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R13: *** WINNING TEAM *** SS Team 12 - Librarians of the Galaxy
Week 2: Completion PostSpot:16
Book: Off Kilter - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #1
Pages: 304
Finished: 2/4/22
Rating: 4 stars
Review: After the passing of her mother and the finale of her divorce, Eden Elliott is at a loss and ready to try her hand at writing a novel. Her best friend and established historical romance author, Ami, buys her a 6 month round trip ticket to Scotland with 2 weeks at a small town inn. She can stay as long as she needs to get her started and doing research. A chance meeting with Vicki on the flight to Inverness, both going to the same town, sparks a connection. When they meet again and Vicki finds herself an heiress in a hostile family and then the 2 women find a body, they become outsiders non grata and under suspicion. I enjoyed the mystery. Eden and Vicki are level-headed and there is a cast of interesting side characters. The setting is well portrayed and there is a bit of romance in the wind. Definitely looking forward to more in the series.
Week 3 Roll: 2 + 6 = 8New Spot: 24
Can read Series #2, 4 or 24 - Alternate: 24. Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies: listopia, imdb, precis)
Week 3: Selection PostSpot: 24
Book: Hooked on Ewe - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #2
Pages: 304
Week 3 - Selection PostSpot: 24
Book: Midnight Days Anna Zaires
Qualification: White Nights #2
Pages: 351
Week 3 Review PostDenise (mod) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Linda C - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rebecca - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Selection post:
Book 2 in series
Switching my book as when I started reading the other one I realized I already read it.
Week 3: Completion PostSpot: 24
Book:Glint by Raven Kennedy
Qualification: The Plated Prisoner #2
Pages: 441
Finished: 2/4/22
5 stars
Review:
Okay wow. This series does not pull any punches and keeps you guessing the entire time. I thought I loved Gild, but this book I could NOT put down. I finished it in a day and my only regret is that I can't read it again for the first time. Some of the reveals had me gasping out loud; not only for the secrets presented but also the way they are done. Seriously, this writing has me obsessed.
I am so proud of Auren for ripping the blinds off her eyes and her heart. I don't blame her at all for her allegiance to Midas and her past decisions, based on what we know so far about her past and everything that has happened to her. I only hope that she continues to take care of herself and not let herself be caged anymore.
And RIP. Helllloooooo I love him. I didn't think he would be the one to steal my heart, but he completely has. Please tell me we see more of him! Such a strong man, but emotional and doesn't act as viciously as his name. I love how much he loves his soldiers and his friends.
And I am now obsessed with the Wrath. I can't decide on a favorite yet, but they are all so unique and sassy and the best group of dangerous friends. I hope we get to see more of them because they're fantastic and I want Auren to be one of them! This author writes some damn good characters (and frankly soooo scary - Hello Rot King) and the world keeps developing into something better and better.
Mod
Spot: 24
Book: Jade Palace Vendetta by Dale Furutani
Qualification: Matsuyama Kaze #2
Pages: 240
Finished: 09 Feb 2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Kaze once again gets sidetracked on his quest to find missing girl, this time by a merchant to whose assistance he comes when he comes across the man being attacked on the road. Agreeing to act as the man's bodyguard for the remainder of his journey, Kaze accompanies him to Kamakura. All is not what it seems, however, and the merchant turns out to be keeping secrets that have made him the target of an official vendetta - by none other than the strange trio Kaze last encountered at the end of the first book.
This was an improvement over the first book, the narrative flowed better and the story was on the whole more engaging. At the end of the book Kaze finds an important clue to aid his quest, so I'm quite looking forward to seeing where things go from here.
Week 3 - Selection PostSpot: 24
Book: Midnight Days Anna Zaires
Qualification: White Nights #2
Pages: 351
Rating: 4.5 stars
Finished: Feb 10
Review: This is a duet and this book finishes the series. I loved it. Alex heads a bratva in Russia. However, he meets Kate in the U.S. Someone goes after Kate and Alex whisks her off to Russia to keep her safe in his compound while he finds out who is trying to kill them. There was a lot of action (which I loved) in this book and even though Kate is so intelligent for most of the book, she does something really dumb towards the end. I know she needed to do it, but still...lol I love all of the books this author writes.
