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R12: SSS Team 2 - Love 2 Read
I'm a little tempted to bump this up to 70, but I do have some 6 in series I can read :) I for sure have some "Title has a subtitle".
If we stay with this #, I'll read Scandal And The Duchess which is #6.5 in the Mackenzies and McBrides.I will check us in later - lol I'm getting too interrupted now :)
Mod
After finding that book, I'm good with either spot as well.
Mod
Spot 69
Title: Alec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction by Jennifer Ashley
Qualifications: Book 9, MacKenzies & McBrides
Pages: 332
Mod
Spot: 69
Book: In the Solace by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Metahuman Files #6
Pages: 353
Completion PostSpot: 69
Book: Scandal And The Duchess by Jennifer Ashley
Qualification: #6.5 in Mackenzies & McBrides
Pages: 160
Date Read: 11/17
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I usually prefer longer books than this, but I liked this short novel- it was a nice, complete story, but it also has content.
Rose married an older Duke, who died of a heart attack. His son by his first marriage, and also the press, blame Rose for his death, and there are all sorts of rumors about her as she is hounded everywhere she goes. Stephen McBride is a soldier, home on leave, and meets Rose while he is in a drunken haze. They claim an engagement, to throw the press off, but as always happens in these books, things get serious.
I rounded up to 4 stars because I liked that the story did avoid some tropes - especially the one that almost happens if the bride isn't virginal - then she has never really known true passion or enjoyed sex until the hero comes along and teaches her. SO glad that didn't happen here. Jennifer Ashley does tend to have unique characters, and we also got to see Ian here, who is always one of my favorites of the MacKenzies.
Mod
Spot 69
Title: Alec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction by Jennifer Ashley
Qualifications: Book 9, MacKenzies & McBrides
Pages: 332
Read: 11/17
Rating & Review: 4-stars
This book starts with Ian telling Beth about Ian's ancestors, but this story is told via diary written by Alec Mackenzie about how met his love Celia Fotheringhay while searching for his twin brother Will, who was a prisoner of war.
There is a little history here with England and Scotland, and we learn through this diary that not all the Mackenzies perished at the battle of Culloden. While two brothers will killed, We know Malcolm, Will and Alec escaped.
After the famous battle, Alec learned that his twin wasn't dead but was being held at a super secret prison. So Alec impersonated a french artist giving lessons in order to gain access to a Duke who has knowledge about said prison. The Duke's daughter Celia signs up for lessons and that is Alec's way to gain information.
Here is Alec learns to control his pain and anger while Celia comes out of herself to reach for more. Both of them have a restless spirit so they fit together. They had chemisty and the sprinkled in bits of history kept this story exciting. I enjoyed this one as much as Malcolm's story. The author has pulled off such a genius move by revisiting the Mackenzie's ancestors.
Mod
Spot: 69
Book: In the Solace by Hailey Turner
Qualification: Metahuman Files #6
Pages: 353
Finished: 18 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
The final book in the series gives us Jamie and Kyle's long overdue wedding before the action shifts to the UK to focus on Liam and his team as they deal with threats from the Reborn IRA and the fugitive former CIA director who appears to be collaborating with them. Surprising absolutely noone who has read Fire in the Heart, Oliver makes a reappearance and it turns out that not only do he and Liam have some history, there are also plenty of sparks flying between them as they work together.
This was a good, satisfying conclusion to the series. The Jamie and Kyle honeymoon scene felt a little gratuitous - did Turner just have a superfluous kinky sex scene lying around that she couldn't fit in anywhere else? Much as I enjoy a good sex scene, I kinda just wanted her to get on with the actual plot at that point. Seeing Liam's team in action was fun, and I liked him and Oliver together - glad Liam too got his HEA. I certainly wouldn't complain if another little story or two from this world happened to pop up at some point.
Pallavi, how's the book coming along?
Suzanne wrote: "Pallavi, how's the book coming along?"Almost done. Hold on. Review coming up in some
Thanks Pallavi - I appreciate you checking in :) And ugh - I'm so sorry I'm such a nag.
Completion post :week 9 roll 2Book:No Limits: The Will to Succeed
Author:Michael Phelps
How it fits: Title has subtitle
Page:228
Rating:⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I cried. The ending made me cry. They were happy, proud tears.
Michael Phelps created history. Highest gold medals ever in Olympics. We all know what he did is impossible.
What I wanted to know was how!
How difficult was the process!
Michael Phelps tells us about some of the most important attributes one requires to fully succeed.
1) Perseverance
2) Unwavering determination
3) Visualization
4) Written goals
We know most of these. What most of us lack is the execution.
The most important lesson he teaches is how to convert negative criticism into positive outcome.
Every inspiring read!
Suzanne wrote: "Thanks Pallavi - I appreciate you checking in :) And ugh - I'm so sorry I'm such a nag."Totally understandable.
