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R14: SS Team 7 - 7 Books for 7 Readers
Completion PostWeek 5 - Spot 29
The Diving Dames Affair
by Peter LeslieHow it fits: 9th in series
Pages: 159
Date Finished: 3/3/23
Rating: 3.5*
Review: This is such a guilty pleasure for me. I actually started collecting the books before I'd seen the show when I was younger because I was intrigued by the name... and Robert Vaughn. It's 1960s spies with all the 1960s cheese and plenty of action. This was a good story, though I do wish Illya and Solo had been together more. Brazil was quite a nice setting, and I actually liked the D.A.M.E.S. Could have been an interesting spin-off.
Shelly wrote: "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 h..."I really think it did, lol. The second one was much better.
Again, sorry for the delay guys.
Tory wrote: "Shelly wrote: "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 o..."No Worries at all. You did amazing.
Week 6 Previous Spot- 29
New Roll- 4, 6
New Spot- 39
Criteria- 3rd in series, 9th in series, 39th in series, or the alternate of- Set in a fictional location/universe
Happy Reading !
For the alternative can it be a fictional town in a real state or country?
ohh that's a good question. let me ask
Kayla wrote: "yes Shelly it does count!"Thanks Kayla!
SECTION POSTWEEK 6 SPOT 39
ALTERNATE: Set in a fictional location/universe
(I googled towns and cities in Ohio and Harvest did not show up.)
Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower
304 Pages
I’ll be reading Cress which is 3rd in series!!
Completion Post - Week 6 - Spot 39
Delicious by Shayla Black 3rd in the Wicked Lovers series
Finished: 3/9/23
Pages: 353
Rating: 4 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This was four stars for me. I liked the story and the characters. I liked the little twists and turns although I did figure out a few of the major ones before they happened. Shayla Black is one of my favorite Erotic Romance authors but this one had a little too much narrative at times for me. which was repetitive. I know there are those that don't like Luc but he is one of my favorite Shayla Black characters as is Alyssa. I thought there were a few little inconsistencies that should have been tied up much sooner than they were. Shayla Black always writes a wonderful plot, great dialogue and it is wrapped up in erotica. I am glad I read this third part of the series and I might have to go back and remind myself of book 2 before moving on. If you are an erotica fan and are following this Wicked Lovers series then this is book you shouldn't miss.
Completion PostWeek 6 - Spot 39
Cress (The Lunar Chronicles #3) by Marissa Meyers
Finished: 03/08/2023
Pages: 552
Rating: 5 stars
Review
This series just keeps getting better and better! Favorite one so far and I'm sure I'll say the same for the next book. They begin to learn they are not alone. There are people who will help them! Cress learns who her father is... their crew gets bigger! It's just so much fun and Kai and Cinder are reunited! Ahhhhh... Winter here I come!
I'll be finishing my book tomorrow. It's taking longer to get thru than I thought it would.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 6 - SPOT 39
I chose alternate
BOOK: Peanut Butter Panic by Amanda Flower
FINISHED: March 9, 2023
PAGES: 270
RATING: 🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷(5 Jethros)
FITS ALTERNATE: set in a fictional town.
REVIEW:
Peanut Butter Panic is the seventh book in Amanda Flower’s Amish Candy Shop Mystery series. I really love this series and loved Peanut Butter Panic.
Bailey King is the non-amish granddaughter of wonderful amish grandparents. At the beginning of the series Bailey leaves her job at a prestigious chocolatier shop in Manhattan to help her Grandmother, after her grandfather’s death, in the small amish candy shop her grandparents had owned and operated for 60 years. Bailey fell in love with Harvest, Ohio and stayed on becoming a partner in the candy shop with her grandmother.
It’s Thanksgiving and Margot Rawlings is planning yet another town square extravaganza. This time an area wide Thanksgiving feast for 500-700 towns people and amish folks alike. However, Margot is uncharacteristically frazzled because her overly critical mother is coming to town. She arrives with a much younger (young enough to be her grandson) boyfriend. At the feast Zara announces her engagement to Blaze. Then a few short minutes later Blaze keels over into his mashed potatoes and dies from a severe peanut allergy. Margot is a person of interest so Bailey gets to work trying to discover who put peanuts in Blaze’s last meal.
