2-3-4 Challenge discussion

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
5. Overall summary of your reading month?

Angela
Tracey
Jonetta
Alyssa
Giulia
Laura
Karen
Robin
Allison
Meera
Lieke

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

Yes. I got up to date with Sebastian St Cyr with Where the Dead Lie

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?

Yes 2 new series
Lady Darby by Anna Lee Huber with The Anatomist's Wife. I plan to continue. I liked it a lot more than Lady Julia Grey series.
Damien Seeker by S.G. MacLean with The Seeker. Really loved the book and will complete the series.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?

Yes 2 series.

Cork O'Connor #5 and #6 Mercy Falls and Copper River
Gentleman Bastards #2 Red Seas Under Red Skies

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?

I had two five star reads this month. Where the Dead Lie was outstanding. The Sebastian St Cyr series just stays so strong and I'm not bored yet, even though it was book 12.
The other 5 star was The Seeker. Fantastic historical mystery and I was hooked from the start. Set in Oliver Cromwell's London, fascinating read. Thanks to Veronica who made this book come into my radar (and for Sebastian St. Cyr series).

5. Overall summary of your reading month?

It was a good month. I'm glad to be back up to date with Cork O'Connor though I did see the blurb for the latest book out this year and I'm a bit annoyed that I did. Glad to be up to date on another series and moving forward on others as well. I read 7 books last month. The worst was actually a standalone of Neil Gaiman's short stories Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fiction and Illusions. I'm avoiding all his short stories in future. I was completely the wrong audience for the stories.

Looks like you had a great month Angela!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, the You series by Caroline Kepnes

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams (a re-read) and I will definitely continue.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
3 series:
1. Harry Bosch/Mickey Haller by Michael Connelly
2. In Death by J D Robbs
3. Sebastian St. Cyr by C S Harris

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy - I loved this when I was a teenager but Stephen Fry narrating it was a real treat! I think he has to be my favourite narrator. I can't wait to listen to the next in the series.
I loved Heidi so much. Such a lovely story and my girls loved it as well.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I had 3 weeks of really bad hayfever in June (just recovering now) and so I didn't get to read as much as I would have liked.

Angela wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

Yes. I got up to date with Sebastian St Cyr with Where the Dead Lie

2. Did you start any new series? If so, wha..."

Well done, Angela! I know you wanted to get up to date in the Cork O'Connor series.

I'm curious...what was the problem with NG's short stories?

Tracey wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, the You series by Caroline Kepnes

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, the Hitch..."

Sorry about your allergy situation and hope that's over.

Despite your health issues, you had a really good month! I'm so heartened by your comments about Hitchhiker as I recently downloaded the audiobook. And congrats on finishing You:)

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series: Buchanan-Renard by Julie Garwood, Rarity Cove by Leslie Tentler, Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harris and Destination Love by Jo Watson.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started two, The Dogfather by Roxanne St. Claire and The Malones by Erica Spindler. I'm definitely continuing both.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in eight:
Romantic Suspense by Karen Rose
Tracers by Laura Griffin
Hope by Jaci Burton
Cork O'Connor by William Kent Krueger
Bullet Catchers by Roxanne St. Clair
Black Ops, Inc. by Cindy Gerard
The McCarthys of Gansett Island by Marie Force
Troubleshooters by Suzanne Brockmann

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had four this month! Low Tide was just moody delicious, Closer Than You Think was just tough to put down even at 28 hours long, Sit...Stay...Beg was heartwarming and Where the Dead Lie was just brilliant.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I loved my reading this month. While I had some "meh" experiences, most of the 17 books I read this month were really, really good.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series: Buchanan-Renard by Julie Garwood, Rarity Cove by Leslie Tentler, Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harr..."

Wow, you really put a dent in those series, Jonetta

These group reads are really working for me, Giulia! I couldn't believe so many already on my shelf were selected.

Tracey wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, the You series by Caroline Kepnes

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, the Hitch..."

Yeah allergies suck :(
Glad you're enjoying your reread of the Hitchhiker, it always brings a smile on my face even on a bad day. Too bad I didn't find some of the later books as brilliant

Everyone is doing so well, way to go!!

Here is my update....

