*♥* Marla's Challenge Logs and Reads *♥* discussion

Series Finisher

We all have discussed here, ruefully, how many unfinished series we have (and keep adding to). This challenge is designed to give us a chance to move forward in our series while having an element of surprise and variation (i.e. moving ahead in different series each month and not having to read the same series month after month - in fact not even knowing in advance which series you'll be moving ahead on!). It's a month-to-month challenge like "ugly once" and "book tag lottery" etc -- participate in the months that you want to, or that fit your reading plan, and don't feel obligated to participate in a given month if it doesn't fit what you're doing.

Once a month on or around the 25th, I'll roll two dice. I will post the two numbers. That month's task will be for you to read a series book (any series of your choice) that either matches one of the numbers or the sum of them (in other words, if I roll a 5 and a 6, you could read a series #5, a series #6 or a series #11, your choice. You can also combine the dice to get a larger number -- in our example that would give you a 56 or a 65... egad!).

Special rules:
#1 - You can start a new series, but if you don't wish to, you can use #1 for any half-step book that gets you closer to finishing a series you've already started. No page limit requirement on the half-steps (although the usual rule applies for "full position" series books) -- let's get these series DONE!
10, 11, 12 - You can read a series #10, #11, #12, #1, #2, #3 (1+2 from the 12) or a half-step, your choice.

Please post what book you read, what series it's from, and the position your book occupies. And we'd love to hear what you think!

Hint: If you go to your "My Books" page and in the search on that page (NOT the main GR search in the top bar: the one below it that is specific to your shelves) and put in #7 or #5 etc., you'll get all the titles that have that as part of the series name and can easily see what you have outstanding at that position in your series. (Note: I'm a GR librarian and if you have a volume that's not displaying the number that you know fits, PM me and I'll correct it.)

2023 Series Finisher

January 2023 ~ 5 + 3 = 8
#3

February 2023 ~ 2 + 4 = 6
#2
#4
#6

March 2023 ~ 5 + 5 = 10 or 1
#1
#5

April 2023 ~ 2 + 3 = 5
#2 .
#3 . .

May 2023 ~ 2 + 6 = 8
#2 . . . . . .

June 2023 ~ 4 + 5 = 9
#4 . . .
#9

July 2023 ~ 1 + 2 = 3
#0.5
#1
#2

August 2023 ~ 3 + 4 = 7
#3
#4

September 2023 ~ 5 + 1 = 6
# x.5
#1

October 2023 ~ 2 + 3 = 5
#2
#3
#5

November 2023 ~ 2 + 6 = 8
#2
#8

December 2023 ~ 3 + 3 = 6
#6


~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~

2023

#0.5 ~ (Mar), (Jul), (Sept)
#1 ~ Mar, Jul, Sept
#2 ~ Feb, Apr, May, Jul, Oct, Nov
#3 ~ Jan, Apr, (Jul), Aug, Oct, Dec
#4 ~ Feb, Jun, Aug
#5 ~ Jan, Mar, (Apr), Jun, Sept, (Oct)
#6 ~ (Feb), May, (Sept), Nov, (Dec)

#7 ~ (Aug)
#8 ~ (Jan), (May), (Nov)
#9 ~ (Jun)
#10 ~ (Mar)
#11
#12


~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~




~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~ 💙 ~ 🎲 ~

2024

#0.5 ~ (Jan), (Mar), (July), (Sept), (Nov)
#1 ~ Jan, Mar, July, Sept
#2 ~ Apr, May, Oct, Dec
#3 ~ Jan, May, Aug
#4 ~ (Jan), Feb, June, Sept, (Oct), Dec
#5 ~ Apr, (May), July, Aug, (Sept), Nov
#6 ~ Mar, June, (July), (Dec)

#7 ~ (Mar), (Apr)
#8 ~ (Feb), (Aug)
#9 ~
#10 ~ (June), (Nov)
#11 ~
#12 ~

~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~




~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~ 💗 ~ 🎲 ~

2025

#0.5 ~
#1 ~
#2 ~
#3 ~
#4 ~
#5 ~
#6 ~

#7 ~
#8 ~
#9 ~
#10 ~
#11 ~
#12 ~

Possibles #1-#3
Updated: 1/31/25

#0.5


#0


#1


#2
( )

#3
a

Possibles #4-#7

#4
( )

#5


#6
( )

#7

Possibles #8+

#8


#9


#10


#11


#12


#15


#17

January 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 1/1/23 - 1/31/23
Roll: 5 and 3
Read: 1

January's dice roll was 5 and 3, so you can read a series #5, a series #3, a series #8, or a series 35 or 53. Have at it!

Read: 1
#3 by Leigh Bardugo (1/8/23) ~ ★★★.5

ADDED:

February 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 2/1/23 - 2/28/23
Roll: 2 and 4
Read: 4

February's roll was a 2 and a 4, so you can read a series #2, a series #4, a series #6, a series #24, or a series #42. Have at it!

Shoot, I read 2 #2 books in January and 2 #4 books. And I'll probably read 1 in February *** Sighs ***

#2 by Tracy Deonn (2/17/23) ~ ★★★★.5

Great series! I would actually binge read and finish the trilogy if book #3 was out. Well, especially if we rolled a 3 for next month. :D

#4 by Tana French (2/20/23) ~ ★★★★

Lots of twists and turns in the typical Tana French fashion, and it is all very sad.

#2 by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (2/24/23) ~ ★★★.5

Squad 312 is grieving and trying to figure out what to do next. They are fugitives but still creative and resourceful.

#6 by Nalini Singh (2/25/23) ~ ★★★★

Great story of Mercy the DarkRiver Sentinel fighting her attraction to Riley the SnowDancer Lieutenant.

Okay, I thought this challenge would get me to read more series books, but I actually find that I don't want to read series books that don't qualify way more than I want to read books that fit. Very odd motivations.

I have a list of books that I need to read this month and this year, and I want to put them off until they qualify for this challenge. What the heck? Any advice for me?

Added Deadwood to my tbr. I think I need to make a rule that I can't add more series than books that I read for this challenge in a given month. *Sheesh* Stop gushing all of you!

I didn't realize the repercussions of doing this challenge. Sorry for being such a whiner, but for the record, I have NEVER added this many books doing a challenge before. Y'all are a bad influence.

Last year, I did a 3 month challenge that drove my reading.

I have a feeling that you are it for this year. I read 10 series books in January (and 2 standalones) and only 1 fit this challenge.

This month, I read 4 series books and they are all here. And 3 standalones.

And I'm trying to read some Moby-Dick or, the Whale when I can. I'm doing a group read in another group.

ADDED:

March 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 3/1/23 - 3/31/23
Roll: 5 and 5
Read: 4

March's roll was two fives, so you can read a series #5, a series #10, a series #55, or a series #1 (1 + 0 from the 10 = 1). Remember, for a series #1, you can start a new series, backfill a #1 from an already-started series, or read any half-step book from a series you've already started (no page limit on the half-steps)

#1 by Terry Spear (3/2/23) ★★★.5

Toby, the 3-year old stole the show. Rafe was so unpretentious, it was obvious that he was self-made and not born to wealth, but it didn't seem like he was a billionaire in his board shorts, jeans and t-shirts.

#5 by Toni Anderson (3/5/23) ★★★.5

Spy novels with liars, addicts and drug lords is not my thing, but the romance did make up for it.

#5 by Rachel Vincent (3/7/23) ★★★

This is not one of my favorite series and this wasn't one of the better books, IMO. . Most of the book is Kaylee in denial, trying to jump Nash and everyone else upset. Most of the book was 2.5 stars but the end was great!

#5 by Robert Galbraith (3/18/23) ★★★.5

3 or 4 interwoven storylines. The cast of characters and suspects was lengthy and confusing. Never thought Strike and Robin had a chance in solving a missing person cold case.

ADDED:

April 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 4/1/23 - 4/30/23
Roll: 2 and 3
Read: 5

April's roll was a two and a three, so you can read a series #2, a series #3, a series #5, or a series #32 or a series #23. Have at it!

READ:
#2 .
#3 . .

~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~ ☁ ~ ☂ ~

#3 Maggie O'Dell series:
by Alex Kava (4/4/23) ★★★.5
Obsessive cult leader with a god complex is tied to rape and murder victims.

#3 Alfred Kropp series:
by Rick Yancey (4/5/23) ★★★.5
Poor Alfred is trying to do the right thing and many people are trying to kill him. He is betrayed by everyone he trusts and he still forgives and does the right thing.

#2 FBI: Special Crimes Unit series:
by Shirlee McCoy (4/12/23) ★★★.5
Ella McIntire is a non-fiction journalist from Charlotte, NC, but in Newcastle, ME after her cousin dies from a drug overdose.

#3 Stillhouse Lake:
by Rachel Caine (4/18/23) ★★★★.5
I LOVE these books. It's tough to say much about them without ruining any of the surprises. The characters are flawed but you are always cheering for them. There were elements that I did not like about this story, but on the whole, I liked more things than frustrated me. I think it was less frustrating than the last book.

#2 Tessa Leone series:
by Lisa Gardner (4/24/23) ★★★★.5
D.D. Warren is only in 4 chapters toward the beginning of the book, Boston PD had the Denbe house crime scene, the origination point of the kidnapping. Tessa Leoni takes over as the Denbe Construction, security consultant working with the FBI and the northern New Hampshire sheriff department.


ADDED:

May 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 5/1/23 - 5/31/23
Roll: 2 and 6
Read: 8

May's roll was a two and a six, so you can read a series #2, a series #6, a series #8, or a series #26 or a series #62. Have at it!

READ:
#2 . . . . . .

