R15: *** WINNING TEAM *** SS Team 7 - Reading in Seventh Heaven

[Sarah]

So I don't know which book yet, but I'll be switching mine. I've been trying all week on this one and I've only gotten 50 pages in and it feels like it's dragging forever.

[Karen ♐]

I'm having a tough time this week also, Sarah. And we now have had a death in my hubby's family.

[Sarah]

Karen ♐ wrote: "I'm having a tough time this week also, Sarah. And we now have had a death in my hubby's family."

Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that!

[Sarah]

I will have my selection done on Friday probably instead of by tomorrow night just as a heads up.

[Jen K]

Completion Post- Week 10
Spot: 79

Book: Magic Breaks by Ilona Andrews
Qualification: Kate Daniels #7
Finished: 24 April 2024
Rating: ★★★★

Book 7 is action packed as a number of culminating events come to a head. It isn't quite surprising after the big show down with Hugh in Europe where they left him so broken that he shouldn't have survived. When a Master of Dead is murdered by a shapeshifter, Atlanta is on the verge of war and it takes all Kate and her people to save the city. Of course she goes from one deathly situation to another while trying to sort out pack and city politics.

Very fun installation in the series and exciting to see big things happen. I loved that we got to learn more of Ghastek and Clan Rat. Some of the incidents were a bit gratuitous but it was a great ending and I look forward to the next phase of Kate and her Beast Lord.

[Jen K]

@Karen, so sorry for your loss! We could use our free pass if needed.

[Karen ♐]

I actually am a few pages away from finished. Thanks, Jen!

[Karen ♐]

COMPLETION POST - Week 10
Spot 79


Book/Author: Siren Unleashed Sophie Oak
Date Read: 4/25/24
Pages: 318
How It Fits: #7 in Texas Sirens Series
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I really loved this book. I love a strong heroine even when horrible things have happened to her. Natalie was fantastic. Chase and Ben are twins, identical in looks but very different personalities. Natalie is suspected of being involved in the death of her client. Ben and Chase are investigating the death and of course, fall head over heels for Natalie. I love how Natalie was able to hold her own over these two Doms. And of course, we have a couple of surprises throughout the book. I am really enjoying reading these updated books and reading them in order with the Bliss series. I enjoyed listening to the audio on this one. Both narrators did a great job.

[Sarah]

I will be switching to Vicious by V.E. Schwab it is tagged 37 times as college.

[Karen ♐]

Sarah wrote: "I will be switching to Vicious by V.E. Schwab it is tagged 37 times as college."

Will you be able to complete by tomorrow evening?

[Logan]

Week 10 Completion Post
Spot 79



Book: House Rules by Chloe Neill
Pages: 352
Qualification: Chicagoland Vampires #7
Finished: 4/25/24
Rating: 4 stars

Review:
I really enjoyed seeing the House finally break away from the GP and strike out on their own. The central mystery plot tied in well with the political scheming too. I also loved seeing Merit stand up for herself and the Red Guard, though I could have done without the Lacey drama. I do hope she and Mallory get to a better place soon as I miss seeing them together. We got closer in this book and I know time heals, so we'll see what the next book has in store for them. My one gripe is that the author got several things wrong with Chicago geography, which is a pet peeve of mine. If you're going to use real landmarks then be accurate!

[Sarah]

I’ll be able to complete the book tomorrow but not tonight. I’m trying my best to get it done by tomorrow (Friday) night.

[Karen ♐]

I'll keep checking back today. Thanks, Sarah.

[Sarah]

I’ll have it done by 8 PM PST

[Karen ♐]

Sarah wrote: "I’ll have it done by 8 PM PST"

Okay, I'll check back at that time.

[Sarah]

Completion Post
Roll #10, Spot 79



Book: Vicious by V.E. Schwab
How it Fits: Alternate - tagged 37 times as College
Pages: 366 pgs
Read: 4.26.24
Rating: 4 stars
Review:

I've owned this book for awhile and even though I've loved everything I've read by Schwab I still just never did it lol. This book was fantastic! It's very dark and gritty. The book alternates between the past when Eli and Victor are friends and the present where they are enemies. I like Schwab's writing style and the worlds she creates. I will be continuing with the series, and thankfully it's only a duology!

