R14: SS Team 4 - 4cing me to finish series

[Celia]

Selection post: I'll read - standalone or - series #1

[Ariel]

Completion Post: Week 3

Book: Everyone Hates Kelsie Miller
Author: Meredith Ireland
Rating: 5 stars
Read: 2/12/2023
Review:

If you enjoy YA romance novels, enemies to lovers tropes, and finding out things about yourself that you may have been ignoring all this time, then this is the novel for you.

Meredith Ireland did such a wonderful job with this novel. I absolutely adored Kelsie and Eric - they were so obviously a perfect match. As someone who finds herself reading for the fantasy aspect of life and immerses herself to hide from every day life on most books, the author did a surprisingly wonderful job at writing a character I could really truly see myself in. I am so much like Kelsie and so reading this book was like a trip through my own brain.

Kelsie and Eric go on this road trip to find the missing pieces of themselves and try to win those missing pieces back but along the way, they learn more about themselves - especially Kelsie - than they expected and may just find love in the process. One of the main aspects of this novel was confronting the parts of yourself that hurt and realizing the importance of those confrontations. I think the author did a good job at simplifying that while also telling this truly relatable story of losing love and your best friend and realizing that it is deeper than that.

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Have you heard anything from Shannon?

[Melanie]

Denise wrote: "Have you heard anything from Shannon?"

Not as of today. She hasn't commented in the thread since the 3rd and she did not respond to my PM.

[Shan ~A~]

Week 3 ~ Selection Post
Roll: 6
New Spot: 21
Task: 1st book in a series
Book/Author: Second Sight by Amanda Quick
Pages: 338
How it fits: 1st book in Arcane Society series

[Shannon]

Sorry guys! I got a little sick and wasn't checking anything! I didn't finish my second book but too late for that. Let me catch up unless I've screwed us, then you can just drop me from the team to save yourselves.

[Shannon]

Week 3 Selection Post
Roll: 6
New Space: 21


Aisle Be There by Charlie Cochet
Pages: 294
Qualification: #1 in Runaway Grooms series

[*book:Aisle Be There|60456904]

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Shannon, you're good, no reason to drop out if you're able to finish a book for this week.
Hope you're feeling better!

[Shannon]

Denise wrote: "Shannon, you're good, no reason to drop out if you're able to finish a book for this week.
Hope you're feeling better!"

Thanks Denise. I'm fine, just a little cold but I still worked so had zero energy by the end of the day. :p

[Shannon]

Week 3 Completion Post
Roll: 6
New Space: 21


Aisle Be There by Charlie Cochet
Pages: 294
Qualification: #1 in Runaway Grooms series
Read: 2/14/23
Rating: ★★★★

I had a great time reading this book. We got us a rock star, a runaway groom and a second chance romance. And a bonus, we got some characters from the Four Kings Security series as well. What a ride. Poor Gage is about to marry his fairly awful fiance' when he's attacked by a crab and runs away. And runs right into his ex who's having a pretty crappy day. What follows is a fun romp into their "fake" relationship complete with a few flashbacks of their previous relationship. This book does have real substance which just adds so much to whole story. Really great!

[Shan ~A~]

Week 3 ~ Completion Post
Roll: 6
New Spot: 21
Task: 1st book in a series
Book/Author: Second Sight by Amanda Quick
Pages: 338
How it fits: 1st book in Arcane Society series
Finished: 02/14
Rating: 3 stars
Review: All of the aspects dealing with the mystery of who was out to get the formula was intriguing. I was really engrossed with trying to figure out who this person was and what connections, if any, the had to Venetia, Gabriel, and/or the Arcane Society.

The romance portion of the story just felt like an afterthought. It wasn't well fleshed out, and it felt like the author thought at the last moment, "let's make these two romantic interest."

I also thought the whole part about Gabriel's psychical abilities was not well done. After all the secrecy behind it, I was expecting him to be something other on top of having his abilities which I'm still not sure exactly what they are completely. (Also the psychical, instead of just using psychic, irritated me for some reason.)

I am going to continue on with the series for a bit, just to see if the series gets better from here and to learn more about the Arcane Society and it's members.

