The Challenge Factory discussion

Roll Dice

Monopoly Rules

• You do not need to wait for the other player to finish reading before you take your next turn. As soon as you're done reading, go ahead and roll.
• Each property is represented by a shelf. For each grouping of shelves/properties you would read a certain amount of books from that shelf. Once you finish the amount of books you would then “Own” that shelf.
• If you land on an “owned” shelf you would have to read a certain amount of books above what the owner had to read.
• If one person “owns” all of the books in a group (think Mediterranean and Baltic) and another player lands on their properties they would be able to recommend at least one of the books that the player has to read.
• Utilities – For the Electric Company – Read a book where the characters have electric chemistry. For Water Works – Read a book that makes you cry. Books have to be 150 pages or more.
• If a player lands on an “Owned” utility, then the owner will recommend a book with electric chemistry or that makes them cry.
• Railroads – For Reading Railroad – Read whatever you want. For Pennsylvania Railroad – Read a book set in Pennsylvania. For B&O Railroad – Read a book that someone else thought stunk. For Short Line – Read a novella. Page minimum 150 for all but Short Line. 25 page minimum for the novella.
• If a player lands on an “owned” railroad, the owner will recommend a book for that specific railroad.
• Chance and Community Chest – there are 12 cards for each. If a player lands on one of those spots they will roll the dice a second time and then would “pull” the corresponding card and do whatever it says on the card. Once a card is used, it will be out of play unless needed to finish the game. Books for this would need to be at least 150 pages.
• Being in Jail – To get out of jail you would need to have one of the get out of jail free cards, roll doubles on one of your next three turns or read a book where a character is arrested or has been in jail. Books for this would need to be 150 pages or more.
• Just Visiting – Read a novella of your choice, 50 page minimum
• Free Parking – Read any book 100 pages or more
• Go – Read any book of 200 pages or more
• Luxury Tax/Income Tax – Read a book with a rich character, a really poor character or someone that works in a bank. 150 pages or more
• Each roll, you'll post your starting spot, the roll and your new spot on the board.
• When you finish your book you'll post the spot your on, book name, rating, when it was finished and a short review of the book. If you were supposed to read a book that had a specific element (water works utility, book that made you cry), then please mention that in the review.
• Re-reads are allowed.

Link to Frequently Asked Game Questions

Property/Shelves

Mediterranean Avenue - Favorites Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.
Baltic Avenue - Fiction Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.

Oriental Avenue - 2013 Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.
Vermont Avenue - Wishlist Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.
Connecticut Avenue - Books I Own Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.

St. Charles Place - Ebooks Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.
States Avenue - Maybe Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.
Virginia Avenue - Book Club Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 2 books if the property is owned.

St. James Place - Reviewed - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 3 books if the property is owned.
Tennessee Avenue - 2012 Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 3 books if the property is owned.
New York Avenue - Must Read Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 3 books if the property is owned.

Kentucky Avenue - 2011 Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 3 books if the property is owned.
Indiana Avenue - 5 Stars - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 3 books if the property is owned.
Illinois Avenue - Re-Read Shelf - Must read 1 book to own. Must read 3 books if the property is owned.

Atlantic Avenue - 2010 Shelf - Must read 2 book to own. Must read 4 books if the property is owned.
Ventnor Avenue - Library Books - Must read 2 book to own. Must read 4 books if the property is owned.
Marvin Gardens - Recommended Shelf - Must read 2 book to own. Must read 4 books if the property is owned.

Pacific Avenue - Stand Alone Shelf - Must read 2 book to own. Must read 4 books if the property is owned.
North Carolina Avenue - Love Shelf - Must read 2 book to own. Must read 4 books if the property is owned.
Pennsylvania Avenue - Part of a Series Shelf - Must read 2 book to own. Must read 4 books if the property is owned.

Park Place - Never Finished Shelf - Must read 3 book to own. Must read 5 books if the property is owned.
Boardwalk - DNF Shelf - Must read 3 book to own. Must read 5 books if the property is owned.

