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R13: SS Team 6 - Watch Your Six
Completion Post - Week 3
Book: No One Like Her
Author: Cindy Krik
Date Completed: 2/7/22
Spot: 24
How it fits: #4 in Hazel Green series
Player - Suzanne
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was a light easy read. It is #4 in the Hazel Green series (it would read just fine as a stand alone as well). Years after a tragedy that took the life of Wells' wife (who was Erika's best friend), the two meet in Chicago and spend a passionate night. Then when Erika moves back to their hometown of Hazel Green, they have to decide how their (and if) their relationship will progress.
One of the things I liked best about this was that Erika stayed true to herself - she communicated what she needed and liked. I also liked how she showed Wells' daughter Sophie so much love and understanding.
I wasn't a huge fan of Wells for much of the book, but he grew on me!
Book: Eternal Shade
Author: Caroline Peckham
Date Completed: 2/7/21
Spot: 24
How it fits: #2 in series
Alternative: N/A
Player: Wolf
Review: Great read! I love that Callie finds out that she is literally made to kill Vampires. I love that Montana is stuck with Erik and that he tries to help her. I loved that we got a backstory on him and I love that he was the one who tried everything to break their curse. I hate what happens to their dad but I'm glad they both know what they are now. I'm also glad that Erik had given her a way out of everything and how he seems to genuinely care.
Vicki - how are you feeling? I hope you're doing ok!
So I'm going to post when I can. Me and my fiance had someone call CPS on us so we're dealing with all the bullcrap right now. Someome made a bunch of false accusations and caused us all kinds of trouble.
Oh no - that's so stressful! I'm sorry. Thanks for letting us know what's going on. I hope everything can get cleared up for you soon.
Suzanne wrote: "Vicki - how are you feeling? I hope you're doing ok!"Thank you, Suzanne, I am doing well. I can smell and taste again this morning so I'm a happy camper! I still have to avoid being out until this upcoming Sunday and will definitely not watch my grandchildren until I test negative again. I miss them SO MUCH! I last saw them around January 20 before we left for Oceanside so it's been longer than I ever go without seeing them unless I am on vacation. It's already been nearly 3 weeks and I am dying to see them! They grow way too fast at their ages! Thank you for asking. :)
Completion Post ~ Week 3
Book: Room for More
Author: Beth Ehemann
Date Completed: 08 February
Spot: 24
How it Fits #2
Alternative (Y/N): N
Player: Vicki
Bonus (Y/N): N
Review:
I am so happy that I decided to read this duo and that I found myself a new author that I love. I plan to read more of Beth Ethemann's books for sure. One thing I love is that there is a set of twins in the story who are Kacie's twins from a previous relationship. Piper and Lucy are adorbs! They add to the story and make it more realistic that Brody and Kacie have the "Twinkies" to build into their relationship as Kacie is a single mom whose babies daddy walked out on them five years previously, so imagine her shock to find out that he just happens to work at the same hospital where she works. She and Brody and a wonderful relationship up to this point but she she "runs into Zach" at the hospital, she decides not to tell Brody just yet. Usually this can be a huge mistake as most of us know.
I won't say more about the plot, but I will say that I did fall more and more in love with Brody. There is something extremely sexy about a man who can truly love another woman's children and treat them the way Brody treats his little Twinkies. OMG! He is every single/divorced mother's dream to building a family on trust and love. That isn't to say that life is perfect and that there aren't ups and downs. Brody being a super hockey player in his contract year doesn't make the stress any less once Zach arrives and disrupts the relationship that Brody and Kacie have been building. But how does he handle it? Is trust broken? Can they continue to build their little family or does Kacie somehow find that rebuilding what was once lost with Zach would be better for Piper and Lucy?
I highly recommend the Cranberry Inn duology.
Michelle & Suzanne, after posting my book it just dawned on me that maybe it doesn't work. It only has 2 books in the series but it has 4 primary books. Would you mind checking it out and let me know if I need to do another book in its place, please? https://www.goodreads.com/series/1151...
