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R14: SS Team 7 - 7 Books for 7 Readers

Week 9 - Spot 67
ALTERNATE: Read a book with the cover color blue

All the Dangerous Things by Stacy Willingham
Finished: 3/27/23
Pages: 326
Rating: 5 stars
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
OMG! Wow! They were the first two things that came to mind when I finished this 5 star book. As with Stacy Willingham's first book I read the first few chapters were slow for me. However, I remembered how great the first book ended up so I had no doubt this book would go the same way. I certainly wasn't wrong. What an amazing storyteller this author is. How she comes up with so many twists and turns is remarkable. The narrative is beautifully written and I can hear the conversations rather than read them, they are so real. This truly had me digging my nails into my palm and sitting on the edge of my seat refusing to put it down until I had finished. I guessed little bits but never could I have come close to guessing everything. This is a true psychological suspense thriller from start to finish. If you have not read her previous book you can pick this one up and go straight into it as it is a complete standalone. If you are a Stacy fan I am sure you have already read Flicker in the Dark, her first book and after reading this one you will be waiting excitedly for her next offering. Amazing book and I am gasping for more Stacy Willingham.

Week 9 - Spot 67
Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan

How it fits: Star Trek: The Original Series (#7)
Finished: March 31
Pages: 223
Rating: ***
Quite good as far as movie novelizations go. I'm no going to lie, Wrath of Khan is not my favourite Star Trek movie, not even the top three. So as far as story, it's okay. I liked getting more of a back story for Saavik. We got more of the scientists as well. And, like many movie novels, it's nice getting into the heads of characters more than a movie allows.


Sweet Tea at Sunrise by Sherryl Woods
How it Fits- Book #6
Finished 3/31/23
Pages: 389
Rating- 4 stars
Review- Okay so I have been dying to see what happens with Sarah since the end of the last book and I can honestly say I wasn't disappointed. I absolutely love the woman that she grew into in this book. She went from being this beat down woman to a confident woman who can stand up for herself and the ones she loves most. Now the awesome amazing flirty banter between her and former baseball star Travis is breath taking. I love where there friendship takes them. Even Sarah's ex husband came around for the most part in this book. He is trying to be a better father for his two kids.

Ivelisse - The Friend Zone (Alternate Blue cover) Review
Lori- All the Dangerous Things (Alternate Blue cover) Review
Tory- Star Trek II: The Wrath Of Khan ( 7th in series ) Review
Shelly- Lady of Bones (Alternate- Blue Cover) Review
Kayla- Sweet Tea at Sunrise (6th in a series ) Review

Previous Spot- 67
Roll- 4 + 4 = 8
New Spot- 75
Criteria- 7th in series, 5th in series, 75th in series, or the alternate of- Title G

SPOT #75
ALTERNATE: Book Title Begins With “G”.
Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight - Janet Evanovich
286 PAGES

WEEK 10 - SPOT #75
ALTERNATE: The book title begins with the letter “G”.

BOOK: Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight by Janet Evanovich
FINISHED READING: 04/04/23
PAGES: 286
RATING: ♟️♟️♟️♟️1/2
HOW IT FITS: “G”ame On
REVIEW: Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight by Janet Evanovich is book 28 in the Stephanie Plum series. This is such a fun series and book 28 was certainly no exception. If you’re a Stephanie Plum fan, this book has the return of Diesel, an international man of mystery. Diesel’s newest assignment is to catch Oswald Wednesday, a renowned dark hacker before he can wreak havoc on the world. It just so happens Stephanie is trying to capture Oswald for skipping out on his bail. There is a lot going on and it’s a really fun ride. Joe Morelli, Grandma Mazur, Stephanie’s parents and Ranger (yum) all make an appearance! A really fun book!


Book: Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Pages: 337
Rating 4 stars
How it fits: Title stars with "G"
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
This 4 star read took me a while to get into. I recognized the Cinderella retelling but all the geek talk was a little tough to wrap my head around. The characters were beautifully developed and well written. Chloe made the ugly stepsisters of Cinderella look like angels and I wouldn't want to be not loved by mommy dearest. I really like all the main characters....Elle, Sage, Darien and Gail. I think we were meant to not like Mark and I truly didn't. I liked the story and like Cinderella liked the plot. Some of the narrative was a little too long and a little too geeky for me. Overall once I got into this book I did enjoy it but if you are wanting a retelling but are not into sci fi or fantasy I think I would give this one a miss.

Week 10 - Spot 75

The Glass Queen by Gena Showalter
Finished: 04/07/2023
Pages: 552
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Title stars with "G"
Review
An amazing book 2! Fast paced, action, magic... and my favorite trope... enemies to lovers. Want an amazing Cinderella story to make you question those fairy tales we grew up with, this is one of those that will do that to you! The series can seriously continue and be wonderful!