#8


~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~ ❀ ~ ✿ ~

#2 Beautiful Bastard series:
Beautiful Stranger by Christina Lauren (5/1/23) ★★★★
Wow, this was a sizzling story about Sara Dillon's attempt to sow her wild oats to get over her cheating ex. Max Stella has a wicked reputation for being a womanizer. He might have met his match in Sara.

#2 A Magical Bakery Mystery series:
Bewitched, Bothered, and Biscotti by Bailey Cates (5/4/23) ★★★.5
I think this is supposed to be a cozy mystery, but with spells, black magic and murder, it doesn't feel so cozy to me. I'm not a love triangle fan, so I hope it's cleared up. I was especially annoyed with this love triangle because Katie couldn't decide and flirted with both guys.

#2 Tracy Crosswhite series:
Her Final Breath by Robert Dugoni (5/5/23) ★★★★
Seattle Detective Tracy Crosswhite is going to prove another convicted killer is innocent?! Man, she is going to be a defense attorney's dream. David helps her again.

#2 Michael Bennett series:
Run for Your Life by James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge (5/15/23) ★★★.5
I really like Det. Mike Bennett but I had a tough time picking this book back up. The stomach flu scenes were horrific. The killer was interesting and so organized it was admirable.

#2 Themis Files series:
Waking Gods by Sylvain Neuvel (5/16/23) ★★★★
What do you do when you find a giant alien robot? That was book #1 what happens when a bigger giant robot appears?

#2 Cane Brothers series:
So Not Meant To Be by Meghan Quinn (5/19/23) ★★★.5
Kelsey and JP's romance wasn't as interesting or as ridiculous as Huxley and Lottie's business arrangement. Business associates > frenemies > friends > lovers.

#8 Bridgertons series:
On the Way to the Wedding by Julia Quinn (5/23/23) ★★★.5
Disappointing final book. I think only Kate, Daphne and Colin had positive parts in this story. Anthony, Gregory and even Violet didn't come off very flatteringly. And Hyacinth was Hyacinth.

#2 Wings series:
Spells by Aprilynne Pike (5/25/23) ★★★.5
I'm not a fan of the love triangle or honestly, Laurel in general.

IDEAS:


ADDED:

June 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 6/1/23 - 6/30/23
Roll: 4 and 5
Read: 5

June's roll was a five and a four, so you can read a series #4, a series #5, a series #9, a series #45, or a series #54

Finished from last month:
The Mephisto Club by Tess Gerritsen (6/1/23) ~ Rizzoli & Isles #6

READ:
#4 . . .
#9

~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~ l♡ve ~ ♥ ~

#4 Anna Pigeon series:
Firestorm by Nevada Barr (6/9/23) ★★★★
My favorite Anna Pigeon book thus far. Anna is in California at Lassen Volcanic National Park on loan from Mesa Verde National Park to fight a forest fire. It is a play on Agatha's Christie's And Then There Were None.

#4 Enchanted Forest Chronicles series:
Talking to Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede (6/15/23) ★★★.5
I am very impressed that this was actually the first book she wrote in the series. And then she wrote the other books as prequels. I forgot how much I liked this series. But I read the other 3 books in 2008, but I didn't like #3, so I wandered off and just returned to be enchanted by the Enchanted Forest.

#4 Study series:
Shadow Study by Maria V. Snyder (6/19/23) ★★★★.5
Cliffhanger and lots of unresolved issues, makes this more of a Part 1 rather than a standalone book. But I enjoyed it tremendously, so I was willing to overlook its shortfalls and am planning to read the next book soon.

#4 KGI series:
Whispers in the Dark by Maya Banks (6/24/23) ★★★★.5
I really liked this book, in spite of the captivity, torture, anxiety and mental instability. The connection between Nathan and Shea was strong and sweet.

#9 In Death series:
Loyalty in Death by J.D. Robb (6/27/23) ★★★★.5
Cult, fanatics and terrorists were different, but not my thing. But I loved Eve and Roarke working together.

IDEAS:





ADDED:

July 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 7/1/23 - 7/31/23
Roll: 1 and 2
Read: 9 + 4

July’s roll was a 1 and a 2, so a series #1, a "half-step" (any length), a series #2, a series #3, a series #12 or a series #21. Have at it!

Books from last month:
Deeper Than Midnight by Lara Adrian (7/2/23) ~ Midnight Breed #9
Shadowfever by Karen Marie Moning (7/12/23) ~ Fever #5

It's all in the timing and I seriously misjudged. But as Jennifer would say, I still got 2 more books read. :D

Jennifer absolutely would say that! :)

READ:
#0.5
#1
#2

~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~ ★ ~ 🎟 ~

#1 London Highwaymen series:
The Queer Principles of Kit Webb by Cat Sebastian (7/15/23) ★★.5
This is my first LGBT historical romance, but that wasn't the problem, it was slow, with mediocre writing, a lukewarm romance and a strange surprise. But Percy's character was flamboyant and sassy enough to carry the book.

Beach Read 2nd Epilogue:
Layover by Emily Henry (7/15/23) ★★★★.5
This is a second Epilogue to our book club book Beach Read. This was a wonderful glance into the future of January and Gus.

#2 Summer series:
It's Not Summer Without You by Jenny Han (7/17/23) ★★★.5
This was so much better than the first book, but it wasn't much of a romance. It was more about families and grief. I am never a fan of being involved with siblings.

#1 Rock Chick series:
Rock Chick by Kristen Ashley (7/19/23) ★★★★.5
Excellent sassy love story. This is totally NOT what I was expecting. By the title, I assumed this would be about a rock groupie or a rock group member. Nope. I would've read this sooner if I knew it was about a long-time romantic crush that is becoming a reality, between a bookstore owner and a private investigator and security expert.

#1 Princes Trilogy:
The Raven Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (7/21/23) ★★★.5
I enjoyed this historical romance with a few nice surprises, including the Beauty and the Beast aspect.

#1 Cassidy Blake series:
City of Ghosts by Victoria Schwab (7/24/23) ★★★★
Very interesting premise of a girl who had a death experience. Cassidy can feel ghosts and cross over the veil to the ghost world. Her parents are ghost hunters and they all venture to Scotland.

#1 Sometimes in Love series:
Getting Hot with the Scot by Melonie Johnson (7/27/23) ★★★.5
Hot kilted Scot, kind of tough to be a bad book. I liked vacation Cassie, but I'm not sure about Chicago Cassie. Logan f-ing Reid got by on his hot body and mischievous smile. Tough to turn a one night stand into an on-going booty call into a serious relationship.

#1 The Murderbot Diaries series:
All Systems Red by Martha Wells (7/28/23) ★★★★.5
Excellent story, but I wish it was longer. I really like the idea of sentient machines who like humans and follow our ideas of morality. Being human, I don't know if it logically makes sense for a sentient robot to want to help humanity.

Psy-Changeling #0.6
Seedlings by Nalini Singh (7/28/23) ★★★
Story about Tamsyn and Nathan getting their twin boys. It was several scenes that piece together the twins arrival.

#2 Winter Black series:
Winter's Curse by Mary Stone (7/29/23) ★★★★
Suspenseful story about a thrill-seeking killer thief who is duplicating high profile historic FBI cases.

Psy-Changeling #5.2
A Gift for Kit by Nalini Singh (7/30/23) ★★★.5
Short but touching scene between Rina and Kit.

#1 Fangirl:
Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell (7/31/23) ★★★★

Psy-Changeling #5.3
Movie Night by Nalini Singh (7/30/23) ★★.5
This is just a short scene about an evening with Brenna & Judd. It didn't really add anything to their story and could even be a bit boring.

IDEAS:

#1
#2
#3

ADDED:

August 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 8/1/23 - 8/31/23
Roll: 3 and 4
Read: 6 books

August’s roll was a 4 and a 3, so you can read a series #3, a series #4, a series #7, a series #34 or a series #43

READ:
#3

#4

Bummer, I almost finished and , but didn't quite make it.

You still got quite a few read, Marla!

Thanks, Jennifer! I appreciate the sympathy & encouragement.

~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~ 👙 ~ ☀️ ~

#3 Virgil Flowers series:
Rough Country by John Sandford (8/4/23) ★★★
The mystery and the characters were mediocre. Virgil spent as much time trying to get in a woman's bed or wanting to go fishing as he did on solving the murders of the gay women. All the loose ends were tied up in the end, but it was hardly a happy ending. And the people were awful!

#3 Crazy Rich Asians
Rich People Problems by Kevin Kwan (8/6/23) ★★★.5
The family fighting over the estate and money while Su Yi was still alive was tasteless and horrible. Did anyone else want to smack Eddie? Much of the book was slow and repetitive, but the end was satisfying and clever.

#3 The Brown Sisters:
Act Your Age, Eve Brown by Talia Hibbert (8/9/23) ★★★★
Sweet story of two awkward people who are not other people's normal.

#3 Red Rising Saga:
Morning Star by Pierce Brown (8/15/23) ★★★.5
Too much politics and war so that's why I started listening to this series. The characters are so interesting and it was gripping to watch their plan unfold.

#4 Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger:
The Missing Prince by John Flanagan (8/16/23) ★★★.5
I would've rounded up to 4 stars if it didn't end as TO BE CONTINUED. Will & Maddie travel into Gallica as jongleurs, traveling entertainers on a mission to rescue the Gallica's missing prince. The story just didn't seem complex enough to merit 2 books, but I guess I should decide that after reading the next book.

#3 Dark-Hunter
Dance with the Devil by Sherrilyn Kenyon (8/27/23) ★★★.5
First off, I hate being cold, so poor Zarek. For being an anti-social loner, Zarek secretly did nice things for people. Zarek's original life sounded horrible and he didn't experience mercy or love, only contempt, cruelty, pain and revulsion.