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 5
The Edge by Ilona Andrews
The Wicked Horse by Sawyer Bennett
Saints of Denver by Jay Crownover
Boudreaux by Kristen Proby
The Player Duet by K. Bromberg

Up To Date with 3
Honey by Kristen Ashley
Psy-Changeling by Nalini Singh
WAGs by Sarina Bowen

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started two new series:
The Georgian by Sylvia Day. I typically do not read Historical Romance but I like Sylvia Day and her HR's are not too bad. I will continue this series since I am using it to complete another challenge.
The Wicked Horse Vegas by Sawyer Bennett. I LOVE Sawyer Bennett and pretty much anything she writes. This is a spinoff of her Wicked Horse series and the first book was great! I will definitely continue to read more.


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Other than the ones I came up to date with, I only moved forward with one series, Pucked by Helena Hunting.


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?

Silver Silence was amazing. Nalini Singh is just a pure UF/PNR genius and this is one of my all time favorite series. Perfection!!

The Story of Us gave me goosies and had my emotions all over the place. Tara Sivec is great at writing comedy but my favorites are her Contemporaries.

Salvaged was just phenomenal. I'm not sure if any of you have read Jay Crownover's work, but this was the last book in the Saints of Denver series and was, by far, the best. We finally got to see an HEA for two of the people that most deserved it and the ones we have waited the longest for. So good!


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I had a pretty good reading month completing 19 books. Still trying to chip away at my yearly challenges and this was a good month for both!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
One series: the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones. I wish someone had given me this author's books when I was a kid, but where I live she wasn't all that known before the success of the Howl's movie, and even now it's not so easy to find her books. Oh well, at least I can enjoy them now :)

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I read The Dresden Files #5

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
The Ocean at the End of the Lane, maybe the first full 5 stars of the year. Nostalgic, touching, creepy, it felt almost like a Miyazaki movie.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
It was quite a good month. I'm happy I got around to read a few standalones, which are becoming rarer and rarer on my shelf. No matter how much I love my series, sometimes you cannot beat a quick, definite conclusion :)

You had an excellent month, Alyssa! You've a number of authors who I have on my shelf but still haven't read yet (Sawyer Bennett, Jay Crownover, Sivec) so that feedback is extremely helpful.

Kudos!

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
One series: the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne..."

Standalones have become a rare breed, Guilia:) Glad to see you move forward in The Dresden Files! Congratulations on having a good reading month.

I loved Ocean, too...a 5-star read for me as well.

1.Did you complete or get up to date on any series this month?

I got up to date in 6 series-Fusion by Kristen Proby
Redemption by Sarah Castille
Dive Bar by Kylie Scott
Billionaire Builders by Jennifer Probst
Hope Series by Jaci Burton
Raven Riders by Laura Kaye

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?Surprisingly no

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many ?5
Chicago Stars -Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Tracers -Laura Griffin
FBI Julie James
In Death JD Robb
Black Ops Cindy Gerard
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?Twist
Loyalty in Death
Any Time, Any Place
Blush for Me
Unforgivable
Nobody's Baby But Mine
All 5 Star books - great stories, likeable characters

5.Overall summary of reading month.Read 10
Great month. The first time ever I read every book on my list plus one.

Tracey wrote: "Looks like you had a great month Angela!"

Thanks Tracey.

Tracey wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, the You series by Caroline Kepnes

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, the Hitch..."

Sorry to hear you had bad hayfever. My husband gets it too and it's horrible.

I think you had great progress. Any month you finish a series is a great month!

Jonetta wrote: "Angela wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

Yes. I got up to date with Sebastian St Cyr with Where the Dead Lie

2. Did you start any new ser..."

Thanks Jonetta. With the short stories I found them quite juvenile and to me they felt more aimed at a twentysomething male over a someone my age and gender.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series: Buchanan-Renard by Julie Garwood, Rarity Cove by Leslie Tentler, Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harr..."

Great month Jonetta. Wonderful to see that you enjoyed Where the Dead Lie too.

Alyssa wrote: "Everyone is doing so well, way to go!!

Here is my update....

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 5
The Edge by Ilona Andrews
The Wicked Horse by Sawyer B..."

What a month Alyssa. Phenomenal progress and 5 series completed!

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
One series: the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne..."

Great month Giulia. Wonderful to see you rates The Ocean at the End of the Lane so high. I really must read that book at some point. Awesome to see you reading another Dresden book. I'm really enjoying that series too.

