R15: SS Team 3 - Chapter Chasers

[Joyce]

Well done team. Just need me, Carrie and Celia to finish our books. I know I will finish tomorrow. Plus it is a book over 500 pages so we will get our first point.

We do have until Friday night to get our books done. So no worries. I am actually off work on Friday as I am getting oral surgery on Thursday. So I can send and roll anytime that day.

[Carrie]

I’ll have my review posted later on this evening.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Joyce wrote: "Well done team. Just need me, Carrie and Celia to finish our books. I know I will finish tomorrow. Plus it is a book over 500 pages so we will get our first point.

We do have until Friday night t..."

Oh no, hope it goes ok.

[Carrie]

Book: The Wolf Den
Author: Elodie Harper
Pages: 464
Rating: 4 stars
How it fits: First in series
Date Read: 2/29/2024

I wasn't sure how I would feel about this book. It is outside my typical reading wheelhouse and my knowledge of ancient times in Pompeii is rather limited. With that said, I enjoyed this book more than I expected.

The story centers around Amara, the daughter of a deceased Greek physician, who is sold into slavery. Amara dreams of the day she can save enough money to buy her freedom from her pimp Felix and leave brothel life behind forever.

Be forewarned - this book is brutal from the start. There's no minimizing the abuse and violence these women endured. The language used to address them is degrading and harsh. The fact that are nothing more than property is heartbreaking. The conditions they live and work in are awful and the sexual acts that they are required to participate in to make money for their pimps are often violent and repulsive.

With that said, this story demonstrates the value of female friendships, the determination some women have to survive and keep pushing forward no matter what, and the importance of never giving up hope. The Wolf Den is very much a character driven story and I liked the characters which made this book a page turner for me.

There were two things that bothered me though:
1. The reader doesn't really get a feel for Pompeii at the time. While aware of what the setting is, the description needed to give it an atmospheric feel is missing.
2. The writing tends to make me forget the time period in which the story is taking place. The dialogue between the characters feels more modern and that seems a bit inauthentic.

All in all, I enjoyed this book however and am looking forward to reading the next book in the trilogy!

[Joyce]

I will be finishing up my book tonight. Hopefully Celia can as well. Then we can roll. We have until midnight Friday.

[Celia]

Completion Post

Week 2 - Spot 17
Book: by Lauraine Snelling
Date read: 2/25/24
Pages: 324
How it fits: Alternate choice-MC has at least 1 child
How it fits: Roxie has a daughter named Loren

Review: This was probably the first slice of life book that I've thoroughly enjoyed. I really liked the characters. It was a nice change of pace, and the characters still had a lot of life going on even though I would still classify it as a slice of life novel.

[Joyce]

Completion Post
Week #2 Spot #17
Book: The Soprano Sorceress by L.E. Modesitt Jr.
How it fits: Book #1 in series as well as Alternate as Anna has three children
Pages: 672
Finished: 3/1/24
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Anna Marshall is on her way to a music function in Iowa where she really does not want to go. Her wish to be anywhere else is granted. She is summoned to Defalk on Erde a place where her voice is power. She winds up being one of the most powerful sorceresses and helps Defalk become a place livable again. It has been rendered a wasteland by the neighboring Ebra and the dark ones.
Anna goes to battle even though the cost to her is great. She is always hungry and always in pain from the spells.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding in this one. I am not usually a fan of this kind of fantasy but it kept me interested all the way through.

[Joyce]

Week 4
Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Review Post
Dice Roll = 5+2=7
Previous Space: 17
New Space: 24
#2 in Series
#4 in series
# 24 in series
Alternate Choice-MC is in their 20's

Bonus Points this round 2 for book over 500 pages. & 2 in 1 Approved

[Joyce]

BONUS POINTS EARNED: 3 and free pass

✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series. Done
✸ One point can be earned for reading a book with >500 pages. Done
✸ 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.
✸ 2 in 1: One point can be earned for reading a book that fits both the series number and the alternate for the spot you are on. Done
✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90. DONE
✸ 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. DONE

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

think I will go - #2 in Series with

[Carrie]

I'm going #2 in series (but if I remember right the MC is also in her 20s - need to check).

