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R13: SS Team 2 - C-JA(A)BS
Week 1Spot: 8
Shelter for Sophieby Susan Stoker
Qualification: 8th Book in the Texas Heroes series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/1570...
Finished: 1/26/22
Rating: ★★1/2
Review: While I didn't fault the actual writing of the book (this being my first Susan Stoker book) I just had issues with the story. The characters were perfect. Sophie was beautiful with white, blond hair and blue eyes and Chief kept mentioning she looked like an angel. She helped underprivileged people, befriended the homeless, and mowed her neighbor's yard. To make her not perfect Stoker gave her a stutter. To make it even more annoying there was so much dialog with her stuttering her s's and m's in every line. Anyway, I really got tired of both the H and h being so perfect. Their relationship was even perfect. The relationship was really quite sweet, so it was startling when Chief dropped the F bomb. It just felt gratuitous, and I certainly wasn't expecting the pretty spicy sex scene with dirty talking. With sweet on sweet the spicy bits were jarring.
One last thing for a book with a Native American main character giving him a nickname of Chief is in bad taste. He's a firefighter but not the fire chief so the nickname makes no sense. Oh, but it must be ok because he said the nickname didn't offend him. Ugh!
I rolled but will let you post in the thread Apoorv since you have the thread with the reviews to copy and paste to the thread.Anyway, here is the roll....
Week 2
Roll 5 + 4 = 9
Spot 17
Week 2 - Roll 2
Number Rolled: 5+4 = 9
Post Your Roll - Post
----------------------------------------
Spot: 17
Book Choice:
Read a standalone book.Alternate Choice:
Read 1st book in a series
Read 7th book in a series
Read 17th book in a series
Read a book with title D.Note the bonus points!
-----------------------------------------
Books Read (Alphabetically)
✔ AnnMarie | Wolfsong | Green Creek #1 | Review | 30-Jan-2022
✔ Apoorv | Black Buck | Standalone | Review | 29-Jan-2022
✔ BarbaraAnn | Killing Floor | Jack Reacher #1 | Review | 01-Feb-2022
✔ Christina | Claimed | Lair of the Wolven #1 | Review | 01-Feb-2022 ✱
✔ Jennifer | Death of a Dog Whisperer | A Melanie Travis Mystery #17 | Review | 28-Jan-2022
✔ Shan ~A~ | Leather & Lace | Trident Security #1 | Review | 01-Feb-2022
✱ Bonus: 500+ pages: Book has 525 pages
Christina T wrote: "I rolled but will let you post in the thread Apoorv since you have the thread with the reviews to copy and paste to the thread.Anyway, here is the roll....
Week 2
Roll 5 + 4 = 9
Spot 17"
Thanks for doing the rolls, Christina.
This works. You can get the rolls in after midnight CST and I can do the other stuff next morning. What a well-oiled machine we are! :) Haha!
I read Death of a Dog Whisperer
Laurien Berenson
#17 in the Melanie Travis series
3.5 stars
Date read: 01/28
I like this series. This one is good for several reasons beyond the usual doggy mystery (involving a "dog whisperer" who claims to understand what dogs say to him (hint: the dog whisperer is also the guy who'd be wearing the red shirt if this were Star Trek...yep..... he's a goner....)). It has a lot of family interaction between Melanie and Sam and Davie and new kid Kevin as they navigate their blended family, and a secondary "long lost family member" subplot that is compelling. Its biggest downfall is this: you would think that by her 17th murder, Melanie would have figured out not to do stupid things that put her in danger. Thank goodness for enterprising Bassett Hounds or there might not be a book 18! I hope Berenson figures out a way to solve Melanie's future murders that don't involve her being so outrageously stupid.
Jennifer wrote: "I read Death of a Dog WhispererLaurien Berenson
#17 in the Melanie Travis series
3.5 stars
Date read: 01/28
I like thi..."
Too Stupid to Live characters are one of the downfalls of cozies IMO. I hate a TSTL heroine and it's so common in cozies that a rarely rate one higher than 3 or 3.5 stars. I still enjoy them though but often need a push to pick one up (hence my cozy mystery bingo challenge group I'm in.) I've not read a Berensen book before but know I have some in my TBR. Maybe I'll pick one up when my bingo game starts in February.
Apoorv I'm in awe of your organization! Thanks for volunteering to captain us!
I'm reading
Claimed by J.R. Ward which is #1 in the Lair of the Wolven series. It has 525 pages so will qualify for that bonus point if we want.
