R27 Team #9 ~ Reading to the Nines

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

😊 WTG! Your request to stamp M Shelf has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Marisa]

Thank you! Card and log updated

[Marisa]

Selection Post
Shelf 8: X/Z - XOXO / eXcited -or- Zealous / Z
Book: Dead Beside the Thames by Stephanie Laurens
Pages: 249
How it fits: I love this series.

[Laura]

I'm not sure what I'm going to read for this one. I'm currently reading one with an O in the author's name, but I think I started it a few hours before the call. I'm sure I'll happen upon that fits soon. :)

[Marisa]

:) Well, I'm sure some book will find its way into your path, Laura ;)

[Laura]

Ask and you shall receive. I just started an audio this morning and the best friend is named Zander!

[Marisa]

Laura wrote: "Ask and you shall receive. I just started an audio this morning and the best friend is named Zander!"

Good!

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf: X/Z
Book: Yours Truly
Author: Abby Jimenez
Date Read: 4/21
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Character Zander
Review: I laughed. I cried. I loved it. Abby Jimenez is not an auto-buy for me, but she is an auto library request after this one.

[Marisa]

Laura wrote: "Completion Post

Shelf: X/Z
Book: Yours Truly
Date Read: 4/21
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Character Zander
Review: I laughed. I cried. I loved it. Abby Jimenez is not an auto-buy f..."

Laura, would you mind to add the author (although it's defined by the link). Better to avoid being beaten by the moderators ;)

[Sarah]

Completion Post



Book: Queen of Blood by Sarah Beth Durst
Shelf: Q - Queen
Pages: 353 pgs
Date Read: 4.21.25
Rating: 3 Stars
How it Fits: tagged 1 time as Queen
Review:

I was initially very excited to finally get this book off my physical TBR. The book started off great. The spirits being vicious and needing to be controlled with a bargain was interesting. I liked the main character. However, it felt like it was close to being great to me, but only ended up okay. There were moments of surprise, but ultimately I didn't find it interesting enough to continue the series. I feel like this book was popular a few years ago (maybe more than a few), but now that I've had a broader scope of the kind of books that are out there, especially fantasy this just doesn't live up to my expectations.

[Laura]

Marisa wrote: "Laura, would you mind to add the author (although it's defined by the link). Better to avoid being beaten by the moderators ;)"

Done. Although I never add the author and I've never had one of the mods say anything. But better safe than sorry.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

Laura wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Laura, would you mind to add the author (although it's defined by the link). Better to avoid being beaten by the moderators ;)"

Done. Although I never add the author and I've never ..."

Hahaha

I did want the author when I was doing all the stats, now it doesn't matter, though I always add it to my reviews, probably out of habit.

[Marisa]

Sandra wrote: "Laura wrote: "Marisa wrote: "Laura, would you mind to add the author (although it's defined by the link). Better to avoid being beaten by the moderators ;)"

Done. Although I never add the author a..."

Ok, good to know :D For me, it's not an habit but I get all the info aside of the real review with calibre and a script.

[Marisa]

Week 8: X/Z - XOXO / eXcited -or- Zealous / Z
Book: Dead Beside the Thames by Stephanie Laurens
How it fits: I love this series.
Pages: 249
Read: 21/04/2025
Rating: ★★★★



Review

Thank you to SOS for remembering this series. I loved it, but I don't know the reason and it went out of my view. Searching for a book which met the conditions, I found one on this series, checked and saw that there were 3 published books I didn't have, so I purchased them. I've read this one and I've really enjoyed it. The ambiance, the characters, that charming British character... and reading again words that I don't know but they have another taste. So, again, thank you and I'll keep the next books at least till the end of Bingo just in case.

[Marisa]

Well, chanting again.... As Y will be a winner for another team, let's chant N ;)

[Marisa]

Shelf #9 ~ 23 Apr: A - Anniversary / Alpha Male
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For Anniversary: Read a book published in your birthday month or featuring a character or written by an author whose name contains 'Ann'

* For alpha male, read a book from either shelf: GR alpha male/SOS alpha male

[Marisa]

Shelf 9: A - Anniversary / Alpha Male

Laura: Blood of Hercules by Jasmine Mas (02/05/2025 - 📚📚📚📚📚) Review
Marisa: Fury by Anna Hackett (27/04/2025 - 📚📚📚📚) Review
Sarah: The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford (10/05/2025 - 📚📚📚) Review



Summary Post

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

😊 WTG! Your request to stamp Q Shelf has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Marisa]

Thank you Sandra! Card stamped and link shared.

[Sarah]

Selection Post

The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford, published in August which is my birthday month.

