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R4: SS The Artful Page Turners (10)
I will read:Week 2 Roll - 1 + 2 = 11 Alternate - Friendship: Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Week 3 Roll - 3 + 4 = 18 1st in series: Deadly Little Secret by Laurie Faria Stolarz
I have perfect chemistry on my TBR list. I enjoyed Beauty Queens.
Anna & Charles (Cry Wolf) are my favorite shifters next to Mercy.
Great choices!!!
Hey guys. I've finished my first book just need to write a review. How is everyone doing?
Week # 2Getting into the grove for the challenge now.. and the holiday season is kinda helping me manage my time better.
Hope everyone is having a superb time with some relaxation and lots of merriment. Stay warm and happy Thanksgiving ! :)
Number Called : 11
Requirement : First in Series
Book Read : 1st to Die | James Patterson | 11/30/2014
Rating : ★★★★★
Review
I am normally very frugal in giving away 5 stars to a book.. this book happened to steal them away from me. This was my second James Patterson book (first being 7th Heaven from the same series, and going back and actually reading how it all started was a wonderful refresher) and his ability to write scenes that stand-out as real incidents is commendable. 1st to Die is a solid-punch to a series that I am sure is gonna kick ass !
The first thing that I noticed and which remains the highlight for me is the small chapter structure in which the whole book is written (126 Chapters over 462 pages). It seemed so accurate for this kinda story, as it kept the proceedings taut and fast-paced that as a reader, I was glued to the proceedings till I shut the book close. Three double murders, grim and cringe worthy killings, an evil madman of a villain and numerable twists and turns right till the last moment, this Women's Murder Club with Lindsay Boxer and her amazing team (Claire, Cindy and Jill) is truly (in their own terms) a strong, stoic team of Bad-ass Bitches ! :P
I wonder now why I never read James Patterson before, coz boy, he is good !
P.S. 7th Heaven really did not make an impact on me as much as this book did. Maybe its my mood, but this story-line kept hitting the nail on its head on each page even when each time you would expect it to miss the mark coz of the constant heart-thumping and rattling of the hand which held the hammer.
Week 2 Space 11
Read 11/25
Rating 5
Review
Stella is just sixteen when she's attacked by the shadows that kick her future into high gear. Suddenly the guy who she's not supposed to meet for many years has shown up in time to save her from the shadows. The prior protector of Earth has been murdered kick starting Stella’s training to be the next protector. Thankfully she won’t have to step right into the roll since there is a temporary Star to protect earth. With the loss of one star and the arrival of Seth her warrior Stella’s life is about to change.
Instead of spending her days with school, sports and her friends she now has to add fighting and training to protect to the earth with Seth. While Stella is destined to be with Seth she can’t help the feelings that her best friend has developed. With two guys trying for her heart she has her hands full toss in an angry fallen who is intent on having Seth join his side. Stella will have to take a speed course in learning to defend the earth or else it will fall into the darkness like all the prior planets. At least she won’t have to do it alone.
I like Stella she’s one of those pure characters you can’t help liking right from the start. I really love characters you can connect with and Stella is one of those characters, plus as the book progresses she just gets better. I really like Seth he’s the good guy with a good heart intent on doing what’s right even if it means losing the last of his family. I’m not sure how I feel about Stella’s best friend Tristian he kind of bugs me the way he knows she’s off limits but doesn’t back off with his intentions.
I've had this one as a kindle freebie for over a year and I wish I hadn't waited so long. I haven't found that Angel book that I've fallen in love with yet but this series may just be it. While the author uses the concept of good vs evil she adds her own unique twist creating stars and warriors as protects of earth. The stars and warriors have the ability to heat up their skin to the power of the sun, they are stronger, faster, and can fly how cool is that? I loved Stella even if she is in a love triangle which typically I avoid she’s still a character I enjoyed reading her story. Overall I think the author did a great job, and plan to read the next ones in the series. Side note the series was renamed and the cover updated in my opinion much better.
Week 2: Friendship
Finished 12/1/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
I listened to this on audiobook. I really enjoyed it. A bunch of beauty queens are stranded on a deserted island, but things aren't as they seem. The story was really funny, but there was a deeper meaning to the story, which I enjoyed. I would recommend this book to every teenage girl. I would suggests listening to the audiobook. It is read by the author, and she did a great job. There are parts in the book that I think were funnier than they would have been had I been reading the book myself.
