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R14: SSS Team 1 - One More Chapter
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Mod
Spot: 70
Spot: 74
Book: The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
Qualification: Alternate: Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
Pages: 323
Finished: 02 Apr 2023
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
It's been far too long since I last read anything by Lilith Saintcrow, and this series has been on my TBR for ages.
Equal parts magic and mystery abound in a richly imagined alternate Victorian London in this fastpaced, entertaining steampunk read. I only have one complaint: Please, please, find a native speaker to look over your use of a foreign language if you want to use it in your work. Can't speak for the Italian bits, but the attempts at German are riddled with mistakes.
Completion PostSpot 74
Cold Fear by Toni Anderson
4/2/23
2 stars
At the 88% mark, this book became the most ridiculous mystery I've ever read. Izzy's backstory is just not even remotely believable. None of the main characters were likeable. I didn't guess who the killer was because (view spoiler)
The fact that Izzy is not held responsible for her past actions is awful. (view spoiler)
I could rant about this more but this book and this author are getting no more of my time.
Does the street lamp in the background work for the alternate? 
Mod
"I can't actually make it out, but I trust you when you say it's there, you probably have a better quality picture. :D
Basically, as long as it's visible anywhere on the cover, it'll work. Doesn't matter if it's just a small background detail.
(The lamps on the books I picked are also just in the background.)
Denise wrote: "Raquel wrote: "Does the street lamp in the background work for the alternate? "I can't actually make it out, but I trust you when you say it's there, you pr..."
Thanks! I also had to do a full zoom in on the picture but it is a lamp post on the far right of the cover.
Completion PostSpot 74
The House of Eve by Sadeqa Johnson
384 pages
Finished: 04/04/2023
How it Fits: Alternate-lamp/light on cover
Review:
Told from two points of view from Ruby and Eleanor, both young black women in the 1950's living in different cities. Ruby trying to be the first to attend college while living under certain circumstances. Eleanor a college student trying to balance school, love and family. Important stories being told but also sad as this is told when segregation was legal. This type of book is not for everyone but I do believe the author does a wonderful job of telling these two ladies stories.
Completion PostSpot: 74
Book: Missing by R.L. Stine
Date Read: 4-5-23
How It Fits: Fear Street #4
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I have read many Fear Street books ever since I was a teenager, but somehow I missed this one along the way. Maybe it's for the best because I did not enjoy it as much as I have others in the series. The main characters were total brats & the mystery element was bizarre but not scary. I think I am giving this 3 stars for the nostalgia factor rather than it actually being a quality read.
Week 10, Roll 2Tracking Thread
D.L. - completion post
Denise - completion post
Raquel - completion post
Susan - completion post
Mod
Week 11 - Roll 1
Previous Spot: 74
Roll: 6
New Spot: 80
Reading options:
- standalone
- #8 in series
- #80 in series
- Alternate: Title 'P'
Finally an 8! I know if have to read Camouflaged to complete the bonus, but if it's okay with you all, I'd like to wait. I don't have a lot of #8 and we have to have at least one more 8 before we finish the 80s, so I'd rather wait until we hit 84 or higher.
Susan A wrote: "Finally an 8! I know if have to read Camouflaged to complete the bonus, but if it's okay with you all, I'd like to wait. I don't have a lot of #8 and we have to have at least one ..."
That's totally okay :)
Denise wrote: "Yay, lucky roll today!Week 11 - Roll 1
Previous Spot: 74
Roll: 6
New Spot: 80
Reading options:
- standalone
- #8 in series
- #80 in series
- Alternate: Title 'P'"
Yay! We're all checked in :)
Selection and Completion Postspot 80
To the Moon and Back by N.R. Walker
standalone
220 pages
4/6/23
3 stars
In my last review for this author, I noted that the story didn't have enough plot, but I did like the main characters. For this story, I have the opposite problem - -there's enough plot, but not enough story. I don't feel like I know either of the main characters and I also feel like I don't care to know more about either of these rather bland characters. The most interesting thing to happen in this book was the appearance of a couple from an unrelated story. The bulk of the story seemed to be child care and a bout of food poisoning.
Would not recommend this book
Mod
Spot: 80
Book: Prince in Disguise by Tavia Lark
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'P'
Pages: 295
Mod
Spot: 80
Book: Prince in Disguise by Tavia Lark
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'P'
Pages: 295
Finished: 08 Apr 2023
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Okay, it's official: I adore this series.