A Venom Dark and Sweet

[Leslie Ann]

Week 3
Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Review Post
Dice Roll = 5+2=7
Previous Space: 17
New Space: 24
#2 in Series
A Perilous Undertaking / Deanna Raybourn
3/3/24
#2nd in the series
3 stars (2.5)
Review:

I really enjoyed the first book in this series. I was looking forward to reading this, especially because of the high ratings. Unfortunately I did not enjoy this book. The book should be renamed the slowest undertaking. I still like the main characters but everything moved so slowly. It felt like I was reading a 500 page book not 338 pages. I will try the next book in the series before I abandon the series.

[Celia]

Completion Post

Week 3 - Spot 24
Book: by Molly Maple
Date read: 3/3/24
Pages: 175
How it fits: Alternate choice - MC in their twenties
How it fits: Hannah is around 26

Review: I enjoyed the character growth in this. However, the mystery was pretty lackluster. I did enjoy the diversity we don't usually see in cozy mysteries in the MC as well.

[Joyce]

Completion Post
Week #3 Spot #24

Book: Angels of Bourbon Street
Date Read: 3/5/24
Pages 300
How it fits: #4 in series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Jade Calhoun is planning her wedding to Kane when a ghost from his home decides to possess Jade because Jade is still dealing with her half a soul. It turns out that she is part angel as well as witch. This ghost is creating a lot of havoc in her and her friend's life so they need to find a way to possibly get Jade's complete soul back.

I haven't read one of these books in this series in a while and each time I am so drawn into the world building which is a bit different than others of this type.

[Joyce]

Celia wrote: "Completion Post

Week 3 - Spot 24
Book: by Molly Maple
Date read: 3/3/24
Pages: 175
How it fits: Alternate choice - MC in their twenties
How..."

Just need a short review of the book to include in this post

[Joyce]

Week #2
Team #3- Chapter Chasers
Spot #24
Joyce- Book #4 in series & Alternate -Angels of Bourbon Street - Review
Jade aka MrsTosh - Book #2 in series - The Highland Warlord's Kiss- Review
Carrie- Book #2 in series- A Venom Dark and Sweet- Review
Leslie Ann- Book #2 in series- A Perilous Undertaking - Review
Celia-Alternate MC in her 20's -Pomeranian Puzzle - Review
Christene Paula- Book #4 in series -Rapture in Death - Review

[Celia]

Joyce wrote: "Celia wrote: "Completion Post

Week 3 - Spot 24
Book: by Molly Maple
Date read: 3/3/24
Pages: 175
How it fits: Alternate choice - MC in thei..."

Sorry about that. Updated now.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Completion Post
Week #3 Spot #24
Book: The Highland Warlord's Kiss by Donna Fletcher

Date Read: 6th March
Pages: 299
How it fits: #2 in series Highland Myths
Rating: ****

Review:
This is the second instalment in The Highland Myths trilogy and tells us the story of Torin and Flora. Flora arrived in her Uncles lands after her parents death. A place she never wanted to go and to her shock and surprise she is married off to a total stranger.

Torin hoped he would get a quiet and obedient wife but instead he is met with Floras sheer determination not to be bossed around and to have her say about how things will go. The chemistry with these two is off the charts.

I really like the writing style of Donna Fletcher, and the characters she write are feisty and fun. This could be a stand alone book but I think I enjoyed it even more as I have already read the first instalment and knew about some of the other characters and had been introduced to Torin in the first book. which helped my enjoyment of his own happy ending.

