The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SSS Archives♦
>
R15: SSS Team 1 - Kings of Anarchy
Completion post 3 week 2 roll 3 spot 12 Thursday
The Ghost Monica McCartyRead Feb ( 22-23 )
Rated 5 stars
How it fits ( highland guard #12 )
Pages 380
Review:
It was so easy for me to immerse myself iito this fascinating world of medieval scotland. Monica McCarty just makes this period of time come alive in so many aspects. This is a story that brings togetger a strong alpha warrior and an unconventional herione.i found it to be a romance that is rich in its history, deep in its chemistry and vivid in emotions, an adventure of a read and the journey would be worthwhile.
Bouns point reading more than 1 book in the series
Reviews PostWeek 2, Thurs Roll, Spot 12
✔️Krissy: msg 56
●One Poison Pie, Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1
✔️Joeera: msg 54
●The Ghost, Highland Guard #12
●Bonus Earned: 3 books in a series
✔️Denise: msg 48
●The Story of Silence, Alt: Cover: White
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2, Roll 1, Spot 12
My Choice: One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon
Pages: 272
How it Fits: Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1
Date Read: 2/24
Rating: ★★
Review: I don't know why but I went into this book expecting it to be funnier. Or funny at all but it wasn't. Just your average run of the mill, dime a dozen cozy mystery. Nothing really made it stand out. I also thought it was odd that some people in town just automatically accused Mia of being the murderer just because she wasn't a fan of the victims. There wasn't a single other piece of evidence against her. Idk. I'll continue the series and hopefully the next books are better
Unfortunately I got called into work tomorrow so I have to go to bed to get at least a few hours of sleep. Whoever is the first one here in the morning go ahead and roll for the team if you're able. Thanks!
NEW ROLL
WEEK #2, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 12
Roll: 4
New Spot: 16
●standalone
●1st in a series
●6th in a series
●16th in a series
●Alt: Non-Fiction
WEEK #2, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 12
Roll: 4
New Spot: 16
●standalone
●1st in a series
●6th in a series
●16th in a series
●Alt: Non-Fiction
Selection Post
Spot: 16
Book: Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City by Catharine Arnold
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Non-Fiction 54x
Pages: 353
[*book:Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City|19312906]
Spot: 16
Book: Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City by Catharine Arnold
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Non-Fiction 54x
Pages: 353
[*book:Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City|19312906]
SELECTION POSTWeek 2, Roll 2, Spot 16
My Choice: The Mermaid Murders by Josh Lanyon
Pages: 243
How it Fits: The Art of Murder #1
COMPLETION POSTWeek 2, Roll 2, Spot 16
My Choice: The Mermaid Murders by Josh Lanyon
Pages: 243
How it Fits: The Art of Murder #1
Date Read: 2/26
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I read this about 7 years ago and couldn't remember anything about it so I decided to read it again before continuing on with the series. I really enjoyed it which is no surprise since I always enjoy this author. It ends in a tentative HFN so I look forward to the next book
Completion Post
Week 2: Roll 2
Spot: 16
Book: Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City by Catharine Arnold
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Non-Fiction 54x
Pages: 353
Finished: 26 Feb 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is the third of Catharine Arnold's microhistories of London I've read, this one focussing on the matters of crime and punishment. Covering the better part of a millenium from medieval times until today, this volume contains a wealth of fascinating tidbits, though a little more depth would at times have been nice. Personally, I was particularly intrigued to learn that one of my favourite obscure movies, 1999's Plunkett & Macleane, was in fact (loosely) based on actual historical figures... guess you really do learn something new every day! (And now if you'll excuse me, I think I might need to go re-watch that.)
