R14: SS Team 2 - In it 2 win it

[Mandy]

Awesome thank you for checking. I messaged to see if we can get the correct info updated. Amazon is supposed to have the most update she said.


I can read three of more of a series not sure about the starting or finishing but could i count 1 series for both?

[Diane ~Firefly~]

no, it has to be separate series

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I can try and do the start and finish a series if no one else is planning it.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

That'd be great, Diane!
I'll grab us the 2 in 1 bonus this week. Also got plenty of 500+ pages books lying around, I'm sure I can make one fit sooner or later.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Selection Post Week 2, spot 16
Book: Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
Pages: 362
How it fits: #1 in the The Guild Codex: Demonized

[Andy]

Denise wrote: "That'd be great, Diane!
I'll grab us the 2 in 1 bonus this week. Also got plenty of 500+ pages books lying around, I'm sure I can make one fit sooner or later."

Very cool, I have quite a few as well hopefully between the two of us one will get the bonus points!

[Andy]

Completion Post: week 2, spot 16

Book: The Cry of the Hangman by Susanna Calkins
How It Fits: #6 in the Lucy Campion series
Finished: 2/04/23
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
This was the sixth book in the Lucy Campion series, and I am relieved to say that I enjoyed it more than the last one. These books have been some of my favorite historical mysteries for a while now and since I was disappointed with the last book, I was afraid that I wouldn't want to continue. But thankfully this book was back on par with the first four books. The author does such a great job with all of the historical details. I love the setting of 1667 London and I am absolutely in love with the protagonist, Lucy. She is a great pov character to follow around London as she tries to become a printer's apprentice and solve mysteries. The mystery in this book was very well written and kept your attention throughout the story.

My one quibble with these past two books has been the love triangle. I was fine with it in the first four books because it was well-written and didn't impact the mystery plot too much, but by the fifth book though I was kind of all done. I was happy to see that by the end of the last book it looked like Lucy had FINALLY made her choice. (And although who she picked was no longer my first choice, I was willing to just let it be as long as we could move on.) So, I was kind of dismayed to see in this book once again Lucy seemed unsure about her two suitors. So that did ruin some of my enjoyment of the story but considering where this book ended, I am once again hoping we are done with the love triangle. All in all, it is still a great series, and I am really looking forward to the seventh book which comes out later this year!

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Selection Post Week 2, spot 16
Book: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry
Pages: 372
How it fits: Standalone

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Completion Post: week 2, spot 16

Taming Demons for Beginners by Annette Marie
How it fits: book #1 of The Guild Codex: Demonized
Finished: 2/5/23
rating: 3 stars
review:
Robin is living in her uncle's house waiting to get her inheritance, but her uncle isn't eager to help and Robin is too chicken to push. Then she finds out that side of the family raises demons for a living and somehow finds the guts to start communicating with one of the captive demons. (view spoiler)[ After she is practically killed by her uncle's cohorts as they try and get the demon to submit, she enters a contract with him instead. But she soon finds out her contract was too loose and she doesn't have much control. Luckily the demon is willing to behave if Robin researches how to send him back. So she ends up joining a demon-hunting guild who betrays her and almost dies again before joining a better guild and telling them the truth. (hide spoiler)]

Overall the story was a hard read just because Robin was such a pushover for the majority of it. I really liked Zylas, the demon, and his take on everything is from such a different morality. I'm hoping the rest of the series improves as Robin gains more confidence.

[Mandy]

Completion Post: Week 2 Spot 16
Dark Mate: Book 1 of the Fallen Blood Series Dark Mate by Sara Snow
How it fits: Book #1 of the Fallen Mates series
Finished: 2/3/23
Rating: 5 stars

Review:

I received an Arc of Dark Mate in return for an honest review.

Aria just wants to live a normal life even though her DNA has been against her all her life. Finally landing a stepping stone that could lead to the job she's been dreaming of she takes the chance. Things are going better than expected until she encounters Sariel who knows who she really is what she's hiding and is determined to make her quit. When the truth comes out she's fired and she needs to figure out what she's going to do next.

When fate seems to be on her side she get's a second chance at her dream job. Little did she know that it would change her life forever. What should have been the opportunity of a lifetime she finds herself on the run with Sariel fleeing for their lives. Will they be able to stop the man hunting them?

