 we'll be on spot 101 and ready for the win! (although I do have a series # 9 book all set up ...)

[Sheila]

We just got our first 12 this week. I'm not holding my breath for another 12 next week, but only the die know.

[Taya:)]

Week 11 | Spot 89 - Title: G

Guns & Hoses, 282 p/GR

[Jane]

I haven't found a book yet, but as soon as I have I will let you know.

[Sheila]

Thanks Jane

[Jane]

Week 11 - Rolled 12 - Now on spot 89


I will read alternate - Title G

A Gift of Ghosts by Sarah Wynde

[Book Concierge]

UPDATE Message # 267 - Week 11 book finished, rated & reviewed


I'm going to take a series # 9 book along with me on my vacay this coming week ... and also taking a stand alone (in case we roll 11 or higher). I'll check in on Friday morning to see what our next roll is. Hoping I can read that book on the train coming home ....

[Sheila]

Enjoy your vacation BC. Going somewhere exciting?

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "Enjoy your vacation BC. Going somewhere exciting?"

Taking the train down to Memphis to visit a friend who used to be in our F2F book club here. When she was here she introduced me to the library's annual literary luncheon ... which I continue to attend each year. So now she's invited me to join her in Memphis for THAT literary luncheon! While I'm there my brother will join us for dinner one night ... but mostly I'm visiting my girlfriend.

[Sheila]

Friend AND book time. Sounds wonderful

[Jane]

Week 11 - Rolled 12 - Now on spot 89

CHANGE OF BOOK

I will read a #8
Nerilka's Story by Anne McCaffrey (Pern (Publication Order) #8)

[Jane]

Week 11 - Rolled 12 - Now on spot 89


I have read a #8

Nerilka's Story by Anne McCaffrey (Pern (Publication Order) #8)
Date Finished: 1/27-15
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:

This is a re-read and I was surprised how much I actually remembered from this book as I started reading. Nerilka is a very caring young woman who decides to help out when the plaque hits, opposing her father and leaving her home in secrecy to do this. She is a very strong woman who longs to be useful but also to be appreciated for her work. There is a lot of loss in this book but it has a happy ending.

[Taya:)]

Week 11 | Spot 89 - Title: G

Guns & Hoses, 282 p/GR

Date Finished: January 25, 2015

Rating: 4.5 stars

Review:

All I can say is that I'm a sucker for enemies to lovers storyline and they're in law enforcement to boot. With names like Tigger and Flame, I knew what kind of story I was going to get and rated it accordingly. I love that it didn't overly cutesy just because they were together and all asshole behavior didn't almost immediately went out the window. The reason that this wasn't perfect read was because the excessive use of pop song lyrics to convey a feeling and it was never really explained why they has bad relationship in the first place. Or maybe I glaze over that scene to get to smexy scenes.

[Sheila]

It looks likes tomorrow will be our final roll and we have the chance to finish strong. How is everyone's week going?

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

I'm just about finished....

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

Week 11 - Spot 89
Devon Monk
Date Finished: 1/29/15
Rating: ★★★★★

OH. MY. GOD! I don't know what to say. So much is going on and it's still not over! The gang all split up to go get samples from the different magic wells so they can test them and hopefully find a cure for the poisoned magic and sick people. Once they have the samples, Allie's dad figures that Stone is the best option to test the different magics combined on. Things of course don't go well. Now the Authority AND the cops are hot on their trail. They escape through a gate into St. Johns where Allie calls upon Mama to help them. Then....dun, dun, dun...they fight the big fight against Jingo Jingo. Wow! is all I can say. I was on the edge of my seat and hated when I had to put it down.

[Sheila]

For Week 12 ◆ The Ones to Beat! ◆ rolled a 2 and moved to Spot 91

Alternate 91. Author K

[Sheila]

link

[Sheila]

Week 12 - Rolled 2 - Now on spot 91

Nightwatcher by Wendy Corsi Staub (Nightwatcher #1)

[Book Concierge]

Week 12 - Rolled 2 - Now on spot 91

I'll read a standalone ... one of these
or

I see that a couple of groups have rolls that took them over 100 ... so it seems likely that one of them will win and this will be our last round.

It's been fun playing with y'all (Don't always speak Southern, but I'm in Memphis ...)

[Sheila]

Sheesh a 12 last week and 2 this week talk about extremes. So far there are at least 3 teams that have the potential to win this week.

[Sheila]

I hope you are having fun BC. Have you walked through the jungle room yet?

[Sunshine✰✰✰]

I will read Allie Beckstrom #9

[Book Concierge]

Sheila wrote: "I hope you are having fun BC. Have you walked through the jungle room yet?"

Huh?? Are you talking about Graceland? Never been. The luncheon yesterday was very nice.

Today we're headed down to Oxford MS - home of Faulkner. Should be a fun outing.

Tomorrow it's manicures and a movie ... and then I get on the train tomorrow night to head back home.

[Sheila]

Yes Graceland. I always think Elvis when I think Memphis.

[Jane]

Week 12 - Rolled 2 - Now on spot 91

I will read #1

The Emerald Talisman by Brenda Pandos (Talisman #1)

[Sheila]

I don't think any of us need to be concerned about reading our books this week. There are at least 2 teams that only need one more review to win the challenge.

[Jane]

I know but I need to read this for the Super Speedy Series challenge as well and I do like to read the book for the last week of play as well. :-)

[Sheila]

Is Super Speedy finishing this week as well?

[Jane]

I didn't check till you asked. It actually looks like one team has passed 100 and today is last day so maybe we are finished as well.

[Jane]

Well, I am going to change my mind and not read my book as a team has just been congratulated on their win in Super Speedy.

[Sheila]

Nightwatcher by Wendy Corsi Staub (Nightwatcher #1) 1/31

I was totally surprised by this book. With a title like Nightwatcher I thought it would be about vampires or zombies or something. Instead it was a very good murder mystery.

What was really different thought was the setting. Starting on 9/10/2001 in NYC the entire drama is entertwined with the chaos and grief of WTC bombings. Communications are down, the police force is devastated and yet the murders continue. Very well written and a good reminder of how much all our lives changed on that fateful day.

I loved it and gave it ★★★★★