The Lost Challenges discussion

I couldn't get into 40, just wasn't in the mood for it, so I read a different book. It didn't have all the items we were going for, but I matched apple with Sam & Suzanne for props. I also claimed fictional character (which no one else claimed, but it sounds like a hard one to find), however I can change it to dream if you guys want (since that's one that Suzanne claimed). Just let me know :)

Just want to say,and please don't take offence anyone, but we are already behind in our points, so we really need to work together as a team if this is going to work. I read my crap book, so I could claim the words called. I just think we need a bit more communication among us, if we want any chance of winning this. If any of us CANT claim the words called and/or chosen I think we need to get on to it as soon as possible, so we can sort something out. Next week instead of using MR R how about we try to catch up on the words we have swapped, so we get back on track?

I don't know if you were directing this at me Kathy, but it feels that way. Both of the first two weeks I read books that had all the items that were chosen by random.org, and I had every intention of reading 40 this week but it's a big book and I had very little time this week to read so when I couldn't get into it and a different book I was reading at the same time worked for the called items I thought I'd use that one. I'm sorry you disliked your book, but I tried to matched the other items I claimed with items others had already claimed, so please don't say we aren't working together. I personally hate using random.org to choose our other items, it makes it extremely hard to find a book, but that's what others in the team wanted to do so I've been doing it. Now the one time it doesn't work for me you make a big deal out of it. Would you rather I not claim items right now, read 40 and just be late? If we aren't going to get the full bonus this week anyway I'd be glad to do that, just let me know.

Ok Forget it.
I did say Please Don't take offence! I didnt single anyone out. If you took it that way then so be it, it was NOT meant that way.
And No, not everyone agreed to use MR,R. I dont like that idea at all, as I said in post 20, but thats Ok.
I am sorry you took what I said personally it was not in any way meant that way, but we do need to communicate more, and we do need to work as a team, thats the whole point of the game.
Its Ok though, I wont say anything more, because I don't want to upset you all , so we'll leave it at that Ok.? My typing fingers are taped, except for reviews.

Sorry, I think sometimes I read too much into things. It just seemed that it was directed towards me, since nothing was ever said until I posted my review, so I wanted to explain in more detail why I didn't get the other items. Please forget I brought it up, I don't mean to cause problems.

I didn't say that everyone agreed to do use random.org, but that others did. I'd be extremely happy for us to choose items a different way. Maybe once the items are called each week we could all say what items we'd like to claim with them and then decide from there? Or do you have a different way you'd like to try?

Ok, everyone step back deep breath. We all have he same goal here.

My understanding was we would use random to come up with the words to aim for, but if you couldn't it isn't a huge deal in the begining. (I am not getting all the right words this week either) I think that was where Kathy was going, I had already said mine wouldn't match, Suzanne didn't match and Megan's didn't match. Sooooo we all kind of didn't match this week and it's OK. We still have time to fix it, if everyone tries to get the words that others have claimed. (I'll post a list after I post my book.)

I think maybe we all need to just communicate more if the drawn items don't work. So we can change them on Friday if needed instead of later in the week.

Oh and also by the way Sam has had to drop out of the team. I am working on getting us another player. But Since Sam is out it won't hurt us bonus wise this week.

Princess & Blood Week 3



3 stars
Finished 2/12/14

Review: I wasn't as drawn in by Olivia as I have been by Julia Quinn's past heroines. But I did enjoy Harry quite a bit and his not taking much too serious.

Princess: pg 165 "They're already calling her Princess Olivia,"

Cat: pg 255 Rather like raining cats and dogs.

Fictional place: 190 ..., which is not when Miss Butterworth arrived at Thimmerwell Hall... (read from a gothic novel)

Statue: pg 160 ...and tried to be the pretty statue he seemed to want her to be.

Blood: pg 356 ,heart racing and blood pounding...

Ok so here is what we need to even out the points. My thoughts we go for these except for whatever category is called in the morning.

Person: the randomizer says Fairy... (up for debate)

Animal:
Kathy- Cat
Amanda- Cat or Rat
Suzanne- Cat
Dawn- Rat
Megan- rat

Misc:
Kathy- Dream or Fict Character
Amanda- Dream, Fict Character or Fict Place
Suzanne- Fict place or character
Dawn- Dream or Fict Character
Megan- Dream or Fict place

Prop:
Kathy- Staue or apple
Amanda- Flying ship or statue
Suzanne- statue
Dawn- Flying ship or apple
Megan- Flying ship or statue

Any thoughts?

Hi everyone! I was about to post my book for this week when I saw Dawn's message about joining the team. Looking forward to playing the game with all of you!

