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Week 11: Roll 1
Spot: 79
Book: Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918 by Katja Hoyer
Qualification: Alternate: Title has a subtitle
Pages: 255
Finished: 25 Apr 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
In existence for less than 50 years, the German Empire nevertheless looms large over the history of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The brainchild of Otto von Bismarck, it was cobbled together from a vast array of small kingdoms, dukedoms, and assorted other territories, giving rise to attempts to forge a single identity out of all these disparate parts and people and shaping history in the process. In this fairly short volume, Katja Hoyer gives a well researched, concise overview over the forging of the Empire, important figures and events over the course of its existence, and how and why it fell apart in the wake of WWI. An interesting and informative read that I'm pretty sure taught me more on the subject than history classes ever did.
Reviews PostWeek 10, Sunday Roll, Spot 77
✔️Krissy: msg 198
●Saint's Song, Alt: 2 word title
✔️Joeera: msg 197
●One Perfect Rose, Fallen Angels #7
✔️Denise: msg 196
●The Mars House Alt: 2 word title
SELECTION POSTWeek 11, Roll 1, Spot 79
My Choice: Trailer Park Parable: A Memoir of How Three Brothers Strove to Rise Above Their Broken Past, Find Forgiveness, and Forge a Hopeful Future by Tyler Zed
Pages: 208
How it Fits: Alt: Title has a subtitle
[*book:Trailer Park Parable: A Memoir of How Three Brothers Strove to Rise Above Their Broken Past, Find Forgiveness, and Forge a Hopeful Future|176443546]
Completion post #21 week #11 Thursday Bok:
The Darkest Secret Gena ShowalterHow it fits ( lourds of the underworld #7 )
Read ( Ap 25-26 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages ( 410 )
Review:
I loved this book it was a fun, smoking, hot, satisfying addiction to this series. This book was everything i expected it would be. It was full of action, fantasy, bounding, humor, steaminess, and passionate love between the very beautiful ssouls of the main characters. I loved the humorous buddy moments with strider ( his cocky arrogance made me laugh)
COMPLETION POSTWeek 11, Roll 1, Spot 79
My Choice: Trailer Park Parable: A Memoir of How Three Brothers Strove to Rise Above Their Broken Past, Find Forgiveness, and Forge a Hopeful Future by Tyler Zed
Pages: 208
How it Fits: Alt: Title has a subtitle
Date Read: 4/27
Rating: ★★★
Review: I enjoyed this one even though I have no idea who this guy was. I had to google him. I always enjoy a decent memoir especially if the author has interesting stories to tell of their childhood. I related a lot to his stories. I also had to deal with addicts and abuse. My siblings also grew up to become addicts themselves. I was also devastated when my grandmother passed away. His story was just really relatable to me. Plus I am familiar with the military lifestyle since I was an army wife for 21 years. I'm glad I picked this one up even though it was kind of slow towards the end. Final rating 3.5 rounded down
Reviews PostWeek 11, Thursday Roll, Spot 79
✔️Krissy: msg 206
●Trailer Park Parable: A Memoir of How Three Brothers Strove to Rise Above Their Broken Past, Find Forgiveness, and Forge a Hopeful Future, Alt: Title has a subtitle
✔️Joeera: msg 205
●The Darkest Secret, Lords of the Underworld #7
✔️Denise: msg 202
●Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918, Alt: Title has a subtitle
NEW ROLLWEEK #11, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 79
Roll: 2
New Spot: 81
●standalone
●1st in a series
●8th in a series
●81st in a series
●Alt: Africa
Mod
Spot: 81
Book: Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell
Qualification: Alternate: Africa - Set in Egypt
Pages: 253
SELECTION POSTWeek 11, Roll 2, Spot 81
My Choice: Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Pages: 264
How it Fits: standalone
[*book:Starter Villain|61885029]
COMPLETION POSTWeek 11, Roll 2, Spot 81
My Choice: Starter Villain by John Scalzi
Pages: 264
How it Fits: standalone
Date Read: 4/30
Rating: ★★
Review: I love snarky books. But there is such thing as too much snark. If every single character has the same snarky attitude then that gets old real quick. The next part of the entire story were the cats. Loved them. The ending was very anticlimactic but at that point I really wasn't very invested in the characters and didn't care what happened to then
Mod
Week 11: Roll 2
Spot: 81
Book: Dreamers of the Day by Mary Doria Russell
Qualification: Alternate: Africa - Set in Egypt
Pages: 253
Finished: 01 May 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Slow and at times a little too meandering, but beautifully written and atmospheric - on the whole a historical novel I quite enjoyed. The story is set around the 1921 Cairo Conference, and the book's protagonist spends her days in illustrious company including T.E. Lawrence, Winston Churchill and Gertrude Bell. Lawrence in particular is a figure I find endlessly fascinating, and I quite enjoyed Russell's portrayal of him.