[Melanie]

Completion Post: Week 3 - Spot 21



Book: Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews
How it fits?: #2 in Kate Daniels series
Date finished?: 2/15/2023
Rating: 4.5 Stars

Review:
Magic Burns was a great follow-up to Magic Bites and I really enjoyed reading it again. This book expands a bit on the world, particularly how the various factions operate which was enjoyable. We also got the addition of witches in this one and they're definitely a fascinating bunch. Kate continues to be a complete badass and I love that about her. In this installment, she finds her self in charge of a street kid and I loved the relationship she formed with Julie. She's the closest thing that girl has to a mother now and it's great how quickly they came to care about each other. I'm still loving all of the Kate/Curran interactions and how much she teases him in this one. The plot was great and the magic flare added a unique twist to the story. The final battle was incredible and I was in awe of the power Kate wielded. Overall another great addition to the series and I'm glad I reread this one.

[Melanie]

Shannon wrote: "Sorry guys! I got a little sick and wasn't checking anything! I didn't finish my second book but too late for that. Let me catch up unless I've screwed us, then you can just drop me from the team t..."

No worries, glad you're back. I hope you're feeling better!

[Celia]

Sorry it took me a while to post for this one. Had to actually start something new when I was in the middle of things for various challenges.

Completion Post
Spot: 21
Book: by Blake Pierce
Date read: 2/16/23
Rating: Somewhere between 3 and 3.5, 3 for Goodreads
How it fits: Jessie Hunt #1

Review: I wasn't especially intrigued by this one. It took a while to get started and then it just didn't pick up. I would have expected someone with Jessie's training to be a bit more cautious!

[Melanie]

Week 3 Reviews: Spot 21

Melanie: Kate Daniels #2
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ariel: Standalone
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Celia: Jessie Hunt #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shannon: Runaway Grooms #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shan ~A~: Arcane Society #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Melanie]

Here's our roll.

Week: 4
Previous Spot: 21
Roll: 4 + 6 = 10
New Spot: 31

You can read any of the following:
- Standalone
- 1st book in a series
- 3rd book in a series
- 31st book in a series
- Alternate task 31. Title 'Z'

[Celia]

Selection post: I'll probably read for standalone for this one

[Shannon]

Week 4 Selection Post
Space: 31


Mr. Romance by Louisa Masters
Pages: 273
Qualification: #3 in Franklin U series

[*book:Mr. Romance|61295251]

[Shan ~A~]

I have it narrowed down to these.

Week 4 ~ Selection Post
Roll: 10
New Spot: 31
Task: 3rd book in a series
Book/Author: Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
Pages: 139
How it fits: 3rd book in Mindf*ck series

or

Task: 3rd book in a series
Book/Author: Call Me Crazy by Melanie Harlow
Pages: 316
How it fits: 3rd book in Bellamy Creek series

or

Task: 1st book in a series
Book/Author: The Perfect Wife by Blake Pierce
Pages: 199
How it fits: 1st book in Jessie Hunt series

[Celia]

Completion Post
Spot: 31
Book: by Hayley Arceneaux
Date read: 2/19/23
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: standalone

Review: I've been looking for something like this for so long.

We were going to be able to talk live with St. Jude's patients and their families from space. I would be able to bring all of my patients into that moment with me. I thought about how much hope it would give those kids watching me as well as their parents. When I was in treatment and my mom met a healthy adult with a childhood cancer story, she would burst into tears. ... She was always very emotional after seeing a pediatric cancer survivor grow up to lead a healthy life. Especially because we didn't get to meet many.

And just like that, Hayley Arceneaux manages to capture my feelings while reading this in an entire sentence.

This was absolutely the book I needed at this stage in my life.

[Shannon]

Week 4 Completion Post
Space: 31


Mr. Romance by Louisa Masters
Pages: 273
Qualification: #3 in Franklin U series
Read: 2/20/23
Rating: ★★★★

I was so hoping Liam would get his own romance and boy did he. With the serial dater who didn't even know he was dating anyone at all. I found Charlie cluelessly hilarious. Poor guy didn't know what he was doing. Really loved everything about this story. Made me smile a whole lot.

[*book:Mr. Romance|61295251]

[Shan ~A~]

Week 4 ~ Completion Post
Roll: 10
New Spot: 31
Task: 3rd book in a series
Book/Author: Scarlet Angel by S.T. Abby
Pages: 139
How it fits: 3rd book in Mindf*ck series
Finished: 02/21
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Things are moving a bit faster after Lana did a double, and what happened with Ferguson. Now the FBI profiler who pointed the finger at her father is back, and he is here to cause problems. What is he so anxious to hide?

We're getting the story of what happened in Delaney Grove piece, by piece. Even though at this point you pretty much know what happened to Victoria and Marcus, we're still waiting to get a complete why and how of what happened to their father.

