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Week 3 Book 1 Completion - Letter V (WoTW - VIEW)Book: A Villa in Sicily
Author: Fiona Grace
Date read: 06.27.2022
Task: Letter V
How it fits: The title starts with V
Review
Audrey Smart is 34 and a practicing veterinarian. She has made a major change in her life by quitting her job and buying a home for $1 in Sicily.
The Sicilian town is encouraging people to come live in the town and renovate vacant properties. Audrey realizes that the renovations could be substantial, but the thrill of living overseas in sun-soaked Sicily wins out. However, she is shocked to find that her assigned home is terribly small, in very sad repair, and is lacking basic amenities. She is also discouraged that she has no license to practice in Sicily, which had been her intended source of funds for the renovation.
Her neighbor across the street has the funds to hire contractors and workmen. She has purchased the house as an investment and can’t wait to sell it. Audrey wanders over to see the foremen about possibly having him do some work for her. She finds him over a cliff at the back of the property, dead. As the person who found the body, she becomes the prime suspect and, despite the language difficulty, she seeks to investigate the crime to get herself off the suspect list.
WoTW - View
Page 44
“so she took a break from the view to type in, I’m here. It’s more beautiful than I ever imagined”
Page 51
“she glimpsed a gorgeous view of the countryside . . .”
BWoTW - Butter
Page 14
“The two of them had been like peanut butter and jelly during their after-school rehearsals.”
Page 103
“Well, didn’t she know how to butter up the local law enforcement.”
Week 3 - VIEW and BUTTER weekWeek 3 Book 1 Completion - Letter E (WoTW - VIEW)
Book: Station Eleven
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Date read:26/06/2022
Task:Letter E
How it fits:Author's first name starts with E
Review:
This is the first dystopian novel I read that deals with pandemics and I am amazed at how many parallels I could draw with the recent Covid outbreaks. I am glad to have finally read it, I actually picked this up a couple of times before but put it down without even going through the first chapter but I pushed through this time. The first part is a bit slow and confusing but I absolutely devoured the later parts. The best thing about this book was how close it struck to reality and there was no drama or unnecessary bullshit. The characters were well written and everything was so nicely explained that nowhere did I feel like it wasn't making sense.
5 stars!
WoTW: View
How it fits: @4% - Jeevan moved to block her view
BWoTW: Butter
How it fits: @43% - One was the color of butter
Week 3 Book 1 Completion - Letter I (WoTW - VIEW)
Book: Clean Sweep
Author:Ilona Andrews
Date read:28/06/2022
Task:Letter I
How it fits:Author's first name starts with I
Review:
THIS WAS SO MUCH BETTER THAN TWILIGHT! There was a werewolf and a vampire and the same love triangle but still so much more. Dina is a strong heroine and she doesn't sit around waiting for the Prince Charming to rescue her. She IS the main character in this one and as such is part of all the action and everything important. The mystery of what happened to her parents is so intriguing that I can't help but continue with the series!
4 stars!
WoTW: View
How it fits: @4% - but this one is in plain view
BWoTW: Butter
How it fits: @31% - Especially when sauteed in butter
Week Four's words are: WofW - Camp, BWofW - Peace
Abir and Jeanne, please have your picks with letters, I can do whatever's left!
Kira wrote: "Week 3 - VIEW and BUTTER weekWeek 3 Book 1 Completion - Letter E (WoTW - VIEW)
Book: Station Eleven
Author: Emily St. John Mandel
Date read:26/06/2022
Task:Lette..."
I've put this on my TBR list it sounds so interesting.
Kira wrote: "Abir and Jeanne, please have your picks with letters, I can do whatever's left!"Kira, at any time you need a break from two books a week, just let me know. I am retired and have loads of reading time. At any rate, I will let you know by the end of the day.
I can do any of the letters, but would like "C" if it's available.
I don't mind Jeanne, whichever week you feel like you can read two books you can have your choice of letter :)))
I have a book for A in planned reads :) let’s wait for Abir to choose a letter from A M and P!
Week 3 Book 1 Completion - Letter E (WoTW - VIEW)Book: The Witch's Heart
Author: Genevieve Gornichec
Date read:29/06/2022
Task: Letter W
How it fits: The title starts with a W
Review:
I didn't feel this book much at the beginning, it felt dull and not all that engaging. I felt that I was really forcing myself through it. But it was a interesting enough at the end.
