The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SS Archives♦
>
R14: SS Team 7 - 7 Books for 7 Readers
By completing the tasks over the course of the game. The Bonus points tasks I put in my Jan 27th week 1 post. I'll add it to the newest roll when I get to a computer.
Week 2 Completion Post
Spot Number 12
Spare by Prince Harry
Finished: 2/3/23
Rating: 5 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was a wonderful 5 star read. It was straight from the heart and honest. I read this book after a couple of other books about Harry and his extended family...brother, father, grandmother and their spouses. Everything that Harry says in this book matches with the other books I have read with the exception that Harry goes into more detail and tells how, what, why, when and where. I am so glad that I am no longer considered British despite being born and raised in England. I feel ashamed of the British press and their horrendous tactics. Anything for a story. I am also saddened that Harry's father, brother, grandmother and others allowed the press to get away with these stories and even fed them with leads. I am very glad to know that Harry, his wife and his children are in a places where they feel safe and protected. I know from the book that he misses his family and I hope that one day they will be able to reconcile and solve their differences. I highly recommend this book to those who want to know the honest story of Harry and not what is written by the paparazzi. As Harry says...untruths!
I also read How to Sell a Haunted House by Grady Hendrix if that can count for anything, I would be happy to post.
Mod
One book per player per week, more won't count. :)
Completion PostWeek: 2
Spot: 12
Book: Do Not Disturb by A.R. Torre
Qualification: Deanna Madden #2 series
Finished: 02.07.2023
Rating: ★★★★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Every action has a reaction... the last thing Deanna expects from blocking a recently released convict from her page is what she got. After beginning to open herself up, to the outside world, love, buying a new car... Deanna's world is flipped upside down. Can she recover?
How are everyone's books coming along? I've got about 3 chapters left on Stealing Home by Sherryl Woods.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 2
SPOT 12
BOOK: Courting Can Be Killer by Amanda Flower
FINISHED: 02/08/23
PAGES: 320
RATING: 🐐🐐🐐🐐🐐
JUSTIFICATION: Published December 1, 2020
REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Courting Can Be Killer by Amanda Flower is the second book in The Amish Matchmaker Mystery series. The main character is Millie Fisher, a 67 year old Amish widow that happens to be a matchmaker. Her best friend is Lois, decidedly not Amish! Lois is loud and brash in both personality and appearance, and is very likable. However, Lois is fiercely loyal to Millie and visa-versa. Millie also has two very mischievous goats, Phillip and Peter and a little orange cat named Peaches.
Ben Baughman is a 19 year old young man that Millie had befriended when she lived in Michigan taking care of her terminally ill sister. Ben has recently moved to Harvest, Ohio where Millie lives. He is a hard worker and has fallen for an 18 year old Amish woman, Tess Lieb. Ben mysteriously dies in a fire so Millie and Lois set out to discover what actually happened.
I love this series! Millie is a sweet warm woman and Lois is outrageously funny and unapologetic. They make a perfect pair. Phillip and Peter are lovable and mischievous. I will 100% be continuing this series!
Completion Post Week 2 Spot 12 
Stealing Home by Sherryl WoodsRating: 3.5 stars
Date Finished- 2.9.23
Qualification- #1 in Sweet Magnolias series
Review- This was such a cute, quick romance book. The main reason why I gave it 3.5 stars is because I had a really hard time with the double standard when it came to the main characters husband and then with her. I know that sometimes that happens in life but man did this part of the story line just drive me crazy. As for the rest of the book, it was cute and light hearted. I'm excited to read book two and learn about things that are happening with all the characters.
Completion PostWeek 2 Spot 12
Agent of Chaos
by Kami GarciaRating: 2.5?
Date finished: 2/9/23 (wow, I almost went back to 2020, lol)
Qualification: X-Files Origins #1
Review:
Not really sure what to think of this one. I didn't hate it. In fact, the first maybe quarter or so was pretty good. It's when they brought in the love interest that it started to go downhill and get wonky. I enjoyed Gimble as the sidekick and wish it would have stayed just him and Mulder. Phoebe, the smart-ass love interest, seemed shoehorned in. I also really liked Gimble's conspiracy nut dad. He was the MVP of the book.
The plot was meh. "There's no such thing as coincidence" was repeated an awful lot for a book rife with coincidences. And the end was so rushed, which is funny, because it also seemed dragged out.
