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R12: SS Team 11 - Eleventh Heaven
Hi everyone! Denise sent me over as a replacement player. Heading back to read through the thread to catch up.
Hi Stacey! Welcome to the team 😀
Hi guys! Is the replacement spot still open?
Pallavi wrote: "Hi guys! Is the replacement spot still open?"
Yes, we still need another. Welcome and hi again. ☺
☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ wrote: "Pallavi wrote: "Hi guys! Is the replacement spot still open?"
Yes, we still need another. Welcome and hi again. ☺"
Hi Carmen🙂
Feels good to participate in another challenge!
I'll go through the rules again and update my selection post soon.
Mod
To clarify the bonus points again:
The team can only earn one of each kind during the whole game, not just during each week. So you've earned the 2 in 1 bonus and the >500 pages bonus and can't earn them again.
I have tons of 2s and 3s so I really don't know what I'm going to read yet. I'll check back in once I see what I need for other challenges this coming week.
I will keep going with series I am on and read living Dead in Dallas. Number 2 of the sookie stackhouse series
Denise wrote: "Glad your reinforcements arrived! :)To clarify the bonus points again:
The team can only earn one of each kind during the whole game, not just during each week. So you've earned the 2 in 1 bonu..."
Oops my fault, Denise. Totally forgot to change it.
I've got some catching up to do in other challenges, so I'm going with a shortish one here. I'll be reading Hades which is Book 2 in Demonica Underworld.
Completion Post ~~ Week 4Spot:23
Book:
Completed: 10/14/20
Pages: 155
How it fits: #2 in Demonica Underworld
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I enjoy Ione's Underworld series, but occasionally the full books are just a little to full of death and horribleness. This series is a wee bit lighter and obviously shorter, so it offers a little peek in the world without being too much. The new portrayal of hell, demons, Hades, the Grim Reaper etc, are interesting and the characters are easy to like if you dig bad guys with big hearts.
Completion Post - Week 4 ReviewHeart Beat (Saranghaeyo Series Book 2) by Sarah G.
Publication Date: 17 May 2015
267 pages
Qualification: Second Book in the Series
Dates Read: Friday, 9 October 2020 to Thursday, 15 October 2020
4 Stars
(Spot 23)
This is a continuation of the story in Unexpected (Saranghaeyo Series, Book 1). If we hadn’t had #2 as one of our picks, I probably wouldn’t have read this book. I was pleasantly surprised.
This story features the previous hero’s cousin Kai, who wasn't so likable in the first book. With that fact alone, I was interested to see how Ms. G was going to pull that of.
She (the author) seems to be more familiar and comfortable with the characters, the story world, and writing physical romance. Although it could be seen as a trope to make a villain (or antagonist character) of the first book, the hero in the second book; I think that it works for her here. I also think that the increased page count gave the story room to breathe. There is more character development, and the story just flows better.
If you read the first book and liked it, I’m sure that you’ll really like this one. If you read the first book and thought “meh”, you may want to give this book (and the author) another try. While not riveting, it is a stronger story with better character development.
Completion Post- Week 4 ReviewLiving dead in DallasLiving Dead in Dallas
Author-Charlaine Harris
pages 291
How it Fits- Second book in Sookie Stackhouse Series
read dates- Oct 11-15
Rating 4 stars
This was a continuation of the book I read last week and will say I found this book to be a huge improvement from the first one in the series. Right off the bat there was a murder and an attack by that other creature. Also right away there a secret mission. This book had a lot more action than the first one and I was able to connect with characters. I am super excited to finish this series and see what happens to Sookie and the other beloved characters next.
Completion Post - Week 4 
Book: The Last Charm
Author: Ella Allbright
Read: 10/15/20
Rated: 4.5 stars
How it Fits: female author
Review: Leila and Jake are good for each other but Leila part of the time needed to find her way and see that even though she has lost people in her life that there is still people who love her. Jake has to toughest time because he has a terrible father who is abusive and a mother who is just stuck. There was some sad moments but also good ones as well. I loved Jake and sometimes Leila as well even though she was getting on my nerves with her issues. I loved this coming of age story. It was a mix of feelings but quite enjoyable.
