Romance Readers Reading Challenges discussion
Archive - Pass The Parcel
>
PtP - Reading Queens (4)
I updated the tracking posts and this is where we are at.Week 2: Missing completion posts from Nikk and Grace.
Week 3: Missing selection posts from Nikk and Grace - need those before the theme call on Friday. And Tink has already finished her book!
Hope everyone's weekend is going great!
Week 2
Rating: 5 stars
Review: This is the second time reading this story, and I loved it even more! First books in fantasy series can have a lot of world building going on and can sometimes be dragged down on first read, so reading it the second time I was able to better appreciate the humor, writing style, and pick up details I missed the first time. All the characters are great and I really enjoy Nevada's family.
Week 3
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
391 pgs per GR
Qualification: 3 in pages (391) and 5 in publishing date (July 25th)
Sorry for being MIA. I caught a horrible cold on Friday and have been pretty out of it. The only good thing is spring break started, so I don't have two weeks off to recover!
I hope you feel better! The colds/flu going around this year have been bad!
Selection Post - Option #1Week #3: read a book with a 5 and a 3 in the publication date and/or the page numbers
Bookcover/link:
Dead Heat by Patricia BriggsPage numbers: 324
How the book qualifies: Published March 3 2015
Completion Post Week #2
Clean SweepDate read: 3/26/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Review:
I didn't know too much about this book going in other than that it was an Ilona Andrews series I hadn't read and so far I have loved everything written by this husband and wife writing team. The way it started seemed almost like i had started a chapter in and I wondered for a moment if perhaps it was a spin off of some other series I had somehow managed to have not read yet. However the story and the concept slowly but surely drew me in and I really loved the fact that it was something a little different to what i had been expecting and left me wanting to pick up book 2 and see where it goes from here. All in all a really enjoyable story.
Tracking is updated! All done with Week 2 and all selections for Week 3 have been made. =)Just a reminder, any changes to your selection need to be made before the theme call regular time on Friday.
I'm about 2/3 done with my book and should finish tomorrow - so I will be done before the theme call for the first time! That is my usual, so this has been different for me.
ETA: I was just reminded we are getting an early call for this week because of the holiday weekend. I am out tomorrow and won't be home until a couple of hours after the theme is announced. Feel free to post it or just your selection - either way.
Completion Post Week #3
Treble MakerRating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Review:
A sweet romance of two totally different guys, who find together during an a capella reality competition show. :)
Lucas and Cody really couldn’t be more different!
Lucas is ultra conservative. His family, as well as the college he attends, accept him being gay, but expect from him to stay celibate until marriage and avoid any temptation.
Cody on the contrary, is outgoing and proud. A gothy twink with piercings, tattoos and guyliner. Sometimes over the top, but also full of insecurities.
It was so great to see how they developed during the story and finally fell in love with each other.
They found their own way, realized what was really important to them in life!
Completion Post Week #3
Dead HeatDate read: 3/29/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐ ⭐
Review:
This book had me hooked from the first page. I didn't know as much going in to this one as the previous book despite being further along in the mercy Thompson series and this made it all that much better. As per usual , the story line was strong and interesting and flowed at exactly the right pace to keep you right in the story and moving along . Ms briggs also writes such vivid characters that you can't help but connect with them immediately.
I immensely enjoyed this latest instalment in this series and cannot wait to pick up the next one.
New theme!Week 4
Option 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.
I've finished my week 3 book and have a book for week 4, but I'm too tired to post. I will get it done tomorrow as well as updating the tracking!
Selection Post - Option #1Week #4: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.
Bookcover/link:
The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie MoningPage numbers: 356
How the book qualifies: MPG HIstorical
Week 3: Read a book with a 5 AND 3 in the book publication date and/or the page numbers.Completion Post
Delusion in Death by J.D. Robb, 355 p. per GRMass Market Paperback edition has 355 p. and was published April 2nd 2013.
Completed 3.29.18 *4 Stars*
Wow, I wasn't expecting that ending! I was getting so confused as I neared the ending of the book - Eve had her guy, he was confessing - how could there be an hour an a half left in the audio?! Wasn't expecting a twist like that! But it was great as usual. =)
I loved seeing the personal side of Eve come out and her get even stronger as she dealt with her past. The entire 'choices' aspect hit me personally, as that is how I believe - we choose how we deal with the things in our lives. (LOVED the scene where she was going at the suspect - make a choice!!) And as always, Roarke's love and support were amazing. Don't we all wish for that?
