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♦SS Archives♦ > R15: SS Team 8 - Party of Eight

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message 101: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Here's our new roll.

Week: 6
Previous Space: 36
Roll: 2 + 6 = 8
New Space: 44

You can read any of the following:
- 4th book in a series
- 44th book in a series
- Alternate task 44. Set in a place you've visited

Deadline: Friday March 29, 2024


message 102: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Selection Post Week 6-Spot 44
Ignis (The Elements #4) by Tracy Korn
Book: Ignis by Tracy Korn
Pages: 437
Task: 4th in series
How it fits: #4 in The Elements series


message 103: by ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ (last edited Mar 22, 2024 08:59AM) (new)

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Selection Post Week 6-Spot 44
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Finlay Donovan, #4) by Elle Cosimano
Book: Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
Pages: 320
Task: 4th in series
How it fits: #4 in Finlay Donovan


message 104: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Selection Post

Week 6: Spot 44

Raven Cursed Faith Hunter
Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock, #4) by Faith Hunter

353 pages

How it fits: Jane Yellowrock #4


message 105: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Completion Post

Week 6: Spot 44

Raven Cursed Faith Hunter
Raven Cursed (Jane Yellowrock, #4) by Faith Hunter

353 pages

How it fits: Jane Yellowrock #4

Read: 03.24.24
Rating: 4 stars
Review:

I rode into Asheville, North Carolina, for all the wrong reasons, from the wrong direction, on a borrowed bike, with no weapons, ready to work for the vamps again.

Jane is home again in the North Carolina mountains as the vampires of Asheville want to establish their own clan. The request can only be allowed by the Master of New Orleans by whom Jane is employed. Her role as a bodyguard becomes muddied when local campers are attacked and the public is up in arms about the vampires.

I am very happy that this book was a much better read than the last. I was a bit disappointed in the third book but this one redeemed the series for me. Jane and her Beast seem to be stronger in the place of her birth. As a native of North Carolina, I must say that the mountains are certainly my happy place. The various subplots keep the story fresh and kept me eager to keep reading. In addition to the vampires and the campground attacks, there is also Molly's sister Evangeline as the ultimate wicked witch, and Ricky as he struggles with his new life. Molly's delightful daughter Angie is a driving force in one of the arcs. We also get to meet one of the Cherokee elders, Aggie One Feather.

The grindylow was an interesting addition in that it hunted rogue weres. There is a surprising revelation about the grindy late in the story that I did not see coming.

There is plenty of action, vampire politics, magic (good and bad), and Beast to keep the reader happy.

This book has me interested in reading more of the series now that it is back on track.


message 106: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Completion Post: Week 6 Spot 44
Ignis (The Elements #4) by Tracy Korn
Book: Ignis by Tracy Korn
How it Fits: The Elements #4
Finished: 03/24/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviews:
Ignis is a fairly satisfying wrap-up to an overall good series. I enjoyed how the author tied up the various plot points. Thankfully Jaz, Arco, and Liddick all ended up being able to still have good relationships with each other, whether it was platonic or romantic. My one critique of the whole series is that it is a bit too long. There is a lot of repeated information that was unneeded. Other than that, I think it is an engaging sci-fi series and I am glad I read it.

Also, This qualifies for a bonus point: One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series.


message 107: by Melanie (last edited Mar 28, 2024 10:24PM) (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Completion Post: Week 6 - Spot 44

Where Serpents Sleep (Sebastian St. Cyr, #4) by C.S. Harris

Book: Where Serpents Sleep by C.S. Harris
How it fits?: Sebastian St. Cyr #4
Date finished: 3/23/2024
Rating: 4 Stars
Bonus Point: Read three or more books in a series (messages 72, 86, & this one)
Bonus Point: 2 in 1: #4 in series & set in London which I have visited

Review:
Where Serpents Sleep was a fantastic read and my favorite in the series so far. It has been eight months since the events of Why Mermaids Sing and Sebastian has been struggling with the revelations about his family at the end of that book. He's distanced himself from solving mysteries and spends most of his time drinking. When Hero Jarvis contacts him seeking his help investigating the murders of several prostitutes, he reluctantly agrees to help. I love the dynamic between Sebastian and Hero and was super happy with the direction their interactions went in this book. They mystery itself proved to be pretty interesting and went in several directions I wasn't expecting. The ending was fast-paced with several twists and turns. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series soon.


