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R14: SS Team 5
completion post- Week 3Spot : 20
The Hustler Next Door by K.A. Tucker
fits: 2nd book in series
rating: 3 stars
review: I liked the first few pages then found most of the first quarter of the book draggy. I'm glad I stuck with it because it ended up being an enjoyable read with lots of humor, snark, friendships, loyalty and some sexy scenes. I did not like that Justine's brother and fiancee put her in an uncomfortable situation. It was tied to the storyline but definitely unfair! Big message from this book- Be true to yourself!
Cindy wrote: "Completion Post-Week 3Spot: 20
Book: If She Saw by Blake Pierce
Read: 2/14/23
Fits: 2nd book of series
Rating: 4
Review: I feel li..."
I really want to try this series:-)
Mod
Donna, don't stress. If you don't think you can get it done before sometime Friday, let me know and we can use our free pass.
Donna wrote: "I am trying really hard. I didn’t get my book finished before my surgery today. I am still trying. I just can’t move right now. Gonna sleep and try again later."Feel better. Rest, speedy recovery to you!
Laura wrote: "Cindy wrote: "Completion Post-Week 3Spot: 20
Book: If She Saw by Blake Pierce
Read: 2/14/23
Fits: 2nd book of series
Rating: 4
Rev..."
You should 😊. So far I am enjoying it. I have all of Blake Pierce’s series on my TBR
Mod
Harley Merlin and the Mystery Twins by Bella Forrest
Read:2/16/23
Fits: #2 in Harley Merlin series
Rating: 5
Review: There is so much action in this series that you can't help but want to read more of it. The more Harley learns the more complicated her life gets. I loved digging deeper into Wade & Garrett in this book and why those two are constantly at each other's throats. Their story is actually quite funny and made me smile (which I needed). I can't wait to dig into book 3 and see what else this crew gets up to.
Completion Post -- Week 3 Spot: 20
Book: The Golden Dynasty
Completed: 2/16/23
How it Fits: #2 in Fantasyland
Rating: 3 stars
Review: Kristen Ashley is one of my go to authors. She is not the best at fantasy and paranormal however. These have some of the same vibe as her contemporaries, but in a paranormal world, which doesn't always work. She also has a habit of just glossing over things that are pretty bad. But if I need a book to get lost in for a few hours, I will always pick up one of hers.
Team 5 -- Week 4Previous Spot: 20
Roll: 4 + 6 = 10
New Spot: 30
Options:
Standalone
#3 in series
Romance
Stacey -- Remarkably Bright Creatures - Review
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) -- A Quiet Death -- Review
Laura -- Law Man-- Review
Donna -- Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals -- Review
Cindy-- If She Ran -- Review
500 page bonus earned by Laura
Week 4 selection
Fits # 3 in series
Over 500 pages
Week 4, Spot 30
A Quiet Death by Cari Hunter
Date Read: 2/18/23
How It Fits: Third book in the Dark Peak series
Pages: 264
Rating: ★★★★
Review: An excellent conclusion to this super intense trilogy. The case in this one was really interesting and I love how dark and eerie this series got. Sanne and Meg’s growth as not only individuals but as a couple is so impressive. I love them together. They have been through so much and I appreciate that they stick with each other through everything.
I feel like there’s not much that I can say about this one because of spoilers but this series is definitely worth the read. I’m sad that I officially have read all of Hunter’s backlist and have my fingers crossed that there will be a new book soon because I need more.
Mod
Fits: # 3 in Harley Merlin series
Week 4, spot 30
Law Man by Kristen Ashley
read: Feb 19
pages: 535
fits: # 3 in series & over 500 pages
rating: 2.5
review: 2.5 stars and probably only for the action and suspense which I like. I just can't get hyped up over an Ashley book. I like kick ass heroines and Mara was far from it. She stumbled over her own words, could barely say much more then "um" and her classification system took up too much time in this story. Thank goodness for the children who were sweet and added a bit to the story. I think I'll pass on any more Ashley books for a while.