WoTW: View
How it fits: Part1, page 275 - struggling to sit up and get a better view of her newest child.
BWoTW: Butter
How it fits: part 1 page 395 - used for milk and butter
Kira wrote: "How are we doing this week, Abir !?"Sorry to be the last to check in every time.
Abir wrote: "Kira wrote: "How are we doing this week, Abir !?"Sorry to be the last to check in every time."
It's ok Abir! I understand life gets in the way! As long as the submission is before deadline, we are doing great!
Also, yes you can have A, i looked through my books and I can do M and P :)
Checked us in for week 3!Total team points: 47
Abir : 11
Jeanne : 15
Kira : 21
Week 4 - CAMP and PEACE weekWeek 4 Book 1 Completion - Letter P (WoTW - CAMP)
Book: Wish You Were Here
Author: Jodi Picoult
Date read:30/06/2022
Task:Letter P
How it fits:Author's last name starts with P
Review:
I am speechless. I loved this book wholeheartedly especially the ending, Diana realising what she truly wants and going for it made my day and maybe now she’ll meet the man of her dreams- literally. The starting was a bit slow but once I reached the twist, it flowed naturally from there. Just in awe of the whole writing style and the realistic portrayal of the pandemic, there was no sugarcoating stuff and everything was petty straightforward.
5 stars!
WoTW: Camp
How it fits: @43% - Gabril and I will camp out under the stars
BWoTW: Peace
How it fits: @55% - I've heard all you have to do to be at peace, is give in
Week 4 Book 1 Completion - Letter C (WoTW - CAMP)Book: A Fatal Family Feast (A Farm-to-Fork Mystery)
Author Lynn Cahoon
Date read: 07.2.2022
Task: Letter C
How it fits: The Author's name begins with "C"
Review
Angie Turner and her partner Felicia Williams own and run a restaurant, The County Seat, in a small town in Idaho. Felicia is set to marry the farm-to-fork restaurant’s talented sous chef, Estebe Blackstone, and the County Seat is the perfect site for a picturesque country wedding.
Unfortunately, the bride’s actual family is far less enthusiastic about the union. They’re pulling out all the stops to cancel the couple’s wedding, even arranging for a surprise visit from Felicia’s ex-fiancé (and her father’s current lackey). But when her ex is killed days before the ceremony and Estebe is framed for the crime, Angie and the County Seat crew must scramble to solve the murder and save the wedding .
WoTW - Camp
Page 21
I love my life here. I hike, camp, hang out with my friends -- real friends who aren't paid to be close to me.
BWoTW - Peace
Page 123
Unless we have more questions for Sydney, let's table the criminal investigation and enjoy a peaceful dinner.
Jeanne, embedded words are not allowed in this challenge :(( so bonus word would be disqualified
Week 4 - CAMP and PEACE weekWeek 4 Book 2 Completion - Letter M (WoTW - CAMP)
Book: The Ex
Author: Freida McFadden
Date read:03/07/2022
Task:Letter M
How it fits:Author's last name starts with M
Review:
I am so hot and cold about this. On one hand, I really liked the twist ending but I also felt like there was too much typical ex drama until about 60% into the book and it got me thinking that maybe that's all there is to it. There was nothing to hold my interest in those chapters. With psychological thrillers, the twist does come at the end but usually there's a lot of foreshadowing and words to keep my mind running. Sadly, this wasn't the case with The Ex. The twist though was brilliant and I guess I am just happy that I atleast finished the book.
3/5 stars
WoTW: Camp
How it fits: @53% - You just camp yourself outside the news station
BWoTW: Peace
How it fits: @95% - Make peace with her
Week Five's words are: WofW - Quit, BWofW - PancakeQuit landed on a Double Letter Score. The "I" is worth 2 points this week.
Which one do y'all want?
Kira wrote: "Jeanne, embedded words are not allowed in this challenge :(( so bonus word would be disqualified"Sorry, I must have missed that in the rules. I'll check, but I don't think there is an "un-embedded" peace in this book.
I can take Q for the BoTW - it has "quit" in it, but not "pancake." Oh, the book is by Ellery Queen. Any suggestions? I actually have been wanting to read a couple of his books.
