TART Challenge - Round 3 - The Loitering Layabouts (7)

[Donna]

Shannon wrote: "Donna wrote: "So, I just need to find a 150 pg book? *grin*"

Two hours tops!!"

Yep!!!

[Shannon]

Lisa!! I get to play SH without being captain!! I'm so excited!!! The slacky a-holes won't be my problem this round!!

[Donna]

Hey, is FBI law enforcement?

[Donna]

Donna wrote: "Hey, is FBI law enforcement?"

Wait, is a private investigator the same as a private detective?

[Lisa]

Donna wrote: "Donna wrote: "Hey, is FBI law enforcement?"

Wait, is a private investigator the same as a private detective?"

Yes but are they law enforcement?

[Lisa]

Donna wrote: "Hey, is FBI law enforcement?"

No, its a security thing. Says google anyway..

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "Donna wrote: "Hey, is FBI law enforcement?"

No, its a security thing. Says google anyway.."

Thanks!

[Lisa]

Just find a good old fashioned cop....lol

[Donna]

Lisa wrote: "Just find a good old fashioned cop....lol"

I'm just reading the first dang book... grrr

Lexzi is playing in here as a kitty cat while I read... *headdesk* LOL!!!

[Donna]

COMPLETION POST:

Task 4 - 29. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.

Law Enforcement: Private detective, Adrian Elias, knows what trouble looks like, and ruthless mobster and lion shifter, Sage Tamir, was just that with a capital T. here...

That Mafioso Magic: A Dark Mafia Paranormal Romance Mages & Mayhem #1 by Nicholas Bella
294 pgs/Amazon 3/22 ⭐️⭐️⭐️

[ bookcover:That Mafioso Magic: A Dark Mafia Paranormal Romance|57456340]

Every once in a while you come across that book that you really want to get into, but you can't... :(

Will give this author a try again another day.

[Donna]

Is anyone available to post us complete or do you want me to try?

OK, I am going to give a shot at posting us complete...

[Donna]

Team 7: Task 4 Completion
Read 750 Pages of Law Enforcement

Jane
Lisa
Shannon
Donna

Posted, I hope I got it right!

[Lisa]

Hey Donna, in the announcement thread can you change task 3 to task 4. Ty

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "COMPLETION POST:

Task 4 - 29. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.

Law Enforcement: Private detective, Adrian Elias, knows what trouble looks lik..."

Hmmm, a private detective or a private investigator is not the same as law enforcement. I've looked at wikipedia and googled everything I can think of, but this book does not qualify as the chosen profession for this task.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

I will still assign your next task in the morning, but Donna will need to make up this book before I will assign the following task.

[Donna]

Jane posted my new book here in message 231... will read it while we travel!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Sorry, not sure how that happened... *headdesk* :(

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Jane posted my new book here in message 231... will read it while we travel!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

No worries - just do a new post for the completion so that we don't miss it ;)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Donna wrote: "Jane posted my new book here in message 231... will read it while we travel!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/......"

Make sure you do a new completion post for the make up book! I would hate to miss it. 😊

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 5 - 32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.

You can find the number of ratings on the main book page under the title. Remember you are looking for ratings, not reviews. Please include the number of ratings as your qualifier in your completion posts. Remember to use the first edition Kindle page count!

[Lisa]

Task 5 Book 1
Selection Post

The Alpha's Warlock
172 pages.
How it qualifies: 2827 Ratings

[Shannon]

Task 5 Selection Post (Book 1)
Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings


Aced by Ella Frank and Brook Blaine
Pages: 373
Qualification: 5315 Ratings

[*book:Aced|30989174]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 5 - Selection
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings
Pages - 279
Qualification - 2,533 ratings

[*book:The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings|48752448]

[Shannon]

I've finished the first book and that was a freaking cliffhanger so I'm reading the next one which, thank god, has over 2500 ratings.

[Shannon]

Task 5 Selection Post (Book 2)
Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings


Locked by Ella Frank and Brook Blaine
Pages: 270
Qualification: 4130 Ratings

[*book:Locked|31819739]

[Donna]

I am home, but a little tired! *snort* LOL!!!

Making some dinner then will get everything posted... if I don't fall asleep while I am typing... ;p

[Donna]

COMPLETION POST:

Task 4 - 29. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide which profession.

