Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
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PtP - Heigh Ho! It's Off to Read We Go (2)
Sassafrass wrote: "I think you'll like, Karen. Since we have such similar tastes, I think it will be right up your alley. :)"I'm sure it will be...between the fact that I liked the first two a lot and your recommendation, I just about can't lose!
Completion Post - Week #1Option 1
Book:
Stars of FortuneFinished 3/11/18 - 4 stars
Review: This fits right into the pattern of a typical Nora Roberts trilogy...6 people (ultimately ending up as 3 couples) working together in some sort of quest, usually involving paranormal aspects (witches, mythology, etc). As usual I enjoyed the story and characters...haven't read much Nora Roberts that I haven't really liked! It was fun watching the group get to know each other and deal with each individual's special characteristic as they are revealed, and then work together to achieve the first part of their ultimate goal. I'm looking forward to continuing the series. I listened to the audio version, performed by Saskia Maarleveld, and thought she did a great job!
⚣❣☙ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Week # 1: Set in EuropeOption 1
Bookcover/link: Provoked by Joanna Chambers
Pages: 218pgs
How the book qualifies: Currently #218 on..."
Nice tie in Mich!!
Completion PostWeek #1
Bookcover/link: The Pride of Amsterdam
by Elizabeth ColdwellPage numbers: 142 pgs/Goodreads
Rating (1-5): 4 Stars
Review:
I really enjoyed parts of this book. It was a fun read with a unique take on shifters and how they have been hunted down. I also liked that the shifters were lions.
The two biggest things about the book that I didn't like were that the mystery was too easy to solve. I knew who was after the lions right away. I also didn't like that the book felt rushed. I am hoping that is because it is the first book in a series. Maybe some of the plot lines that were left unanswered will be in upcoming books. I really want to know about the cemetery. I won't say more, but that was a mystery that still has me wondering of its importance.
Overall, I think the series has lots of pluses. It stands a chance at becoming a great series. I can get by with guessing the bad guy. I just wish it would have been a little harder.
Yay! All books completed for week 1! Of course, it's not mandatory that we all finish before the next theme call, but it sure is nice to be completely current...and gets more important as we get farther into the round. I hope everyone's ready for the next theme call in a few hours...anything you particularly do (or don't) want to see called? The only one that's just not really resonating with me right now is the last one...an actor or entertainer in the storyline...unless I can find one that has a stalker or something (I've been on a bit of a RS kick lately)!
Yeah! I'm excited to see that next call!
I'm floundering with my reading choices lately; I've started entirely too many books that have lost my interest relatively quickly...so I'm just hoping for something to knock me out of my funk!
I know that feeling, Michaelle...hopefully the right category will come up for you!FYI everyone, I'm having a new stove delivered, and of course just got a call that they'll be here in 30-45 minutes. Chances are they won't be gone by the time the theme is called, so if anyone is around and wants to go ahead and post it here, feel free! If not I'll do it once they're gone...either way works! And can I just say Yay for having a working oven again???!!!
Oooh yes - yay for a working oven! Baking is fun :)
Suzanne wrote: "Oooh yes - yay for a working oven! Baking is fun :)"Well, I'm not much of a fan of baking, or cooking in general, but after a couple of months of getting by with stovetop, microwave, and a small toaster oven even I'm looking forward to it!
Ok, here it is!Week 2
Option 1
7. Snow white was 'fair' - read a book with an MC with blonde hair and/or fair skin. You must either quote the optional list used OR include in your post the sentence that qualifies that the MC is fair or blonde.
Optional lists in case you need to know your book's MC is 'fair'.
Sexy Blonde Heros Historical Contemporary and Paranormal Romance
Best Blonde Heroes of Contemporary Romance
Sunlight Blonde Heroines in Contemporary Romance Novels
Blonde on the cover
Sorry MM readers - you'll have to do a word search! But remember, you can always add books that fit to the lists above before I announce this theme...
Option 2
Key date: 15 September 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week #2Bookcover/link:
Seducing Cinderella by Gina L MaxwellPage numbers: 304 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies - Sexy Blonde Heros Historical Contemporary and Paranormal Romance List - Book 32
Week #2Bookcover/link
Definitely Dead by Charlaine HarrisPages: 342/Goodreads
How the book qualifies - p. 2 "rearrange a stray strand of my long blonde hair."