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Completion Post

Week 6-Spot 44
Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice (Finlay Donovan, #4) by Elle Cosimano
Book: Finlay Donovan Rolls the Dice
Read: 3/27/24
Rated: 4 stars
Review: I really don't understand how Finlay and Vero get caught up in so much trouble but they manage. So a girls trip to Atlantic City which turns out to be a trip from hell with kids, mom, ex-husband and then current boyfriend and sister pop up too. Now that's a disaster waiting to happen. This was such much fun to read and definitely want more. I think Finlay is starting to stand her ground when it comes to her ex and all the mess that comes along her way including her writing which I'm sure she will have a lot to go by.


message 109: by Catsalive (new)

Catsalive | 759 comments Week 6 Completion: Spot 44
The Secret (Jack Reacher, #28) by Lee Child
Book: The Secret by Lee Child,Andrew Child
Date: 25/3 2.5★
Qualification: Alternate - Set in a place you've visited -- Washington DC
Pages: 323

Review:
An entertaining Jack Reacher episode, set during his time as an MP, & based on events even further in the past. The timing is still a bit off compared to earlier books & there's still too much unnecessary disquisition, but it's not a bad tale, even if Jack seems to be a waning star in his own eponymous series.

From what I've read, Andrew Child is on his own from now on, so it'll be interesting to see what direction he takes with Jack. I'm hoping he gets over the tendency to think too much about, & justify, his actions: Jack does what's necessary & has no need to excuse himself.


message 110: by Melanie (last edited Mar 28, 2024 10:25PM) (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Week 6 Reviews: Spot 44

Joeera: On Vacation

Catsalive: Alternate - Set in a place you've visited (Washington DC)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎: Finlay Donovan #4
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Anne: The Elements #4
Bonus Point Earned: Start/Finish a series
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Melanie: Sebastian St. Cyr #4
Bonus Point: Read three or more books in a series
Bonus Point: 2 in 1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Moondance: Jane Yellowrock #4
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 111: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Here's our new roll.

Week: 7
Previous Space: 44
Roll: 4 + 3 = 7
New Space: 51

You can read any of the following:
- Standalone
- 1st book in a series
- 5th book in a series
- 51st book in a series
- Alternate task 51. Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies)

Deadline: Friday April 5, 2024


message 112: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Selection Post

Week 7: Spot 51

Little Bookshop of Murder Maggie Blackburn

How it fits: Beach Reads #1


message 113: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Selection Post Week 7-Spot 51
A Fistful of Collars (A Chet and Bernie Mystery, #5) by Spencer Quinn
Book: A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn
Pages: 320
Task: 5th in series
How it fits: #5 in the Chet and Bernie mystery series


message 114: by Moondance (last edited Mar 31, 2024 09:16AM) (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Completion Post

Week 7: Spot 51

Little Bookshop of Murder Maggie Blackburn

326 pages

How it fits: Beach Reads #1

Read: 03.31.24
Rating: 4 stars
Review:

Summer Merriweather slipped off her flip-flops, allowing the sand's warmth to comfort the bottom of her feet like it had thousands of times before.

Summer has come to Brigid's Island, NC for her mother's funeral. She does not believe that her mother died from a heart attack and launches her own investigation to discover the truth.

I always enjoy books set in my home state and this was not exception. The island sounds like a lovely place to visit and the characters made it seem like home.

Summer is a Shakespearean scholar with a terrible case of arachnophobia. She has spent the summer in exile in England following an incident at her university involving spiders. She is dismayed when her otherwise healthy mother dies suddenly. Summer hates the bookshop her mother owns because it features romance and mysteries rather than "serious literature".

This is a very good first book in the series. Summer was a bit snobbish initially but loosens up as the story progresses. She even reads the romance book that her mom's book club has selected. The strength of family is shown with Aunt Agatha, cousin Piper, and Piper's daughter Mia. Family of the heart is also a huge part of the story with the number of friends that reach out to find the truth. I love Mr. Darcy, the African Gray parrot.