Completion post - Week 4Book:Becoming
Author:Michelle Obama
Read: 10/15/20
Rate:5 stars
How it fits: Female authors
Page:426
Review: A remarkable autobiography of a very strong, remarkable woman.
Author talks about her time growing up on the south side of Chicago as a black person and the challenges she faces in her career; as a wife and as a mother.
Her struggles are so intimately honest and open. It easily resonates with any woman's life.
She is unbelievably feisty; putting the needs of her family above everything else no matter what.
Her drive to contribute to the society throughout her life is inspirational.
Loved reading about every aspect of Michelle Obama's life.
Hi Stacey! Hi Pallavi! Welcome! Both of your reviews this week contain books in my TBR pile!
LaurLa, I just read your post. How many challenges are you doing right now?
Completion Post ~~ Week 4Spot: 23
Book: Lover on Top
How it fits: #3 Six Alarm Sexy
Date Read: 10.16 ★★★★
Review:
This is the second gay-for-you or I-didn't-know-I-was-gay-until-I-met-you book I've read in a week or so. The differences between the two books are vast. I felt like the author here did a great job of showing the confusion and uncertainty both MCs were experiencing. Chad has been out since high school while Hollywood didn't even know he could be attracted to a man. Add to that confusion was Hollywood's homophobic and abusive father (who also happens to be their boss) and you have a recipe for lots of angst and drama. Which there was but it wasn't OTT and it was handled well and authentically, for the most part. I enjoyed the journey and will be glad to see a slice of HEA on the final novella of the series.
Natalie wrote: "LaurLa, I just read your post. How many challenges are you doing right now?"I think 6 team challenges right now. Usually there's overlap between them so it's not as bad as it sounds!
Week 5Roll: 6 + 5 = 11
Previous Space: 23
New Space: 34
Can read Series #3 or #4 or Alternate: 34. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Week 5 - Completion ReviewsRoll: 6 + 5 = 11
Previous Space: 23
New Space: 34
Can read Series #3 or #4 or Alternate: 34. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
Carmen ~ Review Post
Natalie - Review Post
LaurLa - Review Post
Ann - Review Post
Stacey - Review Post
Pallavi Review Post
Since I joined the team late, I'm not eligible to earn the "never picked the alternate option" point, correct?
Mod
Actually, there's no rule that says you can't... mostly because noone's ever asked. XD But it's Friday afternoon (for me, anyway) and I can't currently be bothered to come up with new restrictions to impose on anything, so I'll go with: No reason why not! ;)
If we can do a book 3 Iguess Iwill read Club Dead and keep going on my current series.
Completion Post ~~ Week 5Spot: 34
Book: Sugar Rush
How it fits: #3 Friend-Zoned
Date Read: 10.21 ★★★★
Review:
I had to give this 4 stars because it just made me laugh out loud and happy. The plot wasn't all that great - there was a lot f contrived conflict and over-reaction, but the Helena's quirky nature and Max's silliness just made reading about them fun. So even though the book blurb hinted at deep dark pain, eh, not so much. The book was light-hearted even as it dealt with what could be considered a difficult issue with a para-plegic child. But the author kept things light and made a happy book that was a delight to read. I wish she'd write that last book in the series but it's been like 6 years so I'm not holding my breath...
Completion Post - Week 5 ReviewMissing You (Saranghaeyo Series Book 3) by Sarah G.
Publication Date: 10 April 2016
463 pages
Qualification: Third Book in the Series
Dates Read: Friday, 15 October 2020 to Thursday, 22 October 2020
3- Stars
This is the third installment in the Saranghaeyo Series. Each book in the series is about a member of a K-Pop band. MISSING YOU highlights the youngest member of the band, whose name is Young and an African American woman, Sam.
There is a HUGE jump in the number of pages. The premise also has a twist, younger man-older woman. The story starts out with their “one-night-stand” after the wedding reception of Noel and Kai, the hero and heroine of the first book in the series. Nice. An unusual beginning which gave you some character information if you read the first book. If the author had stopped here with the fanservice, it would have served the story better.