All I know is that this is one f'd up town.

This one had a few errors that were overlooked, but definitely not enough to take anything away from this story. The crazy thing is that by the end of this one, I was almost in tears. Once all the pieces of the puzzly are together, I may be an emotional mess.

It's a cliffhanger, but not in the way that makes you feel like your on the edge of your seat. You'll still want to read the next book, because at this point you'll just need to know what is about to happen.

Page count doesn't work

[Melanie]

Completion Post: Week 4 - Spot 31



Book: Magic Strikes by Ilona Andrews
How it fits?: #3 in Kate Daniels series
Date finished?: 2/20/2023
Rating: 5 Stars

Review:
Magic Strikes continues to be my favorite book in the Kate Daniels series and I loved revisiting this one. The Midnight Games are such a neat concept and their inclusion made for a really interesting plot. Plus, they added a few new supernatural creatures to the world which was neat to see. The final fight in the Games was incredibly well done and really showcased Kate's loyalty to those she cares about. The Pack is front and center in this installment which is great as they're my favorite faction in the book. We got some fantastic moments between Kate and Curran in this one and I'm excited to watch their relationship develop. Overall, a solid addition to the series and I'm looking forward to continuing on.

[Shan ~A~]

Week 4 ~ Completion Post
Roll: 10
New Spot: 31
Task: 1st book in a series
Book/Author: The Perfect Wife by Blake Pierce
Pages: 199
How it fits: 1st book in Jessie Hunt series
Finished: 02/22
Rating: 3 stars
Review: When I went into this book, I was expecting some heart pounding thriller. I didn't get that, and no where did it say that's what I was going to get. What I did get was a look into the lives of this couple. One who's starting a new life in a new town, with new beginnings all around. Kyle heading the new office for his job, and Jessie starting at a new school to complete her degree.

Right away you can see that things are off with the new neighbors and this new community.

Jessie senses it, and considering what's she's been going to school for, I would have thought her an idiot if she hadn't, but any fool should be able to pick up on the weirdness.

The thing is the author has made Jessie a bit of a unreliable narrator, by making her doubt herself about the things she's seeing, which suck because I kept thinking how in the word is she going to be a reliable profiler, if she doubts the things that are glaringly obvious in her everyday life.

That is one of the reasons that I didn't rate this higher than 3 stars. That and the fact that I knew from the beginning that the villain in this story would turn out to be who it was. It was one of the first thoughts I had, I just didn't know the how.

Once everything was said and done it felt a bit anticlimactic. The motive just didn't make sense to me or at the very least it was very weak.

[Ariel]

Week 4: Completion Post

Spot: 31
Book: A Killer's Mind by Mike Omer
Pages: 378
Task: First in series
Qualification: 1st in Zoe Bentley series
Rating: 4 stars
Read: 2/19
Review:

As a first in a series, I really enjoyed this novel. I have never read anything by this author before but I think they did a great job at introducing characters and getting to the story. He also did an interesting job at connecting the crimes and it all making sense.

Our main characters are Zoe, who is a forensic psychologist, and Tatum Gray, a Special Agent. They get pulled in on a case in Chicago where women are being killed. Zoe is finding similarities to a case from her childhood but unfortunately, no one believes her then nor did they believe her when she was younger.

The author was able to connect both cases in an interesting plot while also making me sit on the edge of my seat. It's suspenseful and makes the reader want to know with a cliffhanger of a last sentence. I highly recommend if you like fast paced mysteries and suspense.

[Melanie]

Week 4 Reviews: Spot 31

Melanie: Kate Daniels #3
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ariel: Zoe Bentley #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Celia: Standalone
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shannon: Franklin U #3
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shan ~A~: Jessie Hunt #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Melanie]

Here's our roll.

Week: 5
Previous Spot: 31
Roll: 3 + 4 = 7
New Spot: 38

You can read any of the following:
- 3rd book in a series
- 8th book in a series
- 38th book in a series
- Alternate task 38. Published 2001-2010

[Celia]

Selection post: I think I'll read - 3rd in series - but I need to get through book 2 first. Possibly - book 3 instead.