I'm going to read the second one in the series, Scully's origin, but I know what to expect going in.
Week 2 Spot 12 ReviewsTory: Week 2 Review (1st in series) Agent of Chaos
Kayla: Week 2 Review (1st in series) Stealing Home
Shelly: Week 2 Review (Alternate: Published in 2020) Courting Can Be Killer
Ivelisse: Week 2 Review (2nd in series) Do Not Disturb
Lori: Week 2 Review (stand alone) Spare
Week 3: Current spot: 12
New Roll: 1 + 2 =3
New Spot: 15
Criteria: Stand Alone, 1st in series, 5th in series, 15th in series, or Alternate: MC travels by airplane
SELECTION POSTWEEK 3
SPOT 15
ALTERNATE: MC travels by Airplane
Murder at Macbeth - Susan Harper
152 pages
I didn't have time to do a Selection Post....lolCompletion Post Week 3
Spot 15
Book/Author: Serenading Stanley/John Inman
Read: 2/10/23 (finished around midnight)
Criteria: This was 1st in series
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I found this 4.5 star rounded up to 5 star read quite by accident when looking for a book set in California. It seemed like it would be quick and easy to read. What I wasn't prepared for was to fall in with the book and John Inman's writing. Each and every character in this funny, sad, funny story was described so beautifully and each written with a clear personality that I felt like I knew these people and I didn't want to put this book down. Just like the characters in this book it was incredibly sweet from the very first sentence to the very last. Yes, the main characters were wonderful but the supporting characters were easily as special. I have never been a fan of San Diego but if this building really existed, I would say put me on the next plane as it is somewhere I would definitely want to visit. I definitely recommend this to readers and lovers of M/M novels and I would say if like me, you have never read John Inman I doubt this book would disappoint you. I am now a fan and I can't wait to go to the Belladonna Arms again.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Completion PostWeek: 3
Spot: 15
Book: A Word so Fitly Spoken by T.A. Lawrence
Qualification: 1st in series
Finished: 02.14.2023
Rating: ★★★★
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a great enemies to lovers (no spice) with magic, fae vs humans and super grumpy MC. If you all have seen my reviews, you know I love this! It is a slow burn and as it builds the world you begin to create in your head and fall into the world of magic. There are plot twists, some that I didn't expect... that's where I started to really get into the book. It took me a little bit but not enough to stop... The anticipation of what was going to happen day to day kept me going.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK: 3
SPOT: 15
BOOK: Murder at Macbeth - Susan Harper
FINISHED: February 16, 2023
RATING: 🎭🎭🎭
JUSTIFICATION: (ALTERNATE:) MC flys in an airplane MC Kendell is a flight attendant and flies from NYC to London.
REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Murder at Macbeth by Susan Harper is about Kendell a flight attendant whose homeward bound flight is cancelled due to mechanical trouble. She meets a feisty elderly woman, Pauline and Pauline’s spoiled pooch Dot. Pauline is taking an around the world trip and invites Kendell along. Kendell has 5 weeks of banked vacation that she needs to use so she’s game and becomes Pauline’s traveling companion. While seeing William Shakespeare’s Macbeth at the globe theater the lead actor is murdered and the police have informed Pauline she is a person of interest and cannot leave the country until the case is resolved. Kendell decides to do some sleuthing to help Pauline so Pauline’s travel plans don’t get completely fouled up. With Paulines antics this was a fun cozy mystery.
Completion Post: Week 3- Spot 15
Party of Two by Jasmine Guillory
Rating- 3 stars
Finished- 2/16/23
Qualification- 5th in The Wedding Date series
Review- So I read the 4th book in this series so I could read this book for this weeks challenge. Im not going to lie. The 5th book was such a let down compared to the 4th. I cant really put my finger on why. This book was a sweet story between Max and Olivia. They learn to navigate their new relationship around his life as a senator and hers as a lawyer. She is starting up and new lawfirm and he is busy with his senator duties when these two fall in live unexpectedly. I am excited to finish out this series.
Completion Post:Week 3- Spot 15
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Qualification: Stand alone
Rating: ***
Finished 2/16/23
This is the newest Newberry Award winner. While I appreciated the overall idea of the story, it kind of dragged in places and didn't really seem to go anywhere. There were too many character jumps (each chapter was told in someone's voice), some of which were in weird places in the story. The characters were okay, but with so many they didn't really seem fleshed out. There was something great here, but it just didn't quite get there for me. But I would recommend it to younger readers. I probably would have loved it when I was younger.