The audio of this book with Susan Ericksen was perfect - again!
Week 4: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.Selection Post
When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, 390 p. per GRHistorical genre listed on the main book page.
Nikk wrote: "Selection Post - Option #1Week #4: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.
Bookcover/link:
The Highlander's Touch"Love that series! The next three are so, so good! I think Kiss of the Highlander is one of the most romantic books I've ever read.
I'm not going to start my book until probably Monday, it is a book for April. Fortunately, it is in audio so it will go fast!
MountainKat wrote: "Nikk wrote: "Selection Post - Option #1Week #4: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.
Bookcover/link:
The Highlander's Touch by..."I have liked this series so far and I love Karen marie Moning's Fever series. I have heard many good things about this series and this book has been on my TBR for a while. I need to read something else first so I too may not start it till Monday though I am really in the mood to read it now and the squeeze my other read in after :-P
Week 4: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.Selection Post
Book: Jackdaw by K.J. Charles 222 pgs/GR
Qualification: "Historical" listed under Genre on main book page.
This week's theme worked out perfectly for me because I absolutely had to read the next book in the series after my last week's pick and it fits the theme! 😄
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "This week's theme worked out perfectly for me because I absolutely had to read the next book in the series after my last week's pick and it fits the theme! 😄"I love when that happens!
I finished week 3, and will post a review later this weekend. Not sure what I'll do for this week. I may go shelf diving for option 2 this week, since nothing historical is really speaking to me.
Completion Post Week #4
The Highlander's TouchDate read: 3/31/18
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐ ⭐
Review:
I literally read this book in one sitting! from the moment i started on the first page, I didn't want to put it down. The story line itself was relatively straight forward as far as time travel novels go and there were a few little niggles in the story itself but overall it flowed well and there were enough surprises to keep me moving forward. While I wasn't a huge fan of Lisa through a good portion of the book, by the end I was really wanting things to work out and i finished the novel ready to pick up book 4. All in all a good instalment to this series and i will most definitely be continue to read this series
I'm glad you liked it Nikk! The next three are the best, IMHO. =)
Selection Post Week #4Option 1: Historical
Provoked by Joanna ChambersPages: 202
How it qualifies: main page genre 'historical'
Week #4Option 2
Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
342 pgs/GR
Qualification: Read by Nikk on 2-11-2018, 5 stars
Week 3
Wildfire by Ilona Andrews
Rating: 5 Stars
Review: This was such a satisfying conclusion to this trilogy. It was the perfect blend of romance, humor, and story. I loved how it was able to conclude the arc with New Rome, but still leave the option of continuing open. I love how they dropped hints about who Cesar is without telling you (plus if they do chose to write another book, dealing with Cesar will make for an interesting narrative, especially with his connections to Nevada). Seeing how they finished this series, really makes me impatient to see what they do with the ending of Kate Dainels.
Caipi wrote: "Selection Post Week #4Option 1: Historical
Provoked by Joanna ChambersPages: 202
How it qualifies: main page genre 'historical'"
I just started to listen to the audiobook of this one! The narrator is great, with a lovely Scottish accent (authentic I believe :)).
Completion Post:Week #3
Book: Flight of Magpies by K.J. Charles
Rating: 5 stars (I'd give more if I could. 😊)
Review:
I've read the first two book in this series three times each but kept putting off the final book because I didn't want to be disappointed and I didn't want the series to be over. Well, I definitely wasn't disappointed. I thought KJ Charles did a fantastic job tying up all the threads of this series and leaving Lucien and Stephen in a really good place. I’m also happy I don’t have to say bye to them quite yet, since there's still one more book with these characters (though they're secondary characters).
This book had one of the creepiest killers I’ve come across -- "The Artist" who with his magic, could draw pictures of anyone and then as he destroyed the picture it injured and eventually killed the person in the way the picture was destroyed. Eg. by fire or cut up or...you get the idea. Eek! I thought the romance/relationship was handled really well. There were some not so good things that both men were ignoring, but especially Stephen, and I liked how they worked through them, with some drama and anger which felt realistic and needed to come out so they could get their HEA. And oh then end! What an epic battle!
