2-3-4 Challenge discussion

We learned following the vote that the Morgan Dane series is a spinoff of Scarlet Falls and decided to begin with that one. We will begin reading the two series in August 2020 and will read one book a month until completion of both.

About the Series - Scarlet Falls
Scarlet Falls is described as a sleepy suburb. In the first book, it’s the hometown of Major Grant Barrett who is currently deployed in Afghanistan. He returns when he learns two family members were murdered. The next two books are also set in this town.

About the Series - Morgan Dane
This is a spinoff of the Scarlet Falls series. After the devastating loss of her husband in Iraq, Morgan Dane returns to Scarlet Falls with her three daughters, seeking the comfort of her hometown. Now, surrounded by family, she’s finally found peace and a promising career opportunity as an ADA until she’s asked to defend her neighbor’s son.

Scarlet Falls Series List

Morgan Dane Series List

About the Author
#1 Wall Street Journal and #1 Amazon Charts bestselling author Melinda Leigh is a fully recovered banker. A life-long lover of books, she started writing as a way to preserve her sanity while raising her kids. Over the next few years, she learned a few things about writing a book. The process was much more fun than analyzing financial statements, and she decided to turn her hobby into a career.

Her debut novel, SHE CAN RUN, was nominated for Best First Novel by the International Thriller Writers. Since then, she has garnered numerous publisher awards, including two Silver Falchions and three Golden Leaf Awards. She is a two-time RITA® Award Finalist and has earned three Daphne du Maurier Award nominations. Melinda’s books have sold over 9 million copies.

She holds a 2nd degree belt in Kenpo Karate. She’s dabbled in Arnis stick fighting, studied Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and taught women’s self-defense. She lives near the beach with her family and a small herd of spoiled rescue pets. With such a pleasant life, she has no explanation for the sometimes dark and disturbing nature of her imagination.

Author’s Website

Reading Schedule
Scarlet Falls
1. Hour of Need July Book Discussion
2. Minutes to Kill August Book Discussion
3. Seconds to Live September Book Discussion

Morgan Dane
1. Say You're Sorry October Book Discussion
2. Her Last Goodbye November Book Discussion
3. Bones Don't Lie December Book Discussion
4. What I've Done January 2021 Book Discussion
5. Secrets Never Die February 2021 Book Discussion
6. Save Your Breath March 2021 Book Discussion

This series is a spinoff of the author’s Scarlet Falls series. Is everyone okay with beginning here?

Jonetta wrote: "This series is a spinoff of the author’s Scarlet Falls series. Is everyone okay with beginning here?"

Totally. I'm as obsessed with RIOing as you :)

To clarify, are you wanting to read Scarlet Falls first? There are three books in that series.

I read the first three in this series. I never felt like it was a spinoff, or that I missed anything.

I recently purchased the Scarlet Falls books when they were on special, but I haven't read any.

Jonetta wrote: "To clarify, are you wanting to read Scarlet Falls first? There are three books in that series.
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Yes. I am happy to start with these.

Sharon wrote: "I read the first three in this series. I never felt like it was a spinoff, or that I missed anything.

I recently purchased the Scarlet Falls books when they were on special, but I haven't read any."

I read a couple of reviews for the first Morgan Dane book where the readers commented on there being obvious backstories for secondary characters. I read the synopses for all three in Scarlet Falls and looks like some of Morgan Dane’s relatives are the main focus. It’s what made me raise the question.

I'm happy to start anywhere. I have all the books, but I only read the first three Morgan Dane.

Jonetta wrote: "To clarify, are you wanting to read Scarlet Falls first? There are three books in that series.
[bookcover:Seconds to Live|27869..."

These books sound so good! Wow. My time is severely limited right now, but I will try my best to follow along with this series read although I didn't vote not knowing if I could keep up. And I do think it should start with these 3 books.

Jonetta wrote: "To clarify, are you wanting to read Scarlet Falls first? There are three books in that series.
[bookcover:Seconds to Live|27869..."

Hi Jonetta, I’m going to read the Morgan Dane series with the group. I actually just finished book 1 but will wait til August. As for the first three Scarlet Falls books, I can go either way. I haven’t bought them yet but am interested in Stella and Brody’s back stories so would be happy to read them too.