Week 3 Spot 15Tory: Review (standalone) Freewater
Kayla: Review (Fifth in a series) Party of Two
Shelly: Review ( Main Character flies on a plane) Murder at Macbeth
Ivelisse: Review ( First in series ) A Word so Fitly Spoken
Lori: Review ( First in series) Serenading Stanley
Week 4Previous spot: 15
Roll: 2,6 = 8
New Spot: 23
This weeks task aka criteria: 2nd in a series, 3rd in a series, 23rd in a series, or the alternate: Number in the title
Happy Reading <3
SELECTION POSTWEEK 4
SPOT 23
ALTERNATE: Number in the Title
Three Tainted Teas by Lynn Cahoon
Also work for Bonus “2 in 1” book works for both regular spin and alternate
Week 4 Spot 23 Completion post
A Slice of Heaven by Sherryl Woods
Pages: 432
Rating: 4 stars
Finished: 2/22/23
How it Fit: 2nd in Sweet Magnolias series
Review: I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I also think it ended on a bit of a cliff hanger when it came to the characters that were going to be in this book. Dana Sue.. hot shot chef, business owner of both a restaurant and a spa/gym has to deal with a lot of things. Not only the two businesses but she is a single mom of Annie, who is having health problems after the divorce of her parents. This book is an amazing journey for Dana Sue and Annie her daughter and they battle health issues and the underlying issues of those health issues. I really enjoyed this journey of a book.
Shelly wrote: "Hi all! Here is everyone?"I'm here. Its been a crazy week. Quit my job, went on vacation, and now a 17 inch. snow storm. I'm here I promise. lol
Kayla wrote: "Shelly wrote: "Hi all! Here is everyone?"I'm here. Its been a crazy week. Quit my job, went on vacation, and now a 17 inch. snow storm. I'm here I promise. lol"
WOW Kayla! You’ve had a crazy week! Stay warm. Snow is something I only sometimes miss and mostly at Christmas time.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 4 - SPOT 23
BOOK: Three Tainted Teas by Lynn Cahoon
FINISHED: 02/23/23
PAGES: 272
RATING: 🫖🫖🫖🫖
HOW IT FITS: alternate: a book with a number in the title
(Also Bonus question: “2 in 1” it’s also the 3rd book in the series)
REVIEW: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This is a fun paranormal mystery. There are witches, werewolves and even a ghost. Mia steps in as the wedding coordinator for a witch/werewolf union. Someone doesn’t want this wedding to take place and when Mia goes to get any wedding details she can from the previous coordinator, who by the way was fired, she finds the woman dead in her hotel room. When acts of sabotage continue to plague the wedding Mia’s boyfriend Trent steps in to keep her and Christina safe.
We get to meet Trent’s mom and get to know her character better. Mia’s grandmother is involved in protecting Mia, too. The story ends with a cliff hanger which will probably be the premise of book 4. I really enjoyed this and will continue the series!
I'll finish my book tomorrow! I'm reading book 2 of the Cinder series.
Ivelisse wrote: "I'll finish my book tomorrow! I'm reading book 2 of the Cinder series."I read Cinder over a year ago. I really liked it. I need to make time for book 2. I can’t wait to see your review.
How is everyone else doing on their books? I can't wait to see what you think of them.
Completion PostWeek 4 Spot 23
Book: Ishmael by Barbara Hambly
Finished: 2/23/23
How it fits: 23 in series
Rating: ***
Review:
This one was interesting, to say the least. It was a crossover event between Star Trek and Here Come the Brides. I've only ever seen one episode of the latter but I don't think that mattered too much. The book was a fun little romp with Spock being sent back in time to 1800s Seattle and having amnesia. There were several cameos from other shows that I recognized and I probably missed others. The bit about Spock's ancestry was kind of clever but didn't completely work as it was the wrong side of the family. A solid story that doesn't seem like it should work, but does well enough.
Man, I'm glad we didn't get that snow. We got plenty of ice, but it will hopefully melt quickly.
Ivelisse wrote: "I'll finish my book tomorrow! I'm reading book 2 of the Cinder series."Omg I enjoyed this books sooo much! I can't wait to hear what you thought of it.
