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R15: SS Team 1 - Ready Reader One
I just downloaded A Longer Fall by Charlaine Harris which is the 2nd book in the Gunnie Rose series.
Completion Post - Week 4Space: 28
Book: Twisted Ties
Date Read: 3/11
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This book was not as good as the first one. The guys are mostly horrible, and need to do a whole lot to earn forgiveness. Rhi has forgiven two of them much too easily. She says they still have to earn it, but she's acting as though they are completely forgiven. Overall, I'll read the next one after it comes out, and reserve judgement on whether or not I'll continue after that.
Michelle, how is your recovery going? Do you need me to check us in again, or are you able to?
I am about halfway through my book and should be finished by tomorrow.
Completion post - Week 4 Week #4: Spot 28
Book: The Murder on the Links
Pages: 199
How it fits: #2 in book series
Rating: 2/5
If Roger Ackroyd was her best I think this could be her worst. It had the same feeling as a mystery movie from nowadays: overused, predictable and boring.
Mama's Ready Reader One Completion Post 
Week #4 ~ Spot #28
Book ~ Captivating 3.5* ✔️ 3/13
Author ~ Onley James
Pages ~ 279 pages
How qualifies ~ Elite Protection Services Series #2
Review ~ this is book #2 in The M/M Elite Protection Services Series. It does deal with a heavy topic of child sexual abuse that was done to one of the MC's when he was under age by someone in the talent industry.
Elijah is a Hollywood actor & Shep is his bodyguard.
I love how they both wear masks with everyone but can be totally theirselves and real with each other. Their nicknames, Sam & Rabbit & the why of them are perfect!
I did feel bad for Robbie & am looking forward to getting his book with Calder next.
It looks like we need posts from Michelle (Captain), Stormie, and Samantha. Unless I missed something.Mamacita, tomorrow is your roll! We're counting on you to land us somewhere in the 30s, so we can move forward with the series we're working on for extra points! So no rolling a 12! :)
Michelle's Completion Post
Book - A Longer Fall
Author - Charlaine Harris
Date - 3/14/24
Week 4
Spot - 28
Rating - 3 Stars
How it fits - Gunnie Rose #2
Review - Lisbeth joins a new crew and their job is to escort a crate to Dixie on a train. When they are almost there the train is attacked and the crate is stolen. At the same time Eli shows up unexpectedly and he and Lisbeth search for the crate in Dixie.
Book 2 was tad bit duller than book 1. The action started out pretty quick as the train was taken over and the crate stolen, but as soon as the other MC, Eli shows up the action turned to mostly sex. Every other page they were boinking each other and honestly is was dull. Although they do find the crate in the end even that was a let down.
WEEK 4 SPOT 28 COMPLETION POSTSMICHELLE
Book - A Longer Fall
Author - Charlaine Harris
Date - 3/14/24
Week 4
Spot - 28
Rating - 3 Stars
How it fits - Gunnie Rose #2
Review - Lisbeth joins a new crew and their job is to escort a crate to Dixie on a train. When they are almost there the train is attacked and the crate is stolen. At the same time Eli shows up unexpectedly and he and Lisbeth search for the crate in Dixie.
Book 2 was tad bit duller than book 1. The action started out pretty quick as the train was taken over and the crate stolen, but as soon as the other MC, Eli shows up the action turned to mostly sex. Every other page they were boinking each other and honestly is was dull. Although they do find the crate in the end even that was a let down.
MAMACITA
Book - Captivating
author - Onley James
Week #4 ~ Spot #28
Pages ~ 279 pages
How qualifies ~ Elite Protection Services Series #2
Review ~ this is book #2 in The M/M Elite Protection Services Series. It does deal with a heavy topic of child sexual abuse that was done to one of the MC's when he was under age by someone in the talent industry.
Elijah is a Hollywood actor & Shep is his bodyguard.
I love how they both wear masks with everyone but can be totally theirselves and real with each other. Their nicknames, Sam & Rabbit & the why of them are perfect!