Book: Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Pages: 337
Rating 4 stars
How it fits: Title stars with "G"
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/r..."
Hey Lori! Is it possible to copy and paste your review into your message? I'm trying to cover all the bases. lol Thanks so much!


Honeysuckle Summer by Sherryl Woods
How it fits: Book 7 of Sweet Magnolias
Date Read- 4/7/23
Rating 4.5 stars
Pages: 389
Review:
I loved this book. So much happened in book 6 of this series that made me so curious about Raylene and how things were going to turn out for her. I'm so glad book 7 touched on this deeply. Raylene arrived back in Serenity after being badly beaten by her husband. She ended up being completely house ridden from fear of the outside world. I'm so glad when Carter and his two sisters came into the picture. The growth that happened between the 4 of them was remarkable. But... the only down side for me to this book was the sudden advancement of Carter's sister Carrie. There really wasn't a whole lot of story line of how she got over her eating disorder or... anything like that. Just magically she was eating cookies. I would have loved to hear more deeply about how she over came it and the support she got from the other three in her life.

Kayla- Honeysuckle Summer (7th in series) Review
Ivelisse- The Glass Queen ( Alternate- Title G ) Review
Lori- Geekerella (Alternate- Title G) Review
Shelly- Game On: Tempting Twenty-Eight (Alternate- Title G) Review
Tory- Star Trek V: The Final Frontier (5th in a series) Review


I need to be able to pick sometime tomorrow if I can assure myself to get it read in the week.

Completion Post
Week 10 - Spot 75
Star Trek V: The Final Frontier

How it fits: Star Trek TOS: Movie Novelizations #5
Date Read- 4/7/23
Rating 4 stars
Pages: 311
Review:
I have to admit, I am in the small minority that actually likes this movie, so I enjoyed getting a little more depth in the novel. I really wish they would have added the deleted rock monster scene though. Fun book from a guilty pleasure movie.

Okay I'm gonna try to do this the best I can. I'm currently traveling so everything is from my phone. lol

Week 11
Previous Spot- 75
Roll- 4+ 1= 5
New Spot 80
Criteria- 8th in a series, stand alone book, or the alternate of published in 2021


Book: Geekerella by Ashley Poston
Pages: 337
Rating 4 stars
How it fits: Title stars with "G"
Review: https://www.go..."
Done.

WEEK 11 - SPOT #80
ALTERNATE: Published in 2021

In the Company of Witches - Auralee Wallace
Published October 19, 2021
336 PAGES

WEEK 11 - SPOT #80
ALTERNATE: Published in 2021

BOOK: In the Company of Witches - Auralee Wallace
FINISHED: 04/11/23
PAGES: 336
RATING: 🧙🏻♀️🧙🏻♀️🧙🏻♀️🧙🏻♀️
HOW IT FITS: alternate - published in 2021: Published October 19, 2021
REVIEW: I really enjoyed this book! Brynn Warren live in her family’s B&B with her 2 aunts and an uncle. They are a magical family. However, Brynn’s magic has not been working since the death of her husband over a year ago. When a cantankerous guest of the B&B is murdered and Brynn’s Aunt Nora is the prime suspect Brynn needs to figure everything out ASAP either with or without magic.
The characters are wonderful and quirky. The mystery is well told with past deeds unfolding slowly through the plot. The ending was beautiful and I will definitely be reading the second book.

Week 11 - Spot # 80

Book/Author: Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
Finished: 4/13/23
Rating: 4.5 stars rounded down to 4
How it fits: 8th in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series
Review:
Another cute book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series and 4.5 stars. I loved the story and I laughed out loud so many times. It was well plotted and thought out as all Jenn McKinlay's books are. The reason for the 4.5 stars is that it ended abruptly for me. Of course I am now more than anxious to read book 9 but I would have liked to have ended the book with all the loose ends tied up. The main characters were wonderful as always and I liked the addition of the new characters we were introduced to in Vegas. A really cute cozy mystery and one that followers of this series will enjoy. I would suggest if you are a new reader that you start with book one and by the time you get to this book you will for sure want to read it and the characters will be familiar friends to you.

Week 1 - Spot 80

Book/Author: Vanilla Beaned by Jenn McKinlay
Finished: 4/13/23
Pages: 304
Rating: 4.5 stars rounded down to 4
How it fits: This is the 8th book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery Series
Review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Another cute book in the Cupcake Bakery Mystery series and 4.5 stars. I loved the story and I laughed out loud so many times. It was well plotted and thought out as all Jenn McKinlay's books are. The reason for the 4.5 stars is that it ended abruptly for me. Of course I am now more than anxious to read book 9 but I would have liked to have ended the book with all the loose ends tied up. The main characters were wonderful as always and I liked the addition of the new characters we were introduced to in Vegas. A really cute cozy mystery and one that followers of this series will enjoy. I would suggest if you are a new reader that you start with book one and by the time you get to this book you will for sure want to read it and the characters will be familiar friends to you.