Week 3: Princess
Bonus: Blood



Finished 2/13
5★

Princess: "I wanna be a princess." KL 1690
Rat: "They implanted electrodes in the brains of male rats..." KL 3433
Fictional Character: "It's not every day you hear a four-year-old Prince Charming is a douchebag who's only holding Cinderella back." KL 3949
Statue: "Her face is as still and hard as a pissed-off statue." KL 3676
Blood: "You can't get blood from a stone." KL 3044

I loved this book and devoured it in just a few hours. Drew comes off as a real jerk but I was rooting for him by the end. I really enjoyed Drew's hilarious and conversational POV and watching him fall so hard for Kate. She is the perfect match for him and really gave him all he could handle. I can't wait to see where their relationship heads in the next book.

Welcome to the team Amanda! (By the way, I LOVE your profile picture - SO cute! :D)

Thanks Dawn, and thanks Amanda for stepping in!

I'll be rooting for you guys! :)

Dawn (Kat N Hat) wrote: "Princess & Blood Week 3



3 stars
Finished 2/12/14

Review: I wasn't as drawn in by Olivia as I have been by Julia Quinn's past heroines. But I did enjoy ..."

Oh, Harry Valentine, that book looks like it'll fill a bunch of Valentine's Day challenges!

Dawn (Kat N Hat) wrote: "Ok so here is what we need to even out the points. My thoughts we go for these except for whatever category is called in the morning.

Person: the randomizer says Fairy... (up for debate)

Animal:..."

Sounds good to me, I was planning on reading this weekend so I know I can claim fictional place at the very least. I'm pretty sure cat and statue are definately going to be in there as well.

Week 4:
Animal: Frog
Bonus: Castle

Items:
People: Elf: "He was a little short for an elf, dark where most were light, but it worked well for him." Page 4
Animal: Frog: "Now, Barbie, or I'll turn you into a frog." Page 282
Misc: Fictional Place: "The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking."
Props: Statue: "Trent still has that elf porn statue you stole." Page 153
Bonus: Castle: "To our left was a slump of broken rock where Loveland Castle was in reality." Page 99

I've got Frog, Dream, Apple, Castle and Fairy in Prince Charming Doesn't Live Here and Girl's Guide to Witchcraft. I don't see an elf anywhere in them though.

I can claim Fairy, Frog, Fictional Place, Flying Ship and Castle in Hex Hall.

I can read and claim frog, dream, statue, and castle. I could claim hunter if "he would hunt me down" works. Otherwise I could claim prince or sister (since I don't think "fairy tales" works for fairy). But if hunter doesn't work I don't think I'll be reading this book for the challenge.

I could also read and claim hunter, frog, dream, statue, and castle.

Or I can read and claim frog, dream, statue, and castle. For people I could claim elf, thief, fairy, or prince. I could possibly claim hunter if "All fey are hunters" works. (view spoiler)[

Week 3

Read: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Finished: February 21, 2013
Rating: Stars

REVIEW:


ITEMS CLAIMED:
People - Fairy: "A tall, regal faery stepped out into the snow." (page 46)
Animals - Frog: "I hoped he wouldn't spike the punch with something that would turn everyone into frogs." (page 292)
Misc - Dream: "This is just a dream, and you're dead!" (page 38)
Props - Statue: "Statues, paintings, and musical instruments lined the corridors..." (page 181)
Bonus - Castle: "...coiling lazily around the ruins of an ancient castle in the center of the plains." (page 327)


(hide spoiler)]

Also, if while reading the book (whichever one is decided) I come across a fictional place I'll be using that instead of dream. It's hard to search for that, since so many things could be fictional.

Suzanne wrote: "

Items:
People: Elf: "He was a little short for an elf, dark where most were light, but it worked well for him." Page 4
Animal: Frog: "Now, Barbie, or I'll turn you ..."

I don't know if you know this, but your book also could work for fairy. :)

I will read Wickedly Charming By Kristine Grayson.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
For some reason I still cant add anything using the Add book/author link. Sorry.

I will claim

DREAM
STATUE
FAIRY(I'm not sure but that may be fairies on the cover?)
FROG
CASTLE (I think that is one on the cover?.)