Completion post #22 week #11 SundayBook:
Highlander Ever After Paula Quinn How it fits ( The MacGregors highland hearts #8 )
Read ( Ap 29-30 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages ( 400 )
Review:
This book was simply awesome. I was rootling for hea for both of the characters.the story was so i n grossing that i was completely invested in it i laughed cried and sighed. It really was apage turner well written flows nicely,had steamy .ove scences, some naiil biting moments. There was so much intrigue lies,politics,and agendes as in indicative of a turbulantt time in historyy.
Reviews PostWeek 11, Sunday Roll, Spot 81
✔️Krissy: msg 211
●Starter Villain, standalone
✔️Joeera: msg 213
●Highlander Ever After, The MacGregors: Highland Heirs #8
✔️Denise: msg 212
●Dreamers of the Day, Alt: Africa (Egypt)
NEW ROLLWEEK #12, Thursday Roll
Previous Spot: 81
Roll: 6
New Spot: 87
●7th in a series
●8th in a series
●87th in a series
●Alt: Title 'N'
Mod
Spot: 87
Book: The New Achilles by Christian Cameron
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'N'
Pages: 416
[*book:The New Achilles|42683467]
Mod
Week 12: Roll 1
Spot: 87
Book: The New Achilles by Christian Cameron
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'N'
Pages: 416
Finished: 03 May 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
With Christian Cameron, you're always guaranteed a well-researched, immersive, engaging and action-packed read. 228-212 BCE is a period of Ancient Greek history I'm no more than very superficially familiar with, but I trust the author to know his stuff. While I was fairly indifferent to the protagonist, the standout character for me was Phila, who sparkles with life, wit and intellect - I wish she'd gotten more page time, she was easily the best aspect of the book.
Completion post #23 week #12 Thursday Book:
Northern Lights Nora RobertsHow it fits ( Alenrate N )
Read ( May 2-4 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages ( 637 )
Review:
Awesome really enjoyable romantic suspense story set in Alaska. Although i found it to long i was never bored it heeld my intrest from beginning to end. The Alaskin setting was a character itself described in such vivid detail, i was able to feel elemts and see the snow covered mountains. The cast of many charaters were really memorable and with suspect glore for the crime.
SELECTION & COMPLETION POSTWeek 12, Roll 1, Spot 87
My Choice: Noble Metals by L.A. Witt
Pages: 269
How it Fits: Alt: N title
Date Read: 5/04
Rating: ★★★
Review: I really struggled to find something to read for this roll. I finally settled on this audiobook since it was short, quick and found on Everand. I enjoyed the last bit of the book way more than the first bit. Plus the whole middle portion was really dull. I felt like we were just waiting around wasting time until someone tried to steal the device from the MCs. Plus the romance portion took forever to go anywhere. And I didn't feel much chemistry between the MCs. I was going to rate it only 2 stars but the last 10% was exciting enough to bring the rating up a star.