Community Chest

2. Get out of Jail Free
3. Holiday Fund Matures - Read a Holiday themed book.
4. Yes Sir! - Read a book with a bossy character.
5. Go Directly to Jail
6. Laugh Riot - Read a book that makes you laugh.
7. Go Forward 3 Spaces
8. Fight Night - Read a book with a fight in it.
9. Advanced to St. Charles Place
10. You Inherit $100 - Read a book that was given to you or with a character in it that has inherited something.
11. Pay the Hospital - Read a book that takes place in a hospital or where someone goes to the hospital.
12. You've won a beauty contest - Read a book where a character is considered beautiful.

Chance

2. Advance to Illinois Ave
3. Fright Night - Read a book that scares you.
4. Get out of Jail Free
5. Play Ball - Read a book with a sports theme or athlete in it.
6. Go to Jail
7. Sing A Long - Read a book with a musician
8. Go Back 3 Spaces
9. Warm & Fuzzy - Read a book that makes you feel warm & fuzzy or that has a pet in it.
10. It's Your Birthday - Read a book you got for your birthday or where someone celebrates their birthday.
11. Great Job! - Read a book where the main characters works for a living.
12. Pay For School - Read a book that takes place in a school or where someone goes to school.

Properties Owned
Mediterranean Avenue: Jenne
Baltic Avenue: Paris
Oriental Avenue: Paris - MONOPOLY
Vermont Avenue: Paris - MONOPOLY
Connecticut Avenue: Paris - MONOPOLY
St. Charles Place: Paris
States Avenue: Paris
Virginia Avenue: Jenne
St. James Place: Paris
Tennessee Avenue: Jenne
New York Avenue: Jenne
Kentucky Avenue:
Indiana Avenue: Jenne
Illinois Avenue: Paris
Atlantic Avenue:
Ventnor Avenue: Paris
Marvin Gardens: Jenne
Pacific Avenue: Paris
North Carolina Avenue:
Pennsylvania Avenue: Paris
Park Place: Jenne - MONOPOLY
Boardwalk: Jenne - MONOPOLY

Railroads & Utilities
Reading Railroad: Jenne
B&O Railroad: Jenne
Short Line Railroad: Paris
Pennsylvania Railroad: Jenne
Water Works: Paris - OWN BOTH
Electric Company: Paris - OWN BOTH

Community Chest and Chance Cards Used
Community Chest: 8
Chance: 8

Thanks for playing with me Jenne! I was gonna need a way to decide what to read next now that SSS is over.

Roll: 1+5=6
Space: Oriental Avenue

Must Read 1 book off of the 2013 Shelf to own.

I'll read one of these after the signing this weekend

Lol I hear ya! I'm playing bingo but I'll miss the challenge of two books a week!

Rolled a 7 (3,4) landed on chance
Rolled an 8 (5,3) go back 3 spaces
Now on income tax

I'm starting today, not sure if it fits or not, if it doesn't then I'll pick based on the bingo shelf today.

Income Tax:
Read by Nora Flite
Finished: 6/16/14
Rating:★★★★☆
Review:
This book sucked me in and had me turning the pages quickly! Not sure what that says about me that I really like these dark erotica stories! If you're a dark duet fan you'll probably like this. My only complaint was the ending was rushed and the tide turned a little quickly. All in all I enjoyed it and it was a super fast read!


(girl is broke and homeless, meets wealthy slave trafficker)

Starting spot income tax, rolled an 11 (6,5) landed on Pennsylvania RR

Nicely done Jenne. Just moving right along. I need to start my book today. If not, I have 6 days off of work after tomorrow. I know I'll get a lot read then.

Oriental Avenue

by Charlaine Harris
Rating: 2.5 Stars
Finished: 6/19/14

As with all the Sookie Stackhouse books, I bought this one as soon as it was released, but when I read the beginning of it, something didn’t feel right. And then I heard the rumors and the grumbling about how horrible the ending of the series was. I read the spoilers after that, I knew what happened and I put off reading the book. But I’m not a quitter…at least not when there’s only one book left, so I finally sat down and read the book.

Now the Sookie books have never been difficult reads. Always quick and fun and sometimes laugh out loud funny. This book was still pretty easy to read, although there was quite a bit of drag on moments and nothing that was really laugh out loud funny. Sookie also felt different to me. She wasn’t as flighty and fun and I get that a lot has happened to her by this point, but that was the draw of the character and I hate that she changed so much. I really liked that we got to see a lot of characters from past books and get a little bit of wrap up for each of them.

