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Completion post: Week 10Spot #86
Book: Definitely Dead
Author: Charlaine Harris
Date read 4/5/23
Pages: 324
Rating: 3 stars
Qualification: #6 Sookie Stackhouse
Review:
Sookie's adventures continue. She goes on a date with Quinn the weretiger. There's some chemistry there for sure. She goes to New Orleans to pack up her cousin Hadley's belongings that she inherited. Werewolves are attacking and making her life unpredictable and dangerous. Sookie also meets the vampire queen of New Orleans and her new husband. These books are crammed with characters. All the old ones are in and new ones come along for the ride. Sookie makes some shocking discoveries about her blood and Bill. This book has so much violence it almost made me cringe, and I can take a lot. This is not the best book in the series but entertaining nevertheless.
I will be doing the Alternate reading Jonah and the Narwhal. I hope to have it finished tonight but I have 2 medical appointments today so It will definitely be finish before the deadline.
Completion Post Spot #86
Book: Daring Desire: Cowboy Justice Association
Author: Olivia Jaymes
Pages: 241 (Amazon Page Count)
How it Fits: #6 Serials and Stalkers
Date Read: Apr 6 ★★★★✰
Review:
Daring Desire begins with a high school reuion 15 years after graduation. Jack, a successful investigator and Paige a writer of horror novels are drawn together when a body is found on her property. I liked Jack and Paige, and in particular, Jack's matchmaking grandparents, they were really sweet. I also liked that Jack and Paige had barely interacted during high school, many authors would have gone with the traditional high school sweethearts second chance novel. The book was a nice mixture of suspense and romance, which is OJ's speciality. An added bonus was that the identify of the villain kept me guessing right up until the reveal. Overall, I really enjoyed this novel even though it didn't involve serial killings, or stalkers the name of the series. A minor nit-picking point. 4 stars
SS - Week 10 - Spot #86 Alternate Task: Title begins with J
#86 = #86, or #8, or #6
Bonus Points Available: 0
Reviews are due at the latest by end of day on Friday 7 - 11.59pm Central Time.
Catsalive: Just an Ordinary Family by Fiona Lowe Review (Alternate)
Heli: Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris Review (#6 Sookie Stackhouse)
Joyce: Quicksand by Iris Johansen Review (#8 Eve Duncan)
lorii: Daring Desire: Cowboy Justice Association by Olivia Jaymes Review (#6 Serials and Stalkers)
Roger: Jonah and the Narwhal by Vinni George Review (Alternate)
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Completion Post Week 10Spot #86
Book: Quicksand by Iris Johansen
Pages: 361
Finished 4/6/23
Qualification: #8 Eve Duncan series
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Henry Kistle starts taunting Eve about where her missing daughter's body is. Kistle is a serious psychopath who has killed many children over the years but has never been caught. Montalvo from the last book and Quinn are locked in a fight to win Eve's affections. Megan Blair a strong physic is introduced in this series without her they would never have found the bodies of so many children. I really enjoyed this one more than the last couple of books. I love the twist at the end.
Loriidae wrote: "SS - Week 10 - Spot #86 Alternate Task: Title begins with J
#86 = #86, or #8, or #6
Bonus Points Available: 0
Reviews are due at the latest by end of day on Friday 14 - 11.59pm Central Time.
C..."
Friday the 7th?
My review is at the top of this page.
Completion post Week 10 Spot 86Jonah and the Narwhal by Vinni George
228 pages
How it fits: title begins with J
Date read: 4/6
Ratings: 4 stars
Review: Jonah, starting a graphic design business, need a side job to make ends meet, so he starts a limited cleaning service. As the Story start he is living as roommates with Merritt a lone wolf shifter who considers Jonah as his pack. One day When Cleaning for Edwin, A doctor and an Alpha Narwhal shifter, Jonah goes into heat. Edwin help Jonah through the heat. They both realize they felt the connection from their first meeting. After the three day heat, they go to Jonah's home and find Merritt in a catatonic state, unable to shift back into human form. Jonah, Edwin, Merritt, and Everett, Edwin's friend and another doctor and genetisist form Merritt's found pack. Jonah is pregnant and gives birth to the cutest girl.
[*book:Jonah and the Narwhal|62892409]
Catsalive wrote: "Loriidae wrote: "SS - Week 10 - Spot #86 Alternate Task: Title begins with J
#86 = #86, or #8, or #6
Bonus Points Available: 0
Reviews are due at the latest by end of day on Friday 14 - 11.59pm C..."
Sorry all good got ahead of myself...