First quip, the word count is too large for this story. There is a lot of plot contrivances and fanservice that weigh the story down. It becomes a little difficult to read through. There is a lot of fat in this story that needs to be cut.
Next quip, the love scenes. Exciting at the beginning, kinda boring towards the end. If you are making the reader drudge through a slow manuscript, you need to have ALLL of the love scenes be spicy. There were love scenes, that’s all I can say about the middle to the end of the book.
My last quip is the resurgence of typos and bad grammar. This really does take the reader out of the story. Unfortunate. With such a racy beginning between an older woman and younger man, I wanted to like the story more. It fizzled for me by the end.
Completion Post ~~ Week 5Spot: 34
Book: Family Pride
Read: 10/22/20
Rated: 3.5 stars
Fits: 3rd in the Blood of the Pride series
Review: Families always try to do what's best but the secrets will come out eventually. When Rebecca meet Brandon’s parent she was surprise that they were even alive. LOL There was more than just that but it was just a moment where I wanted to punch Brandon's father in the face. He was just an arrogant jerk and the mom was a piece of work too. I do enjoy Rebecca and Brandon together. They are a great pair.
Natalie wrote: "Completion Post - Week 5 ReviewMissing You (Saranghaeyo Series Book 3) by Sarah G.
Publication Date: 10 April 2016
463 pages
Qualification: Third Book in the Series
Dates Read: Friday, 15 October..."
I hate when that happen Natalie. Sorry you had to go through that :(
Completion Post ~~ Week 5Spot: 34
Book:
Completed: 10/22/20
Pages: 535
How it fits: #3 in Dream Man
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Kristen Ashley tends to be one of those authors you either love or hate -- because her heroes tend to be OTT alphas with limited speaking power. To me, the H of this book is her least alpha alpha so much easier to take than some of her others. I'm not usually a fan of kids in books, but the two in this one, and the way the h/H come together around taking care of them is lovely to watch. If I had to recommend a book to a new Kristen Ashley reader -- it would be this one.
Book- Club DeadClub DeadPages; 292
completed:10/22/20
How it fits # 3 in Sookie Stackhouse series
Ratings 3 stars
Review: This is the third book in this series and like the first one I was not the biggest fan. I just felt the plot was kind of scattered and this book just made me sort of start to not like the two main Characters. I am mad at Bill for being a jerk and trying to leave Sookie though I understand why. I am mad at Eric for making Sookie feel obligated to help Bill even though he broke her heart. I am mad at Sookie for flirting with these other guys while supposedly looking for Bill. I will keep reading the series only, because I am truly hoping that Sookie dumps both of the vampires and dates Sam. That being said this book is making me want a break from said series.
Completion post-Week 5Book: The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
Author:Agatha Christie
Page:
Completed:23/10/20
Rated:2.5stars
How it fits: 4th book in a series Hercule Poirot
Review:
The ending blew my mind. So impressive and unpredictable. Yet I rate it only 2.5 stars.
For a person who grew up watching/reading Sherlock and Mentalist, the story isn't so captive.
Many times I had to force myself to finish the book which was a new experience for me; for mystery novel have always kept me on my toes.
The author does a brilliant job of taking you back in time but the story was a little bland for my taste.
Dr. Sheppard and his sister Caroline lead a quiet, normal life in a small village. However, their peace is disturbed when a rich widow commits suicide. Her admirer, Mr. Roger Ackroyd, who is equally wealthy vows to find the blackmailer responsible for her death. In a drastic turn of events, Mr. Ackroyd is found murdered and every person present in the household is a suspect. Luckily, Dr. Sheppard's new neighbour, M. Poirot, enters to solve the case.
He will leave no stone unturned to find the killer!
Week 6 - Completion ReviewsRoll: 3 + 5 = 8
Previous Space: 34
New Space: 42
Can read Series #4 or #2 or Alternate: 42. Cover Item: Weapon
Carmen ~ Review Post
Natalie - Review Post
LaurLa - Refiew Post
Ann - Review Post
Stacey - Review Post
Pallavi - Review Post
Bonus:
Ann ~ ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series
Carmen - ✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series.
