The Challenge Factory discussion
♦SSS Archives�
>
R7: SSS "First Class Readers" (1)
Week 6, Roll 2: 5Spot 49:
Book: Vengeance in Death - J.D. Robb
How it fits: set in futuristic NYC
Pages: 388
Read: 02.21
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This installment of the In Death series is probably my favorite so far. We get a lot more information about Roarke's past and what made him who is and we see Eve start to value who she is as a woman more than who she is as a cop or at least start to accept who she is as a woman. We also get to see why Summerset has such a deep mistrust for cops and why he is the way he is but even though he begins to soften towards her it still annoys me the way Roarke lets Sumemrset treat her. Although it's probably the smartest thing he could do to let them figure each other out on their own. Anyway, I continue to love this series and am looking forward to the next!
Week 6, Roll 2: 5New Spot: 49
Alternate - New York
Read: 02/24/16
Rating 4 stars
by Susan MeissnerTaryn Michaels works for a Upper West Side fabric shop and is haunted by her failure to find a match for a scarf covered in bright marigolds, the same scarf she was holding when the Twin Towers fell in 2001, killing her husband. What Taryn does not know is the scarf began its life in New York on Ellis Island in 1911, when a very recently widowed Welshman carried it into the scarlet-fever ward of nurse Clara Wood. Clara, like Taryn, is hiding out in her work, having witnessed the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire, watching the man she loved jump from an upper floor. When Clara discovers the terrible secret of the scarf’s original owner, Lily, she must decide if she can accept the help of a handsome doctor and brave the ferry to Manhattan to find answers.
I really enjoyed this book....I liked the way Susan Meissner wrote the link between past and present, weaving the Marigold Scarf throughout the story. It was a story about the healing power of love. For me, reading stories where history's ability to haunt the present and the need for forgiveness to set things right make for an engaging story.
Mod
Mod
Spot: 49
Book: Diplomats and Fugitives by Lindsay Buroker
Qualification: The Emperor's Edge #9
Finished: 25 Feb 2016
Rating: ☆☆☆☆�
Review:
Would you look at that, yet another Emperor's Edge book! I can never get enough of these characters and their adventures, so by all means do keep 'em coming... :D
The ninth book in the series takes us to Basilard's home country of Mangdoria, where he is sent along with Mahliki and Maldynado to investigate a blight that has befallen a large percentage of the trees and bushes the Mangdorians rely on for food. Sent along by the Kendorian ambassador, Ashara Longbow has orders to sabotage the investigation into the blight which soon turns out to not be of natural origins. Yet she slowly finds herself wanting to aid her travelling companions instead, with only a threat to her childrens' lives holding her back. The research mission soon turns much more dangerous than anticipated, as a shaman controlling wild creatures sends them to attack the group and Kendorian soldiers engaged in illegal mining operations on Mangdorian soil want them dead as well. Even with the help of Amaranthe and Sicarius, whom President Starcrest has sent to help, this might turn out to be one of their most dangerous missions yet.
Once again, a fabulous read! I really liked Ashara, who makes a great addition to the diverse cast of characters the series has to offer, and the subtle romance between her and Basilard is a lovely development for both characters. While all open story threads are now truly, properly tied up, I sure wouldn't mind another book or two (or three, or...) coming along in future - and who knows, maybe Lindsay Buroker will oblige her fans once again?
Mod
Roll: 5
Current Spot: 49, Alternate: New York
� Denise: Diplomats and Fugitives by Lindsay Buroker (The Emperor's Edge #9) Review
� Jamie: Learning Curve by Kaje Harper (Life Lessons #4) Review
� LaurLa: Vengeance in Death by J.D. Robb (Alternate: New York) Review
� NayNay: A Fall of Marigolds by Susan Meissner (Alternate: New York) Review
Mod
Rolled: 3
New Spot: 52
Reading Options:
- #2 in series
- #5 in series
- #52 in series
- Alternate: Favorite Author
Week 7# on Dice: 3
Spot: 52
Captive Prince: Volume Two by C.S. Pacat
216 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #2 in series
Week 7, Roll 1: 3Spot 52:
Book: One Day in Apple Grove - C.H. Admirand
How it fits: #2 in Small Town in USA
Pages: 312
Mod
Book: A Lady of Resources by Shelley Adina
Qualification: Magnificent Devices #5
Pages: 256
Week 7# on Dice: 3
Spot: 52
Captive Prince: Volume Two by C.S. Pacat
216 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #2 in series
Finished: 2/27/2016
Rating: 5 stars
This was a re-read since Book 3 has FINALLY been released. I read Book 1 the day before and then jumped quickly into this one. This book is full of intrigue and convolutions and it involves quite a few skirmishes or battle scenes and all of the preparation leading into that. Prince Laurent has set off with his "slave" Damen due to his Regent Uncle's banishment (power play). The story involves both the political/court intrigue and the building relationship between Laurent and Damen. We're in Damen's head so we watch as he is figuring out all of the chess moves here. He's a warrior prince, built to fight, and he's not used to the games the Veretians play. We don't really know what Laurent is thinking/knows and of course the big mystery is whether or not he knows who Damen is. The book was better the 2nd time around because I wasn't rushing to find out what would happen and I can't wait to get into Book 3.
