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 (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
5. Overall summary of your reading 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 (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in 1 series: Lucy Kincaid (#14.5)

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I enjoyed all 3 books that I read, but nothing super awesome.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?
I wish I had been able to read more than 3 books, but life got in the way. I did enjoy the ones I read. Hoping for better luck in May.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes, I finished 1 and caught up with 3.


2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, 5. I will continue 3.
- I will continue these
- I will not continue these

3. Did you move forward in any series? How many?
Yes, 9


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

5. Overall summary of your reading month? I read 23 books. They were a mixed bag ranging from 5 stars to 2.

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?
I started two series. I'll be continuing with The Ravenels by Lisa Kleypas. I also started The Coroner's Daughter series by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush. I'll probably continue it since the first book ended in a cliffhanger.


3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
I moved forward in 7 series:
Deep Ops by Rebecca Zanetti
Tracy Crosswhite by Robert Dugoni
Lucy Kincaid by Allison Brennan
Troubleshooters by Suzanne Brockmann
Harper Connelly by Charlaine Harris
Smythe-Smith Quartet by Julia Quinn
Ginger Gold Mysteries by Lee Strauss

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 finished 13 books in April. All of them were in the good to excellent range.

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


Life gets in the way sometimes, Melissa. At least you enjoyed the books that you finished.

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes, I finished 1 and caught up with 3.
[bookcover:Crying Wo..."

It looks like you had a great month, Lauren. I need to check out the Goode Girls series by Kerrigan Byrne. It sounds interesting.

Melissa wrote: "1I wish I had been able to read more than 3 books, but life got in the way."

That happens every once in a while. I'm glad you liked your books and crossing my fingers that May will be better for you all around.

Robin wrote: "The Coroner's Daughter series by Jennifer Graeser Dornbush. I'll probably continue it since the first book ended in a cliffhanger.."

I hope the 2nd book is already available, Robin. I'm not a fan of cliffhangers for this reason.

Robin wrote: "It looks like you had a great month, Lauren. I need to check out the Goode Girls series by Kerrigan Byrne. It sounds interesting."

Thanks Robin.
The Goode Girls are OK. Not as well written or engaging as Victorian Rebels. They are mostly long novellas and not as well developed. Also, since Byrne changed publishers, the editing is non-existent and it shows. That said, book #4 was a 5 star read despite the editing issues.

I wonder why some of these publishers aren't using editors (or are hiring editors that don't know what they're doing). It feels like they believe the computer programs will pick up incorrect grammar and spellings. That doesn't always work.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes. I finally finished off the last book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. I thought it wrapped the series up nicely. 4 Stars

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes I sure did,...every month I start more and more. I started 5 and will continue with them. The Britton Bay cozy mystery series by Jody Holford had a really good start 4 stars. The Moose Springs Alaska series was my second favorite book this month and I'm looking forward to more. The first book in Terry Bolryder's Nightmare Dragon series was darker than her other books but quite good better than average for me. The first book in Sarah MacLean's Scandal & Scoundrel series was so good. An Anti-hero brought to his knees by love. My third favorite book of April. Reading out of order book #3 of Kimberly Kincaid's Station Seventeen series was just OK. I had a hard time liking the heroine. 3 stars.


3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
Yep I moved forward in 5 series


4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
Yes I loved Rock Hard by Nalini Singh and The Tourist Attraction by Sarah Morganthaler both I gave 5 stars, The Rogue Not Taken by Sarah MacLean and Under The Whispering Door by TJ Klune I gave both 4.5 stars.


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
In addition to those above I read a horrible little fanfic type book I got sucked up into from a facebook ad called Not Rejected Just Unwanted..No..just No. I also read Blue Smoke by Nora Roberts 4 stars. 14 books read overall a good month.

Robin wrote: "I wonder why some of these publishers aren't using editors (or are hiring editors that don't know what they're doing). It feels like they believe the computer programs will pick up incorrect gramma..."

Its to save costs. Unfortunately, the result is a bad book. Ultimately, it will also negatively affect the author's reputation at some point. It is very short sighted.

Christina T wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes. I finally finished off the last book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. I thought it wrapped the series up nice..."

Way to go, Christina! You had a fabulous month.

1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes, I got up to date in four series;
A Scandal in Mayfair by Anna Campbell
Quinn & Costa by Allison Brennan
Wilde by Harlan Coben
Gaslight Mystery by Victoria Thompson

2. Did you start any new series? If so, what were they? Will you continue?
Yes, I started two, Quinn & Costa, which I binge read until I was up to date, and The Ravenels by Lisa Kleypas. Definitely continuing both!

3. Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?
Yes, I moved forward in three series:
Tracy Crosswhite by Robert Dugoni
Lucy Kincaid by Allison Brennan
Kate Burkholder by Linda Castillo

4. Any standout or 5 star books read? Why did you love it/them?
I had one 5-star book, The Wrong Victim, but I’m giving a shout out to the entire series (Quinn & Costa). Best binge listen I’ve done in a while. I had two others that came close, The Match and Summer on the Island.


