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R13: SS Team 3 - Shelf Indulgence
Week 1, Selection Post: #5alternate - Mystery/Thriller
Sweating Lies by Emma Jaye
286 pages
How it Qualifies: MPG Mystery
Week 1, Completion Post: #5alternate - Mystery/Thriller
Sweating Lies by Emma Jaye
286 pages
How it Qualifies: MPG Mystery
Read: 23 Jan
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review: I've never heard Jonathan Waters perform and audiobook before, and I'm blown away! His vocal range is amazing, and the accents he uses are simply perfect. The effect of the different voices in Kaspar's head is beautifully done.
Emma Jaye's Sweating Lies is the darkest thing I've read in a really long time. Dayum, this one is dark! Jaye maintains a contant level of intensity, full speed ahead from the very first page.
The story is exellent.
It doesn't end in a cliffhanger, but Lies #2, Splitting Lies, is nicely set up.
Just checking in. I should be done later tonight or tomorrow. 😀
I will likely be Thursday as it is my walking audio book so I listen to a bit each day. All of Garth Nix's books make really good audiobooks. The earlier set are read by Tim Curry, which was fun.
I feel guilty only reading one book LOL, I can't believe that's all we need to do.
WEEK 1 COMPLETION POST5th book in a series:
Iced Under by Barbara Ross
Read: January 25, 2022
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
REVIEW:
Iced Under, the 5th book in Barbara Ross MAINE CLAMBAKE MYSTERY SERIES, was a delight to read. I have enjoyed each book in this series, each one pulling me deeper into the Snowden family and all of their friends, adventures, and the townspeople of Busman’s Harbor, Maine. This book was a little more mystery and a little less about the murder. That made it so intriguing I had difficulty putting it down. So much of the mystery unfolds slowly, I don’t quite know how to write a synopsis without giving anything away. However, I whole heartedly recommend this book and the entire MAINE CLAMBAKE MYSTERY SERIES to anyone and specifically to cozy mystery lovers.
WEEK 1 COMPLETION POST5th book in a series:
The Brutal Telling Louise Penny
1/26/22
4 stars
Also works for the bonus mystery
Review: I love this series by Louise Penny and returning to Three Pines, Quebec- a beautiful little village that certainly seems to have its share of murders. I love Chief Inspector Gamache and all the residents of this little village. The mystery has twist and turns which I love. Can’t wait to read the next one.
WEEK 1 COMPLETION POST 5th book in a series:
Goldenhand by Garth Nix
1/27/22
368 pages
3 stars
Review: I really liked Abhorsen and Lirael so I was excited for this one but maybe the story should have ended at #3. This one feels more rushed and less well thought out. I do not like all the focus on kissing which makes Lirael feel younger than the last book and her age. I also found the characterization of the Northern nomads, who are based off central Asian nomad cultures a bit problematic and simplistic. The audio was well done though.
I will have my book done later tonight and will check us in once we're past the time we're allowed to roll.
Completion Post: Week 1 - Spot 5
Book: Bear a Wee Grudge by Meg Macy
How it fits?: #5 in Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series
Date finished?: 1/27/2022
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Bear a Wee Grudge was another delightful addition to the Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery series.
Teddy bear shop manager Sasha Silverman is looking forward to Silver Hollow's inaugural Scottish festival. With competitions, dancing, live music, and various Scottish delicacies the festival is sure to be a hit. In the weeks leading up to the festival Sasha and the employees of the Silver Bear Shop are busy creating custom teddy bears in kilts to sell at their vendor booth. But when the obnoxious Teddy Hartman, the former owner of a rival teddy bear company, begins to stir up trouble for the Silver Bear Shop it puts a bit of a damper on the festivities. When Hartman is found murdered and Sasha's father is arrested for the crime, Sasha is in a race to find the real killer before her father goes down for a crime he didn't commit.
The mystery of who killed Teddy was an interesting one with several suspects, including the main character's father. It's pretty obvious Sasha's father is being set up and it doesn't take long for Sasha to get involved with the case to clear his name. Among the suspects are the victim's wife, the wife's brother, and their lawyer. With so many of the suspects closely tied together, to each other and the victim, it's a bit harder for Sasha to get reliable information. Add in a cop who is dead set on pinning the crime on Sasha's dad and she faces an uphill battle to find the truth. I enjoy Sasha's process when it comes to looking at potential suspects and how far she's come in developing her skills over the course of the series. There were a few instances in the book where seemingly everyone but Sasha had given up on finding the murderer which was surprising. Ultimately the killer's identity wasn't a complete surprise, but I did like how the author revealed their identity. The final confrontation between Sasha and the killer was well done and I was happy with how the mystery was wrapped up.
The characters in this series continue to be fantastic and I enjoy them more as the series goes on. We got to see quite a bit more of Jay, Sasha's boyfriend, in this installment which was nice as I enjoy their relationship. Sasha is close to her family with each of them being involved in running the teddy bear shop in one way or another. With Sasha's dad being accused of murder, the family is heavily invested in making sure the murder is solved so he can be cleared. This book didn't have as many scenes at the Silver Bear Shop as I was expecting compared to previous installments. I really enjoy the scenes at the shop, so I hope we get more there in future books.