I did feel bad for Robbie & am looking forward to getting his book with Calder next
Michelle
Book - The Murder on the Links
author - Agatha Christie
Pages: 199
How it fits: #2 in book series
Rating: 2/5
If Roger Ackroyd was her best I think this could be her worst. It had the same feeling as a mystery movie from nowadays: overused, predictable and boring
Laura
Book - Twisted Ties
Author - Hannah Haze
Date Read: 3/11
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This book was not as good as the first one. The guys are mostly horrible, and need to do a whole lot to earn forgiveness. Rhi has forgiven two of them much too easily. She says they still have to earn it, but she's acting as though they are completely forgiven. Overall, I'll read the next one after it comes out, and reserve judgement on whether or not I'll continue after that
Samantha
Book - It Happened One Autumn
Author - Lisa Kleypas
Date Finished: March 15, 2024
Rating: ****
Pages: 382
How it fits: book 2 of the Wallflower series
Review: This is a re-read for me and scratched the itch I normally need when I pick up a romance book. I always love a romance where the guy has developed a thick outer shell because of life circumstances, but is the biggest teddy bear when it all melts off. It definitely gives off Pride and Prejudice vibes, especially with a few sentences here and there than almost seem to come straight from the book/movies. Overall, it's a light read, but not one of my fave romances.
Stormie
Book - Child 44
Author - Tom Rob Smith
Dates Read: March 13-15, 2024
Rating:4.5 stars
Review:
Child 44 is based on a serial killer, Andrei Chikatilo who during the 1980s, murdered over 50 women and children in Russia. Smith sets his book in the 1950s with the killer being Anatoly Brodsky. This time frame was during one of the worst regimes under Stalin.
Leo Demidov is an MGB detective within the state security force and in charge of the investigation, and while he is loyal to the State, even he is not above scrutiny. His wife was accused of being a spy and he had to choose to either save her or put her to death. This is a time when everyone lives in fear and has to watch what they say because even the wrong word can earn a sentence in the Gulag. Leo (Pavel) and his wife are now fugitives and the killer is no other than his brother (Andrei). They had both changed their names and took on a new life. Leo was now back in the graces of the State Security System for solving the case and killing the murderer. It seems ironic, was all the controlling and killing of people necessary?
Laura wrote: "Michelle, how is your recovery going? Do you need me to check us in again, or are you able to?"I got it this week. Thank you so much for helping out. I really appreciate. Recovery seems to be going better this week. for some reason nights are the worst. I have no idea why my foot hurts worse during that time, but it does. All I really want to do is get up and walk. I still have 3 more weeks before I can put any pressure on it.
Hello Team,Sorry, I am a bit behind. I had car trouble yesterday and spent most of the day today trying to get things taken care of. I missed valuable reading time. I am working on getting the book read and reviewed to roll tomorrow.
Book: Child 44
Author: Tom Rob Smith
Dates Read: March 13-15, 2024
Rating:4.5 stars
Review:
Child 44 is based on a serial killer, Andrei Chikatilo who during the 1980s, murdered over 50 women and children in Russia. Smith sets his book in the 1950s with the killer being Anatoly Brodsky. This time frame was during one of the worst regimes under Stalin.
Leo Demidov is an MGB detective within the state security force and in charge of the investigation, and while he is loyal to the State, even he is not above scrutiny. His wife was accused of being a spy and he had to choose to either save her or put her to death. This is a time when everyone lives in fear and has to watch what they say because even the wrong word can earn a sentence in the Gulag. Leo (Pavel) and his wife are now fugitives and the killer is no other than his brother (Andrei). They had both changed their names and took on a new life. Leo was now back in the graces of the State Security System for solving the case and killing the murderer. It seems ironic, was all the controlling and killing of people necessary?
Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "Hello Team,Sorry, I am a bit behind. I had car trouble yesterday and spent most of the day today trying to get things taken care of. I missed valuable reading time. I am working on getting the boo..."
Ugh..I hate when my car acts up? Hopefully it was not to expensive for you.