Wolf (Alpha) wrote: "So I'm going to post when I can. Me and my fiance had someone call CPS on us so we're dealing with all the bullcrap right now. Someome made a bunch of false accusations and caused us all kinds of t..."Wolf, I am so sorry to hear about this...what a stressor, especially right after giving birth!! I hope it gets squared away really fast.
Vicki - I'm glad you are feeling better. I'm sure your grandchildren are equally anxious to see you!That book will work fine. With Goodreads listing it as Cranberry Inn #2, it checks that 2nd in series box.
That sounds like a nice feel-good book - perfect for a week you are recovering!
Oh my gosh Wolf that is so terrible. I dealt with that once when my son was in preschool and told some crazy stories. It was so frustrating and scary! I hope you get it straightened out with minimal drama
Wolf (Alpha) wrote: "So I'm going to post when I can. Me and my fiance had someone call CPS on us so we're dealing with all the bullcrap right now. Someome made a bunch of false accusations and caused us all kinds of t..."I'm so sorry you have to deal with that. I had them called on me twice when my kids were little by the assistant principal at their school. My son was on the spectrum, but had not been diagnosed at the time. He was labeled ADHD. The first time he did something I went to the school and he was flipping out so I held onto him to keep him from hurting himself and wound up with a visit from CPS. 6 months later, I showed up at the school to find that the assistant vp had locked my son in a windowless room in the basement and had been doing so for the entire year. I lost my shit on her. She called CPS on me before I could call the cops on her. Both calls , nothing was found amiss and the last one told me that 80% of his calls were unfounded garbage because someone wanted to get back at someone or wanted to be a jerk and cause trouble. Sadly they have to investigate all calls.
I finished my book tonight, but trying to write a review is difficult because the series is so odd and it's late (2 am).
Completion Post Week Three
Book - In an Absent Dream
Author - Seanan McGuire
Date Completed - 2/8/22
Spot - 24
How it fits - # 4 in The Wayward Children Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Michelle
Bonus (Y/N) No
Review - This is such a strange series, but so good. The only problem I have is reviewing it and trying to explain it to others and have them understand the quirkiness of it. This one is Lundy's story and tells the tale of what happens to her when she finds her door and what world she enters and what lessons she learns while trying to get along in the new world that she set foot into. I felt so sorry for her because she was torn between worlds and she eventually pays a huge price for it.
Completion Post ➺ Week 3Spot: 24
Book: California Wine
How it fits: #2 California Romance
Date Read: 02.09 ★★★
Review:
There were some interesting tidbits in this story about wine-making. But most of the story was repetitive musings by the female MC on why she couldn't shouldn't wouldn't take a chance on a relationship with a man, especially one from Italy while she lives in California. There was a lot of introspection and personal growth for her but at the same time, some of the meatier elements that might have made the story more interesting were glossed over. Not a bad book by any means, just would have liked a little more depth in some places and less depth (or repetition) of why Elizabeth had the fears she had.
TEAM 6 WATCH YOUR SIXWEEK 3 COMPLETION POSTS
SPACE 24
Tasks Available:
# 24 in a series
# 2 in a series
# 4 in a series
Alternate:
Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies: listopia, imdb, precis)
Player - Laurla
Completion Post ➺ Week 3
Spot: 24
Book: California Wine by Casey Dawes
How it fits: #2 California Romance
Date Read: 02.09 ★★★
Review:
There were some interesting tidbits in this story about wine-making. But most of the story was repetitive musings by the female MC on why she couldn't shouldn't wouldn't take a chance on a relationship with a man, especially one from Italy while she lives in California. There was a lot of introspection and personal growth for her but at the same time, some of the meatier elements that might have made the story more interesting were glossed over. Not a bad book by any means, just would have liked a little more depth in some places and less depth (or repetition) of why Elizabeth had the fears she had.
Player - Michelle
Completion Post Week Three
Book - In an Absent Dream
Author - Seanan McGuire
Date Completed - 2/8/22
Spot - 24
How it fits - # 4 in The Wayward Children Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Michelle
Bonus (Y/N) No
Review - This is such a strange series, but so good. The only problem I have is reviewing it and trying to explain it to others and have them understand the quirkiness of it. This one is Lundy's story and tells the tale of what happens to her when she finds her door and what world she enters and what lessons she learns while trying to get along in the new world that she set foot into. I felt so sorry for her because she was torn between worlds and she eventually pays a huge price for it.