[Karen ♐]

Week 11 - Team 7 - Reading in Seventh Heaven
Dice Roll: 6+1=7
Previous Space: 79
New Space: 86

Can read Series #6, 8 or 86 or Alternate: 86. Cover Item: Water

1 Point earned for reading a book over 500 pages (Jen)
1 bonus pt - 3 or more books in a series (Karen)
1 bonus pt - 2 in 1 - fits series # and alternate (Jen)

[Sarah]

I'll be going with Untamed Delights by Suzanne Wright it is #8 in the Phoenix Pack series and the last one! So yay for me being able to complete a series. lol

[Karen ♐]

I'll read Once Upon a Time in Bliss - #8 in Nights in Bliss series

[Jen K]

I'm reading The Ferocious Force, Unstoppable Liv Beaufont #8.

[Logan]

I'm reading Sudden Prey, Lucas Davenport #8.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I'm reading A Good Dog's Guide to Murder, Paws & Claws Mystery #8

[Jen K]

Completion Post- Week 11
Spot: 86

Book: The Ferocious Force by Sarah Noffke and Michael Anderle
Qualification: Unstoppable Liv Beaufont #8
Finished: 28 April 2024
Rating: ★★★

Review:
The great thing about being at number 8 in a series is that big things that have been building for so long finally happen. Liv makes the quest to unlock her mother's memories in her sword. The mortals are in peril causing the need for show down between the Sinclairs and Liv and friends. Rudolf finally gets married while Liv starts to get the idea of love and spends quality moments with family.

A few storylines came to an end but still leave space for new possibilities. The important events were numerous for such a short book. All is a bit surface and snark. The dialogue was a bit rough at the start. If you have explain the pun/ joke, then make it should have been edited out. I still appreciate the story and quirky characters and Plato owes a second confession so I imagine I will continue to the end.

[LaurLa]

I'll probably go with Little White Sins, #6 in Reynolds Family Saga. Or Brax, #6 in Great Wolves Motorcycle Club

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Completion Post: week 11, spot 86

A Good Dog's Guide to Murder by Krista Davis
How it fits: book 8 in Paws & Claws Mysteries
pgs: 284
rating: 3 stars
review: Holly runs an inn with her Oma in a pet friendly town. When a tree falls over and a concrete covered body is discovered during Thanksgiving holiday, things get interesting.

It was different that we didn't get confirmation on who the victim was until almost the end. The town is lovely as are most of the residents. Lots of great food descriptions and the pets steal the show.

There were a few issues: (view spoiler)[ There was no reason for Marie to tell Holly that Barry was her daughter's father as she had just met her and hadn't told Barry yet. I didn't understand the villain either as if she hadn't decided to start poisoning people, there is a good chance she would have never been found out (and the original death was defending her young nephew) (hide spoiler)]

[Karen ♐]

COMPLETION POST - Week 11

Diane - 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/...

1 bonus pt - book over 500 pgs (Jen)
1 bonus pt - 3 or more books in a series (Karen)
1 bonus pt - 2 in 1 - fits series # and alternate (Jen)

[Karen ♐]

COMPLETION POST - Week 11
Spot 86


Book/Author: Once Upon a Time in Bliss Sophie Oak
Date Read: 4/30/24
Pages: 213
How It Fits: #8 in Nights in Bliss, Colorado Series
Rating: 5 stars
Review: Loved reading Henry's backstory! Henry is such an important character later on, I wondered how this all started. He and Nell are perfect together. And seeing other characters before they find their perfect mates was so much fun. And of course, there always has to be a bad guy to mess things up a bit. It was great getting some backstory on Seth and Logan also. I really enjoyed the two narrators on this one. They brought the story alive.

[LaurLa]

I'm starting my book today. It may be latish tomorrow when I finish. Just checking, letting you know :-)

[Karen ♐]

LaurLa wrote: "I'm starting my book today. It may be latish tomorrow when I finish. Just checking, letting you know :-)"

Thanks, LaurLa

[Sarah]

Completion Post
Roll #11, Spot 86



Book: Untamed Delights by Suzanne Wright
How it Fits: #8 in the Phoenix Pack series
Pages: 381 pgs
Read: 5.1.24
Rating: 4 stars
Review:

This is the final book in the series so it's fitting that Dominic is the last to finally find a mate. He's the most flirtatious and unattached of all the male shifters introduced in the series. I wasn't sure how exactly this would finish the series, as the plot didn't feel like it was leading to a final resolution, but it did eventually get there. I enjoy reading this series, and I really like Suzanne Wright, but I'm glad I can cross this series off my TBR. I'll be continuing with the spin-off series.

[Logan]

I'm running down to the wire this week! I have dinner plans and then will read afterward so probably will get my book in close to deadline.