[Marisa]

Completion Post
Shelf 9: A - Anniversary / Alpha Male
Book: Fury by Anna Hackett
Pages: 255
How it fits: Shelved 5 times as alpha-male
Read: 27/04/2025
Rating: ★★★★



Review

This author's books can all of them go in alpha-male for sure. We have almost instant-love (instant-lust for sure), "I will protect you" spells, kidnaps, treason... and a fast-paced story with all the topics but fun to read. Let's what's in store for the other brothers.

[Marisa]

I'm still chanting for N this week :D

[Marisa]

Shelf #10 ~ 30 Apr: S - Secret Admirer / series to finish
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

*For Secret Admirer, read a book featuring flowers, gifts or candy on the cover, an author with initials S.A. or 'secret' in the series name or title

* For series to finish, read a book on the following shelf: GR series to finish

[Marisa]

Shelf 10: S - Secret Admirer / series to finish

Laura: Grave Mistakes by Ivy Asher & Raven Kennedy (02/05/2025 - 📚📚📚½) Review
Marisa: Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin (03/05/2025 - 📚📚📚½) Review
Sarah: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan (04/05/2025 - 📚📚📚) Review



Summary Post

[Laura]

I started Blood of Hercules the other day. I should have it finished either tonight or tomorrow tonight. It is shelved Alpha Male by 8 people.

[Sarah]

Selection Post

I will be reading Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan for S Shelf, tagged series to finish 38 times.

[Marisa]

Selection Post
Shelf 10: S - Secret Admirer / series to finish
Book: Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin
Pages: 368
How it fits: Secret in the title

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf: A
Book: Blood of Hercules
Date Read: 5/2
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Shelved Alpha Male by 8 people
Review: I really enjoyed this story. 4 stars all the way. But the audio earned it at least one extra star. The narrator is so perfect for this one! I swear she slurred her words as the character got more tired and weaker. But I could still understand her, so it was perfection!

I have one kid in my house with a special interest in Greek Mythology, so I had to hear a few rants about how it should be Heracles, not Hercules. But I tuned them out and just enjoyed to story.

[Laura]

Completion Post

Series: S
Book: Grave Mistakes
Date Read: 5/2
Rating: 3.5 stars
How it fits: Shelved Series to Finish by one person (page 15 of tags)
Review: This is an interesting book. I kind of knew what to expect going in because this isn't the first Ivy Asher/Raven Kennedy collaboration that I've read. But it did seem as though the story suffered in order to include the gags and humor. They guys weren't very well characterized. They are still interchangeable in my brain. I will probably continue the series in the future, whenever I need a demon in a book for a challenge.

[Laura]

I think I'm all caught up, right?

[Laura]

It looks like we can add W to the shelves we're chanting for.

[Marisa]

Laura wrote: "I think I'm all caught up, right?"

Right, you're caught up... and yes, we can add W to our Y :)

[Sarah]

Completion Post:



Book: Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon
Shelf: X
Pages: 432 pgs
Date Read: 5.2.25
Rating: 4 stars
How it Fits: x in author's last name
Review:

I was a little unsure about this read. First of all I love the cover and colors. I think it's amazing that Dixon got a beautifully designed hardcover for this series. I loved the characters especially Aspeth and Gwenna. I'm a sucker for a marriage of convenience trope. What dropped this book from five stars to four is the communication style of main couple. I really hate miscommunication tropes, and while this wasn't totally based on miscommunication they would just pick really bad times to have their discussions. I'm looking forward to the next one.

[Sarah]

Completion Post:



Book: Wrath of the Triple Goddess by Rick Riordan
Shelf: S - Series to Finish
Pages: 322 pgs
Date Read: 5.4.25
Rating: 3 stars
How it Fits: tagged as series to finish 38 times
Review:

This is the second book in a spin-off series about Percy Jackson trying to get in to New Rome University. I think the books are fine. They rely heavily on Riordan's signature humorous and pun-filled writing style. I loved the original series, The Heroes of Olympus series and the Trials of Apollo series. Those had a lot of very heartfelt moments, high suspense, and major things hanging on the line. These just feel like a way to continue writing about Percy without putting anyone in real danger. There's going to be one more, I'm pretty sure it's stopping as a trilogy. I'll read the last one, but there are definitely better Percy Jackson books than these.

[Marisa]

Completion Post
Shelf 10: S - Secret Admirer / series to finish
Book: Her Deadly Secrets by Laura Griffin
Pages: 368
How it fits: Secret in the title
Read: 03/05/2025
Rating: ★★★½



Review

This is an interesting book, not too dark, only a bit. There is an issue for me, however. It's a bit slow for my taste. Furthermore, the plot, the links, I don't know, too much of a coincidences at some places. But I've found it entertaining in the end, I liked the love story (tall, dark... you know) and not too much brooding, so I think I'll read more in the series.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

😊 WTG! Your request to stamp X/Z & S Shelves has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Marisa]

Thank you, Sandra! I'll do it a bit later.