Mod
Spot: 52
Book: A Lady of Resources by Shelley Adina
Qualification: Magnificent Devices #5
Finished: 27 Feb 2016
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review:
Lizzie takes centre stage in this book, 5 years on from the end of Brilliant Devices. Her and Maggie's graduation from the school in Munich they've been attending brings an unexpected surprise: A man claiming to be the long-lost father Lizzie and Maggie can't even remember makes an appearance, issuing an invitation to his castle in the Cotswolds and turning everything the Mopsies ever thought they knew about themselves and their lives on its head. But all is not as it seems, and the apparent dream come true slowly but surely turns into a nightmare...
As much as I love Claire, I really liked the idea of moving forwards in the timeline and having the next books focus on other characters for a change. Nevertheless, somehow it felt like there was something missing in comparison to the first four books, though I can't quite put my finger on what. I did enjoy the book a lot, just not quite as much as the previous ones. Let's see how it works out with the next part.
Week 7 Roll 1Roll 3
Spot 52
Alternate Favourite Author
Page count 378
Read 02/26/16
Rate 4 stars
by Rita HerronSynopsis
A columnist for the Big Easy's hottest erotic magazine, Britta Berger has heard her share of wild, hidden desires. But beneath her sophisticated facade, Britta is running from much darker secrets—including the terrifying night she barely survived. Now someone from her past has returned to play a merciless game. And only one man can help her�.
Detective Jean-Paul Dubois knows instinctively that Britta is the key to ending the string of vicious ritualistic murders that plague his city. But still haunted by his past, he must resist the dangerous attraction between them. For lurking deep in the shadows of the bayou, a killer waits to end her life—and their future—with one devastating final strike
There isn't much I can say about this book other than it is a complete page turner. A interesting storyline, and characters. I fell in love with the Jean-Paul. Rita Herron likes to tease her readers. She has a few scenes where Jean-Paul and Britta where they come close, but don't, and when they do it's a beautiful read. Her twist and turns are amazing, just when you think you figured it out, BAM, you thrown into another loop on the roller coaster ride.
Week 7, Roll 1: 3Spot 52:
Book: One Day in Apple Grove - C.H. Admirand
How it fits: #2 in Small Town in USA
Pages: 312
Read: 02.28
Rating: ★★�
Review:
I can't decide how I feel about this series. They read like sweet romances yet they aren't. But when the smexy scenes are up they feel a little forced. I like the storylines okay - there simple and pure small town romance. A little quaint. But the characters are pretty well developed. In this book, the hero is a retired Navy corpsman (medic) and suffers from PTSD. I'm no expert, but I didn't agree with the way the author handled it. Too simplistic but as I said, I'm not expert and I'm sure every case is different. Overall, though, a sweet romance with some added spice. I'll continue the series.
Week 7: Roll 1: 3Spot 52:
LaurLa
Book: One Day in Apple Grove - C.H. Admirand
Review: post 215
Denise
Book: A Lady of Resources - Shelley Adina
Review: post 213
Jamie
Book: Captive Prince: Volume Two - C.S. Pacat
Review: post 212
NayNay
Book: Say You Love Me - Rita Herron
Review: post 214
Week 7, Roll 2: 6New Spot: 58
5 in series
8 in series
Alternate: White (I assume this means cover color but I'll double check.
Mod
Week 7.5# on Dice: 6
Spot: 58
Rough, Raw, and Ready by Lorelei James
340 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #5 in series
Denise wrote: "LaurLa, I just remembered the same question came up in the SS discussion thread and yes, it's white cover. :)"Awesome!