Christina T wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "I read Death of a Dog WhispererLaurien Berenson
#17 in the Melanie Travis series
3.5 stars
Date read: ..."
The thing is she’s not usually this stupid! So when she was this time I felt like I’d been smacked. Lol
Christina T wrote: "Apoorv I'm in awe of your organization! Thanks for volunteering to captain us!"I second this!
Jennifer wrote: "Christina T wrote: "Apoorv I'm in awe of your organization! Thanks for volunteering to captain us!"I second this!"
I agree!
Week 2 Spot #17
Wolfsong by T.J. Klune
Qualification: #1 in Green Creek series
Finished: 1/30
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: It took me the longest time to read this book for the first time and when I finally did I was mad at myself for waiting. I absolutely love this book, this is not your run of the mill shifter book for sure. All of the characters are wonderful – Ox & Joe but also the secondary characters, many of which get their own books in the series. The journey these characters go on is just wow, so sad and exciting and beautiful. The audio is absolutely wonderful as well and the fact that this was the narrator’s first audiobook is impressive.
I have read the series many times so it is difficult to review just this book knowing how the story ends for Joe, Ox and the rest of the crew. I remember reading the first time and getting teary in the first few pages because Ox’s father is just awful and I got teary again this weekend when I re-read this for easily the tenth (probably more) time. I still laughed because of “force lightning” and got a sappy smile because of low slung shorts. So many parts of the book are beautiful – Ox and Gordo’s relationship, what will eventually become “Team Human”, Sunday traditions and “candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome”. This is one of my all time favorite books.
BarbaraAnn wrote: "Jennifer wrote: "Christina T wrote: "Apoorv I'm in awe of your organization! Thanks for volunteering to captain us!"I second this!"
I agree!"
Aw! You are all super kind. Thank you! :)
I love the fact that everyone is so due-diligent with their posts, I barely have to do anything. Haha! :)
Thank you for being such a cool team so far. We are looking great!
Completion Post ~ Week 2 Number Rolled: 5+4 = 9
Spot: 17
Task: Read 1st book in a series
Book: Leather & Lace
Author: Samantha A. Cole
Finished: 02/01
How it fits: 1st in in the Trident Security series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I listened to this on audio and the narrators sounded similar to listening to Alexa reading the story, so robotic with little emotion behind the words. As far as I recall this is the first book I've listened to by narrators Gunnar Qualen and Jenna St. Claire, so maybe they'll both get better with time (assuming this was their first time narrating).
Anyway, the story itself was good. Kristen is an author who has went from writing vanilla romance to BDSM. The first BDSM book she wrote did well and another book is expected, but what she learned for that book was learned by reading, not actually experiencing.
Devon is a Dom, and he only has limited edition relationships. He and Kristen meet before she knows he's a Dom, but once she does she realizes that she gets to experience things that she's only read about.
What starts off as a weekend fling, turns into much more for them both.
Sexy scenes with an element of suspense.
Week #2 - Roll #2Spot: 17
Book Read: Black Buck | Mateo Askaripour
Date Read: 29-Jan-2022
How it Fits: Standalone
Rating: ★★
Review
Alright, let me preface this by saying that I wasn't necessarily the biggest fan of The Wolf of Wall Street, which is more or less the world this book works in with characters very similar to those in the movie. So, the fact that this book did not work for me might stem from that over-zealous, bombastic characterization that bleeds into both works as it began to grate on my nerves. This book has great ideas, but the execution is just too much of showboating.
The plot line is wafer thin and something that we have seen multiple times across different formats of performance art. What is special here is the fact that it tackles the race inequality and how that plays a pivotal role in the social psyche of this business start-up set-up. There is so much that this book begins to say but never quite takes the time to let it simmer and settle. Everything is expressed repeatedly with the subtlety of a sledgehammer without ever really truly hitting the nail on its head. This absolutely reads like a debut novel, with very heavy-handed writing that seems very profound, but is just verbose. A more subtle, deft handle with a little bit (and by little, I mean a lot) of composure in the phrasing would have ensured the impact of the narrative situations.
And while I can possibly live with the wobbly plot because it at least has the right gumption to it, the characters are an absolute shit show. The main character just never settled in for me - and I am totally fine with an unlikeable main character, but there was nothing about Darren that made me want to care for him. And the so-called personality shift that occurs is done so off-handedly, that even the good in him seems put on. Every other character is a cardboard cutout with not even an ounce of a third dimension to them. The women are etched with such blasé banality, that their presence just seems ornamental. The actions of these characters with respect to the story, especially as it progresses in the rickety second half, go from bizarre to absurd to plain obnoxious.
