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Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "....I didn't see any team in the run for the victory this week, but looks like next week might be a speed challenge for a lot of teams for the win."
Yes, next week will be a speed round for sure.
FYI gals, the winning team will be determined by the time stamp on the last book review posted by each team. So next week post as soon as you can after finishing.
Once again I'm having atough time deciding exactly what I'm reading for this one. I'll post the first thing I finish that fits.I'm still ready for the speed read coming next week!
Week ElevenTruitt - Idol - 1st book in the VIP series - completion post
Diane - Marriage Vow Murder - Merry Wrath mysteries #9 - completion post
Donna - Taken - Breaking the Darkness #1
Mandiann - Witch Child (Witch Child #1) - completion post
Allison Ann - The Body in the Belfry - Faith Fairchild #1 - completion post
Alison - Sure Shot (Brooklyn Bruisers #9 & Brooklyn #4) completion post
Selection Post Week 11Spot 91
Book: Idol by Kristen Callihan
Pages: 339 per GR
How It Fits: It's the 1st book in the VIP series.
[*book:Idol|29541818]
COMPLETION POST ~ Week ElevenSpot: 91
Sure Shot (Brooklyn Bruisers #9 & Brooklyn #4) by Sarina Bowen Completed: April 3rd
Fits: 9th book in series
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Review: I enjoy both of these series, and I especially enjoy this author. I love some of her other series more than this, that is not to say I do not like the hockey and Brooklyn ones. This one was not at the top of my list for this series but I did really like a lot about the female main character and a lot of what she has overcome. I also like the reconnecting with an old flame, however something fell sort of flat for me with this and it might just be my current state of mind and not the book. All that said I also did read it all in one day so it had to have been able to keep my interest. 😉 I think I would consider Sarina Bowen to be one of my current favorite romance writers. I love what she has done with the spin-offs of her other series with each book by different authors.
Completion Post Week 11Spot 91
Book: Idol by Kristen Callihan
Pages: 339 per GR
How It Fits: It's the 1st book in the VIP series.
Completed: 4/4/2022
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I don't read much MF romance these days, so this was a bit of an unusual pick for me. But, it worked for two other challenges, I'm a bit of a sucker for rock star romances, and I was able to get the audio from hoopla. It seemed like a decent enough choice.
And it was a decent choice. While I didn't love it, I enjoyed it enough to keep listening. I really liked Killian, the hero rock star; Libby, his love interest, I liked less. There were times when I would have preferred a little less sex for more plot progression, but I often feel that way. The secondary characters were interesting, enough so that I may read the second book to get Gabriel Scott's story.
I have to laugh at myself: I felt one of the secondary characters, Jax, had a story line that would be perfect for a closeted rock star who comes out in a later book. I checked - he doesn't, lol. Yep, I definitely have a MM romance focus these days.
[*book:Idol|29541818]
Completion Post: Week 11, spot 91
finished: 4/5/22
how it fits: book 9 in Merry Wrath mysteries
rating: 3 stars
review: During the wedding rehearsal, the flower guy's body is in a church pew and the groom is missing. Merry goes on a frantic search for her fiancee with the help of a brand new officer, Riley and of course her girl scout troop.
Lots of red herrings in this one. Loved the introduction of Merry's old teacher Linda, who helped with the puzzle clues. Happy to see an end to the love triangle as Merry seems over Riley and Riley seems ready to move on.
Mod
Donna wrote: "I will try to get a book done on time but I can't guarantee it. My husband is in the hospital. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up."Oh Donna, I'm so sorry to hear this. It's just a game - as far as I'm concerned, don't give it another thought. Sending positive thoughts your way.
Donna wrote: "I will try to get a book done on time but I can't guarantee it. My husband is in the hospital. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up."Oh my! Do what you need to do for him, yourself and your family. Hope he is able to head home soon. 💙
Donna - As everyone has said, take care of yourself and your family and I hope he is doing better soon.
Donna wrote: "I will try to get a book done on time but I can't guarantee it. My husband is in the hospital. I just wanted to give you guys a heads up."Huge hugs. Don't worry about reading. Take care of yourself and your husband.
Completion Post: Week 11, spot 91Book: Witch Child by Celia Rees
Date read: 4/3
How it fits: 1st in Witch Child Series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Meh. It wasn't anything special, which was a bit disappointing as I have loved others by this author and was quite excited about this book. I mean, there was nothing wrong with it. It was not unenjoyable and it is a quick read so definitely, go ahead and read it if you want to, I doubt you will regret it but I just can't rave about it.