My biggest complaint for the book, which seems to be the biggest complaint from everyone, is the guy she finally chooses in the end. I applaud Charlaine for sticking to her guns. She has always said that she’s known who Sookie will end up with since she started book one. That made it really obvious that Eric wasn’t the one since Eric wasn’t supposed to be a major character. So I always guessed Sookie would end up with Bill. Not my favorite, but that’s okay…unfortunately it wasn’t Bill either. My big problem with who Sookie ends up with, is that there was never any foundation laid out for this pairing. Nothing that would make me cheer for them or ship them in any way. I just never saw them together like that.

On top of never laying down foundation through the series, there really wasn’t anything laid out in this book. Half way through, Sookie’s still technically with Eric. Then all of a sudden they both realize there’s something between them and they’re seeing each other differently and then they’re having sex and then they’re planning a relationship. And after reading the After Dead book that gives info on all of the characters well after the end of the series, you know that this relationship lasts and they have children together and everything. Yay for them, but I still don’t understand the relationship and I’m still irritated that I’ve put in so much time wondering who she’d end up with and although I like the guy, I am not invested in them being together and I almost would have rather had Sookie end up alone…or with some random dude later on down the line.

Start: Oriental Avenue
Roll: 1+1=2
Space: Connecticut Avenue

Must read 1 book off of the Books I Own Shelf.

Yep that about sums it up. Pretty crappy :(

Pennsylvania RR:
Read: by Jenna Black
Finished: 6/20/14
Rating: ★★★★☆
Review:
I can really see myself getting hooked on this series! The demon concept is very unique. Morgan reminds me a little of Rhiannon, which you can never go wrong with in my book! The action and fast pace will keep you on your toes as well. I can't help but love Adam even though he's not Morgan's BFF. I'll be picking up book 3 soon!

I own Pennsylvania RR

Starting spot Pennsylvania RR
Rolled an 8 (4,4) landed on Indiana

I'll probably read

Indiana :
Read by Anne Bishop
Finished:6/28/14
Rating: ★★★
Review:
2.75
I feel like I deserve a medal for finishing this lol. I'm no stranger to UF world building, in fact some of my all time favorites have a rough first book. This one just took soooooo long to get from point a to b. I know many of my friends have loved it and honestly I expect book 2 to be good. I did like the characters, a lot and the world is very unique and refreshing. What killed this for me is that it's almost 500 pages it just took forever. I don't remember me ever spending a week on an ebook. It was compelling enough to keep me from DNF it but sheesh it was a chore to read this!

I own Indiana

Starting spot Indiana rolled a 7 (3,4) landed on go to jail.
Rolled a 3 (2,1)

I really need to catch up with you. Life's been busy and I have heard that for Maybe Someday you need some time to yourself to be emotional. Hopefully tonight

Rolled an 11 then a 6 no doubles :(

Sad. Darn that jail. If it makes you feel any better I still haven't started my book. I think I need to check the shelf again.

Lol it's all good :)

Okay. I'm changing my book to

Starting spot jail rolled a 4 (3,1) landed on Virginia.

Connecticut Avenue

by Kristen Proby
Rating: 5 Stars
Finished: 7/6/14

I am a big fan of Kristen Proby and her writing style so I knew that I would probably enjoy this new series by her. I just wasn't prepared for how much I would enjoy it. Josh King is a swoonworthy hero and he has a freaking twin brother (cannot wait for Zack's book). And Cara Donovan is a feisty teacher that stands up for herself even though she has some serious insecurities. I loved them together and I loved them with Josh's nephew Seth.

I loved this book from start to finish and I cannot wait to read more in this series. Ty and Lauren's book is up next and Ty definitely fits the bill of swoonworthy hero here...hello tattooed lawyer. Just reading the brief glimpse of them at the end of Loving Cara made me hate the fact that I have to wait for more.

Start: Connecticut Avenue
Roll: 1+2=3
Space: Electric Company

Electric Company – Read a book where the characters have electric chemistry.