I love Aria she's a sweetheart just trying to live a normal life and I found her easy to connect with. I wasn't sure about Sariel at first but he's redeemed himself the more we get to know him the more I like him. I love the chemistry between Aria and Sariel they just have this slow burn relationship that works.

Wow!! I've read several books by the author but this one blew me away. I'm in love with Dark Mate it's quickly become my favorite series by the author. I loved the characters and the story is beautiful from start to finish. The author has done another amazing job creating a captivating and action packed romance that I found hard to put down. I can't wait for the next installment to come out and see what happens with Aria and Sariel.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Completion Post Week 2, spot 16
Book: My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry

Pages: 372
How it fits: Standalone
Finished: 09/02/23
Rating: ****

Review:

This is the first book I have read by the author Fredrik Backman but I have heard great things about his work.

This book was enjoyable, as I was lucky enough to have an extraordinary Grandma who brought me up on love, humour and fairytales so there is a lot in the book I could relate to. It had me laughing out loud in places and then rolling my eyes at Grannies antics. She was hilarious!

Elsa is seven years old and different. Her grandmother is seventy-seven years old and crazy and their relationship is a truly unique one. She is Elsa's only friend. On the death of her beloved grandmother Elsa is left a series of letters to deliver to people her grandmother has wronged. Elsa then learns to starts to form new friendships with the most unlikely of people, who just like her don't quite fit in. Almost like her grandmother is helping her cope in this world from the other side.

It's a story of love, loss and about knowing that is ok to be a little different and that we all have a place in this world. I will definitely be checking out the other books he has written, I really enjoyed the storytelling of this book, it was almost like having a narrator tell you what was happening. Not sure if this is because the book was originally written in Swedish and has been translated.

[Mandy]

Week 2: Spot 16
Series # 1st 6th 16th standalone
Alternate: Title 'G'

Diane ~Firefly~ (Taming Demons for Beginners) 2/5/23 ★★★ Review
Denise (Grave Mercy) 2/09/23 ★★★★ Review
Jade Aka MrsTosh (My Grandmother Asked Me to Tell You She's Sorry) 2/9/23 ★★★★ Review
Anne (The Cry of the Hangman) 2/04/23 ★★★★ Review
Mandy (Dark Mate) 2/3/23 ★★★★★Review

Denise - * Bonus point earned: 2 in 1 bonus - also #1 in His Fair Assassin series

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week 2
Spot: 16

Book: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'G'
Pages: 496
Finished: 09 Feb 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
This book had been sitting on my TBR since shortly before its release - over a decade ago. I'm glad I finally got around to reading it! Set in 15th century Brittany, this is a gorgeous historical fantasy that immediately had me hooked. Gripping plot, engaging characters, and a romance I actually enjoyed and which didn't take over the remainder of the story. Looking forward to returning to this world.

* Bonus point earned: 2 in 1 bonus - also #1 in His Fair Assassin series

[Mandy]

Awesome All done for the week team.

Not sure how to track bonus points do Ii just post that we received them?

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Yes, just mention it when you post our reviews to the Post Your Spot thread. :)

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week: 3
Previous Spot: 16
Roll: 6 + 1 = 7
New Spot: 23

Reading options:
- #2 in series
- #3 in series
- #23 in series
- Alternate: Number in the Title (e.g. Third Grave Dead Ahead or Every Fifteen Minutes)

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Selection Post

Spot: 23

Book: Twelve Kings by Bradley P. Beaulieu
Qualification: Alternate: Number in the Title
Pages: 583

*Qualifies for 500+ pages bonus

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Selection Post
Spot: 23
Book: The Viscount Who Loved Me

Qualification: #2 in series
Pages: 354

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Selection Post
spot 23
Slaying Monsters for the Feeble by Annette Marie
how it fits: #2 in The Guild Codex: Demonized
pgs: 358

2nd book in new series

[Andy]

Selection Post Week 3
Spot: 23
Book: Kingdom of Sea and Stone by Mara Rutherford

Pages: 304
Task: 2nd in a series
How it fits: #2 in the Crown of Coral and Pearl Series

[Mandy]

Selection Post Week 3
Spot: 23

Book: Ash by C.D. Gorri
Pages: 356
Task: 2nd in series
How it fits Ash is 2nd in the Speed Dating with the Denizens of the underworld

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Mandy, could you fix the link in the Post Your Spot thread when you get a chance? It leads to your profile rather than our completion posts.