What saddens me even more is that there is so much potential here that remained untapped. It seemed like Mateo Askaripour had the heart in the right place, maybe even the intension in the right direction, but the actual ability to write compelling storytelling failed the author. The humor is forced, the tensions are trivial, the conflicts are abrupt (in both occurrence and resolution), the progression is trite, the drama is contrived, and the ideas are hammered. I really wanted to read a book that took the time to understand the racial realities in this part of the world instead of reading a lazy, half-assed, mishandled piece of writing that has no identified path - neither to its own tale nor to the bigger socio-political racial inequality and indifference in the workplace.
I'm done with my book but can't post my review until later. Just letting everyone know.
Completion Post ~ Week 2Spot: 17
Book: Killing Floor by Lee Child
Finished: 02/01
How it fits: 1st in in the Jack Reacher Series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I went back and forth between 3 and 4 stars on this one. On the one hand, the book was slow paced and the villains in the story were your basic villains with little character. On the other hand, the story did keep me going through the final fight and I plan to continue reading the series. Hopefully future stories will develop Jack Reacher's character.
Christina T wrote: "I'm done with my book but can't post my review until later. Just letting everyone know."Christina, like last week, if you get to posting the review after midnight CT, then feel free to go ahead and roll for Week 3! :)
“ Hopefully future stories will develop Jack Reacher's character. ”They do, and eventually you get more of his backstory. But it’s good escapist storytelling too- I find he gets to do things I wish I could but don’t, for many reasons. And I like the way he reasons things out.
BarbaraAnn wrote: "Completion Post ~ Week 2Spot: 17
Book: Killing Floor by Lee Child
Finished: 02/01
How it fits: 1st in in the Jack Reacher Series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I went back and ..."
I've enjoyed the 2 Reacher books I read and will definitely read more. On a side note I recently saw the advertisement for the new Reacher and he's closer to my idea of Reacher than Tom Cruise was....what a horrible Reacher he was IMO.
Wrong persona and wrong body type. I agree this one looks to be better.
Completion Post ~ Week 2Spot: 17
Book: Claimed by J.R. Ward
Finished: 02/01
How it fits: 1st in in the Lair of the Wolven Series
https://www.goodreads.com/series/3021...
Rating: 3.5 stars
Pages 525 Kindle 1st edition ***
Review: I have read 7 books in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series and liked them a lot and was excited to see what this new series was about. Ultimately, I liked it more than average but thought it was a slow start. There isn't a lot of world building as it's set in the Black Dagger Brotherhood universe but there was still a lot of back story to establish. There is a large connection to John Matthew's mate Xhex which I was a bit disappointed in because I'm literally up to Lover Mine in the other series which is JM's and Xhex's story. I knew they would be together but I wished I'd have read it first.
So this book was a slow start. I enjoyed Lydia's passion for protecting the wolves (I believe in this cause very much). I kept waiting for the big reveal of what exactly Daniel Joseph was considering the BDB world this book was set in. I was very surprised by the twist even though it really took a long time to get to it. The ending was on a To Be Continued note which I hated especially since the 2nd book in the series isn't out yet.
I listened to this on audio and it was narrated by Jim Frangione and I thought he did a good job and his Lydia voice wasn't super annoying either. I'll definitely read the next book in the series.
***bonus point Read a book 500+ pages
Looks like my review completes the week again. I'll roll the dice in 3 hours.
Roll 3 Week 3
4+1 = 5
Old spot 17
New spot 22
Book #2 or #22
22. Set anytime between 1837-1901
Week 3 - Roll 3
Number Rolled: 4+1 = 5
Post Your Roll - Post
----------------------------------------
Spot: 22
Book Choice:
Read 2nd book in a seriesAlternate Choice:
Read 22nd book in a series
Read a book set anytime between 1837-1901.Note the bonus points!
-----------------------------------------
Books Read (Alphabetically)
✔ AnnMarie | Ravensong | Green Creek #2 | Review | 09-Feb-20222
✔ Apoorv | Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World | Aristotle & Dante #2 | Review | 11-Feb-2022
✔ BarbaraAnn | Best Laid Plans | Garnet Run #2 | Review | 07-Feb-2022
✔ Christina | Fire | Graceling Realm #2 | Review | 10-Feb-2022
✔ Jennifer | Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883 | Alternate: Set in 1883 | Review | 05-Feb-2022
✔ Shan ~A~ | His Angel | Trident Security #2 | Review | 06-Feb-2022
I'm going to read book 2 in the Trident Security series: His AngelHopefully, I'll be able to complete the series for the bonus
I am going to read book 2 in the Green Creek series.
