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R13: *** 2ND PLACE *** SS Team 5 - High 5

COMPLETION POST ~ Week 2
Spot: 1

Fits: #1 of Tiamat
Pages: 448
Completed: 4/2
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I love this retelling of H.C.Andersen's Snow Queen. I think she treated Gerda's adventures with brilliance.
I love Joan's inventions. She's been inspired by a lot of things I can recognize, and probably a lot of things I don't recognize.
One of these is Star Wars. Come on, her name is Moon Dawntreader :-D She's the Gerda of the story, Kai is Sparks Dawntreader, her cousin. First cousin. Their mothers are sisters. His mother dies at childbirth, and he is raised by his grandmother, and Moon's mother. So - practically, these two are siblings. This relationship is being reminded of all the time, but somehow I forget it. It doesn't feel incestuous.
Joan's excuse is that Moon is a clone, and it's made very clear from the very beginning. So, no genetical connection. They are nevertheless siblings, almost twins, and general psychology says the memes surpass the genes in this. It should be psychologically impossible for these two to love each other in the carnal way they do, but I suppose Joan always thought Leia should have ended with Luke :-D

COMPLETION POST ~ Week 2
Spot: 1

Fits: #1 of Tiamat
Pages: 448
Completed: 4/2
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I love this retelling of H.C...."
Lol


Spot: 14

Stone Cold by C.J. Box
How it Fits: #14 - Joe Pickett
Pages: 370
Completed: 2/3
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Joe, Joe, Joe. You are my favorite Dudley Do-Right lawman, but you were over the top this time. I know you are absolutely driven to always do the right thing, but seriously, you can give people a pass with the citations for fishing without a license. The mystery was good, the side mystery was good, and I love it when they get Joe out of Twelve Sleep County.

Spot: 14

Stone Cold by C.J. Box
How it Fits: #14 - Joe Pickett
Pages: 370
Completed: 2/3
Rating: 4 stars
..."
Dudley Do Right... ROFLMAO

Can you PM Shannon & get her to fix her Post. I think we are OK to go ahead & roll tho.

Week #3
Roll: 6 + 6 = 12
Old Spot + New = 14 +12 = 26
New Spot: 26
Options
#2 in series & #6 in series
Alternate:26. Four or More Words Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Posted Our Spot

I thought we got a lucky roll to move us alot further on the board.
We didn't get a #1 spot tho. Dp you have a book for either of these? If not let us know quickly. We CAN use our +2 points now or our free pass. I would prefer to save those for later on down the line. Extra points wise for when we get closer. Free pass wise for if somebody that doesn't turn in their book or they know they can get a book in on time.

Can you PM Shannon & get her to fix her Post. I think we are OK to go ahead & roll tho."
Yes, on my way.





I think I got it fixed!

Psycho (Necessary Evil #2)"
Oh Damn! That Book is SO DAMN GOOD. I'm on book either #3.5 or #4 & book #2 is my FAVE of the series so far. Love, Love Love August & Lucas!


Are you really really sure 'cause that's gonna screw up the ole "Read a series" point here. lol Well crap, I'll pick something else. Thankfully, I hadn't started it yet!

Are you really really sure 'cause that's gonna screw up the ole "Read a series" point here. lol Well crap, I'll ..."


ROFLMAO




Week 3
Space: 26

The Dating Experiment by Briar Prescott
Pages: 280
Qualification: #2 in "Better with You" series
Read: 2/7/22
Rating: ★★★★
We met Jamie and Connor in the first book and I had a feeling their story would be next. Oh how I loved their constant sassy banter. The smartassery was off the charts in this story which was hilarious. Loved how they had to work for their HEA and loved their little experiments. Fun book!!
[*book:The Dating Experiment|58404928]


Week #3
Spot: 26
Book: Learn My Lesson 3* ✔️ 2/7
Pages: 253 pages
Fits: Wicked Villains Series #2
Bonus: No
Review: 3* It was just OK. This was Hades & Meg & Hercules. I'm not big on the threesomes anyway ďi just read one in Rake I'd Like to F... that was phenomenal. So this was a bit of a letdown. That & this Hercules had
nothing on Hercules in Finding His Strength. I guess it would have also been better if I didn't keep comparing it to the other 2 stories.
I did really liked the Relationship between all 3 of them. But I felt the story was definitely lacking. It also seemed very repetitious in the characters thought patterns. The introspective writing got boring in parts. I definitely wanted more Suspense & the end was very anticlimactic. Think & Hook are next ďim really looking forward to that. Hopefully Hook doesn't let me down.