Week 2: Roll 2
Spot: 16
Book: Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City by Catharine Arnold
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Non-Fiction 54x
Pages: 353
Finished: 26 Feb 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is the third of Catharine Arnold's microhistories of London I've read, this one focussing on the matters of crime and punishment. Covering the better part of a millenium from medieval times until today, this volume contains a wealth of fascinating tidbits, though a little more depth would at times have been nice. Personally, I was particularly intrigued to learn that one of my favourite obscure movies, 1999's Plunkett & Macleane, was in fact (loosely) based on actual historical figures... guess you really do learn something new every day! (And now if you'll excuse me, I think I might need to go re-watch that.)
Completion post #4 week 2 spot 16 Sunday Book:
A Court of Thorns and Roses Sarah J. MaasHow it fits ( #1 in the series )
Read ( Feb 26-27 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages 416
Review:
This story that Sarah J.Mass created was in my opinion amazing in its aspect of both the building of the characters and the world surrounding it. I was completely enthralled from 5he begging because i found it to be so rich, dark, but also hopeful and full of light., and romance. And i enjoyed evey moment of it.
Reviews PostWeek 2, Sun Roll, Spot 16
✔️Krissy: msg 63
●The Mermaid Murders, The Art of Murder #1
✔️Joeera: msg 65
●A Court of Thorns and Roses, A Court of Thorns and Roses #1
✔️Denise: msg 64
●Underworld London: Crime and Punishment in the Capital City, Alt: Non-fiction
NEW ROLLWEEK #3, Thursday Roll
Previous Spot: 16
Roll: 6
New Spot: 22
●2nd in a series
●22nd in a series
●Alt: Title 'Y'
Selection Post
Spot: 22
Book: Young Bloods by Simon Scarrow
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'Y'
Pages: 608
* Qualifies for 500+ pages bonus
[*book:Young Bloods|10439431]
Spot: 22
Book: Young Bloods by Simon Scarrow
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'Y'
Pages: 608
* Qualifies for 500+ pages bonus
[*book:Young Bloods|10439431]
SELECTION POSTWeek 3, Roll 1, Spot 22
My Choice: The Monet Murders by Josh Lanyon
Pages: 274
How it Fits: The Art of Murder #2
[*book:The Monet Murders|30245414]
Completion Post
Week 3: Roll 1
Spot: 22
Book: Young Bloods by Simon Scarrow
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'Y'
Pages: 608
Finished: 02 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
The first part of a quartet about two fascinating historical figures, Napoleon as well as Arthur, Duke of Wellington, this is another book I've had on my TBR for quite some time. Following its protagonists from birth, Young Bloods covers the period from 1769 to 1794. It starts out quite slow, spending (to my mind) a little too much time on not overly captivating childhood experiences, before finally picking up some momentum once the characters were old enough to actually get up to anything more interesting. By the end, however, it was a solidly entertaining read, and I'll likely be continuing the series at some point.
* Bonus earned: 500+ pages
Week 3: Roll 1
Spot: 22
Book: Young Bloods by Simon Scarrow
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'Y'
Pages: 608
Finished: 02 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
The first part of a quartet about two fascinating historical figures, Napoleon as well as Arthur, Duke of Wellington, this is another book I've had on my TBR for quite some time. Following its protagonists from birth, Young Bloods covers the period from 1769 to 1794. It starts out quite slow, spending (to my mind) a little too much time on not overly captivating childhood experiences, before finally picking up some momentum once the characters were old enough to actually get up to anything more interesting. By the end, however, it was a solidly entertaining read, and I'll likely be continuing the series at some point.
* Bonus earned: 500+ pages
Completion post #5 week 3 spot 22 Thursday Book:
A Court of Mist and Fury Sarah J. MaasHow it fits ( #2 book in the series
Read ( feb 29- Mar #1 )
Rated 6 stars
Pages 624
Review:
This book literally blew me my mind. And i am so happy that i found it to be better than the first book. I loved that we got deeper in the world,learn more about the characters and about the politics of the world. It was fascinating how it would alwasy chane my opinion on certain characters. Soome good and somme bad. Some were good and then tyey became bad and were bad and theen thet became bad.
