The Challenge Factory discussion

Team 2 - In it 2 win it

Captain: Mandy
Diane ~Firefly~
Denise
Jade aka MrsTosh
Anne



Bonus Points:
Earned: 6
Used: 0

Helpful Links:

Dice Roll: https://www.random.org/dice/ (2 dice on Fridays, US Central Time)
R14 SS Post Your Spot
R14 SS Discussion Thread

Time Zone Converter: https://www.timeanddate.com/worldcloc...

ALTERNATE LIST:
**titles exclude leading articles (a, an, the)

2. Published between 1950 and 1999
3. Title 'L'
4. Several authors
5. Cover: Green
6. Author 'Y'
7. Science Fiction
8. Title 'N'
9. Cover Item: Building
10. Author 'L'
11. Cover: Orange
12. Published 2020
13. Book with a funeral in it
14. New to You Author
15. MC travels by airplane
16. Title 'G'
17. MC has at least one child
18. Young Adult/New Adult
19. Europe
20. Author 'M'
21. Cover Item: Umbrella/Parasol
22. Non-Fiction
23. Number in the Title (Third Grave Dead Ahead or Every Fifteen Minutes)
24. Set on an island
25. Book to Movie/TV (must state how book qualifies: listopia, imdb, precis)
26. Africa
27. Title 'T'
28. Cover Item: Hands/Arms/Feet/Legs (no other body parts visible)
29. Author 'O'
30. Romance
31. Title 'Z'
32. Mystery/Thriller
33. Cover Item: Water
34. GR average rating >4.0
35. Set sometime before 1600 AD
36. MC is older than 60
37. Cover: Pink
38. Published 2001-2010
39. Set in a Fictional Location/Universe
40. Title 'E'
41. Cover: Black
42. Cover Item: Furniture
43. Published before 1950
44. Author 'D'
45. Cover Item: Mode of Transportation
46. Author 'H'
47. Title has a subtitle
48. Cover Item: Lamp/Candle
49. School/College/University
50. Author 'W'
51. Cover: Red
52. Award Winner (must state which/when)
53. South America
54. Cover Item: Dress
55. Cover: Brown
56. Re-read
57. Seasonal Theme (i.e Christmas, Halloween etc)
58. Author 'B'
59. Three Word Title (excludes articles like A, An, The) Behind Closed Doors or Etched in Bone
60. Published 2022
61. Set in a place you've visited
62. Cover Item: One person
63. Author 'R'
64. Title 'C'
65. Cover Item: Food/Drink
66. LGBTQ+
67. Cover: Blue
68. Author 'I'
69. Oceania
70. Four or More Words Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet or Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
71. Favorite Author
72. Cover: Purple
73. Fantasy
74. Author 'F'
75. Title 'G'
76. Set in the future
77. Published 2011-2015
78. Cover Item: Weapon
79. Set anytime between 1600-1837
80. Published 2021
81. Cover: White
82. Cover Item: Sun/Moon
83. Author 'P'
84. Author uses their middle name/initial (e.g. Robert J. Sawyer, Rita Mae Brown)
85. Cover Item: Hat/Helmet/Other Headwear
86. Title 'J'
87. Originally published in a language other than English
88. Two Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) Deadly Silence, The Hunger Games
89. Cover Item: Book
90. Set anytime between 1837-1901
91. Asia
92. MC is in their 20's
93. Title 'V'
94. Cover Item: Animal
95. Book that a teammate rated 5 stars
96. Less than 100 ratings
97. Published the year you were born
98. Cover: Yellow/Gold
99. Author uses a pseudonym
100. Author 'S'
101. Title 'B'
102. North America
103. Debut Novel or Debut Author
104. Book with a wedding in it
105. Cover Item: Jewelry
106. MC has a pet
107. Set in space
108. Published 2016-2019
109. One Word Title (excluding articles like A, An, The) The Witness or Divergent
110. Title 'F'
111. MC travels by train
112. Cover Item: Two or more people

A couple of things to keep in mind:

✸ Communication is key. Please make sure to check in regularly with your team.

✸ Let your team know if it looks like you won't get your review posted by Thursday, 11:59pm. You do have all of Friday to submit your review, but it can be intensely frustrating for your captain if they don't know when or if they can expect your review before the deadline.

✸ If you know beforehand that you won't be able to read and review a book during a certain week, you can request a pre-arranged absence from me, either by posting the request in the discussion thread or by sending me a pm. The request has to be submitted before the team rolls for the week in question, can only be approved by me as the mod in charge of running the game, and has to state a reason for the absence. (Reasons for pre-arranged absences can include e.g. going on vacation or work trips, planned hospital stays, exam period, etc.)