I am so excited that the eighth book will be released soon as this is a must read series for any cozy mystery reader!
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Completion PostWeek 6 - Spot 39
How Much for Just the Planet?
by John M. FordHow it fits: Star Trek Classic (#39)
Finished: March 8
Pages: 253
Rating: 2.5 *
Review:
I've been putting this one off forever but I figured, hey, drawing 39 is as good an excuse as any. I was sure I was going to hate it. Well, I didn't. Now don't get me wrong, I didn't love it either, I'm not even sure I liked it. It's such a strange book. There's a lot thrown in. It's like combining slapstick, sitcom, musical (?), and Star Trek (which doesn't even really feel like Star Trek). I was thrown by the tone in the beginning but got used to it. I even enjoyed it for a while. But then it got weirder and even more out of character.
I really don't know what to think of this one. It's definitely bizarre, which I kind of expected and what put me off reading it so long. But a lot of people seem to like it seen as how it has a 3.59 rating.
Week 6 Spot 39 
Feels Like Family by Sherryl Woods
Pages: 410
Date Finished: 3/10/23
How it fits: 3rd in series
rating-5 stars
Review:
I think this was my favorite one of the series so far. This book had everything. Courtroom drama, divorce, friendship to lovers, just friends to more, best friends doing their best friend things, and honestly a little bit of thrill. I can't say I was expecting that from this book at all. But I loved every word of this book I honestly found some great phrases and life lessons in this book as well.
Some of my favorite quotes:
"There's no one else on earth just like you. You need to remember that and use this time on your own to figure out exactly who you are and who you want to be. Your children will be that much happier if they have a mom who's confident and knows where she's headed and how she plans to get there."
"Don't let your life be ruled by doubts and uncertainty."
"Being Happy where you are is never a bad thing."
SOO Good!!!
Week 6 Spot 39 Kayla- Feels Like Family (3rd in series) Review
Tory- How Much for Just the Planet? (39th in series) Review
Shelly- Peanut Butter Panic (Alternate- Set in a fictional town of Harvest, Ohio) Review
Ivelisse- Cress (3rd book in series) Review
Lori- Delicious (3rd book in series ) Review
Week 7 Previous Spot- 39
Roll- 5 , 4
New Spot- 48
Criteria- 4th in a series, 8th in a series, 48th in a series, or alternate- Cover Item- lamp/candle
Happy Reading!
SELECTION POST WEEK 7SPOT 48 - Alternate
Cover Item- lamp/candle
Sew Deadly - Elizabeth Lynn Casey
280 pages
Sorry y'all totally forgot to check this because I have been in a reading slump all week. However, I picked up a book by Jasmine Guillory, an author I adore, and read the book in a day. Amazingly, I came and checked week 7 and it fits perfectly. I apologize for no selection post.Completion post - Week 7 - Spot 48
Royal Holiday by Jasmine Guillory 4th in The Wedding Date Series
Finished: 3/12/23
Pages: 304
Rating: 5 stars (and lots of happy tears)
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Thank you Jasmine Guillory. If you were here I would give you a huge hug. I have been in a reading slump and didn't know how to get out of. This is the first ever that has happened to me. I needed to read a book with a green cover and your book popped on my TBR list. Thank you so much for this wonderful 5 star read. The story and characters were absolutely wonderful. There wasn't anything about this book that I didn't love from the very first word to the very last. Jasmine, you took me back to England, the country of my birth. You made me see it through Vivian's eyes and even Malcolm's and now I want to go back and visit more than ever. I love that this was an older couple and I adored that we had Maddie and Theo throughout. If you are a Jasmine Guillory fan you have either read this book or have it on your TBR list. I would suggest you bring it to the top. It really doesn't have to be read at Christmas time. Never read a Jasmine Guillory book before? I never usually say to read a book in a series out of sequence but I think you could safely do that with Royal Holiday and I am sure it will make you want to go back and read books 1-3. I hope that Jasmine Guillory sees this review so she knows just how much I appreciate her wonderful writing and this absolutely delightful book which I devoured in a day.