Kayla wrote: "Ivelisse wrote: "I'll finish my book tomorrow! I'm reading book 2 of the Cinder series."Omg I enjoyed this books sooo much! I can't wait to hear what you thought of it."
Enjoying it so much. I'm almost done. When do you have to report it?
As soon as you can but for sure by midnight tonight!
Week 4 Reviews Kayla: A Slice of Heaven (2nd in series ) Review
Shelly: Three Tainted Teas (Alternate and 3rd in series - 2 in 1Bonus ) Review
Tory: Ishmael (23rd in series ) Review
Ivelisse: Scarlet (2nd in series) Review
Lori: Their Amish Second Chance (Alternate) Review
Book: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Finished: 02/24/2023
How it fits: 2 in series
Rating; *****
Review
This is such a fun series! Scarlet (for her red hair) is introduced in this series as a farmer who delivers vegetables living with her grandmother. Scarlet's grandmother has been missing for 2 weeks only to find out she was kidnapped for her knowledge in very important information. Here she meets Wolf... you know, like Little Red Riding Hood. In the meantime, Cinder has escaped prison with Thorne who is a lovable goofy guy. I really hope to see more of him. Prince Kai is irritating me... like quit being so politically correct... ugh. I can't wait to start book 3!
Authors: Pamela Desmond Wright and Cathy Liggett
Finished: 2/23/23
How it fits: Alternate number in the title.....Second
Rating: 5 *****
Review:
My review of this by the name The Cowboy's Amish Haven. This was the first part of the 2 book pairing in Their Amish Second Chance. I reread this and then read the second novel. This is my prior review...I feel the same.
This was my first Pamela Desmond Wright book and I should very much like to thank her for my ARC copy which I devoured in one sitting. Rarely do I pick up a book and miss some of my favorite television shows, ignore the phone and tell husband ssshh sssshh I am reading. This was most definitely one of those books. I was hooked by the end of the first page. Pamela's writing is beautiful and she describes the Amish Community of Burr Oak Texas accurately. Amish communities differ from community to community depending on their Bishop and I believe this was pointed out in the book and has been told to me on several trips to Amish Pennsylvania and Ohio. I loved all the members of the Schroeder family and Levi and Seth. What a delight the Bishop was and not only a good man of religion but a good friend. Seth stole my heart. He had me in happy tears and heartbreaking tears and was a delightful little boy. This book is for lovers of Amish fiction who enjoy a love story and one that is a little different from others. I loved my time in Burr Oak and Pamela, I hope y'all will take us there again. Thank you so much for my copy of the book. I will treasure it to read again in the future.
This is my review of the second book, Her Secret Amish Match which I read for the first time.
This book was part of a 2 novel Love Inspired pairing. The first book by Pamela Desmond Wright I had read as an ARC but Pamela provided me with an ARC of this pairing. I reread Pamela's story...The Cowboy's Amish Haven and I will attach the review from my first reading at the end of this review. I had never read anything by Cathy Liggett before so I was very anxious to read this book. It was a 5 star read for me and I wasn't disappointed. The story was absolutely charming and the characters were so lovely. I felt that I was in Ohio visiting Sugarcreek and the close by Amish communities. I did chuckle several times and then found myself crying happy tears at the end. It was such a beautiful ending. I thank Pamela and Cathy for providing me this ARC and Cathy, I shall definitely be reading more of your books. I recommend this 2 novel pairing to those who love Amish fiction and also to those wishing to try the genre. Both books really do a good job of introducing to the Amish lifestyle and culture.
Link to review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Week 5 Previous Spot- 23
Roll- 4, 2
New Spot- 29
Criteria- 2nd in a series, 9th in a series, 29th in a series, or alternate of Author O
Can't wait to see what everyone is reading this week!