Dice roll Week 11Current spot: 86
Dice roll: 5 (1,4) Timestamp: 2023-04-07 05:45:59 UTC
New Spot: 91
What Fits: #1, #9, Standalone, #91, Alternate Asia
Selection post Week 11 Spot 91Darkest Hour Before Dawn by Charlie Cochet
310 pages
How it Fits: #9 in Thirds
[*book:Darkest Hour Before Dawn|50615793]
Completion post Week 11 Spot 91Darkest Hour Before Dawn by Charlie Cochet
310 pages
How it Fits: #9 in Thirds
Date read: 4/7/2023
Ratings: 5 stars
Review: This story rocks. While Seb and Hudson are the main characters, we Learn the Wedding date for Dex's and Sloane's wedding. Second chance for this couple who broke up after a tragic incident but never stopped loving each other! Their last minute wedding was more spectacular than some planned ones I have attended. We also learn Wolf's real Identity. True love is just the beginning of a great relationship, you also have to build a strong foundation to make it last.
[*book:Darkest Hour Before Dawn|50615793]
Excellent work team. We can claim several bonus points now that we have rolled past 90, Let me know where we are at:
Selection postWeek 11
Spot #91
Book: Dead Man's Time (9)
Author: Peter James
Pages: 410
Qualification: #9 Roy Grace
Week 11 Completion: spot 91
Book: The Inland Sea by Donald Richie
Qualification: Asia - set in Japan
Pages: 288
Finished: 9/4 3.5★
Review: Quite a fascinating view of Japan in the 1960s. Richie notes that engineers are just now working on bridging the sea from Honshu to Shikoku. The changes in the last 50 years since this book was published in 1971 would be almost immeasurable, so much of the traditional lifestyle on the islands in the channel must now be gone. Even then, Richie could see the beginnings of new development to catch the tourist trade. Although, while changes in people's expectations were noticeable in city areas, they remained little altered in these undeveloped areas, & he was hoping to see some of the traditional way of life.
I can't say that I appreciated his fumbling sexual exploits, or lack thereof, & the less said about his attitude towards his marriage the better, but I don't see anything misogynistic in his words. His expectations were probably on a par with that of his peers & countrymen at the time. Despite his love for Japan & desire for acceptance there, he was still a result of his USAn upbringing. I imagine there was quite a bit of post-war misunderstanding along those lines by western males.
It is obvious that the author is a Japanophile, enjoying both people & culture. He notes that people either love Japan or hate it, & he is definitely in the former group. He is realistic about it & acknowledges the fact that he will always be an outsider & often looked at with suspicion, but it still hurts him, & rankles, that this is the case. Even so, as Richie himself says, "I don't care if I never go home" p.288.
It really is a most interesting travelogue despite its age & faults, even more so as I've been to a couple of the places mentioned herein. The author is almost poetic at times. I particularly liked his early words on visiting a little-frequented shrine: "It was silent. I heard the cicadas the moment they ceased" p.30.
Catsalive wrote: "Bonus point for all alternates."Excellent :)
Completion Post
Book: The Lighthouse Keeper
Author: Cynthia Ellingsen
Pages: 380
How it Fits: #1 Starlight Cove
Date Read: Apr 10 ★★✰✰✰
Review:
I did not find the heroine engaging, quite the opposite, she became annoying. She is uptight, selfish and obsessed with her uncertain childhood. (They moved a lot.). It grew really thin after awhile. The premise of the plot was also pretty flimsy and the romance unfortunately lack lustre. I really enjoyed the concept of buying a lighthouse and the trials of making it habitable, but the mystery and the romance were both unsatisfying. I will probably give the author another chance with the second book in the series. 2 stars
Completion post: Week 11Spot #91
Book: Dead Man's Time (9)
Author: Peter James
Pages: 410
Rating: 3 stars
Date read: 4/12/23
Qualification: #9 Roy Grace
Review:
This was not as good as the previous books in the series. Roy Grace and his team investigate an antique robbery and murder of an old woman who owned the antiquities. The roots of these events dates back to 1920's and a certain Patek Philippe pocket watch which is the only thing Eileen and Gavin Daly have left of their father, expected to be killed by mobsters but never found. When Eileen dies Gavin wants to get the watch back and begins a desperate search.
Roy Grace has a new baby and tries to navigate gingerly between home and work. Glenn Branson and Norman Potting experience their own difficulties in their personal lives as well. There are revelations about Sandy that made me dislike her even more.
These books always have an abundance of characters, but in this book it felt overwhelming to keep track of them since many had similar names. I also find it hard to believe that a 95-year-old man would be so active and energetic as Gavin, but he did have a good incentive. Good for him. All in all this was a decent read.