Lori I read this earlier this year and also gave it 5 stars. I absolutely loved it. I'm so glad you felt the same way!
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 7 - SPOT 48
ALTERNATE: Lamp/Candle on cover
BOOK: Sew Deadly - Elizabeth Lynn Casey
FINISHED: 03/13/23
PAGES: 280
RATING: 💡💡💡💡💡
HOW IT FITS: Lamp on the cover
REVIEW: Sew Deadly is the first book in Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s Southern Sewing Circle series and the first time I’ve read any of Elizabeth Lynn Casey’s work. I really enjoyed this book! It’s the story of Victoria (Tori) Sinclair has recently moved from Chicago to small town Sweet Briar, SC to be the town’s librarian. She finds things very different in a small southern town as compared to her mid-western big city life. Having left a cheating fiancée behind for a new start Tori is looking forward to her new life. After a mixed reception by the town ladies there is a murder. The town darling is found dead behind the library. The police inspector is pinning the murder on Tori and she has to figure out what really happened to Tiffany. Along the way Tori finds out that some of the sewing circle ladies are firmly on her side while others are on the fence.
I really like the characters in this book, the friendships that are forming and the southernisms.
I will continue with this series.
Good morning! I plan on having my review in by noon today. How is everyone else doing on their books?
I finished mine yesterday! I will do my review this morning and post it!
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 7 - SPOT 48
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
by J.K. RowlingHow it fits: Candle on cover
Finished: March 16
Pages: 309
Rating: ****
Review:
I haven't read this in about 25 years (this is my "holy crap I'm old" moment). I've always wanted to go back and reread the series but I never did. I'd picked them up and read bits and pieces, but not the whole thing. Honestly, the movies kind of put me off re-reading. I loved the first two, but the following ones got more annoying to me (mostly characterizations).
Back to the book, I loved it just as much as I did when I first read it. I love the characters (if I can forget some of the later movie characterizations) and the atmosphere is magical. Truly one of the greats that sparks my imagination. I'm glad I decided to finally pick it up again and I'm excited to continue.
25 years, really???
Completion PostWeek 7 - Spot 48
Blue Moon, Anita Blake #8 by Laurell K. Hamilton
Finished: 03/16/2023
Pages: 418
Rating: 4 stars
Review
Anita has chosen Jean-Claude (I personally prefer Richard but friends have a hard time listening to advice *eye roll*)... but in this latest episode of Anita and her adventures... Richard has been put in jail for rape. Anita is determined to go down to help him even with him rejecting help from everyone.
In this book, it's more about Richard and Anita... another vampire, Colin, who does not want her in Tennessee. Richard needs to forget about Anita, gets him into trouble. There are bodies found mauled to look like trolls on this property. So now, she also tries to figure out what's going on all while trying to save Richard.
Week 7- Spot 48 
Welcome to Serenity by: Sherryl Woods
Pages: 390
Finished 3-17-23
How it fits: #4 in a series
Rating- 4 stars
Review- Alright so this is book 4 in the Sweet Magnolias series. Jeanette was stolen away from another spa back in Charleston in a former book but it was so fun to hear her story. Tom just took on a new job town manager. He is hot and on the market so every woman in town wants to sink their claws into him. He only has eyes for Jeanette, who for the longest time didn't give her two glances. They have been paired together on a Christmas Festival which by the way they both HATE Christmas. As their love story blossoms they have lots of little challenges and big ones to over come. I think the biggest one and my favorite one is the relationship that blossomed between Jeanette and her parents. She has spent little time with her family after a tragic event took place leaving them all bitterly heartbroken. All in all- I love a happy ending.