Player - Vicki
Completion Post ~ Week 3
Book: Room for More
Author: Beth Ehemann
Date Completed: 08 February
Spot: 24
How it Fits #2
Alternative (Y/N): N
Player: Vicki
Bonus (Y/N): N
Review:
I am so happy that I decided to read this duo and that I found myself a new author that I love. I plan to read more of Beth Ethemann's books for sure. One thing I love is that there is a set of twins in the story who are Kacie's twins from a previous relationship. Piper and Lucy are adorbs! They add to the story and make it more realistic that Brody and Kacie have the "Twinkies" to build into their relationship as Kacie is a single mom whose babies daddy walked out on them five years previously, so imagine her shock to find out that he just happens to work at the same hospital where she works. She and Brody and a wonderful relationship up to this point but she she "runs into Zach" at the hospital, she decides not to tell Brody just yet. Usually this can be a huge mistake as most of us know.
I won't say more about the plot, but I will say that I did fall more and more in love with Brody. There is something extremely sexy about a man who can truly love another woman's children and treat them the way Brody treats his little Twinkies. OMG! He is every single/divorced mother's dream to building a family on trust and love. That isn't to say that life is perfect and that there aren't ups and downs. Brody being a super hockey player in his contract year doesn't make the stress any less once Zach arrives and disrupts the relationship that Brody and Kacie have been building. But how does he handle it? Is trust broken? Can they continue to build their little family or does Kacie somehow find that rebuilding what was once lost with Zach would be better for Piper and Lucy?
I highly recommend the Cranberry Inn duology.
Player - Wolf
Book: Eternal Shade
Author: Caroline Peckham
Date Completed: 2/7/21
Spot: 24
How it fits: #2 in series
Alternative: N/A
Player: Wolf
Review: Great read! I love that Callie finds out that she is literally made to kill Vampires. I love that Montana is stuck with Erik and that he tries to help her. I loved that we got a backstory on him and I love that he was the one who tried everything to break their curse. I hate what happens to their dad but I'm glad they both know what they are now. I'm also glad that Erik had given her a way out of everything and how he seems to genuinely care.
Player - Suzanne
Completion Post - Week 3
Book: No One Like Her
Author: Cindy Kirk
Date Completed: 2/7/22
Spot: 24
How it fits: #4 in Hazel Green series
Player - Suzanne
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was a light easy read. It is #4 in the Hazel Green series (it would read just fine as a stand alone as well). Years after a tragedy that took the life of Wells' wife (who was Erika's best friend), the two meet in Chicago and spend a passionate night. Then when Erika moves back to their hometown of Hazel Green, they have to decide how their (and if) their relationship will progress.
One of the things I liked best about this was that Erika stayed true to herself - she communicated what she needed and liked. I also liked how she showed Wells' daughter Sophie so much love and understanding.
I wasn't a huge fan of Wells for much of the book, but he grew on me!
Player - Brittany
Completion week 3
Book - Bewitched
Author - Darynda Jones
Date Completed - 2/10/22
Spot - 24
How it fits - # 2 in the Betwixt & Between Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Brittany
Review
Huh... This was a massive downgrade from the first book in the series. There just really wasn't a lot of substance.
Biggest plus side: The romance and character development of Roan. However, parts of the romance reminded me a LOT of Cat & Bones in the Nighthuntress Series. Some cool new abilities from Defiance. A few funny moments.
Now the bad: Defiance's grandma digressed as a character and didn't have much to add except a few background tidbits. I didn't feel the closeness of the dads' relationship in the same way it was portrayed in the first book.
The abilities of Defiance are just there. Defiance does something: Oh wow, how did that happen. Meh, oh well.. let's move on with life. This just doesn't add up for me as a reader.
I don't know what was going on with this book. I don't know if Darynda rushed it or had to meet a deadline, but it didn't feel as complete and well done as the first novel. I will give book 3 a chance and hope that these issues go away.