5. Overall summary of your reading month?
Aside from one epic fail, all of the books I read were great and I finished the month with 15. Lots more series reading but I still managed to get some standalones in, too.

Melissa 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 (that yo..."

Hey, sometimes real life just has to come first over books😏 I’m glad you enjoyed what you were able to read, Melissa! That’s a win.

Lauren wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month? Yes, I finished 1 and caught up with 3.
[bookcover:Crying Wo.].."

Congrats on another great month, Lauren! You made some serious series progress.

Robin 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?
I started two series. I'll be continuing with The ..."

Congrats on some great reading, Robin! It’s wonderful when you’re enjoying everything you read and making progress on your series reading.

I’m really pleased with how The Ravenels has started. Just finished the second book and loved that, too.

Christina T wrote: "1. Did you complete and/or get up to date in any series this month?
Yes. I finally finished off the last book in the Night Huntress series by Jeaniene Frost. I thought it wrapped the series up nice..."

Wow, Christina, you had a fascinating reading month! Congrats on your series progress and, most importantly, how much you enjoyed most of it.

You brought back memories with Night Huntress! I just learned that a new book was just released, another version of the first book but from Bones’ point of view. It’s getting strong reviews and ratings.

Robin wrote: "I wonder why some of these publishers aren't using editors (or are hiring editors that don't know what they're doing). It feels like they believe the computer programs will pick up incorrect gramma..."

There’s no replacing a good copy editor. Worth whatever they’re getting paid.

Lauren wrote: "The Goode Girls are OK. Not as well written or engaging as Victorian Rebels. They are mostly long novellas and not as well developed. Also, since Byrne changed publishers, the editing is non-existent and it shows. That said, book #4 was a 5 star read despite the editing issues. ..."

That’s such a shame and I’m surprised Byrne doesn’t know the value of good copy editing. She’s been around too long and had a successful run with earlier publishers to not get the risk.

Jonetta wrote: "Aside from one epic fail, all of the books I read were great and I finished the month with 15. Lots more series reading but I still managed to get some standalones in, too.."

Sounds like you had an awesome month, Jonetta. I love the feeling of both finishing and start a new series, lol!

I did! Starting a new series does bring a bit of wonder and freshness to the process. I got lucky with the two I started living up to and surpassing my expectations.

Your head a terrific month Jonetta. I too enjoyed the Ravenel beginning (of course I also enjoyed the Ravenel ending too as I read the last book first 😀)

I have the Jeaniene Frost book in my TBR. I'm really looking forward to Bones perspective.

You wouldn’t be you, Christina, if you didn’t read out of order.

April Roundup

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

a. I’m up to date with Sebastian St. Cyr. (I wish Harris wrote 2 books a year instead of 1. The teaser at the end makes me want the next book today. Also, I want to see if Victoria ever gets what’s coming to her.

b. I’m up to date on Frankie Elkin series. I can’t find any hints if this series will continue. I hope so. I like the character and the premise of the series/

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

a. Still Life by Louis Penny. I read a couple of good reviews from this group and put it on my list. I’m going to continue.

b. Stars of Fortune by Nora Roberts. definitely continuing!
c. The Ravenels Again a definite moving forward.
d. Morgan Dane. Moving forward. I enjoy discussing our group reads.

3 Did you move forward in any series (that you didn’t complete or finish)? How many?

I moved forward in six series.

1. Lucy Kincaid Storm Warning
2. Troubleshooters Out of Control
3. Tracy Crosswhite In the Clearing
4. Alex Cross Kiss the Girls
5. The Deep Ops series by Rebecca Zanetti. I will finish this in May. Love it.
6. I returned to Pendergast after a long hiatus. I’m glad I did. Pendergast is a most unusual investigator.

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

I had six 5* books and 2 more that were very close. That is very unusual for me.

1. When Blood Lies broke my heart at times for Sebastian. He is such a good man and deserved some time. The Sebastian / Hero partnership is perfect. I love how Hero builds him up and stays by his side through thick and thin. The Park scene (a possible challenge book if I can't find a cover) scared me.

2. Blue Labyrinth is the perfect book to get back into Pendergast. There is something about this man.

3 & 4. Cold-Hearted Rake and Stars of Fortune pulled me into the story, the series, and the characters. I loved both.

5. A Different Blue was a re-read because there was a color in the title. I am a big fan of Amy Harmon. She is an excellent writer of romance with more.

6. Last but not least, Storm Warning gave me everything I love about this series in a little novella. I wasn’t expecting that.

Still life would be five stars, but I had a hard time getting into Gamache. Once he clicked, I couldn't put the book down.

5. Overall summary of your reading month?

This was an all audio month for me. I can’t complain about anything. Even the books that I rated 3 stars, I enjoyed and never felt like I wasted reading time.

Woo hoo, Sharon! What a great listening month. Kudos to you! Also love your participation in the group discussions.

FYI, I can’t believe Gardner would end Frankie Elkin after two books. I’m listing it as continuing.

Way to go, Sharon!
I'm also adding Still Life because I keep hearing fantastic reports on the book and the series.