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R13: SS Team 3 - Shelf Indulgence
Completion Post: Week 3 - Spot 21
Book: Body of Evidence by Rachel Grant
How it fits?: #2 in Evidence series
Date finished?: 2/7/2022
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
Body of Evidence was a fantastic read featuring a romance between a woman convicted of spying and the man who rescues her.
When archaeologist Mara Garrett traveled to North Korea to retrieve the remains of soldiers lost in combat, she never imagined she'd be arrested and convicted of spying. Sentenced to death by firing squad, Mara is saved at the last minute by US attorney Curt Dominick. But Curt has his own reasons for wanting Mara back on US soil, she could be the key to his case against the corrupt former Vice President who happens to be Mara's uncle. But someone doesn't want Mara to reach Washington to testify. Dodging danger every step of the way, Curt and Mara must fight the attraction building between them if they're to have any hope of surviving.
When Mara was a teenager she lost her father in a plane crash and was subsequently raised by her uncle. Mara has a very close relationship with her uncle and doesn't buy the idea that he was somehow involved in corruption of any kind. After graduating college, Mara became involved in JPAC (Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command) to search for the remains of soldiers. Mara is passionate about her work and I admired how dedicated she was to bringing the bodies of soldiers home. Curt grew up as a scholarship kid before making his way to Harvard. An incident in Curt's teens put him on the path to becoming a lawyer and I admire how much he tries to make a difference through his work.
Mara and Curt's relationship has its' challenges. Initially Mara sees him as a hero due to him rescuing her literally seconds before she was to be executed. On the other hand, Curt is the man out to jail her beloved uncle. Curt tries to tell Mara that he's not a hero but due to the circumstances they met under, she doesn't buy his protests. It doesn't take long for the pair to develop an attraction but due to the fact that anything between them could damage Curt's case, that attraction initially doesn't go anywhere. Despite the obstacles to their relationship, the pair had fantastic chemistry and I enjoyed the slow build up in their romance. Their journey across the world to get back to D.C. was suspenseful and the danger helped build the tension between the couple. Ultimately I thought the suspense plot was well done and there were several twists along the way I didn't see coming.
Overall Body of Evidence was an excellent romantic suspense and I highly recommend it. I will definitely be continuing on with the series and picking up the next book in the series, Withholding Evidence, soon.
Completion post : week 3 - spot 21
Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
2/9/22
4 stars
Pages:449
Review:
I loved all the characters in this book , except for the villain Brady.
Bill Hodges is a retired detective who becomes involved in solving a crime when the “perk” contacts him. I also loved Jerome and Holly who appears in later books. The villain Brady is wonderfuly written and you learn to despise him. This was a great thriller and I look forward to reading the next two.
COMPLETION POST Week 3, SPOT 21
Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander
Finished reading 02/09/22
307 Pages
How it fits: #1 in the Bakeshop Mystery series
REVIEW:
Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander is the first book in the Bakeshop Mystery series. I really enjoyed this book.
The main character, Juliet Capshaw, returns to her hometown of Ashland, OR after 10 years. After culinary school she became a pastry chef on a cruise ship. Her husband has betrayed her in a way that is revealed a bite at a time throughout the story.
Ashland is a Mecca for Shakespeare lovers. The OSF, (Oregon Shakespeare Festival) is held in Ashland every year. During Juliet’s first few days back in her hometown, a festival board member is murdered inside Torte. Torte is the bakery owned by Juliet’s mother.
Of course Juliet gets herself involved in the investigation.
I loved this book because there was a flow to the story that kept me engaged and wanting to read more. The characters are like able, some are eccentric. I will be continuing to read this series.