[christene_littlelibrary]

Completion Post
Week #3 Spot #24

Book: Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb
Date Read: 3/4
Pages: 299
How it fits: #4 In Death series
Rating: 4⭐

Review:
I really love the characters in this series. I liked this one, but it didn’t engross me quite as much as the last couple I’ve read. I think I was disappointed in the mystery as it didn’t grip quite the same and I thought the culprit was pretty easy to figure out. That being said all of my favorite side characters were present and their regular wonderful selves. Dallas can’t help who she is and she can’t help responding to an apparent suicide at the end of her honeymoon despite being off world and definitely out of her jurisdiction.

[Carrie]

Completion Post:
Week #3 Spot #24
Second book in series

A Venom Dark and Sweet

Judy I. Lin
Pages: 352
Date Read: 3/7/2024
How it fits: Second book in series
3 stars

Review:

I had such high hopes for this book. I loved the first book so much. Unfortunately this book fell short for me.

The story picks up within weeks of where the first book ended. Ning has fled with the princess and now has her sister at her side. Kang is trying to understand everything that has happened and also please his father simultaneously.

The narrative alternates between Ning and Kang on their respective journeys. For the first 2/3rds of the book, the details seem repetitive and the story is slow. Once Kang and Ning encounter one another, momentum builds.

This book incorporates history and lore, while I felt like the first book centered around magic and what it can be used for. Tea also played more of a role in the first book as well I think.

I didn't dislike this book. I just thought it wasn't as captivating as the first.

[Joyce]

Christene Paula✨ wrote: "Completion Post
Week #3 Spot #24

Book: Rapture in Death by J.D. Robb
Date Read: 3/4
Pages: 299
How it fits: #4 In Death series
Rating: 4⭐

Review:
I really love the ch..."

I am up to #34 in this series. Keep going. It does have good books and great books. The development of the characters is wonderful,

[Carrie]

I really enjoy the series as well! There are a couple books that are a little slow but most are really good!

[Joyce]

Week #3
Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Dice Roll: 6 +1=7
Previous Space: 24
New space: 31

#3 in series
#1 in series
#31 in series
Alternate choice: Set in a Fictional Location/Universe

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

I will continue with this series - The Legendary Highlander - (Highland Myths Trilogy Book 3)

[Celia]

Completion Post

Week 3 - Spot 31
Book: by Susan Beth Pfeffer
Date read: 3/10/24
Pages: 256
Task: series #3
How it fits: Last Survivors series #3

Review: This one kept me on my toes just as much as the first two. I was surprised because I was expecting more of a dystopian slice of life, based on the fact that things really can't be fixed. I was surprised by how much we weren't told. Even though I haven't heard great things about the last book, I'm looking forward to it.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Completion Post

Week 3 - Spot 31
Book: The Legendary Highlander by Donna Fletcher

Date read: 3/11/24
Pages: 327
Task: series #3
How it fits: #3 in the Highland Myths Series

Review:
This was a brilliant end to the highland myths series.
Lord Varrick is the Legendary Highlander who has well-earned the myth centered around him. He is known for his endless victories in battle, his fearless skill as a warrior, and his soulless nature. In a bid to save his clan he is in search of a witch.

Fia, is a gentle and gifted healer from a long line. The locals have branded her a witch. In a bid to get rid of her and keep his people safe, Her clan chief makes a deal with the legendary highlander Lord Varrick to marry her.

I really enjoyed this book the characters are so well written and the chemistry between them works really well. I will definitely be reading some of the authors other series as I believe some of the character make other appearances. A brilliant series full of romance and a little bit of magic.

✸ Claiming a bonus point - or reading three or more books in a series. I have read all 3 books in the trilogy during the start of the challenge.

[Leslie Ann]

Completion Post
Week 3 - spot 31
The Boy from the Woods / Harlan Coben
3/11/24
371 pages
1st in the Wilde series

Review:
I really enjoyed the first book of the Wilde series. Great Characters and a fast moving plot. I really enjoyed the Wilde character and his sister. I will be continuing on with this series.