✸ If you do not have a pre-arranged absence and won't be able to finish your book in time for an unforeseen reason, please let your team know as soon as possible. If the team has earned the free pass, it can be used to cover the missing review. Without a free pass, the team has to sit out the next roll.

✸ We all know that real life gets in the way sometimes, be it through family emergencies, work emergencies, natural disasters, technical problems making it impossible to get online, or in other ways. That being said, please do keep in mind that this is a team challenge and your team relies on you to do your part unless an emergency occurs.

✸ If you find that the pressure of keeping up with the pace of the game gets too much for you or you wish to stop playing for any other reason, you can drop out of the challenge at any time. In that case, please let your team captain and/or me know that you wish to drop out rather than just disappearing without a word so your team won't be penalized when you fail to turn in your review. Thank you!


Captain's Handbook

✸ The team's captain is its chief organizer. This includes rolling the dice, posting the team's new spot to the team thread and the Post Your Spot thread, collecting links to team members' review posts in a single post to be linked in the Post Your Spot thread, doublechecking that books and review posts comply with requirements, reminding team members to post their reviews in time if necessary, etc.

✸ The captain may delegate some tasks, such as rolling and posting the new spot to the team thread, to another team member if they so choose. (Either a designated roller who fulfills this role every week, or whichever team member is online first once rolling is possible.) Collecting reviews into a single post and posting to the Post Your Spot thread should always be handled by the captain.

✸ Instead of having everything handled by a single team captain, teams can also choose two co-captains to handle the workload.

✸ Selection posts are not strictly required by the game's rules and I won't be checking for them. It's up to the team captain to decide whether they want them.

✸ If the team captain requests a pre-arranged absence, it's their responsibility to arrange for another team member to step in as temporary captain.

✸ The team captain is my primary point of contact for the team and should allow receiving private messages.

Hi everyone, checking in! Looking forward to getting this new round started. :)

Any chance any of you would like to be our fearless captain?

Team 2 "In it 2 win it"

Week 1
Designated Roller: Denise
Number Rolled: 9
Space: 9
Task:
9th in series
Alternate: Alternate: Cover Item: Building
Week 1 Reviews

Week 2
Designated Roller: Denise
Number Rolled: 7
Space: 16
Task: 1st 6th 16th standalone
Week 2 Reviews

Alternate: Alternate: Title 'G'

Week 3
Designated Roller: Denise
Number Rolled: 7
Space: 23
Task: #2, #3 #23

Alternate: Number in the title

Week 4
Designated Roller:
Number Rolled:
Space:
Task:

Alternate: Alternate:

Hi! I'm checking in and am very excited to play. I have never played before or really anything like it, so I am more than happy to let someone else who knows what they're doing be captain.

As far as names maybe something book related?

I'm Anne and I live on the West Coast, so Pacific time as well. I love to read. I read a lot of mystery, romance, and sci-fi. I can't wait to get started!

Hi team! Super excited to play and happy for you to be captain Mandy.

I'm Diane and I live in Texas, so Central time. My favorite genres are Urban Fantasy, Romance and Cozy Mysteries.

I'm not great with names, but here are couple of suggestions:
In it 2 win it
2 many books to count

Hi everyone! Just checking in.

Looking forwards to playing with you guys. Been a while since I have joined a SS challenge as real life has gotten in the way of my reading recently, but I am looking forwards to getting back in to it.

I am in the UK. I live with my husband and cat Pablo :) Love to read and listen to audiobooks whilst cooking.

Happy for you to be captain Mandy. Sure the format will be similar. I have played 5 or 6 times and it is usually the same set up.

Love "In it 2 win it"

I'm good with Captain.

I like "In it 2 win it" too

can't wait for the round to start

My vote also goes to "In it 2 win it".

Since everyone's given their location: I'm in Finland - to be precise, currently located on a couch, under a cat. ;)

In it 2 win it sounds good!

Cats are so awesome. In fact, I am being stared at by my cat right now because she wants me to get off the laptop so she can sit on my lap. Lol

I can't wait either! Is it tomorrow yet?

Denise wrote: "My vote also goes to "In it 2 win it".

Since everyone's given their location: I'm in Finland - to be precise, currently located on a couch, under a cat. ;)"

Wow! I am desperate to come over and witness the Northern Lights :) and being with a cat.....always a good thing :)

We can start reading after the dice roll tomorrow, right?

I have terrible luck so can someone else roll?

I'll give it a go!

Week: 1
Previous Spot: 0
Roll: 6 + 3 = 9
New Spot: 9

Reading options:
- 9th book in a series
- Alternate: Cover Item: Building

Anyone aiming for these bonus points?

✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ One point can be earned for always picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.

Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Wow! I am desperate to come over and witness the Northern Lights :) and being with a cat.....always a good thing :)"

Good luck with those lights... I've been here for 14 years and still haven't seen them. 😅😂 (Guess I never look outside at the right time... better chances up north and outside a city, though.)

Denise wrote: "Jade aka MrsTosh wrote: "Wow! I am desperate to come over and witness the Northern Lights :) and being with a cat.....always a good thing :)"

Good luck with those lights... I've been here for 14 y..."

Lol :)

We were meant to go to Iceland a couple of years ago to hunt then, then Covid struck. One of these days.

Selection Post Week 1
Book: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn

Pages: 384
Task: Alternate: Cover Item: Building
How it fits: Building on the cover

Denise wrote: "Anyone aiming for these bonus points?

✸ One point can be earned for never picking a book from the alternate list. This point is awarded when your team rolls past 90.
✸ One point can be earned for ..."

I was going to try for the "Never picking a book from the alternate list." I have so many series I am trying to complete. *fingers crossed*

Selection Post Week 1
Book: Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler

Pages: 474
Task: 9th in Series
How it fits: #9 in the Numa Files series

I'm with Anne, I have so many series that I hope to only read those for this challenge.

Of course we start with a hard one, Looking for 9th in the series where I didn't have to read the first 8 lol.

Okay, if we have at least two people who'll likely only be reading series, I'll try to go with alternates only!

Alright I put us in for "In it 2 win it" as our name and posted our spot. Now to find a book.

I will do my best to stick to series. I'm sure I can find one.

Selection post week 1
Book: Thor by Rebekah R. Ganiere

Pages 348 (per amazon)
Task: 9th in Series
How it fits: Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld #9

Selection post week 1
book: Double Trouble by Gretchen Archer

pgs: 258
task: 9th in series
How it fits: Davis Way Crime Caper #9

Selection Post

Spot: 9

Book: Estoril by Dejan Tiago-Stanković
Qualification: Alternate: Cover Item: Building
Pages: 410

Mandy wrote: "Of course we start with a hard one, Looking for 9th in the series where I didn't have to read the first 8 lol."

Haha I know...how random :)

Completion Post: week 1, spot 9

book: Double Trouble by Gretchen Archer
how it fits: Davis Way Crime Caper #9
finished: 1/28/23
rating: 3 stars
review:
Davis is avoiding everything but her kids after Bianca fired her, which leads to a chase of a $5million dollar mis-transfer that shouldn't have been cashed. This leads to Davis's mother and ex-mother-in-law visiting while her husband is on a business trip, plus Birdy, who is in charge of lost and found ends up staying there as well. This leads to many hijinks as usual and eventually Davis, Fantasy and Baylor figure it out.

This wasn't the best book in the series as the gang was out of sorts. As for hijink level, think Stephanie Plum but without a love triangle or cars blowing up.

Completion post: Week 1 Spot 9
Book Thor by Rebekah R. Ganiere
How it fits: 9th in series
Finished: 01/27/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review
I loved Elle she's adorable this sweet girl who loves to read and breakfast cereal a girl of my own heart. Thor is just an amazing partner for her because he really listened and took her to a place she would love. I also love the support characters it was interesting getting to see Thors family, Loki, Odin, Frigg are the main ones we had a chance to meet.

I picked this one up on a spur of the moment for a challenge that I needed to read 9th in the series and each novel is a standalone HEA which was perfect. This is my first book by the author so I was worried about starting in the middle of the series but I found that wasn't an issue. I truly enjoy the story the characters are easy to connect with and enjoyed every moment of it. I actually finished the book in one sitting hooked from start to finish. I look forward to reading more in the series for this challenge.

Completion Post: Week 1 Spot 9

Book: Devil's Gate by Clive Cussler
How it fits: Numa Files #9
Finished: 1/30/23
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This was another good action/adventure story from Clive Cussler and Graham Brown. Although Cussler's books tend to be formulaic, I don't mind as they are good popcorn reads. I was reading a physical copy, but I do think these stories are better as audiobooks, with all the fast-paced action they remind me of the old-fashioned radio plays.
I continue to love Kurt and Joe's friendship and how they genuinely care for each other underneath all the banter. Plus, I love the found family aspect of the Numa organization and how this book in particular emphasized their close bond. Another well-written part of this book was the villain. Sometimes Cussler's villains can be over the top in their evilness, but not this time instead he was complicated and was really driven by wanting to help his people. All in all, this book reminded me why I like both the Numa and Fargo series. When they are done right, they are really well-written stories.