NEW ROLLWEEK #12, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 87
Roll: 2
New Spot: 89
●8th in a series
●9th in a series
●89th in a series
●Alt: MC is older than 60
Mod
Selection Post
Spot: 89
Book: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
Qualification: Alternate: MC is older than 60
Pages: 410
[*book:The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle|60745443]
Denise wrote: "How is this round so slooooow? ..."I feel that lol
Reviews PostWeek 12, Thursday Roll, Spot 87
✔️Krissy: msg 219
●Noble Metals, Alt: N title
✔️Joeera: msg 218
●Northern Lights, Alt: N title
✔️Denise: msg 217
●The New Achilles, Alt: N title
Mod
Week 12: Roll 2
Spot: 89
Book: The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle by Matt Cain
Qualification: Alternate: MC is older than 60
Pages: 410
Finished: 08 May 2024
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
At the age of 64, Albert Entwistle is set in his ways. He enjoys his job as a postman, lives alone with his cat, and keeps himself to himself. But now change is about to be forced upon him: Mandatory retirement at 65 looms, and the prospect fills him with dread, along with which come memories and regrets. The greatest regret of all is the man he loved and let get away - and so, with help from unexpected allies and newfound friends, he sets out to track down his lost love from 50 years ago, chasing after the happiness he's denied himself for so long.
This was just gorgeous, tugging on the heartstrings in the very best ways. Brimming with life and love, this lovely tale of second chances, new opportunities, found family, unlikely friendships, and so much joy, queer and otherwise, was just a wonderful read from start to finish that put tears, both happy and sad, in my eyes more than once. Highly, highly recommended.
Mod
Completion post 24 week #12 Thursday Book :
Archangel's Heart Nalini SinghHow it fits ( guild hunter #9 )
Read ( May 6-7 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages ( 381 )
REVIEW:
Thiw was such a brilliant installment ramping up the supence for another go around with Lijuan, delving a bit deeper into Elenas ancestry and at the same time showing a bit more of Aodhan's personality. I loved seeing Aodhan grow stronger and forming relationships and also learn Elenas family history was a huge bonus.
Denise wrote: "We'll likely (finally!) go past 90 with the next roll, unless the die really hates us, so we can claim at least one more bonus point as I've been reading only from the alternate list. Did either of..."Nope. We both hit that Alt list 😕
SELECTION & COMPLETION POSTWeek 12, Roll 2, Spot 89
My Choice: Football Royalty by Eden Finley
Pages: 263
How it Fits: Franklin U #8
Date Read: 5/08
Rating: ★★★★
Review: This was my first non 5 star in the series so far. Each book is a standalone written by a different author but so far all have been outstanding. Even this one was really good I just didn't love it as much as the others. I've been reading them out of order which hasn't hurt anything yet. I loved how accepting and encouraging Peyton's parents were. Even Peyton didn't really have a moment of freak out. But for the most part it runs smoothly with only slight hiccups that are addressed and dealt with pretty quickly. Even Peytons whole relationship panic lasted barely 24 hours. Anyhoo, awesome series for anyone looking for a good MM college romance series
If I don't make it please roll for us and I'll make our reviews post tomorrow after work. 👍 Thank you 🙂
Mod
WEEK #13, Thursday Roll
Previous Spot: 89
Roll: 5
New Spot: 94
●4th in a series
●9th in a series
●94th in a series
●Alt: School/College/University setting
SO close! And yet... 😂 We've got 5 bonus points, so we could go to any spot up to 99 if someone fancies one of the other alternates more. I'm good with any of the options:
94. School/College/University setting
95. Book with a funeral in it
96. Title 'J'
97. Cover: Yellow/Gold
98. Three Word Title (excludes articles like A, An, The) Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone
99. Book that a teammate rated 5 stars
Since Joeera already chose a book that fits the alt and I have a #6 I am dying to read I would choose spot 96
Mod
Reviews PostWeek 12, Sunday Roll, Spot 89
✔️Krissy: msg 228
●Football Royalty, Franklin U #8
✔️Joeera: msg 226
●Archangel's Heart, Guild Hunter #9
✔️Denise: msg 224
●The Secret Life of Albert Entwistle, Alt: MC is older than 60
Mod
Spot: 96
Book: A Journeyman to Grief by Maureen Jennings
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'J'
Pages: 343
[*book:A Journeyman to Grief|1047321]
Mod
Week 13: Roll 1
Spot: 96
Book: A Journeyman to Grief by Maureen Jennings
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'J'
Pages: 343
Finished: 11 May 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I read the first six books in this series years ago, but somehow never got around to this one - which, it turns out, is no longer the last one!