In this installment, the reader gets to know Bellamy, the youngest of the Sandry brothers, who is stranded in the neighbouring country of Draskora by a shipwreck. Passing himself off as a minstrel, he sets out on a cross country journey back home at the side of the supposed farmer he found himself in a cell with. Little does he know that his entirely too appealing travelling companion is none other than famed dragon rider Rakos Tem. Of course, action, magical shenanigans, romance and sexy times ensue.
So glad I discovered these books! Thoroughly enjoyed the first one, the sequel very much lived up to its predecessor, and book three sounds just as promising.
Completion PostSpot 80
The Prisoner by B.A. Paris
289 Pages
Finished on 04/06/2023
How it fits: Alternate-P Title
Review:
Not the best thriller I've read but also not the worst. Amelie marries Ned the billionaire for her own personal reasons. Ned also has his reasons and together a plan is made to "fake" the marriage. As you can guess, things don't go as planned. Interesting plot, but was missing something in the beginning. Second half of the book was great and full of twists and thrills. If willing to stick with the beginning, def recommend.
Completion PostSpot: 80
Book: The Postcard Killers by James Patterson
Date Read: 4/8/23
How It Fits: standalone
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Patterson's books are hit & miss sometimes, but this is one of the better ones he's put out. It was very suspenseful and fast-paced & the bad guys were really so evil you couldn't wait for them to get caught. I felt really bad for the MC who was in a particularly tough spot because of these monsters. This was a good read. I can't wait to watch the movie they made based on this book.
Week 11, Roll 1Tracking Thread
D.L. - completion post
Denise - completion post
Raquel - completion post
Susan - completion post
I rolled for us! We actually got a 5 placing us on Spot 85.Week 11 - Roll 2
Previous Spot: 80
Roll: 5
New Spot: 85
Reading options:
- #5 in a series
- #8 in series
- #85 in series
- Alternate: Cover Item: Food/Drink
SelectionSpot 85
Camouflaged by Kim Fielding
180 pages
#8 The Bureau
Bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
#6 - post 86
#4/5 post 76
Mod
Spot: 85
Book: The Two Gentlemen of Altona by Lisa Henry & J.A. Rock
Qualification: Alternate: Cover Item: Food/Drink
Pages: 192
Selection PostSpot 85
The Singles Table by Sara Desai
How it fits: Alternate-Food/Drink on cover
Pages: 322
CompleteSpot 85
Camouflaged by Kim Fielding
180 pages
#8 The Bureau
4/10/23
4 stars
Bonus: ✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
#6 - post 86
#4/5 post 76
This series continues to be fascinating. I've been waiting for MC Ralph's story. I was a little bit disappointed that Ralph does not assume his dragon form, but it is in keeping with his story, so I guess I shouldn't have been. The pairing of dragon/gnome was a new one for me and a bit surprising.
Mod
Spot: 85
Book: The Two Gentlemen of Altona by Lisa Henry & J.A. Rock
Qualification: Alternate: Cover Item: Food/Drink
Pages: 192
Finished: 10 Apr 2023
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Eh, this was... fine, I guess? By which I mostly mean it didn't make me want to throw my Kindle against the wall in frustration, but it being a quick read certainly was its best feature. The halfbaked mystery plot was largely buried by endless supposedly humourous banter between the protagonists, neither of whom I got particularly attached too. Henry was just too damned annoying for me to get invested in whether these two end up together or not. But, y'know. It passed the time. 2.5/5
Completion PostSpot 85
The Singles Table by Sara Desai
How it Fits: Alternate-Food/Drink on Cover
387 pages
Finished on 04/11/2023
Review:
Cute rom com following an Indian family and the busy "wedding season". Polar opposites Zara and Jay meet and butt heads immediately. Both wanting no commitment, but obviously we know how that goes. This was a funny, endearing and spicy read!!
I'm running behind again, everyone, sorry. I will have my completion post up in a few hours & then I'll roll. Looks like it *might* be our final round coming up since one of the teams is very close to 100.
Mod
Completion PostSpot: 85
Agatha Raisin and the Wizard of Evesham by M.C. Beaton
Date Read: 4/13/23
How It Fits: #8 Agatha Raisin
Rating: 4 stars
Review: An Agatha book rarely ever disappoints me & this was no exception to the rule. I really liked it and found the mystery fun to solve. However, as usual, the true strength of the story lies in the character of Agatha. She always makes it worth reading. Of course, I'll continue the series.