The police chief is obnoxious. He has never forgiven Summer for leaving his son at the altar. It is difficult to get him to follow the leads that Summer and her family find.

The mystery is well done. I picked up on clues early on as to the culprit. It was rather sad as Summer's mom, Hildy was well loved by the whole community. There is a little twist at the end of the book that I hope will be explored more in future books.

This would make an excellent beach read. There is a lovely recipe for Mermaid Pie as well.


message 115: by Andy (last edited Mar 31, 2024 07:15PM) (new)

Andy | 84 comments Completion Post: Week 7 Spot 51
A Fistful of Collars (A Chet and Bernie Mystery, #5) by Spencer Quinn
Book: A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn
How it Fits: Chet and Bernie #5
Finished: 03/31/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviews:
Another enjoyable Chet and Bernie mystery. Chet is a sweetheart who loves Bernie with all of his doggy heart, and it is adorable to have his pov for these books. I thought the mystery to be good if a bit overly complicated. Bernie and Suzy's relationship has started to irk me just a bit because it is such a roller coaster all the time. Quinn does an awesome job of writing these books and I can't wait for the next one!


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Selection Post

Week 7: Spot 51

Queen of Babble (Queen of Babble, #1) by Meg Cabot
Pages: 308
Fits: Queen of Babble series


message 117: by Catsalive (new)

Catsalive | 759 comments Week 7 Completion: Spot 51
Away With The Fairies (Phryne Fisher, #11) by Kerry Greenwood
Book: Away with the Fairies by Kerry Greenwood
Date: 3/4 5★
Pages: 288
Qualification: Alternate - Book to Movie/TV -- Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries, season 1, episode 8

Review:
Highly entertaining, this is one of my favourite Phryne Fisher mysteries.

I really enjoyed Phryne's interactions with all the people working at "Women's Choice" as she investigated Miss Lavender's untimely demise, as well as the renovation of the Worth model & the discussions of early photography with Mrs McAlpin. The secondary characters were well-sketched in.

As a sideline, Phryne is also distressed by Lin Chung's disappearance & is having some very dangerous trouble with part of the Chinese community. We also get to know Li Pen a bit better as he & Phryne cooperate to locate & rescue Lin.


message 118: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Completion Post: Week 7 - Spot 51

The Intruder (Roswell High, #5) by Melinda Metz

Book: The Intruder by Melinda Metz
How it fits?: Roswell High #5
Date finished: 4/1/2024
Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
The Intruder was another great addition to the Roswell High series as the group deals with the fallout from the events in The Watcher.

Michael Guerin has been held captive by Project Clean Slate since he and his friends broke into the organization's secret compound to find their ship. He's not as concerned about himself as he is for his friends so he has to find a way to escape before Sheriff Valenti forces him to give them up. Because once Valenti knows the identities of the other aliens, he'll come for them and he won't need Michael anymore.

The Roswell High books continue to be quite enjoyable and at this point in the series, they're nothing like the TV adaptations. The Intruder picks up right where The Watcher left off with the group trying to save Max. Once he's okay, Isabel lets the rest of the group know what happened when her, Michael, and Ray invaded Project Clean Slate. With Ray gone and Michael captured, the group has to come up with a plan that will allow them to rescue Michael without getting them all killed. I was interested to see how they'd manage to infiltrate the compound a second time as now Valenti knows they're coming. While that's going on, we also are following Michael as he's put through tests in the compound where he has to balance cooperating enough to survive without revealing the identities of the other aliens. I really enjoyed when these two storylines intersected and the ending had just the right amount of action and suspense to keep you guessing.

With Michael separated from the group, we meet several new characters during his scenes. Cameron was intriguing and I definitely want to learn more about her character. I didn't love Adam's character as I found him to be untrustworthy but I'm interested to see what happens with him after his actions at the end of the book. There's once again quite a bit of romance drama throughout the book with Max and Liz being the only stable relationship. I'm curious to see how some of these pairings will work out as a lot is up in the air at the moment.