[Shannon]

Week 5 Selection Post
New Spot: 38


Unexpected Mission: Sweet Surrender by TS McKinney
Pages: 166
Qualification: Sub Mission #3

[*book:Unexpected Mission: Sweet Surrender|45185708]

[Shan ~A~]

Week 5 ~ Selection Post
Roll: 7
New Spot: 38
Task: 3rd book in a series
Book/Author: Call Me Crazy by Melanie Harlow
Pages: 316
How it fits: 3rd book in Bellamy Creek series


(I may change this)

[Shannon]

Week 5 Completion Post
New Spot: 38


Unexpected Mission: Sweet Surrender by TS McKinney
Pages: 166
Qualification: Sub Mission #3
Read: 2/25/23
Rating: ★★★ 1/2

I'm torn on this one. I'm glad I read it because it follows the first two but we were left with a crap load of questions unanswered and I see the author never wrote another one. WTH! Fun book and like the others, it dabbles in the kink but doesn't go anywhere near the full deal. The mystery part was fun but not the focus so I could take or leave that part. The whole series was fun but being left with all the unknowns just sucks!

[*book:Unexpected Mission: Sweet Surrender|45185708]

[Shan ~A~]

Week 5 ~ Completion Post
Roll: 7
New Spot: 38
Task: Alternate task 38. Published 2001-2010
Book/Author: Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Pages: 288
How it fits: Published January 31, 2006
Finished: 02/28
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I love a series that showcases a woman who can kick some butt. I really like Mercy, and I feel like we are going to be going on a journey to find out what it means to be a walker right along with her, plus the added bonus of seeing who she ends up choosing as a mate. I think I went back and forth with my guesses from the moment she interacted with both men, because honestly she has chemistry with both.

I usually don't appreciated love triangles, but this one was well done in that it didn't feel contrived. She had a history with Samuel and she and Adam had developed a type of friendship.

Patricia Briggs did a good job of building this world, creating a great introduction to these characters, plus opening this series up to more mysteries that need to be solved.

[Celia]

Hey sorry I've been MIA. Got sick this week and then just realized last night that the book I wanted to read, my library doesn't actually have in ebook format. I should be able to find something short tonight but I may not get it in before tomorrow.

EDIT: Yes, I will be reading - first published 2010 or - first published 2009. I will not finish until tomorrow though.

[Ariel]

Week 5 - Completion Post
Roll: 7
New Spot: 38
Task: Alternate Task - 38. Published 2001 - 2010
Book/Author: Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Pages: 292
How it fits: Published Sep. 10, 2002
Finished: 3/2
Rating: 5 stars
Review:

I read this book for the first time many many years ago and this reread was just a magnitude of nostalgia. Even as an adult, I find this book as well written with a cast of characters that makes you fall in love with the storyline.

It sends a great message about friendship, growing up, and the environment. One of the things that I love about this novel is how relevant it feels for kids in 2023 as well as when I read it in the early 2000s. I think this is a classic that can always be read at any age.

[Melanie]

Completion Post: Week 5 - Spot 38



Book: Fatal Floss by A.C.F. Bookens
How it fits?: #8 in Stitches In Crime series
Date finished?: 3/2/2023
Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
I picked up Fatal Floss on a whim as I needed an eighth book in a series and I ended up really enjoying it. We follow Paisley Sutton who is a salvage expert and a historian which was a neat profession for a MC. In this book she is tearing down an old chicken coop for a friend and after removing everything she ends up finding some bones buried underneath. From there that leads to Paisley searching for info about previous property owners and a lot of history is unearthed about a few women who lived on the property and their impact on history. Eventually someone tries to stop Paisley's search and I enjoyed the direction things went from there. Overall a really enjoyable mystery that was fairly low stakes and a fun read from start to finish.

[Melanie]

Celia, are you going to have your book done? The deadline to be able to roll for next week is in just under an hour.

[Celia]

Melanie wrote: "Celia, are you going to have your book done? The deadline to be able to roll for next week is in just under an hour."

Sorry I got busy with something. I should be able to have it in.

[Melanie]

Celia wrote: "Melanie wrote: "Celia, are you going to have your book done? The deadline to be able to roll for next week is in just under an hour."

Sorry I got busy with something. I should be able to have it in."

Great. I'll be up for a bit longer so will periodically check the thread before the deadline in 20 mins.

[Celia]

Completion Post
Spot: 38
Book: by Andrew Clements
Date read: 3/3/23
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: published 2009

Review: I loved Andrew Clements as a kid but I only read this one once or twice, as opposed to some of the others like Frindle and No Talking, which I read at least five times. I only remembered a bit about this one. The American attitudes toward Afghanistan and foreign places in general do seem a bit dated, and I don't know how kids today would see some of these attitudes.