Laura wrote: "1.Did you complete or get up to date on any series this month?

I got up to date in 6 series-Fusion by Kristen Proby
Redemption by Sarah Castille
Dive Bar by Kylie Scott
Billionaire Builders by Jen..."

Fantastic month Laura. I love that you had so many five star reads.

Angela wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

Yes. I got up to date with Sebastian St Cyr with Where the Dead Lie

2. Did you start any new series? If so, wha..."

Great reading month for you.

Alyssa wrote: "Everyone is doing so well, way to go!!

Here is my update....

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 5
The Edge by Ilona Andrews
The Wicked Horse by Sawyer B..."

I love Sawyer Bennett also, great month for you!

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series: Buchanan-Renard by Julie Garwood, Rarity Cove by Leslie Tentler, Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harr..."

Outstanding month for you. A 28 hour book? holy hell.

Tracey wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, the You series by Caroline Kepnes

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, the Hitch..."

Glad you are feeling better, hopefully you can get more reading in this month.

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
One series: the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne..."

I agree about the standalones. Glad you enjoyed your month.

Jonetta wrote: "Sorry about your allergy situation and hope that's over.

Despite your health issues, you had a really good month! I'm so heartened by your comments about Hitchhiker as I recently downloaded the audiobook. And congrats on finishing You:) ..."

Thanks, I seem to have broken the back of it. Hoorah!

Oh I really hope you enjoy Hitchhiker. I assume it is the Stephen Fry version. Thanks - wondering if Kepnes will release a new one. I did Google to see but no information.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I got up to date in four series: Buchanan-Renard by Julie Garwood, Rarity Cove by Leslie Tentler, Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harr..."

Great month as always Jonetta! Glad you enjoyed most of your books.

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "Glad you're enjoying your reread of the Hitchhiker, it always brings a smile on my face even on a bad day. Too bad I didn't find some of the later books as brilliant"

Oh... I can't remember the rest of the series. Hoping Stephen Fry will improve it then :-)

Alyssa wrote: "Everyone is doing so well, way to go!!

Here is my update....

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 5
The Edge by Ilona Andrews
The Wicked Horse by Sawyer B..."

Sounds like a great month! Yes it is satisfying when you chip away at those challenges.

~ Giulia ~ wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
One series: the Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne..."

Yes, definitely know what you mean about standalones and a quick finish but somehow they always seem to suffer (well in my case anyway!). I try and keep 1 or 2 on my immediate plan.

Laura wrote: "Great month. The first time ever I read every book on my list plus one."

Always satisfying :-)

Well done on a great month.

Angela wrote: "Sorry to hear you had bad hayfever. My husband gets it too and it's horrible.

I think you had great progress. Any month you finish a series is a great month!.."

Thanks Angela. Yes finishing a series is always good!!

Laura wrote: "Glad you are feeling better, hopefully you can get more reading in this month. ."

Thanks and yes I hope so!!

Tracey wrote: "Thanks - wondering if Kepnes will release a new one. I did Google to see but no information. ..."

We had a discussion with the author back when I finished the second book. She said she wasn't done but is working on something different for now.

Laura wrote: "1.Did you complete or get up to date on any series this month?

I got up to date in 6 series-Fusion by Kristen Proby
Redemption by Sarah Castille
Dive Bar by Kylie Scott
Billionaire Builders by Jen..."

Yay! Congratulations on a wonderful month. I can't remember the last time I finished everything on my plan. Had to smile when I saw you didn't start a new series.

Jonetta wrote: "Tracey wrote: "Thanks - wondering if Kepnes will release a new one. I did Google to see but no information. ..."

We had a discussion with the author back when I finished the second book. She said ..."

Thanks for the info!

Jonetta wrote: "You had an excellent month, Alyssa! You've a number of authors who I have on my shelf but still haven't read yet (Sawyer Bennett, Jay Crownover, Sivec) so that feedback is extremely helpful.

Kudos!"

Glad I could help!!! All three of those authors are amazing!

Angela wrote: "What a month Alyssa. Phenomenal progress and 5 series completed!..."

Thank you, Angela!

Laura wrote: "I love Sawyer Bennett also, great month for you!..."

Yay, another Sawyer Bennet fan!! She is fabulous :)

Tracey wrote: "Sounds like a great month! Yes it is satisfying when you chip away at those challenges...."