While the TV adaptation far outshines the books IMO, this one was excellent - perhaps the best of the lot. Jennings handles the various subplots with aplomb, crafting a gripping, well-researched tale surrounding two murders one increasingly finds oneself hoping Murdoch for once won't be able to solve. An absorbing read, as well as an excellent reminder to catch up on the TV show at some point.
SELECTION & COMPLETION POSTWeek 13, Roll 1, Spot 96
My Choice: Disrupted Engagement by Nicky James
Pages: 372
How it Fits: Valor and Doyle Mysteries #6
Date Read: 5/10
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I can't get enough of these 2. Quaid and his neediness that he tries to hide behind a wall of indifference gets me right in the feels every time. The fact that Aslan was hiding something major (proposal) but wouldn't say anything made Quaid lose his mind. He was certain it had to be something horrible because never in a million years could it be something good. That's just how Quaid's mind works. The hotel scene broke me. I cried right along with Quaid 😭 Can't wait to move on to the next book!!
Completion post #25 week #12 Sunday Book:
Jasmine Paradise Penelope NeriHow it fits ( Title j )
Read ( May 9-10 )
Rated 3 stars
Pages ( 542 )
Review:
Thi was not a bad book. The things that happen were because of a lack of communication. The one thing that i liked was the communication between the characters and that is vitality important to the injoyment of a book. There was some violence in this story none are graphically described,but there is enough to know it is going on.
Mod
NEW ROLL
WEEK #13, Sunday Roll
Previous Spot: 96
Roll: 5
New Spot: 101
●Standalone
●1st in a series
●10th in a series
●101st in a series
●Alt: Cover: Brown
Mod
Completion Post
Week 13: Roll 2
Spot: 101
Book: A Poisoning in Piccadilly by Lynda Wilcox
Qualification: Lady Eleanor #1
Pages: 198
Finished: 12 May 2024
Rating: ★★★
Review:
Cozy 1920s-set mystery featuring yet another lady amateur sleuth... these really are a dime a dozen, aren't they? This one was entertaining enough to quickly breeze through, solid if simple plot and a quick read. Eleanor's wartime derring-do past was a little OTT and would have been better suited to a character who wasn't just a teenager at the time she supposedly engaged in all of that - aging her up by 5-10 years would have done the trick. Might grab another one of these if I need a quick, not overly taxing read at some point.
Completion post '26 week #13Book:
A Walk to Remember Nicholas Sparks How it fits ( standalone )
Rated 5 stars
Read ( May 12 )
Pages ( 215 )
Review:
This is o ne of my favorite books by this author. Thjs wax a realistic romance between two characters who would normally never would have met or connected by choice. It wad a simple tragic and beautiful story which was well written .. there were many lessons about how people should treat each other with kindness and never take for granted each and every day of your lives and cherish thoes that zre close to you
SELECTION & COMPLETION POSTWeek 13, Roll 2, Spot 101
My Choice: Yours Until Dawn by by Teresa Medeiros
Pages: 384
How it Fits: standalone
Date Read: 5/12
Rating: ★★★★★
Review: I always forget how much I love historical romances. I really need to add more to my current reading list. Throw in an MC with a disability and I'm there. I loved these 2 together. And that little twist at the end? Perfection. I just loved every second of it.
Reviews PostWeek 13, Thursday Roll, Spot 96
✔️Krissy: msg 237
●Disrupted Engagement, Valor and Doyle Mysteries #6
✔️Joeera: msg 238
●Jasmine Paradise, Alt: title J
✔️Denise: msg 236
●A Journeyman to Grief, Alt: title J
Reviews PostWeek 13, Sun Roll, Spot 101
✔️Krissy: msg 242
●Yours Until Dawn, standalone
✔️Joeera: msg 241
●A Walk to Remember, standalone
✔️Denise: msg 240
●A Poisoning in Piccadilly, Lady Eleanor #1
Not sure if I'm supposed to post somewhere but we are complete!
Mod
Great job, team! Thanks for being an easy team to captain, ladies 😊
The Challenge Factory
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...
Spot: 79
Book: Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918 by Katja Hoyer
Qualification: Alternate: Title has a subtitle
Pages: 255
[*book:Blood and Iron: The Rise and Fall of the German Empire 1871–1918|57047146]