[*book:Law Man|18888391]
Mod
Harley Merlin and the Stolen Magicals by Bella Forrest
Read: 2/22/23
Fits: # 3 in series
rating: 5
Review: There is something about this series that draws me in. Maybe it is just the author since this is not the first series that I loved written by her. This is my 2nd series by this author and I am not disappointed. This book picks up where the last one left off. You definitely have to read this series in order to keep up with everything that happens as it builds upon the previous books. I love the characters although it gets a bit confusing with a shapeshifter impersonating people all the time. You never know when someone is not going to really be themselves. I absolutely loved the Jekyll & Hyde references to Raffe and his magical dilemma. Although Katherine (the villain) is talked about in previous books and we see the results of her actions, she is never actually seen. In this book, she is finally seen and interacted with. I am curious about how powerful she really is. It is curious that they don't keep records of her family's powers like everyone else's. I have a lot of questions that I hope to get answered soon but since there are over 20 books in the series, I will probably just find more. Overall, a great series and I can't wait to read more.
Completion Post -- Week 4 Spot: 30
Book: Remarkably Bright Creatures
Completed: 2/22/23
How it Fits: Standalone
Rating: 4 stars
Review: This is not a book I would normally pick -- but that's the point of challenges, correct? This was lovely. There wasn't any great drama, conflict or angst. Just normal people with normal problems, and a nice story of how they all found each other. The octopus added a little something extra, but by the last third of the book, he was pretty much taking a backseat to the humans. Recommend if you need a good palate cleanser -- and the audiobook was perfect.
Completion Post-Week 4Spot: 30
Book: If She Ran
Author: Blake Pierce
Read: 2/22/23
Fits: 3rd book of series
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I’m still enjoying the series. I feel like the book had a slow start but that could have just been me too. I liked to see that not everything is perfect with Kate and her partner and that they had tension and things to work though. I can’t wait to see what will happen next for Kate and Demarco
Team 5 -- Week 5 Previous Spot: 30
Roll: 1 + 6 = 7
New Spot: 37
Options:
#3 in series
#7 in series
#37 in series
Cover Pink
Stacey -- About That Night -- Review
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) -- Dime Store Magic -- Review
Laura -- A Secret for a Secret -- Review
Donna --Waistcoats & Weaponry -- Review
Cindy -- Head Over Heels -- Review
Stacey wrote: " Team 5 -- Week 5 Previous Spot: 30
Roll: 1 + 6 = 7
New Spot: 37
Options:
#3 in series
#7 in series
#37 in series
Cover Pink"
6, we need a six. I'm patiently waiting to read a book that fits 6.
Off to find something that fits!
Selection post week 5Spot 37
# 3 in series
Mod
# 3 in Finishing School series
Laura wrote: "Stacey wrote: " Team 5 -- Week 5 Previous Spot: 30
Roll: 1 + 6 = 7
New Spot: 37
Options:
#3 in series
#7 in series
#37 in series
Cover Pink"
6, we need a six. I'm patiently waiting to read a ..."
I'll try for a 9 next time! :)
Week 5 Selection Post
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
How it fits: Book 3 in the Women of the Otherworld series
Stacey wrote: "Laura wrote: "Stacey wrote: " Team 5 -- Week 5 Previous Spot: 30
Roll: 1 + 6 = 7
New Spot: 37
Options:
#3 in series
#7 in series
#37 in series
Cover Pink"
6, we need a six. I'm patiently wait..."
🤩 I guess once we hit the 60's my book should work.
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) wrote: "Week 5 Selection PostDime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
How it fits: Book 3 in the Women of the Otherworld series"
I loved this series! (And most anything else by Armstrong)
Laura wrote: "I loved this series! (And most anything else by Armstrong)"I am obsessed with this series so far! I randomly picked up the first book from the library and now I'm hooked.
Week 5, Spot 37
Dime Store Magic by Kelley Armstrong
Date Read: 2/25/23
How It Fits: Third book in the Women of the Otherworld series
Pages: 414
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Not as good as the first two books but that’s only because we’re not following Elena anymore whom I adore so much. Here we follow Paige who is a witch as she’s trying to get custody of Savannah. And wow trying to get custody of her brings a lot of chaos into her life and it was a hell of a ride. I'm seriously so obsessed with this series and I can't believe it's taken me so long to finally read it.
I felt the same way! Obsessed with the series!
Week 5, Spot 37
A Secret for a Secret by Helena Hunting
read: Feb 26
fit: 3rd in series
pages: 298
rating: 3 stars
review: I find that sometimes all these hockey sport romances are so similar. Guy meets girl, they have a one night stand, they find out they will have to work together in some capacity and then they fall in love. Even though I thought this was a typical hockey sports romance I did love Queenie and Ryan together. The drama from secondary characters was a bit over the top but if you want an entertaining read this is it.
