R12: SSS Team 2 - Love 2 Read

[Suzanne]

Oops - I totally hadn't remembered that! If you find something (or don't) let us know. I'd rather read the book I posted, but I for sure have books I can change to.

[Suzanne]

I did find a short one I can pick up if needed. I'm going to read this cowboy one first, but I can zoom through the 160 page witch book I found if Tamie-Lee (or Ez) doesn't find something. So Denise - feel free to read your pick. You earned reading whatever you want after that monster book you read last roll!

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Yay!
In that case, I'll be spending some quality time curled up in front of the fireplace with this:

SELECTION POST
Spot: 52

Book: Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine
Qualification: The Great Library #5
Pages: 411

[Suzanne]

Oh awesome! I bet it'll be great!

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

You know that feeling when you love a series so much you can't bear to read the final book because a) then it'll be OVER and there'll never be any more of it & b) what if the ending is terrible and it retroactively ruins the whole series for you?? That, in a nutshell, is how come I've had this book sitting on my shelf since it came out and haven't read it yet. To say I have high hopes for it would be an understatement! 😂

[Suzanne]

I hope it meets every expectation! Yes I totally have had series like that - and they've gone both ways.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Suzanne wrote: "I hope it meets every expectation! Yes I totally have had series like that - and they've gone both ways."

That is not even a little bit reassuring. 😂😂😂

[Tamie-lee]

SELECTION POST
Spot: 52

Book: Found by Cali Mann
Qualification: Cover Item: One Person
Pages: 177

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Denise wrote: "Yay!
In that case, I'll be spending some quality time curled up in front of the fireplace with this:

SELECTION POST
Spot: 52

I’m sad about her. Cancer sucks

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Ezinwanyi wrote: "I’m sad about her. Cancer sucks "

Definitely does. I didn't even know, just now catching up. Damn. :(

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

SELECTION Post (Week 7)
Roll 1 Spot 52

Title: Man Card by Sarina Bowen
Qualification: Man Hands, Book 2
Pages: 246 pages

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

COMPLETION Post (Week 7)
Roll 1 Spot 52

Title: Man Card by Sarina Bowen
Qualification: Man Hands, Book 2
Pages: 246 pages
Read: 10/31
Rating & Review: 🌟🌟🌟
At first, I didn’t think I’d be able to continue with this book because grown people were acting like college kids. But as the story developed, we got more of their back stories and their choices and actions made more sense.
I really liked Ash’s relationship with her parents and her friends. There was genuine support and love for Ash.
Sebastian was a good guy hidden under all that man-law violations.
Once they got over their work rivalry, there was a cute Couple trying to find love after being betrayed. At times, It felt like they were 19-21 with their dialogue but others it was okay. I will continue with the series because the second half was really strong.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week 6: Roll 2
Spot: 52

Book: Sword and Pen by Rachel Caine
Qualification: The Great Library #5
Pages: 411
Finished: 31 Oct 2020
Rating: ★★★★★

Review:
When I bought Ink and Bone on impulse five years ago, I hardly imagined that it would turn out to be the opener of what would quickly become one of my favourite series - I had liked a few of Rachel Caine's previous works, but none ever came close to being added to my favourites shelf. This series, on the other hand, catapulted itself into its top reaches and has remained there, with each subsequent volume only cementing its place.
It is therefore no surprise that I went into this last book with high hopes and equally high levels of trepidation as to whether it would live up those hopes.
In short: YES.
This was, quite simply, everything I wanted and more - an amazing, epic, unputdownable finale for an absolutely brilliant series. With the Great Library under threat by traitors from within and would-be occupiers' fleets and armies from without, with the former Archivist still at large in the city and undoubtedly plotting his revenge, with Jess still reeling from his brother's death and everyone having to figure out where they fit in in this new world they have created and might lose at any second, the stakes couldn't be higher going into this book. I don't want to spoil even the tiniest bit of the ending, so all I'll say is this: I loved it. It's fitting, it's deeply satisfying, it hurts yet delivers hope, and ultimately I put the book down with a tear, a smile, and the utter conviction that I'll be reading this series again and again. Thank you, Rachel Caine.