COMPLETION POSTWeek 3, Roll 1, Spot 22
My Choice: The Monet Murders by Josh Lanyon
Pages: 274
How it Fits: The Art of Murder #2
Date Read: 3/01
Rating: ★★★★
Review: I just love the way this author writes their mystery/romance. I did have to subtract a star because I really really don't like when an MC hooks up with someone other than the other MC after they already started some sort of relationship. I understand the MCs weren't together. I understand MC2 told MC1 that they will never be together. I understand it took the hookup to open MC2's eyes and acknowledge he has feelings for MC1. BUT I still didn't like it. Plus was it absolutely necessary for it to be on page? Couldn't it have been off page? I have to admit I enjoyed MC2s jealousy. I am looking forward to book 3 🙂
Reviews PostWeek 3, Thurs Roll, Spot 22
✔️Krissy: msg 74
●The Monet Murders, The Art of Murder #2
✔️Joeera: msg 73
●A Court of Mist and Fury, A Court of Thorns and Roses #2
✔️Denise: msg 72
●Young Bloods, Alt: Title: Y
●Bonus earned: 500+ pages
NEW ROLLWEEK #3, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 22
Roll: 4
New Spot: 26
●2nd in a series
●6th in a series
●26th in series
●Alt: Cover: Green (I'm sorry, Denise! 😭)
Krissy wrote: "●Alt: Cover: Green (I'm sorry, Denise! 😭)"
I'm gonna end up going through the whole rainbow, aren't I? 😂
Selection Post
Spot: 26
Book: Renegade Moon by J.N. Chaney
Qualification: Alternate: Cover: Green
Pages: 247
I'm gonna end up going through the whole rainbow, aren't I? 😂
Selection Post
Spot: 26
Book: Renegade Moon by J.N. Chaney
Qualification: Alternate: Cover: Green
Pages: 247
Completion Post
Week 3: Roll 2
Spot: 26
Book: Renegade Moon by J.N. Chaney
Qualification: Alternate: Cover: Green
Pages: 247
Finished: 03 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I went through the first couple of books in this series three years ago and barely remembered any of the characters or overarching story. While often enough when this happens with series, memories quickly come flooding back when I pick up a new installment, in this case I probably would have been well advised to get in a re-read before continuing. There was enough going on to keep me sort of entertained, but I probably would have enjoyed this a lot more if I'd had more of an idea of who all these people were and what they were up to... Oh well.
Week 3: Roll 2
Spot: 26
Book: Renegade Moon by J.N. Chaney
Qualification: Alternate: Cover: Green
Pages: 247
Finished: 03 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I went through the first couple of books in this series three years ago and barely remembered any of the characters or overarching story. While often enough when this happens with series, memories quickly come flooding back when I pick up a new installment, in this case I probably would have been well advised to get in a re-read before continuing. There was enough going on to keep me sort of entertained, but I probably would have enjoyed this a lot more if I'd had more of an idea of who all these people were and what they were up to... Oh well.
Completion post #6 week 3 spot 26 Sunday Book:
The Viscount Who Loved Me Julia QuinnHow it fits ( Bridgerton #2 )
Read ( March 3-4 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages ( 445 )
Review:
This is a story that has been told countless times. A gentlemen with a title must marry but not for love and then like always love slaps him in tne face. He doesn't want to fall in love and so he fights against that very thing. I found it to be a little heartwrenching and full of witty banter
SELECTION POSTWeek 3, Roll 2, Spot 26
My Choice: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Pages: 380
How it Fits: Alt: green cover
[*book:None of This Is True|62334530]
COMPLETION POSTWeek 3, Roll 2, Spot 26
My Choice: None of This Is True by Lisa Jewell
Pages: 380
How it Fits: Alt: green cover
Date Read: 3/05
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: Holy shit I could not put this book down. Even though the title kind of hints at it I wasn't sure which direction the book was going. I especially had no idea how the author was going to manage to end this but I'm pretty satisfied with the ending. I really enjoyed the format and that it all revolved around a podcast. Plus it include a bit of the pandemic and wearing masks so the story felt very now. I rated it 5 stars for the simple fact that it kept me completely obsessed with listening (audiobook) until the final word.