Michelle wrote: "Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "Hello Team,Sorry, I am a bit behind. I had car trouble yesterday and spent most of the day today trying to get things taken care of. I missed valuable reading time...."
It was just corroded battery terminals. We just cleaned them off and put some"grease" for battery terminals on it, and it is starting just fine. But it was still a nightmare to deal with.
Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "Michelle wrote: "Stormie ~ Book Dragon ~ wrote: "Hello Team,Sorry, I am a bit behind. I had car trouble yesterday and spent most of the day today trying to get things taken care of. I missed valua..."
Good, I'm glad it was something simple and not anything that cost hundreds of dollars to repair. Those are the worst.
So do we wanna just use a free pass for Samantha? I looked on her GR profile and see that she's currently reading a book that will work but I don't know when she's planning on being done.Michelle do you want to PM her since you are the captain? I'll check back in in a little bit and see if you got an answer and are ready for me to roll. Or you can just roll if you want to. I don't care either way. Otherwise we may be able to just use our free space.
I think if we don't roll today before midnight we have to wait a week, but that may be a different challenge I don't remember.
Hi everyone - sorry I've been out of the loop. My mental health took a huge dive this week and the book I initially picked was making it worse. I picked up a romance book and just finished it. Let me get my review in and then I'll post it here <3
Book Title: It Happened One Autumn
Author: Lisa Kleypas
Date Finished: March 15, 2024
Rating: ****
Pages: 382
How it fits: book 2 of the Wallflower series
Review: This is a re-read for me and scratched the itch I normally need when I pick up a romance book. I always love a romance where the guy has developed a thick outer shell because of life circumstances, but is the biggest teddy bear when it all melts off. It definitely gives off Pride and Prejudice vibes, especially with a few sentences here and there than almost seem to come straight from the book/movies. Overall, it's a light read, but not one of my fave romances.
Mamacita aka MawMaw wrote: "So do we wanna just use a free pass for Samantha? I looked on her GR profile and see that she's currently reading a book that will work but I don't know when she's planning on being done.Michelle..."
You can roll now.
Samantha wrote: "Hi everyone - sorry I've been out of the loop. My mental health took a huge dive this week and the book I initially picked was making it worse. I picked up a romance book and just finished it. Let ..."I hope you are feeling better.
The rolling is done Central Time, so we have about 2 1/2 hours left to get our roll done!
Laura wrote: "The rolling is done Central Time, so we have about 2 1/2 hours left to get our roll done!"That is all I'm waiting for now. I'm trying to hold out till then. If mamacita doesn't get back or my meds kick in before, I will roll and she can can roll next week.
Samantha wrote: "Hi everyone - sorry I've been out of the loop. My mental health took a huge dive this week and the book I initially picked was making it worse. I picked up a romance book and just finished it. Let ..."I hope you're doing better. I have a few audio series/authors that I just put on when I need a book but also a break! I call them, collectively, my comfort audios. :)
Michelle wrote: "Laura wrote: "The rolling is done Central Time, so we have about 2 1/2 hours left to get our roll done!"That is all I'm waiting for now. I'm trying to hold out till then. If mamacita doesn't get ..."
I'm in North Carolina, so I see the clock counting closer to midnight and have to remind myself we have another hour.
Team Ready Reader One WEEK 4 COMPLETION POSTS
Week 5 Roll - 8 (5+3)
TIMESTAMP 2024-03-16 04:27:00 UTC
Previous Spot #28
+ Weeks Roll 8 =
New Spot #36
Can read ~
#3 of series
#6 of series
#36 of series
Alternate ~ 36. Author 'E'
Mama Reported It
Mamacita aka MawMaw wrote: "Team Ready Reader One WEEK 4 COMPLETION POSTS
Week 5 Roll - 8 (5+3)
TIMESTAMP 2024-03-16 04:27:00 UTC
Previous Spot #28
+ Weeks Roll 8 =
New Spot #36
Can read ~
#3 of series
#6 of series
#..."
Thanks so much.