Selection Post - Week #2Option 1
Book:
Borrowing BluePages: 282 (Kindle version)
How the book qualifies: pg 35 - "His wavy, strawberry-blond hair was messy and his blue eyes shone…"
Week 2:Option 1: read a book with an MC with blonde hair and/or fair skin
Anything You Can Do227 pages/GR
How it fits: "The world sees me with my pale blonde hair and my big, shining blue eyes and they want to pat my head and plant me in their gardens" (page 6)
Selection PostWeek # 2
Book: Every Dog Has His Day by Jenn McKinlay
Pages: 336
How the book qualifies: "Someone had snapped a picture of Zach with his shaggy blonde hair poking out beneath the hem of his slouchy beanie." page 59
Selection Post - Week #2: Blond Hair/Fair SkinOption 1
Book Link: Becoming Three by Cameron Dane
Pages: 333
How Book Qualifies: He had overlong blond hair that almost dusted his shoulders... (Jasper, MC1)
Comletion Post - Week #2Option 1
Book:
Borrowing BlueFinished: 3/17/18 - 4 Stars
Review: I thought this was a very sweet story. Tristan and Blue both had issues that made their relationship improbable at best, but despite outside forces (and baggage from their pasts on both sides) they made it work. Throw in lots of fun secondary characters and a good narrator (Michael Pauley), and it made for a quick, fun read (or rather listen). I'm looking forward to continuing the series soon. Thanks for giving me the book, Jane...I doubt I ever would have discovered it otherwise!
Week 2: COMPLETEDOption 1: read a book with an MC with blonde hair and/or fair skin
Anything You Can Do227 pages/GR
How it fits: "The world sees me with my pale blonde hair and my big, shining blue eyes and they want to pat my head and plant me in their gardens" (page 6)
Date completed: 3/17/18
*4 STARS*
Ok, so this was definitely over the top with the "enemies since birth" thing but I still thought it was cute. I could totally see someone being so blinded by what they "thought" was going on that they couldn't see what was happening right in front of their face.
I loved Lucas's emails. Oh how different things could have been if he had shared them a long time ago, but I'm glad that everything worked out in the end.
This is my first book by this author but it definitely won't be my last. I liked the story, the characters and the humor.
Listened to this one on audio and liked the narrators. I actually wished the male narrator had gotten more time. I liked his voice.
Completion Post Week 2Option 1: Read a book with an MC with blond hair or fair skin
Book: Definitely Dead by Charlaine Harris
Date Read: 3/19
Pages: 343
How it fits: p. 2 "rearrange a stray strand of my long blonde hair."
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I couldn't read a bunch of these in a row, but one every few months is pretty fun! Sookie is sticking up for herself more, and we know whole groups of magical creatures. In this book, she has to go to New Orleans to clean out her cousin's apartment. While there, she also has to help the Vampire Queen of New Orleans. A witch downstairs helps her, and I think may be a potential new side character?? We see old and new love interests too :) I enjoyed it, and I'll probably read another...in a few months :)
~KarenH~ wrote: "Thanks for giving me the book, Jane...I doubt I ever would have discovered it otherwise!..."My pleasure - I'm so pleased you enjoyed it!
Completion PostWeek #2
Bookcover/link:
Seducing Cinderella by Gina L MaxwellPage numbers: 304 pgs/Goodreads
Rating: 4 Stars
Review:
The blurb for this book looked very interesting. I love takes on old tales. This one didn't quite fit the bill for a Cinderella story though. There really wasn't any resemblance other than him calling her Princess at times. That was a little disappointing.
The story itself was good. I was expecting a story about healing after an injury. That was part of the book, but there was more about relationships than anything. Sure, exercises and getting better were mentioned. They just weren't super front and center.
I did like that the book had an MMA fighter as a main character. You don't see that often. It was refreshing. I also liked how much Reid focused on training and how strict he was about his schedules and eating. It showed dedication.
I love a good romance book and this was definitely that. If you are looking for something with suspense and action, this doesn't fit the bill. I would have liked a little more action, but that didn't stop me from enjoying. I just found the book a fun light read.
CompletionWeek #2
Every Dog Has His Day
Date Read: 3/22/18
Rating: ★★★★
I love the cozy mysteries by this author and I think she has transitioned over to romance very well. Zach had a history of being a womanizer before he started falling for his neighbor, Jessie, and her daughters. I was particularly glad to see Jessie find love after the way her ex-husband treated her and their girls. It was sweet to watch their relationship develop and how good he was with Maddie and Gracie too. The group of friends has grown and it is nice to catch up with each of the couples from the previous books. I have enjoyed how the pets are a big part of each story and the title of each book as well. It kind of reminds me of Jill Shalvis' Animal Magnetism series. I hope there are more books to come in the Bluff Point series.
Oh nice - I've read her cozies and wasn't really aware she was doing romance. I'm glad I read your review!
Early theme announcement!Week 3
Option 1
3. Read a book with a 5 AND 3 in the book publication date and/or the page numbers (any combination) on the GR page for the book you choose. You cannot substitute a month for a number (3 = March; 5 = May).
Please note how this qualifies in your selection post.
