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R13: SS Team 6 - Watch Your Six
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Michelle
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Mar 26, 2022 10:34PM

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Spot: 72

Book: Bloodfever
How it fits: #2 Fever
Date Read: 03.27 ★★★★
Review:
I want to be profound in my review but I just am not built that way... but I loved this book. I read the first in the series in one big gulp and I think it must have been way into the wee hours of the morning because when I started thinking about reading this one, I really couldn't remember the world I was getting into. I've read this one in one big gulp too, but hopefully the details will stay with me a little more. I have to say the author did a really great job of bringing people like me (or others who picked up book 2 without reading book 1) up to speed. The prologue was basically a level set but as noted, I needed that!
There were things that frustrated me, namely that Mac has no one she can trust... or that she believes she can trust. Jury is still out on Barrons, of course. Stories where the protagonist seems to have no one to trust make me anxious... I've never been drawn to books high on the angst factor and the continued tension actually wears on me rather than entertains. Which is probably why I'm a sucker for romances in the first place. Like many UF series, this one triggers my anxiousness because I just want Mac to have someone to help her deal but... Well anyway. There is some slight resolution by the end with Barrons, but heading into book 3, I don't think it's going be all pink roses and rainbows. I do still feel the frustration that Mac is out there on her own trying to figure things out. It won't keep me from book 3 because as I said, sucker for romance/HEA and well, something has to break Mac's way, yeah?

# 2 -

#7 -

Whichever gets doe first is the one I'm going with.

Spot #72
Book Read:

Death of a Prankster
Author: M.C. Beaton
Date Read: 3/30/22
How it fits: #7 in Hamish MacBeth series
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
A family gathers at rich Andrew Trent's "deathbed" only to find not only is he is very much alive, but he still loves playing elaborate and always annoying (and sometimes cruel) pranks. When he dies, everyone is a suspect. Hamish as well as his superiors gather to investigate the murder.
There were a lot of unrealistic moments in this - from people not getting into big trouble for destroying a crime scene to people being just plain stupid, or unrealistic. It wasn't a horrible listen, but certainly wasn't a fantastic mystery.


Book - Our Violent Ends
Author - Chloe Gong
Date Completed - 3/31/22
Spot -72: Series # 2
How it fits - #2 of the These Violent Delights series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Brittany
Review
This was even better than the first book. Chloe Gang was in the zone with this time period and these characters. The "monster" was less disjointed feeling and the entire flow of the story was on point.
The ending was a bit meh... The epilogue was great though. It was so great that I was sad that this was only a duology. I want more. I get that it is over but I like these characters and I want more misadventures.
I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong will come up with next. It was great to see her strength as an author grow and develop from the first book to this one. Definitely worth checking out!
5 Stars.


Book - Hunters of the Dusk
Author - Darren Shan
Date Completed - 3/31/22
Spot - 72
How it fits - # 7 Cirque du Freak
Alternative (Y/N) - no
Player - Michelle
Bonus (Y/N) No
Review - In book 7, Darren, Mr. Crepsley, and Harkat are on the hunt for the Vampanese Lord. I have to admit that these books are a bit odd, but I think that is what makes them so great. Even though they are YA, they are still filled with guts and gore.
While on the search for The Vampanese Lord they paid a visit to their friends at the Cirque du Freak where they used to perform. Darren got to visit with his old friend, snake boy, Evra Von and discovered that Evra got married and had several children. Evra named his oldest child after Darren. I thought that was pretty cool.
I feel a bit bad for Darren since he is only half vampire. He ages at an incredibly slow rate so even though he is in his 20's he still looks like a small teenaged boy. The book was a bit of a filler for the next installment and not much happened, but it was still fun.

WEEK 10 COMPLETION POSTS
SPACE 72
PLAYER MICHELLE

Book - Hunters of the Dusk
Author - Darren Shan
Date Completed - 3/31/22
Spot - 72
How it fits - # 7 Cirque du Freak
Alternative (Y/N) - no
Player - Michelle
Bonus (Y/N) No
Review - In book 7, Darren, Mr. Crepsley, and Harkat are on the hunt for the Vampanese Lord. I have to admit that these books are a bit odd, but I think that is what makes them so great. Even though they are YA, they are still filled with guts and gore.
While on the search for The Vampanese Lord they paid a visit to their friends at the Cirque du Freak where they used to perform. Darren got to visit with his old friend, snake boy, Evra Von and discovered that Evra got married and had several children. Evra named his oldest child after Darren. I thought that was pretty cool.
I feel a bit bad for Darren since he is only half vampire. He ages at an incredibly slow rate so even though he is in his 20's he still looks like a small teenaged boy. The book was a bit of a filler for the next installment and not much happened, but it was still fun.
PLAYER BRITTANY