This was my third book from the Roy Grace series and also I've never picked a book from the alternate list.So maybe 2 bonus points?
Completion Post Week 11Spot #91
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree
Finished: 4/9/23
Qualification: #1 in Legends & Lattes series
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
Viv is an Orc who is tired of fighting and just wants to open a coffee shop in Thune. First she has to convince everyone that they will love it. She makes friends with a succubus and finds a baker and her shop is off to success but some do not want her to succeed.
This is a strange sort of book that is hard to characterize it is sci-fi but not heavily. More of a cozy feel to it. No terrible mystery involved either. But it was an enjoyable read nonetheless. Perfect for a day you just want something feel good.
Bonus Points: Never picked a book from Alternate List
We spin tomorrow, how many bonus point do we have to use? To win we need to get to at least 101. Before bonus we need 10. We have 0 plus however many we picked up this week. Look like a roll of 7 or better and we will have a chance to win this week. It will be between us and team 3 depending on our rolls. If we are both over 100 the first team to finish and claim wins it
So it looks like we have 3 bonus points:Never picking from the alternate list
Always picking from the alternate list and
At least 3 books in a series
BONUS POINTS: -
✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
Claimed
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one.
Claimed
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ One point can be earned for always picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
NOTE:
✸ Each point can only be earned once per team.
✸ The series-specific bonus points (3 or more books/ starting and finishing a series) must be two different series.
✸ Single book bonuses (>500 pages/ 2 in 1) may overlap with a series bonus.
So the only point we haven't completed is reading a complete series.
SS - Week 11 - Spot #91 Alternate Task: Asia
#91 = #9, or #1
Bonus Points Available: 3
Catsalive: The Inland Sea by The Inland Sea Review (Alternate)
Heli: Dead Man's Time by Peter James Review (#9 Roy Grace)
Joyce: Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree Review (#1 legends and lattes)
lorii: The Lighthouse Keeper by Cynthia Ellingsen Review (#1 starlight cove)
Roger: Darkest Hour Before Dawn by Charlie Cochet Review (#9 Thirds)
Bonus Points earned: 3
Catsalive: Always picking from the alternate list
Heli. Joyce, lorii: Never picking from the alternate list
Heli: At least 3 books in a series.
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Die Roll Week 12Current spot: 91
Die roll: 8 using our 3 bonus points for 11 Timestamp: 2023-04-14 09:23:05 UTC
New Spot: 102
What works: #0, #1, Stand alone, #2, alternate set in North America
This is for the Win. Going With Buzz #1 Riley Brothers and Alternate set in North America (Canada).just reread the rules no rereads for the win. So will pick different book.
Selection post Week 12 Spot 102 Life According to Liam byV.L. Locey
180 pages/Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
How it Fits: #1 According to Liam
Selection post Week 12Spot #102
Book: The Last Thing He Told Me
Author: Laura Dave
Pages: 320
Qualification: Stand alone
Completion post Week 12 Spot 102Life According to Liam by V.L. Locey
180 pages Amazon https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07...
How it fits: According to Liam #1
Date read: 4/14/2023
Ratings: 5 Stars
Review: Mike is a web designer who blogs about his life with his sister, Kelly, and his 4 year old nephew, Liam. One day after watching a Pittsburgh Raven's hockey Game Liam asks Uncle Mike why if he thinks Bryn Mettler is so handsome, why aren't they dating. So on the blog next day he asks Bryn if he wants to go out on a date for a meal. Bryn replies to the blog and leaves his answering service phone number so they can plan. Mike does, they hit it off and a few months later Bryn is proposing to Mike. Liam asks to be the Flower Thrower and when told by Uncle Mike he could wear whatever he (Liam) wanted. Bryn and Mike have a flower thrower dressed as Captain America.
Thanks Roger. A good excuse to start yet another new series. :)
Selection PostWeek #12 spot #102
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
Qualification: #1 in Sunshine Vicram series
Joyce wrote: "Selection PostWeek #12 spot #102
A Bad Day for Sunshine by Darynda Jones
Qualification: #1 in Sunshine Vicram series"
I will be interested to see what you think...
Completion post Week 12Spot #102
Book: The Last Thing He Told Me
Author: Laura Dave
Pages: 320
Date read: 4/15/23
Qualification: Stand alone
Review:
This book was both beautifully written and agonizingly sad. Hannah's husband Owen disappears. His last message to her was: "Protect her", meaning his 16 year old daughter Bailey. To Bailey he leaves a bag full of cash. Both Hannah and Bailey are grief-stricken and understandably perplexed. Slowly the story behind the disappearance starts to unravel. Owen might not be who they thought he was.