Reviews PostWeek 3, Sunday Roll, Spot 26
✔️Krissy: msg 81
●None of This Is True, Alt: Cover: Green
✔️Joeera: msg 79
●The Viscount Who Loved Me, Bridgertons #2
✔️Denise: msg 78
●Renegade Moon, Alt: Cover: Green
Joeera wrote: "This is only the second book I've read in the series and i am also loving it"My favorite of the series is #6, When He Was Wicked. I really should pick it up again and give it a reread. It's been years.
NEW ROLLWEEK #4, Thursday Roll
Previous Spot: 26
Roll: 3
New Spot: 29
●2nd in a series
●9th in a series
●29th in a series
●Alt: Young Adult/New Adult
Selection Post
Spot: 29
Book: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Young Adult 1738x
Pages: 394
Spot: 29
Book: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Young Adult 1738x
Pages: 394
Completion Post
Week 4: Roll 1
Spot: 29
Book: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Young Adult 1738x
Pages: 394
Finished: 07 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Judging from the reviews, this seems to be a book people either love or hate - and I'm very much in the first camp, because holy fuck did I love this! Brilliant concept, a fascinating protagonist who is an uncompromising, complex, thrilling force of nature, and an absolute pageturner from start to finish. Suffice it to say, I raced through this at breakneck speed because it was just impossible to put down. And as for that oh-no-you-didn't cliffhanger ending? Gimme the sequel Right. Fucking. Now!
Week 4: Roll 1
Spot: 29
Book: Iron Widow by Xiran Jay Zhao
Qualification: Alternate: Tagged Young Adult 1738x
Pages: 394
Finished: 07 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Judging from the reviews, this seems to be a book people either love or hate - and I'm very much in the first camp, because holy fuck did I love this! Brilliant concept, a fascinating protagonist who is an uncompromising, complex, thrilling force of nature, and an absolute pageturner from start to finish. Suffice it to say, I raced through this at breakneck speed because it was just impossible to put down. And as for that oh-no-you-didn't cliffhanger ending? Gimme the sequel Right. Fucking. Now!
SELECTION POSTWeek 4, Roll 1, Spot 29
My Choice: Wanted: Patient Daddy by Sammi Cee
Pages: 202
How it Fits: Love on Tap: Fragile Hearts #2
[*book:Wanted: Patient Daddy|60688611]
Completion post #7 week #4 spot 29 Thursday
Wicked Bite Jeaniene Frost
How it fits ( Night Rebel #2 )
Read ( Mar 7-8 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages ( 387 )
Review:
This was a phenomenal book. Ian and Veritas are great characters and they make an great pair. Not only was there tons of excitement in this story but there were also guite a few surprises as well. Some key players from her other series alsso mak appearances. There some new characters that were introduced as well. At times it was hard to but the book down.
COMPLETION POSTWeek 4, Roll 1, Spot 29
My Choice: Wanted: Patient Daddy by Sammi Cee
Pages: 202
How it Fits: Love on Tap: Fragile Hearts #2
Date Read: 3/08
Rating: ★★★
Review: Cute story featuring the tropes: age gap (over 20 years!), best friend's dad, neurodivergent MC, light daddy kink, "found" family, mentally abusive family.... It was pretty light on the steam but that was okay with me. This whole series was a little disappointing on the daddy kink aspect. It was really lightly portrayed. Yea MC1 called MC2 daddy and MC2 was a little bit bossy but that was about it. But the audiobooks were sweet, low angst and short. Easy breezy.