Book - Our Violent Ends
Author - Chloe Gong
Date Completed - 3/31/22
Spot -72: Series # 2
How it fits - #2 of the These Violent Delights series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Brittany
Bonus -
Book over 500 pages
2 in 1 bonus - fits alternative
Review
This was even better than the first book. Chloe Gang was in the zone with this time period and these characters. The "monster" was less disjointed feeling and the entire flow of the story was on point.
The ending was a bit meh... The epilogue was great though. It was so great that I was sad that this was only a duology. I want more. I get that it is over but I like these characters and I want more misadventures.
I can't wait to see what Chloe Gong will come up with next. It was great to see her strength as an author grow and develop from the first book to this one. Definitely worth checking out!
5 Stars
PLAYER SUZANNE

Book - Death of a Prankster
Author - M.C. Beaton
Date Read: 3/30/22
How it fits: #7 in Hamish MacBeth series
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
A family gathers at rich Andrew Trent's "deathbed" only to find not only is he is very much alive, but he still loves playing elaborate and always annoying (and sometimes cruel) pranks. When he dies, everyone is a suspect. Hamish as well as his superiors gather to investigate the murder.
There were a lot of unrealistic moments in this - from people not getting into big trouble for destroying a crime scene to people being just plain stupid, or unrealistic. It wasn't a horrible listen, but certainly wasn't a fantastic mystery
PLAYER LAURLA

Book - Bloodfever
Author - Karen Marie Moning
How it fits: #2 Fever
Date Read: 03.27 ★★★★
Review:
I want to be profound in my review but I just am not built that way... but I loved this book. I read the first in the series in one big gulp and I think it must have been way into the wee hours of the morning because when I started thinking about reading this one, I really couldn't remember the world I was getting into. I've read this one in one big gulp too, but hopefully the details will stay with me a little more. I have to say the author did a really great job of bringing people like me (or others who picked up book 2 without reading book 1) up to speed. The prologue was basically a level set but as noted, I needed that!
There were things that frustrated me, namely that Mac has no one she can trust... or that she believes she can trust. Jury is still out on Barrons, of course. Stories where the protagonist seems to have no one to trust make me anxious... I've never been drawn to books high on the angst factor and the continued tension actually wears on me rather than entertains. Which is probably why I'm a sucker for romances in the first place. Like many UF series, this one triggers my anxiousness because I just want Mac to have someone to help her deal but... Well anyway. There is some slight resolution by the end with Barrons, but heading into book 3, I don't think it's going be all pink roses and rainbows. I do still feel the frustration that Mac is out there on her own trying to figure things out. It won't keep me from book 3 because as I said, sucker for romance/HEA and well, something has to break Mac's way, yeah
Bonus - 2 in one - Fits alternative
PLAYER VICKI

Book - Reminders of Him
Author - Colleen Hoover
Spot #72
Date Read: 3/31/22
How it fits: Alternate - Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Colleen Hoover knows how to write a gut-wrenching story and tug at my heartstrings for sure. I have never not loved one of her books. In this story, Kenna is the MC who's fresh out of prison and goes back to her hometown to see her daughter for the first time ever. That alone was a tear-jerker for me because I just can't imagine! When she first arrives she meets Ledger with whom she falls in love and vice-versa. There is a huge spoiler that happens when she realizes who Ledger is but I don't want to spoil it but wow!
I am a mother of five and I feel like this book will resonate with just about any mother. Of course, being a mom is only one reason that it resonated with me and (yes, of course) made me cry

Spot #72

Book Read: Reminders of Him
Author: Colleen Hoover
Date Read: 3/31/22
How it fits: Alternate - Romance
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Colleen Hoover knows how to write a gut-wrenching story and tug at my heartstrings for sure. I have never not loved one of her books. In this story, Kenna is the MC who's fresh out of prison and goes back to her hometown to see her daughter for the first time ever. That alone was a tear-jerker for me because I just can't imagine! When she first arrives she meets Ledger with whom she falls in love and vice-versa. There is a huge spoiler that happens when she realizes who Ledger is but I don't want to spoil it but wow!
I am a mother of five and I feel like this book will resonate with just about any mother. Of course, being a mom is only one reason that it resonated with me and (yes, of course) made me cry.