Week 7 Reviews Kayla: Review (4th in series) Welcome to Serenity
Ivelisse: Review (8th in series) Blue Moon
Tory: Review (Alternate- Candle on the cover ) Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Shelly: Review (Alternate: Candle/Lamp on the cover ) Sew Deadly
Lori: Review ( 4th in a series ) Royal Holiday
Week 8- Previous Spot: 48
Roll- 1 + 6 = 7
New Spot: 55
Criteria: 5th in a series and the Alternate: Cover Brown
Alright: The color brown is a bit tricky... here is a website that you can input your cover into to see if its at least 50% brown
http://labs.tineye.com/color/
If anyone needs help let me know. I'll try to check this as often as I can since I'll be traveling this weekend into the beginning of next week.
Boy oh boy, I don’t have a lot of books with brown covers! I have wanted to read this one that I’ve had since the fall so it will work! ( checked with tin-eye)
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
296 pages
Kayla wrote: "Lori I read this earlier this year and also gave it 5 stars. I absolutely loved it. I'm so glad you felt the same way!"Thanks Kayla. I am happy to hear that. It was the perfect book to read to get me out of that slump I was in.
Wk 8 Selection PostSpot 55
5th in Series
I am going to read this 5th in the series:
WEEK 8SPOT 55
ALTERNATE: BROWN COVER
BOOK: Legends & Lattes - Travis Baldree
FINISHED : 03/19/23
PAGES: 294
RATING: ☕️☕️☕️☕️
HOW IT FITS: it has a brown cover, more than 50% according to tineye
REVIEW: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree was not what I expected! It is the story of Viv, an Orc that hangs up her sword (literally) and opens a coffee shop in a village where no one has even heard of coffee. There are many fantasy creatures and Travis Baldree does a fantastic job of bringing them to life and giving each of them their own voice in the story. It is a heartwarming tale of friendship and perseverance.
It is listed as a cozy mystery, however, I wouldn’t classify it as one. There was no real mystery or murder to solve and in spots the language is more gritty than is my personal preference. I really did enjoy the story very much.
Completion PostWeek 8
Spot 55
Sentenced to Death/Lorna Barrett 5th in the Booktown Mystery Series
Finished: 3/19/23
Pages: 246
Rating: 4 stars
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
I am really getting to like the characters more and more as I read this series and this 4 star read was truly difficult to put down. I liked the plot of this one and I thought the author captured the little boy perfectly. Tricia and her sister are a riot and let's not forget the cat. It had been a while sent I read book 4 and took me a little while to remember who everybody was but once I did I felt like I was back in Stoneham again with all the friends there and maybe a couple of enemies. I have to read a series in order so I would suggest reading books 1-4 before reading this one but definitely add this series to your list and if you have read the other books prior to this one, I am sure you will enjoy visiting Stoneham again and helping Tricia to sleuth through a new little mystery.
Completion PostWeek 8 - Spot 55
Fifth a Fury by Pepper Winters
Finished: 03/22/2023
Pages: 399
Rating: 5 stars
Review
And it's done! Finished this series and enjoyed every book. Here they eliminate any who threats, do right by any wrongs and Eleanor is the reason Sully is now who he is. Sweet finale to the series. Sad to see it end but enjoyed it so much.
Completion post Week 8 Spot 55
Home in Carolina by Sherryl Woods
How it fits: #5 in Sweet Magnolia Series
Pages: 384
Read: 3/24/23
Rating- 4 stars
Review- I have been dying since book 2 to see what happens with Ty and Annie! Ty and Annie are the children of two of the Sweet Magnolias. They have been friends since they were babies but Annie has always had eyes for Ty. It wasn't until Annie was really sick that Ty saw her as more than a friend.
Fast forward years... Ty signed with the Braves and ended up cheating on Annie, making a beautiful son. The journey that Ty and Annie have to go through in this book is wonderful. The struggles that they both have and trying to figure out how to work thru them together. There were a couple of cliffhangers that I'm really curious about when it comes to the next books. Annie is getting her high school friends back and starting the next generation of the Sweet Magnolias.