Carmen,Have you read that series?!
You know with this week’s roll, I’m going to read book four! 😉
Natalie wrote: "Carmen,Have you read that series?!
You know with this week’s roll, I’m going to read book four! 😉"
I haven't but your brave. LOL I'm going to read the next book since its that last in the series and want to use it for a different challenge. Hope you enjoy it 😉
Have we already gotten the complete series bonus? I was thinking that I'd read book 4 for week six and book 5 for week 7 (assuming that we land on a number with a five that week 😉). That said, if we've already gotten the series bonus...I'll probably move on to something else.The novelty of a whole K-Pop band that's totally into "curvaceous" Black chicks is hard to sustain with mediocre writing. I had no idea that this was a niche! 😂.
Chosing that book was completely random. I didn't want to waste my time trying to choose a book, so I narrowed the search parameters to "published in 2015-2016"-"first book in a series"-"Kindle unlimited". It was the first book I saw that was short, but over the 140 page minimum. I wanted to break out of what I normally read, but I didn't want to be burdened with a huge book, in case it sucked.
Sarah G's writing has improved with each book, so maybe the last two will be amazing🤷🏾♀️
We haven't gotten that bonus but thanks for reminding me that my book is the last in the series and it works for that bonus. LOLIf next roll has 5 then you may be able to get bonus - ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series
Well different is always good and also finding it quick too. LOL
Great! There are two series bonuses. One is for 3 books in one series, the other is the complete series.Let me know what bonus you’re going for next week, and I’ll do the other. Right now I could get the bonus for the three books in a series (I read books 1-3 already in this challenge). I wouldn’t read 4 and 5, I’d move on to something different.
If next week you’re going for three books in a series, I’ll stay the course and read 4 and 5, so that we can get the completed the complete series during the challenge.
Let me know, I’m flexible!
I'll do this week and if next week we get the 5 in the roll then that would be you ☺
Perfect! That’s two points (maybe)! Even if we don’t get a “5” in week 7, it’s bound to come up at some point. I’m all for points!😉Of course if any of y'all finish a series before that, that's still great. This is my first time playing, but I have a feeling that points start to help out as we get closer to the finish line.😊
Natalie wrote: "Perfect! That’s two points (maybe)! Even if we don’t get a “5” in week 7, it’s bound to come up at some point. I’m all for points!😉Of course if any of y'all finish a series before that, that's st..."
Yes those points will be awesome towards the end. Lol
I am going to Go ahead and Continue the Sookie Stackhouse Series. I am going to read Dead to the world. That would qualify for more than three books in a series as it is book 4 and I read the other 3
Ann wrote: "I am going to Go ahead and Continue the Sookie Stackhouse Series. I am going to read Dead to the world. That would qualify for more than three books in a series as it is book 4 and I read the other 3"Awesome! Just know that we can only do one of each bonus
Completion post-Week 6Book:He Started It
Author:Samantha Downing
Page:384
Date:26/10/2020
Rated:4 stars
How it fits: Cover item:Weapon
Review:
'He started it' is one of those what-did-i-just-read books. Author keeps the story captive, hard to put down.
The twists..omg the nasty twists keeps me on my toes.
None of the characters are likable and that's the best part.
Beth (our narrator), Felix (the meek husband), Eddie (hateful brother), Christie (his young bubbly wife) & Portia (youngest sibling) go on a family roadtrip set in motion by their deceased grandfather with a condition:At the end of the trip, each would inherit millions provided they don't go to jail or kill anyone.
The route they have to take is the same one the dysfunctional family took when they were young. Except they had an elder sister, Nikkie, who went missing on the last trip.
As the story builds, each person reveals their true, vile intentions and the game to outsmart each other begins.
Completion Post - Week 6 ReviewHeartbreaker (Saranghaeyo Series Book 4) by Sarah G.