Week 4: Frog
Bonus: Castle



Finished 2/17
4★

Fairy: "The faeries, on the other hand, were very easy to spot." KL 170
Frog: "Did you make it rain frogs..." KL 349
Fictional Place: "...which meant I'd just crossed into the land of Royally Screwed." KL 1844
Flying Ship: "...on the plane from Vermont to Georgia..." KL 109
Castle: "...photographs of a crumbling castle in Italy..." KL 1414

I enjoyed Sophie's character from the beginning and I especially loved her sense of humor. The secondary characters were fun and spunky as well. The mystery in the storyline pulled me in and kept me interested throughout. There were also a couple of surprising plot twists that I did not see coming in the end. I look forward to finding out what is next for Sophie and Archer in Demonglass.

Glad you enjoyed your book Amanda!

Megan wrote: "I can read and claim frog, dream, statue, and castle. I could claim hunter if "he would hunt me down" works. Otherwise I could claim prince or sister (since I don'..."


Hunt me down won't work because it is a verb.

★¸. • * ° * Kathy,Ahmazing Book Faerie*°°*•.¸. ♥★ wrote: "I will read Wickedly Charming By Kristine Grayson.
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9...
For some reason I still cant add anything ..."

I'd call it a castle and fairies on the cover.

I'm about half way done with mine, and no cookie nonsense tonight or tomorrow!

Megan wrote: "I can read and claim frog, dream, statue, and castle. I could claim hunter if "he would hunt me down" works. Otherwise I could claim prince or sister (since I don'..."

I let others use fairy tales for fairy. It doesn't quite fit. But I'll take it.

Week 4: Frog
Bonus: Castle



Read: Ever After by Kim Harrison
Rating: *****
Date: 2/18/2014
Review: OMG! I love this series, it just keeps getting better and better! I only have one complaint, see (view spoiler)[My only complaint was if you're going to kill 2 of the main characters I need more information. Ceri definately deserved a better death! Not an "oh by the way, they're dead." End rant. (hide spoiler)]

Items:
People: Elf: "He was a little short for an elf, dark where most were light, but it worked well for him." Page 4
Animal: Frog: "Now, Barbie, or I'll turn you into a frog." Page 282
Misc: Unusual Name: Ku'sox the villian of the story
Props: Statue: "Trent still has that elf porn statue you stole." Page 153
Bonus: Castle: "To our left was a slump of broken rock where Loveland Castle was in reality." Page 99

I read.....

3 1/2
Prince Charming (Dave Encanto)
Wicked Step Mother (Mellie)

This was a strange fairy tale/real world combination, about middle aged fairy tale characters.
Mainly, Prince Charming and Snow white's wicked stepmother.
The couple meet at a book fair, and after talking, Charming suggests Mellie writes a book.
Although she tries, she finds herself completely talentless in the author department,so Charming
volunteers to Ghost write her book.
The couple have a thing going on, but both have been hurt before,Charming through his awful marriage to Ella(Cinderella)
and Mellie through the deaths of two husbands, and being accused of trying to kill Snow) and neither is
game to act on their feelings.
This is where the book got a bit too drawn out. Its 380 pages long, and that probably could have been
cut right down if there wasn't so much personal angst going on. Both Charming and Mellie wanted each other
but neither would make the first move. They had known each other a year by the time the book is put into print
and had shared nothing more than a couple of chaste kisses.
Mellie's book causes problems after it is revealed she used a ghost writer, namely Charming (Dave).
But as is the way with fairy tales there is a happy ending and everything works out in the end.
It was an interesting take on the traditional fairytales and I enjoyed it, aside from the drawn out bits.

CALLED:
Frog, Page 136. This morning the Frog Prince manned the front desk.

Castle, page 37. So someone-this woman maybe?- had decided to rent a castle in Germany....
CLAIMED:
Fairy, page 47. A small grouping of tiny fairies...

Statue, page 86. Statues of these boy/men.....

Dream, page 136. So far, none of her dreams had come true.

There are also CASTLE and FAIRIES on the cover.

I got this free on Amazon a while ago, but to let you know, it has loads of words that would be perfect for this challenge.

Suzanne wrote: "Misc: Fictional Place: "The ever after, the demonic realm that parallels the human world, is shrinking." ..."


Is "the ever after" a real place in the setting of your book? From that sentence it sounds like it is?

week 3: Frog & Castle




Read 2/19
3 stars

Review: The character details of this one seemed a bit thin. The plot was fine but I just didn't find the characters so beliveable. They were goal orientated detail people who just up and went on an adventure to Fairie on a whim. It didn't seem to fit. There should have been more explanations or more of a resistance.

Frog: pg 182 Danice sounded like a dying frog had taken up residence in her throat.

Castle: pg 185 ... I am going to parade my naked ass around this castle for the whole world to see!

Fairy: pg 74 "Then when you say 'Fae', you mean like...like a fairy?"

Dreams: pg 161 and the sweetest of dreams

Apples: pg 131 Of apples, but it wasn't fruity.