Review Posts: Week 3 - Spot 21Melanie: Post 101 - Evidence #2
- Body of Evidence by Rachel Grant
Leslie Ann: Post 103 - Bill Hodges Trilogy #1
- Mr. Mercedes by Stephen King
Janeylou: Post 98 - #Love Wins #2
- Hook, Line & Sinker by Ana Byrde
Lexi: Post 100 - Our Lady of Endless Worlds #2
- Sisters of the Forsaken Stars by Lina Rather
Trio: Post 97 - Alternate Favorite Author
- Gemini Keeps Capricorn by Anyta Sunday
Shelly: Post 104 - Bakeshop Mystery #1
- Meet Your Baker by Ellie Alexander
Nice, we're all done pretty early this week. I will roll tomorrow night at 1am EST for next week's spot.
yes, that was a really good roll Melane!
Here's our roll for week 4.Week: 4
Previous Spot: 21
Roll: 4 + 4 = 8
New Spot: 29
You can read any of the following:
- 2nd book in a series
- 9th book in a series
- 29th book in a series
- Alternate task 29. MC is older than 60
This is the roll where we can earn the Valentine's bonus.✸ Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11.
I will be reading a romance for this roll, so I can cover it in case no one else decides to read a romance this week.
Melanie wrote: "This is the roll where we can earn the Valentine's bonus.✸ Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11.
I will be reading a romance for this roll,..."
I only read romance anyway
Completion Post: Week 4 - Spot 29
Book: Cold Pursuit by Toni Anderson
How it fits?: #2 in Cold Justice series
Date finished?: 2/12/2022
Rating: 4 Stars
Bonus: Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11
Review:
Cold Pursuit was a suspenseful read featuring an excellent romance between a woman whose young son overhears key information to a terrorist plot and the FBI agent protecting them.
Vivi Vincent's worst nightmare comes true when she and her eight-year-old son Michael are trapped in a mall during a terror attack. Jed Brennan, an FBI agent on leave, helps them survive the assault after saving Michael from the very store the terrorists have gathered in. After word gets out that Vivi's son may have overheard key details of the terrorists' future plans, mother and son are forced into protective custody. But Michael is mute and the trauma of the attack is preventing him from communicating in his normal way through drawing. After the safe house is attacked and Jed doesn't know who he can trust, he makes the decision to hide Vivi and Michael on his own. With danger trailing them at every turn, Vivi and Jed will have to work together if they hope to survive long enough to unlock the information in her son's head.
Vivi has raised her son alone for the last four years after her ex-husband couldn't handle the fact their son was different. She's incredibly protective of Michael due to her ex's treatment of him and doesn't trust anyone else with him. She also has a hard time trusting men in general due to her ex's habit of lying to her. Vivi's hesitation to trust anyone made sense given her past experiences even if it felt at times she was just being obstinate. Jed gets overly involved in his work and in the past has crossed the line to catch a killer. Just prior to the start of Cold Pursuit, Jed is put on mandatory leave due to his actions in a recent case which is how he ended up being at the mall when the attack starts.
Vivi and Jed's relationship starts off as an instant attraction in a high stress situation. But then Jed has to make choices that ultimately cause things to sour a bit between them before he's able to make it up to Vivi later. Both Vivi and Jed are hesitant to start any kind of relationship despite the obvious attraction they share. Vivi has been hurt in the past and Jed doesn't want to take advantage of the situation. This means their romance is a little slower to really get going but I enjoyed the build up between them. When their romance does progress, there are a number of steamy scenes that are very well done. Towards the end of the book they develop some issues due to what's going on, but I was ultimately happy with the way they were able to work everything out.
The search for the group behind the terrorist attack made for an interesting plot. We get scenes from the points of view of several people involved with the attack throughout the book. Each of those involved had different motives for being there which I found interesting as I was expecting it to be a singular cause as the reason for the attack. With Michael's life being in danger, the author kept things suspenseful by having several attacks on his life forcing the group to move around. By the end, things took a turn I wasn't expecting and I found the ending to be suspenseful with just the right amount of action.
Overall Cold Pursuit was a fantastic read and I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, Cold Light of Day, soon.
Week 4 Completion 
Two for the Dough/Janet Evanovich
326 pages
#2 in the series
2/15/22
4 stars
Review:
Stephanie Plum is an awesome bounty hunter. Grandma is hilarious. Quick easy action packed mystery. The humor is at times laugh out loud. I will definitely continue this series.