Mod
Jumping in here to clarify this one: The strict midnight deadline is for posting reviews. You're allowed to roll later as long as all reviews are posted in time. You can also wait out the review deadline and decide to use the free pass to roll after that if you're missing a review. (Gentle reminder here that as established last round, no takesies-backsies on the free pass once you have used it, even if the missing review is still posted before deadline.)
Denise wrote: "Mamacita aka MawMaw wrote: "I think if we don't roll today before midnight we have to wait a week, but that may be a different challenge I don't remember."Jumping in here to clarify this one: The..."
Thanks Denise.
I think I will do
Michelle wrote: "I think I will do "That's a good one!
Completion Post - Week 5Spot: 36
Book: Love Me
Date Read: 3/16
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: WITSEC #3
Review: Not a lot happened, but that ending! I can't wait for the next one! Predictably, (view spoiler)Also, I'm pretty sure that (view spoiler). And Logan just made me spittin' mad in this one. His actions are not justifiable, even if he wants to think he has Shiloh's best interests at heart.
This is the Third WITSEC book I have read for this challenge. I believe that Mamacita is also reading the third of a four part series this week, so we can claim one of them this week for the 3 books in a series, and one of them next week for the complete series extra points.
Yup we can claim 1 for the 3 books in a series & 1 for reading a full series as both of our books have 4 books in series.
Book:The Bullet Swallower
Author: Elizabeth Gonzalez James
Dates Read: March 14-16, 2024
Rating: 4.5 Stars
How it Fits: Author's name starts with 'E' (Alternate)
Review:
Some parts of this book were slow, but I still enjoyed it.
Ms. James based the characters of Antonio Sonoro and Jamie Sonoro on some family members with a bit of fiction thrown in.
The book alternates between Antonio (1895) and his grandson Jamie (1964), weaving the tale throughout the years of how Antonio was poor and trying to get money to feed his family and how Jamie being a singer and actor had money. The tale starts with a greedy ancestor who was 'born with gold in his eyes' and he was pampered and could do no wrong according to his parents. The Sonoro family had a big mansion and gold mines, but, Alferez Antonio Sonoro's greed soon took over and he murdered a lot of people, the Carrizo/Comecrudo people, and destroyed his mines along with the people. A curse seemed to follow the family until Antonio 'paid the debt' to keep his descendants from having to pay for the family's sins.
The book is set in the fictional town of Dorado, Mexico, and Southern Texas. Antonio sets out to Texas with his adopted brother Hugo, because he got the bright idea to rob a train of its gold and ended up in the crosshairs of some trigger-happy Texas Rangers. Hugo is killed and Antonio is shot in the face, but he lives. He is called El Tragabalas (The Bullet Swallower) because he swallowed the bullet. Capt. Fish, the Texas Ranger who has it out for Antonio pursues him relentlessly across Southern Texas, but it is
Antonio who survives.
Jamie receives an old book that tells of their history from Cain (Bible) and decides that he will write a script and make a movie about his grandfather. Without realizing it at the time, there is a character, Remedio, who is described as a shadow that travels through time, back and forth between Antonio and Jamie weaving the tale of the family and how the curse was broken through the movie.
Mama's Ready Reader One Completion Post 
Week #5 ~ Spot #36
Book ~ Lies We Tell 4* ✔️ 3/19
Author ~ Angel Lawson
Pages ~ 314 pages
How qualifies ~ Thistle Cove Series #3
For Bonus Points ~
Mama's Book #1 ~ Post #98
Mama's Book #2 ~ Post #132
Mama's Book #3 ~ Post #187
Review ~ so we find out who was behind BD & stalking Kinsley. We also found out another secret about Rose. Which I had guessed that one. I had also caught onto part of that from the beginning. I still think there's something else going on that we haven't even stumbled upon yet. So yes I will be continuing on with the last book in the series and hopefully it does not disappoint. Which from my previous experience with this author, Angel Lawson never disappoints. There have been times that she has not fully exceeded my level of expectation, but she has never really disappointed me. Especially her other series The Royals of Forsyth University Series, that series will still go down as one of my favorites in the Dark Romance RH sub-genre.