I would kill for more stories with these two as they travel the world, but I’m really happy with how things ended.
Completion Post:Week #4
Book: Jackdaw
Rating: 5 stars
Review: We met one of the MCs in this book, Jonah, in the last Charm of Magpies book and he wasn’t exactly one of the good guys. Not evil but definitely living life in the darker shades of grey. The other MC, Ben, is a former policeman and Jonah’s ex-lover who has spent months doing hard labor after being caught in flagrante delicto after Jonah escaped his custody. He’s lost everything: his job, his home and his family and he wants to find Jonah and make him pay for the hell he’s been through because of him. Of course, it doesn’t go quite as planned and Ben learns there’s more to Jonah than he realized and he didn’t leave him for entirely selfish reasons. They spend a good portion of the book trying to escape the law, which happens to be the Judicary (the magical world’s version of the police) for whom Stephen, from the Charm of Magpie series works. I have to say it was interesting to see Stephan from Jonah and Ben’s POV, he was much less likable, that’s for sure and Lucien was pretty damn scary. I loved how Jonah learned to be a better person and the ending was perfect!
Completion Post:Week # 4 - Option: 1
Book: Quincy's Woman
Rating: 4 stars
Review:
This is a character-driven western story which are both themes I don't often read and don't normally find much appeal in. I have to say, however, that I really enjoyed this one. Seeing Lucy grow up and look past her nose and learn to care about those around her and see how little her appearance and belongings mean to those in her new home without losing her background completely was really warming and I ended up liking her a lot by the end.
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Completion Post:Week #4
Book: Jackdaw
Rating: 5 stars
Review: We met one of the MCs in this book, Jonah, in the last Charm of Magpies book and he wasn’t exactly one of the good guys. Not evil bu..."
Liz, I need a link in your completion post - thanks!
MountainKat wrote: "Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Completion Post:Week #4
Book: Jackdaw
Rating: 5 stars
Review: We met one of the MCs in this book, Jonah, in the last Charm of Magpies book and he wasn’t exactly one of the ..."
Done! Sorry about that. I did the same thing with my week three completion post but I rembered to fix that one. :)
Week 4: Read a book with the main page genre 'historical'.Completion Post
When He Was Wicked by Julia Quinn, 390 p. per GRHistorical genre listed on the main book page.
Completed 4.4.18 *4 Stars*
Another wonderful Bridgerton book! I will admit I get a little confused about the timeline with the books overlapping like they do. But I just go along for the ride and it works out. I have to say though this wasn't my favorite of the series. I think the hero and heroine both were far too concerned about they should or should not be thinking, feeling, doing throughout too much of the book. But I still loved it and was happy to see Francesca get her happy ending.
I listened to the audio and enjoyed it. Simon Prebble is quite good with the narration - there is a lot of emotion, good characterizations and the pacing is well done. My problem was only that his voice is quite similar to Jim Dale's narration of the Harry Potter books. And since I had listened to several in that series over the last year, I had to shake my head out of one world and back into the other several times - telling myself this was not an adult version of a Harry Potter book! Moral of that story - don't listen to Harry Potter before listening the the rest of these books! Or you will end up like me, desperately missing Rosalyn Landor even though there was nothing wrong with the current narration
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Completion Post:Week #3
Book: Flight of Magpies by K.J. Charles
Rating: 5 stars (I'd give more if I could. 😊)
Review:
I've read the first two book in this series..."
Did you read or listen to this? Charles writes a great story but I think I keep putting this one off due to the creep factor. It's down to be read this quarter though ;)
I listened to the whole series including Jackdaw. Cornell Collins' narration was excellent. It's definitely creepy but not keep you up at night scary. You'll love it. KJ Charles is such an amazing writer!
Completion Post Week #4
ProvokedRating: 4 stars
Review:
A solid start to a historical series.
I think the atmosphere of the time that the story is set in was pretty well done. The main characters were both sympathetic and the intricate mystery kept me interested.