[christene_littlelibrary]

Completion Post
Week 3 - Spot 31

Truth or Beard by Penny Reid
Pages: 390
Date Read: 3/11 3⭐
Review:
I've heard a lot of good things about this series over the years, and when i saw it pop up in audible i decided an audiobook was a safe bet. And this was surprisingly good! It did have all the small town charm but it didn't have the cheesiness i expected. Our hero was the perfect amount of mysterious and brooding without being a jack ass. And our heroine had some shit she had to work thru that explained a lot of her hesitance to enter into a relationship!

The only thing i would have changed was perhaps the speed with which the heroine professed her love. like.. i understood it. the hero was hot and i was into it. but it also felt a little quick given her hesitance to settle down. But! i'm excited to continue on with this series.

[Carrie]

Completion Post:
Week 3 - Spot 31

The Secret, Book, & Scone Society

Ellery Adams
Pages: 307
Date Read: 3/13/2024

Review:

This is the first book in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. It's a cozy mystery book about 4 women who come together to solve a murder. Each woman has a secret that has dramatically altered their life and none of them are good at trusting others. Nora, the MC, owns a bookstore and she has a talent for recommending books to people that will help them with whatever life problem they are navigating. Hester owns a bakery and she makes scones that are geared towards an individual based on their characteristics. Estella owns a spa and she helps build self-confidence and makes people feel beautiful. Finally, there is June. She works at a thermal pool. (I feel like June's character isn't as developed as they others.)

Things I liked:

- Female bonding
- Solid Plot
- Cozy Charm
- Book and Scone recommendations that are offered throughout the book

Things I didn't like as much:

- The constant reminder of Nora's issue (no spoilers)
- Some things didn't ring true [ Would someone who caused a fiery crash that burned a toddler avoid prosecution (besides a lifetime loss of her license) because she jumped into the burning car to save the people? (hide spoiler)]
- Feeling of stereotyping certain characters

Overall though, I really enjoyed this book and am definitely looking forward to reading the next one in the series!

[Joyce]

Completion Post Week 3 Spot 31


Book: Under Lock & Skeleton Key
Finished: 3/13/24
Pages: 342 How it fits: #1 in series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Tempest Raj is part of an intriguing family. Her parents designed fantastical houses with secret passageways and very unusual structures. She has her own magical show on stage but has come home in shame due to a mishap in Las Vegas. It seems there is a curse on the family where the eldest child will die by magic. She has lost her mother and sister and that makes her the current eldest. I absolutely enjoyed this book. It was very interesting and kept me guessing until the end of the story. I am looking forward to reading the next one.

[Joyce]

I am at work and my formatting is giving me issues for some reason. I will put the post together tonight.

[Carrie]

Joyce wrote: "Completion Post Week 3 Spot 31 Under Lock & Skeleton Key Finished: 3/13/24 Pages: 342 How it fits: #1 in series Rating: 4 stars Review:..."

I have this on my TBR. It sounds really good! Glad you enjoyed it 😊

[Joyce]

Carrie wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Completion Post Week 3 Spot 31 Under Lock & Skeleton Key Finished: 3/13/24 Pages: 342 How it fits: #1 in series Rating: 4..."

I think it has recipes in the print version. I did the audio. I might have to get it out of library to see what they are.

[Joyce]

Week # 4 Reviews
Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Spot #31

Joyce- #1 in series -Under Lock & Skeleton Key - Review
Jade aka MrsTosh - #3 in series -The Legendary Highlander - Review
Carrie- #1 in series- The Secret, Book & Scone Society- Review
Leslie Ann- #1 in series- The Boy from the Woods - Review
Celia- #3 in series - This World We Live In - Review
Christene Paula- #1 in series - Truth or Beard - Review

[Carrie]

Joyce wrote: "Carrie wrote: "Joyce wrote: "Completion Post Week 3 Spot 31 Under Lock & Skeleton Key Finished: 3/13/24 Pages: 342 How it fits: #1 in s..."