Week 4

Read: The Iron Daughter by Julie Kagawa
Finished: February 21, 2014
Rating: 4.5 Stars

REVIEW:
I greatly enjoyed reading The Iron King, but The Iron Daughter was so much more enjoyable! I don't know if it's because I know more of the characters and the world, but I was much more invested in the story this time. If you've read the first book you should definitely read this one. Recommended to fans of young adult fantasy.

ITEMS CLAIMED:
People - Fairy: "A tall, regal faery stepped out into the snow." (page 46)
Animals - Frog: "I hoped he wouldn't spike the punch with something that would turn everyone into frogs." (page 292)
Misc - Dream: "This is just a dream, and you're dead!" (page 38)
Props - Statue: "Statues, paintings, and musical instruments lined the corridors..." (page 181)
Bonus - Castle: "...coiling lazily around the ruins of an ancient castle in the center of the plains." (page 327)

Week 5: Tree
Bonus: Bone

I think I'll read one of the two below and claim Hunter, Rat, Fictional Place, Tree, and Bone.


People - Hunter: "...feeling like a tiger after its prey." (page 139)
Animals - Rat: "She stared at us like we were rats in a maze." (page 190)
Misc - Fictional Place: "...and my stepmother from Oz? I'm sure she was missing her brain." (page 8)
Props - Tree: "...under the towering oak trees." (page 277)
Bonus - Bone: "I'd give the dog a bone." (page 207)


People - Hunter: "A pocket knife for a hunter..." (page 82)
Animal - Rat: "It's a gnawing eeeeeeeeeeeeeee that sounds like a rat." (Page 261)
Misc - Fictional Place: "Not this world - this place is Narnia on crack." (Page 292)
Props - Tree: "...peering around a tree in the forest below." (page 3)
Bonus - Bone: "The scar on the edge where I once broke a bone." (page 207)

I'm not sure what I'll be reading, I'll have to look this weekend...

No in that book Ever After is a real place so I'll switch my Misc to Unusual Name.

I will read Because I love this series by Ella James.

I will claim the called items
TREE and BONE
and add
SISTER ,CAT and FICTIONAL CHARACTER.
Im the only one who hasnt claimed CAT yet, I needed to make a choice for the People category, and two of us have already claimed FICTIONAL CHARACTER. If these ae not acceptable could someone let me know please and I'll look at changing.

Items:
People: Grandmother: "Is this your grandmother?" Page 264
Animals: Bear: "I gather up the duvet and try to wrap it around myself elegantly, like an actress in a sitcom bedroom scene, but it's so heavy it's like trying to wear a polar bear." Page 149
Misc: Long Hair: "The long-haired girl looks thoroughly miserable." Page 16
Props: Tree: "Lottie used to say he's like a lion half asleep under a tree, but I think he's more like a bull." Page 191
Bonus: Bone: "He hasn't got a single romantic bone in his body!" Page 295

sigh... the wind blew a dead tree down in my yard this morning. Took out my front porch. Luckily it doesn't look like there is structural damage to the house. It fell in the best possible place to avoid damage. I haven't had time for anything. I'll look for a book tonight.

Oh Dawn! Thats awful, at least no-one was hurt, and theres minimal damage.

And because I rent, I just called the landlord and they took care of all the clean up. My yard is cleaner now than it was this morning. Now, hopefully they replace the awning over the porch before spring rains start.

If I read the book I want, I can get Sister. I need Rat, but I don't see one in the search. I will probably claim horse if I stick with this book. Fictional character is hard to search for but i think I should be able to get that one too. I am headed to bed I'll look and see if I can get rat in another book before starting this one.

Dawn, glad everything turned out ok!

I have several books to choose from but I will be claiming Sister, Cat, Dream, Tree and Bone in whatever book I decide to read.

Im done, Great weekend spent with Marchant!
I love this series, Ella James writes an amazing story, and it seems like I've waited for forever for (thats a lot of fors!) this book.
This is, like the rest of the series, sweet, funny sad, romantic,with a bit of danger and intrigue thrown in as well , just a great story, about a group of friends all finding their HEA. Ella is a New to Me author, and I really recommend her work.
LINK TO MY REVIEW.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

Again, because I converted this it came out with huge print and 822 pages.
so if anyone else reads it, thats why the numbers don't add up.

TREE; Page 126. I can’t seem to understand how
the trees and grass around me will
lead me back there.

BONE: Page 167. I take a hesitant step toward them
as my ears are filled with the awful
sound of bone crunching.

SISTER; Page 267. “I’m Lizzy. I’m his
sister.”