It absolutely is!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes.
UTD - Masters and Mercenaries & Quantum,
Finished - Not Quite, Original Sinners, Great Chefs, Twin Ties, Topped & Stage Dive Series

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Chicago Rebels by Kate Meader
St Helena Vineyard by Marina Adair
The Light by Aleatha Romig
Briarcrest Academy by Ilsa Madden-Mills
Unrestrained by S.E. Lund
You by Caroline Kepnes

Will continue with all except Briarcrest Academy. It's a YA that I needed for a challenge and I don't usually read YA.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many? Yes - 5 series

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
White Hot by Sandra Brown - another great R/S read from this author. She always keeps me interested all the way until the heart pounding end.
Into The Light by Aleatha Romig - I love her books. They are dark but I can't put them down until I finish.
The Virgin & The Queen by Tiffany Reisz - Another author that keeps me so interested I can't stop reading her books. This series wouldn't be for everyone (has BDSM and some taboo subject matter) but I loved every book in this series.
Portrait In Death - What can I say about J.D. Robb's series? Each book gets us deeper into the wonderful characters that she has created. And, of course, I love, love, love Roarke!
The Agreement by S. E. Lund - This was a surprise. I've had this one on my TBR for quite some time. I loved the story and the characters.
Ravenous by M.S. Force - Another great series by Marie Force. Loved these characters and their stories.
Not Quite Perfect by Catherine Bybee - I love her series that are more contemporary romance with a bit of angst. Great for in between darker reads.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I had some really great books this month and I even finished a few series!

Karen ♐ wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes.
UTD - Masters and Mercenaries & Quantum,
Finished - Not Quite, Original Sinners, Great Chefs, Twin Ties, Topped & Stage Di..."

What a great list of titles! Congrats on moving forward and completing/getting up to date in so many series, too.

You're gonna love the second part of Romig's series.

I've been jumping onto the site as I get time. Looks like I missed this question.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished Tessa Dare's Wanton Dairymaid Trilogy.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Nothing new this month.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in six series:
Troubleshooters by Suzanne Brockmann
Black Ops, Inc. by Cindy Gerard
Girl-Bachelors by Laura Lee Guhrke
The Bullet Catchers by Roxanne St. Claire
Harry Bosch by Michael Connelly
Bone Secrets by Kendra Elliot

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My only 5-Star book was by Sally Thorne. I couldn't put it down. I also liked by Kendra Elliot.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I had a good month. I finished 10 books. The lowest rated book was 3 stars.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?

Yes, I finished two! Class 5 by Michelle Diener and World of the Five Gods by Lois McMaster Bujold.



2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?

I started 5 series, but only plan to continue 2 of them.



3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?

I moved forward in 3 series.



4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?

I enjoyed the two series I completed and Iron Kissed the most.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?

I went almost completely off plan. I'm in a bit of a slump, so I started a bunch of books that I couldn't get into. I did enjoy the ones I finished, and I moved forward in series I hadn't planned to, so I'm happy about that.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes. Completed 2 and up to date on 1.


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Started 2. Will continue with but probably won't continue with

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes on 2.
but will not continue with

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
Several 4 stars but no 5 stars.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I was a bit all over the place but I enjoyed everything I read except for one book so it was a good reading month!

Robin wrote: "I've been jumping onto the site as I get time. Looks like I missed this question.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I finished Tessa Dare's Wanton Dairymaid Trilo..."

Kudos on a really good month, Robin! Thanks for participating in the group reads, too. And, you're the umpteenth person to rave about The Hating Game. *sigh* Maybe next month.

Allison wrote: "I went almost completely off plan. I'm in a bit of a slump, so I started a bunch of books that I couldn't get into. I did enjoy the ones I finished, and I moved forward in series I hadn't planned to, so I'm happy about that. ..."

Good job, especially considering you were in a slump! Iron Kissed was a tough story. Caught me off guard.

Glad you went off plan to try and get your reading mojo back. How are you doing now?

Meera wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes. Completed 2 and up to date on 1.
The Arab of the Future - 2 The Boy on the Bridge..."

It doesn't look like you were all over the place:) Congrats on a good reading month.

Question...you're giving up on Silva's series? What happened? I've read the first book and collected the rest.