Week 3: Completion PostSpot:24
Midnight Spells
Qualification: Witches of Hollow Cove #2
Pages: 248
Rating: 4 stars
Review: So glad I decided to stick with this series as this book has made me want to continue on with it. I loved that Tessa has become more sure of herself and her ablities and Im also continuing to Love Ronin as her bestie. I found myself laughing out loud so many times from their convos. There was a new addition to the series and I enjoyed her also but I have to say the big bad in this one I kinda guessed it early on. Interested in reading the next one.
Week 3: Completion PostSpot:24
Hooked on Ewe - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #2
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Eden Elliott, in Scotland writing her first novel and doing local color research is asked by Inspector Jameson to take the volunteer position as Special Constable, while the current SC is away at Police School. He was impressed with her logical thinking during her initial involvement with a murder case. Eden accepts before a body appears at the local sheep dog competition. Yarn from one of her friend Vicki's Yarn of the Month Kits is used to strangle the victim. I'm really enjoying this cozy series because it is one of the most unique ways of getting the amateur sleuth involved in solving the case. There are great side characters and I love the descriptions and cultural information on Scotland. Highly recommended.
Week 3 Roll: 5 + 1 = 6New Spot: 30
Can read Series #3, Standalone or 30 - Alternate: 30. Author 'E'
Mod
Book: Kill the Shogun by Dale Furutani
Qualification: Matsuyama Kaze #3
Pages: 340
This makes three from the same series for me. :)
Mod
Week 4: selectionSpot: 30
Book: Dressed to Kilt - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #3
Pages: 304
This is the 3rd in a 4 volume series I am reading. It has an MPG of Romance but I don't know if using this for the Valentine bonus effects its use for the complete series bonus. If so I want to retain using it for the series and someone else can go for the Valentine bonus.
Mod
You can use it for both! :)
Mod
Spot: 30
Book: Kill the Shogun by Dale Furutani
Qualification: Matsuyama Kaze #3
Pages: 340
Finished: 11 Feb 2022
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Having finally received a solid clue as to the whereabouts of the little girl he's been searching for over the past several years, Kaze heads to Edo in this third book in the series. His quest is made more complicated by the fact that after a failed assassination attempt on Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu, he has been declared the prime suspect and is the subject of a massive manhunt throughout the city. Unexpected help comes in form of a theatre troop including two previous acquaintances of Kaze's.
Hands down the best book in the series so far, this one easily had me hooked all the way through. Furutani is clearly improving with each new installment and has now very much hit his stride. While this was originally a trilogy with this book closing out the series, a fourth book was released last year picking up after this one - much to my delight, as I now definitely want more of this.
* Bonus: 3 books from the same series
Week 4 Review PostDenise (mod) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Linda C - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rebecca - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus: Denise earned 3 books from the same series, Linda earned the Valentine bonus
Week 4 - Selection PostSpot: 30
Book: Misadventures of the First Daughter Meredith Wild
Qualification: Misadventures #3
Pages: 280
Week 4 - Selection PostSpot: 30
Book: Misadventures of the First Daughter Meredith Wild
Qualification: Misadventures #3
Pages: 280
Finished: Feb 12
Rating: 4.5 stars
Review: I loved this book. Zane is with the Secret Service assigned to protect Charlotte, the First Daughter. They are getting close and one night Charlotte and her friend slip away from their other bodyguard and go to a BDSM club. Charlotte is shocked to see Zane there. Their relationship escalates and quite a few shocking things happen before they can get their HEA. This is one of the best I have read in this series.