Completion Post - Week 3
Spot: #26
Book: Miss Tonks Turns to Crime
Author: M.C. Beaton
Pages: 182
How it fits: # it is the 2nd book in the series
Review: Much silliness! And when you think there can't be more silliness, there is. *sigh* I don't know why I keep reading M.C. Beaton's books. I get sick of them so quickly. I'm just glad they're short!
Spot: #26
Book: Miss Tonks Turns to Crime
Author: M.C. Beaton
Pages: 182
How it fits: # it is the 2nd book in the series
Review: Much silliness! And when you think there can't be more silliness, there is. *sigh* I don't know why I keep reading M.C. Beaton's books. I get sick of them so quickly. I'm just glad they're short!
Michelle wrote: "I like her Hamish Macbeth series. They are always quick reads!"
I haven't tried any of that series. I'll look into the 1st book. Thanks, Michelle.
I haven't tried any of that series. I'll look into the 1st book. Thanks, Michelle.

Yes, my #4-#8 was her Agatha Raisin :-D
Very enjoyable and quick reads :-)

Spot 26
Book:

Pages. 284
Fits: Tiamat #2
Rating: ★★★
A retelling of all these fairytales where the third son goes to rescue his big brothers, and they turn out to be total a-holes.
This is the second book in the Tiamat series that was started with the Snow Queen. In this book, we follow a secondary character from the first book. He is the third son. He finds a way to contact Moon, and then a way back to Tiamat. I assume the next book, The Summer Queen, is about him and Moon...
I don't like the story of this book, but it's very well written. I think Joan D. Vinge managed to express the narrator's mental state perfectly by the style of writing. When he was "sane", the writing was analytical, cold, precise, when he was "insane", it was rambling, chaotic, scary, all over the place. I mean, within Joan's normal writing style, which is very nice, I think. Just enough descriptions and emotions to keep it interesting.
I am going to keep reading this series for this challenge, they are quick enough and interesting enough, even though this isn't my favorite scifi series or fairy tale retelling ever :-D

Spot 26
Book: Many a Twist by Sheila Connolly
Pages. 330
Fits: County Cork #6
2/9
Rating: 3ish stars
So I'm six books into this series, and I seriously almost left Ireland with the last one. But I went back for more, because I am a glutton for punishment, and it fits this challenge. Maura is still ridiculous. She wasn't as ridiculous as book 5, but she still bugs me. We had a big plot surprise that I won't spoil here, and I'm curious where we go with these new developments. I hate myself, so I'm sure I will read book 7 and complain the whole way. Maura, you are dumb. Barely 3 stars, but only because I like Mick and Rose.

Book: The Paladin's Shadow
Author: Tavia Lark
Pages: 266
How it fits: Radiance #2
Read: 02/05
Review:
★★★★1/2
This was a delight! Great characters, an interesting world, a quest to fulfill, secrets, action, danger, friendship, and love. I really liked both Ronan and Karis, and I loved the epilogue.

Roll: 6 + 6 = 12
Old Spot + New = 14 +12 = 26
New Spot: 26
Options
#2 in series & #6 in series
✔️ Mama's Review Post #126
✔️ Shannon Review Post #125
✔️ Teresa's Review Post #133
✔️ Michelle Review Post #132
✔️ Ketutar Review Post #131
✔️ Lanelle Review Post #127

Week # 4
Roll: 6 + 4 = 10
Old Spot + New = 26 + 10 = 36
Spot:
Posted Our Spot
Options
#3 in series & #6 in series
Alternate:
*36. Author uses their middle name/initial (e.g. Robert J. Sawyer, Rita Mae Brown)

I'm not 100% decided, but I think I might read The Redbreast.