IDEAS:



#3

#4

#7


ADDED:

September 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 9/1/23 - 9/30/23
Roll: 5 and 1
Read: 5 + 9

September’s roll was a five and a one, so you can read a series #5, a series #1, a half-step, a series #6, a series #15 or a series #51.

Books from last month:
The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Williams Chima (9/2/23) ~ Seven Realms #3
Dead Beat by Jim Butcher (9/5/23) ~ The Dresden Files #7


READ:
# x.5
#1

~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📅 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📅 ~ ✔️~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📅 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📅 ~

#1 Finishing School:
Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (9/11/23) ★★★
Cute story about Sophronia Temminnick, a 14 year old rambunctious girl who is sent off to finishing school. But this is a floating school that trains young lady spies.

#1 Emily of New Moon:
Emily of New Moon by L.M. Montgomery (9/13/23) ★★★★
What a wonderful book. I thought the poems and fancy language would slow me down, but I enjoyed it immensely. Occasionally, I wanted to shake Emily or Aunt Elizabeth or Ilse or Ilse's father, Dr. Burnley, but I still liked most of the characters.

#3.5 Soul Screamers:
Reaper by Rachel Vincent (9/14/23) ★★★★
Short story of Tod Hudson's death and how he became a Reaper

#5.5 Soul Screamers:
Never to Sleep by Rachel Vincent (9/14/23) ★★★.5
I just could not round up to 4 stars, because I despise Sophie Cavanaugh. But truthfully, it was probably worth 4 stars. Sophie goes to the Netherworld with a new guy, Luca, a necromancer.

#1 Hidden Legacy:
Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews (9/22/23) ★★★★.5
Interesting world with all kinds of magical abilities. The rich and powerful are still exploiting the weak and poor. Nevada is the lead investigator in the family private investigating company.

#1 The Kane Chronicles:
The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan (9/27/23) ★★★.5
A bit slow at times, too much sibling bickering, final battle was a bit anti-climactic and a To Be Continued ending.

#1 The Dark Artifices:
Lady Midnight by Cassandra Clare (9/30/23) ★★★.5
Great to see lots of favorite characters from Mortal Instruments & Infernal Devices. Some things were predictable and some parts were a total surprise. It was nice to see Emma Carstairs and Julian Blackthorn as young adults.

Aoife and Scathach, Shadow Twins ~ two stories in this novella
Aoife of the Shadows by Michael Scott (9/23/23) ★★★
(500 BC) Aoife finds a mysterious object.

Scathach the Shadow and the Clan of Erin by Michael Scott (9/24/23) ★★★.5
(500 BC) Scathach encounters a village where all races can live in peace. But people are sick and dying. A plague or poison is wiping out this secretive group.

Nicholas Flamel and the Codex by Michael Scott (9/25/23) ★★★.5 ???
p. 116-149 are MISSING in the copy I read (p. 85-116 were repeated)
The short story of how Nicholas Flamel and Perenelle Delamere obtained the Codex.

#4.5 The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel:
The Death of Joan of Arc by Michael Scott (9/25/23) ★★★.5
Joan of Arc is about to be burned at the stake, until a certain petite immortal warrior shows up.

Machiavelli: Guardian of Paris by Michael Scott (9/26/23) ★★★★
Children are disappearing in Paris. Black Annis has a diabolical plan. The immortal human Machiavelli must protect Paris.

Virginia Dare and the Ratcatcher by Michael Scott (9/27/23) ★★★★
Written by Edgar Allen Poe. Monsieur Jupiter Dupin Tempest is an observant boatswain who accompanies Poe and Virginia Dare on this adventure after supplying the initial intelligence about a mysterious ship with a strange cargo.

Nicholas and the Krampus by Michael Scott (9/29/23) ★★★★
Nicholas of Myra/Saint Nicholas/Kris Kringle/Santa Claus/Sinter Klass is being hunted by the evil Krampus and needs the Flamels to save Christmas.
Be sure to read Nicholas Flamel and the Codex BEFORE you read this story.

#5.5 The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel:
Billy the Kid and the Vampyres of Vegas by Michael Scott (9/30/23) ★★★★
Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, is the Elder that gave Billy the Kid immortality. Billy meets Scathach on a delivery for his boss. Billy helps Scathach.



IDEAS:


#1

#5

#6


ADDED:

October 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 10/1/23 - 10/31/23
Roll: 2 and 3
Read: 7

October’s roll was a two and a three, so you can read a series #2, a series #3, a series #5, a series #23 or a series #32.

READ:
#2
#3
#5

~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~

#5 Samantha Jellicoe:
A Touch of Minx by Suzanne Enoch (10/4/23) ★★★★.5
Another fun story with 3 different plots to keep things interesting.

#5 Amanda Jaffe:
Violent Crimes by Phillip Margolin (10/5/23) ★★★★
Oh, shucks, I didn't realize this was the last Amanda Jaffe book. Weird story in that at the end, I wasn't certain about the killer of all of the dead.

#5 The Last Vampire:
Evil Thirst by Christopher Pike (10/13/23) ★★
This series is getting too weird and nonsensical to me. This was too slow, the villain popped out of thin air and after finishing the book, I'm not sure that I understand what actually happened. By far my least favorite book in a mediocre series.

#3 All Souls:
The Book of Life by Deborah Harkness (10/14/23) ★★★★
Wow, lots happens in this book! It was a good final book. Except, I hear there are 2 more books in this trilogy. Lots of traveling, lots of houses and cars, lots of drama, and way too many characters.

#2 Joe Pickett:
Savage Run by C.J. Box (10/18/23) ★★★.5
A cow blows up and Joe Pickett is called to the site. Eco-terrorists are dying. The Wyoming setting is another character in this series.

#3 O'Malley:
The Truth Seeker by Dee Henderson (10/22/23) ★★★.5
I really don't like it when people are pushy with religion. Kate, Marcus and Jennifer working on Lisa's faith was irritating me. Thankfully, U.S. Marshall Quinn Diamond is not overtly religious. O'Malley's didn't know about Lisa's past tragedy.

#3 Dragonfire:
Kiss of Fate by Deborah Cooke (10/30/23) ★★★.5
I'm not a huge fan of this series, but lots happened in this book. Irresistible lust of firestorm and certain pregnancy is worst than destined instalove IMO.

IDEAS:


#2

#3

#5



ADDED:

November 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 11/1/23 - 11/30/23
Roll: 2 and 6
Read: 5

November’s roll was a two and a six, so you can read a series #2, a series #6, a series #8, a series #26 or a series #62

Books finished from last month:
Odd Apocalypse by Dean Koontz (11/1/23) ~ Odd Thomas #5
Escape from Falaise by John Flanagan (11/22/23) ~ Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger #5


READ:
#2

#8

~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~

#2 Hidden Legacy:
White Hot by Ilona Andrews (11/3/23) ★★★★
An animal mage, Cornelius hires Nevada to help him find his wife's killer. His useful pets and adorable daughter Matilda steal the book and our hearts. And that's saying something when Mad Rogan is in the book.

#2 Deep Ops:
Fallen by Rebecca Zanetti (11/10/23) ★★★.5
Man everyone but Roscoe, the dog got injured. I feel like the entire team shouldn't get hurt on every op. I hate lying, so I could never do undercover work.

#2 Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles:
Wizard Cadet by Rodney W. Hartman (11/23/23) ★★★★
Rick is saved from imminent death to help 'The One' with another task which, of course, puts him in mortal danger several times.

#2 The Murderbot Diaries:
Artificial Condition by Martha Wells (11/26/23) ★★★★
Another adventure in the life of our favorite SecBot, MurderBot. I like how the SecBot is making friends, human and artificial life forms.

#8 Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter
Blue Moon by Laurell K. Hamilton (11/29/23) ★★★.5
Richard is in jail just before the full moon. Anita goes to help him. Crooked cops, another pack, nervous vampire Master of the City, Anita's mixed entourage are a dangerous combination.



IDEAS:


#2

#6

#8



ADDED:

December 2023 Series Finisher
Duration: 12/1/23 - 12/31/23
Roll: 3 and 3
Read: 2

December's roll was a 3 and a 3, so you can read a series #3, a series #6, or a series #33.

READ:
#6

~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~ 🎁 ~ 🎄 ~

#6 The Morganville Vampires:
Carpe Corpus by Rachel Caine (12/7/23) ★★★.5
Lots going on in this book, but things resolve and Morganville basically returns to normal. Claire isn't as helpless as in previous books.

#6 Highlander
The Immortal Highlander by Karen Marie Moning (12/25/23) ★★★★
Adam Black/Puck/Robin Goodfellow/Wayland Smith/Trickster, last prince of D'Jai house. Adam Black/Puck is cursed to be human, but invisible by the Fairy Queen. Adam finds a beautiful human, sidhe seer, Gabrielle O'Callaghan to help him thwart his enemy.

IDEAS:

#3
a
#6

January 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 1/1/24 - 1/31/24
Roll: 3 and 1
Read: 5

January's roll was a 3 and a 1, so you can read a series #3, a series #1, a series #4, a series #13 or a series #31. The special rules for #1 (above in the first post) apply as well. Enjoy!