Week 4: Completion PostSpot: 30
Book:Murder Lo Mein by Vivien Chien
Qualification: A Noddle Shop Mystery #3
Pages: 441
Finished: 2/15/22
4 stars
Review:
Another fun book in this series. I feel like I'm really getting to know the characters even more and I love seeing the side characters more. I enjoyed the way that Lana looked into this and also all the scenes with the noodle contest - I wish there were even more of those. Lana visiting all the different restaurants had me seriously hungry all day. This story truly had me stumped and I just didn't know who to believe and who was telling lies. I love how Lana and Megan and Kimmy are a sort of detection team. I also really really love how Detective Adam treats Lana like an adult and praises her for defending herself instead of scolding her. He really opened up in this book and I can't wait to see how that relationship progresses.
Week 4: Completion PostSpot:30
Charmed Nights
Qualification: Book 3 in Witches of Hollow Cove Series
Pages:247
Stars: 3 Stars
Review:
This series is still heading in the right direction enough for me to continue with the series but Tessa is still a bit too much of a hot head for me. I did like the progression more in this one and we got to see more of the new character from the previous book who is starting to grow on me. I'm invested enough to keep going with the series.
Week 4: Completion PostSpot: 30
Book: Dressed to Kilt - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #3
Pages: 304
Rating: 3 stars
Read: 2/17/22
Review: Eden Elliott gets an invitation to a whiskey tasting at a local distillery, but before the event she gets asked to visit the distillery owner, Bridie Dougal. It seems she got a threatening note & wants Eden to unofficially investigate. Then during a tour of the facility at the tasting a woman is found drowned in one of the vats. It's Bridie's secretary, Henrietta. The investigation delves into the woman's past & even touches on the Elliott clan & Eden's father who had abandoned her family when she was 6. A local woman & Eden dig deep until they too are threatened. Decent mystery but not as interesting as the first 2. It was definitely plotted to answer questions about Eden's father, but I felt it all was a bit of a stretch.
It has an MPG of Romance for the Valentine bonus.
Week 5 Roll: 4 + 6 = 10New Spot: 40
Can read Series #4, 40, a Standalone or Alternate: 40. Cover Item: Building
Mod
Book: The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter by Michael J. Sullivan
Qualification: The Riyria Chronicles #4
Pages: 444
Week 5: Selection PostSpot: 40
Book: Be Still My Bleating Heart - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #4
Pages: 220
This will complete a 4 volume series - #1 (msg 52), #2 (msg 63), #3 (msg 76)
Week 5 Review PostDenise (mod) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Linda C - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rebecca - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Bonus: Linda earned the read entire series
Week 5 - Completion PostSpot: 40
Book: RoomHate Penelope Ward
Qualification: Standalone
Pages: 281
Rating: 3 stars
Finished: Feb 20
Review: This book moved pretty slowly throughout. Amelia's grandmother died and wills her house to Justin and Amelia equally. They both end up there in the summer and it's obvious that Justin hates Amelia. Slowly we are given the backstory of what led to their friendship and it's demise. Of course, they have their HEA but up until then, they both do some pretty stupid things. I liked this book but didn't love it.
Mod
Spot: 40
Book: The Disappearance of Winter's Daughter by Michael J. Sullivan
Qualification: The Riyria Chronicles #4
Pages: 444
Finished: 20 Feb 2022
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Turns out it's been almost six years since I last spent time with Royce and Hadrian, one of my all-time favourite fictional duos, despite the fact that I've had this latest volume in the Riyria Chronicles sitting on my shelf for the past three of those. As usual, time flies...
It's probably a good thing that this volume was intended to be readable as a standalone for those not yet familiar with the world and characters, which allowed me too to easily get reacquainted this kickass mercenary duo as they banter and battle their way through a new adventure. This time, there's a missing duchess to be found, a crabby landlady to be survived (and not accidentally on purpose murdered by Royce), and a mysterious lethal supernatural entity to be dealt with - all of which makes for a highly entertaining, humour- and action-filled read.