[Mandy]

Denise wrote: "Mandy, could you fix the link in the Post Your Spot thread when you get a chance? It leads to your profile rather than our completion posts."

opps

[Andy]

Completion Post: week 3, spot 23

Book: Kingdom of Sea and Stone by Mara Rutherford
How it Fits: #2 in the Crown and Coral Series
Finished: 2/13/23
Rating: 3 Stars
Review:
Crown of Coral and Pearl is a duology, but I honestly think it would have been better as a standalone. And I say this as someone who loves fantasy duologies, usually, they are just the right amount of story for my attention span. The problem with Kingdom of Sea and Stone is that it wasn't as good as the first book and made me wish the author had wrapped Nor's story in the last book rather than dragging it out in this one. This book just felt so unnecessary. For example, a bunch of new characters were introduced, some were rather interesting but then nothing really happened with them, so it was a waste of time. Also, the conclusion of the book felt so anticlimactic. Overall, it was just disappointing.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Completion Post: week 3, spot 23
Slaying Monsters for the Feeble by Annette Marie
finished: 2/14/23
rating: 3 stars
review:
Robin and Zylas are hunting her uncle (and the family grimoire). This leads to encounters with vampires and some vampire hunters from the guild. (view spoiler)[ eventually they find the grimoire, but some pages are stolen by Claude's demon and they have to defeat an elf (hide spoiler)]

I love Zylas but Robin is annoying, she is still wishy washy and isn't training at all to improve her survivability. I like Zora and look forward to seeing how her ultimatum plays out in the next book.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Completion Post: Week 3, spot 23
Book:The Viscount Who Loved Me

How it Fits: #2 Bridgertons Series
Finished: 16th Feb
Rating: ****

Review:
This book the second in the Bridgerton series, finishes where the first one ended. Daphne Bridgerton is happily married to the Duke of Hastings and now it is her the Viscount Anthony Bridgerton, her Brother's turn to do his duty and find a wife. He finds his intended victim Edwina and is stoped in his tracks by her Sister Kate, who doesn't believe a rake like Bridgerton is good enough for her Sister and does everything in her power to stop the match.

The chemistry between Kate and Anthony is off the scales, their enemies to friends and eventually lovers story line is written beautifully and left me both laughing at their antics and swooning over the romance. He is head of his family and finds the responsibility a heavy one to bear, he is determined not to marry for love, but head strong, clever, witty Kate has him falling head over heals and unable to stop himself.

As always Lady Whisltedown is in the background, making observations about members of the ton and spreading her gossip. Definitely has a 'gossip girl' feel to it, as the whole ton speculates on who she could be.

Really enjoy this book and looking forwards to moving on to the next book in the series.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Heads up: I won't be able to finish my book before Friday afternoon this week. Will definitely have it done before deadline though.

[Mandy]

Completion post: Week 3, spot 23
Book Ash by C.D. Gorri
How it fits: #2 in the Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld
Finished 2/16/23
Rating: *****

Review
Gabriella is struggling to find her place in the world it's hard to find a teaching job. So when things didn't work out on the east coast her step-mom gives her a chance to start over on the west coast. She finds a job working as a Sunday school teacher in the church she grew up in but she not meeting anyone. Hoping to help her step-mom invites her out to a round of speed dating in which she meets her fated mate.

I like Gabriella she's this super sweet girl who found the tortured bad boy but who's the good guy Ash. I love the chemistry that the pair have it's heating up and has nothing to do with being in the underworld. I love the speed dating concept this isn't my first experience with Eve and Aphrodite's speed dating night.

The series is a bunch of authors each writing a different book in the series all following the basic idea that the couple met at speed dating. I really enjoyed getting to know Ash as I haven't read a lot of demon romance books. The author is new to me and after falling in love with her storytelling style I will be checking out her other books. Highly recommend if you love sweet paranormal romance.