[Melanie]

Week 5 Reviews: Spot 38

Melanie: Stiches in Crime #8
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Ariel: Alternate - Published in 2002
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Celia: Alternate - Published in 2009
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shannon: Sub Mission #3
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Shan ~A~: Alternate - Published in 2006
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

[Melanie]

Here's our roll.

Week: 6
Previous Spot: 38
Roll: 4 + 3 = 7
New Spot: 45

You can read any of the following:
- 4th book in a series
- 5th book in a series
- 45th book in a series
- Alternate task 45. Cover Item: Mode of Transportation

[Celia]

Selection post: I'll probably do for this week - transportation on cover

[Shannon]

Week 6 Selection Post
Space: 45


The Big Fix by Mary Calmes
Pages: 296
Qualification: Torus Intercession #5

[*book:The Big Fix|63041650]

[Melanie]

Completion Post: Week 6 - Spot 45



Book: Dirty Secrets by Karen Rose
How it fits?: #4.5 in Romantic Suspense series
Date finished?: 3/5/2023
Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
Dirty Secrets was a quick read with a great romantic suspense plot. I really enjoy second chance romances which this story had elements of with Chris being in love with Emma back in high school. I really enjoyed them reconnecting and thought their romance was very well done. The suspense plot was great with a lot of twists and the author did a great job keeping you guessing on what would happen next. I thought the ending was well done with Emma being a complete badass and saving herself and Megan. Overall a solid story and I would definitely recommend it.

[Shan ~A~]

Week 6 ~ Seletion Post
Roll: 7
New Spot: 45
Task: 4th book in series
Book/Author: Jasper Vale
Pages: 346
How it fits: #4 in The Edens series

[Celia]

Completion Post

Spot: 45
Book: by Tonya Kappes
Date read: 3/7/23
Rating: 3.5 stars, 3 for Goodreads
How it fits: RV on cover

Review: It was a pretty mediocre cozy mystery. They threw the love triangle in right away and at least one of those men kind of sucks. I found it believable (in the ways cozy mysteries are) until the end with the culprit, that seemed really far-fetched and blown out of proportion. I get it, but at the same time I don't.

[Shannon]

Week 6 Completion Post
Space: 45


The Big Fix by Mary Calmes
Pages: 296
Qualification: Torus Intercession #5
Read: 3/8/23
Rating: ★★★

This book is the case of waiting for a particular couple to finally get their book and then.....well, not great. It wasn't bad but it sure left a lot to be desired in my opinion. The couple doesn't even have much page time together at all. It's more of an action novel that a romance which makes me kind of sad. Anyways, there it is!

[*book:The Big Fix|63041650]

[Melanie]

Just checking in since the roll is tomorrow, Ariel & Shan ~A~ how are your books coming?

[Ariel]

Week 6 Completion

Reverse Pass by Maggie Rawdon
Pages: 271 as per Amazon.
Qualification: Plays & Penalties #4
Read: 3/5/2023
Rating: 4 stars

This was my first book read within this series and my first Maggie Rawdon novel - I was definitely not disappointed. This was entertaining, spicy, and a great quick/easy read.

In the story, Ben needs a place to stay after being put on suspension from the football team. His older sister reaches out to her best friend, Violet, who is recently single from her ex-fiance. It becomes clear that Ben has had a crush on Violet for years so this was all just the icing on top of a perfect novel of tropes (sisters best friend, secret crush, football, etc.)

I enjoyed that this was a standalone in the midst of a series. It's #4 in the Plays & Penalties so it references other characters but as a first time reader, I was able to understand the storyline. If you enjoy romances, slight age gaps, sports romances, and best friends sibling romances, this is the story for you.

[Shan ~A~]

Week 6 ~ Completion Post
Roll: 7
New Spot: 45
Task: 4th book in series
Book/Author: Jasper Vale
Pages: 346
How it fits: #4 in The Edens series
Finished: 03/10
Rating: 4 stars
Review: The Edens never disappoint. I really liked this story. I was concerned at one point with how Eloise never seemed to speak up for herself with her family and how forgiving she was at times, but that all fit. I was also concerned about how little Jasper shared about himself with Eloise. I kept thinking, how are they ever going to actually fall for one another when this man gives nothing away. Once he did open up, it was worth the wait.

I think this one was the most emotional for me also. I found myself near tears a couple of times, which I wasn't expecting at all.