Law Enforcement:

Hell & High Water by Charlie Cochet

How it works: When homicide detective Dexter J. Daley’s testimony helps send his partner away for murder, the consequences- here...
82 people tagged it as Law Enforcement here...
297 pgs/GR Re-read: 3/23 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I figured that since the first book was so horrible, I would go with something I knew that I loved! If this book doesn't impress, then I don't know what would! *grin*

Side note: I seriously could have done without the whole explaining how everything worked in the Human/Therian world... especially since it was a re-read!

Full transparency: When I picked this, I thought it was God and Day... *headdesk* ;p

[ bookcover:Hell & High Water|22675544]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 4 FINAL
29. Read over 750 pages in books about the same profession, teams decide
* Law Enforcement
Jane - [abook:Late in the Day|36409352] - msg 241 - 202pp
Shannon - Pretty Poison - msg 245 - 283pp
Lisa - Mahu Vice - msg 248 - 320pp
Donna - Hell & High Water - msg 276 - 297pp
Total pages = 1,102

[Donna]

Task 5: Selection Post (Book 1)
32. Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings

Taming Teddy Made Marian #2 by Lucy Lennox
260 pgs/GR
Qualification: 5165 ratings

[ bookcover:Taming Teddy|33332775]

[Donna]

Task 5: Selection Post (Book 2)
32. Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings

Jumping Jude Made Marian #3 by Lucy Lennox
282 pgs/GR
Qualification: 4974 ratings

[ bookcover:Jumping Jude|33554353]

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Got you updated for Task 4.

[Donna]

Task 5: Completion Post (Book 1)
32. Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings

Taming Teddy Made Marian #2 by Lucy Lennox
260 pgs/GR
Read: 2/23 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Qualification: 5166 ratings

[ bookcover:Taming Teddy|33332775]

It would appear that Ms. Lennox is a hit or miss author for me... and this book was a "slight" miss.

But, with lines like this, it sorta makes it a hit! *grin*

After he pulled away, I walked back into the cabin and noticed it was more silent than I’d ever heard it before.

Moving on to Jumping Jude...

[Donna]

MountainKat wrote: "Got you updated for Task 4."

Thanks, bunches! Sorry for the mixup! *headdesk*

[Donna]

Can I just voice my disappointment?

Woke up this morning and my suitcases hadn't unpacked themselves and my dirty laundry hadn't washed its self... total disappointment! *snort* LOL!!!

[Lisa]

Task 5 Completion Post

The Alpha's Warlock
172 pages.
How it qualifies: 2827 Ratings
Date read: 03/24/21
4 stars

I've been reading quite a lot of mixed species books lately and haven't read many warlocks.
This was quite good and a good set up for the rest of the series.

[Shannon]

Task 5 Completion Post (Book 1)
Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings


Aced by Ella Frank and Brook Blaine
Pages: 373
Qualification: 5315 Ratings
Read: 3/23/21
Rating: ★★★★

This is so not what I was expecting. I think I was expecting all fluff but this was so much better. The beginning of Ace and Dylan's love story with a major cliffhanger. And to the next one I go. It's not like I hate reading about their sexy times either. I mean, come on, more please!

[*book:Aced|30989174]

[Shannon]

Task 5 Completion Post (Book 2)
Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings


Locked by Ella Frank and Brook Blaine
Pages: 270
Qualification: 4130 Ratings
Read: 3/24/21
Rating: ★★★★

Oh hell, this one was kind of brutal. The reality of trying to date a huge movie star was a whole lot overwhelming and at times difficult to read about. No big breakups or misunderstanding, just two guys in love trying desperately to hang on to each other. And of course, the lovely sexing continues. I have to read the next one to see if Dylan's mom is gonna get hers. That evil b*tch.

[*book:Locked|31819739]

[Donna]

Task 5: Completion Post (Book 2)
32. Read 6 Books w/2500+ Ratings

Jumping Jude Made Marian #3 by Lucy Lennox
282 pgs/GR
Read: 3/24 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Qualification: 4974 ratings

I remember referring to Ms. Lennox's books as a hit or miss for me... this one was a big HIT!!!

To read this was like reading poetry in motion... well, songs, anyways!

Jude and Derek found love when neither one was looking for it... poor things! *grin*
But, like most wonderful things in life, being together wasn't easy... hard life choices had to be made but in the end, Derek didn't let Jude down... well, there may have been some tackling on a football field, but that's a story for another time! ;D

Could the editing have been a bit tighter? Sure, but the story and totally hilarious "family" moments made up for any small slights that I noticed!

