2-3-4 Challenge discussion

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
5. Overall summary of your reading month?

1. I caught up on Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Murder Mystery. The current book, Murder on Pleasant Avenue will be available to me at the Library next week.

2. I started the Sebastian St. Cyr series. I love it so far. I finished the first two books. I will continue, and hope to read two or three more this month. If I am hooked on a series, I can’t put it down.

3. Moving forward with…
*The Mercy Kilpatrick series. I love these characters.
* I am continuing the DI Kim Stone series. Angela Marson released First Blood (#0.5) It is the story of how this strange mix of policeman were assigned together and how their unique bonds formed. I loved it. Killing Mind will release on 4/8. I will read that one this month.
* Continuing the buddy read of Karen Rose’s Romantic Suspense series.

4. My five star books for April are the When God’s Die, the St. Cyr series and A Merciful Truth by Kendra Elliott (Mercy Kilpatrick series). I love both books for the same reason. The characters are intriguing and out of the ordinary.

St. Cyr also has the interesting historical setting the sends me off to do my own research on the era.

I love the Mercy Kilpatrick characters, the slow-burn romance between Mercy and Truman, and the preppers backdrop that adds another level of fascinating events and philosophies.

5. This was a good reading month. I started slow with all the distractions around the world, but I ended strong.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes, 4



2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes 1, and I will contimue


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 6 -


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?

- The first 3 books in this series were so, so but I loved this one. An excellent balance between romance and suspense.

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 11 books. I had a good time with them all.

Sharon wrote: "
2. I started the Sebastian St. Cyr seri..."

So glad you are enjoying Sebastian St. Cyr. The series just gets better and better.

Sharon wrote: "1. I caught up on Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Murder Mystery. The current book, Murder on Pleasant Avenue will be available to me at the Library next week.

2. I started the Sebastian St. Cyr seri..."

First, I’m so glad you’ve joined our book discussions, Sharon💜 I always find your points of view to be thought provoking. You are going to be so hooked on Sebastian and will need those group discussions. Those participating helped me see stuff I missed and we had fun developing theories.

How far are you into the Kim Stone series? I’ve read the first book and have been unsuccessful in gaining interest in selecting it as a group read.

Congrats on a fantastic month!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
No

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, I moved forward in Redwall and in Dave Pelzer.

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
No 5 stars, but almost everything I read was 4 stars!

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
Great! I read 9 books, moved forward in 2 series, and enjoyed everything I read. Can't ask for more than that!

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes, 4

[bookco..."

You know, it took me two or three books to get into The Bodyguards and it just got better. Glad you liked this one.

I added the Kitty Norville series years ago back when we were on Shelfari but never started. I’m gonna follow your reviews on this one.

Congrats on another stellar month, Lauren!

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed/got up to date in four series:
FBI Trilogy by Allison Brennan (Completed)
Runaway Brides by Kaki Warner (Completed)
Sebastian St. Cyr by C. S. Harris (Up to Date)
Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson (Up to Date)

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
No and yay!

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in three series:
Victorian Rebels by Kerrigan Byrne
Mercy Kilpatrick by Kendra Elliot
Detective D. D. Warren by Lisa Gardner

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had a great month for 5-star reads: The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo, Who Speaks for the Damned, Sunrise on Half Moon Bay, The Boy from the Woods and Regretting You. They helped make this a great month.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I loved everything this month (well, one book was a 3.5 star read) and finished 15 books! It was great.

Jessika wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
No

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
No

3. Did you move forward in any series? How man..."

No, you can’t ask for much better than enjoying 9 books, especially these days. Congratulations, Jessika💜

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 6


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? 2 Yes I will continue both


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many? 2


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
5. Overall summary of your reading month? Don’t judge me but I read 30 books. Some were short. I don’t watch much TV and I don’t need much sleep. .
Binged series, duets trilogies, loved most a few 2-3 star reads. With what’s going on I have been into dark reads. Unicorns and rainbows have bored me. Have discovered some new authors that I look forward to reading more of.

