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R15: *** WINNING TEAM *** SS Team 7 - Reading in Seventh Heaven
message 51:
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Sarah
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Feb 23, 2024 11:48AM
I don’t think so
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I waited last night then figured it would probably happen this morning
Jen K wrote: "I hope that Karen is okay!"Same!
Mod
Yeah this isn't like her so I'm guessing something is going on. Praying all is well! I will go ahead and roll for us.
Week 2: 6 + 3 = 9Previous Spot: 10
New Spot: 19
Can read:
Standalone, #1, #9, or #19 in series
Alternate: 19. Cover Item: Jewelry
So sorry. We ended up at the ER last night and I totally forgot. I'll put Logan's roll in. Thanks so much, Logan.
I hope you and your family are ok Karen
Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I hope you and your family are ok Karen"Everything is fine. Thanks.
COMPLETION POST - Week 2Diane - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jen K - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
LaurLa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Logan - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sarah - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen ♐ wrote: "Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "I hope you and your family are ok Karen"Everything is fine. Thanks."
So glad everything is okay! Thanks Logan for rolling.
Week 2, Selection Post, Spot 19Harlem Shuffle
Ray Carney #1
Or
So Let Them Burn
Divine Traitors #1
whichever I read first :)
Just realized that the book I started this morning on the way to work could count as a 2 for 1,.
Would it still qualify if I started it before we rolled today?
I think you're supposed to start the book after we roll but why don't you ask the question in the Q&A to be sure.
Thank you for rolling for us Logan.I will be reading Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire. It is the 9th book in the Wayward Children series, the book pages is 149 so barely makes the cut.
Mod
Would it still qualify if I started it before we rolled today?"
Books need to be started after the roll.
Karen, I'm glad things are okay for you!
Denise wrote: "Jen K wrote: "Just realized that the book I started this morning on the way to work could count as a 2 for 1,.Would it still qualify if I started it before we roll..."
Thanks Denise!
Thought I would list this here for us to reference. I will cross it off when we use it so everyone knows since each one can only be used once.BONUS POINTS:
✸ 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.
✸ 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.
How to use bonus points:
✸ Bonus points can be added to your roll to move you further along the board. Each bonus point can only be earned once and spent once.
✸ Bonus points may be used for the win. Example: Your team rolls and lands on spot 97. Your team has earned 4 bonus points. You can use your bonus points to move to spot 101 and compete for the win.
✸ You don't have to use all your bonus points at the same time.
✸ You can also use your bonus points earlier in the game. Example: Your team has earned 3 bonus points. Your team rolls and lands on spot 88. A team member doesn't have a book that is either #8 in a series or fits the alternate. They do however have a #9. Your team may decide to use 1 bonus point to move to spot 89 and have 2 bonus points remaining for later use.
COMPLETION POST - Week 2 - SPOT #19
book: Sweatpants and Spells by Keira Blackwood
finished: 2/25/24
pgs: 264
how it fits: book 1 of Midlife Magic in Marshmallow series
rating: 3 stars
review: Remi's fire witch abilities wake up after her ex kidnaps her. I really enjoyed Remi's relationship with BFF Jen and the new relationship with her mentor Molly. There is insta-love with Julian who doesn't seem to exist except to be whatever Remi needs.
The town is interesting and they left a few threads hanging, so I will eventually check out book 2.
Completion PostRoll #2, Spot 19
Book: Mislaid in Parts Half-Known by Seanan McGuire
How it Fits: #9 in the Wayward Children Series
Pages: 146 pgs
Read: 2.24.24
Rating: 3 stars
Review:
I won't go into too much detail as I don't want to spoil the series for anyone. However, the basic premise of all of the books is that special doors open for children and they can go through them into a world that will accept them or protect them from events/circumstances of their home world. If these children come back to Earth they end up together at a school with other children who have experienced the same things they have, as they can't really integrate themselves back into "normal" society. Most children want nothing more for their door to appear again so they can go back to the world they were removed from. All of the books in the series are novellas and quick reads. I've found most of them to be very good. However, sometimes it doesn't really feel like much happens and it's trying to be a "morality story" or something along those lines. I'm not usually a fan of those so I tend to rate those stories where it's something I can't get past lower, than the ones that just go on an adventure to a fantastical place. Overall, I'll still continue the series as you don't really have to remember too much to continue it and they are quick, short reads.
COMPLETION POST - Week 2Spot 19
Book/Author: French Quarter Lacey Alexander
Date Read: 2/25/24
How It Fits: #1 in Hot In The City Series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: Liz hires Jack to find out if her fiance is cheating on her, which of course, he is. She and Jack then start a wild time in New Orleans and her previous fiance causes a few problems along the way.
