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R14: SS Team 9 - Say You'll Be Nine
Week 2 Completion
Spot: 17
Book: Secrets and Seashells at Rainbow Bay by Ali McNamara
Qualification: MC has at least one child
Pages: 384
Finished: 5/2
Rating: 2.5★
Review:
Light & fluffy, easy-reading. I wasn't convinced by the romance between Amelia & Tom, I didn't feel any chemistry there. What I did like was the castle, it is the best character & I wanted a lot more about it & its inhabitants, living & dead - although I thought the ghosts were a bit overdone. I wanted more about Chesterford being brought back to life, & the powerful influence this would have on the local community.
As for the mystery, well, inheritance would not have followed an illegitimate line, anyway. Amelia's soapboxing about titles, equality & feminism was just so much hot air - sexism in Edwardian times, who'da thunk it, eh?
Selection Post Spot #17
Book: Betting the Rainbow
Author: Jodi Thomas
Pages: 304
How it fits: #7 Harmony
Completion post:Week 2
Spot: 17
Book: Snobs by Julian Fellowes
Qualification: Stand Alone
Finished: 2/7/2023
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
This book was mentioned in Kitty Pong's reading list in China Rich Girlfriend. That is the only reason this book was on my TBR. I'm not really fond of these society books, although I love Kevin Kwans Crazy Rich Asians series but I'm also obsessed with lists. This book is set in 1990's and describes how hard it is to get "in" to Englands aristocratic society and stay there when you get in. I guess that is true in other countries too. Just check out Prince Daniel in Sweden. This book was not even very long, but there was a lot of idling and unnecessary chapters. I did like the characters and the ending was good.
Joyce and Loriidae, how are you doing on book? If we can finish them by tomorrow, we earn the free pass.
I am almost finished with my book I will try to finish it by tomorrow
Completion Post Spot #17
Book: Betting the Rainbow
Author: Jodi Thomas
Pages: 304
How it fits: #7 Harmony
Date Read: Feb 9 ★★★✰✰
Review:
I found Jodi Thomas' Harmony series. towards the end of last year. I guess the series would be best described as a small town saga, the romance is sweet, and couples that are introduced in the first book may not have their HEA until the third book or so. There is a main couple for each book, but there are so many other relationships happening in the background. While each book previously has had a mystery tied in this one was pure contemporary. By this the seventh book there are so many background stories happening that by the time each of the side plots gets time on page, the the two HEA couples appeared secondary to the overall book. Unfortunately I was disappointd in one of the main heroes, his relationships have been building for the last six books, and reached for me a disappointing conclusion. 3 stars
Completion PostSpot #17
Book: Slade House
Qualification: Stand Alone
Pages: 238 pages
How it fits: It is a standalone
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
People keep disappearing every 9 years. The mysterious Slade House only shows up every 9 years. The story revolves around a pair of twins who seem to be immortal and people that are drawn to the iron door of Slade House or are looking for the door to it. But then are never seen again.
This was a strange book but it moved along quite nicely. I had previously read Cloud Atlas and it dragged so I was not sure I wanted to read this. But I am glad I was wrong.
Thanks everyone, timekeeper Roger (much appreciated I might add) did we make it on time?P.S. Search is down so I can't add books to our Review post, but anyone can now roll after 12.01 CT Friday. Just Copy and Paste the timestamp on the dice roller when you update our spot below
Loriidae wrote: "Thanks everyone, timekeeper Roger (much appreciated I might add) did we make it on time?."I think we did because it's still Thursday in Central Time.
Catsalive wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "Thanks everyone, timekeeper Roger (much appreciated I might add) did we make it on time?."I think we did because it's still Thursday in Central Time."
Thanks, I was trying to figure that out and just got myself confused. :D
Current spot 17Dice roll 9 (5,4)
New spot 26
What fits: #2, #6, #26 or Alternate set in Africa
Selection post Week 3 Spot 26:Booklover by J.E. Birk
250 pages/Amazon
How it fits: #6 Vino & Veritas series https://www.goodreads.com/series/3081...
[*book:Booklover|56569069]
Selection PostWeek #3 Spot #26
Purrfectly Deadly by Nic Saint
Pages: 218
How it fits: #2 in The Mysteries of Max series
SS - Week Three - Spot #26 Alternate Task: Set in Africa
#26 = #2, or #6, or #26
Bonus Points Available: 1
Free Pass: Available
Reviews are due at the latest by end of day on Friday 17 - 11.59pm Central Time.