Books finished from last month:
Cold Hearted by Toni Anderson (1/2/24) ~ Cold Justice #6

3 Books finished from November:
The Treatment by Suzanne Young (1/3/24) ~ The Program #2
Shadow Prey by John Sandford (1/8/24) ~ Lucas Davenport #2
Never Tell by Lisa Gardner (1/12/24) ~ FBI Profiler #8

READ:
#1
#3

~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️ ~ ☃️ ~

#1 Calloway Summers
Fireflies in December by Jennifer Erin Valent (1/16/24) ★★★★.5
Wow, not what I expected, but a really great study of prejudice and compassionate faith. I'm not sure how this came to be on my TBR, but it was excellent.

#3 Beautiful Bastard
Beautiful Player by Christina Lauren (1/18/24) ★★★★.5
This player teaching his best friend's now gorgeous kid sister to date or have sex trope was so cute. I have a nerdy family, so I loved nerdy Ziggy/Hanna/Plum.

#3 The Youngest Templar
Orphan of Destiny by Michael P. Spradlin (1/21/24) ★★★.25
Many injuries, many enemies and many battles drive this story. But there's a twist in it that just annoyed me because I don't think it fit in a templar book. Was it supposed to be cute or funny? Ugh.

#3 Naked Werewolf
How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper (1/24/24) ★★★★
Another fun werewolf-human love story. The twist in this one is Anna/Tina knows that Caleb Graham is a werewolf. But he doesn't know that she knows.

#3 Hidden Legacy
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews (1/28/24) ★★★★.5
Really great story about Nevada applying as a House to thwart her grandmother's plan to bring Nevada and Catalina into the almost obsolete House Tremaine.


IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#1

#3

#4

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:

February 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 2/1/24 - 2/28/24
Roll: 4 and 4
Read: 5

February’s roll was a 4 and a 4, so you can read a series #4, a series #8, or a series #44. Enjoy!

Books finished from last month:
A Cold Day for Murder by Dana Stabenow (2/6/24) ~ Kate Shugak #1
Rogue Protocol by Martha Wells (2/7/24) ~ The Murderbot Diaries #3
Aurora's End by Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff (2/20/24) ~ The Aurora Cycle #3

READ:
#4

~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~ ❤️ ~ 💐 ~

The Inheritance Cycle #4
Inheritance by Christopher Paolini (2/1/24) ★★★
The last 20% was a nice wrap up for the series. But the first half of the book was painfully slow. It should've been 100 pages shorter and it would've been much better.

OutCast #4
Wurm War by Christopher Golden (2/11/24) ★★★.5
This is a bit dark for a juvenile book. It addresses evil, prejudice and injustice in a way that was a bit complicated for children. But it was a good conclusion to this series.

The Hunted #4
Devotion by Ivy Smoak (2/17/24) ★★★.5
This is NOT what I was expecting. I was pleasantly surprised. BUT if you just want the same ol' sexual tension & escapades with some relationship angst between Penny and James, be forewarned.

The Heroes of Olympus #4
The House of Hades by Rick Riordan (2/19/24) ★★.5
Long, but it felt even longer. Just slow with lots of travel and a bit of progress on this long, convoluted quest. I think I like it better when the demigods are together, and I'm not as interested when they are separated. And they are separated for most of this book.

The Body Finder #4
Dead Silence by Kimberly Derting (2/29/24) ★★★.75
This wasn't a great last book. All the strings weren't tied up and things still felt unfinished.
Vi discovers a gruesome murder and it takes luck and skill to find the murderer. We learn some about the history of the team.


IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#4

#8

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:

March 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 3/1/24 - 3/31/24
Roll: 6 and 1
Read: 7+ 7

March’s roll was a 6 and a 1, so you can read a series #6, a series #1, a series #16, a series #61, and remember the special rule of ones applies: #1 - You can start a new series, but if you don't wish to, you can use #1 for any half-step book that gets you closer to finishing a series you've already started. No page limit requirement on the half-steps (although the usual rule applies for "full position" series books). Enjoy!

Books finished from last month:
Bleed for Me by Michael Robotham (3/5/24) ~ Joseph O'Loughlin #4
Lover Mine by J.R. Ward (3/7/24) ~ Black Dagger Brotherhood #8

READ:



#1

#6

~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~ 🍀 ~ 🐣 ~

Hidden Legacy #1.1
Rogan's POV #1 by Ilona Andrews (3/4/24) ★★.5
Not very interesting or informative.

Hidden Legacy #1.2
Rogan's POV #2 by Ilona Andrews (3/4/24) ★★★
This was such an intense scene in the book. It wasn't much different here from Rogan's POV.

Hidden Legacy #3.1
Rogan's POV #3 by Ilona Andrews (3/4/24) ★★★
This meeting wasn't in the book, but it was referred to. But it really wasn't a very interesting scene.

Ranger's Apprentice: The Royal Ranger #6
Arazan's Wolves by John Flanagan (3/11/24) ★★★.5
This is a great story about Will and Maddie. I think it is the final book in this series.

James Potter #1
James Potter and the Hall of Elders' Crossing by G. Norman Lippert (3/14/24) ★★★
This book came highly recommended It started out strong, but was very slow after that. The end was nicely tied up and there were some interesting twists, but not fantastic. I realize that it's very difficult to compete against the brilliance of J.K. Rowling.

Beautiful Bastard #2.5
Beautiful Bombshell by Christina Lauren (3/15/24) ★★★★
Max, Will and Bennett's brother, Henry, kidnap Bennett for a bachelor party on Valentine's Day weekend. Chloe and Sara crash the bachelor weekend in Las Vegas. This was a very sexy and fun novella.

The Legend of Eli Monpress #1
The Spirit Thief by Rachel Aaron (3/16/24) ★★★.75
Great idea of talking to the spirits of nature and gaining their aid. Eli Monpress is a thief who uses his talents to steal, kidnap and for personal gain. Miranda is a Spiritualist tasked to apprehend Eli. The beginning of the book was captivating as was the end, but the middle third was quite slow.

Hidden Legacy #3.5
Diamond Fire by Ilona Andrews (3/24/24) ★★★★
This book is about Catalina planning Nevada's wedding. It is more about passing the torch to Catalina than even the wedding. The mysteries were even not as important as Catalina. And the peripheral dirt dug up in the investigation is more interesting than the actual mystery.

Samantha Jellicoe #6
Barefoot in the Dark by Suzanne Enoch (3/25/24) ★★★★.5
Great new adventure of Rick and Samantha. I didn't like it that Rick was keeping secrets from Sam, but it wasn't his secret to tell.

Unbound #1
Blood Bound by Rachel Vincent (3/26/24) ★★★★
It reminds me of Ilona Andrews' Hidden Legacy series and that is super high praise coming from me. The end wasn't as great as the rest of the book IMO, but I look forward to the rest of the book and rest of the series.

Beautiful Bastard #3.5
Beautiful Beginning by Christina Lauren (3/27/24) ★★★.5
This book is about Chloe and Bennett's destination wedding in California at Hotel Del Coronado. And Bennett's decision the week before the wedding.

Regency Fairy Tales #1
Half a Soul by Olivia Atwater (3/28/24) ★★★★
What a wonderfully entertaining story. I like spunky heroines and Dora is blunt and honest. Lord Sorcier, Elias Wilder is a grumpy, court magician. Elias' friend, Albert Lowe was such a nice man. There is a political and societal aspect to this book, but it decried workhouses which no longer exist since early 1900s.

Regency Fairy Tales #0.5
The Lord Sorcier by Olivia Atwater (3/28/24) ★★★.5
Story of how Elias Wilder and Albert Lowe meet and become friends.

Letters of Enchantment #1
Divine Rivals by Rebecca Ross (3/29/24) ★★★.5
Enemies to Lovers book. I LOVE the aspect of magical letters. I did not see the twists in this book coming until they were upon me and was mostly pleasantly surprised. I don't usually like war books, but the characters were wonderful, and too perfect, just like I like them. But horribly, war wasn't romanticized and some awful, scary scenes were described. It's some tough topics for a YA book. But softened by the fantasy aspects of the book.

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#1

#6

#7

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:
~ Barb

April 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 4/1/24 - 4/30/24
Roll: 2 and 5
Read: 3

April's roll was a 2 and a 5, so you can read a series #2, a series #5, a series #7, a series #25 or a series #52.

Lol, I was going to post, I hope it's a #2 for this month, but I thought that would be silly, who cares what I want.

But I guess the dice gods looked upon me favorably. Maybe I need to go back to the casino...

Books finished from last month:
Bone Thief by Thomas O'Callaghan (4/10/24) ~ John Driscoll #1
Tarnished Knight by Jack Campbell (4/15/24) ~ The Lost Stars #1
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger (4/22/24) ~ The Devil Wears Prada #1
Rush Revere and the Brave Pilgrims by Rush Limbaugh (4/25/24) ~ Adventures of Rush Revere #1


READ:

#2

#7

~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~ ☂️ ~ 💧 ~

The Hollows #7
White Witch, Black Curse by Kim Harrison (4/6/24)
This is one of my favorite Rachel Morgan books. Rachel is missing a memory and struggling to regain it, a paranormal apex predator is hunting in Cincinnati, the church may be haunted, Rachel's brother comes to visit and Rachel is working with FIB after a friend gets hurt.

The Rules of Scoundrels #2
One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean (4/16/24) ★★★★
Jasper Arlesey, Earl of Harlow, aka Cross, is approached with an experimental proposition by an unconventional, self-admittedly odd, lady Philippa "Pippa" Marbury.

24690 #2
White Out by A.A. Dark (4/21/24) ★★★.5
Not as shocking as Book #1: 24690. More betrayal and confusion, but thankfully not as horrific (but there are 2 really bad things).

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#2

#5

#7

(hide spoiler)]

May 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 5/1/24 - 5/31/24
Roll: 2 and 3
Read: 8

May's roll was a 2 and a 3, so you can read a series #2, a series #3, a series #5, a series #23 or a series #32.