Overall The Intruder was an excellent read and I'm looking forward to picking up the next book in the series, The Stowaway, soon.


message 119: by Joeera (last edited Apr 04, 2024 05:34PM) (new)

Joeera | 395 comments Completion post #7 week #7 Friday



Book: If He's Tempted (Wherlocke, #5) by Hannah Howell If He's Tempted Hannah Howell


How it fits ( wherlock #5 )
Read ( Ap 3-4 )
Rated 5 stars
Pages 352


Review:

I truly enjoyed this book and it was a lovely read. I loved immerseing myself in this world of mystery, intrigue, and a sence of danger. What a wonderful trip into this regence world of romance and if you like regence romances then you won't be disappointed with this one


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Completion Post

Week 7: Spot 51

Queen of Babble (Queen of Babble, #1) by Meg Cabot
Pages: 308
Read: 4/5/24
Review: Babbling fun! This was hilarious but what a mess. Lizzie does let her mouth get the best of her but even though things seem to get into one mess into another she does end up getting something she didn't expect. I have to say this was fun to read. Not sure what took me so long to get to.


message 121: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Week 7 Reviews: Spot 51

Joeera: Wherlocke #5
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Catsalive: Alternate - Book to Movie/TV (Miss Fisher's Murder Mysteries)
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎: Queen of Babble #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Anne: Chet and Bernie #5
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Melanie: Roswell High #5
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Moondance: Beach Reads #1
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 122: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Here's our new roll.

Week: 8
Previous Space: 51
Roll: 4 + 5 = 9
New Space: 60

You can read any of the following:
- Standalone
- 6th book in a series
- 60th book in a series
- Alternate task 60. GR average rating >4.0

Deadline: Friday April 12, 2024


message 123: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Selection Post Week 8-Spot 60
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
Book: Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
Pages: 480
Task: #60 or #6 or standalone
How it fits: Standalone


message 124: by Moondance (last edited Apr 05, 2024 08:00PM) (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Selection Post

Week 8: Spot 60

Owls Well That Ends Well Donna Andrews
Owls Well That Ends Well (Meg Langslow, #6) by Donna Andrews

326 pages

How it fits: Meg Langslow #6


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Selection Post

Week: 8
Space: 60

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Pages: 358
Fits: Standalone


message 126: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Completion Post

Week 8: Spot 60

Owls Well That Ends Well Donna Andrews
Owls Well That Ends Well (Meg Langslow, #6) by Donna Andrews

326 pages

How it fits: Meg Langslow #6

Read: 04.07.24
Rating: 4 stars
Review:

When the doorbell rang, I stumbled to the still-dark window and poured a bucket of water where the front porch roof would have been if it hadn't blown away in a thunderstorm two weeks ago.

Meg and Michael have bought a Victorian house that is terrible condition and filled with years of accumulated junk. They decide to have the yard sale of all yard sales to clear the house. A portion of the proceeds will go to the previous owner's money grubbing family. Toss in endangered barn owls and the murder of a obnoxious antique dealer for a fun filled romp.

Meg's family is filled with some of the most quirky characters I've ever met in a cozy. There are laugh out loud moments with the crazy crew. I had been away from this series for a number of years until recently. I had forgotten how much I enjoy these zany books. Having her extended family be a part of this mega yard sale just added to the chaos.

The victim is so disliked that there are multiple suspects. I fell for every red herring and thought I knew who the murderer was several times. Of course there had to be one last twist at the end.

Meg's dad has to be one of my very favorite side characters. His passion for his causes make me smile. The society for protecting endangered owls was a hoot! (Pun intended!)

This series is such a great read and allows the reader to escape into a happy place.


message 127: by ☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ (last edited Apr 07, 2024 07:48PM) (new)

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Completion Post

Week: 8
Space: 60

Twice in a Blue Moon by Christina Lauren
Read: 4/7/24
Rated: 3 stars
Review: This had all the feeling between love and hate. I didn't like Tates' dad. Mom was sweet and caring. Tate definitely needed to learn a lot and there were moments when she annoyed me. I feel like she didn't learn anything with all the years before Sam and Tate see each other again.