Catsalive:Sibanda and the Rainbird by C.M. Elliott Review (Alternate: set in Zimbabwe)
Heli: Secondhand Souls by Christopher Moore Review (#2 Grim Reaper)
Joyce: Purrfectly Deadly by Nic Saint Review (#2 Mysteries of Max)
lorii: Illicit Intent by Debbie Baldwin Review (#2 Bishop Security)
Roger: Booklover by J.E. Birk Review (#6 Vino & Veritas)
Bonus Points earned:
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Selection Post
Book: Gryphon Rider Academy: Year 2
Author: Elise Hennessy
Pages: 250
How it Fits: #2 Gryphon Rider Academy
Illicit Intent - Debbie Baldwin #2 Bishop Security
Don't forget to mention we earned the free pass, Loriidae.
Catsalive wrote: "Don't forget to mention we earned the free pass, Loriidae."yes I will
Selection post - Week 3Spot #26
Book: Secondhand Souls
Author: Christopher Moore
Pages: 335
How it fits: #2 Grim Reaper
Heli wrote: "Selection post - Week 3Spot #26
Book: Secondhand Souls
Author: Christopher Moore
Pages: 335
How it fits: #2 Grim Reaper"
I enjoyed this one more than the first one of the series. I really enjoy Christopher Moore's humor
Hmmm Joyce not sure that this is long enough to count as a review, although I couldn't see anything in the sign up rules to say otherwise.
Loriidae wrote: "Hmmm Joyce not sure that this is long enough to count as a review, although I couldn't see anything in the sign up rules to say otherwise."Did I read something about at least 3 sentences or am I imagining that? Maybe it was another group.
Mod
Though the post above is just Joyce commenting on Heli's selection, not her completion post! XD
Oh OK, obviously I was more tired than I thought....
Selection post Week 3 Spot 26:Booklover by J.E. Birk
250 pages/Amazon
How it fits: #6 Vino & Veritas series https://www.goodreads.com/series/3081...
Date read:2/10/2023
Ratings: 5 stars
Review: Briar has had a rough life and is trying to be good. He is now working at V & V. Bad influence from the past try to get him to help steal a rare book, from the bookstore. He starts a romance book club at the store and it brings in more business for the store. Jamie joins the book club, and befriends Briar. Briar gets shot trying to protect the store.
[*book:Booklover|56569069]
Completion Post
Book: Illicit Intent
Author: Debbie Baldwin
Pages: 366
How it Fits: #2 Bishop Security
Date Read: Feb 12 ★★✰✰✰
Review: was disappointed in the second installment of Bishop Security. It was way too convoluted, too many characters, too much jumping into the past to explain every motivation behind the character's present actions and way too many background explanations to explain every nickname, shortened military terms etc. The elaborate explanations and jumping between times and POV just over complicated everything and did very little to enhance the plot.
I found it hard to get to know Calliope and Tox, because too much time and attention was given to the past of the various criminals and other set-ups for what I assume will be in coming books. The romance was secondary to the mystery, which would be ok if the book wasn't billed as a romantic suspense. 2 stars
Completion post:Week 3
Spot: 26
Book: Secondhand Souls
Author: Christopher Moore
Pages: 335
Qualification: #2 Grim Reaper
Finished: 2/14/2023
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Charlie Asher is back, although not exactly as you remember him from A Dirty Job. He died in the first book, but his girlfriend Audrey, a buddhist monk, kept him alive in a body of animal parts and turkey ham topped with the head of a crocodile. Since many of the death merchants have not collected soul vessels for an entire year things are getting weird, again. And Charlie needs to be in the human form to be able to help his friends. I enjoyed meeting the old gang again, and some new characters too. Lily is still my favorite. She's hilarious as a suicide hotline employee. Good ending for a short two-book series.
Week 3 completion 
Spot: 26
Book: Sibanda and the Rainbird by C.M. Elliott
Qualification: set in Africa (Zimbabwe)
Pages: 256
Finished: 15/2 3★
Review:
This is a fairly gritty, police procedural set in Zimbabwe, & is not at all like the cosy No 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, although it does have comic moments. The death is a grisly scene & there is violence throughout. Not a problem for me as I didn't pick it up as a Mma Ramotswe replacement.
