Romance Lovers for the Challenge-Impaired discussion

I may have to stalk the other teams, unless one of you has a great book suggestion. I don't have real big point books for anything but mine.

Pieces of Me by Ledisi (I have maybe a 11 point book if the name works)
Bad Romance by Lady Gaga (I have a 10 point book)
Thong Song by Sisqo (I have a 15 point book, maybe 20 if the name works)
Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (I have a 10 Point book)
Beautiful Stranger by Madonna ( I have a 9 Point book)

We are down to 5th place. Here is the weekly points so far:



Pink CupCakes: 196
Team Red: 194
Emerald City Readers: 192
Yellow: 190
The Violent Femmes: 184

Teal We Read Again: Not posted yet
Orange Crush: Not posted yet

We have to read books with high points next week :(

Yeah, many of the members in the other groups read the book that was worth 17 points. Based on the reviews, it was a real dud - I'd rather read a book I enjoy.

Yeah I read that one. It was rather blah. But it was a quick read and worth a bit, so I took one for the team, so to speak. :)

I have another busy Friday tomorrow, so I might not have my book picked until late tomorrow. If my Saturday is a normal lazy day, I should have it finished by Sat night.

Lauren wrote: "Yeah, many of the members in the other groups read the book that was worth 17 points. Based on the reviews, it was a real dud - I'd rather read a book I enjoy."

Well me too , let's just have fun , read good books and be the fastest team . I like that title ;)
And like a wise girl (me) once said : burn a chapter aka good luck .

@ Dawn Thong really ?

Lauren wrote: "Yeah, many of the members in the other groups read the book that was worth 17 points. Based on the reviews, it was a real dud - I'd rather read a book I enjoy."

I agree.

Ab2y wrote: "@ Dawn Thong really ? ..."

I have a 15-20 point book for it I had to!

What is the definition of a thong ? underwear , bikini ?

Alley wrote: "Yeah I read that one. It was rather blah. But it was a quick read and worth a bit, so I took one for the team, so to speak. :)

You sure did, Alley. And we thank you ;0)

Ab2y wrote: "What is the definition of a thong ? underwear , bikini ?"

It could be underwear or swim suit.

In my childhood we used to call flip flops (the shoes) thongs. I've also heard hair ties called a thong.

That's what we call things as well, Dawn. In Australia.

I have books for two songs that will give me at least 10 points. Will have to wait and see which songs are chosen.

I'm going to wait an see what song gets picked before trying to find a book. I have a test to study for instead (boo).

Good luck on your test, Manvir!

This week's song is up:

Week 4 - ♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011) - Yay, my song was chosen!




Possible Links
Lyrics: Click Here
Video: Click here
Shelf: Love Triangle
Word: Bus-stop*

*(we will also accept the two words consecutively without the hyphen)

We might want to hold off choosing a book just yet, as there is a problem with the video clip and it will affect the mods cheat sheet.

Here is CaroB's comment:

Nikita wrote: "The one that Mr Elf has linked wasn't done by the artist. It doesn't have Adele in it but a lookalike."


Just realised. Pretty sure none of us mods were aware of that one. Myself or one of the other mods will get back to you all ASAP about the video links. That's going to affect the shelf, cover link, setting and some plot links too.

Crapitty crap crap.

Sorry ladies!!!

Update from the mods:
The video clip is the same but the shelf link has changed (it was a listopia link before) and I updated it in the post above.

OK, time to pick our books.

Shelf = 1 point
Setting = 6 points : 2011
Plot = 3 points : love triangle
Cover = 2 points : 2 guys and a girl
= 12 points

Have I ever mentioned to anyone here my dislike of love triangles?

I've got a 10 point book, going to snoop around to see if I can do better.

I despise love triangles too Dawn. They are a huge turn off.

Here are some options:

and are both worth 15 points - setting, title, plot and cover

I've read them both and they are good reads.

I will probably read:

worth 13 points - setting, title and plot. I will ask the mods about the cover but I don't think so.

I'll probably read A Hidden Fire. I've had it on my kindle app for ages now.

Ok spy work paid off. Teal alread has a member done reading.