[*book:A Secret for a Secret|49091311]
Completion Post -- Week 5 Spot: 37
Book: About That Night
Completed: 2/28/23
How it Fits: #3 in FBI/US Attorney
Rating: 3 stars
Review: This was fine. It was a pleasant way to spend a few hours, but ultimately nothing outstanding that will bring me back to the series soon. The MCs were likeable, and the conflict between ex con and lawyer was interesting. Somewhat anti-climatic at the end. I'm also now officially out of book 3s. :)
Completion Post-Week 5 Spot: 37
Book: Head Over Heels
Read: 3/2/23
Rating: 4 stars
Fits: 3rd book in series
Review: This was my second time reading this book and I can say I definitely liked it better this times round. I liked getting back to the sisters of Lucky Harbor. I loved Chloe and Sawyer and their back and forth banter. Chloe just seems so badass just always going after what she wants and not letting her asthma get the best of her. Can’t wait to see what will happen next
Mod
Waistcoats & Weaponry by Gail Carriger
Read: 3/2/23
Rating: 4 stars
Fits: 3rd in series
Review: The antics these girls get up to make me laugh. I certainly couldn't imagine stealing a train but they did it. I did enjoy the little malfunction of the robots by the Picklemen. It was priceless to make them sing before they completely died. Gail Carringer is always a fun read and I can't help but smile when reading one of her books. I am definitely looking forward to more.
Team 5 -- Week 6Previous Spot: 37
Roll: 1 + 3 = 4
New Spot: 41 (Sorry Laura!)
Options:
Standalone
#1 in series
#4 in series
Cover: Black
Stacey - Veils - Review
Jamie (TheRebelliousReader) - The Red Files --Review
Laura - If She Knew -- Review
Donna - Harley Merlin and the First Ritual -- Review
Cindy - If She Hid -- Review
Donna earns bonus point for 3 or more books in a series.
Ha no worries! I'll wait until our roll is in the 60's!
SelectionWeek 6, spot 41
#1 in series
I'm not. I thought it was just a one time thing, but nothing all morning.
Neither of your posts showed up in my notifications. 🙄Sounds like Goodreads is having some issues today.
Mod
Fits: #4 in series
Laura wrote: "SelectionWeek 6, spot 41
#1 in series"
That is actually the second book of the series. The first book is If She Knew
Cindy wrote: "Laura wrote: "SelectionWeek 6, spot 41
#1 in series"
That is actually the second book of the series. The first book is If She Knew"
Thanks for catching that, Cindy! Good news- I am reading the correct book and linked the wrong one!
Stacey I will go back and link the correct book in my selection post.
Week 6, Spot 41
The Red Files by Lee Winter
Date Read: 3/4/23
How It Fits: #1 in the 'On the Record' series
Pages: 384
Rating: ★★★
Review: I’m beyond disappointed. This book is so beloved and I can’t say that I understand why. The writing was really the only thing I liked. The characters were mad annoying and the romance did nothing for me. The case they were trying to solve was fine, not the most interesting thing in the world. This left a lot to be desired.
Week 6, spot 41
If She Knew by Blake Pierce
Read March 6
Pages: 178
Rating: 3 stars
Fits: #1 in series
Review: I enjoyed this mystery and I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series. Kate is a retired FBI agent who comes out of retirement to solve a murder that turns into a few murders. I hope the rest of the series is about Wise paired up with DeMarco. They made a great team!
[*book:If She Knew|41559688]
Completion Post -- Week 6 Spot: 41
Book: Veils
Completed: 3/6/23
How it Fits: #4 in The Killers
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I'll admit that I'm a sucker for a badass and the woman who changes his life story. I didn't like the H when he was first introduced in the series, but he won me over in this book. He fell hard and fast and it was wonderful to watch him convince the h that he was all in. The h was a suitable match and I loved the honesty involved in their relationship -- nothing festered for too long just for drama. Excited to read the next in the series.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
If She Heard (other topics)It Had to Be You (other topics)
Scars (other topics)
Harley Merlin and the Detector Fix (other topics)
Going Up (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Blake Pierce (other topics)Bella Forrest (other topics)
Jill Shalvis (other topics)
A.E. Radley (other topics)
A.E. Radley (other topics)
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Spot: 20
Book: If She Saw by Blake Pierce
Read: 2/14/23
Fits: 2nd book of series
Rating: 4
Review: I feel like I was drawn into this book faster than I was the first book. I still like Kate and her personality. I like DeMarco and seeing how both her and Kate work together and work ideas off eachother and kind of know what the other one wants without having to say it even though this is the second case they've worked on together.