Overall, it just wasn't more than ok for me. 2 Stars
Just a reminder that our designated roller for week 4 will be Brittany.
Brittany..When you post your completion post for week 3 you can add the number you rolled at the bottom.
Michelle wrote: "Brittany..When you post your completion post for week 3 you can add the number you rolled at the bottom."Getting ready to post now! Just writing my review
Completion week 3Book - Bewitched
Author - Darynda Jones
Date Completed - 2/10/22
Spot - 24
How it fits - # 2 in the Betwixt & Between Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Brittany
NEW ROLL: 1 & 3 to equal 4: New Spot is 28.
Review
Huh... This was a massive downgrade from the first book in the series. There just really wasn't a lot of substance.
Biggest plus side: The romance and character development of Roan. However, parts of the romance reminded me a LOT of Cat & Bones in the Nighthuntress Series. Some cool new abilities from Defiance. A few funny moments.
Now the bad: Defiance's grandma digressed as a character and didn't have much to add except a few background tidbits. I didn't feel the closeness of the dads' relationship in the same way it was portrayed in the first book.
The abilities of Defiance are just there. Defiance does something: Oh wow, how did that happen. Meh, oh well.. let's move on with life. This just doesn't add up for me as a reader.
I don't know what was going on with this book. I don't know if Darynda rushed it or had to meet a deadline, but it didn't feel as complete and well done as the first novel. I will give book 3 a chance and hope that these issues go away.
Overall, it just wasn't more than ok for me. 2 Stars
I also believe we may have earned a free pass for posting early.
Mod
Brittany...could you roll again please.
Great job - it's great to have that free pass for emergencies!
Michelle wrote: "Brittany...could you roll again please."This time I got a 3 & 2: for a total of 5
I'm going to read
- it is In Death #25.5, 27.5 and 29.5. I'm pretty sure that works (I tried to read the Rules carefully ) But the 29.5 should make it work for #29. Here is the rule:
Books in multiple series can be used for ANY of the series. An example: Azagoth (1001 Dark Nights, #6; Lords of Deliverance, #5.5; Demonica, #10.5) can be used for spot 6 for 1001 Dark Nights, spot 5 for LoD or spot 10 for Demonica because it meets the page limit
Let me know if you think it won't work or want me to check!
Brittany wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Brittany...could you roll again please."This time I got a 3 & 2: for a total of 5"
Thanks
We are checked in..Great job everyone!
Our New Spot is - 29
Tasks Available for Week 4
Series # 29
Series # 2
Series # 9
Alternate Task: 29. MC is older than 60
✸ Valentine's Bonus: One point can be earned for reading a Romance book for the roll on 02/11.
Suzanne wrote: "I'm going to read - it is In Death #25.5, 27.5 and 29.5. I'm pretty sure that works (I tried to read the Rules carefully ) But the 29.5 should make it work for #29..."It works according to the rules. The only thing is that you have to read the whole thing and review each individual story.
Michelle wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I'm going to read - it is In Death #25.5, 27.5 and 29.5. I'm pretty sure that works (I tried to read the Rules carefully ) But the 29.5 should make..."Thanks Michelle - I was going to read the whole thing, but I didn't catch the reviewing every individual story - so glad you said that!!
Suzanne wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Suzanne wrote: "I'm going to read - it is In Death #25.5, 27.5 and 29.5. I'm pretty sure that works (I tried to read the Rules carefully ) But the..."I'm sure I'm 99.9% correct. However, my neurotic tendencies wont leave it well enough alone, so I posted in the question thread.
Oh thank you! It's always good to be 100% correct - or to know if we're wrong!
Suzanne wrote: "Oh thank you! It's always good to be 100% correct - or to know if we're wrong!"I was correct. Denise is going to hate me by the end of this challenge...lol.
The last notification I got was 18 hours ago. Anyone else having problems with that?
Same problem - it sounds as if notifications haven't been working at all for a couple of days. I hate it!
My notifications aren't working either. My phone has also been weird the last few days
No notifications for me either. nothing for anyone else I've spoken too either.