I really hope there'll be more to come from this series.
This may seem a silly question, but when does the book for the week need to be finished by? I know the review has to be posted by Friday, but does the book need to be finished by Thursday at midnight for example?
My understanding is that the book and the review need to be finished and posted by Friday. Hope that helps.
Amazing thank you! Just wondered when I have to have this 749 page book finished by haha
Rebecca wrote: "Amazing thank you! Just wondered when I have to have this 749 page book finished by haha"OMG! Wow!
Week 5: Completion PostSpot:40
Magical Mojo
Qualification: Book 4 in Witches of Hollow Cove Series
Pages:345
Stars: 4 Stars
Review: Another great read in this series. Im still in a bit of a love hate relationship with Tessa though as she still flies off the handle too much for me without thinking first but overall she is a loveable character. I loved that we got to meet Gran in this one and she was hilarious. Still not sure how I feel about the relationship between Marcus and Tessa though.
Week 5: Completion PostSpot: 40
Book: Be Still My Bleating Heart - Hannah Reed
Qualification: Scottish Highlands, #4
Pages: 220
Read: 2/25/22
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Very good concluding volume to the series. The murder was a bit complicated, although I figured out the murderer early on I didn't figure out the reason until later. The side characters were great, including a new snoop who was hilarious. The mystery got solved and all the characters got an appropriate future.
Bonus: This completes a 4 volume series - #1 (msg 52), #2 (msg 63), #3 (msg 76), #4 (msg 90)
Week 5: CompletionSpot: 40
Timber by Tate James
749 pages
Qualification: Hades #4
Finished: 2/24/22
5 stars
Review:
Wow this was a huge book and yet I wish I had even more. Wow the beginning was brutal and so hard to listen to, so be aware that there are a lot of content warnings and the author doesn't hold back. I love Timber and her guys so much and let me tell you this book is STEAMYYYYY. There are a lot examples of "the smut is the plot" here because it's a huge book, but light on major plot points BUT I am here for it. There was a lot of danger and scheming and I enjoyed that. Also, a lot of the smut is helping Hades heal from her trauma. I love how this group of guys went from rivals to friends to part of this amazing group; seeing their dynamic change and shift has been the most fun RH I've read so far. The ending was completely satisfying and I now know that I am a big fan of dark romance.
Week 6 Roll: 5 + 5 = 10New Spot: 50
Can read Series #5, 50, a Standalone or Alternate: 50. MC has at least one child
I thought we would wait to use our bonus points until we get closer to the end. Let me know if that is agreeable to everyone.
Karen ♐ wrote: "I thought we would wait to use our bonus points until we get closer to the end. Let me know if that is agreeable to everyone."That's fine with me
Week 6: Selection PostSpot: 50
Book: A Toast to Murder - Allyson K. Abbott
Qualification: Mack's Bar Mystery #5
Pages: 342
Week 6 - Selection PostSpot: 50
Book: It's Only Love Marie Force
Qualification: Green Mountain #5
Pages: 314
Week 6 Review PostDenise (mod) - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Linda C - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Rebecca - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Shy The WidowMaker - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Mod
That's fine with me"
Works for me.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
A Killer Plot (other topics)Knocked Up by the Dom (other topics)
Formula for Murder (other topics)
A Killer Plot (other topics)
Knocked Up by the Dom (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Ellery Adams (other topics)Penelope Bloom (other topics)
Ellery Adams (other topics)
Penelope Bloom (other topics)
Darynda Jones (other topics)
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Spot:16
Shadow Witch
Qualification: #1 in Series
Pages: 357
Finished: Feb 3
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This was a pleasant surprise to a new series. I started off a little iffy on the main character Tessa but by the end of the book I grew to love her. Another pleasant surprise to the series was Ronin. He was just so loveable and funny. I also loved the aunts and cant wait to read the next one in the series as I have to see if the other character Marcus grows on me as right now I don't care for him much.