Take care of yourself and your husband Donna. Sending healing thoughts.
Completion PostWeek 11
Spot: 91
Book:
The Body in the Belfry by Katherine Hall PageQualification: Faith Fairchild #1
Finished: 4/06/22
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review: I enjoyed this book and having read a few later ones, I think this is the kind of series that improves with time. The MC Faith is definitely a snob in this installment. I suspect she will mellow with time, though a Manhattan caterer is probably never going to appreciate pigs in a blanket. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing. It's a little bit sad that not a single person seemed to mourn the murder victim. Black and white characters are standard for cozies, but I always think that everyone must have a tiny bit of good in them. Of course then the book would just be sadness and where's the fun in that. Looking forward to reading on and seeing how many more people can be murdered in the tiny town of Aleford. :D
Is anyone else around? I was hopeing someone else could double check the rules with me on starting a book? I thought I remembered a rule about when a book could be started, but now I can not find it, so I may have been thinking of a different challenge. Because my thought is that if Donna has not finished her book by midnight we use the Free Pass then the roll should get us up to something staring with a one she can use her book from this week for next week. But I am not totally sure that will fit with the rules, so wanted to make sure.
Alison (Lady Coffin) wrote: "Is anyone else around? I was hopeing someone else could double check the rules with me on starting a book? I thought I remembered a rule about when a book could be started, but now I can not find i..."I'm involved with so many challenges I'm not certain, although I thought my only current challenge for which a book could be started before the new Round/week bgins was Clue.
I'll take a look, too.
Three points that may matter this week:✸ The free pass may not be used for the win.
★ Books must be started after your team has rolled.
✸ Re-reads are allowed ( ~EXCEPT on Winning Spots, no re-reads to win
So, this is the ideal moment to use the Free Pass, but Donna will need a different book for the next roll, if she is able to continue playing.
I noticed the reread caveat the other day. I had been planning a nice, short, reread, but had to adjust my plans.
Donna -- I've been thinking of you and your family. Do whatever you need to do for yourself and your loved ones.
Truitt_T wrote: "Donna -- I've been thinking of you and your family. Do whatever you need to do for yourself and your loved ones."Yes, definitely Donna, do what you need to do. Hope things are improving. 💙
Truitt_T wrote: "Three points that may matter this week:✸ The free pass may not be used for the win.
★ Books must be started after your team has rolled.
✸ Re-reads are allowed ( ~EXCEPT on Winning Spots, no re-reads to win..."
Thanks
Team 1 ~ Week 11
⚂ + ⚂ = 6 + 85 = 91 New Spot
This week it is 1st, 9th or 91st in a series, or alternate task: 91. GR average rating >4.0
Donna - Taken - Breaking the Darkness #1 -
(family in hospital)Truitt - Idol - VIP series #1 - Completion Post
Diane - Marriage Vow Murder - Merry Wrath mysteries #9 - Completion Post
Mandiann - Witch Child (Witch Child #1) - Completion Post
Allison Ann - The Body in the Belfry - Faith Fairchild #1 - Completion Post
Alison - Sure Shot (Brooklyn Bruisers #9 & Brooklyn #4) Completion Post
✸ Claimed ✸ Start & Finish a series, 3+ in Series, Valentine's Bonus, 2 in 1 & >500 pages
✸ Claiming ✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate lists. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
Week 1 Reviews, Week 2 Reviews, Week 3 Reviews, Week 4 Reviews, Week 5 Reviews, Week 6 Reviews, Week 7 Reviews, Week 8 Reviews, Week 9 Reviews, Week 10 Reviews
Earned by Alison, Allison Ann, Diane & Truitt
WEEK TWELVE ROLL
⚂ + ⚃ = 7 + 6 bonus points = 13
Old spot ~ 91 + 13 = 104 New Spot
This week it is 1st, 4th, 10th in a series or a standalone
Or alternate task: 104. Cover Item: Water
Bonus earned Week 11: never picking a book from the alternate lists
Bonuses used: No Alt Task, Start & Finish a Series, 3+ in Series, Valentine's Bonus, 2 in 1 & >500 pages
Free Pass also used
Reminders ~ no re-reads to win & timestamp on the last team review posted counts for the win
Selection PostBook: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
Pages: 236
How it fits: Standalone
Will be done today, hopefully by this afternoon.