I loved the descriptions of scenery & animals, & Sibanda waxing lyrical about the birds. DI Jabulani Sibanda is a well-educated man & seems to love his part of Africa. He polices such a widespread area in extremely difficult circumstances - lack of proper equipment, difficult terrain, local belief systems & no support from his superiors. Sergeant Ncube is a loyal but timid sidekick & Constable Zanele Khumali has promise.
I found this very hard work, although I think the problem was me & not the story, my unfamiliarity with the names & pace of life that is normal here. I had to flick back & forth quite frequently which interrupted the flow. I'd be on the right track when another local word would arise & throw me out of the story. I was confused with the timelines & had trouble working out when things happened, but I think I got the hang of it all in the second half. Waves to Aslan.
Interesting, but I'm not sure whether I'll read the next one.
Catsalive wrote: "Week 3 completion Spot: 26
Book: Sibanda and the Rainbird by C.M. Elliott
Qualification: set in Africa (Zimbabwe)
Pag..."
I listen to a lot of audio, and I find that is particularly helpful in epic fantasy with all the weird elven names. Listening helps me differentiate between characters better than reading. I agree it is quite off putting. nice review
Week #3 Spot 26
Book: Purrfectly Deadly
Finished: 2/16/23
Pages: 197
Qualification: # 2 in the Mysteries of Max series
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Odelia Poole is able to understand feline so she is able to communicate with her cats Max, Dooley, Harriet and even Max's rival Brutus. Together they help Odelia solve mysteries. Odelia finds a musician she was to interview John Paul George dead in his pool. This was a cute story. I will be looking forward to reading more of this series. This was read on audio and the narrator did a really good job with it.
Thanks Everyone. All our reviews are posted. According to my calculations it is still Thursday, CST, I will be out this afternoon so if anyone is still awake when midnight arrives, feel free to roll the dice.Please remember to copy and paste the timestamp from the dice roll. Thanks lorii.
Current spot: #26Dice roll: 7 (6,1) Timestamp: 2023-02-17 13:59:14 UTC
New spot: #33
Needs to be: #3, #33, alternate cover water
Ok I have one potential book, in question since I am not sure if a frozen pond or lake would work. If Denise doesn't approve, I have a back up.
Selection post Week 4 spot 33:
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
419 pages
How it fits: Alternate cover water (Denise approved) see cover
[*book:The Rest of the Story|75364705]
Thanks Roger. I always have a lot of #3 books hanging, as I tend to read the first two in the series quickly and then stall and move on to something else, even though I enjoyed books 1 and 2.
SS - Week Four - Spot #33 Alternate Task: Water on Cover
#33 = #3
Bonus Points Available: 1
Reviews are due at the latest by end of day on Friday 24 - 11.59pm Central Time.
Catsalive: Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth Review (Alternate)
Heli: Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan Review (# Crazy Rich Asians)
Joyce: Sex, Lies and Vampires by Katie MacAlister Review (#3 Dark Ones)
lorii: Christmas Shake Up by Leigh Jenkins Review (#3 Sabina Island)
Roger: The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer (Alternate)
Bonus Points earned: Catsalive: More than 500 pages
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Ok, I just realised that #33 is a bit limiting. Is everyone ok with #3 or a body of water on cover? We could use our bonus point to move us to #34 and that would open up reading a #4 as well. Thoughts?
i am fine with #33 or #34. I have plenty to choose from. Just trying to see which is available at library
Week #4 Spot #33 or #34
Book: Sex, Lies and Vampires
Author: Katie MacAlister
Pages: 346
Qualification: # 3 in Dark Ones series
I was torn between two book as the other two are over 600 pages. I picked this one. I am trying to go for the no alternates bonus point.
I'm okay with #33. I have plenty of books to choose from.
Week 4 completion
Spot: 33
Book: Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth
Qualification: water on cover (approved by Denise)
Pages: 531
Bonus: >500 pages
Finished: 19/2 4★
Review:
This first book is an introduction to the people, creatures & quest of the continent of Eileanan. A fascinating & harsh beginning as the main characters - Meghan, Isabeau, Iseult, Bachaiche, Jorge, Tomas, Maya - become known to us. Not all of them are likeable: Isabeau's childish impulsivity is irritating but, oh, how she pays for it; I have never forgiven Bachaiche for his self-serving actions, no matter what he'd been through; and the evil witch determined to stamp out all other magic in the world - I may understand her actions but her wholesale slaughter is unforgiveable.