Designated Roller: LaurLa (Michelle)
Number Rolled: 7
Space: 79
Task: Series # 79
Series # 7
Series # 9
Alternate - 79. Number in the Title (Third Grave Dead Ahead or Every Fifteen Minutes)

Laurla...When my turn comes up again in two weeks. You can take your turn then.


No problem. Are you going anywhere fun for vacation or are you staying home?


Book - Gideon the Ninth
Author - Tamsyn Muir
Date Completed - 4/2/22
Spot -79: Number in the Title
How it fits - Ninth in the Title
Alternative (Y/N) - Y
Player - Brittany
Review
Middle Age Inspired Necromancers.... In Space.... Witty Banter. Complex Friendships.
This book is the hilariously dark gem I was missing in life.
This book is almost impossible to properly describe to someone without sounding like a crazy person. This book is a truly unique gem of a story.
And yet, it is one of the greatest books I have read all year (and I've read over 80 books this year so far.)
I had no idea how much I would love this. Tamsyn Muir's humor makes me want to be best friends with her in real life because I GOT and laughed at every single word of it. There are so many fantastic one-liners that I was laughing out loud to myself.
Add in the British accent narration for the sarcasm and it elevates this book to a whole new level. Perfection.
There are literally too many wonderful quotes to list them all, but here are some of the many great ones:
"If my heart had a dick, you would kick it."
“Did you know that if you put the first three letters of your last name with the first three letters of your first name, you get ‘Sex Pal’?”
"I've never had to work with something so small.
That's what she said."
“Gideon slid her glasses back onto her face, obscuring feelings with tint.”
“He had the eyes of a very beautiful person, trapped in resting bitch face.”
“Why was I born so attractive?” “Because everyone would have throttled you within the first five minutes otherwise”
“He was narrow shouldered with long, long arms, and she was beginning to believe that he was not simply a douchebag who used lip balm, but a douchebag who used lip balm and had a very long reach.”
"Gideon was experiencing one powerful emotion: being sick of everyone’s shit.”
“You couldn’t spell obligation if I shoved the letters up your ass.”
“I gotta say, I don’t think that would help,” said Gideon. “God, I’m glad you didn’t teach me my spelling.”
“Don’t hypothetically shove stuff up my butt again,” said Gideon, “it never does any good.”
“As Harrow smouldered with hatred, Gideon began to enjoy herself.”
“I must no longer accept,” she said slowly, “being a stranger to you.”
"I cannot conceive of a universe without you in it."
"Yes you can, it's just less great and less hot"
I do have to admit sadness at the ending... I am wondering how this will play out with Harrow's story next.
5+Stars

Haha there were so many more hahaha . I was laughing so much reading this

Spot: 79

Book: Striking Range
Author: Margaret Mizushima
Date Read: 4/5/22
How it fits: #7 in Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I think I discovered this series at the beginning on Netgalley. Mattie is a K-9 Officer who works with her dog Robo in a small town in Colorado. In this book 7, she is investigating a cold case involving her own family when a dead body is found.
One of the best things about this series (besides the fact that Robo is a very cool dog) is that the characters have progressed and developed a lot over time. We also see some other dogs work in their specialties (cadaver finding, search and rescue, explosive detection, etc.), which I always think is interesting. And the primary mystery was definitely something I was anxious to have solved.
The one thing that I did not like was that the description of the book is long and basically summaries the entire book. Like the last part of the description (which also gives away who the killer is) doesn't even start happening until the 80% mark of the book. Who does that with a mystery!?


Book - Up From the Grave
Author - Jeaniene Frost
Date Completed - 4/3/22
Spot - 79
How it fits - Book # 7 in The Night Huntress Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Michelle
Bonus (Y/N) - N
Review - I did not realize that this was the last book in The Night Huntress Series and when I found out I almost cried, in fact I almost cried several times during this book. I cursed out Jeaniene Frost a multitude of times because I got so caught up in the story.
I love the characters because this is one of most favorite series of all time. I think Cat and Bones are so perfect for each other because of the love they have for each other. The side characters are fantastic as well and fit so well within the group. My favorite side character has to be Denise, Cat's BFF. What she did towards the end was the ultimate sacrifice. I was scared that she wasn't coming back from what she did, but after sweating it out for a bit, Jeaniene Frost made everything better again. I can't wait to read more from this author.