I didn’t say this earlier, but I’ll be reading To Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt. It’s book 3 of her Four Soldiers series. It’s one of my faves, so it’ll be a quick read 🥰 mental health is a lot better this week (thankfully)
Samantha wrote: "I didn’t say this earlier, but I’ll be reading To Beguile A Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt. It’s book 3 of her Four Soldiers series. It’s one of my faves, so it’ll be a quick read 🥰 mental health is a lot..."I'm glad to hear that.
I should be done with my book tomorrow. I've only got about an hour left.
Completion Post for Week 5
Book: To Beguile a Beast
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Pages: 333
Rating: ****.5
How it fits: #3 in the Four Soldiers series
Review: This is one of my favorite romance novels. I am such a sucker for men who have a hard exterior, but are the kindest person once you get to know them. Whenever I'm needing to recenter myself or I'm in a reading slump, this book is such a comfort book that I can easily get through.
Completion post. Week #5Week #5: Spot 36
Book: Murder on the Minnesota
Pages: 352
How it fits: #3 in book series
Rating: 4/5
It felt a bit like the Warrens but with crimes. It was really well written and quite enjoyable the only thing that bothered me it's that I felt it was truly forgettable. But it was a really nice read.
Samantha wrote: "Completion Post for Week 5Book: To Beguile a Beast
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Pages: 333
Rating: ****.5
How it fits: #3 in the Four..."
I've been meaning to start this series! B&B is my favorite Fairytale so that's a plus too. I have all the books except #2.
Have you read the entire series?
So do we just need to ck in? Are we waiting on anybody to post a review?
Whose turn is it to roll?
I believe the answer is Michele and Michele. Captain Michelle for both a review and a roll.Michelle’s first post in the thread has the roll schedule.
That would be me who rolls this week. I am working on everything right now. Give me about 15 minutes and I will have the roll up.
Week 5 Spot 36
Book - Bound by Flames by
Author - Jeaniene Frost
Date - 3/22/24
Week 5
Spot - 36
Rating - 5 Stars
How it fits - Night Prince #3
Review - I love the whole Night Huntress series, but this one was a little hard for me to swallow. I gave it 5 stars because it was amazingly written, but the content which included kidnapping, torturing, and threats of rape, including 2 scenes where their was a simulated rape scene being taped had me tearing up quite a bit. Plus their was the aftermath of where the MC, Leila felt guilty over what she had done to get blood and she was thinking that Vlad would despise her forever. Honestly it broke my heart reading this.
Week 5 Spot 36 Completions Ready Reader OneMICHELLE
Book - Bound by Flames by
Author - Jeaniene Frost
Date - 3/22/24
Week 5
Spot - 36
Rating - 5 Stars
How it fits - Night Prince #3
Review - I love the whole Night Huntress series, but this one was a little hard for me to swallow. I gave it 5 stars because it was amazingly written, but the content which included kidnapping, torturing, and threats of rape, including 2 scenes where their was a simulated rape scene being taped had me tearing up quite a bit. Plus their was the aftermath of where the MC, Leila felt guilty over what she had done to get blood and she was thinking that Vlad would despise her forever. Honestly it broke my heart reading this.
MICHELLE
Book - Murder on the Minnesota
Author - Conrad Allen
Pages: 352
How it fits: #3 in book series
Rating: 4/5
It felt a bit like the Warrens but with crimes. It was really well written and quite enjoyable the only thing that bothered me it's that I felt it was truly forgettable. But it was a really nice read.