[Mandy]

Denise wrote: "Heads up: I won't be able to finish my book before Friday afternoon this week. Will definitely have it done before deadline though."
All good just roll when you finish and i'll post our spot

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week 3
Spot: 23

Book: Twelve Kings by Bradley P. Beaulieu
Qualification: Alternate: Number in the Title
Pages: 583
Finished: 17 Feb 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
Wonderfully immersive fantasy.
The desert setting and the grand city of Sharakhai are beautifully rendered, and this tale of immortal kings and a young woman's quest for vengeance easily drew me in. The pace was a little uneven, with the many flashbacks taking momentum out of the story at times - could have done with less of those. The action scenes, on the other hand, were spectacular.
Definitely a series I intend to continue.

*Bonus Point Earned: 500+ pages

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week: 4
Previous Spot: 23
Roll: 5 + 4 = 9
New Spot: 32

Reading options:
- #2 in series
- #3 in series
- #32 in series
- Alternate: Mystery/Thriller

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Selection Spot Week: 4
New Spot: 32
Book: An Offer From a Gentleman

How it fits: #3 in The Bridgerton series

[Andy]

Selection Post Week 4
Spot: 32
Book: The High King's Tomb by Kristen Britain

Pages: 679
Task: 3rd, 2nd, or 32nd in a series
How it fits: #3 in the Green Rider Series

[Mandy]

Week 3: Spot 23
Series # 2 #3 #23
Alternate: Alternate: Number in the Title

Diane ~Firefly~ (Slaying Monsters for the Feeble) 2/14/23 ★★★ Review
Denise (Twelve Kings) 2/17/23 ★★★★ Review"
Jade Aka MrsTosh (The Viscount Who Loved Me) 2/16/23 ★★★★ Review"
Anne (Kingdom of Sea and Stone) 2/13/23 ★★★ Review"
Mandy (Ash) 2/3/23 ★★★★★ Review"

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Selection Post: week 4, spot 32
Hunting Fiends for the Ill-Equipped
pgs: 318
how it fits: book 3 of The Guild Codex: Demonized

[Mandy]

Selection Post:
New spot 32
Book: Filthy Rich Vampires: Second Rite by Geneva Lee
Pages: 406
Task: #2, #3, #23 in series
How it fits: #2 in the Filthy Rich Vampire series

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Selection Post

Spot: 32

Book: Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian
Qualification: Alternate: Mystery/Thriller - MPG Mystery
Pages: 232

[Andy]

Completion Post: week 4, spot 32

Book: The High King's Tomb by Kristen Britain
How it fits: #3 in the Green Rider Series
Finished: 2/21/23
Rating: 5 Stars
Review:
This was the third book in the Green Rider series, and it was as good as the first book which I absolutely loved. I think it takes real talent to write a book over six hundred pages and make it a compelling read. I honestly was never bored. Karigan continues to be an awesome main character to go on this journey with. She is still young, but you see her grow and change as this series continues.
The High King's Tomb is so well written, the pacing was perfect, and the plot continues to evolve as the author will wrap up one thread only for two more to begin. As of right now this is a seven-book series and usually, that is not my cup of tea I prefer at most a trilogy, but I am seriously looking forward to seeing where Karigan's story takes us.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Completion Post: week 4, spot 32

Slaying Monsters for the Feeble by Annette Marie
how it fits: book 3 of The Guild Codex: Demonized
finished: 2/20/23
rating: 4 stars
review:
Robin and Zylas continue their search for Claude and pages from the grimoire. Claude brings in some help who are also crazy serial killers. Ezra reveals himself to them and they work together to take out the help.

I liked this one better, maybe because of Ezra being featured. (view spoiler)[ I'm not sure what I think about a romance between Robin and Zylas with him being a demon and all, it just seems wrong (hide spoiler)]

book 3 of 4 of a new series

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Week 4
Spot: 32

Book: Hither, Page by Cat Sebastian
Qualification: Alternate: Mystery/Thriller - MPG Mystery
Pages: 232
Finished: 20 Feb 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
In a small village in post-WWII England, a murder shakes up the hitherto quiet community. Enter Leo Page, employed by a somewhat shady intelligence service, dispatched by his boss to investigate the circumstances of the murder and if necessary cover it up. Country doctor James Sommers, suffering from PTSD after his experiences during the war, has his own interest in looking into a violent crime so close to home. When the two meet, a woman's murder is no longer the only thing occupying their thoughts.