Reviews PostWeek 4, Thursday Roll, Spot 29
✔️Krissy: msg 92
●Wanted: Patient Daddy, Love on Tap: Fragile Hearts #2
✔️Joeera: msg 91
●Wicked Bite, Night Rebel #2
✔️Denise: msg 89
●Iron Widow, Alt: Tagged YA
NEW ROLLWEEK #4, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 29
Roll: 1
New Spot: 30
●standalone
●3rd in a series
●30th in a series
●Alt: Set in the 20th century
Selection Post
Spot: 30
Book: Josephine West & the Christmas Corpse by Beth Byers & Ann Warren
Qualification: Alternate: Set in the 20th Century: Set in 1921
Pages: 149
[*book:Josephine West & the Christmas Corpse|198430617]
Spot: 30
Book: Josephine West & the Christmas Corpse by Beth Byers & Ann Warren
Qualification: Alternate: Set in the 20th Century: Set in 1921
Pages: 149
[*book:Josephine West & the Christmas Corpse|198430617]
Joeera wrote: "I will be going a mimi vac from mar 27 until april 2"
Nice! :D
Will you be needing to take only the roll on the 28th off or would your prefer if we put you down as absent also for the two Sunday rolls around your vacation time? (Either option works, just lemme know what works best for you!)
Nice! :D
Will you be needing to take only the roll on the 28th off or would your prefer if we put you down as absent also for the two Sunday rolls around your vacation time? (Either option works, just lemme know what works best for you!)
If only there was a rule where another team member can read a book in place of the missing team member lol
Completion Post
Week 4: Roll 2
Spot: 30
Book: Josephine West & the Christmas Corpse by Beth Byers & Ann Warren
Qualification: Alternate: Set in the 20th Century: Set in 1921
Pages: 149
Finished: 12 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Assigned to report on Carmel-By-the-Sea's upcoming Christmas celebrations, Josephine promptly talked into donning an elf costume herself. Her stint entertaining local children is soon interrupted when she finds a fellow elf murdered beneath the Christmas tree and abandons her elf costume to don her hobby detective hat...
Another quick and entertaining read. Less of Josephine's excessively annoying and overbearing family in this one, so I enjoyed it more than the first book.
Week 4: Roll 2
Spot: 30
Book: Josephine West & the Christmas Corpse by Beth Byers & Ann Warren
Qualification: Alternate: Set in the 20th Century: Set in 1921
Pages: 149
Finished: 12 Mar 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Assigned to report on Carmel-By-the-Sea's upcoming Christmas celebrations, Josephine promptly talked into donning an elf costume herself. Her stint entertaining local children is soon interrupted when she finds a fellow elf murdered beneath the Christmas tree and abandons her elf costume to don her hobby detective hat...
Another quick and entertaining read. Less of Josephine's excessively annoying and overbearing family in this one, so I enjoyed it more than the first book.
Completion post #8 week #4 spot 30 Sunday Book
A Court of Wings and Ruin Sarah J. MaasHow it fits ( A court of thorns and roses #3 )
Read ( Mar 10-12 )
Rated 6 stars
Pages ( 703 )
Review:
This book is where the storyand world gets extremely interesting. The first book was mainly an introduction of the world and characters. The second book turned everythiing on head became of what we thought about certain charactersand it also changed the pace of the story. And now with this third installment it takes it a spet futher and delves into the politics of the world and watching characters battle against other characters. This was my favorite book so far. This series is just beautiful, amazing, brilliant, phenomenal.
Could u put down for absent ( Thursdays Friday Sunday )
Books mentioned in this topic
A Walk to Remember (other topics)Yours Until Dawn (other topics)
A Poisoning in Piccadilly (other topics)
Disrupted Engagement (other topics)
Jasmine Paradise (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Nicholas Sparks (other topics)Lynda Wilcox (other topics)
Penelope Neri (other topics)
Maureen Jennings (other topics)
Maureen Jennings (other topics)
More...




Week 2, Roll 1, Spot 12
My Choice: One Poison Pie by Lynn Cahoon
Pages: 272
How it Fits: Kitchen Witch Mysteries #1
[*book:One Poison Pie|53330833]