[Suzanne]

Yay! I'm so glad it was good! I have books 4 and 5 in that series to read. Sounds like I need to get that done! (One reason I love this challenge.)

[Suzanne]

Week 7 Roll 1 (Thursday)
Roll: 2
Previous Spot: 50
New Spot: 52

Task:
#5 in series
#2 in series


Alternate: One person

Reviews
Denise Sword and Pen
Suzanne Looking for a Cowboy
Ezinwanyi Man Card
Tamie-LeeFound **Earns Halloween Bonus Point


Total Bonus points earned: 3 + 1 this week
Bonus points this week: 1 for Tamie - Lees Paranormal book (Halloween)
Bonus points used: 1

Bonus Point Tracking
(view spoiler)[
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series. Earned by Suzenne Magical Bookstore series and Tamie Lee - Murderbot
✸ One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages.
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one. Denise is working on this one
✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
Earned Week 1 - earned week 1
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ Halloween Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Horror/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the roll on 10/30. Tamie-Lee's book

(hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Completion Post Week 7 Thursday roll
Spot: 52

Book: Looking for a Cowboy by Donna Grant
Qualification: #5 in Heart of Texas
Date Read: 10/31/20
Pages: 368
Rating: 4 stars
Review
I started this series with book #4, and was glad to continue on to this book (I'm sure I'll read numbers 1-3 at some point). This is certainly a romance, but it is also a thriller, and the author does a nice combination of suspense, friendship, and of course falling in love.

Marlee is a private detective who had been a police officer until her twin sister was brutally murdered and her baby taken. Now Marlee's mission is to find missing infants and (hopefully) reunite them with their families. She follows some leads to Texas and a suspicious adoption. There she meets Cooper and his friends.

The crimes in this book are horrific and made me driven to finish the book and see what happens. It was fast paced, but things also developed between Marlee and Cooper at a believable level - there was certainly instant attraction, but it was easy to see how their strengths and values were similar. There are still lots of interesting characters in this story for future books too!

[Suzanne]

I'm heading to bed now - I'll roll tomorrow (if someone hasn't rolled sooner). Thanks for doing our Paranormal read, Tamie-Lee! :)

[Tamie-lee]

Completion Post
Week 7 - Roll 1 - Spot: 52

Book: Found by Cali Mann
Qualification: One person on the cover.
Date Read: 11/01/20
Pages: 177
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This was a bit disappointing to be honest. It has some cool concepts (like shifters being based on elements, spirit shifters etc), but they seem almost like an afterthought.
The characters are rather bland and under-developed, I'm not convinced any of the men even have personalities besides "OMG MATE!" and the personalities of the women seems limited to petty jealousy.
And honestly I'm getting so tired of the trope in shifter stories of the side characters just instantly being infatuated with the main character for no other reason than "They're destined to be mates." It's so overdone and getting a bit boring.
Maybe I'm thinking too much into this. As far as short, trashy romance novels go, it's enjoyable. As far as the supernatural academy genre goes, it's lacklustre. I enjoyed it, but it could have been soo much better.

[Suzanne]

Week 7 Roll 2 (Sunday)
Roll: 4
Previous Spot: 52
New Spot: 56

Task:
#5 in series
#6 in series


Alternate: 56. One Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Witness or Divergent

Reviews
DeniseThe Secret Soldier
EzinwanyiA Duke of her Own
SuzanneAge of Death
Tamie-LeeNo Review this week - using free pass


Total Bonus points earned: 4
Bonus points this week:
Bonus points used: 1

Bonus Point Tracking
(view spoiler)[
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series. Earned by Suzenne Magical Bookstore series and Tamie Lee - Murderbot
✸ One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages.
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one. Denise is working on this one
✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
Earned Week 1 - earned week 1
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ Halloween Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Horror/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the roll on 10/30. Tamie-Lee's book

