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R8: SS Team 1 for the Money (1)
Week 5, Spot 37,Completion Post:
Criteria: 7th in the Liss MacCrimmon series
Pages: 289
Start Date: 8/12/16
End Date: 8/12/16
Rating: 5 stars
Final Thoughts:
This was really good! I really enjoyed this mystery and the addition of a new family member to Liss' extended family! Very nicely done with a lot of action over a long enough period of time to be realistic. Let's face it, most murders are NOT solved in a week's time by amateur sleuths.
I'm reading
Series #3
Mod
Space 37
Alternate: Title B
Title:The Reason
Author:Marley Gibson
Criteria: 3rd in series
Pages:243
Date Read:
My Rating:
Review:
Week 5Smoke & Mirrors by Charlie Cochet
How Fits: Series #7
Read: (8/15)
Rating: ★★★★�
I adore this series! Dex and Sloane were trying to break my heart this time around. Obviously there was going to be craziness ensuing after how we left the last book, but oh wow my heart is hurting for these guys. So much has been hidden from them and even when you expect where things are going it's still more than you think.
This is a book of secrets. Secrets that have been kept for years come to light in this book and only lead to more questions and things hidden. I'm loving what's being revealed though. Dex is still Dex and nothings going to stay hidden forever with the way he goes gangbusters at things. Still his experience at the hands of Wolf rightfully took him down a notch to start.
I really felt like Sloane and Dex got closer in this book. There were trials for them to get through and adverse reactions from both of them as they dealt with what was thrown at them. But when they'd come back together and talk they learned from their reactions and grew as a couple.
Loved this book, love this series. Can't wait for the next book! I'm hoping for Seb and Hudson. :D
Mod
Space 37
Alternate: Title B
Title:The Reason
Author:Marley Gibson
Criteria: 3rd in series
Pages:243
Date Read:8/16/16
My Rating:5 stars
Review:
I love this series. I am a bit disappointed that Jason and Taylor moved. Not sure how book 4 will be without these major characters. I was happy to see that Kendall finally figured out who Emily was and how they are connected. I am kind of hoping that the next book focuses on Kendall's plans for Spring Break. Sounds like it would make a great setting for an investigation.
Week 5 - Roll 8; Space 37Review Posts
³§³Ü²Ô²õ³ó¾±²Ô±ð✰✰âœ� - (#3) Paint it Black - Post 110
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (#7) Vampires, Bones and Treacle Scones - Post 102
Shelby - (#7) Smoke & Mirrors - Post 106
Donna - (#3) The Reason - Post 107
~Michelle~ - (#3) The Cereal Murders - Post 101
You guys are killing it! I'm still plugging away, but it's only Tuesday!We had my Hubby's 50th Birthday party this weekend so there wasn't much time for reading. :-(
Week 5 - Roll 8; Space 37
Book: Paint it Black by Nancy A. Collins
Read: 8/18/16
Rating: ★★
Review
Somehow, I don't know how, I realized I was reading the wrong book (the covers were really similar, no wonder I couldn't figure out what was happening!) so I pick up Paint It Black because it was short.
I had a hard time getting into the previous books and this was no exception. It's very dark compared to Paranormal Fantasy nowadays. I can't say Sonya has a split personality, but she fights hard to suppress her darker side, the Other. I don't really care for either of them. I think this will be the end of the series for me.
New Roll:Week 6 - Roll 9; Space 46
Read Series #4, #6, #46 OR Alt: New to me Author
Mod
Week 6, Spot 46Selection Post
Criteria: 6th in a Series
Pages: 360
Start Date: 8/19/16
End Date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
I don't know what to read! Since I messed up reading my book #3, I can't read the book #4 that I want to. :(Off to look through my series and see if there was another one I'm dying to move ahead on....
Week 6 - Roll 9; Space 46Completion Post
Book:
The Last Suppers by Diane Mott DavidsonCriteria: 4th in A Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery Series
Pages: 272
Start Date: 8-23-2016
End date: 8-25-2016
Rating: 4*
Final Thoughts:
Of all the cozy mysteries I've ever read, this one is up there on my list of favorites! In The Last Suppers, Goldie and her sweetheart-turned-fiancé are about to tie the knot. However, on the morning of the wedding, their plans take a terrible turn for the worst where someone is dead and someone else is missing! Needless to say, Goldy is beside herself and rumors begin to fly.