Book read: Krakatoa: The Day the World Exploded: August 27, 1883
Simon Winchester
Read 2/4 and 2/5.
How it fits: Krakatoa exploded and completely disappeared in August 1883, which fits between 1837 and 1901
Winchester does a fantastic job of explaining the complex scientific processes which lie behind tectonic shifts, the formations and behaviors of volcanoes, and the effects those processes have on life on earth including Man. I enjoyed these, but readers who aren't interested in science may fine these portions slow-going.
But it is the descriptions of the explosion and its immediate after-effects -- everything from the horrendous human toll, to the changes in sunsets and temperatures and growing seasons and food supplies for humans and animals around the world, to the measurements of strange barometric pressure changes and tidal changes felt and measured worldwide for hours or days afterward -- that really make an impression. He then also talks about the effects of Krakatoa on the society and religion of the people in the area it was affected by - which in some cases may still be having an effect on the geo-political world we live in today, nearly 140 years later. The world is smaller than we think!
I was initially confused by the claim that this event was the tectonic event with the largest human toll in history, until I checked and realized this book came out a year before the 2004 tsunami took a quarter of a million lives worldwide.
4 stars.
Completion Post ~ Week 3Spot: 22
Best Laid Plans by Roan Parrish
Finished 2/7/22 ***
I read the first book in the series in December and absolutely loved the story so I was happy to read the second book in the series. Unfortunately, I liked the book, but didn't love it. The beginning of the book seemed realistic. Rye was homeless and when he found out that he had inherited a house in Wyoming, he immediately went there to live. Unfortunately the house was falling to pieces and It wasn't really livable. He went to the hardware store, but had no clue what to buy or next steps, so Charlie, who worked at the store, volunteered to go out and give him advice. Over time, the two became friends and then lovers while trying to put the house together. It was a cute story, but didn't have much depth to it.
Completion Post ~ Week 3Spot: 22
Task: Read 2nd book in a series
Book: His Angel
Author: Samantha A. Cole
Finished: 02/06
How it fits: 2nd in in the Trident Security series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This book was definitely better than the first IMO. That may be because I also enjoyed this narrator more.
Ian is the oldest of the Sawyer brothers (Devlin from book one is his business partner and brother), and has had his eye on Angelina since she moved in next to Brody. He's another that's decided not to make a full commitment to a woman, after being burned by an ex 10 yrs prior.
Circumstances cause Ian and Trident Security to look out for Angelina, after her best friend Jimmy asks them to since he thinks someone will try to use her against him.
In the midst of this Ian finally asks her out, and they both get more than they bargained for.
There is hot sexy times and a bit of suspense, but it definitely wasn't nail-biting suspense as described in the blurb.
Week 3 Spot #22
Ravensong by T.J. Klune
Qualification: #2 in Green Creek series
Finished: 2/7
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I can’t say enough good things about this book. Book 2 in the Green Creek series focuses on the relationship between Gordo and Mark but all of the characters from book 1 are all back as well. The emotional roller coaster is even bigger than Wolfsong if you can believe it. The first 9 chapters! I mean let’s not only revisit the 3 years, 1 month and 26 days from the POV of the 4 who went on the road, let’s pep things up with Gordo and the Bennett pack from when they were children up to the time Thomas and the family went to Maine and left Green Creek.
I thought what Ox went through in book 1 was sad but Gordo really goes through the ringer. There are things that I still don’t understand. (view spoiler) That poor guy had bad parents, was abandoned by his pack and left behind to survive on his own, it’s no wonder he is a sarcastic ass. Getting to see things from Mark’s POV was interesting and again although it doesn’t excuse him leaving Gordo you get an idea why he did it.
Ravensong is setting the stage for the last 2 books in the series, the opening skirmish for the big war that is coming. What a skirmish it was! The action was top notch, not to go into much detail here but definitely exciting. There is humor as well, seeing Team Human evolve is just so much all the things.
Love, love, LOVE this!!!