Wow, I don't think we've ever had 2 months back to back that we could read the same books. I will try to get more #2's read.

READ:
#2
#3
#5


~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~ 🎏 ~ 🏮 ~

Kate Shugak #2
A Fatal Thaw by Dana Stabenow (5/1/24) ★★★★
Kate knew who the second killer was the whole time, but it took me longer.

Anna Pigeon #5
Endangered Species by Nevada Barr (5/3/24) ★★★.5
I love the wild life of turtles and the fawn but cringed at the insect life of chiggers, ticks and mosquitos. The people were at best strangers, many odd and at worst dangerous and I missed Anna's friends. And don't even get me started about Anna's boyfriend, FBI Agent Frederick Stanton, what an idiot!

A Magical Bakery Mystery #3
Charms and Chocolate Chips by Bailey Cates (5/7/24) ★★★.5
This felt cozier to me than previous books. I like this series when I need something to eat or baked goods on the cover. I noticed that Katie's familiar, Mungo is on the cover peeking into the window of the Honeybee Bakery.

Roy Grace #2
Looking Good Dead by Peter James (5/23/24) ★★★.5
There was some truly horrific scenes in this book, but I was disappointed with some of the things. Beware: Chapter 48. Violence and gore don't necessarily deter me, but stupidity does. Everyone did what-I-consider stupid things, including the police and the criminals. I expected to like it more.

Rock Chick #2
Rock Chick Rescue by Kristen Ashley (5/26/24) ★★★.5
Again, impulsive girl threatened by bad guys, staying with hot dangerous guy, fall in love after falling in lust. A bit too similar to first book. But I think Lee and Indy were hotter, but thankfully, Jet's not as impulsive or crazy as Indy.

Spindle Cove #2
A Week to be Wicked by Tessa Dare (5/28/24) ★★★.5
A perfectly ridiculous tale about a woman trying to get to the Royal Geological Society of Scotland's geological symposium. These Spindle Cove romances are about intelligent, non-traditional, quirky women who found themselves convalescing or sent to Spindle Cove. I want to love these, but the romances are so unexpected and unbelievable.

The Saint of Steel #3
Paladin's Hope by T. Kingfisher (5/29/24) ★★★★
These Saint of Steel books are all fresh, entertaining and aalso hot. This one is about Galen and the lich-doctor Piper. Intriguing to throw a gay couple in the series mix.

Letters of Enchantment #2
Ruthless Vows by Rebecca Ross (5/31/24) ★★★.5
Conclusion of Divine Letters duology. Iris Winnow & Roman Kitt are workplace enemies turned lovers. I LOVE the magic typewriters, but they didn't factor in this story as much as the first book. This was a good ending to their story and the war. I liked the Epilogue.

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#2

#3
a
#5

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:
~ Chaitra

June 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 6/1/24 - 6/30/24
Roll: 4 and 6
Read: 5

June's roll was a 6 and a 4, so a series #4, a series #6, a series #10, a series #46 or a series #64 all qualify.

Books finished from last month:
In the Darkness by Mike Omer (6/1/24) ~ Zoe Bentley Mystery #2
Ceaseless by Abbi Glines (6/2/24) ~ Existence #3
A Long Time Coming by Meghan Quinn (6/6/24) ~ Cane Brothers #3
The Brutal Telling by Louise Penny (6/15/24) ~ Armand Gamache #5

READ:

#4

#10

~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~

Midnight Breed #10
Darker After Midnight by Lara Adrian (6/15/24) ★★★.5
This had the feel of the final book in the series. All the breedmates, friends and allies to The Order made an appearance.

The Collector #4
The Vanishing Season by Dot Hutchison (6/16/24) ★★★★★
I think this is my new favorite book in the series. Not as violent but filled with relationships and background of the team. It sounds like this is the last book in the series, but I am not ready to let the team go. Cass hasn't gotten a book, how about the tech analysts?!

Mercy Thompson #10
Silence Fallen by Patricia Briggs (6/20/24) ★★★★.5
Wow, this is quite a rush. There are so many twists that I want to turn around and read it again. I don't like politics, but apparently vampire and werewolf politics are okay. I laughed at all the times people commented on how trouble and danger always find Mercy, but also how she was resourceful and tricky from Coyote. I missed the Pack, but I enjoyed the entourage that Adam organized.

Hidden Legacy #4
Sapphire Flames by Ilona Andrews (6/23/24) ★★★.75
Catalina is now Head of House Baylor. Catalina's first case as Head of House is dangerous and complicated. Exciting story, but she isn't Nevada, though Alessandro has potential.

In Death #10
Witness in Death by J.D. Robb (6/30/24) ★★★★
Wow, what a great start and shocking murder. I don't know if I've ever hated the murder victim more. But even if he deserved to die, amazing that Eve compelled to solve the murder. Huge cast of characters and most of them are actors, so accomplished performers or also excellent liars.

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#4

#6

#10

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:

July 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 7/1/24 - 7/31/24
Roll: 1 and 5
Read: 10

July's roll was a 5 and a 1, so you can read any series #1, a series #5, a series #6, a series #15 or a series #51.

Remember, there's also a special rule about #1:

#1 - You can start a new series, but if you don't wish to, you can use #1 for any half-step book that gets you closer to finishing a series you've already started. No page limit requirement on the half-steps (although the usual rule applies for "full position" series books) -- let's get these series DONE!

Books finished from last month:
Bad Blood by John Sandford (7/5/24) ~ Virgil Flowers #4
Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione (7/26/24) ~ Demonica #4
The Purity of Vengeance by Jussi Adler-Olsen (7/26/24) ~ Department Q #4

READ:

#1
#6
#15

~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~ 🦅 ~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~ 🦅 ~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~ 🦅 ~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~

Jedi Academy #1
Star Wars: Jedi Academy by Jeffrey Brown (7/5/24) ★★★.5
Graphic novel of Roan Novachez who always wanted to be a star fighter pilot.

Paradise #1:
Blood Orchids by Toby Neal (7/17/24) ★★★.5
Officer Lei Texeira has potential. This was a good first novel and it was nice to see scenes from home (Hawaii).

Brothers Sinister #1:
The Duchess War by Courtney Milan (7/21/24) ★★★.5
Robert Alan Graydon Blaisdell, the duke of Clermont is a nice guy, but much more than he appears. He is wielding his power as a duke and his immunity to accusations or prosecution. Miss Wilhelmina Pursling has a secret past and she needs to not draw attention to herself to keep her scandal quiet.

Chaos Walking #1:
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness (7/22/24) ★★★.5
This felt like one long chase scene. Noise was an interesting concept, but I have a saying "Just because it's different doesn't mean it's good." I kept thinking about how awkward it would be to constantly hear men's thoughts.

Women's Murder Club #15:
15th Affair by James Patterson & Maxine Paetro (7/23/24) ★★★.5
It's full speed excitement in this book. Lots of action in Lindsay's life, both at work and at home. I can't say much without giving anything away. This was definitely about Lindsay and all the other Murder Club ladies were just in the background.

Killer Instincts #1:
Midnight Rescue by Elle Kennedy (7/25/24) ★★★.5
Jim Morgan has a specialist team of mercs comprised of ex-military. Noelle, beautiful, queen of assassins asks Morgan for a favor to rescue one of her girls from drug lord, Blanco. I like murder mysteries more than terrorists and spies, but this was okay since it had the romantic suspense aspects.

Cupcake Bakery Mystery #1:
Sprinkle with Murder by Jenn McKinlay (7/27/24) ★★★
Melanie "Mel" Cooper and Angie DeLaura are partners with their other childhood friend, Tate Harper in their new Fairy Tale Cupcakes bakery. Tate's bridezilla is unreasonable in her wedding cupcake order and then is found dead. Mel and Tate are the primary suspects.

Morgan Dane #1:
Say You're Sorry by Melinda Leigh (7/28/24) ★★★.5
Lots of suspects and lots of twists. Not sure if Lance Kruger and Morgan Dane are going to make a good couple, but I'm glad they are going to give it a try. Lance got shot in the line of duty and is recovering, but resigned the force and works as a private investigator for Lincoln Sharp, retired Scarlet Falls Police Dept, turned private detective.

Airhead #1:
Airhead by Meg Cabot (7/29/24) ★★★.5
High school junior, Em Watts, has a terrible accident and wakes up in a hospital with some drastic surprises. It just kind of ends with not much resolved. I'm not a huge Meg Cabot fan, but I've read several of her series. This got chosen for me for another challenge, or it would still be on my TBR.

Soul Screamers #6:
Before I Wake by Rachel Vincent (7/30/24) ★★★.5
Lots of characters, some drama, and exciting. A few new faces added to the mix.

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#1

#5

#6

(hide spoiler)]

August 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 8/1/24 - 8/31/24
Roll: 3 and 5
Read: 6

August's roll was a 3 and a 5 so you can read a series #3, a series #5, a series #8, a series #35 or a series #53.

Books finished from last month:
A Long, Long Sleep by Anna Sheehan (8/1/24) ~ UniCorp #1
Stalking Jack the Ripper by Kerri Maniscalco (8/4/24) ~ Stalking Jack the Ripper #1

READ:
#3
#5
#8

~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~ 👙 ~ 🏖️ ~

KGI #5:
Echoes at Dawn by Maya Banks (8/5/24) ★★★.5
Several groups are hunting Grace Peterson. Luckily, Rio and KGI rescue Grace. Rio is enamored with the beautiful telepath.