There's a rather large cast of characters in this book, the fourth edition of the series. With them comes plenty of story lines and twists and turns to keep you guessing right up until the very end. How many people will die? Will they find the missing person? Does the wedding ever take place? Add in lots of craziness and turmoil surrounding Goldy's church and you've got quite a good little cozy mystery on your hands!
Week 6, Spot 46Completion Post
Criteria: 6th in a Series
Pages: 360
Start Date: 8/19/16
End Date: 8/20/16
Rating: 5 Stars
Final Thoughts:
I really enjoyed this one, as I have this entire series so far. It's a British Who-dun-it, and they are always a bit different than the American Mysteries as they seem a bit more convoluted and just have a different feel about them. It's something I really enjoy. This one is set in the countryside, in Cornwall area, I believe. It has to do with the murders of two men, one of which is at first believed to be the murderer of the other, although as it turns out, he was actually killed first. Libby and her friend Fran, who is psychic, are drawn into the investigation, pretty much against their wills at first, but as it becomes more involved, so do they. There are some elements of paganism (in its baser aspects) as well as some business intrigues that have some criminal elements, but are they the real motive or is it something else entirely? I just love me a good British mystery!
Mod
Bookcover:
Title:Broken Dreams
Author:Rissa Blakeley
Criteria: New to me author
Pages:614
Date Read:8/23/16
My rating: 5 stars
Review:
This book is definitely an attention grabber. At first, I had no idea what was happening. I was thinking some military group on a power high to the extreme. Then the mission began and I really started to get into the book and the gripping story-line. I loved the romance between Henry and Elaina until all hell broke loose on their wedding day. I didn't like how manipulative & always drunk Henry became afterward and all of his excuses were just that-excuses. Finally, the day they have been dreading and preparing for arrives and the books ends on that cliffhanger. This is now going to drive me nuts until I get my hands on a copy of book 2.
Week 6 - Roll 9; Space 46Review Posts
³§³Ü²Ô²õ³ó¾±²Ô±ð✰✰âœ� - (#4) Destined for an Early Grave - Post 119
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (#6) Murder In The Green - Post 116
Shelby - (#6) Truth & Tenderness - Post 121
Donna - (Alt.) Broken Dreams - Post 117
~Michelle~ - (#4) The Last Suppers - Post 115
Week 6 - Roll 9; Space 46
Book: Destined for an Early Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Series #4
Read: 8/23/16
Rating: ★★★★
Review
Ugh. My heart hurt reading this one. I love Bones & Cat so I hated what they were going through. I couldn't put the book down until things were settled. I don't know why I always procrastinate in reading these books. I'm going to use this game to keep moving ahead in this series!
Week 6Truth & Tenderness by Tere Michaels
How Fits: Series #6
Read: (8/25)
Rating: ★★★★
Awwww all the loose ends wrapped up and the happy time present for all. While this isn't my favorite of the series, there were moments of time with each of the couples that I enjoyed. I found it really satisfying to have the little things dealt with and the past cases dangling over their head dealt with. This really felt like a space where everyone could move on together and be happy and satisfied and past all their old insecurities and issues.
First of all Matt and Evan as a couple are amazing. They have their problems, and they fight, but somehow you just know their love is strong and they'll find a way to work it all out. Hand in the air though, for one of those wanting to punch Casper in the face throughout most of this book. I mean, total GRRRRRRRR moments for me. I enjoyed the kids as always and I appreciated that Miranda has started to grow up and be in a better space with Matt. Wished for a little more Katie though. :)
Griffin and Jim...boys you need to communicate! They did at times, but sometimes Jim is so used to bottling things up and that never bodes well for anyone. Both men were adorable with Sadie though. I liked their little sweet and quiet moments with her.
All in all a satisfying end to the time with these men. :)
New Roll:Week 7 - Roll 8; Space 54
Read Series #5, #4, #54 OR Alt: Cover Item: 2 or more People
Week 7, Spot 54Selection Post
Criteria: #4 in the Cold Creek Series
Pages: 222
Start Date: 8/26/16
End Date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
Week 7 - Roll 8; Space 54 {Alternate - Cover Item: 2 or more People}Selection Post:
Week 7 - Roll 8; Space 54 {Alternate - Cover Item: 2 or more People}
Selection Post:
Book:
We Have Always Lived in the Castleby Shirley Jackson
Criteria: Alternate - Cover Item: 2 or more People
Pages: 160
Start Date: 8-30-2016
End date: 9-1-2016
Rating: 2*
Final Thoughts: This will likely be a short review because I don't have many good things to say about this. Unfortunately, I just couldn't get in to it. I thought reading a classic gothic horror book with a mystery thrown in sounded like a great idea, but this didn't make the cut. The characters themselves, Merricat, Constance and Uncle Julian, were OK I guess; however, none of the genres were really all that prevalent in the writing, so I thought it was a little on the boring side. And the ending what rather anti-climactic. Maybe I was expecting too much from this book that I had seen pop up here and there. Either way I could only give it 2*.