Jonetta wrote: "Sharon wrote: "1. I caught up on Victoria Thompson’s Gaslight Murder Mystery. The current book, Murder on Pleasant Avenue will be available to me at the Library next week.

2. I started the Sebasti..."

Jonetta I love the Kim Stone series. I'm up to date waiting for the next book to release. She is an acquired taste for sure.

I enjoy reading a British police procedural; a lot of people don't so I get not adding it to a group read.

The more I get to know Kim Stone the more I like her. She isn't an open character so her development is like pulling teeth, but I like that. She is very dark with a lot of secrets.

Also, the book released last month #0.5 in the series gives insight on the team and Woody (their boss). It is the story of their first day and their first case. It is a good way to understand the dynamics of the group, and what some members are hiding.

Jonetta wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed/got up to date in four series:
FBI Trilogy by Allison Brennan (Completed)
Runaway Brides by Kaki Warner (Completed)
S..."

Good month Jonetta. So many great suspense. I need to bump up some more Colleen Hoover. I keep forgetting about her and have loved everything I’ve read.

Laura wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 6
[book..."

Yeah, I’m gonna judge you...that’s amazing, Laura💜 And, you discovered a new angle on the CR genre.

You just keep reading! Please post links to your reviews because I read them. Remember, I’ve got a “Laura” shelf.

Sharon wrote: "Jonetta I love the Kim Stone series. I'm up to date waiting for the next book to release. She is an acquired taste for sure.

I enjoy reading a British police procedural; a lot of people don't so I get not adding it to a group read.

The more I get to know Kim Stone the more I like her. She isn't an open character so her development is like pulling teeth, but I like that. She is very dark with a lot of secrets.

Also, the book released last month #0.5 in the series gives insight on the team and Woody (their boss). It is the story of their first day and their first case. It is a good way to understand the dynamics of the group, and what some members are hiding...."

Thanks for that feedback, Sharon. I’m a big fan of British police procedurals.

Laura wrote: "Good month Jonetta. So many great suspense. I need to bump up some more Colleen Hoover. I keep forgetting about her and have loved everything I’ve read. .."

Didn’t we do a CoHo buddy read last year? Or I listened to one you recommended. You really need to read Regretting You. I got really mad, really sad, really annoyed, hurt...you name it. But! The romance is unconventional (meaning late) so be prepared.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? No I didn't.
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? Yes I did, I started three series, but I will only continue with two of them.
- Planetfall - Will not continue. I only gave it 2.5, just wasn't my type of series
- Eve Duncan Series - Loved This book, I can't wait to read more of the series - I gave it 4.5 stars.
- Friday Night Knitting Club series - It was a pretty good book, I will continue it. 3/5


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
No
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I will repeat myself again, 100% percent the best book of the month was The Face of Deception. I also really enjoyed Beach Town by Mary Kay Andrews.
5. Overall summary of your reading month?
This was one of my best month ever, with reading 4 books in a month, not sure if I will do that again this month, but I was very happy about it.

Jonetta wrote: "Congrats on another stellar month, Lauren!.."

Thanks Jonetta!
BTW, the Kim Stone series is amazing. I cannot recommend it enough and the only reason I've not voted for a group read is that I'm all caught up!

Laura wrote: "on’t judge me but I read 30 books. Some were short. I don’t watch much TV and I don’t need much sleep. .

Wow! Why would we judge?! 30 is amazing and lockdown is definitely helping with the numbers :)

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the FBI trilogy by Allison Brennan

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started 1 new series and I will definitely by continuing.
The Fever series by Karen Marie Moning

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in 2 series:
An Ember in the Ashes series (#2) by Sabaa Tahir
The Merciless series (#2) by Danielle Vega

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
My favorite book of the month was Verity by Colleen Hoover. It was a haunting story with surprises everywhere.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I'm happy with it. I moved forward in a few series and enjoyed everything I read.

Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? No I didn't.
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? Yes I did, I started three series, but I..."

Woo hoo!!! Viki, you’re getting your reading mojo back. Congrats on the 4 books and having a 5-star reading experience💜

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the FBI trilogy by Allison Brennan

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I star..."

Well done, Melissa💜 Happy to see you’re enjoying the Fever series. I remember staying up until the middle of the night finishing one book and going to the library site and downloading the next. Ahhh, good times.

Jonetta wrote: "Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? No I didn't.
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? Yes I did, I started three ..."

Thanks Jonetta. Making time to read is definitely helping my reading.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed two series in April: FBI series by Allison Brennan and the Inn at Boonsboro series by Nora Roberts.

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I started Tess Diamond's FBI series and enjoyed it. Will definitely continue.

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
I moved forward in five series:
Victorian Rebels by Kerrigan Byrne
FBI series by Allison Brennan
Ginger Gold Mysteries by Less Strauss (2 books)
Inn at Boonsboro series by Nora Roberts
Mercy Kilpatrick series by Kendra Elliot

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had two 5-star books:


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I had a pretty good month. I finished 9 books and most of them were 4 stars or better.

Jonetta wrote: "Laura wrote: "Good month Jonetta. So many great suspense. I need to bump up some more Colleen Hoover. I keep forgetting about her and have loved everything I’ve read. .."

Didn’t we do a CoHo buddy..."

Jonetta wrote: "Laura wrote: "Good month Jonetta. So many great suspense. I need to bump up some more Colleen Hoover. I keep forgetting about her and have loved everything I’ve read. .."

Didn’t we do a CoHo buddy..."

Ugly Love was the Co Ho book. Still my fave of hers. Thanks for warning with this one.

Lauren wrote: "Laura wrote: "on’t judge me but I read 30 books. Some were short. I don’t watch much TV and I don’t need much sleep. .

Wow! Why would we judge?! 30 is amazing and lockdown is definitely helping wi..."

Thanks, Lauren, yeah if it wasn’t for reading during this lockdown I’d be insane by now. Lol.

Robin wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed two series in April: FBI series by Allison Brennan and the Inn at Boonsboro series by Nora Roberts.

2. Did you start..."

Looks like you had another great month, Robin! Congrats, too, on your mostly 4-star and above reading experiences💜

I need to get back to that Tess Diamond series!

Jonetta wrote: "Laura wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Completed 6
[bookcover:Tempt the Hookup|..."

Ok Jonetta I’ve linked all my reviews ( as requested) next to the books on my plan for this month. If you are interested that is.

Yay! I’ll go check them out.

Viki wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? No I didn't.
2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue? Yes I did, I started three series, but I..."

Viki I really liked the first book in the Eve Duncan series as well. I'm up to Quicksand but have stalled out big time. I just haven't liked the last few books but I still have them in my TBR so I can find out what happened to Bonnie.

Melissa wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
I completed the FBI trilogy by Allison Brennan

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
I star..."

I keep meaning to get back to the Fever series having only read the first book but I just wasn't wowed by it so I never picked up book 2. This is where the 2-3-4 group comes into play but I'm working on so many series I've already started my list is huge LOL.

I'm so happy most everyone who read The Duke with the Dragon Tattoo loved it. I read it last year and gave it a 4.5 stars. I will get to the rest of the series one of these days.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes one. Read the last book in the Kate Daniels series and it was so good but it was bittersweet.


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
LOL of course I did. I started 7 and will continue them all.


3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes I moved forward in 3

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
An excellent ending to an amazing series. I'm sad it's all over but my library has most of them in audio so I may go back and listen to them.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I read or listened to 14 books in April and none were less than a 3 star read so I think it was a successful month. Thanks to a cozy mystery bingo game I participated in I read a bunch of cozy mysteries that were the beginning of new to me series. Some were better than others but I'm glad to get back into those again as I've been away from the genre for a long time. I also read 3 stand-alone books.