Week 3: First in series
Finished 12/3/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was a reread for me. I read it two years ago, so I could remember some of what happened, but not everything. I knew who the bad guy wasn't, but couldn't remember who it was. I enjoyed the book this time around, too. It was still suspenseful, and I had the bad guy narrowed down to two suspects, which I like being able to do.
Week 3 = First in Series 
Finished 12/3
Rating 5 Star
Review
I received an ARC for review from a fellow blogger and sadly it took a little longer to get to it. Ali (Alice) dad is a little odd he won’t let them out after dark for fear of monsters. It all changed when on her birthday Ali asks her parents to take her to her sister’s recital knowing that they will be out after dark. On the drive home their car was wrecks her father is thrust though the window and when Ali comes to she sees the stuff of his nightmares eating her father. In the fatal accident Ali loses both her parents and her little sister leaving her with only her grandparents and the knowledge her father was right.
Now Ali is starting over her new life in a new school with new friends. She still hasn’t gotten over the loss of her family but she can’t let it keep her depressed forever. She has new friends as well as the attention of the hot bad boy. Ali learns more and more about the monsters that killed her family that they are zombies and can only been killed in the spirit world. A world that only a few can see and she happens to be one of them. With the help of her new friends Ali learns to fight the zombies and risks her life and her heart.
I loved Ali right from the start, and she may be my favorite Alice in Wonderland spin off character. She has so much sadness in her life but she also has the good things like her grandparents, her friends, and her new mission in life. I also like Kat she’s a little different but in a good way she makes me smile maybe she just a little nutty. Who doesn’t love Cole he’s just the perfect guy for Ali who will risk it all to save her life.
I’ve had this one on my TBR for so long and now that the third one has come out I decided to give it a shot. I’m a huge Alice in Wonderland fan so Alice in Zombieland had some big shoes to fill and it exceeded my expectation. The concept for the zombies has its own unique twists which I found refreshing and exciting. The characters are easy to connect with you can’t help loving Ali she’s such a sweetheart with a tragic past. This is my first book by this author and I instantly fell in love with her writing style the story just flowed along making it hard to put down if not for real life I would have finished it in one sitting. The whole story is beautifully written from start to finish a captivating novel that captures the heart and imagination. Alice in Zombieland is action packed novel mix of action, romance, and suspense that keeps you guessing till the very end. I loved the book it is one of my new favorites. I can’t wait to read the next books in the series.
I'll update tomorrow morning. How is everyone else doing with their books?
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.
Week 3: First in series: Perfect Chemistry
Finished: Dec. 04
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I'm writing this review from my phone (and the next one to) because I'm not home but I hop will be ok.
I didn't expect to like that much a young adult novel but this one will be my favorite. First book by this author and I'm willing to red the other 2 books in that serie.
This book don't have the things I dislike about YA (one of them been the love triangle)
In this series about the Fuentes brothers in first one is about Alex (the big one) and how hi is changed by love. There is love between people for different social class, one from the poor slide of town (Alex) and another from the rich part (Brittany). They are totally opposites, but only what wee see because they both are hidden under their masks.
They switching POV and I can know both perspectives about the story.
I liked the ending and epilogue and I hope the 4th book is about the continuation off the epilogue.
Mandy wrote: "Awesome Joyce!!!"anxiously waiting to see what comes up next. Love the game format.
I finished these books last week but procrastinated putting the reviews up.
Hi Apoorv & R~wka how are you coming along?
Week # 3Loving how the alternate shelves are a little different than the obvious ones ! Nice ! :)
Number Called : 18
Requirement : TBR Own
Book Read : Fangirl | Rainbow Rowell | 12/04/2014
Rating : ★★★.5
Review
Rainbow Rowell writes from the perspective of a college student well. Whether Cath stayed in her dorm and ate peanut butter instead of going to a dining hall, stressed out about schoolwork, or dealt with men boy drama, I empathized with her. Her use of writing as an escape and as a connection to others spoke to me and solidified the quality of this book as a whole - Rowell crystallizes writing and reading as central themes in the story, an accomplishment for a novel with so many other plot lines.