Week 7, Spot 54Completion Post
Criteria: #4 in the Cold Creek Series
Pages: 222
Start Date: 8/26/16
End Date: 8/27/16
Rating: 5 Stars
Final Thoughts:
I thoroughly enjoyed this book! Lots of action, and some really crazy college politics going on. Amazing how clueless Administration can be in Education, whether on the local level or the college level. The main character is a Psychology professor who dates a State Police Detective. She gets drawn into helping to clear one of the college students who has been accused of murder in a local town. Really good interview scenes, and some craziness involving a couple of women who had affairs in the past with the victim. The actual murderer was not who I expected it to be, but the story was well written and logical and entertaining.
Mod
Out of Sight, Out of Time by Ally Carter
Pages:304
Criteria: book 5
Date Read:8/30/16
My rating:5
Review:
Wow, poor Cammie is in more danger than she has been in any book so far. Except now, Cammie is in danger with no idea why since she has lost several months worth of memories. The book moves at a fast pace and danger lurks at every turn. Who is a girl spy supposed to trust? Cammie finds out a lot of truths in this book but there is more to be done. I am really enjoying this series. I can't wait to see what these young spies get into next.
Week 7 - Roll 8; Space 54
Book: Back to School Murder by Leslie Meier
Series #4
Read: 8/30/16
Rating: ★★★★
Review
I liked this story. Lucy is trying to branch out into the world to be something more than a stay-at-home mom. She has been working as a temp at the local newspaper office and I think it suits her perfectly. She has also been going back to school to get her teaching degree. This leads to trouble as the professor is a gorgeous man who finds her attractive. I disagree with some reviews that Bill is an ass. He just has a hard time with change and adjusting to his wife wanting a job after being a stay-at-home mom for their 4 children for well over a decade. By the end he seems to be coming around.
I think Lucy being out of the house as a professional snoop instead of just a snoop is really going to make this series more interesting.
Week 7 - Roll 8; Space 54Review Posts
³§³Ü²Ô²õ³ó¾±²Ô±ð✰✰âœ� - (#4) Back to School Murder - Post 125
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (#4) Murder in the Theater - Post 125
Shelby - (#4) Inversion Point - Post 131
Donna - (#5) Out of Sight, Out of Time - Post 126
~Michelle~ - (Alt.) We Have Always Lived in the Castle - Post 124
I'm done with my book. Will post later today. :)
Week 7Inversion Point by Jenn Burke
How Fits: Series #4
Read: (9/1)
Rating: ★★★★�
Another great installment in a fantastic series. The new alien race is finally about to make an appearance and Zander is being called on to play interpreter. Of course the tensions between Zander and Felix aren't resolved and they're still both really bad about talking about their feelings.
This one was a lot of action and craziness. Swept you up and carried you right along with it. I really hurt for Felix with what he was having to face, his past returning to blow up in his face. His inner anger is right on the surface with the current goings on and it's everything Flick can do to keep himself together. But he knows how important these talks are and it's imperative he manage to be strong, both for his sake and for Zanders.
I think the only downside I've ever found to this series is that I wish that Marnie and Ryan weren't always on the asteroid and such minor players. I'd love to see them as more active members of the story and the crew. Otherwise this story rolled along in wonderful dramatic action fashion.
Just edited Post 124 to show my final post.
I was wondering what you thought about that book. I didn't really enjoy it either. Maybe traditional Gothic isn't my thing. I'm not a huge fan of just psychological horror anyway.
New Roll:Week 8 - Roll 10; Space 64
Read Series #6, #4, #64 OR Alt: Title E
Week 8, Space 64Completion Post:
Criteria: 4th in the Wisteria Tearoom Series
Pages: 202
Start Date: 9/2/16
End Date: 9/2/16
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Final Thoughts:
I really loved this book and the only thing that really bothered me was that there were some medical ethics issues that were kind of glossed over. First, Ellen had the hiccups for more than a couple of days and yet she didn't even think about seeing a Dr until she'd had them the better part of a week. ANYTIME hiccups last more than 24 hours it can be a medical emergency, regardless of the person's age or general health. Secondly, she is showing classic signs of clinical depression and the counselor she goes to see a) doesn't recommend she see a medical Dr about the depression and b) continues to see her and encourage her to see him when he has personal feelings for her. THAT is a clear ethics violation that could land him unable to practice. Because I suffer from clinical depression, this is a touchy point with me, and too many times we in society fail to recognize signs that are clear indicators that medical help is needed. I would like to see more authors address this in their writing.
