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Completion Post
Player: LaurLa


Book: Becoming the Whiskey Princess - Toni Aleo
Read: 02.20
Rating: ★★��1/2
Possible Cards:
1 - O - charcacter (Declan) O'Callaghan
2 - Book 2
4 - F - character Fiona Reilly
5 - I - character Ivor O'Callaghan
9 - N - character Norren O'Callaghan
Skip - K - character Kane Lvy
Draw 2 - Same book for 2 cards

Completion Post!
Auntie Mayhem by Mary Daheim
272 pages
Finished 2/20/17
Hand one, card 9 - 9th in series
4 stars!
Review: fun, slightly slapstick comedic tale of 2 San Francisco cousins who visit the Continent and discover yet another mysteriously dead body!


And if we haven't completed all the Valentine tasks yet, this story has unrequited love. It's a love so very unrequited that he ends up killing her and entombing her in a monument on the village green! Yikes!

Ginger wrote: "@Eldarwen is it from Cruel Intentions?"

Yes!! :-D

Wow, Lauri that definitely sounds like a very interesting take on the unrequited love! I am officially intrigued haha.

Eldarwen wrote: "Wow, Lauri that definitely sounds like a very interesting take on the unrequited love! I am officially intrigued haha."

AND it wasn't revealed until the very end. Didn't see that coming!!

Completion Post

Book:Romancing the Duke by Tessa Dare
Finished: 2/20/17
Rating: 3.5
Possible Cards:
1 - Book 1
2 - Author Name Tessa Dare
5 - Isolde (Izzy) Ophelia Goodnight

I think we have completed all of the valentine's second part but this has a first kiss in case we haven't.

I hope it is okay that I've read more books than I estimated I would. I took the number of books I read last year and did a little math. I think I underestimated. I didn't account for winter and stress. If I could move into a book right now I would.

Also, I've looked at our spread sheet, and it looks like we are close to complete. The Valentine challenge first part was looking a little empty. I will be going to the library soon so I will try and find a few books that fit. The last few romance novels (historical) were a very good distraction so I'll be looking for more.

That's totally fine. Very few people hit exactly what they sign up for, some read more others less, you can never know what RL brings and so on. In some cases adjustments are made when it's necessary. It usually evens out in the end :)

Yeah, our hands are coming along really great, but like you said, the first part of Valentine is a bit on the empty side, but maybe that will change too, there's still about a week left of feb.

Ooo, moving into a book. I Like the sound of that! Which book would you want to move into? :)

Oh. It would be so hard to pick one.

Maybe . It was a very interesting world. I'd want to be one of the time travelers though.

If not that maybe one of the worlds Sarah J Maas has created. They would be interesting to explore.

I would pick the Song of Ice and Fire world but that is just brutal. Also, the white walkers give me nightmares. The books are amazing though.

I've never read that one but always loved the idea of the cover!

I absolutly agree on moving into one of Maas' worlds! They are so well created and the characters are fantastic (Rhysand *sigh*).

Song of Ice and Fire.. yeah, I should really continue that series. I finally, after long months of pause, finished the first book for Uno, last year *cough* I should remedy that haha.

Another world I wouldn't mind moving into is the Kate Daniels universe. It's more real than Maas' settings, but it has a fantasy edge I really enjoy.

What about you, Annika?

As for the first part of the Valentine's challenge: once I've finished my two current reads I'm going to pick up a classic, and someone, I can't remember who, on our Valentine's team has a lot of those on her shelf, a lot of which have been added in February of some year (I have to go back and look at my previous post somewhere in this thread).

I plan to read at least one more book for the first part. I have the books marked, I just can't remember now which one and who they were from *doh*

Maybe
or

I'm having trouble finding books I want to read that they read or shelfed in February.

Kelsi added on Feb 6, 2016. I'm going to read that next.

I've heard a few bad things about Carve the Mark so I'm putting that off until the weekend.

Completion Post
Player: LaurLa


Book: Consumed - Rebecca Zanetti
Read: 02.21
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Possible Cards:
0 - Z - author Rebecca Zanetti
1 - O - setting Oregon
2 - T - character Talen Kayrs
4 - Book 4
6 - S - character Katie Smith
7 - V - character Terrent Vilks
8 - E - character Emma Kayrs
Skip - K - character Katie Smith
Draw 2 - Same book for 2 cards

I'm dying to jump into Magic Bites, but I want to save it for last! Is that silly?
I got Naked in Death from the library today! I've always wanted to read it, but somehow never got round to it.