[ bookcover:Jumping Jude|33554353]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 5 - COMPLETION
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings
Pages - 279
Qualification - 2,533 ratings
Finished - 25 March
Rating - 5 stars
Review -
I love a good ghost story, and this one fits beautifully. For some reason I had thought this was a historial, but it is contemporary PNR set in York, England.
One MC (Blue Billings) has never had a real home and safety, ending up on the street and eventually accepting his psychic skills (but very much hidden from everyone). Our other MC (Levi Black) is dealing with grief and a bad relationship breakup. The main reason I mention our MCs is that there is wonderful passage where Levi is facing his grief and Blue takes him to a church to show him a stained glass window which ends with these words:
(view spoiler)["It's a stained glass window", I say cautiously, not wanting to offend him.
"Wait a minute," ...suddenly the sun pours through the window...
"So pretty," I breathe.
Blue shakes his head. "Look at the figures."
I look closer and closer still. "There's a woman's face on a man's body," I say slowly. "And what looks like a griffin with chicken legs."
...
..."I wanted you to see it because I think this is what grief looks like. After we lose someone, we're like this window. We're broken in pieces. Eventually we put ourselves back together, but its never the same as the original us. Instead, we're a jumbled-up version with funny angles and new faces to show the world." He turns to face the window. "Still beautiful and still whole. But just in a new way. Even if we're a griffin with chicken legs." (hide spoiler)]
Just loved that. Made it a solid 5 star read for me.


[*book:The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings|48752448]

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Task 5 - COMPLETIONS
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.
Shannon - Aced - msg 285
- book 2 - Locked - msg 286
Lisa - The Alpha's Warlock - msg 284
Jane - The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings - msg 288
Donna - Taming Teddy - msg 281
- book 2 - Jumping Jude - msg 287

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Sorry to take a while. Battling a headache but much better than I was this morning when it was a migraine. I don't get them often so not sure what set this one off 🤕 Trying to keep off the computer and just potter around the house ~ which was good for the audiobook but in the end I had more naps than potters ;)

[Lisa]

Jane (PS) wrote: "Task 5 - COMPLETION
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings
Pages - 279
Qual..."

Book 2 The Quiet House is out Friday.

[Lisa]

Hope you feel better soon Jane.

[MountainKat, Moderator]

You're on the list to get your task tomorrow.

Feel better Jane - migraines suck!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Lisa wrote: "Jane (PS) wrote: "Task 5 - COMPLETION
32. Read 6 books with over 2500 ratings.


[book:The Mysterious and Amazing Blue Billings|48752448..."

Oooh - good!

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Thanks Lisa and Kat - it is slowly receding. Just in time to go to bed again no doubt!

[Shannon]

Mine do the same and I think I should stay up and be productive but I never do. I mean, really? No, going to bed, my favorite place!! Hope you wake up free and clear tomorrow! :)

[Jane (PS), Moderator]

Shannon wrote: "Mine do the same and I think I should stay up and be productive but I never do. I mean, really? No, going to bed, my favorite place!! Hope you wake up free and clear tomorrow! :)"

Thanks Shannon! Just wish I knew what caused it. Must be dreadful to get them more often and still not know the cause...

[Donna]

Jane, I hope you wake up this morning with your headache gone because I have a feeling that you graciously shared it with me... *snort* LOL!!!

My headaches are 99% sinus and allergy related... and they are calling for rain all day here, so there you have it... grrr

OK, I will be heading out around noon today to go babysit our 3 wonderful grand puppies while our daughter and SIL go on vacation. As we saw from last week, my brain glitch has issues when I am NOT in a controlled environment, so all my book choices will be run by you guys for verification before I post them as my choice... just a heads up, I will be gone for over a week... sorry! *headdesk*

[Shannon]

Same Donna. Either allergies or hormones. Hormone ones are worse but thankfully only had a handful of migraines in my life so far.

You're way too busy Donna! If I have 1 thing on my calendar, I panic. I do get my first vaccine next week so excited about that on my calendar. Finally!! Of course, I got the email to sign up by mistake because Oregon is slow as hell but I already made the appointment so I get to keep it. :)

[MountainKat, Moderator]

Here is your next task!

Task 6 - 3. Each player reads a book by a new to you author - no pass for this task.

Books selected for this task need to be written by a new to you author. You can have other books by the selected author on your shelves, but only the one read for this task can be marked as read and rated. Please include a link to your shelves searching for the selected author or a link to your read shelf. And please make sure you do have the selected book on your shelves!! If the book isn't there, I start wondering if I'm checking the right shelves... It doesn't take much to confuse me! If your shelves are private, you will either need to open them for the duration of this task or friend me so I can confirm your books. (I don't think that applies to any of you, but just in case you've made changes. 😊)