Week 7.5# on Dice: 6
Spot: 58
Rough, Raw, and Ready by Lorelei James
340 pgs/GR
How It Fits: #5 in series
Finished: 2/28/16
Rating: 3 stars
This was fine for what it is, erotica with some plot about this particular's books characters and some plot that keeps readers involved in the entire series. I think I had picked this book up cheap or free at some point along the line and it looked entertaining. I am not a series purist and I knew there was no way I was going to read all 15 books in the series. Apparently the 2 guys here, Trevor and Ed, are featured in book 1 and maybe having read that I would have cared more about what happened here. But other than a perfectly fine romp around some well worn romance tropes, smoothly written, to me there was nothing much here. I did find myself intrigued by 2 other characters in the series because that's what is supposed to happen with books like this. I probably won't bother to actually read them though because I think they'll show the same lack of depth. If you're looking for some hot threesome erotica this is entertaining.
Week 7, Roll 2: Rolled 6
New Spot: 58
Alternate: White
Read 03/02/16
Rating 4 stars
371 pgs
by Laura GriffinSynopsis
To save her only brother, Andrea Finch must face down a criminal mastermind, the FBI, and her own demons in this thrilling novel from the author of the bestselling Tracers series.
Police detective Andrea Finch is a rising star in her department until a split-second decision derails her career. Disgraced and disillusioned, she's on leave from her job when she gets an urgent call from her younger brother. She'd prefer to ignore his latest plea for cash, but this time instinct tells her something is very wrong. Andrea's search for answers takes her to a dusty Texas border town where danger lurks in plain sight and nothing is quite what it seems.
FBI agent Jon North is working undercover in west Texas investigating an unsolved murder that may be linked to a broader plot. But when the evidence points to Andrea's brother, Jon finds that persuading the stubborn cop to help will be harder than cracking his toughest case.
Andrea must find a way to do what's right while protecting her only sibling. As the clock ticks down on a deadly plot, Andrea and Jon race to confront a heartless killer who will stop at nothing to deliver a final, terrifying message.
I have read a lot by Laura Griffin she is one of my favourite authors....I love her Tracers Series. FAR GONE is no different from her other books....fast paced plots, engaging characters, non-stop action, a nice romantic element. In my opinion Laura Griffin is the queen of romantic thrillers. Highly recommend any of Griffin's books!
Mod
Roll: 6
Current Spot: 58, Alternate: White
� Denise: Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk (Allie Beckstrom #5) Review
� Jamie: Rough, Raw, and Ready by Lorelei James (Rough Riders #5) Review
� LaurLa: If Only by Cherise Sinclair (Masters of the Shadowlands #8) Review
� NayNay: Far Gone by Laura Griffin (Alternate: White) Review
Mod
Spot: 58
Book: Magic at the Gate by Devon Monk
Qualification: Allie Beckstrom #5
Finished: 02 Mar 2016
Rating: ☆☆☆☆
Review:
Picking up from the massive cliffhanger at the end of book four, this one starts with Allie walking through the gate into death in order to find and retrieve Zayvion's soul. Recovering his soul and taking it back with her into the world of the living, however, has a price: Allie must give up the small magic she carries in her soul to get her lover back. Once returned from death, she is right back in the middle of the war that has broken out among the different factions of the Authority. While Zay remains in a coma, the small group around Maeve and her nearest and dearest is stretched almost to their limits closing down gates that are popping up all over the city. And a new danger in form of Veiled that have gotten their hands on the magic disks missing after the storm has arrived in Portland as well...
This one has a lot more action going on right off the bat, making it an altogether more exciting and satisfying read than the previous book. IMO it also didn't hurt to have Zayvion relegated to the sidelines for once - less relationship drama and Zay being irritating, more story and characters I'm actually interested in, yay! On the whole, I enjoyed this book a lot more than the last one, and it's gotten my hopes up for the remainder of the series. Really liked the ending on this one featuring the Hounds, I'd love to see them integrated into the rest of the story more in future.