I also finished another book yesterday. Do we want to add it in as an extra? If so, I'll post details...

Yes, please post all the details to whatever book you finished, we might be able to slot it in somewhere still.

Haha, nah, doesn't sound silly! I can absolutely understand keeping the best for last!! :-D I regularly do that, too. At least where food is concerned ;-)

LaurLa wrote: "I plan to read at least one more book for the first part. I have the books marked, I just can't remember now which one and who they were from *doh*

Can't tell you who read the first one, but Charley Davidson was read by Kelsi :-)

Annalisa wrote: "I'm having trouble finding books I want to read that they read or shelfed in February.

Kelsi added on Feb 6, 2016. I'm going to read that next.

I've heard a..."

Ah yes, that would make me put it off as well. You know, you can always just completely leave it be if you're unsure about reading it? We can replace it on the spreadsheet, in case you're worried about that. :-)

Options for classics on Megan's shelf, added in February 2016. I need to check my physical shelves and see which one I have at hand and which one I'm in the mood for:



EDA: To Kill a Mockingbird, also read this month.

Completion post!
Zipporah, Wife of Moses by Marek Halter
270 pages
Finished 2/20/17
4 stars
Can work for 2 - 2nd in series / 6 - character Sefoba

E - did I dream it somewhere or can we get extra hands if we finish the orginal we were given?

We only get the hands dealt in the beginning of the month, so no extra will be added :)

Eldarwen wrote: "I've never read that one but always loved the idea of the cover!

I absolutly agree on moving into one of Maas' worlds! They are so well created and the characters are fantastic (Rhysand *sigh*).

..."

There are so many interesting worlds to move into, but maybe Written in Red or Spider's Bite.
Or maybe I want to solve crimes with Eve Dallas...

Choices, choices.... I think I need a world / book for every mood ;)

Annika wrote: "We only get the hands dealt in the beginning of the month, so no extra will be added :)"

However, there will be more hands next month! :-)

Hmmmm, yes, the world of The Others really does have something as well. Though it might be a little dangerous for us puny little humans ;-)

Eldarwen wrote: "Hmmmm, yes, the world of The Others really does have something as well. Though it might be a little dangerous for us puny little humans ;-)"

Well, if we can choose to live in books, who says we need to live there as lowly humans? ;)

I agree I wouldn't want to be human with no powers in the books I picked. Yes there are humans without powers, but I don't think they are the ones having the adventures. They tend to be stuck in one location.

Exactly, you need to have powers to really enjoy the world you're in! :)

Jasper Fford had the Thursday Next series where the character traveled in books. With that you wouldn't have to pick just one.

I saw a young adult novel recently, which I'm not remembering the name of, that also had travel in novels. That would be amazing. I wouldn't want to live in a historical fiction novel but visiting would be amazing.

I don't think I would want to move into Salt for the Sea. I am not that far into it and it is going to be a good cry. Within the first 5 pages I'm already feeling like I might cry. The last book that did that was The Absolutely True Diary Of a Part-Time Indian.

Ooo, that's a great power to have - book traveling! Any idea where to sign up for it? ;)

I finished Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon.

3 - H character Hollie
8 - E author Eliza Gordon
0 - stand alone

So the Thursday Next series is a good one? :-) I've been wondering about it. I have his but still haven't actually read it. I think I read the first chapter at some point but it wasn't what I wanted to read at the time though I really liked the concept.

YA novel with travel through books... It isn't quite the same but was it maybe ?

Also for a really good use of the library idea, I can only recommend:

Christine wrote: "I finished Must Love Otters by Eliza Gordon.

3 - H character Hollie
8 - E author Eliza Gordon
0 - stand alone"

How did you like it? I enjoyed it quite a bit!