Otherwise, I loved the story. The characters are very enjoyable and the story is believable. A great series that I still love inspite of my personal observations.
³§³Ü²Ô²õ³ó¾±²Ô±ð✰✰âœ� wrote: "I was wondering what you thought about that book. I didn't really enjoy it either. Maybe traditional Gothic isn't my thing. I'm not a huge fan of just psychological horror anyway."I really wanted to like, but I just couldn't. :(
***This is a different book than I started out with for the week.Week 8 - Roll 10; Space 64
Selection Post:
{Read Series #6, #4, #64 OR Alt: Title E }
Book:
Drums of Autumn by Diana GabaldonCriteria: #4 in The Outlander Series
Pages: 880
Start Date: 9-4-2016
End date: 9-7-2016
Rating: 5*
Final Thoughts: Maybe it's just me, but when I finish an Outlander Series book, I can't really think straight for a while!?! There are so many things I want to talk about, but I struggle just to put my thoughts in order. I can't stop reading and I feel it in my chest the entire time I am reading!!
I keep saying each new book is my favorite, and I'm going to have to do it again for Drums of Autumn. This time Brianna and Roger have joined Claire and Jamie. So we finally get to see what it's like when Brianna meets her Da - and let's just say they may be more alike than they want to admit. I will say there is one interaction between the two of them that bothered me, but I do understand it was to make an important point in the plot. There's also a wedding or two, an unfortunate rape that plays a huge part in the storyline....AND a pregnancy and birth to look for to!
As always, Diana Gabaldon's writing is beautiful and colorful while being blunt and true to the timeframe. I just can't get enough of her books!
Mod
{Read Series #6, #4, #64 OR Alt: Title E }
Book:Castaways in Time by Sarah Woodbury
Criteria; #6 in After Cilmeri series
Pages:350
Read: 9/4/16
My Rating:5 stars
Review:
I have loved every book in this series so far and this one is no exception. I love that they time traveled in a new way. I was sad that Callum and Cassie had to stay behind but I hope that they can return in a future book. I am anxious to learn how they stop the greedy 21st century people from taking over the medieval lands. This series is one of my absolute favorite series and I can't wait to read more.
Week 8Elemental Pleasure by Mari Carr
How Fits: Title: E
Read: (9/3)
Rating: ★★½
Ok so frankly I think I would have liked this book more if it had just owned up to being straight up erotica. I would have preferred a porn without plot book here as really the plot was incredibly inconsequential to the fact that these three people were suddenly in all out over powering lust with one another. This is exactly the kind of menage book that I don't particularly enjoy. The men have no attraction to each other, but by the end of the book are saying they're in love but still can't stomach the idea of really touching the other one and it's all about the woman in between them. Not my favorite.
So the Trinity Master's are a secret organization that helps the best of the best learn and grow to become the rockstar human beings they're supposed to be. The only catch, one day you will be called up to get married only you'll have no say in who it is you're marrying and it'll be in a triad. So really you're going to be marrying two people you've never met and there's always a chance they might not even be the gender you're attracted to. With this premise, I needed a longer build up to these three people coming together to make the book work for me. I would have been fine with the story and the erotica if there had been more time and development of these characters coming together and learning about each other. But their arguments and changes of hearts felt very arbitrary to further the plot along rather than organic changes that came about because of something someone did to change their opinion.
I don't know that I'll be in any hurry to read the next book in the series. 2.5 stars doesn't really give me much hope towards the next, but I do wonder about the overall story as a whole. Is each book just going to the Trinity Masters as an excuse to throw 3 random people together? Or is there more to their plans?
Week 8 - Roll 10; Space 64
Book: Crush by Stefan Petrucha
Series #4
Read: 9/6/16
Rating: ★★★★
Review
This was a quick easy read. This series is really about 4 Ghost girls who get together to roll the bones and see who gets to tell a story. The little storyline following them didn't progress much in this book.
The story told this time was about Jonathan. He is an outcast a school, but when murders start to happen, he realized they have to do with him. I thought I knew what was going to happen, then, Surprise! I didn't.