Week 7, Roll 2: 6Spot 58:
Book: If Only - Cherise Sinclair
How it fits: #8 in Masters of the Shadowland
Pages: 432
Read: 02.29
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
We've been teased with this book's heroine, Sally, all through the series and I was happy that she finally got her own book. We've also been teased with her co-tops in the last several books so I felt like I was settling in with some old friends when I started this book. Sally did have more depth than I anticipated, though. I'm not sure that the way the 3 of them went about helping her with her 'issues' was really the best way to help her and it was a bit too convenient of a prop to get them into a threesome situation, but it worked for the book. Sally showed some bravery in facing her hang-ups and willingness to move forward, so I let go and enjoyed the ride. Even if it was all a little convenient, the emotions felt real and the characters grew beyond themselves so I'm quite happy with the book as a whole.
I am glad, though, that the slavery arc is done (I hope). I didn't have any real issues with it but as the series continues, I'm hoping to see it expand out the of that story arc.
Mod
Rolled: 4
New Spot: 62
Reading Options:
- #2 in series
- #6 in series
- #62 in series
- Alternate: Author L
Week 8, Roll 1: 4Spot 62:
Book: Since the Surrender - Julie Anne Long
How it fits: Alternate: author L
Pages: 371
Denise wrote: "Spot: 62
Book: Sharp Love by Ava March
Qualification: Gambling on Love #2
Pages: 199"
I liked this one, and then I re-read the first one in the series and having read this made me like that one better, if that makes any sense
LaurLa wrote: "Week 8, Roll 1: 4Spot 62:
Book: Since the Surrender - Julie Anne Long
How it fits: Alternate: author L
Pages: 371"
I'm waiting for this from my e-library, I want to keep reading this series now that the final installment is out!
BOOK CHANGEDWeek 8
# on Dice: 4
Spot: 62
Caught Up in You by Roni Loren
335 pgs/GR
How It Fits: ALT: Author "L"
Changed my book in the post above because my first choice is on hold at the e-library
Mod
I think I know what you mean, I'm kinda liking the first one better in retrospect now that I've finished this. :D
Mod
Spot: 62
Book: Sharp Love by Ava March
Qualification: Gambling on Love #2
Finished: 05 Mar 2016
Rating: ☆☆☆☆�
Review:
William Drake and Jack Morgan have known each other since they were 6 year old orphans, relying on each other for survival and always having each other's backs. Their ways parted several years ago, though, when Jack decided to take up an honest job while William to this day continues to earn a living by cheating at cards and selling himself to strangers on occasion. An errand for his current employer, the Duke of Pelham, leads Jack back to London, seeking out his old friend for assistance. What neither of them is fully aware of until they meet again is that their feelings for each other run a lot deeper than friendship...
You know you've got a great book on your hands when you're so engrossed in it, you miss your bus stop. Twice. Intense emotions, scorching hot sex scenes and two great protagonists - what more could one want? I loved pretty much everything about this, including the way it so very neatly tied in with the first book.
Denise wrote: "Week 8: Roll 1 Spot: 62
Book: Sharp Love by Ava March
Qualification: Gambling on Love #2
Finished: 05 Mar 2016
Rating: ☆☆☆☆�
Revie..."
Great review
I'm 2/3 done with my book and will finish before the roll.
Week 8: Roll 1Rolled: 4
Spot: 62
#2 in Scarlet Falls series
Read 03/04/16
Rating 5 stars
Minutes to Kill by Melinda LeighHannah Barrett is a corporate attorney who is in Vegas for business. Leaving for the airport Hannah witnesses a kidnapping of a young woman. She tries to help the woman and fails, ending up in the hospital with a head injury. Hannah returns to Scarlet Falls to recovery. The suspense increases when readers learn the young women’s kidnappers are in Scarlet Falls.
Eight months after a terrible family tragedy, Hannah turns to Detective Brody McNamara once again. Brody is eager to help, though he’s embroiled in the investigation of a brutal murder. But the closer they work together, the stronger their feelings grow…and the more they stand to lose when two seemingly unrelated, but equally deadly, cases collide.
The author shares some backstory of the key players and their roles in the plot, from the first book HOUR OF NEED! While adding details to Hannah’s history. I found myself reading MINUTES TO KILL at warp speed experiencing what Hannah and Brody encounter. Leigh exposes her readers to the dark underbelly of illegal drugs and human trafficking.
This book was a thrill ride of suspense, twist and turns, with a surprise ending. Looking forward to book #3 SECONDS TO SURVIVE.