I really enjoyed this book and will read the next one which is about Liz's sister.
Completion Post ♾️ Week 2Spot ♾️19
Book ♾️ Fierce
How it fits ♾️ #1 Not Quite a Billionaire series
Date Read ♾️ 02.25 ★★★★
Review
I've been wanting to read this book for years it seems like - I really enjoy the author's portrayal of New Zealander and Maori characters, and, of course, the rugby sportmen in her other series. This was a little steamier than her Escape to New Zealand series. I liked Hope, the female MC. She stood of for herself with the overbearing Hemi, no matter how frightened of him and her feelings she was. She didn't let him roll over her (too often). Hemi was definitely Alpha and more than occasionally a real jerk, but his innate caring and goodness eventually caried through to his actions. Even if he convinced himself he was only doing them to get Hope into bed. There is more story for these two in this series - I'm glad this didn't end on a cliff-hanger, though. But the next book, it's warned, does. At least the series is long been written so I'm not waiting on a cliff for a new book to be published.
Week 2Spot: 19
Book: Harlem Shuffle by Colson Whitehead
Qualification: Ray Carney #1
Finished: 26 February 2024
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Ray Carney is fairly satisfied with a wife, daughter and one on the way making a manageable living managing his own furniture store on 125th street in Harlem. The apartment may be small and the profit from the store minimal but he is making his way on the straight and narrow unlike his crooked father. Well, mostly, he isn't crooked but a bit bent. Then his cousin drops his name in the wrong crowd forcing him to participate more in the Harlem shuffle than planned.
Told in three parts in three different years and three schemes that Ray accidentally gets falls in. The book started a bit slow but I came to appreciate the slow but steady planning of Ray to keep his head and family above water. I enjoyed seeing how he continued to try to keep that fine balance of the front shop and back shop. I really enjoyed those involved from the Rusty and Marie at the shop to most especially Pepper and the relationship between Ray and Pepper. I look forward to the next installment of Ray Carney.
I am almost done with my pick this week - Throne of Glass (#1). I will plan on finishing the series for that bonus point.
Week 2 Completion PostSpot 19
Book: Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Pages: 406
Qualification: Throne of Glass #1
Finished: 2/28/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
I first read this in August 2013. WTF what even is time. With all the CC hype it was time to finally reread this and finish the series!
So let's talk Calaena. To me, she lacked the gravitas I would have expected from someone who had been through the loss of her parents, a violent upbringing, and hard labor at a prison camp. Instead she is all snark and attitude, but at like the most inappropriate times. The prince is offering you the chance to earn your freedom and you're basically insulting him straight to his face. Hello?? Self-preservation calling! She irritated me with how...not smart...she acted. I would have liked to see her more calculated and have any kind of weight to the trauma she has experienced. It made her feel silly and unbelievable when she could have been so much cooler and more badass.
I enjoyed the premise of the champion competition but I do wish we had seen more of it. I loved the demon/otherworldly stuff with Elena and the Wyrdmarks. It gave me a Legendborn vibe! I like being able to read this with an eye on where the world will go and where the worlds may collide in her other series. Super fun story and I am looking forward to the next one!
Oh darn, I forgot rereads don't count for the complete series bonus. I can use it for the 3+ books or I could also do the Rules of Prey series for the complete series. We'll see how the rolls shake out.
Week 3 Dice Roll: 5+1=6
Previous Space: 19
New Space: 25
Can read Series #2, 5 or 25 - Alternate: Book with a wedding in it
Week 3Spot 25 Selection
Scarlet
The Lunar Chronicles #2
Will try to read the last 3 in the series and the next one is over 500 pages.
I'm trying to decide between Cursed Fates #5 in the Zodiac Academy, or reading the second book in the series. I'll make a choice tonight and then update.ETA: I'll be reading Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby the 5th book in the Mindf*ck series. It is 177 pages.
I have lots of 2s, not as many 5s but I have 2 I do need to read, so this just might be the push I need... now to decide which I need to read more!!
LaurLa wrote: "I have lots of 2s, not as many 5s but I have 2 I do need to read, so this just might be the push I need... now to decide which I need to read more!