WEEK 11 - SPOT #80
Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End...

How it fits: Stand alone
Date Read- 4/13/23
Rating 4 stars
Pages: 326
Review:
My astronomy professor had us watch a Ted Talk that Phil Plait did and I enjoyed it so much I had to look him up. Lo and behold he wrote some books. And who can resist a book about the myriad ways the universe can inadvertently destroy us? I really enjoyed this one. It can get a bit technical and some of it is hard to wrap my head around, but it was fun imagining all the possible scenarios and learning more about the universe.

I'm here! Let me do it

Week 11 - Spot 80

The Last Tale of the Flower Bride by Roshani Chokshi
Finished: 04/13/2023
Pages: 446
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: Standalone
Review
This one was fun! Fantasy, mystery, a little suspense...
A bridegroom who is about fairy tales marries a mysterious woman named Indigo on the pretense she never asks him a thing about her past. He listens well until Indigo is called to visit her aunt at her childhood home dubbed, The House of Dreams. Crazy things start to happen. All is explained as the story goes back and forth between the past, Indigo and Azure's time as children at the House of Dreams, and the bridegroom's encounters with all the crazy things that happen. I was so intrigued with the story... truly fascinating. I began to detest Indigo with all that happened with Azure and how she was treated. The ending had me a little surprised. Great read!

WEEK 11 - SPOT #80
How it fits: Stand alone
Date Read- 4/13/23
Rating 4 stars
Pages: 326
Review:
My astronomy professor had us watch a Ted Talk that Phil Plait did and I enjoyed it..."
I can't see what book you read. Is it possible to edit it?


Hard Eight by Janet Evanovich
Date Finished- 4/14/23
Rating- 3.5 stars
How it fits: 8th book in a series
Review: Personally, I believe you can never go wrong with a Stephanie Plum book. All of these books are hilarious. This one is a little bit different for Stephanie as normally she goes from criminals but this time she is trying to find a child and her friend. Her relationship with Morelli is still always up and down as always but I still like the friendship/relationship they have. The fun twist today she was being stocked by a Rabbit. lol Creepy!

Kayla- Hard Eight (8th in series) Review
Ivelisse- The Last Tale of the Flower Bride (stand alone) Review
Tory- Death from the Skies!: These Are the Ways the World Will End... (stand alone) Review
Lori- Vanilla Beaned (8th book in the series ) Review
Shelly- In the Company of Witches ( published in 2021) Review

Previous Spot- 80
Roll- 4 + 3 = 7
New Spot- 87
Criteria- 8th in a series, 7th in a series, or the alternate Originally published in a language other than English

WEEK 11 - SPOT #80
How it fits: Stand alone
Date Read- 4/13/23
Rating 4 stars
Pages: 326
Review:
My astronomy professor had us watch a Ted Talk that Phil Plait did and..."
Sorry was driving. Everything ok?

WEEK 12 - SPOT 87
ALTERNATE: Originally published in a language other than English

The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho
Originally published in Portuguese.


Week 12 - Spot 87
Alternate: Originally published in a language other than English

Originally published in Japanese

The game is technically finished but if we'd like to continue til we cross the finish line that's completely up to us. ❤️

The game is technically finished but if we'd like to..."
Thank you Kayla for being our fearless leader!
I’ll do whatever the rest of the team wants as far as finishing the game. It would be fun.

It’s up to you. I’m ok either way.
I’m ok not finishing.

WEEK 12 - SPOT 87
ALTERNATE: Originally published in a language other than English

Originally published in Portuguese.
I switched to:

BOOK: Kiki's Delivery Service - Eiko Kadono
DATE FINISHED: 04/20/23
PAGES: 193
RATING: 🧹🧹🧹
HOW IT FITS: Originally published in Japanese
REVIEW: This was a fun children's/middle grade book about a young witch coming of age and finding her own path. It was really sweet and I enjoyed it.
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 9 - Spot 67
The Friend Zone by Abby Jimenez
Finished: 03/28/2023
Pages: 372
Rating: 5 stars
Review
This hits sooo close to home... I loved this all so much. An amazing story where all emotions are coming across the pages in so many ways. Kristen is going through medical issues where she is hiding until after her best friends wedding. Josh is the best man and the groom's best friend. After a minor fender bender and a spill of coffee, they meet and hit it off quickly. Josh loves Kristen's bluntness... Kristen loves how much Josh knows her... he learns everything about her and understands her when at times, she doesn't understand herself. This is kind of two stories in one and so well written. I felt this story so close to me and to my heart as one who can relate to Kristen. At times, we need stories like this so it feels like you're not alone.