SAMANTHA
Book - To Beguile a Beast
Author - Elizabeth Hoyt
Pages: 333
Rating: ****.5
How it fits: #3 in the Four Soldiers series
Review: This is one of my favorite romance novels. I am such a sucker for men who have a hard exterior, but are the kindest person once you get to know them. Whenever I'm needing to recenter myself or I'm in a reading slump, this book is such a comfort book that I can easily get through
MAMACITA
Book - Lies We Tell
Author - Angel Lawson
Week #5 ~ Spot #36
Book ~ Lies We Tell 4* ✔️ 3/19
Author ~ Angel Lawson
Pages ~ 314 pages
How qualifies ~ Thistle Cove Series #3
For Bonus Points ~
Mama's Book #1 ~ Post #98
Mama's Book #2 ~ Post #132
Mama's Book #3 ~ Post #187
Review ~ so we find out who was behind BD & stalking Kinsley. We also found out another secret about Rose. Which I had guessed that one. I had also caught onto part of that from the beginning. I still think there's something else going on that we haven't even stumbled upon yet. So yes I will be continuing on with the last book in the series and hopefully it does not disappoint. Which from my previous experience with this author, Angel Lawson never disappoints. There have been times that she has not fully exceeded my level of expectation, but she has never really disappointed me. Especially her other series The Royals of Forsyth University Series, that series will still go down as one of my favorites in the Dark Romance RH sub-genre
STORMIE
Book - The Bullet Swallower
Author - Elizabeth Gonzalez James
Dates Read: March 14-16, 2024
Rating: 4.5 Stars
How it Fits: Author's name starts with 'E' (Alternate)
Review:
Some parts of this book were slow, but I still enjoyed it.
Ms. James based the characters of Antonio Sonoro and Jamie Sonoro on some family members with a bit of fiction thrown in.
The book alternates between Antonio (1895) and his grandson Jamie (1964), weaving the tale throughout the years of how Antonio was poor and trying to get money to feed his family and how Jamie being a singer and actor had money. The tale starts with a greedy ancestor who was 'born with gold in his eyes' and he was pampered and could do no wrong according to his parents. The Sonoro family had a big mansion and gold mines, but, Alferez Antonio Sonoro's greed soon took over and he murdered a lot of people, the Carrizo/Comecrudo people, and destroyed his mines along with the people. A curse seemed to follow the family until Antonio 'paid the debt' to keep his descendants from having to pay for the family's sins.
The book is set in the fictional town of Dorado, Mexico, and Southern Texas. Antonio sets out to Texas with his adopted brother Hugo, because he got the bright idea to rob a train of its gold and ended up in the crosshairs of some trigger-happy Texas Rangers. Hugo is killed and Antonio is shot in the face, but he lives. He is called El Tragabalas (The Bullet Swallower) because he swallowed the bullet. Capt. Fish, the Texas Ranger who has it out for Antonio pursues him relentlessly across Southern Texas, but it is
Antonio who survives.
Jamie receives an old book that tells of their history from Cain (Bible) and decides that he will write a script and make a movie about his grandfather. Without realizing it at the time, there is a character, Remedio, who is described as a shadow that travels through time, back and forth between Antonio and Jamie weaving the tale of the family and how the curse was broken through the movie
LAURA
Book - Love Me
Author - Ashley N. Rostek
Date Read: 3/16
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: WITSEC #3
Review: Not a lot happened, but that ending! I can't wait for the next one! Predictably, [the bad guys are now working together. I would like to think that in the real world the Sheriff would never work a serial killer/stalker, no matter how corrupt he is. But it seems that Mr. X might have take Cassey, so as a parent I can kind of see that happening. (hide spoiler)]Also, I'm pretty sure that (view spoiler). And Logan just made me spittin' mad in this one. His actions are not justifiable, even if he wants to think he has Shiloh's best interests at heart.
This is the Third WITSEC book I have read for this challenge. I believe that Mamacita is also reading the third of a four part series this week, so we can claim one of them this week for the 3 books in a series, and one of them next week for the complete series extra points
Michelle wrote: "That would be me who rolls this week. I am working on everything right now. Give me about 15 minutes and I will have the roll up."Thx Michelle!
Week 6 - Roll - 4Landed on Space 40
What you can read
# 4 in any series
#0 - Stand a lone
Alternate Choice - Set in the 20th century
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
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The Stolen Heir: A Novel of Elfhame (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
T.M. Frazier (other topics)Holly Black (other topics)
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Once again, Thank you.