Completion Post ➺ Week 4Spot: 29
Book: Chasing Fire
How it fits: #9 I-Team
Date Read: 02.14 ★★★★★
Review:
It's been a long time since I've read such a high octane and emotional book that wasn't overtly romance. While this book is set amidst 2 romance series, the plot was primarily about fighting the fire threatening the town and the rescue of trapped people. It was highly engaging, emotional and a very satisfying read! I got to visit couples from the I-Team series that I love and get a sneak peak at the Colorado series that I'm just beginning. The author did a great job blending the two without giving too much away!
Started my book last night, should finish tonight or tomorrow
Michelle, HOLY CRAP!!!!! When I hear stories like yours they make me SICK!!!!! I taught high school and I can’t even begin to imagine someone doing that to a student! I would have lost my shit too!!! I’m surprised you didn’t go in attack mode! My daughter used to work for Sierra Vista Children’s Center and they were taught to do a hold like you mentioned to protect children from hurting themselves. How someone doesn’t recognize that as a tool for keeping children safe just is flabbergasting to me! CPS serves a good purpose but people abuse it to get revenge or for whatever reasons. Just like some people call 911 for very asinine reasons! It wastes precious time needed elsewhere. Did you move your son out of that place?
Completion Post - Week 4Spot: 29
Book: Time of Death
How it fits: #29.5 in In Death series
Date Read: 2/15/22
4 stars
Review:
This book is a selection of three shorter stories that take place in the "20's" of the In Death Series. They had a common theme of something potentially supernatural or just plain weird about the murders.
Eternity in Death - a woman looking for immortality is instead left dead, devoid of blood, with two puncture marks in her neck. This leads Eve to an underground vampire nightclub and a sociopath. There wasn't ever really a doubt in this book about who did it - the crime was just hard to prove.
Ritual in Death A naked, bloody man stumbles into a party attended by Eve and Roarke. They find a ritualistic killing and investigate a Satanic cult. Eve and Roarke are angrier than I'm used to seeing them, at each other and the world in this. But really, it was a nasty situation - I guess the anger was justified.
Missing in Death A woman disappears from a ferry, and there is a bloody crime scene with no body, and no good way to explain where it went. This one was my favorite of the three. I especially liked how it ended.
Another thing I enjoyed about these is how Peabody got totally into each of the supernatural explanations - buying garlic, worrying about witches, satan worshipers, and aliens. It was fun seeing that contrast to Eve and her pragmatic approach.
Completion Post ~ Week 4Spot: 29
Book: Psycho II
Author: Robert Bloch
Date Completed: 2/15/22
Spot 29
How it fits: #2 in series
Alternative: (Y/N) - N
Player: Vicki
Bonus (Y/N): N
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I loved Psycho the movie and Psycho #1, but unfortunately not so much Psycho #2. I still love Norman Bates and I still believe this is the original true horror story ever written that still makes me shiver when I think about it.
In this book Norman has been in a state hospital for the criminally insane for 20 years. It was creepy that he used a nun's habit to escape and begin murdering again. The plot just didn't have the punch for me that book #1 did so I was rather disappointed. I was expecting more but at least there was a twist at the end that I wasn't expecting.
Completion week 4
Book - Strawberry Shortcake Murder
Author - Joanne Fluke
Date Completed - 2/16/22
Spot - 29
How it fits - # 2 in the Hannah Swenson Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Brittany
Review
Meh. Hannah was much more palatable in the first book. This was a quick, easy read. Mystery but the solving of it was questionably sold for me.
After the initial shocking event, it was a bit slow moving and boring.
I love all of the recipes and the tips about them at the end of the chapters.
I went from thinking: Please make Hannah less dense. How does nothing ever occur to her and the other characters have to come up with all of the clues and ideas. It doesn't sell her for me.
To the end of the book feeling like I liked that Hannah was confident, but taking credit for pretty much everything was really annoying.
It's not the greatest book I ever read, but it is enjoyable enough that I will continue the series and pick up Book 3 at some point.
3 Stars.
The Challenge Factory
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No problem. Glad you found something to read.