Outstanding, Christina💜 I did raise my eyebrows at your 7 new series but then saw the details and can’t blame you for most of them.

Congrats, too, on the fabulous reading experience!

Christina T wrote: "I keep meaning to get back to the Fever series having only read the first book but I just wasn't wowed by it so I never picked up book 2."

I really enjoyed this series, but stopped at book #6 because of the whole Phil Gigante debacle and Moning's problematic response to it. It put me off continuing.

For me, too, Lauren.

I didn't know all that about KMM and Phil Gigante. I wasn't really into audiobooks back then so I must have just tuned out that news. Not sure how I feel about KMM. She did apologize for her statements and some felt it was a little too late. It could be a case of Phil being her friend and she wanted to believe her friend. There is something to be said for loyalty. She came around to, what I think of as, the "right" way of thinking. I thinking motive behind the about face would be my swaying point on if I'm going to read or not read. I'm on the fence. My guess is she changed her mind because staying the course on the Phil bandwagon would have hurt her financially. I'd like to think she realized she was on the wrong side and a 49 year old man should never engage in any kind of relationship with a 14 year old girl he met online.

Christina, I was a big Phil Gigante fan. Before that revelation, I had him listed in my top five favorite narrators. So, it was really tough letting go and I understood KMM’s slow reaction. You should give good friends the benefit of the doubt until the facts are in. The backlash was understandable but what really did her in was her response to the backlash. I know she has regrets and has bent over backwards trying to do move forward more positively.

I’d read her again but the Fever series ended for me not just because of Gigante but because of the direction of series. All I will say is I loved the first five and would highly recommend them to all. Those that follow...continue and judge for yourself.

Christina T wrote: " Not sure how I feel about KMM. She did apologize for her statem..."

Yes, my 1st person pet peeve meant that I listened to the series and to be honest Phil Gigante's narration played a significant part in my enjoyment of the story. There is no doubt he is an amazing narrator. That said, his behavior it reprehensible and I will not give my hard earned money to a predator.

As to KMM, her apology was too little too late, and I agree that her "loyalty" disappeared once she realized the financial hit she was about to take. The similarities between the case and Dani's character in Iced is also just a little bit too close for me.

Jonetta wrote: "I’d read her again but the Fever series ended for me not just because of Gigante but because of the direction of series."

Yes, the direction disturbed me as well.

That was it! What she did with Dani was outrageous, especially given what was going on with Gigante. I just bailed.

Jonetta wrote: "That was it! What she did with Dani was outrageous, especially given what was going on with Gigante. I just bailed."

Yikes! I will probably read books 2-5 based on Jonetta's recommendation.....one of these days.

I can see where you, Lauren, won't continue since audio books are how you read 1st person narration but I think you both stopped because of the direction KMM took the series, right? Her response to the guilty plea of Gigante was just the cherry on top. It probably made the decision even easier.

Yes to all. She, of course, changed narrators but I’d read all the books, not listened.

I read the 6th book and that’s where I got disenchanted, both by her response to the Gigante revelations and the direction of the story. It just landed like a big lead balloon. At the end of the story, I just didn’t want to know anymore about any of the characters and that’s just a bad place to be. I wrote a pretty detailed review but don’t recommend you read it until finishing 1-5.

It’s interesting to note that she’d originally ended the series at #5. You’d be extremely comfortable stopping there. It was a big surprise when she announced that she was continuing the series through the character, Dani. It was originally planned to be a trilogy featuring Dani as the main focus for all three books. That shifted following reader reaction to the direction she’d taken with Dani, followed by the Gigante mess.

I cannot speak to what happened after #6.

As Jonetta syas, the Gigante issue was just one more nail in the coffin. I'm glad that I had already finished 1-5 and got that closure before calling it quits.