[Marisa]

Chanting for "W" or "Y" ;) (well, not "W" as Team 8 wins with it).

[Marisa]

Shelf #11 ~ 7 May: Happy / humorous -or- Infatuation / 'In Death'
Requirement: Choose a book using one of the following options ...

* For Happy, read a "feel good" book (can be a humorous read, a cozy mystery, etc), "happy" in the title or series, or a smiling character on the cover

* For humorous, read a book from either shelf: GR humorous/SOS humor

*For Infatuation, read a book featuring a book boyfriend, written by an author you adore, or featuring a cover you love

* For 'In Death', read a book on the following shelf: GR In Death (yes, this is a nod to all my SOSers who gave me friendly pokes to start this series; for an 'In Death' book to qualify, it must be found on this shelf; if it's a book in the series, but not shelved here, it won't count) - Another poke from my side ;)

[Marisa]

Shelf 11: H/I - Happy / humorous -or- Infatuation / 'In Death'

Laura: Great Big Beautiful Life by Emily Henry (09/05/2025 - 📚📚📚📚📚) Revie
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Marisa: Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts (10/05/2025 - 📚📚📚½) Review
Sarah: Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley (13/05/2025 - 📚📚📚📚📚) Review



Summary Post

[Laura]

Yes! My book for my newest Amazing Race task in Romance Readers also works for our call here. Great Big Beautiful Life (Emily Henry’s new one) has a person smiling on the cover and will probably also work for humor when I get a chance to check.

[Sarah]

I'm probably going to go with a cover I love for this H/I. I just haven't made a final decision for it yet.

[Marisa]

Completion Post
Shelf 11: H/I - Happy / humorous -or- Infatuation / 'In Death'
Book: Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts
Pages: 464
How it fits: Located in "GR In Death" list (page 5)
Read: 10/05/2025
Rating: ★★★½



Review

I don't know how I feel about this book. The last part is very nice and sweet (althoug Bo... excuse me, would't it have been nice to give him some defect....? It's too much), but the other two... Yes, they are the foundation for the story... and it's good it's more romance than mystery, as I guessed the villain at the second death (yes, I'm slow.... :) ), and she almost needs that the villain spells it. So, I've liked it and I've been able to finish, althoug is a long look... which feels as an expanded harlequin.

[Laura]

Marisa wrote: "Chanting for "W" or "Y" ;) (well, not "W" as Team 8 wins with it)."

We need that N first! Then W & Y are both winning calls for us. N is not a winning a shelf for anyone, so if we get that first then we have a race with a W or Y call.

[Laura]

Completion Post

Shelf: H/I
Book: Great Big Beautiful Life
Date Read: 5/9
Rating: 5 stars
How it fits: Smiling person on cover (she is smiling)
Review: This book felt different than other Emily Henry books I have read. There was less humor and the subject matter just hit a little harder. It was still overall humorous, but I didn't laugh out loud while reading it as I have done during others. I did see some of the "twists" coming as it was very reminiscent of Taylor Jenkins Reid's The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Overall it was really fun to read!

[Sarah]

Completion Post



Book: The High Mountain Court by A.K. Mulford
Shelf: A- Anniversary
Pages: 360 pgs
Date Read: 5.10.25
Rating: 3 stars
How it Fits: published in August my birthday month
Review:

I think I had reasonable expectations for this one, but it just missed the mark in my opinion. I liked the beginning, but I can tell where the author was going with the romance, and it just didn't hit right for me. I didn't feel any chemistry, and the twist to their romance really wasn't surprising and felt a bit cliche. I was disappointed to say the least. I liked some of the side characters, but overall I didn't really care for this one and just thought it was okay. It feels like a solid 3, maybe even a 2.5. I won't be continuing with the series and I've removed other books by this author from my TBR.

[Sarah]

Selection Post

H/I - Servant of Earth by Sarah Hawley. I'm a big fan of this cover and it was for sure a cover pick for me.

[Marisa]

Thank you, Sarah! With goodreads notifications I'd only seen the last post and I was going to ask if I'd missed something 🤣 Sorry you had not enjoyed the book.

[Sandra, Kindle Operator Licence Required]

😊 WTG! Your request to stamp A Shelf has been approved; if you have any issues stamping your card, let me know. Once you’ve stamped your card, go to the Captain’s Log and share a link with us. Thx!

[Marisa]

Thank you, Sandra! Done.