Option 2
Key date: 22 September 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Week #3Bookcover/link:
A Casual Thing by Annabelle JacobsPage numbers: 138 pgs/Goodreads
How the book qualifies - 138 pages, Published July 1st 2015 by Dreamspinner Press.
Week #3 Selection PostBookcover/Link:
I Know A Secret by Tess GerritsenPage Numbers: 336/Goodreads
How the book qualifies: 336 pages, Published August 15 (Kindle Edition, Ballentine Books)
Selection Post - Week #3Option 1
Book:
Secrets in DeathPages: 381 (Kindle version)
How the book qualifies: Publication date September 5, 2017
Selection PostWeek #3
Book: I Want to Hold Your Hand by Marie Force
Pages: 352
How the book qualifies: 352 pages
Week 3Option 2:
Plum Lucky251 pages/GR
How it fits: Book #7 -- Seven Up -- read by Suzanne on 2/2/18 and rated *4 STARS*
Week 3Option 2:
Plum Lucky251 pages/GR
How it fits: Book #7 -- Seven Up -- read by Suzanne on 2/2/18 and rated *4 STARS*
Date completed: 3/24/18
*4 STARS*
I'm not exactly sure why I skipped this in between book, but I was glad to go back to the a time in the series where I was entertained. Stephanie was more fun than annoying. On the other hand, it was disconcerting to see just how long this Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger thing has been going on. And then I just got frustrated all over again. *sigh*
Nevertheless, I did have fun with this one. I'm sure I will torture myself soon and catch up on the last couple of the books in the series. I don't know why I keep doing it to myself and expecting different results. I guess I may be a glutton for punishment.
Completion PostWeek #3
Bookcover/link:
A Casual Thing by Annabelle JacobsRating: 4 Stars
Review:
I started out really excited about this book. I thought it looked like something quirky and fun to read. For the most part it was.
I liked both Patrick and Will. They seemed to make a good couple when they could get out of their heads. That was their biggest problem. It was also the reason for four stars instead of five.
The book moved really fast in the beginning. For the first 60 or so pages, I didn't want to put the book down. Then, I got kinda bored with the plot. It felt like it slowed down to a crawl. I wanted to give the book a chance because I enjoyed the beginning so much. So, I kept reading. It took a little bit, but the storyline picked back up. By the time the end hit, I was back to enjoying.
Overall, I would say the book was a nice quick read. Sure, there were parts that weren't the greatest. The good parts made up for them though.
Completion Post - Week #3Option 1
Book:
Secrets in DeathFinished 3/26/18 - 4 stars
Review: Let me start by saying I never met an In Death book that I didn't love, and this one was no exception. It did have a slightly different "feel" to it than most of the series...nothing major and definitely not bad, just little changes in the normal pattern of the story. Unlike most of the books, Eve wasn't really sure who the killer was until right at the end, and there wasn't the usual 3 or 4 victims. Other than that it was pretty typical Eve and Roarke, and I very much enjoyed it. I listened to the audio version, and as usual Susan Ericksen was a pleasure to listen to!
Completion Post - Week #3 Option 1:
Bookcover/Link:
I Know A Secret by Tess GerritsenPage Numbers: 336/Goodreads
Finished: 3/27/18
How the book qualifies: 336 pages, Published August 15 (Kindle Edition, Ballentine Books)
Rating: 4 stars
Review: I'm now officially finished with this series (unless she writes another one) - yay! With all of the books around - I personally have a hard time finishing series, although I've tried to make it more of a focus.
I enjoyed this one - character storylines have progressed throughout the series, but they are not at all the main focus (although they are kind of MY main focus). The mystery was good and had some unexpected twists. One of my favorite parts was the repeated visits to a room of smelly 20-somethings who were making a horror movie. It wasn't funny exactly, but was just not the usual group we see in this series :)
⚣❣☙ Michaelle ❧❣⚣ wrote: "Week #2: Blond Hair/Fair SkinOption 1
Book Link: Becoming Three by Cameron Dane
Pages: 333
How Book Qualifies: He had overlong b..."
Don't forget to post a selection for this week Mich!
Status Update:Week 1 - Completed
Week 2 - Missing Completion post from Michaelle
Week 3 - Missing Selection post from Michaelle and Completion posts from Michaelle and Amanda
Everyone remember, we have an early theme call this week...tomorrow instead of Friday!
CompletionWeek #3
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Date Read: 3/27/18
Rating: ★★★★
I liked Hannah in the first book so I was looking forward to her story in this book. There were hints of a romance blooming when she shared a dance with Nolan. She and Nolan were realistic characters and I admired Nolan's patience to wait for her to be ready to fall in love again after the death of her husband in Iraq. I enjoyed the flashbacks to her life with Caleb and his death through her diary entries. Homer's death was heartbreaking and the saddest part of the book for me because I love dogs. The Abbott family is entertaining and I look forward to the rest of the siblings stories.