Week 8- Spot 55 Kayla- Home in Carolina ( 5th in series ) Review - earned read 3+ books in the series
Ivelisse- Fifth a Fury (5th in series ) Review
Lori- Sentenced to Death (5th in series) Review
Shelly- Legends & Lattes (alternative- over 50% brown cover) Review
Tory- The Prometheus Design (5th in series) Review
Bonus Points earned- 3
2 in 1, over 500 pages, read more than 3 books in a series
Completion PostWeek 8 - Spot 55
The Prometheus Design
by Sondra MarshakHow it fits: Star Trek: The Original Series #5
Finished: March 24
Pages: 190
Rating: *
Review:
This book has an interesting, in theory, plot, but it gets lost along the way when the authors get all hot and bothered with uber-masculine Vulcans and writing a weird dom/sub dynamic between Spock and Kirk. Honestly, this is the second book I've read of theirs and both have been creepy and oddly written. Very hard to get into and understand. The characters aren't recognizable and while there are decent ideas, they end up going off the rails.
I'm trying to read all of the Original Series Star Trek novels but the early ones make it difficult.
I'll be home in less than an hour so I'll roll then.
Week 9-Previous Spot: 55
Roll:6 + 6 = 12
New Spot :67
Criteria- 6th in a series, 7th in a series, or alternative of- Cover Color Blue- http://labs.tineye.com/color/
Happy Reading!
Selection post - Week 9New Spot: 67
Is this blue enough for the alternate??? I don't have a 6th or 7th in a series.
Lori wrote: "Selection post - Week 9New Spot: 67
Is this blue enough for the alternate??? I don't have a 6th or 7th in a series."
I have this book pending to read too!
EDITSelection Post
WEEK 9 - SPOT #67
ALTERNATE: COVER COLOR BLUE
- Janet Evanovich324 PAGES
Lady of Bones - Carolyn Haines
352 PAGES
Ivelisse wrote: "Lori wrote: "Selection post - Week 9New Spot: 67
Is this blue enough for the alternate??? I don't have a 6th or 7th in a series."
I have this book pe..."
It starts off slowly but I am more than halfway through and don't want to put it down. I thought Flicker in the Dark started slowly too and ended up being a great book.
Lori wrote: "Ivelisse wrote: "Lori wrote: "Selection post - Week 9New Spot: 67
Is this blue enough for the alternate??? I don't have a 6th or 7th in a series."
I ..."
I really liked Flicker In The Dark.
COMPLETION POSTWEEK 9 - SPOT #67
ALTERNATE: Read a book with the cover color blue
BOOK: Lady of Bones - Carolyn Haines
FINISHED: 03/28/23
PAGES: 352
RATING: 🦴🦴🦴🦴🦴(5 bones)
HOW IT FITS: The Cover is mainly blue as per tineye
REVIEW: I love this series! Lady of Bones is the 24th book in Carolyn Haines’s Sarah Booth Delany Mystery series. This series has not lost it’s luster. The mysteries are fresh and fun and the cast of characters is very endearing.
It’s late October and Sarah Booth, Tinkie and the whole crew are planning on celebrating the birth of Tinkie’s daughter, Maylin. When a woman arrives to seek out Sarah Booth’s help Sarah Booth can’t turn her down. She is the woman that was Sarah Booth’s mama’s best friend, Frankie and Frankie is asking Sarah Booth to help her. Her daughter has gone missing in New Orleans along with her roommate Britta. Sarah Booth takes Coleman with her to help on the case and Tinkie is staying home to care for her newborn daughter. As Sarah Booth and Coleman begin to put the pieces of the disappearance together they realize that Christa and Britta are not just missing, they’ve been abducted by a cult. Time is running out because the have a feeling something tragic will happen to the women if the aren’t found before midnight on Halloween.
A great series that I will most definitely be continuing.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
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Lori- Husband Material (2nd in series) Review
Shelly- Murder in an Irish Village (Alternate Author O) Review
Ivelisse- Homicide and Halo-Halo (2nd in series) Review
Kayla- Insurgent (2nd in series + <500+pages Bonus Point) Review
Tory- The Diving Dames Affair (9th in series ) Review
Bonus Points Earned- 2
2 in 1
<500 pages