Cath's interpersonal crises developed her and the characters around her. Excluding a few side characters, Rowell included a dynamic, quirky cast in Fangirl. The family drama felt organic and the fanfiction snippets paralleled and supplemented the main story, though I can see why others were distracted by them. My only small complaint concerns the culmination of the various plot lines: for some reason, the book never appeared to reach a coherent climax. Some of the conflict resolution left a little more to be desired and a bit more development for certain characters - including Cath - would have increased the overall quality of the book.
Writing from my phone again, I don't know if is ok what I wrote... I'm not home, I'm in a trip until Dec 9 and the internet here is slow. I'll try to wrote the review in some minutes but I have zero inspiration now (I'm sorry about the nonsens review I'm about to wrote but will be a speedy one.)... Coming back ...
Week 2:
/ StandaloneFinished: Dec 05
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
I've read this author before and I liked the previously reads.
This book is another historical romance set in England 1200s. The heroine is Lady Johanna, a recent widow. She is forced by King John to remarry but his foster brother help her chowing the best worst, his brother friend, Gabriel MacBain.
I think os a little uprated but I rate a buck as I enjoyed it and this one is one of the books I'm enjoying (like week 3's one). Albright I didn't like as much in the start from middle till the end mad me read until last page. And I think the end made my giving 5 stars.
Week ~ 2 ~ Roll ~ 3 ~ Space ~ 11 ~ Alternate FriendshipMandy ~ Alice in Zombieland ~ Review
R~wka ~ Saving Grace ~ Review
Karla ~ Beauty Queens ~ Review
Joyce ~ The Ocean at the End of the Lane ~ Review
Apoorv ~ 1st to Die ~ Review
5 of 5 complete
Week ~ 3 ~ Roll ~ 7 ~ Space ~ 18 ~ Alternate TBR OwnMandy ~ Heir of Skies ~ Review
R~wka ~ Perfect Chemistry ~ Review
Karla ~ Deadly Little Secret ~ Review
Joyce ~ Cry Wolf ~ Review
Apoorv ~ Fangirl ~ Review
5 of 5 complete
Alright team reviews are in. I rolled for this week so it seems I don't want to move around the board very fast lol. I rolled a 3. We are on 21 and alternate is Author O.
1st in series. What is everyone else reading?
Week 4
Finished 12/8/14
Rating - 4 star
Review
Pearl is on the run from the circus starting a new life with a new identity in Mermaid Beach. She takes a job on the boardwalk working as a custodian when she see’s a young boy fall into the lagoon. Risking her secret identity Pearl dives into the lagoon to save the boy, however by the time she finds him and saves his life he’s been under water to long. Her only chance to save him she breaths into him giving him the chance to breath under water and saving his life.
Chase is the boardwalk manager who saw the whole thing knowing that Pearl and the boy had been under water longer than was humanly possible. Pearl tries to pass it of as not a big deal in hopes of not drawing attention to her secret. Pearl doesn’t know about her past only that she can breathe under water, is strong, swim fast and isn’t affected by changing temperatures. As Pearls relationship grows with Chase she decides she can trust him telling him her secret. Next she encounters another person just like her who can live under water. She learns that she’s a descendant of Poseidon one of the missing princesses. Will Pearl be able to keep her secret or will her past come to claim her.
I like Pearl she’s had a tough life but has gotten away from her abusive adopted parents and is at last living her own life. I loved Chase at first I wasn’t sure about him but as the book progressed he just kept getting better and better. I really liked getting to know the other Atlantean’s and hope to see them in the next book like Cuda and finn as well as the other princess.
I picked Atlantis Riptide up as a kindle freebie a while back but never seemed to get around to it yet but I’ve been hoping too. I wasn’t sure what to expect I honestly figured it would be mermaids but I was pleasantly surprised to see that they kept their human forms. I like the concept that Pearl is an Atlantean from the lost city of Atlantis. Atlantis Riptide is a captivating novel about a girl finding the life she has been missing. I loved the character Pearl was easy to connect with and I couldn’t’ help cheering her on as she learns to trust Chase, finds out about her past and her future. The novel is well written the story flows from start to finish I had a hard time putting it down. I really enjoyed Atlantis Riptide and look forward to reading the rest of the novels and see what happens next.