Many of the humans have a touch of the fairy in their blood, & many creatures a touch of the human, as different species have intermingled; talents are passed down through the blood of families that first settled Eileanan centuries ago, mainly in peace with the creatures & people who were already here, with some notable exceptions. There's even an intriguing hint of celestial origins for some of the inhabitants of this multi-sapient-species world.
An excellent piece of world-building in this author's debut novel. A little slow on occasion as we move back and forth between the different arenae, but otherwise I enjoyed it very much.
Reviewed 19/2/23.
Catsalive, Excellent review sounds interesting, added to my TBR.
Selection Post: Week 4Spot 33
Book: Rich People Problems
Author: Kevin Kwan
Pages: 404
Qualification: #3 Crazy Rich Asians
Completion post:Week 4
Spot: 33
Book: Rich People Problems
Author: Kevin Kwan
Pages: 404
Qualification: #3 Crazy Rich Asians
Finished: 2/21/2023
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Enjoyable as always. This series is a great way to escape the dreariness of the present day. These characters are so over-the-top, especially Eddie, and their wealth is so obnoxious that I can not be anything but thoroughly entertained. Nick's grandmother Su Yi is dying and relatives are gathering in Tyersall Park to show their respect. They are also wondering who will inherit the great estate after she's gone. Boy, are they in for a surprise! We meet all the familiar characters and get to live their extravagant lives with them for a while. Such a nice ending of the trilogy.
Selection post Week 4 spot 33:
The Rest of the Story by Tal Bauer
419 pages
Date read: 2/22/2023
Ratings: 5 stars + Awesomest book evah
How it fits: Alternate cover water (Denise approved) see cover
[*book:The Rest of the Story|75364705]
Review: This story is an emotional roller coaster. Tal Bauer paces and tells this story like a master. Morgan 'Moogs' Elder is the stable, steadying veteran player that rebuilding teams need. He is traded from a solid mid- level team to the Outlaws, permanent cellar dwellers of the NHL. The Outlaws need him more than anyone knows. Shea is one of the rookies with a level head and a hidden greatness. When the team captain get abusive Moogs is there challenging him and protecting the shell shocked abused team. New management as in 3 days new comes in to clean out the lazy management that allowed the sadistic captain become a petty dictator. The new management consisting of the VP of team development, the trainer/assistant coach, Moogs and Shea lead the rebuilding team in a Cinderella season that put them as fifth seed in the playoffs. They win the first game. Before the Second game, tragedy strike taking their two best players out, and traumatizing the remaining teammates. Moogs is there being the sturdy wall battered but still standing. Starting the healing process and plans for a great next season.
I am only sorry that there is no rating that defines this awesome book.
Catsalive wrote: "Week 4 completionSpot: 33
Book: Dragonclaw by Kate Forsyth
Qualification: water on cover (approved by Denise)
Pages: 531
Bonus: >500 ..."
Sound interesting.
Completion Postspot 33
Sex, Lies and Vampires by Katie MacAlister
Pages: 342
Finished: 2/22/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Nell Harris goes to Prague for a job but she finds out that they want her for some other reason. They found out she is a "Charmer" and want her to help save a young boy named Damien. She refuses because the last time she used her power terrible things happened. She meets Adrian, a "dark one" and gets swept away by him and trying to destroy a demon named Asmodeus.
I loved the character of Nell. She really was funny. Many references to Buffy the vampire slayer in this as well.
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A Taste of Love by Andrew Grey
Pages 268
Qualifications: #1 Of Love series children From blurb Billy is suffering in silence: his father died a few months earlier, leaving him struggling to raise his twin five-year-old brothers.
Date read: 2/4/2023
Ratings: 5 stars
Review: Billy is having a hard time his father died a few months earlier leaving the 21 year old to raise his 5 years old twin brothers. Billy has to find a job fast. He is hired at Darryl's restaurant. Billy is caught taking food left by customers home to feed his brothers. Darryl follows him home to have it out but finds two starving five year olds and his heart goes out and he starts helping the young family. Billy and Darryl fall in love.
[*book:A Taste of Love|9699089]