message 128: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Completion Post: Week 8 Spot 60
Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell
Book: Mary Barton by Elizabeth Gaskell 04/09/24
How it Fits: Standalone
Finished: 04/09/24
Rating: 5 Stars
Reviews:
I love Gaskell's gift of storytelling. She has a way of drawing a reader in and keeping their interest till the end. I love the main character, Mary; she can be a bit foolish but mostly she is just very young. Mary has a kind heart and is doing her best in the face of dire poverty and a father who has lost all hope. The author also does a great job of showing the working-class poor during this era in England. She writes them so sympathetically without straying into being maudlin. It is not a perfect novel since it was written in Victorian times, and so it is at times long-winded and very judgy. However, I still really enjoy this one and hope to read and reread more by this author.


message 129: by Catsalive (last edited Apr 10, 2024 02:24AM) (new)

Catsalive | 759 comments Week 8 Completion: Spot 60
Imitation in Death (In Death, #17) by J.D. Robb
Book: Imitation in Death by J.D. Robb
Date: 9/4 3.5★
Qualification: Alternate - GR average rating >4.0 --> 4.39
Pages: 342

Review:
An entertaining, quick read. This one is an exciting one for Peabody: she & McNab have taken a lease on a flat together - woohoo! - & I enjoyed seeing her make it through her detectives exam. Eve is her usual self: Summerset is still on hols but she just can't help but make the usual snide remarks about him even while he's not there.

In the process of investigating some brutal murders, Eve has managed to traumatise a couple of possible subjects on the flimsiest of evidence, her brutality could cause psychologically damage... oh, but that's ok because she's hunting for a murderer, hmm! Be as nasty as you like when you're sure, but I don't think Carmichael Smith or Thomas Breen deserved what she did to them on a couple of fishing expeditions. While I appreciate her dedication to the job, I don't think the end justifies the means. I want to like her because she's interesting & good at her job, not just because she gets the right results by being an arsehole.

Eve & Roarke bored or annoyed me in this one, Peabody is the star today.

I'm not quite sure why there are snowflakes on the cover when this one is set in a torrid New York summer but it looks nice.


message 130: by Joeera (new)

Joeera | 395 comments Completion post #8 week #8 Friday

Book: Ravished by Amanda Quick Ravished Amanda Quick


How it fits ( standalone )
Read ( Apr 8-9 )
Rated 6 stars
Pages ( 385 )


Review:

Thos was a delightf read and I loved all the banter and wit and the main characters were interesting and quirky ( in a good way). They worked well together and you wanted them to get their HEA l also found that it had beauty and beast fibes. There was mysteries/danger/intrigue in the story that me glued to the pages


message 131: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Completion Post: Week 8 - Spot 60

The Stowaway (Roswell High, #6) by Melinda Metz

Book: The Stowaway by Melinda Metz
How it fits?: Roswell High #6
Date finished: 4/12/2024
Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
The Stowaway was another excellent installment in the Roswell High series picking up right where The Intruder left off. After the ending of the last book, I was very curious to see what would happen with Adam. The book opens with the group trying to figure out what to do with Adam as they are divided over whether or not he can be trusted. I understood the hesitation to trust him after we he did in The Intruder. One thing I didn't love about this book was all the relationship drama surrounding Michael, Maria, Isabel, and Cameron. It just got to be a bit much in my opinion and I hope it all gets resolved soon. This book definitely ends on a pretty big cliffhanger so I'm eager to pick up the next book in the series soon to find out how everything gets resolved.


message 132: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Week 8 Reviews: Spot 60

Joeera: Standalone
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Catsalive: Alternate - GR average rating >4.0 --> 4.39
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎: Standalone
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Anne: Standalone
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Melanie: Roswell High #6
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Moondance: Meg Langslow #6
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 133: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Here's our new roll.