This was an enjoyable read, both on the mystery and the romance front. I always enjoy a good slowburn romance, and Cat Sebastian did an excellent job developing this one.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Week 4
Spot: 32
Book: An Offer From a Gentleman

How it fits: #3 in the Bridgerton series
Pages: 390
Finished: 23rd Feb
Rating: ★★★

Review:

This has been my least favourite book in the series so far, Benedict just didn't match up to the image I had formed of him from watching the Netflix shows in my head. The book version, I really didn't like him. Frankly, I saw so many red flags in his behaviour towards Sophie, I struggled to enjoy the book to its full potential.

Sophie was a likeable enough character but sometimes the way she just put up with Benedict's behaviour just annoyed me, she was always trying to rationalise his character and his bullishness nature. Almost going ahead with what he said because he meant well. No Sophie those are warning signs!

One thing I did really like about the book is that we get to meet more of Violet (The Bridgerton's Mother) and their Sister, Hyacinth who sounds like a hoot. I am really looking forwards to her story and that of her Brother Colin. I hope their stories are one of love and not just animal lust that can't be controlled like his brothers.

[Mandy]

Week: 4
Spot: 32
Book:
Pages: 406
Finished 2/23/23
Rating ★★★★★

Review
This is the 2nd installment in the Filthy Rich Vampires series. Thea has returned to her life before she was swept up in Julian's world her heart broken looking after her sick mom. Julian wasn't going to go after her but he's realized he can't live without her and being with her is all the matters. When he finds her at the hospital with her sick mom a startling revelation comes out. Her mom issues an ultimatum that Thea has to choose between them and ultimately she chooses Julian.

Danger never seems to be more than a few steps away and Julian is worried about her safety when he hears that someone from his past is after her in addition to the Council wants to end their relationship. The only choice he has is to take her home to his family to protector at least he hopes.

I love Thea and Julian it's not your traditional vampire love story but the chemistry between them works so well. I love the concept reminds of Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridgerton with vampires. I love that we learned more about Julians past as he is over 900 years old. The author has done another amazing just creating a captivating story that I had a hard time putting down. This installment ends in a cliffhanger and this has to be the best cliffhanger I've ever read. I loved it and can't wait to read the next book.

[Mandy]

Week 4: Spot 32
Series # 2 #3 #32
Alternate: Alternate: Mystery/Thriller

Diane ~Firefly~ (Hunting Fiends for the ill equipped) 2/20/23 ★★★★ Reviews
Denise (Hither, Page) 2/20/23 ★★★★ Reviews
Jade Aka MrsTosh An Offer From A Gentleman) 2/23/23 ★★★ Reviews
Anne (The High King's Tomb) 2/13/23 ★★★★★ Reviews
Mandy (Flithy Rich Vampire Second Rite) 2/23/23 ★★★★★ Reviews

[Mandy]

All reviews in ready to go for the new week....I've tested my links prior to putting them in the post but they keep saying they are broken.....Maybe in the am they will work. I'll double check when i get up

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Not great this week, sorry! XD

Week: 5
Previous Spot: 32
Roll: 1 + 4 = 5
New Spot: 37

Reading options:
- #3 in series
- #7 in series
- #37 in series
- Alternate: Cover: Pink

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Selection Post

Spot: 37

Book: The Last Nanny in Manhattan by K. Sterling
Qualification: Alternate: Pink
Pages: 334

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Will have a look on my kindle, not sure what I am going to go with this week.

[Mandy]

Selection Post
Spot 37

Book: Filthy Rich Vampires: Three Queensby Geneva Lee
Qualifications: 3rd in series
Pages 332

[Andy]

Selection Post Week 5
Spot: 37
Book: Death Around the Bend by T.E. Kinsey

Pages: 316
Task: 3rd, 7th, 37th in a series
How it fits: #3 in the Lady Hardcastle Mysteries series

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Selection Post: Week 5, spot 37

Out of House and Home by Drew Hayes
pgs: 420
how it fits: book 7 in Fred, The Vampire Accountant series