Completion Post
Player: LaurLa


Book: The Incorrigible Lady Catherine - Elena Greene
Read: 02.22
Rating: ★★��
Possible Cards:
1 - Book 1
3 - H - character Catherine Harcourt
5 - I - Title
6 - S - character Lord Shaverton
7 - V - character Lord Verwood
8 - E - author Elena Green
9 - N - character Ned Leach
Skip - P - character Phillip Woodmere
Draw 2 - Same book for 2 cards

Elderwen - do we need anything specific? I'm still going to read for the Valentine Part 1, but any other cards we need filled?

Nope, nothing specific is needed anymore! :-D

There are only a couple of Wild Draw 4 cards left, and those can be filled with any book since it doesn't require anything specific.

All that is left to do is finishing up the remaining books that have been slotted into certain cards but aren't done yet, but all of those are currently being read for or are the next on the menu, so it should all be good! We have a week left after all :-)

NICELY DONE, TEAM!! :-D

I agree, very nicely done! It so great to see all the slots filling up :D

Eldarwen wrote: "So the Thursday Next series is a good one? :-) I've been wondering about it. I have his but still haven't actually read it. I think I read the first chapter at so..."

The young adult novel is called . I really like the cover.

As for the Thursday Next novels. I really liked The Eyre Affair, which is the first. It has been years since I read it though, and my taste has changed, so I'm not sure how I would feel about it now. I read one or two of the other novels and remember liking them too. I keep meaning to get back to the series but I haven't. I also read his young adult series . I have been enjoying that series a lot. I have not read the one you have.

Nearly finished The Essex Serpent. Should be done in a day or two. What with work getting busy and the slowness of this book, it has taken longer than necessary but it also fills a few Valentines as well if needed.

Sounds good, Chris!

Work has been a bit of a pain on my end as well. It takes away the sneaky reading times at work when I have less to do and it makes me too tired to read lots in the evening, but oh well :-)

Hmm, I'll definitely have to look into the Thursday Next series! Some time anyway hehe ;-) I'm trying to keep the lid on my TBR and get a few books I already have sitting on my (physical) shelves read before I buy new stuff.

Eldarwen wrote: "Hmm, I'll definitely have to look into the Thursday Next series! Some time anyway hehe ;-) I'm trying to keep the lid on my TBR and get a few books I already have sitting on my (physical) shelves r..."

I try to do that. It never works.

Finished The Essex Serpent, at last. Sooo glad it's over. It was painful. I gave it 2.5 stars.

If you need anymore of the Valentine's challenge ticked off, this book covers:

�� Read a book with a 3 in the page count
�� Read a book where someone gives a gift
�� Read a book where the main character is, and remains, single
�� Read a book where characters go on a date
�� Read a book where the characters go to a dance
�� Read a book where there are a group of 3 or more friends
�� Read a book where a new friendship is made
�� Read a book with a young man as the main character
�� Read a book with a young woman as the main character
�� Read a book that contains a shakespeare quote
�� Read a book where the character writes or receives a letter
�� Read a book where a husband gives his wife a present

Chris wrote: "I try to do that. It never works."

Definitely not always easy!!! And obviously not always working either :-))

A shame though that The Essex Serpent wasn't very much to your liking! Especially since you started on such a good streak this month with good reads. Hopefully the next one will be better again! :-)

I just finished Vision in Silver and really liked it! I'm enjoying this series a lot and the writing is beautiful. Can't wait to see what happens in the next book!

I've added a review about The Essex Serpent but it had no depth and, I felt, very weak. Glad you're enjoying your books though. It's always good to find a series you love!

Completion post!
The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart
494 pages
Finished 2/23/17
Hand 9 - cards 1 & Draw 2!
5 stars!
I really enjoyed this one! I've been wanting to read it for quite awhile. This explores the origin of Merlin as a rather normal royal bastard. He honed his natural abilities as a defense mechanism to stay alive. Very engaging!

That is very true, Chris!

But on the positive side of things, a bad (or at least not so good) book every now and then makes you appreciate the others even more! :-)

Lauri, that's good to hear! I have that one on my TBR.

Ladies and Gent!

Time flies and the end of the month is almost upon us!

This is your wake-up call before the last weekend of the month, i.e. reading time for most of the working people, to get the remaining open books on the spreadsheet finished soon, or to let the team know if you can't so the spots can be otherwise filled.

Thanks and happy reading! :-)