WEEK 11 COMPLETION POSTS
SPACE 79
Player BRITTANY

Book - Gideon the Ninth
Author - Tamsyn Muir
Date Completed - 4/2/22
Spot -79: Number in the Title
How it fits - Ninth in the Title
Alternative (Y/N) - Y
Player - Brittany
Review
Middle Age Inspired Necromancers.... In Space.... Witty Banter. Complex Friendships.
This book is the hilariously dark gem I was missing in life.
This book is almost impossible to properly describe to someone without sounding like a crazy person. This book is a truly unique gem of a story.
And yet, it is one of the greatest books I have read all year (and I've read over 80 books this year so far.)
I had no idea how much I would love this. Tamsyn Muir's humor makes me want to be best friends with her in real life because I GOT and laughed at every single word of it. There are so many fantastic one-liners that I was laughing out loud to myself.
Add in the British accent narration for the sarcasm and it elevates this book to a whole new level. Perfection.
There are literally too many wonderful quotes to list them all, but here are some of the many great ones:
"If my heart had a dick, you would kick it."
“Did you know that if you put the first three letters of your last name with the first three letters of your first name, you get ‘Sex Pal’?”
"I've never had to work with something so small.
That's what she said."
“Gideon slid her glasses back onto her face, obscuring feelings with tint.”
“He had the eyes of a very beautiful person, trapped in resting bitch face.”
“Why was I born so attractive?” “Because everyone would have throttled you within the first five minutes otherwise”
“He was narrow shouldered with long, long arms, and she was beginning to believe that he was not simply a douchebag who used lip balm, but a douchebag who used lip balm and had a very long reach.”
"Gideon was experiencing one powerful emotion: being sick of everyone’s shit.”
“You couldn’t spell obligation if I shoved the letters up your ass.”
“I gotta say, I don’t think that would help,” said Gideon. “God, I’m glad you didn’t teach me my spelling.”
“Don’t hypothetically shove stuff up my butt again,” said Gideon, “it never does any good.”
“As Harrow smouldered with hatred, Gideon began to enjoy herself.”
“I must no longer accept,” she said slowly, “being a stranger to you.”
"I cannot conceive of a universe without you in it."
"Yes you can, it's just less great and less hot"
I do have to admit sadness at the ending... I am wondering how this will play out with Harrow's story next.
5+Stars
PLAYER SUZANNE

Book - Striking Range
Author - Margaret Mizushima
Date Read: 4/5/22
How it fits: #7 in Timber Creek K-9 Mystery
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I think I discovered this series at the beginning on Netgalley. Mattie is a K-9 Officer who works with her dog Robo in a small town in Colorado. In this book 7, she is investigating a cold case involving her own family when a dead body is found.
One of the best things about this series (besides the fact that Robo is a very cool dog) is that the characters have progressed and developed a lot over time. We also see some other dogs work in their specialties (cadaver finding, search and rescue, explosive detection, etc.), which I always think is interesting. And the primary mystery was definitely something I was anxious to have solved.
The one thing that I did not like was that the description of the book is long and basically summaries the entire book. Like the last part of the description (which also gives away who the killer is) doesn't even start happening until the 80% mark of the book. Who does that with a mystery!?
PLAYER MICHELLE

Book - Up From the Grave
Author - Jeaniene Frost
Date Completed - 4/3/22
Spot - 79
How it fits - Book # 7 in The Night Huntress Series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Michelle
Bonus (Y/N) - N
Review - I did not realize that this was the last book in The Night Huntress Series and when I found out I almost cried, in fact I almost cried several times during this book. I cursed out Jeaniene Frost a multitude of times because I got so caught up in the story.
I love the characters because this is one of most favorite series of all time. I think Cat and Bones are so perfect for each other because of the love they have for each other. The side characters are fantastic as well and fit so well within the group. My favorite side character has to be Denise, Cat's BFF. What she did towards the end was the ultimate sacrifice. I was scared that she wasn't coming back from what she did, but after sweating it out for a bit, Jeaniene Frost made everything better again. I can't wait to read more from this author.
PLAYER LAURLA

9 Bodies Rolling
Author - Stephanie Bond
How it fits: #9 Body Movers
Date Read: 04.08 ★★★
Review:
A new non-Wren family mystery for Carlotta to get herself involved in! And a very interesting backdrop for the story with roller derby - not sure it's a sport for me but it sounded fun...or fun-ish! Even though the murder mystery was outside the long Wren family story arc, there was still plenty of twisted angst happening there as both Carlotta and Wes wrestled with the changes of having the family reunited and both trying to hide the fact that things weren't actually hearts and flowers with the renewed family unit. As usual it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and we're left still wondering if Carlotta will ever get her heart's desire - whatever that actually is
PLAYER VICKI