Completion Post ~ Week 3Spot: 22
Task: Read 2nd book in a series
Book: Fire
Author: Kristin Cashore
Finished: 02/10/22
How it fits: 2nd in in the Graceling Realm series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: After completely loving the first book in the series I had very high expectations of this book and I'm sad to say I found this book a bit boring. Although it's the second book in the series it's technically a prequel. I'm not sure if that's why I didn't like it as well or because Fire just wasn't Katsa. I thought Fire, as a heroine was *meh 🤷♀️.
I chose to listen to this book whereas I read the ebook when I tackled Graceling. There was a lot of dialog that happened in people's minds because of Fire's ability and Xanthe Elbrick's Fire mind voice was, well, dull. Hypnotic but not in a good way.
I didn't care about any of the characters like I cared about Katsa and Po. The only character I seemed to care about was Fire's horse, Small. It was interesting to see King Lec's beginning though. The next book is back in the same time as Graceling and about Po's niece Bitterblue so I'm looking forward to it.
I'm the slow goose this week, so sorry. One of those crazy weeks at work. But, I should have my book done ofcourse - if not tonight, first thing in the morning.You folks are super awesome for getting all the reads done in time! :)
Thanks for letting us know Apoorv. I totally understand Crazy weeks at work.
Week #3 - Roll #3Spot: 22
Book Read: Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World | Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Date Read: 11-Feb-2022
How it Fits: Aristotle & Dante #2
Rating: ★★★★
Review
Did I want a sequel to Ari & Dante's story? Probably not! But was I glad it came into being years down the line? Yes, indeed! I gobbled this book up like one of Mrs. Mendoza’s burritos. This sequel picks up right where the first left off and maintains its momentum the entire time. In this installment of the world of Ari and Dante, we see their relationship blossom through new experiences, loss, and hate. I loved going on another journey with these two even if it made me angry and broke my heart multiple times. I also liked how Saenz discussed the AIDS crisis subtly without it being a driving force. Readers and fans of Saenz know that almost every line he writes is pure poetry and he does not disappoint here. This book will remind you what it means to fall in love, lose love, and appreciate self-love.
The book lacked the depth of the first one, but it made it up in character development. This whole extended Mendoza-Quintana unit is precious - given that this is set in 1988, to see the level of awareness within the families in heartwarming. Sáenz’s prose manages to be both simple and lyrical. His conversational style is truly immersive and captures with authenticity Ari’s teenage voice. The chapters are often short and very dialogue-focused. The ending felt a little rushed and I wished to read more about Dante instead of the new friendships in Ari's life - but this took to me back to fonder times and pleasant memories of the first book and I was glad.
Week 4 - Roll 4
Number Rolled: 3+6 = 9
Post Your Roll - Post
----------------------------------------
Spot: 31
Book Choice:
Read 1st book in a seriesAlternate Choice:
Read 3rd book in a series
Read 31st book in a series
Read a book set on an island.Note the bonus points!
-----------------------------------------
Books Read (Alphabetically)
✔ AnnMarie | Heartsong | Green Creek #3 | Review | 14-Feb-2022 ✱
✔ Apoorv | The Butterfly Garden | The Collector #1 | Review | 17-Feb-2022
✔ BarbaraAnn | A Cowboy to Remember | Cowboys of California #1 | Review | 17-Feb-2022
✔ Christina | Onyx Dragon | Awakened Dragon #1 | Review | 16-Feb-2022
✔ Jennifer | Dixie Diva Blues | Dixie Divas #3 | Review | 12-Feb-2022
✔ Shan ~A~ | Waiting for Him | Trident Security #3 | Review | 17-Feb-2022 ✱✱
✱ Valentines' Bonus:
AnnMarie: Tagged Romance by 256 users
✱✱ 3 from a Series
Shan ~A~ - Series: Trident Security #1, #2, #3
I will read Heartsong! Since these are all re-reads it won't qualify for the reading a series from start to finish bonus but it will complete: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.Love this series and am so glad to re-visit and actually write reviews this time around even though this one has such an UGH ending!
Stupid Carter lol
Apoorv wrote: "Week #3 - Roll #3Spot: 22
Book Read: Aristotle and Dante Dive into the Waters of the World | Benjamin Alire Sáenz
Date Read: 11-Feb-2022
How it Fits: Aristotle & ..."
I have this on my radar for sure, I adored book 1 and looking forward to this one. I plan on listening to them both, I didn't realize Lin-Manuel Miranda was the narrator until after I read book 1, very much looking forward to having him read them to me :)
I'll be reading
, #3 in Dixie Divas.
BarbaraAnn wrote: "I'm going to read Mercury Striking by Rebecca Zanetti #1 in the Scorpius Syndrome series"I completely forgot I had that one in my TBR I was going to read a Dragon shifter book but now I'm thinking of changing LOL.