COMPLETION POST WEEK #4 Spot 29Book:
Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews
Read: 02/15/22
#29 in the series
Rating:🦙🦙🦙🦙🦙 (5 llamas)
REVIEW:
Murder Most Fowl is the 29th book in Donna Andrews MEG LANGSLOW MYSTERY SERIES. This many books into the series Ms. Andrews still does not disappoint! This time Meg, Michael, Josh & Jamie are staying at home. Michael is directing “MACBETH. A production being put on with the combined efforts of Caerphilly College’s Drama and History Departments. The actors and crew are staying with Michael and Meg in their very large farmhouse in the country. Most are being housed in a makeshift tent city in the field close to the house. Meg’s mother and father are housing a multitude of cousins and other family at their farm to help with meals and clean-up. There is also an encampment of Medieval reenactors set up in the woods between Meg and Michael’s house and Meg’s parent’s farm. And, they are giving Meg a very difficult time trying to corral their leader’s antics.
Someone is trying to sabotage the production with acts of vandalism in and around the Waterston Farm. The actress hired to play Lady Macbeth is painfully ill with gastrointestinal issues on top of her being a huge Diva. Then, the murder of the annoying documentary film maker the college history department brought in.
Donna Andrews has kept the multiple plots easy to follow with so many suspects. She has kept Meg and her entire family fresh and interesting. I really love this series.
Everythings under control my side , just not got round to posting
Completion Post, Week 4, Spot 29
Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley
302 pages / GR
How it Qualifies: #2 in series
Read: 17 Feb
Review: Adorable! Enemies to lovers, perfectly done. I could have stood a bit more hockey, but there were some terrific moments here.
Audio beautifully performed by Alexander Cendese and Iggy Toma.
Completion post spot 29
One Bite With a Vampire by Louisa Masters
255 pgs
Finished 17th Feb
4.5 stars
How fits #2 in Hidden Species series
Another great book in this series with all sort of different species .This couple was a vampire & human .Theres also and underlying story that goes through all books and some strange information was found this time round!!!!!..cant wait until the next book
Ano
I’ll be done tomorrow but not this evening most likely. I’m sorry. I ended up switching books and this week got away from me in time.
Thanks for letting us know! And don't worry, we have until midnight tomorrow night to be considered on time.
I made it.Completion Post, Week 4, Spot 29
Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
Read: 02/18/22
How it fits: #2 in the series
Rating: 3 stars
Pages: 368
Review: I enjoyed the book, and it was very different from the first book (less a fun, adventure story). The worldbuilding, especially the geography and the whole invading a country with between cities was a bit of a mess. Edan became very flat from the first book and didn’t really have his own character. I lied how Lady Sarnai was more developed as a character and given a good story arc. I wish the romance which by the end was made central to everything was given more depth to it so that I as a reader felt invested in it. I would give it 3.5 stars and still deciding on rounding up or down. Also, the whole demon island thing was solved too quickly. Still, I finished it happy to have read it. Ok, rounding down for now. Also, it felt a little less unusual and more standard than the first one. (And it may just be me but the changing dresses for power thing reminded me of FF X-2 and that is not something that needed repeating).
Review Posts: Week 4 - Spot 29Melanie: Post 115 - Cold Justice #2 - Valentine's Bonus
- Cold Pursuit by Toni Anderson
Leslie Ann: Post 116 - Stephanie Plum #2
- Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich
Janeylou: Post 120 - Hidden Species #2
- One Bite With a Vampire by Louisa Masters
Lexi: Post 123 - The Blood of Stars #2
- Unravel the Dusk by Elizabeth Lim
Trio: Post 119 - CU Hockey #2
- Face Offs & Cheap Shots by Eden Finley
Shelly: Post 117 - Meg Langslow #29
- Murder Most Fowl by Donna Andrews
Here's our roll for week 5.Week: 5
Previous Spot: 29
Roll: 4 + 1 = 5
New Spot: 34
You can read any of the following:
- 3rd book in a series
- 4th book in a series
- 34th book in a series
- Alternate task 34. MC travels by airplane
Selection PostWeek 5, Spot 34
Unholy Desire by Lynn Burke
336 pages / GR
How it Qualifies: #3 in series
Selection PostWeek 5, Spot 34
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
368 pages
How it Qualifies: #3 in series
SELECTION POST WEEK 5, SPOT 34
A Witch For Mr. Winter - Deanna Chase 231 pages
Witches of Christmas Grove book #3
Wait... I started my book last night (Feb 18), did I start reading too soon? Do I need to pick again?