Book - Poor Little Bitch Girl
Author - Jackie Collins
Date Completed - 4/8/22
Spot - 79
How it fits - Book # 7 in the Lucky Santangelo series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Vicki
Bonus (Y/N) - N
Review:
One of my daughters got me this book quite a few years ago and it has just sat on my bookshelf waiting for the day I would pick it up. I needed a #7 book in a series but had no idea that this fits! It was an accident that I discovered it. Had I read the previous 6 books I probably would have liked it more.
Annabelle Maestro is the daughter of rich and famous Hollywood stars and decides to drop out of college and move away to become her own person and not just in the shadow of her parents. Her boyfriend Frankie Romano and Annabelle run a prostitution business and he is also an addict. Not a good combination.
There are several supporting characters but I think my favorite one has to be Denver Jones. She is an attorney who is given a high profile case that actually connects to Annabelle in ways I won't say so as not to give a spoiler. I just love this subplot.
For my first Jackie Collins book I would say not too bad but it wasn't a favorite of mine.

I saw that. I'll probably read it, but I won't be in a hurry. I'm weird in that I really don't like revisiting the same story, but told from the other main character.


I read the first 3 books in this series when I was in high school. I never realized that there were more books in the series.

We have 3 bonus points we can use. We can use them whenever. We can use all three at once or one at a time. It's up to you guys. I'm good with whatever y'all want to decide.

Spot: 79

Book: 9 Bodies Rolling
How it fits: #9 Body Movers
Date Read: 04.08 ★★★
Review:
A new non-Wren family mystery for Carlotta to get herself involved in! And a very interesting backdrop for the story with roller derby - not sure it's a sport for me but it sounded fun...or fun-ish! Even though the murder mystery was outside the long Wren family story arc, there was still plenty of twisted angst happening there as both Carlotta and Wes wrestled with the changes of having the family reunited and both trying to hide the fact that things weren't actually hearts and flowers with the renewed family unit. As usual it ends on a bit of a cliff hanger and we're left still wondering if Carlotta will ever get her heart's desire - whatever that actually is!

I saw that. I'll probably read it, but I won't be in a hurry. I'm weird in..."
Understandable. I am just kind of curious to see how she writes things from that perspective. I was hoping it would be different and not just a rehash, like maybe a prequel or an afterward.

Spot: 79

Book - Poor Little Bitch Girl
Author - Jackie Collins
Date Completed - 4/8/22
Spot - 79
How it fits - Book # 7 in the Lucky Santangelo series
Alternative (Y/N) - N
Player - Vicki
Bonus (Y/N) - N
Review:
One of my daughters got me this book quite a few years ago and it has just sat on my bookshelf waiting for the day I would pick it up. I needed a #7 book in a series but had no idea that this fits! It was an accident that I discovered it. Had I read the previous 6 books I probably would have liked it more.
Annabelle Maestro is the daughter of rich and famous Hollywood stars and decides to drop out of college and move away to become her own person and not just in the shadow of her parents. Her boyfriend Frankie Romano and Annabelle run a prostitution business and he is also an addict. Not a good combination.
There are several supporting characters but I think my favorite one has to be Denver Jones. She is an attorney who is given a high profile case that actually connects to Annabelle in ways I won't say so as not to give a spoiler. I just love this subplot.
For my first Jackie Collins book I would say not too bad but it wasn't a favorite of mine.


I saw that. I'll probably read it, but I won't be in a hu..."
That's what I'm kinda hoping. I'll wait for some of the reviews to come rolling in before I dive in. In the mean time I need to read the other two books in the Vlad series and then the others with Ian,

Sounds good!


So is the game over yet or do we still continue on?


I went ahead and checked us in. I rolled plus I added our bonus points which got us to 91.


I'm not sure yet on whether we continue or we are at the end. I rolled so that we could check in. I think the decision will be made tomorrow. This is my first time playing this challenge so please forgive me for not knowing. I guess for now we can hold off on making any plans until we know for sure.

You've played this before or am I thinking of someone else?
If so, did the game stop after someone went past 100?
Books mentioned in this topic
9 Bodies Rolling (other topics)Poor Little Bitch Girl (other topics)
Poor Little Bitch Girl (other topics)
9 Bodies Rolling (other topics)
Poor Little Bitch Girl (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Stephanie Bond (other topics)Jackie Collins (other topics)
Jackie Collins (other topics)
Margaret Mizushima (other topics)
Jeaniene Frost (other topics)
More...