This shouldn't be hard to do. Although, I'm tired of the crappy rolls. Looks like I used up all my good rolls in SSS lol

Virginia:
Read Ill Wind by Rachel Caine
Finished: 7/8/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
4.25
What a strong start for a first in a series! I'm having one of those why did I wait so long to read this moments! A totally unique world and not to mention a smoking hot djinn! I will be reading more of these ASAP no doubt! If you like action packed, unique, fun reads this is the book for you!

I own Virginia ave

Starting spot Virginia rolled a 5 (4,1) landed on New York

I loved Ill Wind...in fact, I loved the entire series. I had the same "why did I wait so long" moments with the series too. I think the first book is so daunting cause there are only the 3 chapters, but once you get into it you don't even notice.

Yes Rachel Caine loves looooong chapters. I really liked the world building, Jim Butcher's quote on the front made me lol, the forecast calls for a fun book.

Electric Company

by Cari Quinn
Rating: 4 Stars
Finished: 7/9/14

It’s a good thing the fans were running in the house when I read this book because it was smoking hot. Dillion is definitely what a girl would be looking for in a book boyfriend. And Alexa was a fun and feisty heroine. There were times when Alexa grated on my nerves and times when I wanted to reach through the book and smack Dillion around, but those moments were really few and far between. Dillion’s lies are understandable, stupid, but understandable. And damn if he didn’t do an amazing job getting Alexa to understand why he lied. He was really good for Alexa, she needed someone to get her out of her funk, both professionally and personally.

Dillion also needed Alexa. She helped him to realize that he could really get behind the business side of things and not just the labor side. Alexa’s presence also helped Dillion and his brother get past some of their issues. It’ll be interesting to see that continue on in Cory’s book. I also liked the glimpses we got of Vicky Townsend, the heroine in Cory’s book. She’s ridiculously feisty (hello vase meet wall). It was also nice to see Nellie and Jake from the first book in the series.

So far, I’ve enjoyed the books I’ve read by Cari Quinn. Her characters are fun, her romance is heart melting and her sex scenes are hot flash inducing. I can’t wait to read more by her.

Start: Electric Company
Roll: 6+2=8
Space: Free Parking

Of course I changed my mind and read

New York:
Read: by Deborah Harkness
Finished: 7/16/14
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Wow, what a book! Definitely one of my all time favorites. Everything in the first two books has paved the way for this one and it did not disappoint! All of the cast from the previous reads are present and ready to do what they must to help Diana and Matthew succeed. Even though the romance is a small part of the story it's one of the sweetest I've read. The long wait for this one was so worth it! This trilogy has carved a place out in my heart and I'm so sad to see it end.

Starting spot New York rolled a 6 (3,3) landed on B&O

B & O:
Read: by Kate SeRine
Finished: 7/21/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...

I own B&O

Starting spot B&O rolled an 11 (6,5) landed on Chance rolled an 8 (2,6) go back 3 places, now on Community Chest rolled an 8 (3,5) read a book with a fight in it. Somehow I think will have a fight in it lol.

Free Parking

by Melody Grace
Rating: 5 Stars
Finished: 7/15/14

I absolutely loved this book. Emerson and Juliet’s story is so heartbreaking. All I wanted to do was hug both of them after learning about what happened after Untouched ended. I cannot believe what Juliet’s mother did in regards to Juliet, Emerson and the rest of her family. I understand some of what she did, but I wanted to hate her for the other part. In the end, her mother made me wonder if she was really any better than Juliet’s dad and sister.

Juliet also made me a little angry in the beginning of this book. She’s completely changed her tune and now doesn’t care about her hopes and dreams or even her own happiness. She’s lying to herself about things and dragging poor Daniel along with her. Of course, there was no way she could stay away from Emerson and no way he could stay away from her. Even when they thought they hated each other, the chemistry between them was palpable.

Melody Grace definitely has a new fan in me. I couldn’t wait to continue the series and read about Emerson’s sister Brit. I liked her attitude and the fact that she didn’t care what people thought of her or said about her. I’m sure her story is going to be just as memorable as her brother’s.