I found one that might work for I. It has both words but the I is not exactly the first word. It is "Chasing the Case: an Isabel Long Mystery." Would this work do you think, Kira?
Jeanne wrote: "Kira wrote: "Jeanne, embedded words are not allowed in this challenge :(( so bonus word would be disqualified"Sorry, I must have missed that in the rules. I'll check, but I don't think there is a..."
Yes! It's okay!
Jeanne wrote: "I found one that might work for I. It has both words but the I is not exactly the first word. It is "Chasing the Case: an Isabel Long Mystery." Would this work do you think, Kira?"We can ignore articles so that title would definitely work for I. Would you like to take 2 letters this week?
Mod
Oh I missed that!!! Thank you for clearing that up Lanelle!
Mod
No problem :)
Week 4 - CAMP and PEACE weekWeek 4 Book 2 Completion - Letter M (WoTW - CAMP)
Book: قهوة باليورانيوم
Author: أحمد خالد توفيق
Date read: 05/07/2022
Task: Letter A.
How it fits: Author's first name is Ahmed
Review:
I can't get enough of this man's books. Funny, realistic and straight forward.
3/5 stars
BWoTW: Peace
How it fits: page 7 - they are evil who didn't come in peace
Sorry, I couldn't find any Camp words in the book
Well, I have to pick a book as the clock is running on this week's words. My first preference would be "I" if that is okay.Kira, I would be glad to read two books this time. I will take whatever is left after you and Abir choose.
Yes that’s okay jeanne. I am waiting on Abir to have her pick!
What letters have you guys chose this week? So I can plan around that
I dont have anything planned yet so I can do whatever! Q,U,T are available to choose from!
Week 4 is checked in!Total team points: 63
Abir : 7
Jeanne : 13
Kira : 25
Week 5 - QUIT and PANCAKE WeekWeek 5 Book 1 Completion - Letter T (WoTW - QUIT)
Book: A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket
Author: Fran Rizer
Date read:07/07/2022
Task:Letter T
How it fits: Title starts with T
Review:
To be frank, I didn’t enjoy this ONE BIT. The main character Callie Parrish was an annoying brat who didn’t seem like she had any respect for about any character in the book. The way she spoke and acted made me wonder if the author forgot that she’s writing a full grown adult character. I can’t even say it was just a teenage thing to do because it wasn’t, the way she talked about Jane, supposedly her “best friend” was disrespectful and plain awful!
Keeping aside the so not very likeable MC, the mystery in itself was okayish but v e r y poorly written. I cant understand if the author was trying to be woke by saying words like Puh leaze….it surely did come off simply as poor writing, I would have dnfed this if I wasn’t already 50% in by the time it became unbearable for me.
WoTW: Quit
How it fits: @4% - I would've quit teaching those five year old kids
BWoTW: Pancake
How it fits: @55% - head toward McDonald's drivethrough for some pancakes
Week 5 Book 1 Completion - Letter I (WoTW - QUIT)Book:The Inside Ring
Author Michael Lawson
Date read: 07.7.2022
Task: Letter I
How it fits: The first word of the title starts with "I"
Review
This is a tale of political suspense involving high echelons of government and one of the more enduring mysteries of the twentieth century. Other than too much foul language and a little too much killing (though technically not blood and gore, but brutal) I found this book to be amazing. I can honestly say that I did not see the surprise resolution coming.
Every year the President and his best friend, a famous author, take a vacation together with limited Secret Service security. This year the two were going fishing in Georgia.
“From a bluff overlooking Georgia's untamed Chattooga River, an assassin fires three shots. The President of the United States is wounded; his best friend and a Secret Service agent are killed. Two days later, a man in Landover, Maryland, commits suicide and leaves behind overwhelming evidence that he was responsible for the assassination attempt."
“As it turns out, the attack wasn’t without warning. Gen. Andrew Banks, Secretary of Homeland Security, received a note that said, "Eagle One is in danger. Cancel Chattooga River. The inside ring has been compromised. This is not a joke." The message - on Secret Service stationery - was signed "An agent in the wrong place."’ General Banks is reluctant to tell the FBI about the note, partly for self-serving political reasons, and partly because he doesn’t want to damage the Secret Service’s reputation based on something that might very well be a hoax.”