I would try to post my reviews a little earlier to avoid last minute hassle.
Oh I just want to make sure I don't offend you!I liked the review - that sounds like an inspiring read - I'm not good at a lot of those things.
Week 10 Roll 1 (Thursday) Roll: 5
Previous Spot: 69
New Spot: 74
Task:
#7 in series
#4 in series
Alternate: 74. Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies: listopia, imdb, precis)
Reviews
Denise The Night Ranger
EzinwanyiA Mended Man
SuzanneCollateral Damage
PallaviThe Firm
Total Bonus points earned: 4
Bonus points this week:
Bonus points used: 1
Bonus Point Tracking
(view spoiler)
Mod
Spot: 74
Book: The Night Ranger by Alex Berenson
Qualification: John Wells #7
Pages: 387
Suzanne wrote: "Oh I just want to make sure I don't offend you!I liked the review - that sounds like an inspiring read - I'm not good at a lot of those things."
Not at all offended!
It is quite exceptional, the book. Every sportsperson's story is!
Neither was I! This team challenge is a good way to finish non fics TBR.
Selection Post (I think this works)Spot: 74
Book: Collateral Damage by Fern Michaels
Qualification: Rules of the game #4 (but its primarily listed as Sisterhood #11 )
Pages: 249
Mod
Spot 74
Title: A Mended Man by Jaime Reese
Qualifications: The Men of Halfway House #4
Pages: 445
Mod
Spot: 74
Book: The Night Ranger by Alex Berenson
Qualification: John Wells #7
Pages: 387
Finished: 21 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Wells receives an unexpected call from his son, asking for his help. Four American aid workers volunteering at a refugee camp in Kenya have been kidnapped and Evan believes John might be able to find and rescue them - so obviously, off he goes, never mind that East Africa is not an area he's familiar with and he barely knows where to begin. Meanwhile, some in the White House are considering using the kidnappings as an excuse to invade Somalia.
This was probably my least favourite book from the series so far, but I got into it eventually despite not caring the slightest bit about whether the kidnapped morons survived. Still, Wells is always good for an entertaining read.
Mod
Spot 74
Title: A Mended Man by Jaime Reese
Qualifications: The Men of Halfway House #4
Pages: 445
Read: 11/21
Rating & Review: 3-ish stars.
I don’t know but this story didn’t feel like a Men of the Halfway house story. It was like they wanted a bit of that Cut & Run feel with the police procedural stuff.
I liked Jesse and Aidan, but Aidan was exhausting. It was like pulling teeth and Jesse works so hard and patiently to chip away at his walls. I was getting annoyed and kept remembering that it will end in an HEA.
I liked the prior books much better
Completion Post Spot: 74
Book: Collateral Damage by Fern Michaels
Qualification: Rules of the game #4 (but its primarily listed as Sisterhood #11 )
Pages: 249
Date Read: 11/21/20
Rating: 3 stars
Review: In this Sisterhood story, an FBI agent that knew some of the sisterhood founders in the past is given the task of tracking them down. Her job won't be easy, as the vigilantes have SO many friends in both high and low places. Meanwhile, the Sisterhood is offered a job to find the hacker who somehow stole lists of political donors - from both parties. Somehow the release of these lists would be catastrophic, and the ladies are offered a highly desirable presidential pardon if they succeed.
Once again, I somehow fell into a political story when I'm just so discouraged about politics....sigh. I keep thinking "they think this is a mess? They should see 2020!" But fiction is certainly nicer than reality - things get wrapped up and we know what really happens. AND we can throw the book across the room when it bugs us. I need a real life equivalent for that :)
Completion Post:Week 10 Book:The Firm
Author:John Grisham
Page:501
How it fits: Book into a movie
Listopia best book turned into a movie on goodreads
Ratings: 3 stars
Review:
This is my first John Grisham book!
Though the plot was good, the story was stretched long making it tiresome to read.
Mitch McDeere, a top Harvard student is offered job by good law firms. He choses the least famous firm as they offer him very high salary, a fancy new BMW, low interest rate on house loans. Mitch and Abby, his wife are awestruck by the shiny new things they receive. Driven by greed for money and promotion, Mitch starts working 18 hrs a day, 6 days of week ignoring his wife in the process.
While working he notices odd, unusual activity in his office.
Too many deaths of colleagues confirms his suspicion.
Mitch is faced with toughest decision of his life.
A wrong decision would lead him to lose everything.
If things are too good to be true, they usually are not!
A surprising fact not noticed by a Harvard graduate!! It was difficult to relate with the main lead who was so easily dazzled by shiny new things.
The plot made it all worthwhile.