Week 8# on Dice: 4
Spot: 62
Caught Up in You by Roni Loren
335 pgs/GR
How It Fits: ALT: Author "L"
Finished: 3/5/2016
Rating: 3 stars
The 5th entry in a series, this story involves Kelsey, a waitress with a tough background (addiction, kidnapping) and rich guy Wyatt. Wyatt has been sitting at Kelsey's breakfast station at the diner for months. But he feels he is a terrible "date" because he is focused on his work with no time for others. There is a backdrop of a BDSM club where Kelsey works as a domme although she has a submissive side. Wyatt needs a date for a week long work beach retreat (why can't my job require one of these??? and he thinks Kelsey will be great. Of course she warns him of her past but he doesn't care. So this book was fine, I might have missed something not having read prior entries in the series because I didn't care that much about the troubles Kelsey had in the past. I also found Wyatt to be way too good to be true. And these two go through this whole thing about how they'll just keep this a business transaction and then they jump into bed in about half a day so.. The writing is fine and reads easily, the erotic scenes are erotic but all in all it was just meh.
Week 8, Roll 1: 4Spot 62:
Book: Since the Surrender - Julie Anne Long
How it fits: Alternate: author L
Pages: 371
Read: 03.04
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is the 3rd in the series but the second that focuses on the Everseas. I really enjoyed it though I'm having trouble defining why. There were times when I wanted to smack both MCs for holding so much back but doing so had become so much a part of their nature, I could understand it. This also was a story where the MCs both had strong feelings for each other and they didn't want that. At all. Those feelings began at a time when neither of them were free to act on them, hence the learning to hold back. But at the time of the book, they are free but they are both too scared of what giving in to their feelings will mean for their lives. So watching this more about watching them come to terms with the acceptance of their own feelings. Then they could learn what loving each other now meant for their lives, together.
Week 8: Roll 1: 4Spot 62:
LaurLa
Book: Since the Surrender - Julie Anne Long
Review: post 242
Denise
Book: Sharp Love - Ava March
Review: post 237
Jamie
Book: Caught Up in You - Roni Loren
Review: post 241
NayNay
Book: Minutes to Kill - Melinda Leigh
Review: post 240
Week 8, Roll 2: 2New Spot: 64
6 in series
2 in series
Alternate: Cover: Brown
Sorry it's such a gimpy roll :-(
Week 8, Roll 2: 2Spot 64:
Book: Family Secrets - Jamie Hill
How it fits: Alternate: Cover: Brown
Pages: 302
I'll probably read #4 in the Widdershins series but I will decide tomorrow
Week 8, Roll 2: 2New Spot: 64
Alternate: Cover: Brown
Pages 376
Read 03/07/16
Rating 3 stars
The Handfasted Wife by Carol McGrathWomen are merely a footnote in history and I love historical fiction which speculates about the unknown, untold stories of these women in history. While the book was very eventful, the Battle of Hastings was not on a scale I would have thought it to have been on. The book deals more with the struggle of the women, and how it was for them living through it. It was a good read, it had it's good and bad moments, it was written well, the characters where interesting, but for the 3 star rating....it just was not what I was expecting to read. There are two more books in this series, and this book did peak my interest enough to carry on with it.
The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
The Girl Next Door (other topics)A Shiver of Light (other topics)
Holding Out for a Fairy Tale (other topics)
Deadly Sins (other topics)
Holding Out for a Fairy Tale (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Cynthia Eden (other topics)Laurell K. Hamilton (other topics)
A.J. Thomas (other topics)
Lora Leigh (other topics)
Moira J. Moore (other topics)
More...
Dice Roll: 5
Spot: 49
Learning Curve by Kaje Harper
How It Fits: #4 in series
Finished 2/22/16
Rating 4 stars
I'm so glad for the TCF series challenge because I finally finished this series and it's so good. You can't casually read Kaje Harper's books, it's impossible because they draw you in. I always feel as if I'm living life with her characters, worrying about getting Ben and Anna to school, worrying about Tony's having to face the parents of the kids in his GSA club, etc. Sometimes it's almost too real and mundane, I read for escape LOL. Book 4 has to tackle Mac's situation after the events of Book 3 and it's not an easy road. I really appreciate how well Tony and Mac work together at this point, there are no stupid miscommunications for extended periods of time. The "angst" comes from real situations. I did feel the mystery was pushed to the side a little here and I just didn't care that much, but again, that's probably more like real life! I'm sad to say goodbye to Mac and Tony but I'm glad we're leaving them in such a steady place.