Start: Free Parking
Roll: 4+4=8
Space: Water Works

For Water Works – Read a book that makes you cry. Books have to be 150 pages or more.

I have a feeling might do the trick, but if not, then I know will.

Community Chest #8:
Read: by Jennifer Estep
Finished: 7/25/14
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
Hot damn, you'd think after 11 books things would be getting old and boring, not with this one! Ms. Estep breathed fire errr acid into this book! I can not wait for the next one now. This book was action packed and Gin took kick ass to a whole new level!

Starting spot community chest, rolled a 6 (3,3) landed on boardwalk.

Water Works

by Melody Grace
Rating: 5 Stars
Finished: 7/25/14

I knew after reading Unrequited that Dex Callahan was going to be my favorite of Melody Grace’s men, but I really underestimated how amazing he was going to be. Really Unrequited barely scratches the surface of what he has to offer. It also barely scratches the surface of who Alicia is. I mean, she was never my favorite and I actually thought she was quite irritating with the whole “I love Hunter” thing. I never really understood the unrequited love thing or how she could let it affect her life as much as it did. But it all made sense to me while reading Uninhibted. She made sense to me and I started to love her. Especially after I saw exactly what she had to offer Dex. These two gave me so many feels. I got misty-eyed more than once, both happy and sad tears.

More than any of the other characters in Beachwood Bay, I wanted to reach into this book and wrap my arms around Dex. I truly felt his pain and eventually his happiness. I wish that he and Alicia had gone through everything without the bump in the road, but then I know I would have felt like something was missing and Alicia may have never quite gotten to where she needed to go. Dex is a really good man, in a bad boy’s body. He’s got a ridiculously, hot foul-mouth and I will definitely be reading this one over and over and over again.

I don’t think I’ll ever be able to get enough of Dex. But I’m definitely looking forward to his sister’s book. When I read the blurb for Tegan and Ryland’s book, I definitely didn’t see the surprise that’s revealed in chapter 1 coming. I can’t wait to see how that all plays out. Melody Grace has a forever fan in me. I will eagerly be awaiting her future books and if I happen to get lucky to get advanced copies on Netgalley, I will still be buying the book for my collection.

Start: Water Works
Roll: 1+5=6
Space: Pennsylvania Ave

Must read 2 off of the Part of a Series Shelf

Boardwalk 1/3
Read: by Melissa F. Olson
Finished: 8/3/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This was entertaining, I have a sneaking suspicion book 2 will be real good. I liked the characters, the plot was decent, and the killer kept me guessing until the end. I like flawed and emotionally damaged characters and Scarlett has some bones she needs to burry no doubt. I'll definitely pick up book 2 in the near future!

Boardwalk 2/3
Read: by Kylie Scott
Finished: 8/1/14
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I'm disappointed with this one :(
After the amazing reads book 1 and 2 were, this one just fell short. It redeemed itself some the last 25% but still nowhere near as good as Dave and Mal's stories. I never connected with the characters and I didn't find myself cheering for the couple. I understand how broken Jimmy was and understand why he behaved as he did but it didn't make for an engaging read. I adore Ms. Scott's writing though and I can't wait for Ben's book.

Boardwalk 3/3:
Read: by Melissa F. Olson
Finished: 8/3/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This was entertaining, I have a sneaking suspicion book 2 will be real good. I liked the characters, the plot was decent, and the killer kept me guessing until the end. I like flawed and emotionally damaged characters and Scarlett has some bones she needs to burry no doubt. I'll definitely pick up book 2 in the near future!


I own Boardwalk

Starting spot Boardwalk rolled a 2 (1,1) landed on Mediterranean.

Well done. I keep reading books I think would be on the part of a series shelf and then they aren't. Ugh. I've got one down, but need a second one.

Mediterranean:
Read by Hannah Jayne
Finished: 8/18/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I really enjoy these! I know a lot of my friends (who I even have similar reading tastes with) didn't care for these books but something about them appeals to me. I think they're quirky and Nina makes me lol. Throw in a smoking hot fallen angel and I'm sold! Some big revelations in this one that pave the way for future books. I'm excited to see where the rest of the series goes!

I own Mediterranean