Overall Bear a Wee Grudge was an excellent addition to the series and I would highly recommend this series for readers looking for a great cozy mystery series.
Shelly and Leslie Ann, can you both please edit your review posts and add the cover?
Review Posts: Week 1 - Spot 5Melanie: Post 61 - Shamelessly Adorable Teddy Bear Mystery #5
- Bear a Wee Grudge by Meg Macy
Leslie Ann: Post 58 - Chief Inspector Armand Gamache #5 - 2 in 1 Bonus
- The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny
Janeylou: Post 41 - Mannies Incorporated #5
- Making It Work by Sean Michael
Lexi: Post 59 - Abhorsen #5
- Goldenhand by Garth Nix
Trio: Post 53 - Alternate Mystery/Thriller
- Sweating Lies by Emma Jaye
Shelly: Post 57 - Maine Clambake Mystery #5
- Iced Under by Barbara Ross
Here's our roll for week 2.Week: 2
Previous Spot: 5
Roll: 3 + 6 = 9
New Spot: 14
You can read any of the following:
- Standalone
- 1st book in a series
- 4th book in a series
- 14th book in a series
- Alternate task 14. Two Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) [i.e. Deadly Silence or The Hunger Games]
Im starting a new series of 5 books , so hopefully will get them all done for the bonus
Melanie wrote: "Shelly and Leslie Ann, can you both please edit your review posts and add the cover?"I’m so sorry. I’ve added it to post #57 🤭
Completion Post: Week 2 - Spot 14
Book: A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman
How it fits?: #1 in Ruthless Rivals series
Date finished?: 1/29/2022
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
A Reckless Match was a fantastic read featuring a romance between two people on opposite sides of a feud.
The Davies and Montgomery families have been feuding for centuries. Despite the feud Madeline Montgomery has always had a soft spot for Gryffud Davies even if he did torment her in their youth. With her family on the verge of financial ruin, Maddie needs a miracle to save them. After returning to his family home after a duel gone wrong, Gryff runs into Maddie and is instantly charmed by the woman she's grown into. When the pair discover a series of underground tunnels and evidence of a smuggling ring on their shared land, the pair decide to set aside the feud and work together to bring down the criminals. With danger lurking and an attraction blossoming between them, Gryff and Maddie will realize there's a fine line between hate and love.
The premise of this story immediately drew me in, I mean what's not to like about an adventure between sworn enemies through secret underground tunnels while thwarting a dangerous smuggling ring in the process. The book opens with the pair attending the annual meeting on their shared land to continue the truce for another year. The chemistry between Maddie and Gryff was fantastic and there's some great banter. Both Maddie and Gryff had feelings for each other when they were younger but never expressed them as it was forbidden to fall for someone on the opposite side of the feud. I liked how quickly they came to trust one another despite the fact they're supposed to be enemies and that they never tried to trick one another. There were a few steamy scenes throughout the book that were very well done. Thankfully there wasn't a ton of drama surrounding them getting together although there is some hesitation on both sides. I was happy with the way the pair worked things out and overall really enjoyed their romance.
Overall A Reckless Match was an excellent read a great start to the series and I would recommend it to readers looking for some adventure in their historical romance. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, A Daring Pursuit, when it releases later this year.
Week 2 SELECTION POST SPOT 14
Fake the Date by Ana Byrde
255 pgs
How fits # 1 in '# Love Wins' series
Week 2 COMPLETION POST SPOT 14
Fake the Date by Ana Byrde
255 pgs
How fits # 1 in '# Love Wins' series
28th jan
Neither Evan or Ben had the best families growing up, Evan's gambling away away everything and Ben'suffocating him .
But together they are braver and learn to stand on their own two feet and face the issues from their childhood
Week 2 completion- note change from selectionSpot 14
A Trace of Crime by Blake Pierce
Pages 219
4 stars
#4 in the Kerri Locke series
2/1/22
Review:
I really enjoy Blake Pierce novels. They are short and quick reads. I enjoy his characters. Kerri is one of my favorites. I do hope Keri finds her daughter.
WEEK 2 COMPLETION POSTSpot 14
BOOK: The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda
Read: 02/02/22
PAGES: 325
RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
HOW IT FITS: It’s a stand alone novel
REVIEW:
This is the first novel I’ve read from Megan Miranda. I wasn’t sure what to expect. In fact I don’t even remember buying it. 😝 However, it did not disappoint. The only reason I’m giving 4 stars and not 5 is it took me awhile to get into the story at the beginning. Reading The Girl from Widow Hills had past and present events coming together. That and all of the backstory at the same time kept me struggling for the first 1/4 of the book. Then, it got really good.
At 6 years old Arden Olivia Maynor was swept away while sleepwalking during a major rain storm and disappeared. 3 days later she was found, clinging to a storm grate. She had no memory of what had happened in those three days.
Fast forward 20 years and Arden has had to reinvent herself, her name and her life. This, due to the National coverage of her disappearance and subsequent public mental collective that she “owed them”.