She read . It is 16 points and free on amazon right now. (probably shouldn't have shared that for all the other teams to see.) Anyway I downloaded it and am going to start on it.

Double Clutch by Liz Reinhardt

Week 4 - ♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011)
Finished: 1/25/13
Rating :★★★
Review : I don't like love triangles , ménages yes - triangles no , this book was okay but it gave me twilight vibes ( never a good sign ) , the heroine is a bit boring and the story was a deja vu till the author drop the bomb (view spoiler)[the boys are brothers (hide spoiler)] didn't see that coming (very tela novela) , oh and i'm team Saxon he's my bad boy-book boyfriend , my Damon Salvatore ; ladies and gentlemen this week's movie/tv reference .
What i liked about this book : Saxon , music , graphic design , the heroine was overseas .

Shelf = 1 point
Setting = 6 points : 2011
Plot = 3 points : love triangle
Cover = 2 points : 2 guys and a girl
= 12 points

I love your review, Ab2y!

Hey all! Thanks Lauren, I did well on my test today.

I found two other high point books, I'm deciding between them now. I'll post again once I pick. Both books have love triangles..sigh I agree with you ladies I'm really put off of YA love triangles.


cover, title, shelf, plot, setting = 16 points


cover, plot, setting, title = 15 points

I'm 61% into my book but I can't keep my eyes open any longer. Will finish it tomorrow morning.

Enjoy your books, ladies!

Week 4 - ♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011)

Book: Angel Fire - Valmore Daniels
Finished: 01/25
Rating:★★★★
Review: I actually really enjoyed this one. It grabbed my interest and I didn't want to put it down. I wish there were more to the series available.

Total Points: 16

Cover: Fire - links to lyrics 2 points
Plot: main character is a Firestarter - 3 points
Title: Fire in both book and sing title 4 points
Setting: Pub in 2011 - 6 points
Bonus Word: kindle loc 135 - I stood at the bus stop outside the front gates of the prison... - 1 point

Ab2y and Alley you guys are fast lol.

I'm going to read Smokeless Fire.

I have a sinus infection, so my Friday activities were cancelled. More time to read!

Ah I see. Get better soon!

Week 4 - ♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011)


Book: Angel Fire- Valmore Daniels
Finished: 01/25
Rating:★★★★
Review: This was a really quick read. I liked the main character through most of the book. I loved that there was comunication between characters. There was non of that I can't confide in anyone and make us all suffer. Everyone was open and talking things out like adults. (view spoiler)[ The end left me wanting, not in a cliffhanger way, just not a HEA. I am a big fan of the HEA I almost wish there had been one for Darcy (hide spoiler)]

Total Points: 16

Cover: Fire - links to lyrics -2 points
Plot: main character is a Firestarter - 3 points
Title: Fire in both book and song title 4 points
Setting: Pub in 2011 - 6 points
Bonus Word: kindle loc 135 - I stood at the bus stop outside the front gates of the prison... - 1 point

Violet Femmes

Week 4
Song:♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011)
Total Team Points for the Week: 79
Team Finish Points: 6
Individual Points: 71
Bonus Word Points: 2

Manvir: Smokeless Fire♪ Jan 26 ♫ [Review] ♯ {16 points- cover, title, shelf, plot, setting}

Ab2y: Double Clutch ♪ Jan 25 ♫ [Review] ♯ {12 Points- Setting, Plot, Cover, Shelf}

Lauren: Against the Fire♪ Jan 26 ♫ [Review] ♯ {13 Point- Plot, Title, Setting}

Alley: Angel Fire ♪ Jan 25 ♫ [Review] ♯ {16 Points- Setting, Title, Plot, Cover, Bonus}

Dawn: Angel Fire ♪ Jan 25 ♫ [Review] ♯ {16 Points- Setting, Title, Plot, Cover, Bonus}

Did you just finish? How do you do it? I'm only on page 39. You're reading machines or what!?

ShoSho **The sick chick** wrote: "Did you just finish? How do you do it? I'm only on page 39. You're reading machines or what!?"

We are not all done yet.

I don't have much going on on Fridays. They are good reading days for me. I've done more reading on Fridays this month than all 6 other days combined.