Week: 9
Previous Space: 60
Roll: 3 + 6 = 9
New Space: 69

You can read any of the following:
- 6th book in a series
- 9th book in a series
- 69th book in a series
- Alternate task 69. Cover Item: Lamp/Candle

Deadline: Friday April 19, 2024


message 134: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Selection Post Week 9-Spot 69
Doctor Who The Romance of Crime by Gareth Roberts
Book: Doctor Who: The Romance of Crime by Gareth Roberts 04/13/24
Pages: 256
Task: 6th in series
How it fits: #6 in Doctor Who: Missing Adventures


message 135: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Selection Post

Week 9: Spot 69

I'll Be Home for Christmas Lori Wilde
I'll Be Home for Christmas (Twilight, Texas, #6) by Lori Wilde

401 pages

How it fits: Twilight Texas #6


message 136: by Catsalive (new)

Catsalive | 759 comments Week 9 Completion: Spot 69
The Unrepentant Rake by Melinda McRae
Book: The Unrepentant Rake by Melinda McRae
Date: 14/4 3★
Qualification: Alternate - Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
Pages: 224

Review:
A fun read, although I do agree with another reviewer that Simon is rather a repentant rake by the end. Given Ariel's behaviour, it's rather a good thing that Milford wasn't unrepentant, or she would have found herself ruined & repenting at leisure. I would have liked to have shaken Ariel by the lapels until her teeth rattled when she put herself, & others, in danger by leaving her room when shots were fired, but at least she peppered the right person.

An easy, enjoyable read.


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Selection Post

Week 9: Spot 69
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place (Flavia de Luce, #9) by Alan Bradley
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place
Pages: 384
Fits: #9 in the series "Flavia de Luce"


message 138: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Completion Post: Week 9 Spot 69
Doctor Who The Romance of Crime by Gareth Roberts
Book: Doctor Who: The Romance of Crime by Gareth Roberts 04/15/24
How it Fits: 6th in the Doctor Who: Missing Adventures
Finished: 04/15/24
Rating: 4 Stars
Reviews:
This was a fairly well-written Doctor Who story. It really felt like an episode of the show. I liked the plot for the most part, although some of it felt a little farfetched even for a DW episode. The author did a great job with both the Doctor and Romana's characters, and their interactions were very true to the show. All in all, I enjoyed it, and I can't wait to read more in this series!


message 139: by Joeera (new)

Joeera | 395 comments Completion post #9 week #9 Feiday


The Arrow (Highland Guard, #9) by Monica McCarty The Arrow Monica McCarty

How it fits ( highland guard serirs #9 )
Read ( Apr 16-17 )
Rated 6 stars
Pages ( 418 )


Review:

All thee historical facts are really amazing. The research that Monica Mccarty put intoher books is really something else. The authors notes are just as great as the storyi was really surprised by this by this story and it passed my expectations and left me amazingly satisfied this js dast becamelng one of my favorite series.


message 140: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Completion Post

Week 9: Spot 69

I'll Be Home for Christmas Lori Wilde
I'll Be Home for Christmas (Twilight, Texas, #6) by Lori Wilde

401 pages

How it fits: Twilight Texas #6

Read: 04.18.24
Rating: 3.5 stars
Review:

Runaway law student Gabrielle Preston stared out the large plate glass window of Perks coffee shop, watching the bustling holiday activity going on across the street at the Twilight, Texas, town square, and finally took a deep breath.

Gabi and Katie Cheek have switched houses for Christmas like Cameron Díaz and Kate Winslet in The Holiday. Gabi is in Twilight, Texas living in a yurt while Katie is in LA in Gabi’s home.

Twilight embraces Christmas with vigor. The entire town is decorated and all the citizens jump wholeheartedly into the holiday. Of course, there are the kismet cookies that bring couples together.

Gabi and Katie’s brother Joe are thrown together when he steps in to help Gabi settle into the yurt. It doesn’t hurt that the family Christmas tree farm is next door. Gabi has spent her life trying to please her parents and to atone for her brother’s early death which she feels was her fault. Joe is a rambling man who has come home to run the tree farm for his grandfather. Their relationship flares quickly and hot.

I have read this series hopelessly out of order. It’s nice to revisit the town and couples from previous books. I love the small town feel and how everyone knows each others business. The cookies and the Sweetheart Tree are a constant in all the books.

There is lots of family meddling, matchmaking, relationship angst, and former partners interference. The characters are well rounded and feel like old friends. The relationship has enough heat to keep you reading.