Week 4: Second in series
Finished 12/9/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
After what happened last winter, Camelia is hoping for things to settle down. Ben is coming back to school, something Camelia is looking forward to. She's hoping to pick up where they left off. But, Ben has different ideas. He's cold one minute, hot the next, so Camelia decides it's time to move on. Then weird things begin to happen. She's hearing voices, receiving strange packages and phone calls. Is Camelia in danger again?
This book was just as good as the first. The author is developing the characters nicely. We learn more about Ben's past and Camelia's aunt. If you enjoyed the first one, you should read this one.
by Jennifer EstepFinished: 12/11/14
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review:
This book takes place in a city called Bigtime. This is a world where there are superheros and ubervillians.
Carmen is getting married and finds out on her wedding day that her groom and best friend are getting it on. Oh by the way they are also a superhero and an ubervillian. She is so upset that she vows to unmask all of the villains and heroes.
She meets Striker one of the fearless five and has a villain after her.
It is a fairly light book with lots of humor. I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. It is a good start and very different from her other series.
I really loved the Secret one of my favorites. I'll update shortly. Apoorv how's it coming?
Week 4: First in Series: The Secret (Highlands' Lairds #1) by Julie Garwood
Finished: Dec 12, 2014
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Just finished it and I want more. Julie Garwood is one of my favorite authors, till now all I read of her I liked. Best part of story was the wedding, most funny wedding that I've read :))).
I don't have nothing to complain about this book, I liked both couples, the principal one (Iain and
Judith) and the secondary one (Patrick and Frances Catherine). About the secondary one, is there a book about them?
Week # 4I finished my book on Sunday and wonder what made me wait to write my review in ! I am such a dufus ! :X
Number Called : 21
Requirement : O Author
Book Read : Island of the Blue Dolphins | Scott O'Dell | 12/07/2014
Rating : ★★★
Review
A first on multiple strands for me.. a first middle grade children's book, a first real-life related fiction of sorts. I wasnt sure if I would like something like this, but it wasnt bad. Probably if I had read this 10-12 years earlier I might have enjoyed it even more.
Its an adventure saga with a fight and struggle to wrench out of the doom. The loneliness underlies the adventure and although a lot happens the general feel is quite slow and reflective.. kind of sad but really empowering.
Sensitive and stoic yet slow and simple. The one thing that kinda made me feel deprived of was that as it is based on a true tale, and in the real story with the girl who survived the turmoil for 18 years, died immediately after returning to mankind. That whole section about her death is omitted, addition of which would have made the story complete in my mind. Nevertheless, an adventurous and strong ode to the strength of a woman ! :)
Just doing some housekeeping lol. It doesn't look like y'all have earned your free pass yet (correct me if I'm wrong :P). Reviews need to be in by Thursday in order to earn it. There's not a time limit on earning it but obviously you'd want it for insurance :)
Updated so far. No we haven't gotten the free pass yet.
Week ~ 4 ~ Roll ~ 3 ~ Space ~ 21 ~ AlternateAuthor OMandy ~ Atlantis Riptide ~ Review
R~wka ~ The Secret ~ Review
Karla ~ Deadly Little Lies ~ Review
Joyce ~ Karma Girl ~ Review
Apoorv ~ Island of the Blue Dolphins ~ Review
5 out of 5 complete
Week 5 Rolled a 6+1= 7 on spot 28 alternate Author H I'll update after bookclub tonight.
I'm going to read
by Mary Higgins Clark
Author H
Week 5 - Author H: Elizabeth Hoyt
Finished: Dec 15, 2014
Rating: 5
Review:
Lately or I pick good books or I'm to generous with ratings... Was a good book and easy read, especially if I want t read something to pass the time (obvious, if you like the genre).
The hero and heroine here was both a little similar, widowed with scars (emotionally and/or psychic from past) and not especially good looking. Is like a boss-secretary book taking place in a historical period, but this b-s romance is not the principal element of the story, is how the protagonists are getting to like each other. I'm intrigued about the next 2 books in that series.
Just a reminder:Teams will roll on Friday (12/19) two times for two spots. No roll on 12/26. Both book's deadline will be 1/2 and then the game resumes it's normal schedule.
If you feel you won't be able to manage either holiday's rolls that's ok. Just let your team know and you can skip those rolls without penalizing the team.
I changed my book, I'll be done with it in a couple of hours.