[Karen ♐]

Okay, Logan. Thanks for letting us know.

[LaurLa]

Completion Post🚦Week 11
Spot🚦86


Book🚦Little White Sins
How it fits🚦#6 Reynolds Family Saga
Date Read🚦05.02 ★★★
Review
I'm not sure what the point of this book was. I didn't hate it, but the main point of the story was to reveal that someone who was presumed dead wasn't dead. Everything else that happened seemed beside the point? Unless it's a set up for later book for more reveals, I'm sort just left wondering, why?

[LaurLa]

Sorry I was a late with my post. I fell asleep after finishing and forgot all about it!

[Logan]

Week 11 Completion Post
Spot 68



Book: Sudden Prey by John Sandford
Qualification: Lucas Davenport #8
Finished: 5/3/24
Rating: 4 stars

Review:
Another tense one in this series. Told from both the killers' perspectives and the cops' so sometimes the timelines backtracked and switched a lot in each scene which got confusing. But the action was paced well, slowly unfolding at first, getting trickier and nearly getting caught in the middle parts, and then a super intense showdown over the ending chapters. I liked seeing Jennifer and Sarah back in the story, if only briefly. I really enjoyed this one.

[Logan]

LaurLa wrote: "Sorry I was a late with my post. I fell asleep after finishing and forgot all about it!"

Same here! Fell asleep before I finished but knocked it out now. Sorry for the delay!

[Karen ♐]

Ok. I’ll get it updated and be back with our next task.

[Karen ♐]

Week 12 - Team 7 - Reading in Seventh Heaven
Dice Roll: 6+5=11
Previous Space: 86
New Space: 97 + bonus pts of 4=101

Can read Series #1, 10, 101 or Standalone (I'm checking to see if a #10 is allowed) or Alternate: Book by a New Author to you

1 Point earned for reading a book over 500 pages (Jen)
1 bonus pt - 3 or more books in a series (Karen)
1 bonus pt - 2 in 1 - fits series # and alternate (Jen)
1 bonus pt - never using Alternate (Karen)

[Karen ♐]

Denise advised we can also use a #10 so I edited the above post.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

So how is winner determined? First team over 100 that gets in their reviews or team over 100 by the highest amount?

[Denise, Manufacturing Director]

Diane ~Firefly~ wrote: "So how is winner determined? First team over 100 that gets in their reviews or team over 100 by the highest amount?"

First team that gets all reviews in for a spot above 100. Doesn't matter how much above 100.

[Logan]

Woohoo! I'll find something short and read right after work until I finish.

[Sarah]

I'm going with Goddess of Filth by V. Castro it is a standalone and a new to me author so it will count for either of those.

[Diane ~Firefly~]

I've started All Systems Red, book 1 of the Murderbot Diaries series.

[LaurLa]

I’m going with Seducing the Enemy #1 in Heirs of Damon series.

[Karen ♐]

I'll read Resisting the Bad Boy - #1 in Can't Resist series

[Logan]

I'm reading Hercule Poirot #10, Murder on the Orient Express

[Logan]

Week 12 Completion Post
Spot 101



Book: Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie
Qualification: Hercule Poirot #10
Finished: 5/3/24
Rating: 5 stars

Review:
FINALLY got around to reading this classic! I just love Poirot's ego and snark. The slow unfolding of all the layers to this puzzle was so satisfying. I never got bored and wanted to soak it all in. It had been long enough since I saw the movie that I couldn't remember the details of the whodunnit which made it that much more enjoyable. I do think in this particular mystery Poirot makes some big leaps to get to his conclusions, and as he reveals his deductions it felt a little contrived. That said, the murder in the giant "locked room" train and the reason behind it were very well conceived. Agatha was simply a mastermind!

[Diane ~Firefly~]

Week 12 Completion Post: Spot 101

All Systems Red by Martha Wells
pgs: 156
how it fits: book 1 in Murderbot Diaries series
rating; 3 stars
review: Self-proclaimed Murderbot is sentient and bored with their job so they do a half-assed job of guarding the surveyor group, until real threats appear and they realize they like the people and even worse, the people like them.

Murderbot's thoughts were interesting. The book started a bit slow though and I wanted more (view spoiler)[ about the punishment for the murdering team (hide spoiler)]

[Jen K]

Sorry guys, I just landed in NYC to visit my friend for the weekend. I can finish something on the bus Sunday night but doubtful I will manage before then. :(

Will try to find something short. I just flew back from Ethiopia yesterday so who knows, I may be wide awake at 3 am and ready to read.