Michael Bennett #3:
Worst Case by James Patterson & Micheal Ledwidge (8/8/24) ★★★.5
Kidnapping & executing children of the super rich. Gotta love it when you don't see the twist coming. Mystery culminates on Ash Wednesday. I like Michael Bennett and his adopted pack of 10 and his surly Irish grandfather, the priest is finally growing on me.

Psy-Changeling #8:
Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh (8/13/24) ★★★.5
I like Psy with Changelings, but this love story between a Psy and an exceptional human was good.

Charley Davidson #5:
Fifth Grave Past the Light by Darynda Jones (8/14/24) ★★★.5
LOTS of things happen in this book, besides the 2 active cases. I listen to the audiobook and have to be careful of who hears it at certain parts.

Summer #3:
We'll Always Have Summer by Jenny Han (8/21/24) ★★.5
There are soooo many things that I disliked about this series in general and this book in particular. Isabel "Belly" Conklin has been dating her best friend, Jeremiah "Jeremy" Fisher for 2 years. UGH, I hate it when it's competition between brothers and I hate it when someone loves two people at the same time.

Intergalactic Wizard Scout Chronicles #3:
Wizard Scout by Rodney W. Hartman (8/29/24) ★★★★.5
Richard is a wizard scout cadet at the Intergalactic Wizard Scout Academy and he's trying to survive to get his DNA baseline. With the help of his fellow Wizard Scout cadets, especially Rick's gang of friends and a wacky maintenance Sgt., Rick attempts to stop an attack and an invasion.


IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#3
a
#5

#8

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:

September 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 9/1/24 - 9/30/24
Roll: 1 and 4
Read: 4

September's roll was a 4 and a 1 so you can read a series #4, a series #1, a series #5, a series #14 or a series #41. And remember the series #1 special rule -- you can also read a half-step book of any length instead of a series #1.

#1 - You can start a new series, but if you don't wish to, you can use #1 for any half-step book that gets you closer to finishing a series you've already started. No page limit requirement on the half-steps (although the usual rule applies for "full position" series books) -- let's get these series DONE!

Books finished from last month:
Dead in the Water by Stuart Woods (9/3/24) ~ Stone Barrington #3
This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer (9/17/24) ~ Last Survivors #3
The Last Colony by John Scalzi (9/28/24) ~ Old Man's War #3


READ:
#1
#4
#5

~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~ ✔️ ~ 📚 ~

A Good Girl's Guide to Murder #1:
A Good Girl's Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson (9/4/24) ★★★.5
Pippa "Pip" Fitz-Amobi is working on her Senior Capstone Project which is to investigate the disappearance and presumed murder of a 2014 senior high school girl from 5-6 years ago. Very repetitive since Pippa reviews her suspects and her findings, but since I listened to it, it helped keep all the suspects straight. Andie Bell was never found, so I wondered about everyone calling it a murder. I am just not a big fan of amateur detectives and Pippa is more inept than most. Stir things up and see who threatens or attacks you or yours?!

Starboard #1:
These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman (9/15/24) ★★★.5
Star-crossed lovers with a sci fi spin. I liked the story and our couple, but I just didn't love them. The forced hike through the forest, across the plain and over the mountain were mostly just filler. Survival did foster dependence and strong feelings, but the creepy visions and voices were disconcerting and detrimental to the romance.

Virgil Flowers #5:
Shock Wave by John Sandford (9/26/24) ★★★.5
Virgil is investigating a bomber while under the scrutiny of the multi-billionaire owner. I think PyeMart is a commentary on WalMart coming into small towns and ruining the local economy. Virgil flirting with women as his relationship fizzles was annoying.

The Murderbot Diaries #4:
Exit Strategy by Martha Wells (9/27/24) ★★★★.5
Another great Murderbot story, but they are just too short. It was great to see the gang together again: Murderbot, Dr Mensah, Ratthi, Pin-Lee, and even Gurathin.


IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#1

#4

#5

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:

October 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 10/1/24 - 10/31/24
Roll: 2 and 2
Read: 1

October's roll was a 2 and a 2, so you can read a series #2, a series #4 or a series #22.

Books finished from last month:
One Grave Too Many by Beverly Connor (10/3/24) ~ Diane Fallon #1
Clockwork Boys by T. Kingfisher (10/7/24) ~ Clocktaur War #1
The Cutting Edge by Jeffery Deaver (10/8/24) ~ Lincoln Rhyme #14
A Quick Bite by Lynsay Sands (10/30/24) ~ Argeneau #1

Read:


~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ ☠️ ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ ☠️ ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ ☠️ ~ 🎃 ~ 👻 ~ 🎃 ~ ☠️ ~

John Puller #4:
No Man's Land by David Baldacci (10/17/24) ★★★.5
Last John Puller book focuses on John's mother's disappearance 30 years ago. John and Robert's father, 3 star General "Fighting John" Puller is suffering from dementia and is accused of the murder of his beloved, beautiful wife.

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#2

#4

(hide spoiler)]

November 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 11/1/24 - 11/30/24
Roll: 5 and 5
Read: 3 + 4

November's roll was two fives, so you can read a series #5, a series #10, a series #55, or a series #1 (1 + 0 from the 10 = 1). Remember, for a series #1, you can start a new series, backfill a #1 from an already-started series, or read any half-step book from a series you've already started (no page limit on the half-steps). Have at it!

Books finished from last month:
Lady Sophia's Lover by Lisa Kleypas (11/9/24) ~ Bow Street Runners #2
Mind Game by Christine Feehan (11/15/24) ~ GhostWalkers #2
Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs (11/26/24) ~ Temperance Brennan #2

Read:

#0.5

#5

#10

~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~ 🦃 ~ 🍗 ~

The Walking Dead #5
The Walking Dead, Vol. 5: The Best Defense by Robert Kirkman (11/3/24) ★★★.5
Next segment in The Walking Dead saga. Not much happens. I think this is my least favorite so far in the series. They are getting settled in the prison and they get a few surprises.

Hidden Legacy # 5
Emerald Blaze by Ilona Andrews (11/17/24) ★★★★
Wow, Catalina, has certainly become a force to be reckoned with. Linus Duncan, Warden of Texas, has ordered Catalina, his Deputy Warden to take over a case from Augustine Montgomery and MII. It is very dangerous and she must depend on the man who crushed her heart, Alessandro Sagredo to keep her safe. Alessandro is still beautiful & lethal, but he's not as arrogant. Why not?

Hidden Legacy # 4.1
A Misunderstanding by Ilona Andrews (11/17/24) ★★★.5
This scene was deleted from Book #4: Sapphire Flames but they discussed the ramifications of the expense of the destruction. Story told from Arabella's POV.

Hidden Legacy # 4.2
Pay Me by Ilona Andrews (11/17/24) ★★★
Deleted scene. Catalina's POV. Arabella and Catalina visiting clients to present findings and get payment for their services.

Hidden Legacy # 4.3
Sgt Munoz Had to Go by Ilona Andrews (11/17/24) ★★★
Deleted scene from Book #4: Sapphire Flames in Catalina's POV. Catalina's statement to Sgt. Munoz after the death in the morgue.

Hidden Legacy # 5.1
The Cool Aunt by Ilona Andrews (11/17/24) ★★★★
Read AFTER Book #5: Emerald Blaze. Lol, think Jack-Jack.

Mr. Monk #10
Mr. Monk is Cleaned Out by Lee Goldberg (11/30/24) ★★.5
This was NOT my favorite Monk book. Money problems, inflation & bad economy, ponzi scheme swindler, Natalie being anxious & irritated, and Monk being more annoying than quirky. This book was annoying me and stressing me.

IDEAS:

(view spoiler)[
#1

#5

#10

(hide spoiler)]

ADDED:

December 2024 Series Finisher
Duration: 12/1/24 - 12/31/24
Roll: 2 and 4
Read: 7

December's roll was a two and a four, so you can read a series #2, #4, #6, #24 or #42. Looking forward to seeing your picks!

Books finished from last month:
Mystery Man by Kristen Ashley (12/25/24) ~ Dream Man #1

READ:

#2

#4

~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~ ⭐️ ~ 🎄 ~

Wayfarers #4:
The Galaxy, and the Ground Within by Becky Chambers (12/2/24) ★★★★.5
These aren't quick reads, but I have thoroughly enjoyed this series over 4 years. I loved the cultural interactions and respectful treatment of other cultures and views. Even when there was a heated disagreement, the characters tried to see the other's point of view and tried not to be rude or dismissive of the other character's impassioned views.

Criminal Profiler #2:
Her Last Word by Mary Burton (12/8/24) ★★★.5
Not my favorite style with the out of order Interview flashbacks mostly concerning the 14 year disappearance of Gina. Strange story. Kaitlin Roe is an annoying, tenacious character.

Ready Player One #2:
Ready Player Two by Ernest Cline (12/11/24) ★★★.5
The novelty of the first book made it great, but I enjoyed this one too. It was a quicker, but very unrealistic time frame for this second quest. It was tough to distinguish hero and villain at times.

FBI Thriller #2:
The Maze by Catherine Coulter (12/13/24) ★★★.5
4 stars for the romance. 3 stars for the mystery. I don't like rogue FBI agents, so I had my doubts about Lacey Sherlock. Love the name FBI Special Agent Sherlock, but the quotes and quips got tiresome. Sherlock was so patient with all of it. FBI Special Agent Dillon Savich was yummy. I wasn't crazy about the country western lyrics, but he was great or maybe I just want to live in his house. Lots of things that I didn't like with the story, but I'm a sucker for a character-driven romantic suspense.

The Iron Druid Chronicles #4:
Tricked by Kevin Hearne (12/17/24) ★★★.5
I prefer listening to these books. This was an interesting story, but it took me 2 months to read. The Native American words slowed down my reading. No library audiobook. Also, many months or years go by between my reading the next book and this time especially, there were many references to events in earlier books that I didn't remember.