Publication Date: 1 June 2017
340 pages
Qualification: Fourth Book in the Series
Dates Read: Friday, 23 October 2020 to Thursday, 29 October 2020
3- Stars
(Spot 42)
Bonus : Reading three or more books in a series
I really wanted to like this book, but the cons were just too overpowering.
Cons-
Flashbacks. While I do appreciated the experimental nature of the book, the flashbacks are terrible. Hey aren’t used correctly and slow the pace of the story down to a standstill. In this book, they take away the “drive of the story.” Except for a few chapters towards the end, each chapter is a third to a half flashback. That’s too much and too long. Flashbacks, if used, should be sprinkled into the book and only used to explain a character’s CURRENT actions. This much flashback is really it’s own novella or novel.
Changed Character but Didn’t Explain/Lack of Characterization. The hero in this book is NOT the minor “interesting” character of the previous books. The other guy was funny, sarcastic, light-hearted and a huge flirt with a reputation. Where’s that guy? He’s not in this book. This character was jealous, moody, snarky, and very serious. Urgh. I never see any actions that show the read that Kwan’s a playboy. No women hanging off of him, no female entourage, no other woman vying for his attention. All because other characters say that he’s a playboy, doesn’t make him a playboy. We, the reader, have to see his bad boy actions so that we can see his growth. So disappointing. I hope that the author doesn’t do that to “Boom”, our final hero in the next book.
Pros
I appreciate that she tried something new. I wanted to like it. The author has also improved on folding in characterization. The Easter Eggs/Fan Service is executed well and serves the plot nicely. Fewer typos and grammatical errors are another plus.
Unfortunately, none of these save the book. The cons are just too big to recover from.
Completion Post ~~ Week 6Spot: 42
Book:
Completed: 10/29/20
Pages: 529
How it fits: #4 in Sigma Force
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This is the third book in this series that I have read -- I couldn't get through the first one. If you are looking for the equivalent of an action movie with lots of action and not too much on the character development -- these will be right up your alley. I find them a nice diversion from my romance and UF heavy reading habits, although I couldn't tell you much about any of the Sigma Force members except for their names.
Spot:42Book Dead To the WorldDead to the World
completed Date 10/29/2020
Pages:292
How it Fits: # 4 in Sookie Stackhouse series
Rating 2 stars
Bonus: reading three or more books in a series
Review: This book continues the adventures of Sookie Stackhouse in the vampire world. In this books she finds Eric on the side of the road experiencing Amnesia. I honestly didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous ones. I am not sure if it has just been that this outside of my normal reading and I am no longer enjoying the series or if I am starting to feel like the story line is getting repetitive. By repetitive I feel that every book is there is a a problem, Sookie gets involved to solve problem and rescue someone. In the process Sookie gets hurt and needs vampire blood to be saved. Continuously it is Sookie owes them, they owe Sookie and it is just circular. I think because it is just circular, it is starting to become less exciting.
Completion Post Week 6Spot 42
Book: Battle Scars by Sheryl Nantus
Qualifies : series #4
Read: 10/29/20
Rated : 3.5 stars
Review: This was rough to listen to with all the family drama and war against each other all due to something that happened in the past but when the kids disappeared and they're getting hunted down by Rebecca and things become complicated. This was entertaining to read.
Stacey wrote: "Completion Post ~~ Week 5Spot: 42
Book:
Completed: 10/29/20
Pages: 529
How it fits: #4 in Sigma Force
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This is the third book in this se..."
Stacey you have the wrong week in your post.
Ann you have to add the bonus to your Completion Post, please
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Roll: 1 + 5 =
Previous Space: 17
New Space: 23
Can read Series #2 or #3 or #23 ~ Alternate: 23. Female Author
Completion Post
Carmen ~ Post
Natalie - Post
LaurLa - Post
Ann - Post
Stacey - Post
Pallavi - Post
Week 1 - Free Pass earned – all reviews in by 11:59 pm Thursday
Week 2: 2 in 1 bonus earned - Carmen
Week 3 - One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages - Natalie
Bonus Point Tracking
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.✸ 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.
✸ 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 - Everyone's book except Suzanne's fit!
✸ 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.