I'm envious. Saturdays (that's now) are the worst reading days for me. Grocery shopping cleaning laundry and of course hubby time are all on Saturdays. It's kinda stormy today so no laundry or going out so I'm listening to audiobook and working. Any weekdays for te first day of the challenge would've been better.

Susan (susayq) wrote: "I love your review, Ab2y!"

Thank you Susan :)

@ Manvir our weekends are Friday , Saturday and i'm sick again :( so i have nothing to do .

It's the same for me, ShoSho! Weekends are mostly shopping and hubby time.

Our weekends are also Friday and Saturday so I have a lot of time for reading right off the bat.

Here's my review for this week:

Week 4 - ♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011)



Book: Against the Fire by Kat Martin
Finished: January 26th
Rating: ★★★
Review: There is something about Kat Martin's clipped writing style that turns me off - she tends to build her scenes up well but cuts them off at the precise moment they take hold, and the reader is left with a "huh, what just happened" feeling.

The characters are likable and share an intense attraction. Gabe is smart, sexy and down to earth, the perfect match for commitment phobic Mattie, who slowly manages to build trust with Gabe in a process that has a truthful ring to it.

The arson plot has potential but lacks tension. The police and fire department take a back seat in the investigation, which is completely unrealistic, and new suspects keep popping up (as late as 60%-70% into the story) with no foundation or development. Nevertheless, the climax and resolution are fast paced and exciting.

The secondary romance is sweet but superfluous at it adds absolutely nothing to the book, and the epilogue is unnecessarily drawn out.

All in all, a huge improvement on the first book but I remain underwhelmed by the writing and suspense plot.

Total points: 13 points
Plot: Arsonist setting fire to the hero's properties (3 points)
Title: Fire in book and song title (4 points)
Setting: Published in 2011 (6 points)

After school on Friday I also have nothing going on. The weekend is my reading time as I spend Mon-Thurs on school stuff. I almost always have tests or quizzes on Friday so afterwords I give my brain a break by relaxing with a book :D

I'll probably be done my book later today.

Song: ♬ Set Fire to the Rain by Adele (2011) ♬



Book: Smokeless Fire
Finished: 01/26
Rating:★★★★
Review: Loved it. Which was surprising to me since I only thought I would like it. I tend to be harsh on YA novels since they end up being overly whiny and not to mention always have love triangles. An OMG do I Hate Love Triangles!!! (of any kind but especially YA love triangles). I think that my liking it had to do with the fact that Ari and Charlie are 18 while Jai is 23. So the book was a little bit more mature then what most YA novels tend to be. I feel for Ari and her complicated relationship with Charlie and her new feelings for Jai. This is one book were the love triangle seems more believable. The Jinn are a interesting race and the powers are cool ... but ... right now it seems like the powers are limitless. They just will things to happen and that's it. The editing was rough and sometimes pulled me out but I stuck with it. Still over all it was a awesome read and I'm going right now to get the rest of the series.

Total Points: 16
Shelf: 1 Love-Triangle shelf
Cover: 2 Fire on the cover
Plot: 3 Love-Triangle between the main character, her best friend, and her new 'protector'
Title: 4 Title has Fire in it
Setting: 6 Published in 2011
No bonus word again

I just checked in to get my color for SOS fantasyland. I will be back to post points after I get dinner finished.

Submitted for points:

Total points: 263

Week 1:♬ Battlescars = 62
Week 2:♬ Laid = 54
Week 3:♬ You've got a Friend = 65
Week 4:♬ Set Fire to the Rain = 79

I nosed areound a bit. I think Emerald might have us still beat for points this week but we are still the fastest!

Hopefully getting those extra points for reading fast will catch us up to the other teams. This week we did awesome for points though!

Dawn, just double checking, none of you had the bonus word, right?

CaroB wrote: "Dawn, just double checking, none of you had the bonus word, right?"

Two of us did in Angel Fire. I see now I missed comas in my original post. It blends with cover. I will fix it now.

Would it help to say 15 points + bonus, or to include it the way I did?

Dawn, the way you did it is fine, I must've not been looking hard enough. Thanks for clarifying.