Billionaire Wolf #2:
A Billionaire Wolf for Christmas by Terry Spear (12/20/24)
Dr. Aidan Denali, billionaire real estate mogul Rafe Denali's brilliant scientist/medical doctor twin brother is looking for the cure of the werewolf longevity issue. But as obsessed as Aidan is with his research, he becomes more intrigued with the Pack doctor, Holly Gray.

Turing Hopper #2:
Click Here For Murder by Donna Andrews (12/31/24)
Several interesting parallel mysteries. I don't like private investigators as much as police detectives, but I enjoy this series. Turing is an intriguing character and her human helpers, Tim and Maude are loyal and resourceful.


IDEAS:


#2

#4

#6

January 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 1/1/25 - 1/31/25
Roll: 3 and 6
Read: 5

January's roll was a 3 and a 6, so you can read a series #3, a series #6, a series #9, a series #36 or a series #63. Enjoy your reads!

Books finished from last month:
The Leopard Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt (1/1/25) ~ Princes Trilogy #2 ~ ★★★.5
Wildcard by Marie Lu (1/31/25) ~ Warcross #2 ~ ★★★.5

READ:

#3

#6

#9

~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️~ ☃️ ~ ❄️ ~ ☃️ ~

Winter Black #3:
Winter's Redemption by Mary Stone (1/15/25) ★★★.5
This book was good, but not as good as the previous books in the series. Or rather, Winter and the love triangle were more annoying in this book than in the previous books. Winter is too much of a loose cannon in this book. Love triangle was weird and Aidan showed what an ambitious jerk he is.

Bree Taggert #3:
Drown Her Sorrows by Melinda Leigh (1/20/25) ★★★★
Interesting mystery and I like the budding romance.

Deep Ops #3:
Broken by Rebecca Zanetti (1/24/24) ★★★.5
Big, mean, dangerous Clarence Wolfe falls for friend, Dana Mulberry, a journalist.

Kendra Michaels #3:
The Naked Eye by Iris Johansen (1/29/25) ★★★.5
Kendra Michaels has amazing observation skills, though I'm not sure how being previously blind would've given her that talent. Kendra's abrupt manner does not endear her to many she encounters.

Psy-Changeling #9:
Play of Passion by Nalini Singh (1/30/25) ★★★.5
Loved Drew Kincaid, his charm, playfulness and friendliness. Got tired of Indigo's touchy, defensiveness.

IDEAS:


#3
a
#6

February 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 2/1/25 - 2/28/25
Roll: 4 and 5
Read: 3

February's numbers are 4 and 5, so you can read a series #4, a series #5, a series #9, a series #45 or a series #54. Enjoy your picks!

Books finished from last month:
Blind Descent by Nevada Barr (2/24/25) ~ Anna Pidgeon #6 ★★★★

READ:

#4

#5

~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~ 🌺 ~ ❤️ ~

Bishop/Special Crimes Unit #5/Evil #2:
Whisper of Evil by Kay Hooper (2/14/25) ★★★.5
Lots of secrets and suspects. Kept me guessing. Max was a hothead, Sheriff Ethan Cole was stubborn too, but I really liked Nell Gallagher. I worried about Nell taking risks.

Seven Realms #4:
The Crimson Crown by Cinda Williams Chima (2/27/25) ★★★★
Fascinating conclusion to the Seven Realms series. The uncertainties dragged in places but was filled with many dangerous situations and possible adversaries.

Maggie O'Dell #4:
At the Stroke of Madness by Alex Kava (2/28/25) ★★★★
Maggie is on vacation and Dr. Gwen Patterson asks her to look into a missing patient. Maggie ends up "assisting" local police in Connecticut when several bodies end up found in barrels in a rock quarry.

IDEAS:


#4


#5

March 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 3/1/25 - 3/31/25
Roll: 2 and 5
Read: 8

March's numbers are 2 and 5, so you can read a series #2, a series #5, a series #7, a series #25 or a series #52. Enjoy your picks!

Books finished from last month:
Bitter Falls by Rachel Caine (3/3/25) ~ Stillhouse Lake #4 ~ ★★★★

READ:
#2

#5

#7


~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~ 🍀 ~ 🍺 ~

Mythos Academy #2:
Kiss of Frost by Jennifer Estep (3/13/25) ~ ★★★.5
Gwen is still irritating me. Gwen decides not to report a Reaper threat because she wants to be able to handle things herself?! And Gwen spends toooooo much time moaning about Logan. This may be typical teenage crush behavior, but it was annoying. Also, the constant re-listing of the clues and attacks was tiresome.

Rizzoli & Isles #7:
The Keepsake by Tess Gerritsen (3/14/25) ~ ★★★.5
Better than The Mephisto Club but it wasn't up to par in the series. Too much Egyptology (I didn't know that was even possible), lies that stayed unknown for too long in the story, now it's Frost's turn to be an idiot and it wasn't fun at all (Rizzoli & Korsak's sarcastic quips are always appreciated and in this book sorely missed).

Renegades #2:
Archenemies by Marissa Meyer (3/17/25) ~ ★★★.5
Nova Artino, Anarchist "Nightmare" infiltrates the Renegades as "Insomnia." She's trying to discover Renegade secrets and to steal Ace Anarchy, her uncle's helmet and to destroy the Renegade organization. Renegades are law enforcement superheroes with super powers. Renegades are supposed to be held to laws. Some Renegades abuse their power but some Anarchists don't even try to live with morals or integrity. Ms. Meyer does a good job at showing that no person or group is all good or all bad.

Private #5:
Private Berlin by James Patterson & Mark Sullivan (3/18/25) ~ ★★★.5
Chris Schneider is an elite Private investigator with a sad, secret past. Mattie Engel is also a Private Berlin investigator and she tries to find Chris, her ex-fiance. I think I would've liked Chris and I think I would've enjoyed a book where he was investigating a mystery.

Soulfinders #2; Study #5:
Night Study by Maria V. Snyder (3/23/25) ~ ★★★★.5
Excellent book! I knew it was going to end in a "To Be Continued" ending Again because there was so much going on and I knew it couldn't all resolve itself in the pages left. LOVE having Valek around! And so many Valek secrets. It felt to me that this was more Valek's book than Yelena, though the POV switched between them.

Vicki Nelson #5:
Blood Debt by Tanya Huff (3/26/25) ~ ★★★.5
Nice to see Vicki's life after her change. Vicki & Henry's can't be around each other. Tip-toeing around and constant aggression was tiresome. Basically, an epilogue book.

Rosato & Associates #2:
Legal Tender by Lisa Scottoline (3/28/25) ~ ★★★.5
Benedetta "Bennie" Rosato is a founding partner of Rosato & B.... with her then boyfriend Mark B...... Bennie is a tall, strong, blond rower who is a lawyer for the needy. Bennie specializes in police brutality cases, so she doesn't have many fans in blue. This becomes a real problem when Bennie is the prime suspect in a murder. Bennie funds her pro bono cases with the wins against the police department.

Glass & Steele #2:
The Mapmaker's Apprentice by C.J. Archer (3/30/25) ~ ★★★.5
Matt is approached by Commissioner Munro to find a missing mapmaker apprentice, Daniel Gibbons who is also his illegitimate son.


IDEAS:


#2

#5

#7

April 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 4/1/25 - 4/30/25
Roll: 1 and 1
Read: 7

April's numbers are 1 and 1, so you can read a series #1, a series #2, a series #11, or any "half step" book, regardless of length. Enjoy your picks!

Books finished from last month:
With All My Soul by Rachel Vincent (4/9/25) ~ Soul Screamers #7 ~ ★★★.5
Dexter Is Delicious by Jeff Lindsay (4/16/25) ~ Dexter #5 ~ ★★★


READ:

#1

#2

#11


~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~ 🐰 ~ 🐣 ~

Ghost Hunter Mystery #2:
Demons are a Ghoul's Best Friend by Victoria Laurie (4/2/25) ~ ★★★.5
Terrifying story about a very powerful poltergeist haunting a boarding school. Scary that Dean wasn't concerned that scary ghost would be haunting elementary school and young children. School reputation was important but safety and psychological health should have been more important.

The Naturalist #1:
The Naturalist by Andrew Mayne (4/6/25) ~ ★★★★.5
Tough to decide whether to be amazed or repelled by Theo Cray. Science sounded really cool and I had my computational research scientist check the DNA stuff and it passed. That's impressive. But if you aren't into genetics or science, you might not like all the detailed analysis.

Mercy Thompson #11:
Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs (4/12/25) ~ ★★★★
Zombies start showing up in Tri-Cities and Mercy and Pack are called in.

Sometimes in Love #2:
Smitten by the Brit by Melonie Johnson (4/14/25) ~ ★★★.5
I liked Theo and Bonnie so I wanted to round up to 4 stars, but I got tired of the Shakespeare and Jane Austen quotes. I like Shakespeare, but not enough for all the quotes and puns.

The Iron Covenant #1:
Iron and Magic by Ilona Andrews (4/21/25) ~ ★★★★
Hugh d’Ambray, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, Preceptor of the Iron Dogs was cast out by Rowland along with his Iron Dog warriors. Iron Dogs are loyal to Hugh, not Rowland, so they are being hunted. Hugh needs a base, Elara needs soldiers. Both are infamous for betraying their allies, so how can they create a believable alliance to meet the challenge of their enemies?