Sharon wrote: "I'm happy to start anywhere. I have all the books, but I only read the first three Morgan Dane."

Sharon, thank you for weighing in. I think it’s important that you felt you didn’t miss anything.

Okay, I now feel comfortable giving an opinion.

Yes, I’m manic about reading in order but would go with the will of the group (and read the three on my own). After what we’re learning from our experience with the Allison Brennan group read, those earlier books were important to understanding not only Lucy Kincaid but those in her orbit. There were at least ten recurring characters vital to the first book in that series.

So, with your input, I move we go forward with adding Scarlet Falls and beginning our group read with Hour of Need.

Thank all of you for weighing in. I’ll adjust the first post accordingly.

It's great that these 3 books are free on Kindle Unlimited! That's always a plus imo! Grabbing them right now.

Thanks for that info, Sandra!

Im in for starting Hour of Need. Just gotta remember to come back and talk about the book after reading. LOL looks like a good series.

Yes. Let's start with the Scarlet Falls series. I hate reading a book and discovering I've missed a backstory for a character, even if it is a minor character.

I've only read a couple books by Melinda Leigh. She wrote some books in a series that was co-authored by Kendra Elliot. I thought they were very good.

Thanks, all!!!

I'm in. This series looks really interesting. I'm so glad we're starting with the first series. We would have missed so much had we not done that with Lucy Kincaid. I've never read anything by this author even though I have a few on my TBR.

Yay! Glad you’re joining, Karen.

Jonetta wrote: "Thanks for that info, Sandra!"

Looks like both series are free on KU! WooHoo! Also gives me free access to the audios. :) Feels like winning the lottery - not that I would know. haha

I may join KU just for this series. I get the first two months free.

I’d gotten the first book free as an Amazon Prime read and can get the audio for $1.99. So, I’ll probably join in time for the September and October group discussions.

I may give the first book a try at least.

That’s a good deal 2 month KU free trial. If you like it around Black Friday they usually have more good deals. I sure use it.

Bonus that they are all on KU...will give b1 one of the Scarlet Falls series a go.

KU has been worth it for me. I am constantly getting books from them. And since I'm also on Audible, if I get it free on KU then I get the audio free (if there is an audio of the book). It's awesome!

KU has saved me tons of money over the years. If I cant get it there next is the library.

Shelby wrote: "KU has saved me tons of money over the years. If I cant get it there next is the library."

Me too! They always have some great titles.

KU and Audible Escape have saved me so much money.

KU & Audible Escape saved me money. I stop and start my subscriptions though.

I noticed they are available on KU but since I previously purchased the first book in the Scarlet Falls series it is no longer available for me to listen to the audio on KU. I was thinking of listening to this series as I have been doing with the Mercy Kilpatrick series but looks like I'll read the first one and then switch.

I plan on reading the Scarlet Falls books before starting the voted on series.

Christina, have you checked to see if the Audible version is available at $1.99?

Laura wrote: "I may give the first book a try at least.

That’s a good deal 2 month KU free trial. If you like it around Black Friday they usually have more good deals. I sure use it."

The timing works out great.

Jonetta wrote: "Christina, have you checked to see if the Audible version is available at $1.99?"

Yes it is $1.99 but I'm torn on the puchase as I've already paid that much for the ebook. I missed the prime free purchase, unfortunately. I'm sure $4 for an ebook and audio is really a great deal but I'm super cheap and still on furlough from work because of C19. See I'm totally torn!
To be honest I'll probably buy it anyway 😆

I’m just as cheap, Christina, and I got the kindle book for free. Now, if I’d paid for it, that $1.99 would look different to me, too😏

I call it being "frugal"! lol Nothing wrong with that - I search for bargains anywhere I can. :)

LOL I love you ladies. I am still on the fence on reading the first one and then switching to audio on the second. Sometimes it's good to see a difference in the enjoyability of each types of media.

I'm in for both series in order! Do remind us in July to get them lined up, please....

I'll check out the KU offerings of these, too.

Decision time again!

Since we moved up the last released book in the Victorian Rebels series, July is now open.

Would you like to begin this series in July instead of August or take a one-month breather?

July or August...it doesn't matter to me. Either one works.

Thanks, Robin!

July works for me. The first book fits into the reading challenge I'm doing.

Either one works for me

Okay, then. Let’s get started!