Banks immediately passed the note on to Secret Service Director Patrick Donnelly, who proceeded to ignore it. "Even after the assassin is found dead, Banks is determined to dig a little deeper. He turns to Speaker of the House John Fitzgerald Mahoney. The Speaker has a guy - an under-the-radar, go-to guy he uses for things like this - things he can't afford to have connected to his office.” This guy is Joe DeMarco, divorced and single, an honest lawyer with a sordid family history. After one meeting with Banks, DeMarco realizes he's in way over his head. But Mahoney finds the prospect of taking down Donnelly irresistible and sets DeMarco on a trail that twists through the Secret Service, the FBI, and the Department of Homeland Security.
WoTW - QUIT
How it fits: page 1 -"you'll see the Capitol will be from one of them double-decker buses. Now vote like I told ya and quit telling me about promises you never shoulda made in the first place."
BWoTW - PANCAKE
How it fits: page 12 -"Sundays he always made breakfast - pancakes and sausage."
Hi Jeanne! Just making sure you're good with reading for U this week right? I won't be able to make it for sure.
Kira wrote: "Hi Jeanne! Just making sure you're good with reading for U this week right? I won't be able to make it for sure."Just writing the review now.
Week 5 Book 2 Completion - Letter U (WoTW - QUIT)Book:Unbelievable
Author Cindy Blackburn
Date read: 07.9.2022
Task: Letter U
How it fits: The first word of the title starts with "U"
Review
This is a cute cozy in Cindy Blackburn's first "U" series of books. A single, middle aged, but spirited Professor moves in with her father, Bobby, a retired Professor, turned Sci-Fi author. Cassie adores her father; however, he is just the bit too interested in her movements and life. Such as why she isn't married at the age of forty-four, and why she needs to sleep later than 4:30 a.m. They live in an old green Victorian in Lake Elizabeth, Vermont (dubbed the “Jolly Green Giant”), a normally peaceful small town with some "unique" residents. But the peaceful part changes when Cassie discovers the body of an unknown dead woman floating in a canoe on the river. Cassie races off to find help, but when the sheriff sets out to examine the scene, the body has disappeared.
The entire town of 600 weigh in with their viewpoints, did Cassie see her or not? When the body reappears, Cassie realizes that she will have to find the killer.
The list of Cassie’s potential suspects grew and grew. Just when Cassie thought she’d figured out who’s behind the murder, something new comes to light and she’s back to square one, leading the sheriff, her father, and her neighbors on a merry chase.
From the start, readers are thrust into the small rural town and bombarded with a gaggle of eccentric characters. I enjoyed meeting characters with names like Tater Ott, Dr. Bambi Lovely-Vixen, and Cassie’s "hunky-boo" mad scientist neighbor, Joe. Also we heard about the Pearson ghosts in the local B & B, and met Fanny, the retired school teacher, blind, but with super-powered hearing. To that add an odd assortment of pets who also figure into the mystery and you have an enjoyable read.
WoTW (Quit)
Page 78: "When Celia quits you should volunteer."
BWoTW (Pancake)
Page 55: "He cleared his throat and went back to flipping pancakes."
Yayyy! We are doing pretty amazing this week!
Kira wrote: "Yayyy! We are doing pretty amazing this week!"You bet! It's a great feeling.
Well, I looked up the next set of words. Hopefully they aren't as difficult as the last two (at least for me). They are "Nest" and "Explore". As I am driving to New York (11 hours) Thursday and won't be back until Monday, could I have "E" or "S"?
Yes definitely! I will look for something N and T!
Abir, how's your book coming along? We will have to check in under 24 hours!
We're rooting for you, Abir!!! You go girl! That said, I guess I will take "E" for this week.
Week 5 Book 2 Completion - Letter U (WoTW - QUIT)Book: The Queen of Attolia
Author: Megan Whalen Turner
Date read: 07.13.2022
Task: Letter Q
How it fits: Starts with a Q
Review:
I have to say I really enjoyed this book, although I kind of forgot the events of the first book, a down side for postponing a sequel for all this time. But it was really fun and easy going for me this week.
WoTW (Quit)
Page 98: "She quit harassing him."
The Challenge Factory
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Total team points: 29
Abir : 5
Jeanne : 9
Kira : 15