Book: Scarlet by Marissa Meyer
Qualification: The Lunar Chronicles #2
Finished: 3 March 2024
Rating: ★★★
Review: Book two in a sci fi retelling of classic fairy tales with this one taking on the Little Red Riding Hood story. Scarlet, red hair and favorite red hoodie, is working the family farm but desperate that her beloved grandmother has gone missing for 2 weeks. Yet the local police don't suspect any foul play because she was an older woman who spoke her mind instead of agreeing with local prejudices especially in not condemning cyborgs. When Scarlet meets Wolf, her instincts tell her not to trust him and his mesmerizing eyes but he is her only possible lead to grandmother and so their adventure begins as Scarlet is brought into a bigger intergalactic conflict.
Meyer does a great job in bringing in Cinder from the first book and merging the stories. I do enjoy the sci-fi take on this otherwise well known set of stories. I also appreciate that the heroines while young and still linked to the men of their stories are also powerful on their own. I look forward to continuing the series.
COMPLETION POST - Week 3Diane - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Jen K - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Karen - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
LaurLa - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Logan - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
Sarah - https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...
COMPLETION POST - Week 2Spot 25
Book/Author: Rooted in Sin Alta HensleyRenee Rose
Date Read: 3/4/24
How It Fits: #2 in Chicago Sin Series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is the 2nd book in this duology. They must be read in order as the first book ends in a cliffhanger. Armando and Hannah are now living together so that he can hide from whoever is trying to kill both him and Hannah. They get so much closer with a few surprises toward the end of this book. I really enjoyed this series and will read more from both of these authors.
Selection Post: week 3, spot 25The Longest Yard Sale by Sherry Harris
pgs: 260
book 2 in Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series
Week 3 Completion PostSpot 25
Book: Shadow Prey by John Sandford
Pages: 449
Qualification: Lucas Davenport #2
Finished: 3/3/24
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Review:
This was a less enjoyable follow up in this series. Lucas is a strange character, and I still don't quite get his "quirk" of being a serial womanizer who is also trying to be a family man. I can deal with a lothario cop. But his relationship with Jennifer is just weird and feels icky. I feel bad for their fictional daughter 😂.
Lucas goes through some serious shit in this one, but the love interest was boring with an additional layer of ick as a married woman. There was a lot of cool action sequences but the plot was hard to follow with dual timelines and a huge cast of characters that felt indistinguishable. It's clear Sandford is still figuring things out as he goes, and I hope the series gets better.
Completion Post: week 3, spot 25
The Longest Yard Sale by Sherry Harris
pgs: 260
book 2 in Sarah Winston Garage Sale Mystery series
finished: 3/5/24
rating: 2 stars
review:
I am not fond of love triangles and even less fond when one the people in it doesn't know about the other. This has made me dislike the main character Sarah as she is actively hiding dating Seth. She does other questionable things as well.
The mystery is ok. There are fires during the longest yard sale and then a dead body shows up in her friend's shop (view spoiler)
I'm iffy on reading the next one and only considering it because I already own it.
Completion PostRoll #3, Spot 25
Book: Paint It All Red by S.T. Abby
How it Fits: #5 in the Mindf*ck series
Pages: 177 pgs
Read: 3.7.24
Rating: 5 stars
Review:
This is a great conclusion to this series! I basically binged this whole series in the last week, it helps that each book is pretty short but also packed with action. I resisted this series for so long because of the hype. I was under the impression there was more spicy scenes, but it's really not like that. While there are spicy scenes, it's more so about the relationship between Lana and Logan. There's a struggle in Lana between continuing her goal of revenge, and love she feels for Logan along with the respect she has for his position. I will say there are quite a few trigger warnings that can be intense. So enter this series with caution. The last book was probably the best one in the series in my opinion. I rated it the highest. I never had a guess as to what would happen next.
I will be finished tonight but currently without internet with no ETA when it will be back. I’ll try to post completion using my phone. Just wanted to let ya’ll know.
Thanks, LaurLa. Appreciate your letting us know.
Completion Post ⪼ Week 3Spot ⪼ 25
Book ⪼ The Redeeming
How it fits ⪼ #5 The Immortals series
Date Read ⪼ 03.07 ★★★★
Review
I don't know why I let so much time lapse between these books. I always enjoy them when I read them. Anyway, this is Tain's book and I loved it. He was so broken after his years (almost a millenia) of torture but we get to see him heal with Samantha and use his history to make him stronger. I liked how strong Samantha is - she's no doormat for sure and needed to give as good as she got with Tain. Hopefully not another two years goes by before I read the next one...
Week 4Dice Roll: 5+6=11
Previous Space: 25
New Space: 36
Can read Series #3, 6 or 36 - Alternate: 36. Author ‘E’
The Challenge Factory
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