Week 8 - Roll 10; Space 64Review Posts
³§³Ü²Ô²õ³ó¾±²Ô±ð✰✰âœ� - (#4) Crush - Post 141
Kay (Brigidsmomma) - (#4) A Bodkin for the Bride - Post 135
Shelby - (Alt) Elemental Pleasure - Post 140
Donna - (#6) Castaways in Time - Post 138
~Michelle~ - (#4) Drums of Autumn - Post 144
I'm ready for something that's not a #4. I'm running out of options! LOL
***This is a different book than I started out with for the week.Week 8 - Roll 10; Space 64
Selection Post:
{Read Series #6, #4, #64 OR Alt: Title E }
Book:
Drums of Autumn by Diana GabaldonCriteria: #4 in The Outlander Series
Pages: 880
Start Date: 9-4-2016
End date: 9-7-2016
Rating: 5*
Final Thoughts: Maybe it's just me, but when I finish an Outlander Series book, I can't really think straight for a while!?! There are so many things I want to talk about, but I struggle just to put my thoughts in order. I can't stop reading and I feel it in my chest the entire time I am reading!!
I keep saying each new book is my favorite, and I'm going to have to do it again for Drums of Autumn. This time Brianna and Roger have joined Claire and Jamie. So we finally get to see what it's like when Brianna meets her Da - and let's just say they may be more alike than they want to admit. I will say there is one interaction between the two of them that bothered me, but I do understand it was to make an important point in the plot. There's also a wedding or two, an unfortunate rape that plays a huge part in the storyline....AND a pregnancy and birth to look for to!
As always, Diana Gabaldon's writing is beautiful and colorful while being blunt and true to the timeframe. I just can't get enough of her books!
LOL! Can't believe it! both my SS and SSS teams are on the same spot! Thank goodness I have a plethora of "9" books...Week 9, Spot 69
Selection Post:
Criteria: 9th in the Sweet Cove series
Pages: 165
Start Date: 9/9/16
End Date:
Rating:
Final Thoughts:
That's perfect! Are you going to read the same book for both or try to read 2 different 9's?
I read two different books. Here's the Completion Post:
Criteria: 9th in the Sweet Cove series
Pages: 165
Start Date: 9/9/16
End Date: 9/9/16
Rating: 5 stars
Final Thoughts:
This was great and a book I've been waiting for a while for. The sisters help a woman who has come to stay at their B & B discover what happened when her husband disappeared several months earlier, even though the woman does not fully disclose all she knows. There are hidden agendas and persons who cannot tell the truth to save their own lives. Even though the story is about messy happenings, it is told in a clear voice with literally no typos or grammatical errors which makes the reading flow so smoothly that the book almost reads itself. I love these characters and the things they get involved in, so each time a new book in this series is released, I just HAVE to read it right away! So glad it fit this challenge too!
Week 9 - Roll 5; Space 69Read Series #6, #9, #69 OR Alt: Priority Reads
I'm planning to read And Then There Were None from the Priority Reads list this week as long as it comes in on my Overdrive account in enough time. (I need it for about 5 other challenges.) If not, I'll pick something else in plenty of time for the deadline. :)
Mod
Read Series #6, #9, #69 OR Alt: Priority Reads
Title:United We Spy
Author:Ally Carter
Criteria: book 6
Pages:296
Date read:9/15/16
My Rating:5 stars
Review:
In this book, we find Cammie and her friends in their senior year. They are facing their futures which isn't a whole lot different than their present lives. As always, danger lurks at every turn and who is a spy to trust? I loved learning about a younger Gallagher girl that hasn't really been part of the series so far. I also liked how Cammie didn't just run off on her own this time. They worked as a team, which is awesome as they all have different skills. I am sad that there are not many books left in the series. I would love to see the author write about a new generation of Gallagher Girls.
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Completion Post:
Kay, I'm doing the same thing this week! :)
Book:
Criteria: 3rd in A Goldy Bear Culinary Mystery Series
Pages: 335
Start Date: 8-12-2016
End date: 8-15-2016
Rating: 3*
Final Thoughts: This time Goldy Bear is tied up in a murder mystery that may somehow involve her son. In fact, there's more than one mystery to solve as well as some secret project involving one of the victims that Goldy must figure out in The Cereal Murders.
I think this is my favorite of the three books I've read in this series so far! Goldy does a good job investigating the murders. We see her maternal side and her relationship with Tom seems to be moving along nicely. For a cozy mystery it was a pretty good read!
Without a doubt, I will continue to read more books in this series.