(hide spoiler)]

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

SELECTION POST
Spot: 56

Book: The Secret Soldier by Alex Berenson
Qualification: John Wells #5
Pages: 401

[Tamie-lee]

Selection Post
Week 7 - Roll 2
Spot: 56

Book: Erebus by Steven C. Bird
Qualification: One Word Title
Pages: 276

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

SELECTION Post (Week 7)
Roll 2: Spot 56

Title: A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James
Qualification: Desperate Duchesses, Book 6
Pages: 404 pages

[Suzanne]

SELECTION POST (WEEK 7)
Spot 56

Book: Age of Death by Michael J. Sullivan
Qualification: #5 in Legends of the first Empire
Pages: 420

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

COMPLETION Post (Week 7)
Roll 2: Spot 56

Title: A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James
Qualification: Desperate Duchesses, Book 6
Pages: 404 pages
Read: 11/3
Rating and Review: 4.5 stars
Leopold and Eleanor gave a solid love story despite their varied past issues. Eleanor lost her love to another woman and vowed that she would not be runner up to another man that she gave herself. That’s precisely what she does when she gets involved with the Duke Leopold.
Leopold had children so marriage had to take into account his illegitimate offspring as well as his station as a Duke.

I loved Eleanor’s spirit. She definitely wasn’t conventional though she understood how the ton’s rules worked. Her pet dog added some chuckles for me as well as Leopold’s children. There was complexity to this love story.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week 7: Roll 2
Spot: 56

Book: The Secret Soldier by Alex Berenson
Qualification: John Wells #5
Pages: 401
Finished: 03 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
John Wells may have quit his job with the CIA, but he still finds plenty of opportunities to put his skillset to use. A mysterious invitation brings him face to face with the King of Saudi Arabia, who is in need of an independent contractor able to covertly look into troubles he is experiencing with dangerous strife within the royal family and a series of devastating terror attacks across the Middle East - issues that might very well be connected.

The extremely unlikely premise itself aside, this was one of the best books in the series so far IMO. I like that this didn't turn out to have the usual perfect "action hero saves the day" Hollywood happy ending - the series is at its best when it takes steps to avoid those dime-a-dozen tropes.

[Suzanne]

I was so sad about Rachel Caine passing away a couple days ago. She wrote such a variety of interesting books. I've met her at a few cons and she seemed like really a neat person and a HARD worker!

Anyway, I'm finally home from work. My book is finished - I'll do a completing post in a bit :)

[Suzanne]

COMPLETION POST (WEEK 7)
Spot 56

Book: Age of Death by Michael J. Sullivan
Qualification: #5 in Legends of the first Empire
Pages: 420
Date Read: 11/4/2020
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I definitely have to get to the next book (and last) book in this series soon. Most of the story in this one takes place in the underworld. It revealed a lot about the formation of the world and the gods in a very organic way, and I thought it was very interesting - especially the different areas and what goes on in each. I would have liked to see more of what was going on "outside", and I missed the humor that is in some of the other books (although I can totally see that it wouldn't have fit in this one). This was very much the middle book of a story - the characters are progressing (literally) towards the ending, and I'm excited to see it! I still have LOTS of questions.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Suzanne wrote: "I was so sad about Rachel Caine passing away a couple days ago. She wrote such a variety of interesting books. I've met her at a few cons and she seemed like really a neat person and a HARD worker!..."

I have read a few by her but I’ve lost family members to cancer do that’s hard

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Hey Tami-Lee,
According to your page, you finished this book yesterday.
Can you give us an update on your review? I’ve been waiting to start a new book. I don’t want to start a new book to have this stop to pick one for This challenge.

[Suzanne]

I guess I can send a message - I'm in the same situation. Lol I'm just surprised she hasn't blocked me yet from all the messages :)

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Isn't it way early morning in NZ at the moment? Might be a few more hours until we hear from her...