The writing style was atmospheric, beautiful and paced just right. The characters felt so real to me, I wished I could be friends with Hannah. This was a lovely read. Now I understand all the hype. Maybe I'll even watch the tv-series based on this book, though I doubt the adaptation could be as good as the book was.
Completion Post
Book: Trouble in a Tight Dress
Author: Lori Sjoberg
Pages: 226
How it Fits: #1 six points security
Date Read: Apr 15 ★★★★✰
Review:
This was a good office - boss - employee romance. It is billed as romantic suspense but there wasn't a lot of suspense as the villain was revealed very early on. I enjoyed Nina and Austin. Nina's background story was very believable and I liked her although she did have a couple of tstl (too stupid to live) moments, whch thankfully didn't last long. This is my first book by this author and I did get the feeling that I was missing out on some background info. On investigation I found out that this is the first of a spin-off series, so that is explained. 4 stars
Week 12 Completion: spot 102
Book: The House at the End of the World by Dean Koontz
Qualification: set in North America
Pages: 409
Finished: 17/4 4★
Review:
A very entertaining read. Katie has isolated herself on an island to protect herself after the traumatic loss & ensuing injustice she has experienced. She has eschewed humanity & bunkered down to endure, rather than live, but humanity has come to her in the shape of two men from a nearby island - Ringrock Is. is some sort of government facility surrounded by secrecy. The world comes crashing into Katie's life forcing her to fight for survival.
A thoroughly entertaining read, I enjoyed Katie's fight to preserve her solitude, & then her life, on her lake-bound island. She is a very likeable character, as is Libby, & Michael J. is an inspired addition to the team. The nature of the threat is certainly horrific, with global ramifications. There are themes of the corruption of power, the perversion of justice & the dangers of rabid ideology, which seem to fit very well with Katie's experience. I can certainly understand why she locked herself away at the end of the world, she's lucky to have had the resources to do it. Being forced back into the world, however, also provides new options for living.
I am not generally a Horror reader, having embarked on this book for a challenge only, but it is a surprisingly good, fast-paced thriller, & the short chapters make it an easy read.
Roger - president of NBR United - wrote: "This is for the Win.."What a shame! We've been pipped. I was away Friday morning to Sunday arvo so didn't pick a book until yesterday. So very close.
Wow, close game. Thank you everyone for being a great team and for keeping me on the straight and narrow. Thanks in particular, Roger for keeeping us on target with rolling and Joyce for filling in as Captain. See you in another game....
I just finished my book today. So Close. We had a great team.
We still need to complete this round, don't we?
Catsalive wrote: "We still need to complete this round, don't we?"No, I never have, once a winner is called that's it.
Loriidae wrote: "Catsalive wrote: "We still need to complete this round, don't we?"No, I never have, once a winner is called that's it."
OK. Good to know. It was fun :0)
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
The House at the End of the World (other topics)Trouble in a Tight Dress (other topics)
The Last Thing He Told Me (other topics)
A Bad Day for Sunshine (other topics)
A Bad Day for Sunshine (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Dean Koontz (other topics)Lori Sjoberg (other topics)
Laura Dave (other topics)
Darynda Jones (other topics)
Darynda Jones (other topics)
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Book: Just an Ordinary Family by Fiona Lowe
Qualification: J title
Pages: 507
Finished: 2/4 4★
Review:
Phew! What a big, messy, family drama, if it strayed into melodrama a little on occasion that was forgivable because, otherwise, it was a very absorbing tale. Set in small town, coastal Victoria, where people really do know all your business & it's very hard to keep secrets, especially if you blab about them forcing people to take sides.
Alice Hunter is back at her childhood home with her parents, over-protective Karen & peacekeeper, Peter. Alice has had a difficult relationship with twin-sister, Libby Hunter, since Libby started striking out on her own & became best friends with Jess Dekic. Jess, who depended so much on Karen growing up, has returned to Kurnai Bay from Sydney & insinuated herself back into the family, closer to Libby than even her husband, Nick Pirelli.
Tragedy happens, arguments & misunderstandings arise, & secrets are uncovered, causing relationships to unravel & pulling this extended family apart. Some of the trauma has origins in the past, & some far more recent, but the most interesting thing is how the characters deal, or not deal, with the consequences. Trust, once broken, is an extremely difficult thing to recover, & forgiveness not always easy to offer & sustain.
There are a couple of control freaks in here that could have done with a bit of teeth-rattling lapel-shaking, but it was quite fascinating to see them all pulled apart & painstakingly put back together. I thought part of the ending a bit of a cop-out, making it easier for one character at least to start thinking again, but I did enjoy this grand, dramatic, emotional, family saga very much.