Book: Author H -
by Mary Higgins ClarkFinished 12/14/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Another really great read by Mary Higgins Clark. It was a very fast read. Lorie Moran has a new reality show called "Under Suspicion" where they open cold cases and then try to solve them. This one was of an aspiring actress who was found killed with a shoe missing so the case was nicknamed Cinderella Murder.
Loved this book. I could not put it down.
Week # 5Getting it done in time this time, phew ! :)
Number Called : 28
Requirement : H Author
Book Read : The Final Diagnosis | Arthur Hailey | 12/18/2014
Rating : ★★★
Review
Hailey takes his audience behind the curtains in the hospitals that we norms leave all our hopes and health in, and brings us the true environment that surrounds our residential medicine men/women, from love, pride, money, ethics, and most importantly of all politics. This book mainly surrounds an aging pathologist, Dr. Joe Pearson,who's years of service at the Three Rivers Hospital are coming to an end. Colleagues nd adversaries feel that he may be a hazard to his patient's health. The main struggle lies within Joe to realize that he is through. Love seems to always find it's way into everything. In this novel love hits two surgeons who are "just friends" and a young nurse and a young pathologist. Overall this book is one everyone can enjoy, whether you read for the love the hospital drama or for the main issue your sure to enjoy.
He seems to want to put too much into the book and pin it down to the latest as of his time, he does not seem to realize that medicine will change and what is new and earth shaking to him at the time of writing may be old hat shortly after publication. This is where the book falls down. Also in the love affairs of the doctors and staff, I think he has too much happening too fast with little distinction between love and lust, how are they distinguished? He calls it love when it may only be lust but on with the story, he has a tale to tell.
The speech on the final pages should probably be read by administrators once in a while to remind them of how important being current on knowledge is.
Week 5: Author H
by Irene Hunt Finished 12/18/14
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Poor seven year old Georgie lives in hell. His mother is alcoholic, and is drunk most of the time. She is dating a man named Steve, who is very violent with Georgie, beating him often. Georgie is repeating first grade for the second time, his teacher is mean and he has no friends. Then it all changes. Nice Ms. Sims, who works at the grocery store gives Georgie a lottery ticket. Georgie is lucky, for once in his life, and wins a rosebush. After a severe beating by Steve, that lands Georgie in the hospital, and Steve in jail(finally!), Georgie is sent to a boys' home. There, with the help of his rosebush, and a few people, Georgie learns to trust and love.
I've owned this book for a few years now. I was having trouble getting into the first book I chose, and saw this was short and fit, so I went with it. It was a tragically beautiful story! Because of something that happens, I wanted to say I hated it, but that wouldn't be true.
Week 5 Author H
Finished 12/18/2014
Rating 4 Stars
Review
Peyton has just gotten divorced when this house that used to belong to her great-aunt in dropped in her lap. She takes it as destiny to start her new life redoing the house of her family whom she knew nothing about. Peyton has taken on a huge project but with the help of her sexy neighbor they may just pull it off. The more time Peyton spends in the house she learns that it's haunted by the ghost of Drake a former cop who was trying to catch the axeman. As Peyton get's closer to Ryan she can't keep Drake out of her dreams.
I've purchased a few books by this author but never started them and this one keeps popping up on my news feed so I decided to bite the bullet. I loved Peyton she's go(tten rid of her loser ex and is starting her life all over. However I've been watching Coven of American Horror story that features the Axeman of new Orleans which is super creepy that this novel also features him. I looked him up also btw totally real scared the hebbie jeebies out of me.) I like that Ryan and feel he's kind of perfect for stubborn Peyton. The story is witty, loaded with humor, toss in a little mystery and a ghost it's a perfectly executed story. I enjoyed Peyton's story and the supernatural elements are done tastefully. I'm not sure how I feel about Drake but maybe that next one will solve that problem. Ghouls Rush in is a cozy mystery perfect for a lazy afternoon read.
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The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Forgotten (other topics)Looking for Alaska (other topics)
Phantom Evil (other topics)
Forgotten (other topics)
At Arm's Length (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
John Green (other topics)Stephen King (other topics)
Sarah Dessen (other topics)
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Week 2 - Saving Grace (Standalone)
Week 3 -
Morrigan's Cross (1st in "Circle Trilogy" series)can't read it so i'll try Perfect Chemistry (Perfect Chemistry, #1 and shelved 6 times as tbr-own)