Completion Post: Week 1, Spot 9

Book: The Duke and I by Julia Quinn
How it fits: Building on the cover
Finished: 31/01/23
Rating: ****

Review:
This is the first book in the Brigerton series, which has recently been made very popular by Netflix. In my opinion as usual the book was so much better than the programme.

This regency romance is set in London and it's hunting season, as Mothers look for an eligible husband for their daughters. I absolutely love the characters in this series and can't wait to read all their stories. This book is based on Daphne Bridgerton, she is the fourth of eight siblings. The relationship between her and her family is wonderful and full of humour and witty banter. She finds herself face to face with the most eligible man in town and the pair form an unlikely alliance.

With the addition of Lady Whistledown the local gossip, who from afar writes about what is really happening on the ton.' the book is a blast. Think gossip girl in the regency period.

I absolutely loved this book, but have deducted a star as I decided to listen to the audio version, but the narrator was not to my taste. Being English myself, I find it really difficult to listen to a book of this period set in London, being read by an American. I have to remind myself the book is set in the UK.

Week 1: Spot 9
Series #9
Alternate: Building on the cover

Diane ~Firefly~ (Double Trouble) 1/28/23 ★★★ Review
Denise (Estoril) 2/02/23 ★★★★ Review
Jade Aka MrsTosh (The Duke and I) 1/31/23 ★★★★ Review
Anne (Devil's Gate) 1/30/23 ★★★★ Review
Mandy (Thor) 1/27/23 ★★★★Review

Week 1
Spot: 9

Book: Estoril by Dejan Tiago-Stanković
Qualification: Alternate: Cover Item: Building
Pages: 410
Finished: 02 Feb 2023
Rating: ★★★★

Review:
Portugal remains neutral in World War II - supposedly, anyway - and as a consequence, its capital Lisbon becomes a hotbed of espionage throughout the war years. A range of colourful figures pass through the doors of the Hotel Palácio Estoril, from spies to poets, ex-monarchs and a grandmaster of chess. Equally colourful is the staff of the hotel, and the lone Jewish boy who has found refuge there, sent ahead by parents who never follow.
Wartime Lisbon makes for a fascinating setting, and this book, infusing its tales of espionage and refugees with a warmth and humour, proved a thoroughly enjoyable read.

Awesome job all done for the week.

Whoops, guess I'm rolling again?

Week: 2
Previous Spot: 9
Roll: 5 + 2 = 7
New Spot: 16

Reading options:
- Standalone
- #1 in series
- #6 in series
- #16 in series
- Alternate: Title 'G'

Mandy, do you want me to handle the rolling every week?

Selection Post

Spot: 16

Book: Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers
Qualification: Alternate: Title 'G'
Pages: 496

*Qualifies for 2 in 1 bonus: also #1 in His Fair Assassin series

Denise wrote: "Mandy, do you want me to handle the rolling every week?"
That's perfect I have awful rolls lol.

I don't remember how the free pass works. Did we earn it?

Selection Post
Spot 16
Book: Dark Mate: Book 1 of the Fallen Blood Series Dark Mate by Sara Snow
Qualifications: #1st in series
Pages: 202

Received as a Arc so it's not published so it's page isn't very updated will that be an issue?

Mandy wrote: "Denise wrote: "Mandy, do you want me to handle the rolling every week?"
That's perfect I have awful rolls lol."

Can't promise decent rolls every time, but I'll, uh... hope really hard. *lol*

Yup, free pass earned!

Selection Post Week 2
Book: The Cry of the Hangman by Susanna Calkins

Pages: 240
Task: #16, #6, or #1 in the series
How it fits: #6 in the Lucy Campion Mystery series

Mandy wrote: "Selection Post
Spot 16
Book: Dark Mate: Book 1 of the Fallen Blood Series Dark Mate by Sara Snow
Qualifications: #..."

Do you have some way of verifying the page count, like a link to another site that shows it?
Otherwise no problem.

Mandy wrote: "Selection Post
Spot 16
Book: Dark Mate: Book 1 of the Fallen Blood Series Dark Mate by Sara Snow
Qualifications: #..."

It's available to buy on amazon and has a page count so should work. It says 202 pages but won't let me link the page.

Anyone planning to try for either of these:

✸ One point can be earned for reading three or more books in a series.
✸ One point can be earned for starting and finishing a series. There must be at least 4 books in that series. Series + spin-off totalling ≥4 books also counts. For series with >9 books, point will be awarded for reading books 1-9. For still ongoing series, all books published to date (OR up to #9 in longer series) must be read.~ No re-reads on this one.