Trio wrote: "Wait... I started my book last night (Feb 18), did I start reading too soon?"As long as you started it after I posted the roll, then you're fine. Books can't be started until the roll is done.
I really enjoyed that one Janeylou! I hope you like it, the audiobook was very funny.
Trio, im trying to read the while series for this challenge.Dont know whos dog is on cover , there was a dog on bk 1 cover but no dog in book 🤔🤔🤔
I'm not even sure there is a dog...? I think it's just an attempt at teasing you with the absolutely goofy humor that's in this book! Seriously, VERY very silly!I hope you read it with a smile on your face.
Completion Post: Week 5 - Spot 34
Book: That Deep River Feeling by Jackie Ashenden
How it fits?: #3 in Alaska Homecoming series
Date finished?: 2/19/2022
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
That Deep River Feeling was an excellent small town romance between a woman sworn to protect the town and one of the men who just inherited it.
Since the death of her brother Caleb, Morgan West has been alone as the last of her family. Then one day Zeke Montgomery shows up and tells her his brother asked him to look after her. Morgan has never taken well to being bossed around but Zeke isn't taking no for an answer. Zeke isn't one for sticking around so his plan is to fulfill his late best friend's last request, figure out how to offload his share of the town, and get out of dodge. But Zeke finds himself drawn to Morgan and the more time he spends with her, the harder it gets to walk away.
Morgan grew up in Deep River under the shadow of the West name. Morgan has never felt she's been enough for her family and even to an extent blames herself for them leaving. Despite her family issues, Morgan loves Deep River and has dedicated herself to keeping the town safe. Zeke never fit in with his family and so he left at the first opportunity. Zeke is very socially awkward and comes across as quite abrupt as he simply tells it like it is. He feels most at home when he's on his own in the wilderness, so he tends to avoid being in populated areas/towns as much as possible.
Morgan and Zeke's romance gets off to a bit of a slower start. Morgan doesn't want someone to take care of her as she can do that herself and Zeke is determined to help as it was Caleb's last request of him. Despite reservations on both sides, the two are immediately attracted to one another and their chemistry was fantastic. At first Zeke is very reserved in his interactions with Morgan and I enjoyed watching him open up more as the book went on. Due to Morgan being a West, the entire town is watching these two closely and offering their opinions. Personally something like that would annoy me more than it did Zeke and Morgan who took the meddling in stride. There is a bit of conflict towards the end but thankfully that was dealt with quickly.
Overall That Deep River Feeling was a fantastic read and I would highly recommend the series if you're looking for some great contemporary romances.
Completion post week #5Spot 34
Death by the Dozen/Jenn McKinlay
304 pages
Cupcake bakery mystery #3
4 stars
2/21/22
Review:
I really like this cozy mystery. The characters are pleasant (no whining) and the dialogue is realistic , unlike other cozy mysteries. The mystery was easy to solve , but that didn’t detract from my enjoyment of the book. Cupcakes and mysteries how can you lose? I will continue on with series.
Trio wrote: "I'm not even sure there is a dog...? I think it's just an attempt at teasing you with the absolutely goofy humor that's in this book! Seriously, VERY very silly!I hope you read it with a smile on..."
Trio..there is a french bulldog called Beggles 😄
COMPLETION POST WEEK 5 SPOT 34
A Witch For Mr. Winter - Deanna Chase
DATE READ: 02/19/22
RATING: 💖💖💖💖💖
HOW IT FIT’S: 3rd in the Witches of Christmas Grove series
PAGES: 241
REVIEW:
A Witch For Mr. Winter is the 3rd book in Deanna Chase’s series; THE WITCHES OF CHRISTMAS GROVE.