Week 11, Roll 2Tracking Thread
D.L. - completion post
Denise - completion post
Raquel - completion post
Susan - completion post
Denise rolled a 3 but I want to use our bonus points (2) + the one Susan earned today (1) which gives us 3 bonus points & would put us on Spot 91 which means we could collect 2 more bonus points for:✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ One point can be earned for always picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
That would give us a total of 93 points. I think lol Does that work okay?
Mod
Okay, then we're on Spot 93, everybody :)You can read:
#3 in a series
#9 in a series
#93 in a series
Alternate: Cover: Blue
Let's go out in grand style :)
I see this and will start on it tonight. I don’t have access to my laptop so I’ll wait to make a selection post
Mod
Spot: 93
Book: Not That Complicated by Isabel Murray
Qualification: Alternate: Cover: Blue
Pages: 296
Mod
Spot: 93
Book: Not That Complicated by Isabel Murray
Qualification: Alternate: Cover: Blue
Pages: 296
Finished: 14 Apr 2023
Rating: ★★
Review:
Meh. From the description, I was expecting a romantic comedy with a side of murder mystery. Turns out neither the romance nor the comedy worked for me in any shape, form or way and the murder mystery was largely nonexistant. Mostly, I just found the whole thing deeply irritating - especially the characters, not a single one of whom I greatly cared for. Ray at least was only kinda annoying. Adam on the other hand was a giant dick from the start. What either of these two supposedly saw in each other I have no idea.
Spot 93
Presidential Chaos by Saxon James
#3 Frat Wars
4/14/23
316 pages
3 stars
Besides being #3 in a series, I picked this book because it fit another challenge - the Member' Choice Awards - MM Romance Group. It was 3rd place in Best Coming of Age story 2023.
I don't like college setting stories and I don't like frat boy stories, so this wasn't really a good fit for me. I mostly found it boring -- not because of the writer's skill, but rather that I find all of this type of book boring.
The sex scenes seemed too numerous and too long and some really cringey language.
One of the MCs was a college swimmer...I was dreading this. All of my kids are swimmers. My daughter was a college swimmer. Every romance book I've read with swimming in it gets something so embarrassingly wrong. I am happy to note that this was not this case in this book - - there weren't any swimming details to get wrong. I'm not sure how a swimmer who practices so little gets to the Olympics...but at least I wasn't reading about a swimmer losing a close race by just 5 seconds...which in reality is not a close race at all
Completion PostSpot 93
It Happened One Summer by Tessa Bailey
How it Fits: Alternate- blue cover
379 pages
Finished on 04/14/2023
Review:
Another rom com, which wasn't really on my radar but ended up coming across for another challenge. This was cute, light hearted, spicy, and funny. Piper a rich socialite from LA is banished to small fishing town Westport by her stepfather for a bit of a wake up call. In Westport is where she meets Brendon, the king crab fishing captain and sparks fly and never stop for the entire book. Piper's one liners were hilarious and the chemistry between her and Brendon was the best!
Completion PostSpot: 93
Book: Hotline to Danger by Carolyn Keene
How It Fits: #93 Nancy Drew Case Files
Date Read: 4/15/2023
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I have read a lot of ND books but I think this may be the first one I've read where there's an actual murder victim in it. I thought it made for an interesting more mature mystery. I liked the twists & turns & of course, Nancy was her old genius self as always. A solid read.
Week 12, Roll 1Tracking Thread
D.L. - completion post
Denise - completion post
Raquel - completion post
Susan - completion post
Mod
It's been a pleasure playing with you all!
TY so much Denise!! I had so much fun. It was a pleasure :)
It was great to play with you. Thanks for captaining and hosting Denise and DL
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
Hotline to Danger (other topics)It Happened One Summer (other topics)
Presidential Chaos (other topics)
Not That Complicated (other topics)
Not That Complicated (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Carolyn Keene (other topics)Tessa Bailey (other topics)
Saxon James (other topics)
Isabel Murray (other topics)
Isabel Murray (other topics)
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Spot: 74
Book: The Iron Wyrm Affair by Lilith Saintcrow
Qualification: Alternate: Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
Pages: 323