But to be honest, I was a bit disappointed at the end. (view spoiler) My bad, I should have read the blurbs of the follow-up books before! ;)
Anyway, I liked the story and now I need to know what happens in book 2. :)
Waiting, waiting , waiting for the new theme! I'm afraid to start another book - I finished the one I was reading in the middle of the night. That is the only good thing about insomnia...We are complete through week 3 and only missing one completion for week 4, so we are in great shape!
New theme! Jane's post with links is HERE.Week 5
Option 1
13. Read a book with an MC as the housekeeper or similar from one of the following lists:
Helping Hand Romance Hero Or Heroine Hired As Butler, Housekeeper, Cook, Chauffeur, Maid and More
Feather Duster: Housekeepers in Contemporary Romance
Better Homes: Housekeepers in Historical Romance
MM bookshelf "Profession - Servant'
Manny MM
Servant Heroes/Heroines In Romance
Nanny Governess Romances
If you use Option 1 your book MUST be chosen from one of the above lists.
Option 2
Key date: 6 Ocotber 2017
Please ensure you follow the format shown in msg 3 of your team threads. when you post your selection and completion posts.
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "I listened to the whole series including Jackdaw. Cornell Collins' narration was excellent. It's definitely creepy but not keep you up at night scary. You'll love it. KJ Charles is ..."Thanks Liz - will push it up the pile :D
Hmm...I think I'll go peruse everyone's shelves. This category isn't speaking to me.
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Hmm...I think I'll go peruse everyone's shelves. This category isn't speaking to me."That's what I'm doing. I do have several choices for Option 2, just have to decide which one to go with.
Me neither Liz. I have never yet used option 2 in either PTPs I have played in but this week might be the first :-/
Nikk wrote: "Me neither Liz. I have never yet used option 2 in either PTPs I have played in but this week might be the first :-/"Wow, I've had rounds where I used option 2 just about every other week! It was all in the timing of what I needed to read for other challenges and what worked for the theme - fortunately my teammates had good options for me.
Week # 5 - Option: 1Book: A Countess Below Stairs
Page count: 383
How the book qualifies: #29 on the Helping Hand Romances-Hero or Heroine Hired As Butler, Housekeeper, Cook, Chauffeur, Maid And More list
Week 5: Read a book with an MC as the housekeeper or similar.Selection Post
How To Save a Life by Eli Easton, 249 p. per GROption 2: #4 in series, #3 in series on Caipi's read shelf, read 10.26.17, rated 4 stars
Selection PostWeek 5: Option 2
Book: Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox, 282 pgs/GR
Qualification: Read by MountainKat on 3/6/18. Rated 4 stars.
Liz (Bugetta) wrote: "Selection PostWeek 5: Option 2
Book: Borrowing Blue by Lucy Lennox, 282 pgs/GR
Qualification: Read by MountainKat on 3/6/18. Rated 4 stars."
I hope you enjoy it too!
Romance Readers Reading Challenges
Books mentioned in this topic
Cowboy Easy (other topics)With Love (other topics)
Dragon Consultant (other topics)
Potato Surprise (other topics)
Taken in Death (other topics)
More...
Authors mentioned in this topic
J.L. Langley (other topics)Angel Martinez (other topics)
Mell Eight (other topics)
Angel Martinez (other topics)
Stormy Glenn (other topics)
More...
Completion Post
Chapter 2, page 11: "He hadn't, but damn if she wasn't fine looking, with long wavy blonde hair and amazing blue eyes." (Hero's thoughts while being introduced to heroine.)
Completed 3.25.18 *4 Stars*
This would have been perfect for me had there been more at the end. It was just too simple and felt incomplete. Maybe it just needed an epilogue. Up until the stupid girl moment at the end, it was great though. You can tell the author is a sports fan and understands how things work - it can be terribly annoying if an author tackles something they don't understand or don't bother to learn. I'm not saying it was perfect from an athlete's perspective, but it worked for this sports fan!
All of the characters were wonderful, their camaraderie was comfortable and easy. The relationship between Will and Amber was a joy to watch. The attraction was there early on, followed readily be the heat, the feelings came along and surprised them both. Will knew what he wanted, but Amber was so inexperienced that she was sort of clueless. Then came the stupid girl moment, it would have been so much easier to just talk things out. Oh well, all's well that ends well and I'm really glad I read this.