[Suzanne]

Yeah it sure might! I'll never begrudge sleep :)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

It’s hard because I’m trying to use the same book for another challenge but this waiting gets me a bit antsy since I don’t want to hold up my teammates on the other challenge.

I think we should all try to have our reviews in by Midnight Wednesday and Saturday.

With that said. I’m going to start a book...I have a two hour drive and I can at Least listen to two hours of an audiobook

[Suzanne]

Yeah I think having the reviews in by midnight Wednesday and Saturday is ideal. It would for sure be way less stressful for me!
Thursday and Sunday are my biggest "time to read" days, but haven't been working with this challenge lately. Oh well - not like I can't read :)
Travel safely Ezinwanyi!

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

I’m home now...of course I’m not excited that the election business isn’t concluded.

Can I just elect my momma President? This is stressful

[Suzanne]

It sure is - and the long-term stress is hard! I've checked results WAY too often.

I haven't heard back from Tamie-Lee yet- it's about 4:30 p.m. there so hopefully we'll see her soon =)

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

The election memes are hilarious.

I think we should use our free pass

[Suzanne]

Hmm..I still haven't gotten any messages from Tamie - Lee - and I did send the one this morning too =( Our check-in deadline is fast approaching (in 30 minutes).

I'm thinking it is free pass time - darn it! I hate to use it mostly because she finished her book yesterday. Ah well - that is why it exists I guess. If I remember correctly, if this happens again, we miss a turn?

I have one more persons homework to grade, and then I will roll and check us in - meanwhile crossing my fingers we get that review =D

[Suzanne]

Soon as I roll, I'm going to check out the memes - it's good to get some hilarious before bed!

[Suzanne]

Week 8 Roll 1 (Thursday))
Roll: 3
Previous Spot: 56
New Spot: 59

Task:
#5 in series
#9 in series


Alternate: 59. Author H

Reviews
DeniseIn the Requium
EzinwanyiIllumination
SuzanneA Gift from the Comfort Food Cafe


Total Bonus points earned: 4
Bonus points this week:
Bonus points used: 1

Bonus Point Tracking
(view spoiler)[
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series. Earned by Suzenne Magical Bookstore series and Tamie Lee - Murderbot
✸ One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages.
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one. Denise is working on this one
✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on.
Earned Week 1 - earned week 1
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ Halloween Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Horror/Paranormal/Urban Fantasy book for the roll on 10/30. Tamie-Lee's book

(hide spoiler)]

[Suzanne]

Darn - I would have loved to roll one more to get that Stand alone spot. Lol with my luck I'll roll one more Sunday =P

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Suzanne wrote: "It sure is - and the long-term stress is hard! I've checked results WAY too often."

I've checked results way too often, and I neither am American nor do I live there. This thing has pretty much the entire world on tenterhooks.

Suzanne wrote: "If I remember correctly, if this happens again, we miss a turn? "

Yep. Let's hope it won't come to that. Wonder what's up with Tamie-lee?

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

SELECTION POST
Spot: 59

Book: In the Requiem by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Metahuman Files #5
Pages: 434

[Suzanne]

Yeah I hope she's ok! I really worry about people, and it being 2020 doesn't help.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Suzanne wrote: "Darn - I would have loved to roll one more to get that Stand alone spot. Lol with my luck I'll roll one more Sunday =P"

You can always use one of the bonus points

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

I'd prefer it if we stayed on 59 unless it's a problem for someone else.

[Suzanne]

I found a #5 book that I think I'll like, so I'm fine staying on 59.

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

Denise wrote: "I'd prefer it if we stayed on 59 unless it's a problem for someone else."

I’m fine with it. I have a 5 book and an H as well.

[Suzanne]

Selection Post - Spot 59

Book: A Gift from the Comfort Food Café
Author: Debbie Johnson
Pages: 401
How it fits: Comfort Food Cafe #5

[Ezi, Factory Superintendent]

SELECTION Post (Week 8)
Roll 1: Spot 59

Title: Illumination by Susannah Sandlin
Qualification: Penton Legacy, Book 5
Pages: 366 pages