Even better! I live books that include recipes and/or playlists!

[Joyce]

Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Completion Post

Week 3 - Spot 31
Book: The Legendary Highlander by Donna Fletcher

Date read: 3/11/24
Pages: 327
Task..."

Terrific. now we have 3 which might make a difference soon

[Joyce]

Week 5
Team #3 Chapter Chasers
Review Post
Dice Roll = 5+3=8
Previous Space: 31
New Space: 39
3 in Series
9 in series
39 in series
Alternate Choice- Four or More Words Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Bonus Points Earned this week: 1 for reading three or more books in a series - Jade earned this one.

[Joyce]

Do we want to use a point to make it 40? that way it could be a #4 or a standalone book? I'm fine with either one. a #3 book is not too hard to find.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Whatever everyone else wants to do, I will be reading alternate choice for this week as it stands now.

Class: Welcome to the Little School by the Sea by Jenny Colgan

[Carrie]

I’m going to select the alternate task as well.



Jade earned the extra point 😊

[Joyce]

Carrie wrote: "I’m going to select the alternate task as well.



Jade earned the extra point 😊"

oops sorry Jade.

[Joyce]

I am doing
The Devil's Bones # 3

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

thanks ladies :)

[Leslie Ann]

I am reading Thicker than Blood #3 in the series

[Celia]

Do subtitles count for 5 word title? I always forget.

[Joyce]

Celia wrote: "Do subtitles count for 5 word title? I always forget."

Yes they do count.

[Joyce]

Completion Post Week #4
Spot: #31

Book: The Devil's Bones
How it fits: #3 in the series
Finished: 3/17/24
Pages: 315
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
Bill Brockton is getting ready to testify against Garland Hamilton when Hamilton escapes prison. Bill is now worried about encountering Hamilton as well as Hamilton taking revenge on any of his close colleagues especially Miranda. In the meantime, he has discovered a crematorium that didn't do its job and trying to do his regular job as a forensic anthropologist. The story was good but seemed to have a lot of filler stuff that was not germane to the story. The book probably could have benefited from at least a 50-page edit. I did enjoy the book and will continue in the series.

[christene_littlelibrary]

Completion Post
Week 4 - Spot #39

Heir of Fire by Sarah J. Maas
Date Read: 3/16 4⭐
Pages: 576
Review:
This is going to be a book that I will constantly be thinking about until I'm able to get my hands on the next book. It was incredible and I'm so happy with the way this story is evolving. NOW GIVE ME QUEEN OF SHADOWS.

[Jade aka MrsTosh]

Completion Post
Week 4 - Spot #39
Class: Welcome to the Little School by the Sea (Maggie Adair) by Jenny Colgan

Date Read: 19th March
Pages: 336
Rating: ***

Review:

I seem to have a love hate relationship with the author Jenny Colgan. Some of her books I love and can't put down and others I can't wait to finish and be done with it. This book came somewhere in the middle. Whilst it is a book she has written it was done under a pseudonym of Jane Beaton, so I wasn't quite sure what style of writing to expect.

The story is set in a boarding school and follows four main characters. Two of which are staff, a teacher and a headmistress and two are pupils. All with very different stories and very different lives. I think the main problem with this book for me was that it flitted around too much, and jumped from one person to the other. In some places I just couldn't keep up with which character was now in play, nor was I that invested to care. There is also a lot of bullying, emotional abuse and fat phobic comments which I really didn't think throughout the book.

I don't think I will be reading the other books in the series.

[Celia]

Completion Post

Week 4 - Spot 39
Book: by Poe Hawkins
Date read: 3/19/24
Pages: 286
Task: title has at least five words
How it fits: 5+ words with subtitle

Review:
This is one of the worst books I've ever read! I'm shocked at all the five star reviews. There's so much rape and horrible age gap stuff and slurs that are just accepted. The characters are terrible.