Selection Post Week 12Spot 104
Book: The Citadel of Weeping Pearls by Aliette de Bodard
Pages: 158 per GR
How It Fits: It's a standalone / un-numbered book in the Xuya Universe.
I'm not certain when I'll be finished with The Citadel of Weeping Pearls. It's short, but I have a crazy days scheduled today and tomorrow.
Completion PostWeek 12
Spot: 104
Book:
Scone Cold Killer by Lena Gregory - 194 pagesQualification: All-Day Breakfast Cafe Mystery #1
Finished: 4/08/22
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Not a bad book, but the MC was a little on the dumb and naive side and I don't enjoy a book where I am constantly telling the MC to smarten up. :D That said, the mystery was interesting, the puppy was adorable and while the book continued the standard cozy trope of having the police chief be suspicious of the MC, the other officers didn't follow his lead. I'll give it at least one more shot.
Selection Post: Week 12, spot 104Mutts & Murder
174 pgs
how it fits: book 1 of the Dog Town USA series
Completion PostWeek 12
Spot 104
Book: We Are Okay by Nina LaCour
Pages: 236
How it fits: Standalone
Finished: 4/8
Rating: 2.5 stars
Review: Well that was depressing. I didn't love or hate this book. I felt similarly about the characters. It wasn't earth shattering nor did it make me cry. Overall, this book just left me feeling very underwhelmed.
Completion Post: Week 12, spot 104
finished: 4/8/22
174 pgs
how it fits: book 1 of the Dog Town USA series
rating: 3 stars
review: fairly average cozy. Freddie moves back to her small hometown because of man troubles. She is working the dog beat on the local paper and starts investigating a murder when her sister is suspected. Cute but nothing groundbreaking. (view spoiler)
Sorry battaling a migraine today.But it looks like Librarians of the Galaxy team has already finished all there books.
COMPLETION POST ~ Week Twelve Spot: 104
I See Me (Oracle #1) by Meghan Ciana Doidge Completed: April 9th
Fits: 1st book in series
Rating: ✯✯✯✯
Review: This book is what I would consider a spin-off of The Dowser series so fits into what the author is calling the Adept Universe at number four, but it is the first book with these characters and the first time we see them in any of the series. So, maybe spin-off is not accurate, but side story line. Anyhow I found it an interesting YA paranormal romance, and now I feel like I can move forward with the other series without possibally having missed something of imporant.
Posted 4 hours and 25 minutes agoDenise wrote: "With no less than five (!!) teams reaching spots above 100 on this roll, we've had a tight race to the finish.
Congratulations to the winners of this round: Team 12 "Librarians of the Galaxy" were first to finish all their books for a winning spot!
Please also give a high 5 to Team 5 "High Five" - the second team to finish their reads for a winning spot, they've earned the silver medal, so to speak. (Nope, sorry, no actual silver medals available... but it's the thought that counts, right? :P)
This officially concludes the game.
However, any teams (full or partial) who would like to keep going, either just to finish out the current roll or all the way to the finish line, are welcome to do so.
(For example, 3 out of 4 players on my SSS team have voted to continue even though the winner has been decided.)
If you choose to do so, I'll be around to answer questions but will otherwise leave it to teams to administer themselves. :)
Thank you all for another great round of SS ~ Super Series!"
Thank you alll! This was my first time playing, and I really enjoyed it.
Team - we did a great job and I enjoyed playing with you all!
Mod
Fantastic news Donna! Hope you are both taking it easy and recovering.
So happy to hear your husband is doing better Donna!
Donna, so glad to hear the news. Sure hope you have a much more relaxing weekend. 💙
It was a pleasure playing with you ladies, thanks for being a wonderful team.
That's such good news, Donna! I know it had to be tough; we went through a week or more this summer with my dh's hospital stay and surgery. Please take care of yourself, as well! 🤗
Had so much fun playing with you all!! Glad to hear he is doing better, Donna!
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
I See Me (other topics)Mutts & Murder (other topics)
We Are Okay (other topics)
Mutts & Murder (other topics)
Scone Cold Killer (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Meghan Ciana Doidge (other topics)Nina LaCour (other topics)
Lena Gregory (other topics)
Nina LaCour (other topics)
Aliette de Bodard (other topics)
More...
I didn't see any team in the run for the victory this week, but looks like next week might be a speed challenge for a lot of teams for the win.