Week 4Option 1
2. Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.
Option 2
Key date: 29 September 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Selection PostOption 1
Week #4
Bookcover/link
An Offer From a Gentleman by Julia QuinnPage numbers 384
How the book qualifies - Historical is a MPG
Sorry guys, I've had some family issues and had to deal with settling those which meant almost no reading for two weeks. I really hate letting my team down...I should have Blond week done in a couple hours.
And post to follow will have Week 3.
Again, really sorry for being MIA.
Week #3: 5&3Option 1
Book Link: Manbot by Scarlet Blackwell
Pages: 135
How Book Qualifies: Has 3&5 in page count.
COMPLETEWeek #2: Blond/Fair
Option 1
Becoming Three by Cameron Dane
Rating: 3.4 Stars
Review:
So after more than a year of not reading much but MM books I was really looking forward to reading something different, something I had missed a whole lot: an MMF story. And since I absolutely adored ReneCade I figured another book in that series would be the best place to start in on what I was craving.
Yeah, that didn't really work out so well.
I wanted to like the book more but the characters felt very 2-dimensional; the head-hopping didn't really help with getting a clear picture of each MC as they were presented. I remember Jasper from the other books but felt like I learned very little about him other than his confused attraction to Jace (and Caleb, initially, which made him open to the possibilities of being with Jace). I liked Sarah's adventurous spirit but for most of the story she felt like the glue holding them all together. Jace was much more interesting with his past experiences of being in a couple of menages and yet yearning for a true triad - an equally physical AND emotional - relationship instead, his struggle with alcohol, his friendship with Hunter forcing him to keep secrets from Hunter's sister (Sarah).
Even more interesting was the murdered woman. I almost wish she had her own book prior to being killed. Which, I guess is a bit of an indictment of the tale as whole that I'd rather read about a dead woman than the one we're presented. *shrug* The case was also pretty dull and I guessed the killer right off the bat - I hate when it's that easy; I do have to give props for how Jace had to face his fears, demons and hurts in dealing with the guy...opening up like that to get a confession felt pretty brutal. I wish we'd been given a little more of the details of him doing that to solve the other cases with the FBI instead of the brush off - I think being inside his head for that would have given his reunion with Jasper & Sarah, his breaking down emotionally for them, a little more impact. I probably would have even rounded up (giving it 3.5+ stars).
But, the sex scenes were reasonably hot - especially Jasper's first time with Jace, and that last scene with Jace being comforted and loved by Jasper and Sarah at the same time. I did find myself cringing at the repeated use of the female C-word...guess it will take some time for my mind to slide back into expecting lots of female parts after so long with only the cocks.
Still, having Hunter return sparked my interest and I'm definitely gonna read that one. Wounded Warriors have a special place in my heart and if CD can do half as well with his story as she did with Cade's then I'll be happy.
Selection Post - Week #4Option 1
Book:
When He Was WickedPages: 390 (Kindle version)
How the book qualifies: MPG Historical
Week #4Book:
Bloodline by Jordan L HawkPages: 244 pgs/GR
How the book qualifies: Historical listed as genre on Goodreads information page.
Week 4Option 1: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'
Romancing Mister Bridgerton370 pages/GR
How it fits: Historical is MPG
Completion Post - Week #4Option 1
Book:
When He Was WickedFinished: 4/2/18 - 4 Stars
Review: I love this series! This book was not my favorite, although I can't quite put my finger on why. I did enjoy it, but just not quite as much as some of the earlier books. It was fun seeing glimpses of the rest of the Bridgertons, and I really was rooting for Francesca and Michael to get past their issues and find their HEA. I listened to the audio version, and although I do enjoy Simon Prebble's narrations, the first several books in this series are narrated by one of my absolute favorites - Rosalyn Landor - and I really missed her in this one!
I'm listening to her narration and you are right - she is very good!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Compromised (other topics)Torn (other topics)
Torn (other topics)
The Duchess Deal (other topics)
Bright Water, Dark Sky (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
Bailey Queen (other topics)Tessa Dare (other topics)
Tessa Dare (other topics)
Bailey Queen (other topics)
Martha Wells (other topics)
More...
Option 1
Bookcover:
Pages: 291
Date Read: 3/10
How the book qualifies: Set in the United Kingdom (Setting is listed on Goodreads description).
Rating: 2 stars
Review: Agatha Raisin books are all pretty similar, and this one was kind of a mess. In some parts it would mention months going by for some characters, where just a day or two went by for others. Then the murder was discovered, and there was this whole weird subplot thing going on for another 40-50 pages. Anyway, I usually enjoy this series - they are basically just fast, comfort reads. And I didn't hate this book, but it definitely wasn't great.