I need to go back and start at the beginning to see where everything started.


message 141: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Completion Post: Week 9 - Spot 69

Securing Jane (SEAL of Protection Legacy, #6.5) by Susan Stoker

Book: Securing Jane by Susan Stoker
How it fits?: SEAL of Protection: Legacy #6.5
Date finished: 4/18/2024
Rating: 3 Stars

Review:
Securing Jane was an enjoyable read featuring a romance between a woman who run the mailroom on a naval base and an admiral who works in her building.

Jane Hamilton is too old to have a crush on someone but she can't help the feelings that surface every time she sees Storm North. Storm thinks he's too old and too jaded to find love but after Jane catches his eye, he wonders if maybe that could change. When someone delivers a bomb to the base, putting Jane directly in the line of fire, Storm realizes if he waits too long that he may not get another chance. But just as the pair's romance gets off the ground, Jane finds herself the target of the thwarted bomber.

Securing Jane was the first book in the series I've read but it worked well as a standalone. There are quite a few side characters that were presumably the main characters in previous books which I enjoyed getting to meet. Some of them I'm interested in reading more about so I will definitely be checking out other books in the series in the future. I liked that while the characters were included, they didn't overshadow the main couple. Overall despite being the final book in a spin-off series, the book works well on its own.

Jane and Storm were both older characters (both in their fifties) which I enjoyed as I don't read romances about older characters too often. Jane and Storm have known each other for some time as she runs the mailroom for the naval base in the same building Storm works out of. For most of their acquaintance, Storm is too in his head to really notice Jane and then when he finally does, all hell breaks loose after a bomb is sent to the mailroom. I liked the friendship between the two although I do think their romance developed a little too quickly for my liking. So while I liked them together, things just developed a little too fast for me to really buy in to their romance.

Overall Securing Jane was a good read and I will definitely be checking out more books in the series in the future.


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Completion Post

Week 9: Spot 69
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place (Flavia de Luce, #9) by Alan Bradley
The Grave's a Fine and Private Place
Date Read: 4/19/24
Rated: 4 stars
Review: Flavia is such a fun series. She’s a genius that has a way of solving crimes and teaming up with Dogger and shockingly Daphne. As always Flavia is always an enjoyable read.


message 143: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments GR has been acting funny for me. Did we get a roll last night and I missed it?


message 144: by Denise, Manufacturing Director (new)

Denise (destiny_chan) | 7443 comments Mod
All reviews were in with plenty of time to spare, but looks like nobody's rolled yet. If you can't get a hold of Melanie, someone else might want to step in and roll so you can pick your next books!


message 145: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Sorry about that, I missed the last review come in. I will roll now.


message 146: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Week 9 Reviews: Spot 69

Joeera: Highland Guard #9
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Catsalive: Alternate - Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎: Flavia de Luce #9
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Anne: Doctor Who: Missing Adventures #6
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Melanie: SEAL of Protection: Legacy #6.5
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Moondance: Twilight, Texas #6
https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...


message 147: by Melanie (new)

Melanie (mvalente89) | 621 comments Here's our new roll.

Week: 10
Previous Space: 69
Roll: 3 + 3 = 6
New Space: 75

You can read any of the following:
- 5th book in a series
- 7th book in a series
- 75th book in a series
- Alternate task 75. MC is older than 60

Deadline: Friday April 26, 2024


message 148: by Andy (new)

Andy | 84 comments Selection Post Week 10-Spot 75
Labyrinth (Greywalker, #5) by Kat Richardson
Book: Labyrinth by Kat Richardson
Pages: 368
Task: 5th in series
How it fits: #5 in Greywalker series


☼♎ Carmen the Bootyshaker Temptress ☼♎ | 636 comments Selection Post

Week 10-Spot 75
Lace and Lies (Vampire Knitting Club, #7) by Nancy Warren
Lace and Lies byNancy Warren
Pages: 212
Fits: 7th in series the Vampire Knitting Club


message 150: by Moondance (new)

Moondance (moondance120) | 1057 comments Selection Post

Week 10- Spot 75

Wicked Wings Keri Arthur
Wicked Wings (Lizzie Grace, #5) by Keri Arthur

330 pages

How it fits: Lizzie Grace #5


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