I’m sticking to Alternate because I’m going for that bonus point!WEEK 5 SPOT 29: SELECTION POST
Murder in an Irish Village - Carlene O'Connor
Completion post week 5 - spot 29
Author: Alexis Hall
Finished: 2/26/23
How it fits: 2nd in the London Calling series
Rating 4.5 rounded up to 5 *****
Review:
This like the first book of the London Calling series was 4.5 stars for me. I read this for a flash challenge and to discuss with a buddy who happened to be reading it. We both agreed that the two main characters are wonderful. However, this was not my buddy's favorite genre but it is definitely one of mine. I truly enjoyed everything about this book from the first sentence with the exception of the ending. While it was a good and fitting ending to the book it was a little disappointing to me. The chemistry between the two main characters is totally amazing and the way Alexis Hall portrays and writes them, I truly can imagine them in all the scenarios he has set for them. The writing not only brings them to reality but every other character in the book is right along there with them. This missed out on a half star rating but I did round up to 5 solely on the ending. Thinking about the two characters it was probably very fitting. I truly wasn't disappointed in this as a second in a series and loved it every bit as much as Boyfriend Material. I truly hope that if there are more London Calling books featuring some of the other characters as the headliners that these two young men will feature in much of the books. If you haven't read this series and enjoy M/M rom-coms then you might want to give this and the first book a try. I doubt you will be disappointed and I anxiously await my next installment.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 5 SPOT 29
BOOK: Murder in an Irish Village by Carlene O'Connor
FINISHED: 03/01/23
PAGES: 334
RATING: ☘️☘️☘️☘️
JUSTIFICATION: alt. Author begins with O = Carlene O’CONNOR
REVIEW: Murder in an Irish Village is the first book in Carlene O'Connor’s Irish Village Mystery series. I enjoyed this book on audiobook and am happy I did. There are a lot of Irish names and slang that generally pull me out of a story in an attempt to pronounce the words correctly. The narrator was Irish or was able to do a wonderful Irish accent. This story is about Siobhan O’Sullivan and her five siblings. Their parents were killed in a drunk driving incident a year prior to the story. The villager responsible is in jail, however his brother has returned to town and is trying to extort money from Siobhan. Then he’s found dead in her family’s bistro. The local police arrest her older brother for the murder. Siobhan gets involved and digs up plenty of additional suspects.
The O’Sullivan six is the pet name the villagers use for the orphaned family. Siobhan is the legal guardian and they all work in the bistro. The youngest four range in age from 16 down to 10 and she has her hands full. The children give the story some levity.
Aside from too many “he said” and “she said” after almost every sentence. I really enjoyed this book. I plan to continue this series.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Well I did a dumb thing today. I dumped my book into a mud puddle. I was maybe 3/4 of the way through it, but I'm clearly not going to finish it within the next couple of days. Not a huge disappointment, it was pretty bad.Thankfully I have a short book I can use, though it might not get done until Friday. I'll get it done ASAP.
Tory wrote: "Well I did a dumb thing today. I dumped my book into a mud puddle. I was maybe 3/4 of the way through it, but I'm clearly not going to finish it within the next couple of days. Not a huge disappoin..."I’m sorry you weren’t enjoying your book. I guess it got what it deserved 😂
oh no! No worries Tory! I hope this next one is much better
Completion PostWeek 5 Spot 29
Homicide and Halo-Halo by Mia P. Manansala
Finished: 03.01.2023
Pages: 279
How it fits: #2 in series
Rating: ***
Review:
Lila's cousin Bernadette is the main suspect of a pageant judge's murder. Lila, the tias and cousins are on the case. In the meantime, nothing progresses with the dentist. It's a slight mystery but that's really it. There were some mental issues also integrated with the story. I still felt flat like book 1 but will continue with book 3 because I am no quitter!
I'm also going to need tomorrow to finish my book.
Completion Post Week 5- Spot 29
Insurgent by Veronica Roth
How it fits: 2nd in Divergent series
Pages- 525
Date Finished: 3/3/23
Rating- 4 stars
Review- I took me a lot longer to get into this book than it did the first one. Partly because I just needed to remember what happened at the end of the first books. Once I got into it I couldn't put it down. I love the relationship forming between Tobias and Tris when they are just them and when they are fighting battles. Battles that I didn't think included so much figuring out who they can trust and who they can't, including each other at times. I can't wait to read the last book to see what happens with the information that was sprung on the last few sentences of the book. Leaving it a massive CLIFFHANGER!!!!!
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (other topics)The Amish Seamstress (other topics)
Hold on for Beer Life (other topics)
Hold on for Beer Life (other topics)
Beer and Loathing (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Douglas Adams (other topics)Ellie Alexander (other topics)
Ellie Alexander (other topics)
Jenn McKinlay (other topics)
Paulo Coelho (other topics)
More...
Week #2:
Courting Can Be Killer - Amanda Flower
Published in 2020