Week 10 Roll 12 (Sunday)Roll: 4
Previous Spot: 74
New Spot: 78
Task:
#7 in series
#8 in series
Alternate: 78. Cover: Purple
Reviews
Denise The Detachment
Pallavi Rich Dad, Poor Dad Cash Flow Quadrant
Suzanne Big Little Spies
ExinwanyiThree Weeks with Lady X
Total Bonus points earned: 4
Bonus points this week:
Bonus points used: 1
Bonus Point Tracking
(view spoiler)
Pallavi wrote: " Completion Post:Week 10 Book:The Firm
Author:John Grisham
Page:501
How it fits: Book into a movie
Listopia best book turned into a movie on goodreads
Ratings: 3 stars..."
The book is above 500 pages. Do we get a bonus point for that?
We sadly only get one bonus point as a team for each of the things on the bonus list, and Denise did that one earlier in the challenge. As soon as I saw that long book, I double checked.I'm so impressed that you read such a big book in so little time - wow! Especially when it wasn't a 5-star read - those always go by faster :)
Mod
Spot: 78
Book: The Detachment by Barry Eisler
Qualification: John Rain #7
Pages: 325
Mod
I'm so im..."
It's not crossed off the list in your bonus point tracking yet, I had to double check too at some point - "Wait, didn't I do that one? Or am I imagining things?" :)
Oh I'm sorry! Darn it - I'm a horrible tracker ! I'm honestly so overwhelmed by life this past month that a lot of little details are being missed. I just can't keep up :( And huge apologies to you, Pallavi - I suspect that my mess up is one of the reasons you chose such a big book. I'm so sorry.I'll try to look at that today at some point.
Mod
✸Thanksgiving: Teams will roll the Sunday before (11/22). No roll on Thursday (11/26). Reviews are due and the next roll will be Sunday (11/29) and at this point the game resumes its normal schedule.
Thanks! so sounds like we have a week! :) I appreciate the reminder.
Oh and I marked off that bonus point Again, sorry (especially to Pallavi) that I missed marking that before.
Mod
Suzanne wrote: "Oh I'm sorry! Darn it - I'm a horrible tracker ! I'm honestly so overwhelmed by life this past month that a lot of little details are being missed. I just can't keep up :( And huge apologies to you..."No problem at all. I wanted to read some office drama. This one jumped at me. I enjoyed it too:-)
Pallavi wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "Oh I'm sorry! Darn it - I'm a horrible tracker ! I'm honestly so overwhelmed by life this past month that a lot of little details are being missed. I just can't keep up :( And huge ..."Thanks for being so kind :)
Mod
Yep! So you ladies in the US can enjoy Thanksgiving with less stress. Pallavi and I will just have to keep ourselves occupied with other things. ;)
Selection post: Spot 78 Book:Rich Dad, Poor Dad 2: Cash Flow Quadrant - Rich Dad's Guide to Financial Freedom
Author:Robert T. Kiyosaki
Page:372
How it fits: cover-purple
Pallavi wrote: " Selection post: Spot 78 Book:Rich Dad, Poor Dad 2: Cash Flow Quadrant - Rich Dad's Guide to Financial Freedom
Author:Robert T. Kiyosaki
Page:372
How it fits: cover-purple"
I am a little confused whether the book qualifies under purple cover. Is there any way to clarify?
Mod
You can use this to check if you're not sure: TinEye Labs (it says violet rather than purple, but same thing)
Yours definitely qualifies.
I just checked us in - I'm so sorry I forgot to do it yesterday. I had a panic attack soon after my last post yesterday - that's never happened before, and it was just a tough day in general and I completely forgot.
Mod
Sounds like you had a shitty day, hopefully today is better!
Mod
Spot: 78
Book: The Detachment by Barry Eisler
Qualification: John Rain #7
Pages: 325
Finished: 23 Nov 2020
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Was this seriously the fourth time I've read this? Well, if GR says so I guess it must be true... not that I'm complaining, this is one of those books I can read over and over without it ever getting boring. The action and suspense never fail to grip me despite already knowing how it all turns out, and putting all these compelling, fascinating characters from two series together was an absolute stroke of genius of Eisler's that always makes for a great read. I went with the audio version this time around, read by the author who clearly had a good time narrating the story.
Mod
On this cover
Is the sky violet/purple enough?
Mod
On this cover
Is the sky violet/purple enough?"
I'm gonna have to say no on that one, sorry. :(
Mod
On this cover
Is the sky violet/purple enough?"
I'm gonna have to say no on that one, sorry. :("
Thanks 😊
The Challenge Factory
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Authors mentioned in this topic
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Roll: 4
Previous Spot: 65
New Spot: 69
Task:
#6 in series
#9 in series
Alternate: 69. Title has a subtitle
Reviews
Suzanne Scandal and the Duchess
EzinwanyiAlec Mackenzie's Art of Seduction
Denise In the Solace
Pallavi No Limits: the will to succeed
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 1Earned 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)]