TART Challenge2 - Speedy Spine Crackers (6)

[Hazel]

I think I’m going to read

[Hazel]

This one meets the ptp challenge criteria too!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Sassafrass wrote: "The dreaded male author!"

I will allow a male/female duo here. 😉😉

[CB]

Ugh! Our least favorite task 🤦‍♀️

[Sassafrass]

I think Ilona Andrews would work since it's a husband and wife duo

[Sassafrass]

I'm sure the amazon page will count.

I have a book to read as well. I think it's the same book that I've had on my TBR for a long time.

[CB]

Oh, that’s a great point! I’ve been saving their latest book - this might be the great excuse to read it

[Sassafrass]

Is it the latest in the Hidden Legacy series? I have that on my TBR too.


I'm listening to this other book right now and just not getting into it at all.

[Sassafrass]

well, I've just realized that I'm now two books behind in that series so I'm about to read Sapphire Flames

[CB]

I’m going to read by Ilona Andrews

[Sassafrass]

I started Sapphire Flames and it’s already so good. That other book was so not with it.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

I will have a look for a book in a bit just gotta finish off 1 tonight and will start this tomorrow

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 11

Sapphire Flames
Pages: 359 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/11/20
Task: Read 4 books written by a male author
How it fits: written by the male/female writing duo Ilona Andrews
Rating: *5 STARS*

WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?! I mean I was excited by the prospect of Catalina coming into her own, but man, she was thrown right into the fire wasn't she? Just hit after hit in this one. I loved her bravery. And even when she didn't think she could win, she wasn't going to back down from fighting for what she believed in.

Alessandro...I was disappointed with him in the end but I'm sure all will be revealed in the next book. There is more to come for these two and I'm sure it won't be easy. I really need to know more about him. He's still so shrouded in mystery. It makes me wonder how many books will be in this story arc.

After what Catalina's grandmother made her promise, I'm sure there is a lot to get through in order for them to have a HEA. Will the authors be able to that in just a couple of books?

I have no idea. But, if anyone can do it it will be these two authors because they are just on fire. I love everything they write. And I have to also say BRAVO to them for finding another narrator who just nails the story.

After so many years of hearing Renee Raudman for all the Andrews's books, Emily Rankin had big shoes to fill and she did a fan-freakin'-tastic job! I can't wait to hear more!

[Hazel]

Completion Task 11

Book:
Pages: 374 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 12 October
Rating: 3.5⭐️
How it qualifies: Written by Male author Chris Allen
Review: This one was all action packed! A military coup is being plotted in Malfajiri and the Uk foreign office and secret service have sent 2 officers out there to work with one of the companies that are working with the local army but they have disappeared. Alex Morgan who has an extensive military background and has joined intrepid a military spin off for Interpol is sent in to find out what is going on. There is corruption within some of the UK government agencies and everything becomes tense as the president of Malfajiri is targeted whilst in London setting of a chain reaction in Malfajiri. Alex Morgan is injured multiple times but still manages to save the day.
I quite enjoyed this but some aspects were a bit confusing, there were a lot of different organisations and it was tough keeping track and though there was an element of romance it is so light a touch that it’s basically non existent.

[CB]

Completion - Task 11
17. Read 4 books written by a male author.


Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews
Pages: 400 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/13/2020
How it qualifies: Ilona Andrews is a husband and wife writing duo - author page
Rating: 4.5⭐️

I highly enjoyed this book, as I do all things Ilona Andrews. Not quite my obsessive love that I have for the first three books in the series though - to me, as much I like Catalina and Alessandro, they just cannot beat the awesomeness that is Nevada and Rogan. Great mystery and adventure with the Pit, and I love seeing how the Baylor family has been evolving and growing over the years. Another definite winner - 4.5 stars.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

hey guys I'm reading a nick spalding book should be done later today x

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

hey guys I finished but no laptop if someone can post my completion (hopefully it's ready Tomorrow)

nick spalding
life no breaks
3 stars


not much story just jargon from one guys head as he writes comical crap from his life from crapping himself Infront of his crush, to his phobia of sponges... an easy read.....

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

and I finished it today xxx

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

if no one can do my completion will post it tomorrow xxxx

[Hazel]

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "if no one can do my completion will post it tomorrow xxxx"

I’ll do it

[Hazel]

Completion post Task 11 - posting for Laura

Book:
Pages: 168 as per kindle edition in above link
Rating: 3⭐️
How it qualifies: written by male - link to author page https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Review: not much story just jargon from one guys head as he writes comical crap from his life from crapping himself Infront of his crush, to his phobia of sponges... an easy read.....

[Hazel]

Task 11 Team completion tracking

Sassafrass completion Msg #263
CB completion Msg #265
Hazel completion Msg #264
Laura completion Msg #271

[Sassafrass]

Thanks, Hazel!!

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is Task 12:

41. Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings.

The number of ratings is on the main book page under the title. The books you select for this task need to have over 10,000 ratings.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

thanks Hazel..... And i have my laptop back yayayayayay!!!!!!!

[Sassafrass]

Awesome!!! That took forever! I hope it's a good as new for you, Laura.

[Sassafrass]

I've got two for this next task. Although I didn't realize I had so many books on my list that have so few ratings!

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

my current reads dont fit but as soon as i finish current book will find something x

[CB]

Think I might read , although still looking a bit too

[Hazel]

I have a few that meet the criteria on my list for this month so will get started tomorrow. Will see what ones are the shortest.

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 12

Hitched: Volume One
Pages: 256 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/15/20
Task: Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings
How it fits: 12,105 ratings
Rating: *3.5 STARS*

So I liked this one for the most part. There were a couple of things that bothered me like: (view spoiler)[ Noah pulling out his "9 inch cock" in the middle of restaurant...sooooo unnecessary (hide spoiler)].