Read: Dixie Diva Blues
Virginia Brown
Read 02/12/2022
How it fits: #3 in Dixie Divas
This is the third homicidal outing for Trinket Truevine since she moved back in with her parents after her divorce and got caught up in her crazy cousin Bitty's chaotic life. This is one of several good mystery series told from the point of view of the sidekick (Nero Wolfe being the most famous of these) and unlike Archie, who executes assignments for Nero with a good level of control, Trinket gets swept along in her cousin's tsunami of a life and just reacts as best she can. Now, to be fair, she also comes up with some pretty hare-brained ideas of her own that "seemed like good ideas at the time...." Between those, the embarrassing ways Trinket and Bitty wind up making fools of themselves in front of their whole town, and the many Southern eccentricities that make up life in the Deep South, these books are often hilarious and always entertaining.
Week 4 Spot #31
Heartsong by T.J. Klune
Qualification: #3 in Green Creek series
Finished: 2/14
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: The third installment of the Green Creek series has a confusing beginning but in the best possible way. The moment you start to realize what is going on is a huge WTF moment and I was so there for it! This is Robbie’s & Kelly’s story but again the whole cast of characters is present. This book was emotional and funny and wonderful like the prior books. We finally find out the story behind Robbie’s glasses, just heartbreaking! Although Ravensong was action packed there really wasn’t a ton of forward movement in the overall story but this definitely makes up for that, setting up the final confrontation in the last book.
Robbie & Kelly get put through the ringer which is no surprise. The entire pack really has to work through some major things which makes for an emotional ride. There is humor though, welcome pops of laughter to break up the seriousness of the story. I love this series so much.
The narration is just superb. Kirt Graves gives life to so many characters in this book, it is not difficult at all to keep track of who is who. He even does the female voices well. I love this series and the narration adds to my enjoyment.
Bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
If you can get 2 bonuses for 1 book then this one qualifies for this bonus as well:
✸ Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11.
Completion Post ~ Week 4Spot: 31
Task: Read 3rd book in a series
Book: Waiting for Him
Author: Samantha A. Cole
Finished: 02/17
How it fits: 3rd in the Trident Security series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: What does it take to make a hardcore former Navy Seal faint? Have the woman that he loved come back from the dead.
That's what happens when Kate Zimmerman aka Katerina comes back into his life after she was supposed to have died with the rest of her family 12 years earlier.
In this instance, love was a strong wrong for me because they were just becoming when she "died" and love wasn't necessarily a part of that. If it was it was unacknowledged love. Then once Boomer gets over being lied to, like she had a choice, he's still in love with her and she him and they embark on this mission and sexual awakening (of her, since she is a 29 year old virgin).
Anyway, Kat needs help trying to figure out who is after her and Trident Security is up to bat. Really at the end of the day it should be Carter Security, because he always manages to come in and save everyone's asses one way or another.
Now, I'm waiting for one of these men to actually fall for a woman already in the lifestyle. They've all been "lucky" to find their SOs and have them be curious enough to give BDSM a chance, but that wouldn't always be the case. Either someone needs to fall for a woman who is already a part of the BDSM community or someone needs to fall for someone who is not as easily swayed to give this a go. That part of it has just been too perfect, which makes it a bit unbelievable to me.
Bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
and/or
✸ Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11.
Week 4Spot #31
Onyx Dragon by Terry Bolryder
Qualification: #1 in Awakened Dragon series https://www.goodreads.com/series/1864...
Finished: 2/16/22
Rating: 3 Stars
Review: Although I found this book to be an average read it did manage to make me want to move right into book 2. To me this is a sign of a good book. It wasn't without some issues. No background on Erin. The setting could have been anywhere, the romance was completely reliant on the fated mate trope with no major epiphany moments,
and it glossed over where Zach's treasure has been kept while he slept or even how much or what it was (other than he mentioned there were jewels) . His ring is a major factor in the story, but I felt its significance was also glossed over.
Despite all these things the book was interesting, had funny moments, some spicy sex, and introduced an interesting M/F/M relationship that appears to be the focal of another series where 2 dragon shifters mate with one woman.
So yes 100% I'll read more in this series. It's also offered on KU... if you already pay for this service you have nothing but a little bit of time to lose.
The Challenge Factory
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I am very intrigued by this series, BarbaraAnn..." the stories are cute and most have a minimum of stress. definitely good as comfort reads.