FICTIONAL CHARACTER; Page 223...is in fact Brioni—the
brand favored by James Bond.

CAT; Page 114. I finally
let the cat out of the bag about Adam
to my mom today, ORMaybe I’ll be an old maid
with a hundred cats.

Week 5

Read: Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry
Finished: February 25, 2014
Rating: 4 Stars

Review:
I don't usually like contemporary novels, however this book kept me riveted and I hated it when I had to put it down. At the same time several things were unbelievable and the ending was just okay - would have liked a little more, but maybe the future books will have more about these characters.

I'm not an emotional reader, rarely do I cry or tear up, but there were a couple scenes towards the end that had me getting misty-eyed - which surprised me! I wasn't expecting that to happen, at all!

There is a lot of strong language in this book (view spoiler)[(at least 42 f-words, 23 uses of a**, 47 uses of d**n, 65 uses of h*ll, 31 uses of s***, and 9 uses of d**k) (hide spoiler)], as well as several steamy scenes. So while this is a young adult book I would only recommend it to the older range of that group.

ITEMS CLAIMED:
People - Hunter: "A pocket knife for a hunter..." (page 82)
Animal - Rat: "It's a gnawing eeeeeeeeeeeeeee that sounds like a rat." (Page 261)
Misc - Fictional Place: "Not this world - this place is Narnia on crack." (Page 292)
Props - Tree: "...peering around a tree in the forest below." (page 3)
Bonus - Bone: "The scar on the edge where I once broke a bone." (page 207)

Week 5



Read: Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella
Finished: 2/26/2014
Rating: ****
Review: I thought this book was pretty funny! Usually when people get married, everyone encourages the couple to consummate their marriage as soon as possible. In this book, everyone goes out of their way to prevent them from doing it. Very silly, but entertaining! Four Stars!

Items:
People: Grandmother: "Is this your grandmother?" Page 264
Animals: Bear: "I gather up the duvet and try to wrap it around myself elegantly, like an actress in a sitcom bedroom scene, but it's so heavy it's like trying to wear a polar bear." Page 149
Misc: Long Hair: "The long-haired girl looks thoroughly miserable." Page 16
Props: Tree: "Lottie used to say he's like a lion half asleep under a tree, but I think he's more like a bull." Page 191
Bonus: Bone: "He hasn't got a single romantic bone in his body!" Page 295

Week 5: Tree
Bonus: Bone


Finished 2/27
4★

Sister: "Not even my sister." KL 2293
Cat: "Daemon stretched idly, like a cat." KL 2905
Dream: "This was just a dream." KL 260
Tree: "...lights them up like a Christmas tree..." KL 41
Bone: "The coldness radiating from him chilled me to the bone." KL 3314

This series is getting addictive for me. Jennifer Armentrout weaves humor and suspense into the plot so well and keeps it entertaining. I enjoyed learning more about the Luxen and the new characters that were introduced. Katy's character was not as enjoyable in this book for me. Some of her decisions and her childish behavior at times was annoying. I love Daemon though. The ending was unexpected, so I can't wait to see what happens in the next book.

We still need Dawn's items for this week, so some of hers will definitely change (since I know she said she was claiming a few of them), but I just thought I'd post the items that some of us have claimed that the whole team hasn't - in preparation for tomorrow.

Amanda
PEOPLE: Hunter
ANIMALS: Bear
MISC: Long Hair

Dawn
PEOPLE: Hunter and Sister
ANIMALS: Bear and Rat
MISC: Long Hair and Fictional Character
PROPS: Flying Ship

Kathy
PEOPLE: Hunter
ANIMALS: Bear
MISC: Long Hair
PROPS: Apple

Megan
PEOPLE: Sister
ANIMALS: Bear
MISC: Long Hair
PROPS: Flying Ship

Suzanne
PEOPLE: Fairy and Sister
ANIMALS: Cat
MISC: Fictional Character

The book Suzanne read for this past week shows that it has CAT in it, so if she wanted to switch it to that she could (before the next items are called) and then all the mentions of BEAR for the rest of us could be removed. Just a thought.

Amanda A wrote: "Week 5: Tree
Bonus: Bone


Finished 2/27
4★

Sister: "Not even my sister." KL 2293
Cat: "Daemon stretched idly, like a cat." KL 2905
Dream: "This was just a dream." KL 260
..."

I read this series a while ago, and was devastated when it left on a cliffhanger .....again!! lol Do you Have Its a stand alone, but does crossover. JLA writes a great story!

I've been a day off all week. sigh. Just realized it was Friday not Thursday.