This time the story revolves around single mother, Lily Paddington and widower, Chase Garland.
Both have been single for over a year. However, both were scarred from their first marriages. Lily’s husband was inattentive and cheated on her. Chase’s wife was killed in an automobile accident.
They are attracted to each other, putting it mildly. Although, neither is ready to date. Fate intercedes and they have car trouble while going to get a new cappuccino machine for Love Potions where they both work. Hormones rage and they have an amazing night together. (Nothing overly graphic). When they return to work at Love Potions, a potion and sweets shop, in Christmas Grove they can’t fight the attraction and begin dating. Then after 3 years of abandoning Lily and their son Evan, Lily’s ex-husband, Sean, calls out of the blue wanting a 2 week visitation with Evan over the Christmas holiday. This can’t be good! So read A Witch For Mr. Winter and discover the truths.
I found this a very cute, sweet romance with the magic of Christmas interwoven throughout the story.
I have read the first 2 Witches of Christmas Grove books and am hooked. They are released about one a year and I can hardly wait for the next book!
I highly recommend this series to any romantic’s that enjoy a touch of magic. You can’t go wrong with DeAnna Chase!
Completion Post Week #5 - Spot 34
Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
Date read: 2/22/22
Rating: 4 stars
Pages: 368 pages
How it Qualifies: #3 in series
Review: Somehow I missed that I had never read it before. It was a bit hard for me to get into it at the start, but I loved it by the ending. I have no idea why I missed it for 4 years when I have read every other one of the author’s books, including #4, within a month of their release. I think because this one focused on humans, the flaws were more familiar and a little closer to home but very well done.
I'll finish my book tonight... soooooo close, I just couldn't stay awake another second last night 🥱!
Thanks for the update Trio! Once your book and Janeylou's are in, we'll be good to check in.
Completion postWeek 5 spot 34
Straight as a Cucumber by Ana Byrde
295 pgs
24th feb
4 stars
# 3 in Love wins series
Another sweet and funnily instalement of this series. And nice to see Wes from the last book making a guest spot .
Completion PostWeek 5, Spot 34
Unholy Desire by Lynn Burke
336 pages / GR
How it Qualifies: #3 in series
Read: 24 Feb
Rating: 4 Stars
Review: The third book in Lynn Burke's Sinful Desires series, this is an age gap romance with some naughty twists. I didn't enjoy this one quite as much as #2 in the series.
Just letting everyone know I will work on checking us in as soon as I'm done making/eating dinner. So probably around 7pm EST.
Melanie wrote: "Just letting everyone know I will work on checking us in as soon as I'm done making/eating dinner. So probably around 7pm EST."Thank you Melanie!
Review Posts: Week 5 - Spot 34Melanie: Post 137 - Alaska Homecoming #3
- That Deep River Feeling by Jackie Ashenden
Leslie Ann: Post 138 - Cupcake Bakery Mystery #3
- Death by the Dozen by Jenn McKinlay
Janeylou: Post 144 - #Love Wins #3
- Straight as a Cucumber by Ana Byrde
Lexi: Post 141 - Wayfarers #3
- Record of a Spaceborn Few by Becky Chambers
Trio: Post 145 - Sinful Natures #3
- Unholy Desire by Lynn Burke
Shelly: Post 140 - Witches of Christmas Grove #3
- A Witch For Mr. Winter by Deanna Chase
Here's our roll for week 6.Week: 6
Previous Spot: 34
Roll: 4 + 5 = 9
New Spot: 43
You can read any of the following:
- 4th book in a series
- 3rd book in a series
- 43rd book in a series
- Alternate task 43. Set anytime between 1600-1837
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
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The Family You Make (other topics)
Murder Games (other topics)
Honey and Pepper (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Traci Hall (other topics)A.J. Demas (other topics)
Jill Shalvis (other topics)
James Patterson (other topics)
Annabelle Greene (other topics)
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OOOPS, sorry *headdesk*
corrected