After more than 10 years the sleepwalking has begun again and her life is crashing around her once more.
The characters are well developed and interesting. The suspense and mystery were impossible for me to unravel. In the end it was worthy of 5 stars.
Can I change my book?Do I strike out the selection, and make a new post?
Or should I just ammend the original post?
Yep, you can change it. It's up to you if you want to update your original post or make a new one.
I'll just change the original one, thank you!
I know it's Thursday night... I'll be done in time!
I changed my book; I'll update my selection postCompletion Post
Week 2 - Spot 14
In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker
Date: 2/3/22
Rating: 3 stars
How it fits: The Company #1
Pages: 336
Review: Time travel book that just wants to be a historical romance. The main character is a love-addled idiot for much of the book who just wants to discuss philosophy. The whole theme is rather antagonistic to the idea of religion, so the main love interest ends up being not very appealing as he is devout and the whole thing is kind of a mess. Also, it gets a little heavy handed with its message and repetitive. I’m not sure it knew what genre it wanted to be.
Not yet, we still need Trio to post their completion post.
I just messaged Trio to find out if they'll be done in time, we've got a little over 4.5 hours left. If they don't get back to me by 30 minutes before the deadline to roll then I'll use our one Free Pass so we can roll.
Completion Post, Week 2Spot 14
No Shame by Nora Phoenix
360 pages / GR
How it Fits: #4 in series
4 February
Review: Nice to get all the missing pieces, since I read #5 before this one, lol.
There's a lot of drama in this series, everyone has a hurt/comfort tale, but Brad gets his resolution, Charlie gets his happy ending, and Miles comes into his own.
Only Indy's story isn't finished... he just doesn't know it yet.
All done!Sorry Team
I was waiting for a repair guy who never even ended showing up :(. I did finally get to finish the book though.
Great, I'll get us checked it and will be back with the roll in a few minutes.Sorry your repair guy never showed up Trio, that has to be frustrating.
Review Posts: Week 2 - Spot 14Melanie: Post 70 - Ruthless Rivals #1
- A Reckless Match by Kate Bateman
Leslie Ann: Post 75 - Keri Locke #4
- A Trace of Crime by Blake Pierce
Janeylou: Post 74 - #Love Wins #1
- Fake the Date by Ana Byrde
Lexi: Post 81 - The Company #1
- In the Garden of Iden by Kage Baker
Trio: Post 85 - No Shame #4
- No Shame by Nora Phoenix
Shelly: Post 76 - Standalone
- The Girl from Widow Hills by Megan Miranda
Here's our roll for week 3.Week: 3
Previous Spot: 14
Roll: 1 + 6 = 7
New Spot: 21
You can read any of the following:
- Standalone
- 1st book in a series
- 2nd book in a series
- 21st book in a series
- Alternate task 21. Favorite Author
oh sweet, that's a super easy!Yes, I've had an absolutely nightmare of a time getting anyone to fix what's wrong with my house. It's definitely a contractor's paradise here - I've ended up doing a lot of it myself. Thank you YouTube.
Great roll Melanie ..I'll read book 2 of my series
Selection Post 
Sisters of the Forsaken Stars by Lina Rather
Pages: 176
#2 in series - Our Lady of Endless Worlds #2
Week 3 SELECTION POST
SPOT 21
Hook, Line & Sinker by Ana Byrde
285 pgs
How fits #,2 in series Love Wins
Selection Post, Week 3Spot 21
Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday
298 pages / GR
How it qualifies: Alt. task 21, Favorite Author
Completion Post, Week 3Spot 21
Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday
298 pages / GR
Read: 5 Feb
How it qualifies: Alt. task 21, Favorite Author
Review:
I think this is my favorite of the series so far, super cute couple and really good story. It's fast paced, witty, and so much fun from cover to cover!
Rudy Sanda does a nice job with the audio.
Week 3 COMPLETION POST
SPOT 21
Hook, Line & Sinker by Ana Byrde
285 pgs
How fits #,2 in series Love Wins
finished 8 feb ...4 stars
Another low angst , sweet book in this series, lots of laughs , mad grannies and sex mad aunts 😄
There was a small scene with Ben from previous book, but would have liked more
Trio - Can you please add your review to your completion post?
Completion Post, Week 3 - Spot 21
Sisters of the Forsaken Stars by Lina Rather
Pages: 176
How it fits: #2 in series - Our Lady of Endless Worlds #2
Date: 2/7/22
Review:
I really liked the first book and even though it was contemplative, there was still plot and character development. This book took the contemplative aspect too far for me and lost any sense of progressive or plot. New issues and people were introduced but very superficially that it was hard to connect to much. I enjoyed the exploration of faith, but it needed structure around it. At the same time, I think this book would have done better with more of a resolution at the end and this bit of the plot at the end of the book felt rushed which was odd in a book that was otherwise very slow. The whole subplot with the liveship research felt pointless and only served to make me like the MCs in that subplot less. . I will likely read a third one if one is planned as this one felt like a bit of a filler.
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Iced Under by Barbara Ross
297 pages
#5 in the Maine Clambake Mystery Series