But other than that, I really do feel like the story was engaging and I really wanted to know what happened next. I became invested in these two and wanted them to succeed. Of course, I'm going to have to continue on with this series. I have to know where these two go from here!

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 12

The End Zone
Pages: 172 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/15/20
Task: Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings
How it fits: 10,953 ratings
Rating: *4 STARS*

I thought this was cute. I loved the two. I drove me nuts to see them skating around each other for so long but man they were combustible together. Sage was such a jerk when it came to Jolie, I'm glad she gave him hell for it though.

My favorite part had to be the extended epilogue though. YOWZA!

[Sassafrass]

I have another too. I can get it done tomorrow.

[Sassafrass]

Completion: Task 12

Broken and Screwed
Pages: 261 (kindle)
Date completed: 10/16/20
Task: Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings
How it fits: 17,681 ratings
Rating: *3 STARS*

Ugh, this one was just too much YA. Too much unnecessary drama. The bones of the story was good but just the frivolous little high school dramas drove me crazy. But, I did want to know what happened with Alex and Jesse. I will listen to the follow up because I want to know how it ends. I'm hoping that now that they will be older it will have a different feel.

[Sassafrass]

Where is everyone???

[Hazel]

Working on mine should finish early tomorrow morning.

[Sassafrass]

Hi Hazel!!!

[CB]

Hi! Sorry, been kind of crazy this week. I’m currently working on , might have it finished tonight

[Sassafrass]

I just miss everyone. I feel like we've been very silent this week.

Good to see that everyone is good!

And Laura, how's the laptop?

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

Laptop.is good, I'm in a real reading tut atm tho..... I'm only getting to a few.chapters.a.day before bed and about an hour or so of audio when cleaning hubby slowly stopping for season so we getting more time together I got a dinner party with 9 ppl to cook for tommorw...... Plus I been watching tv a lot..... I'm hoping my my reading mojo returns soon..... I will try and read a.quickie for this but if I have managed by Sunday night will probably use my pass this round.... Will see xxxxx

[Hazel]

Yes it’s been a crazy week for me. Our schools have been off for a weeks holiday so trying to work and spend some time with my son.

Laura 9 people for dinner - we still aren’t allowed anyone in our houses and only allowed to meet one other household outside up to 6 people. I’m nearly finished mine.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

at the moment we allowed..... and it's only my mum my mum in law my brother and sis in law, my husband's brother and wife me and the hubby our 2 kids and 2 of my nephew's comming too.....

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

so 12 now..... but I did are easy and they will sit at their own little table....

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

I made a pork roll with bacon and spices that's cooking ATM, will go in the fridge overnight as it cuts cleaner that way, with honey mustard sauce and roast potatoes and veg.... we going blackberry picking with the kids later to do an apple and blackberry crumble with custard for dessert..... not doing starters.... lol

[CB]

Completion - Task 12
41. Read 6 books with over 10,000 ratings.


Royally Screwed by Emma Chase
Pages: 294 (GR)
Date Completed: 10/17/2020
How it qualifies: Currently has 35,278 ratings on GR
Rating: 4.5⭐️

Thought this was a super cute take on the fantasy romance of a royal falling in love with a commoner, and how they deal with it when reality gets in the way. Nicholas was sexy and hot with his dirty talk, and Olivia was sweet and honest, and I thought a good foil for him. I appreciated the NYC scenes and the portrayal of how difficult it was for Nicholas to try to do normal dating things without fans and paparazzi everywhere, and also the ugly underbelly of the Wessco upper crust society once they traveled back to Nicholas’ country. Wasn’t sure that I cared for his brother at first, but by the end of the book it had me looking forward to reading his story. Really enjoyed this take on a royalty romance, and thought it was a great kickoff to the series.

[Laura..devouring books like crumpets]

we usually do dinner Sundays as a family during the winter out of season we started last week we had moussaka with walnut cake at mother in law's.... take it in turns to host it just this week it's us... but I have 5 nephew's.... usually only the youngest two come tho as the others work.... but always have to be prepared and cook extra as they do occasionally pop up.... but after this I have 4 weeks of not cooking on Sunday lol

[CB]

Laura..devouring books like crumpets wrote: "I made a pork roll with bacon and spices that's cooking ATM, will go in the fridge overnight as it cuts cleaner that way, with honey mustard sauce and roast potatoes and veg.... we going blackberry..."

This sounds amazing! Making me hungry 😂

[Hazel]

Completion task 12

Book:
Pages: 386 as per kindle edition in above link
Read: 17 October
Rating: 5⭐️
How it qualifies: 12,413 ratings
Review: I really like this series. This is book number 7 and focuses on Steele the leader of one of the KGI teams. He is depicted as the iceman who has no sense of humour and shows no emotion. He has always been standoffish with the outfield dr - Maren that the team use if they’ve been injured until he decides he needs one night with her to get her out his system. One night turns out not to be enough and he returns for more. When away on a mission Maren is kidnapped and Steele tries to find away to rescue her. Maren is concerned that Steele won’t want her back as he never made any promises and after she tells him her situation. A great action packed book filled with some steamy scenes.

[Hazel]

Food sounds amazing Laura!

I was a bit later completing my book - forgot we had 2 football games to watch and I had to collect my sisters dog last night as someone was setting off fireworks near her and Orla is terrified so was crying and barking and waking my baby niece up so I had to also factor in dog walking today.

[Hazel]

That’s us got 5 books read - shall I read another or Laura are you nearly finished?