In Death #11:
Judgment in Death by J.D. Robb (4/24/25) ~ ★★★★.5
Another great mystery that Eve must solve with her team and with Roarke's assistance. These murders revolve around Purgatory, a gentleman's club (high class strip club) that of course Roarke owns.

Thunder Point #1:
The Wanderer by Robyn Carr (4/28/25) ~ ★★★★
I thoroughly enjoyed this book except for the bully Jag Morrison, but Hank Cooper and Sarah Dupre just fit. Loved that Sarah was a search & rescue helicopter pilot and a devoted sister raising her teenage brother. Landon was too good to be a 16 year old male, but I loved him too. In life and in books, it seems like the reluctant-to-commit female is the one that catches the commitment-phobic male.

IDEAS:

#1

#2

#11

May 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 5/1/25 - 5/31/25
Roll: 3 and 6
Read: 5

May's numbers are 3 and 6, so you can read a series #3, a series #6, a series #9, a series #36 or a series #63. Enjoy your picks!

Books finished from last month:
Mercy by Julie Garwood (5/5/25) ~ Buchanan-Renard #2 ~ ★★★★
The Girls From Alcyone by Cary Caffrey (5/11/25) ~ The Girls From Alcyone #1 ~ ★★★.5

READ:
#3
#6
#9


~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~ ஐ ~ 🌼 ~

Hidden Legacy #6:
Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews (5/8/25) ~ ★★★★
Good ending to Catalina's trilogy. But though Alessandro was gorgeous & devoted, he just wasn't as lethal and scary as Rogan and Catalina was not as volatile and scary as Nevada.

Amos Decker #3:
The Fix by David Baldacci (5/13/25) ~ ★★★.5
Amos Decker sees a man shoot a woman outside FBI building. Decker & the FBI guard confront the man and he shoots himself. Decker and Bogart's FBI team are tasked to solve the murder until DIA (Defense Intelligence Agency) Agent Harper Brown tells him to stand down. Decker and the team refuse and so begins their joint investigation. This is more than just a murder investigation.

Wayward Children #3:
Beneath the Sugar Sky by Seanan McGuire (5/19/25) ~ ★★★★
Rini drops out of the sky in a pond behind Eleanor West’s Home for Wayward Children. She is Sumi's daughter looking for her mother. Problem is Jill killed Sumi before Sumi could grow up, fall in love and give birth to Rini. Quest time.

Love at Stake #9:
Eat Prey Love by Kerrelyn Sparks (5/26/25) ~ ★★★.5
One of the better stories in this series, IMO. Shanna Draganesti's sister Caitlyn Whelan shows up and is instantly attracted to were-panther, Carlos Panterra. I liked the attraction and flirting, but slow falling in love.

The Rules of Scoundrels #3:
No Good Duke Goes Unpunished by Sarah MacLean (5/29/25) ~ ★★★.5
Temple is such a tough softy. He's a vicious fighter but honorable in his own way. I didn't understand Mara's motivations and actions.

IDEAS:

#3
a
#6

#9

June 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 6/1/25 - 6/30/25
Roll: 4 and 6
Read: 3

June's numbers are 4 and 6, so you can read a series #4, a series #6, a series #10, a series #1, a series #46, a series #64 or any series half-step. Enjoy your picks!

Books finished from last month:
Welcome to Whitlock by A.A. Dark (6/2/25) ~ 24690 #3 ~ ★★★.5
Access Denied by Donna Andrews (6/6/25) ~ Turing Hopper #3 ~ ★★★.5
Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton (6/7/25) ~ Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #9 ~ ★★★.5

READ:
#1
#4

~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~ ⛪ ~ ❤️ ~

Winter Black #4:
Winter's Rise by Mary Stone (6/11/25) ~ ★★★★
Mystery took a back seat to the new character, Autumn Trent meeting and becoming friends with Bree, Noah, Winter and Aiden.

Elder Races #1:
Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison (6/15/25) ~ ★★★★
Why did I take so long to read this?! I love dragon-shifters! And Pia Giovanni is very cool in her own right. I wish more books would be about Pia and Dragos! They are snarky and sassy and sizzling together, just like I love PNR romance. Thinking I'll be reading the next book soon!

The Inheritance Games #1:
The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (6/21/25) ~ ★★★.75
Avery Grambs is living in her car when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne's estate summons her for the reading of his will. Tobias left Avery the majority of his estate. Tobias didn't leave his billions to his 2 daughters or any of his 4 grandsons. Needless to say, the Hawthornes are stunned and unhappy. And Avery is stunned and baffled.

IDEAS:

#4

#6

July 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 7/1/25 - 7/31/25
Roll: 2 and 6
Numbers: 2, 4, 6, 8
Read: 3

July's roll was a 2 and a 6, so you can read a series #2, a series #6, a series #8 (6+2), a series #4 (6-2), a series #26, or a series #62. Looking forward to seeing your picks!

Books finished from last month:
The Detective Duke by Scarlett Scott (7/1/25) ~ Unexpected Lords #1 ~ ★★★.5
Pines by Blake Crouch (7/2/25) ~ Wayward Pines #1 ~ ★★★.5
Broken Genius by Drew Murray (7/3/25) ~ Will Parker #1 ~ ★★★★
Legends & Lattes by Travis Baldree (7/8/25) ~ Legends & Lattes #1 ~ ★★★.5

READ:
#4
#6

~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~ 🦅 ~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~ 🦅 ~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~ 🦅 ~ ❤️ ~ 🤍 ~ 💙 ~

Virgil Flowers #6:
Mad River by John Sandford (7/14/25) ~ ★★★.5
Spree killers, not serial killers. (I watch too much Criminal Minds.) But the lack of cunning and violent impulsiveness were not as interesting as serial killers to me. Virgil did an admirable job at trying to catch and protect these unrepentant killers. Jimmy Sharp and Becky Welsh were young adults with no prospects and a dim future, but that didn't justify their turning into spree killers. They weren't sympathetic or evil characters, but you definitely wouldn't want to run into them once the killing started.

Robert Langdon #4:
Inferno by Dan Brown (7/24/25) ~ ★★★.5
I'm not a fan of convenient amnesia but it worked for this confusing story. I really despise unreliable narrators, but again, it worked in this book. I wanted to like pretty, young doctor Sienna Brooks, but what did we know about her? The twists were many and clever, but overall it was slow and confusing.

Tracy Crosswhite #4:
The Trapped Girl by Robert Dugoni (7/27/25) ~ ★★★★.5
Excellent story with so many twists and turns. This was my favorite Tracy Crosswhite story and I absolutely LOVED the title. Every time I saw the cover of this book, I was amazed at how clever the title was. I am also impressed with the male author's ability to write such a great female MC.

IDEAS:

#2

#4

#6

August 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 8/1/25 - 8/31/25
Roll: 3 and 2
Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 5
Read:

August's roll was a 3 and a 2, so you can read a series #3, a series #2, a series #5 (3+2), a series #1 (3-2), a series #23, or a series #32. Looking forward to seeing your picks

DNF:
The Perfect Crimes of Marian Hayes by Cat Sebastian ~ London Highwaymen #2 - 8/21/25

READ:

#1
#2
#5


~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~

Mercy Kilpatrick #2:
A Merciful Truth by Kendra Elliot (8/2/25) ~ ★★★★.5

Morgan Dane #2:
Her Last Goodbye by Melinda Leigh (8/5/25) ~ ★★★★

The Murderbot Diaries #5:
Network Effect by Martha Wells (8/8/25) ~ ★★★★.5

Elder Races #2:
Storm's Heart by Thea Harrison (8/12/25) ~ ★★★.5

Zombie Fallout #1:
Zombie Fallout by Mark Tufo (8/19/25) ~ ★★★.5

The Nyxia Triad #2:
Nyxia Unleashed by Scott Reintgen (8/19/25) ~ ★★★.5

White Trash Zombie #1:
My Life as a White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland (8/25/25) ~ ★★★.5


IDEAS:


~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~ ☀️ ~ 🏖️ ~


IDEAS:

#1

#2

#3
a
#5

September 2025 Series Finisher
Duration: 9/1/25 - 9/30/25
Roll: 3 and 1
Numbers: 1, 2, 3, 4
Read: 10

September's roll was a 3 and a 1, so you can read a series #3, a series #1, a series #4 (3+1), a series #2 (3-1), a series #13, or a series #31. And remember the special rule for #1 (in post 1)! Looking forward to seeing your picks!

READ:

#1

#2

#3

~ 🍎 ~ 📚 ~ 🍎 ~ 📓 ~ 🍎 ~ 📚 ~ 🍎 ~ 📓 ~ 🍎 ~ 📚 ~ 🍎 ~ 📓 ~ 🍎 ~ 📚 ~ 🍎 ~ 📓 ~

Rokesbys #1:
Because of Miss Bridgerton by Julia Quinn (9/7/25) ~ ★★★.5

Logan Point #1:
Shadows of the Past by Patricia Bradley (9/8/25) ~ ★★★

Temeraire #2:
Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik (9/9/25) ~ ★★★.5

Hex Hall #1:
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins (9/11/25) ~ ★★★.5

Part of Your World #1:
Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (9/14/25) ~ ★★★★.5

Cafferty & Quinn #1:
Let the Dead Sleep by Heather Graham (9/20/25) ~ ★★★★

The Captive #1:
Captured by Erica Stevens (9/22/25) ~ ★★★.5

Rock Chick #3:
Rock Chick Redemption by Kristen Ashley (9/24/25) ~ ★★★★

Shadowdwellers #2:
Rapture by Jacquelyn Frank (9/29/25) ~ ★★★★

The Inheritance Games #2:
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes (9/30/25) ~ ★★★.5

IDEAS:

#1

#2

#3
a
#4
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