Book: Omega's Destiny
Author: Zoe Perdita
Pages: 326
How it fits: Lost Wolves #3
Read: 02/13
Review:
★★★★1/2
I think this is my favourite of the books so far. The beginning was hard for me - love lost and seeming so far away without hope. However hard it was to the end, it was worth it. I liked seeing the other couples again. I also liked how the past and present played out alongside each other.


Week #4
Spot: 36
Book: A Worthy Opponent 3.5* ✔️ 2/13
Pages: 270 pages
Fits: Wicked Villains Series #3
Bonus: ✸ Valentine's Bonus ~ MPG Romance
Review: so this was Hook & Tink. I felt like it would have been so much better if all the past wasn't off page & barely glanced over. If it had such an impact, it should have at least been showed in flashbacks.

I really did like the push & pull between Hook & Tink. Hook was SAF! And adding Gaeton in the mix was surprising. 😳🤯🔥🔥🔥



Tink was snarly as usual but she had a vulnerable side that I didn't expect her to show Hook.


So far this one has been the best of the series so far... But I WANT MORE!!!
Next is Belle, Beast & Gaeton!



Completion Post - Week 4
Spot: #36
Book: Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace
Author: M.C. Beaton
Pages: 193
Rating: ***
How it fits: it is the 3rd book in the series
Review: Thankfully, this book was better than the last one. A lot more serious. And there's quite a bit of drama happening between the remaining hotel owners. I'm kinda looking forward to the next book.
Spot: #36
Book: Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace
Author: M.C. Beaton
Pages: 193
Rating: ***
How it fits: it is the 3rd book in the series
Review: Thankfully, this book was better than the last one. A lot more serious. And there's quite a bit of drama happening between the remaining hotel owners. I'm kinda looking forward to the next book.

Week 4 - Space 36
Option #1 - #3 in Series

The Underdog by Briar Prescott
Pages: 282
Qualifies: #3 in "Better with You" series
Read: 2/15/22
Rating: ★★★
Anders is one of our core guys so I've been waiting for his story. He's signed up for a triathalon by his siblings and now has to get in shape. Enter Wells, an ex NHL player who lost one his lower legs. Angry, bitter, grumpy Wells. Loved their beginning training sessions. So funny. Their relationship was cute but this is my least favorite of all the books. Not sure why, but there it is. Still going to read Max's story because this author usually makes me crack up. Can't wait.
[*book:The Underdog|58900775]

Spot: #36
Book: The Redbreast by Jo Nesbø
Pages: 521
How it fits: Harry Hole #3
Read: 2/16
Rating: 3.5 stars. Maybe 4. Gotta think about it.
Review:
So, I was told to start this series with #3. Since I like to do things in order, I feel like I should have trusted my gut and read 1 & 2 first. Both were referenced very briefly in the story, but I wanted more about Harry. Anyway, he seems to be a brilliant cop even though he's a hot mess. I liked him, and I'll go back and read books 1 & 2. And I liked the alternating timelines between WW2 and the present. Solid plot, and I really enjoyed the characters and the setting, although not sure it reached 4 star love status for me.

What rolls are ya'll hoping for??
Does anybody want a turn at rolling or so you still want me to roll after Midnight?

Spot: #36
Book: Mrs. Budley Falls from Grace
Author: M.C. Beaton
Pages: 193
How it fits: it is the 3rd book in the series
Review: Thankfu..."
Lanelle could you correct your post to show your star rating.

Mamacita aka MawMaw wrote: "Lanelle could you correct your post to show your star rating."
Sorry. Done. I'm okay with you rolling.
I'm think I'm okay with whatever roll we get.
Sorry. Done. I'm okay with you rolling.
I'm think I'm okay with whatever roll we get.
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Week: 2
Roll: 2 + 4 = 6
Old Spot + New = 8 + 6 = 14
New Spot: 14
✔️ Mama's Review Post #100
✔️ Shannon Review Post #84
✸ >500 pages Bonus Earned
(520 pgs)
✔️ Teresa's Review Post #82
✔️ Michelle Review Post #106
✔️ Ketutar Review Post #102
✔️ Lanelle Review Post #83